Searching for the most affordable West Palm Beach auto insurance online can seem to be impossible for consumers new to price shopping online. With so many companies competing online, how can you even start to compare the different rates to find the best available rates?
It’s a good idea to compare rates once or twice a year since rates tend to go up over time. Even if you think you had the lowest rates a couple years back you may be paying too much now. You’ll find quite a bit of inaccurate information about auto insurance on the internet, so by reading this article, you’re going to learn some solid techniques on how to buy auto insurance cheaper.
If you have car insurance now, you will most likely be able to reduce your rates substantially using these techniques. Locating the best auto insurance in West Palm Beach is easy if you know what you’re doing. Nevertheless, Florida car owners need to learn how big insurance companies sell online.
Performing a rate comparison can take hours if you don’t utilize the most efficient way. You could waste a few hours discussing policy coverages with insurance companies in West Palm Beach, or you could use online quotes to get rate comparisons in just a few minutes.
Many companies participate in an industry program where insurance shoppers only type in their quote data once, and each participating company can provide price quotes based on that information. This eliminates the need for quote forms for each company.
To compare rates using this form now click here to start a free quote.
One minor caviat to comparing rates this way is you cannot specify the companies you will receive quotes from. If you would rather choose individual companies to compare rates, we have a listing of companies who write auto insurance in Florida. View list of Florida insurance companies.
It’s up to you which method you use, but be sure to compare the exact same coverage limits with every price quote. If each company quotes differing limits then you won’t be able to determine the best price in West Palm Beach. Just a small difference in coverage limits may result in a large different in cost. Keep in mind that comparing a large number of companies will increase your chances of finding the best price.
Progressive, Allstate and GEICO regularly use ads on television and other media. All the companies make an identical promise that you can save if you move your coverage to them. But how can every company say the same thing? It’s all in the numbers.
All the different companies can use profiling for the right customer that makes them money. An example of a desirable insured could be between 25 and 40, is a homeowner, and drives less than 7,500 miles a year. Any driver who fits that profile gets the lowest rates and is almost guaranteed to cut their rates substantially.
Potential customers who do not match the requirements must pay a higher premium and ends up with the driver buying from a lower-cost company. The ad wording is “people who switch” not “everybody who quotes” save that much. This is how companies can make the claims of big savings. This illustrates why it’s extremely important to get as many comparisons as possible. It is impossible to predict which insurance companies will fit your personal profile best.
Companies that sell car insurance don’t always list every available discount very well, so we break down some of the more common as well as the least known ways to save on auto insurance.
Consumers should know that most of the big mark downs will not be given to your bottom line cost. Some only reduce specific coverage prices like comprehensive or collision. Even though it may seem like it’s possible to get free car insurance, it just doesn’t work that way.
A small number of people would rather visit with an insurance agent and that is OK! The biggest benefit of comparing rates online is that you can obtain lower rates but also keep your business local.
To make it easy to find an agent, after completing this quick form, your insurance data is immediately sent to participating agents in West Palm Beach who will return price quotes for your coverage. You don’t have to leave your computer because quoted prices will be sent immediately to your email address. You’ll get the best rates and an insurance agent to talk to.
Selecting an provider shouldn’t rely on just the price. Agents should be asked these questions:
When researching an insurance agent, there are a couple of types of insurance agents that differ in how they can insure your vehicles. Insurance agencies in West Palm Beach are either captive or independent.
These agents have only one company to place business with and examples are State Farm, AAA and Liberty Mutual. They are unable to shop your coverage around so keep that in mind. These agents are well schooled on the products they sell which helps them compete with independent agents. Some people will only purchase coverage from captives primarily because of loyalty to the company and the convenience of having all coverages with one company.
Shown below is a list of captive insurance agents in West Palm Beach who can help you get comparison quotes.
Independent agencies are not locked into one company but rather can write business with multiple insurance companies depending on which coverage is best. To move your coverage to a new company, an independent agent can move your coverage and you don’t have to find a new agent.
