When shopping for Bakersfield car insurance it is wise to know what you really need so you can ignore all the extra stuff that car insurance companies will try to sell you. Just like car dealerships, car insurance companies make a lot of their money by convincing people that they need something when they really don't. Drawing the line between a "need" and a "luxury" is, along with shopping around for car insurance are the main ways you can save money on car insurance. Although I can't clearly define what you personally need and don't, I'll get you going in the right direction...
The minimum car insurance you must have actually has nothing to do with car insurance at all. It's all about liability insurance. For the state of California you are required to have $15,000 in insurance for bodily injury liability for one person in an accident, $30,000 in insurance for bodily injury liability for all people in a potential accident, and $5,000 for property damage liability. What does this all mean? Bodily injury liability covers the medical expenses of people involved in a car accident, whether those people are in your car, in another car, or pedestrians. Assuming you only have the minimum requirements the insurance company would pay you up to $30,000. Property damage liability covers damage when you are at fault for damaging something, whether it is another car, a bus shelter, a garage door, etc. Although the aforementioned numbers are the minimum, it is in your best interest to go above it. Just looking at the $5,000 in property damage liability...Most cars on the road are worth around $18,000, so $5,000 is way to small of coverage. How much more coverage should you get? It all depends on your situation. If you feel that you will have the money in your pocket to pay for medical expenses and property damage, which can really add up, then you can go for a lower premium. If, like most people, you aren't so sure you'll have the money, get more liability protection.
Although, in the state of California, you are not required to have Personal Injury Protection (PIP), it can be in your best interest to get it. The aforementioned liability insurances do not protect you, but PIP does. Even if you already have decent health insurance, in the event of an accident, you can get both PIP payments and payments from your health care provider.
You should also know about collision and comprehensive insurance. Collision insurance, unlike property liability, mentioned earlier, protects your car in case of damage. Comprehensive insurance covers damage to your car when it has nothing to do with a car accident. This would include things such as theft or weather.
Another thing to consider is GAP insurance, which protects you in the event that your car is stolen or damaged beyond repair. If, in the unfortunate event this happens to your car, GAP would cover the difference between what your insurance company would pay you and the total amount you owe to the loan company.
For tips to save money when shopping for Bakersfield car insurance or car insurance for any city, check out Auto Insurance Discounters: You Are Your Own Discounters!.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Auto Insurance Discounters: You Are Your Own Discounters!
If you are looking to save money on car insurance from "auto insurance discounters" you should know that there is no such thing as an "auto insurance discounter". Why? Because the best way you can save money on car insurance is simply by shopping around. There is not one insurance company which always offers the best discounts. Quotes from companies can vary by hundreds of dollars. If you want to get an idea of just how much rates can vary, check out naic.org. There you'll find a map of the United States from which you can get a link to your state's insurance site. In the consumer section of your state's site you should find a comparison chart which gives quotes from your local car insurers . This should give you an idea of the rates in your area and by how much they can vary.
Comparison car insurance sites like Insurance.com or carinsurance.com can help you find some of the lowest rates available. However, according to an Edmunds article, sites like these might not list the lowest available insurance quotes because companies which have the lowest quote wouldn't pay these sites commission.
Aside from getting a quote online, once you do so, try talking to your local independent car insurance agent who can compare rates from multiple companies, maybe beat the quote you find online, and cater more to your needs.
Here is a list of tips to help you save money and b your own auto insurance discounters, before and while you're shopping for car insurance...
Comparison car insurance sites like Insurance.com or carinsurance.com can help you find some of the lowest rates available. However, according to an Edmunds article, sites like these might not list the lowest available insurance quotes because companies which have the lowest quote wouldn't pay these sites commission.
Aside from getting a quote online, once you do so, try talking to your local independent car insurance agent who can compare rates from multiple companies, maybe beat the quote you find online, and cater more to your needs.
Here is a list of tips to help you save money and b your own auto insurance discounters, before and while you're shopping for car insurance...
How To Save Money Auto Insurance
Auto Insurance Discounts
If you think you�re paying too much for auto insurance, you�re probably right because most people are. Based on my experience as an insurance agent, I find most individuals are not aware of the various discounts that they may qualify for and some are not aware of others ways to save on their auto insurance coverage as well. See the outline below for various discounts available and other ways to save on your auto coverage.
