No one in their right mind enjoys paying for car insurance, especially when they know their premiums are too high. Having so many choices, it’s nearly impossible to locate the most cost effective insurance company.
It’s a good habit to get comparison quotes on a regular basis because prices are adjusted regularly by insurance companies. Even if you think you had the lowest quotes a few years ago the chances are good that you can find a lower rate today. Block out anything you think you know about car insurance because you’re about to learn how to use online quotes to save on car insurance.
Finding cheaper protection in Jeanerette is simple if you know the tricks. Basically, anyone who is shopping for car insurance will more than likely be able to lower their premiums. Nevertheless, Louisiana consumers do need to know the way companies compete online and apply this information to your search.
Car insurance discounts help lower rates
The cost of insuring your cars can be expensive, but there’s a good chance there are discounts that you may not know about. Most are applied when you purchase, but some must be manually applied before you will receive the discount.
- Discounts for Government Workers – Being employed by or retired from a federal job could qualify for a slight premium decrease with select insurance companies.
- Discounts for Responsible Drivers – Drivers without accidents can save up to 40% or more on their than drivers with accidents.
- Accident-Free Discounts – Jeanerette drivers who stay claim-free pay less when compared to policyholders that have many claims.
- Fewer Miles Equal More Savings – Low annual miles could earn lower prices due to less chance of an accident.
- Student Driver Training – Reduce the cost of insurance for teen drivers by having them successfully complete driver’s ed class as it can save substantially.
- Theft Prevention System – Vehicles that have factory alarm systems and tracking devices are less likely to be stolen and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
- Payment Method – By making one initial payment rather than paying in monthly installments you can avoid the installment charge.
- Lower Rates for Military – Being on active duty in the military can result in better prices.
- Braking Control Discount – Vehicles with ABS braking systems or traction control can reduce accidents and the ABS can save up to 10%.
- Life Insurance Discount – Companies who offer life insurance give lower car insurancerates if you buy a life policy as well.
A little disclaimer on discounts, most discount credits are not given the the whole policy. Most cut specific coverage prices like collision or personal injury protection. Even though the math looks like you could get a free car insurance policy, nobody gets a free ride. Any amount of discount will reduce your overall bill.
A few companies who may offer many of the previously listed discounts may include but are not limited to:
When getting a coverage quote, ask all companies you are considering how you can save money. Discounts may not apply to policyholders in Jeanerette. If you would like to choose from a list of providers who offer free car insurance quotes in Jeanerette, click here to view.
Save $445 a year? Really?
Well-known car insurance companies like 21st Century, Allstate and State Farm constantly bombard you with television and radio advertisements. They all advertise the message about how much you will save if you change your policy. How is it plausible that every one can say the same thing?
Insurance providers require specific criteria for the driver that will most likely be profitable. One example of a desirable insured should be married and over the age of 30, has never had a policy lapse, and drives newer vehicles. A customer that hits that “sweet spot” gets the lowest premium rates and will also cut their rates if they switch.
Potential customers who may not quite match these standards may be required to pay a higher rate and ends up with business not being written. If you pay attention, the ads say “customers that switch” but not “everyone who gets a quote” save the amount stated. That’s why insurance companies can confidently make the claims of big savings.
This really drives home the point why you really need to get a wide range of price quotes. It’s just too difficult to predict which insurance companies will have the lowest rates.
Louisiana insurance information
Much more information about car insurance in Louisiana can be read on the through this link. Louisiana consumers can read consumer alerts, report car insurance fraud, and learn about insurance regulations.
Car insurance coverages
Knowing the specifics of car insurance helps when choosing the best coverages for your vehicles. Policy terminology can be difficult to understand and nobody wants to actually read their policy. Below you’ll find typical coverages offered by car insurance companies.
Uninsured or underinsured coverage
This protects you and your vehicle’s occupants when other motorists do not carry enough liability coverage. It can pay for injuries to you and your family and damage to your vehicle.
Since many Louisiana drivers carry very low liability coverage limits (which is 15/30/25), their limits can quickly be used up. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is a good idea. Normally these limits do not exceed the liability coverage limits.
Auto liability
Liability insurance provides protection from damage that occurs to a person or their property in an accident. Coverage consists of three different limits, bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident and property damage. You commonly see policy limits of 25/50/25 which means $25,000 bodily injury coverage, a total of $50,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and a limit of $25,000 paid for damaged property. Alternatively, you may have one number which is a combined single limit which limits claims to one amount with no separate limits for injury or property damage.
Liability can pay for things such as legal defense fees, emergency aid, funeral expenses and bail bonds. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is up to you, but you should buy higher limits if possible. Louisiana requires drivers to carry at least 15,000/30,000/25,000 but you should consider buying more liability than the minimum.
Collision protection
This coverage will pay to fix damage to your vehicle resulting from a collision with another vehicle or an object, but not an animal. You will need to pay your deductible then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.
Collision insurance covers claims like colliding with a tree, sustaining damage from a pot hole, crashing into a ditch, rolling your car and crashing into a building. This coverage can be expensive, so consider dropping it from lower value vehicles. It’s also possible to choose a higher deductible to get cheaper collision coverage.
Medical expense coverage
Coverage for medical payments and/or PIP kick in for bills like chiropractic care, ambulance fees, EMT expenses, nursing services and prosthetic devices. They are utilized in addition to your health insurance plan or if you are not covered by health insurance. Medical payments and PIP cover not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants and will also cover being hit by a car walking across the street. Personal injury protection coverage is not available in all states but it provides additional coverages not offered by medical payments coverage
Comprehensive protection
Comprehensive insurance pays to fix your vehicle from damage that is not covered by collision coverage. You first have to pay a deductible and the remainder of the damage will be paid by comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive coverage pays for things like damage from getting keyed, vandalism and damage from flooding. The maximum payout you’ll receive from a claim is the cash value of the vehicle, so if the vehicle is not worth much consider removing comprehensive coverage.
Be persistent and save
Budget-conscious car insurance is available both online and also from your neighborhood Jeanerette agents, and you need to comparison shop both to have the best chance of lowering rates. A few companies may not offer the ability to get a quote online and many times these smaller companies prefer to sell through local independent agents.
When getting , it’s very important that you do not buy less coverage just to save a little money. There are too many instances where an accident victim reduced comprehensive coverage or liability limits only to discover later that the few dollars in savings costed them thousands. Your objective should be to buy the best coverage you can find at the best cost, not the least amount of coverage.