When comparison shopping, you should always include price quotes from multiple independent agents for maximum quote selection. They often place coverage with lesser-known insurance companies who may have lower rates.
The following is a list of independent insurance agencies in West Palm Beach who can help you get comparison quotes.
To view a full list of West Palm Beach insurance agents, please view this page.
After receiving answers to your satisfaction for all questions you ask and a good coverage price, most likely you have located an insurance agent that will provide auto insurance coverage. Keep in mind you can always cancel coverage at any time so don’t feel you’re contractually obligated to any specific agency for the full term.
More detailed Florida auto insurance information can be found at the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation website. Florida consumers can read enforcement actions against agents and companies, find disaster information, find out which companies have the most complaints, and learn about insurance regulations.
Having a good grasp of a auto insurance policy helps when choosing appropriate coverage for your vehicles. Policy terminology can be confusing and reading a policy is terribly boring.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage
This coverage gives you protection when the “other guys” either have no liability insurance or not enough. It can pay for injuries sustained by your vehicle’s occupants and also any damage incurred to your vehicle.
Because many people only purchase the least amount of liability that is required (Florida limits are 10/20/10), it only takes a small accident to exceed their coverage. For this reason, having high UM/UIM coverages is important protection for you and your family.
Comprehensive coverage
Comprehensive insurance coverage pays for damage caused by mother nature, theft, vandalism and other events. You need to pay your deductible first then your comprehensive coverage will pay.
Comprehensive coverage pays for claims like damage from a tornado or hurricane, rock chips in glass, vandalism, hail damage and hitting a bird. The most you can receive from a comprehensive claim is the market value of your vehicle, so if the vehicle’s value is low consider removing comprehensive coverage.
Liability insurance
This coverage can cover injuries or damage you cause to other people or property by causing an accident. Split limit liability has three limits of coverage: bodily injury for each person, bodily injury for the entire accident, and a limit for property damage. As an example, you may have values of 50/100/50 that translate to $50,000 in coverage for each person’s injuries, a per accident bodily injury limit of $100,000, and $50,000 of coverage for damaged propery.
Liability can pay for claims such as funeral expenses, repair bills for other people’s vehicles and bail bonds. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is your choice, but it’s cheap coverage so purchase as high a limit as you can afford. Florida state minimum liability requirements are 10,000/20,000/10,000 but drivers should carry higher limits.
Collision coverage protection
Collision coverage pays for damage to your vehicle from colliding with another car or object. You will need to pay your deductible and the rest of the damage will be paid by collision coverage.
Collision coverage pays for claims such as crashing into a building, rolling your car, hitting a mailbox, colliding with another moving vehicle and damaging your car on a curb. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so consider removing coverage from older vehicles. Another option is to bump up the deductible to save money on collision insurance.
Medical payments coverage and PIP
Med pay and PIP coverage reimburse you for immediate expenses for chiropractic care, surgery, doctor visits and funeral costs. The coverages can be used to cover expenses not covered by your health insurance program or if you lack health insurance entirely. Coverage applies to not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants in addition to if you are hit as a while walking down the street. Personal injury protection coverage is not universally available but can be used in place of medical payments coverage
When trying to cut insurance costs, do not skimp on coverage in order to save money. There are too many instances where an accident victim reduced liability coverage limits and learned later that their decision to reduce coverage ended up costing them more. Your aim should be to buy a smart amount of coverage for the lowest price.
Low-cost auto insurance is definitely available online in addition to many West Palm Beach insurance agents, so you should compare both to have the best chance of lowering rates. Some companies do not provide the ability to get a quote online and many times these regional insurance providers only sell through independent insurance agents.
Insureds who switch companies do it for any number of reasons including delays in paying claims, high prices, lack of trust in their agent or being labeled a high risk driver. It doesn’t matter what your reason, switching companies is easier than you think.