Some of the discounts you may qualify for are:
*Home/auto discount � Insurance companies will give you a 10 to 15 percent discount if you insure your car and home with them.
*Increasing your deductible could save you from 10 to 15 per cent on your coverage.
*Multi-car discount - Some insurance companies will give you a 10 to 15 percent discount if you have two or more cars insured with them.
*Safety and security discount - You can get a discount for safety and security devices installed in your car such as anti-theft devices, air bags, burglar alarms and anti-lock brakes.
*Driver�s education discount � If you�ve taken a driver�s education course or defensive driving course.
*Other Discounts � Having a good driving record, being a senior, housing car in a garage, not having filed claims.
Note: You should always ask your agent about any discounts you may be eligible for before you buy auto insurance coverage.
Here are some other ways you can save on your auto insurance:
1. Keep your driver�s record clean and up to date.
2. Assume more risk by adjusting your coverage. For instance raise your deductibles.
3. Make sure you get all the discounts you qualify for (see above).
4. Drive a low profile car with certain money saving safety features.
5. Make sure you shop around for a good, low cost insurance provider.
When shopping for auto coverage, consider auto insurance discounters. They can offer cheap insurance because they keep their operating costs low. There to find these companies is to go to an insurance comparison website. There you will be able to fill out a simple questionnaire and get rates from various A-rated companies.
When you compare car insurance quotes you may find that they can vary widely. This is because in some cases the benefits of coverage are so different. One quoted premium can be lower than the others and this can happen because the level of coverage is not as comprehensive as others. For instance, the coverage can just be liability, which will not cover your own vehicle if you are involved in an accident.
Finally, make sure that when you request a car insurance quote - whether by a comparison website or directly to an insurer - that you fully disclose all the information requested. You must give details of previous claims and motoring convictions as they will affect the premium you pay. If you do not disclose all the information requested, your cover may be invalid.
If you think you�re paying too much for auto insurance, you�re probably right because most people are. Based on my experience as an insurance agent, I find most individuals are not aware of the various discounts that they may qualify for and some are not aware of others ways to save on their auto insurance coverage as well. See the outline below for various discounts available and other ways to save on your auto coverage.
Some of the discounts you may qualify for are:
*Home/auto discount � Insurance companies will give you a 10 to 15 percent discount if you insure your car and home with them.
*Increasing your deductible could save you from 10 to 15 per cent on your coverage.
*Multi-car discount - Some insurance companies will give you a 10 to 15 percent discount if you have two or more cars insured with them.
*Safety and security discount - You can get a discount for safety and security devices installed in your car such as anti-theft devices, air bags, burglar alarms and anti-lock brakes.
*Driver�s education discount � If you�ve taken a driver�s education course or defensive driving course.
*Other Discounts � Having a good driving record, being a senior, housing car in a garage, not having filed claims.
Note: You should always ask your agent about any discounts you may be eligible for before you buy auto insurance coverage.
Here are some other ways you can save on your auto insurance:
1. Keep your driver�s record clean and up to date.
2. Assume more risk by adjusting your coverage. For instance raise your deductibles.
3. Make sure you get all the discounts you qualify for (see above).
4. Drive a low profile car with certain money saving safety features.
5. Make sure you shop around for a good, low cost insurance provider.
When shopping for auto coverage, consider auto insurance discounters. They can offer cheap insurance because they keep their operating costs low. There to find these companies is to go to an insurance comparison website. There you will be able to fill out a simple questionnaire and get rates from various A-rated companies.
When you compare car insurance quotes you may find that they can vary widely. This is because in some cases the benefits of coverage are so different. One quoted premium can be lower than the others and this can happen because the level of coverage is not as comprehensive as others. For instance, the coverage can just be liability, which will not cover your own vehicle if you are involved in an accident.
Finally, make sure that when you request a car insurance quote - whether by a comparison website or directly to an insurer - that you fully disclose all the information requested. You must give details of previous claims and motoring convictions as they will affect the premium you pay. If you do not disclose all the information requested, your cover may be invalid.
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