Finding lower premiums on Medford auto insurance is challenging for consumers not familiar with comparing rates online. There are so many options that it can be a real hassle to find the best price in Medford.
Be sure to get all your discounts
Companies do not advertise every discount very clearly, so we break down both the well known and also the lesser-known savings tricks you should be using.
- Good Student Discount – Performing well in school can be rewarded with saving of up to 25%. The discount lasts until age 25.
- Own a Home – Owning a house in Medford can save you money due to the fact that maintaining a home is proof that your finances are in order.
- Anti-lock Brake System – Anti-lock brake equipped vehicles can avoid accidents and earn discounts up to 10%.
- E-sign – A handful of insurance companies may give you up to $50 simply for signing on their website.
- Auto/Life Discount – Select insurance companies reward you with better rates if you take out life insurance from them.
- Service Members Pay Less – Having a deployed family member could mean lower rates.
- Accident Free – Drivers with accident-free driving histories can earn big discounts as compared to frequent claim filers.
- Safety Course Discount – Taking a course teaching defensive driving skills could save 5% or more if your company offers it.
- Anti-theft Discount – Cars that have factory anti-theft systems are stolen less frequently and will save you 10% or more.
- Employee of Federal Government – Active or retired federal employment could cut as much as 10% off with certain companies.
Consumers should know that most discounts do not apply to all coverage premiums. Most only apply to specific coverage prices like collision or personal injury protection. So when it seems like you could get a free auto insurance policy, it doesn’t quite work that way.
Auto Insurance Comparison Rates in Medford
When shopping for auto insurance there are multiple ways of comparing rate quotes from different in Medfordinsurance companies. The easiest way to find competitive insurance rates consists of shopping online. This can be accomplished in several different ways.
The fastest way consumers can make multiple comparisons is an all-inclusive rate comparison click here to open form in new window. This method keeps you from doing boring form submissions to each individual auto insurance company. A single, simple form will return quotes from multiple low-cost companies. Recommended for those who want to invest the least amount of time.
A less efficient way to analyze rates requires you to visit each individual company website and request a quote. For sake of this example, let’s say you want to compare Progressive, 21st Century and Allstate. To get rate quotes you would need to take the time to go to each site and enter your information, and that’s why the first method is more popular.
To view a list of companies in Medford, click here.
It doesn’t matter which method you choose, just double check that you are using identical coverage limits and deductibles for each price quote. If you have unequal deductibles or liability limits it’s not possible to determine the best price in Medford. Just a small difference in insurance coverages can mean a large discrepancy in price. Keep in mind that more quotes will increase your chances of finding the best price.
How do I know if I need professional advice?
When it comes to buying adequate coverage, there is no “perfect” insurance plan. Everyone’s situation is unique.
For instance, these questions might help in determining whether you might need an agent’s assistance.
- Am I covered by my employer’s commercial auto policy when driving my personal car for business?
- When would I need rental car insurance?
- Is my teen driver covered when they drive my company car?
- Is my vehicle covered for smoke damage?
- Is Oregon a no-fault state?
- When should I remove comp and collision on my vehicle?
- Are rental cars covered under my policy?
If you can’t answer these questions, you may need to chat with an insurance agent. If you don’t have a local agent, complete this form.
Auto insurance coverage options
Learning about specific coverages of your policy can be of help when determining the right coverages at the best deductibles and correct limits. Policy terminology can be confusing and coverage can change by endorsement.
Liability car insurance
Liability coverage will cover damage or injury you incur to a person or their property in an accident. It protects you against claims from other people. Liability doesn’t cover your own vehicle damage or injuries.
It consists of three limits, bodily injury for each person injured, bodily injury for the entire accident and a property damage limit. You might see policy limits of 100/300/100 that means you have a limit of $100,000 per injured person, a total of $300,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and a limit of $100,000 paid for damaged property.
Liability coverage pays for claims like loss of income, structural damage and attorney fees. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is a personal decision, but buy as large an amount as possible. Oregon requires minimum liability limits of 25,000/50,000/20,000 but you should consider buying more liability than the minimum.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM)
This coverage protects you and your vehicle’s occupants from other motorists when they do not carry enough liability coverage. Covered losses include injuries sustained by your vehicle’s occupants as well as damage to your vehicle.
Since a lot of drivers only carry the minimum required liability limits (Oregon limits are 25/50/20), it doesn’t take a major accident to exceed their coverage limits. For this reason, having high UM/UIM coverages is important protection for you and your family.
Comprehensive insurance
This pays for damage that is not covered by collision coverage. A deductible will apply then the remaining damage will be covered by your comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive can pay for claims like fire damage, hitting a bird, damage from getting keyed, damage from a tornado or hurricane and vandalism. The most you can receive from a comprehensive claim is the ACV or actual cash value, so if the vehicle’s value is low it’s probably time to drop comprehensive insurance.
Auto collision coverage
This pays for damage to your vehicle resulting from a collision with another car or object. You first must pay a deductible and the rest of the damage will be paid by collision coverage.
Collision coverage protects against claims such as hitting a parking meter, backing into a parked car, sideswiping another vehicle and colliding with a tree. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so you might think about dropping it from vehicles that are older. Drivers also have the option to choose a higher deductible to get cheaper collision coverage.
Med pay and Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
Coverage for medical payments and/or PIP provide coverage for immediate expenses for X-ray expenses, surgery and prosthetic devices. They can be used to fill the gap from your health insurance plan or if you are not covered by health insurance. Coverage applies to not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants as well as getting struck while a pedestrian. PIP is not universally available and may carry a deductible
More comparisons equals lower rates
Cheap auto insurance is attainable online as well as from independent agents in Medford, so compare prices from both in order to have the best chance of saving money. There are still a few companies who don’t offer you the ability to get quotes online and these small, regional companies work with independent agents.
As you prepare to switch companies, do not sacrifice coverage to reduce premiums. There have been many cases where an accident victim reduced liability coverage limits only to regret at claim time that saving that couple of dollars actually costed them tens of thousands. Your strategy should be to purchase plenty of coverage for the lowest price, not the least amount of coverage.
Consumers change insurance companies for any number of reasons including poor customer service, delays in paying claims, being labeled a high risk driver or high prices. Regardless of your reason, choosing a new company is pretty easy and you might even save some money in the process.