Finding affordable Shelbyville car insurance on the internet may be somewhat difficult for consumers new to comparing rates online. With so many choices of companies competing online, how can you even start to compare every one to find the cheapest available price?
You should take the time to compare rates yearly because prices are adjusted regularly by insurance companies. Even if you got the best deal a year ago a different company probably has better rates today. Starting right now, block out anything you think you know about car insurance because we’re going to show you how to use online quotes to remove unneeded coverages and save money.
Shelbyville Car Insurance Prices Online
There are a lot of ways to compare car insurance quotes, but there is one way that is easier and takes less work. You could waste time talking to insurance companies in Shelbyville, or you can stay home and use online quotes for quick rates.
Most car insurance companies belong to a marketplace where insurance shoppers enter their coverage request one time, and each participating company returns a rated price based on that information. This system prevents you from having to do quote forms to every company. To compare rates using this form now click here to start a free quote.
The one downside to pricing coverage this way is that you can’t choose which insurance companies to receive prices from. So if you want to choose individual companies to request quotes from, we put together a list of the cheapest car insurance companies in Tennessee. Click here to view list.
However you get your quotes, double check that you are using apples-to-apples coverage limits and deductibles on every quote you get. If your comparisons have different liability limits then you won’t be able to make a fair comparison in Shelbyville. Just a small difference in limits can make a big difference in price. Just remember that getting more free quotes will improve the odds of getting the best rates.
Be sure to get all your discounts
Properly insuring your vehicles can get expensive, buy you may qualify for discounts that many people don’t even know exist. Larger premium reductions will be automatically applied when you quote, but lesser-known reductions have to be manually applied before being credited.
- Discount for Good Grades – This discount can earn a discount of 20% or more. The good student discount can last up until you turn 25.
- Passive Restraints – Vehicles equipped with air bags or automatic seat belts can qualify for discounts of up to 25% or more.
- Use Seat Belts – Using a seat belt and requiring all passengers to buckle their seat belts could cut 10% or more on the medical payments or PIP coverage costs.
- No Charge for an Accident – A handful of insurance companies permit an accident without raising rates if your claims history is clear prior to the accident.
- No Claims – Drivers with accident-free driving histories pay less compared to bad drivers.
As a disclaimer on discounts, many deductions do not apply to all coverage premiums. Most only reduce the cost of specific coverages such as comprehensive or collision. Even though it may seem like it’s possible to get free car insurance, you won’t be that lucky. But all discounts will help reduce your overall premium however.
Your local neighborhood insurance agent
Certain consumers prefer to get advice from a local agent and that is a personal choice. The biggest benefit of comparing rates online is you may find better rates but still work with a licensed agent. And providing support for local insurance agencies is especially important in Shelbyville.
To help locate an agent, after submitting this simple form, the coverage information is submitted to local insurance agents in Shelbyville who will compete for your insurance coverage. You never need to leave your house due to the fact that quote results will go directly to your email. Now that’s easy! You can find better rates AND a local agent.
Insurance agent types
When finding a reputable insurance agent or broker, you need to know there are two types of insurance agents that differ in how they can insure your vehicles. Agents can either be captive or independent (non-captive).
Independent Insurance Agents
These agents are not employed by any specific company so they have the ability to put coverage amongst many companies depending on which coverage is best. To move your coverage to a new company, the business is moved internally and that require little work on your part. When shopping rates, we recommend you contact several independent insurance agents to have the most options to choose from. Most have the option of insuring with smaller regional carriers which can save you money.
Listed below is a short list of independent insurance agents in Shelbyville that may be able to provide price quote information.
- Randy Owen Agency – 101 Public Sq S – Shelbyville, TN 37160 – (931) 684-7188
- Direct General Ins Agency – 1121 N Main St – Shelbyville, TN 37160 – (931) 680-0941
- Mullins Insurance and Assoc – 208 N Main St – Shelbyville, TN 37160 – (931) 684-7436
- Ralph T Allen Insurance Agent – 217 Lane Pkwy – Shelbyville, TN 37160 – (931) 684-6785
Agency Captives
Captive agents are contracted to one company such as AAA, Allstate, State Farm, Farmers Insurance or Liberty Mutual. These agents are unable to provide prices from multiple companies so always compare other rates. Captive agents are well schooled in insurance sales and that can be a competitive advantage. Consumers frequently choose to use a captive agent mostly because of the prominence of the brand and solid financial strength.
The following is a short list of captive agents in Shelbyville who can help you get price quote information.
- State Farm Insurance – 101 N Side Park # A – Shelbyville, TN 37160 – (931) 685-2080
- Shelter Insurance – 1303 N Main St # A – Shelbyville, TN 37160 – (931) 680-0064
For a complete listing of car insurance agents in Shelbyville, click here to link.
Choosing an insurance agent should depend on more than just the premium amount. These questions are important to ask:
- Do they assist clients in filing claims?
- Does the company allow you to choose your own collision repair facility?
- Is the agent and/or agency licensed to do business in Tennessee?
- Does the agency provide any after hours assistance?
- If you are a high risk driver, do they have special markets for your coverage?
Upon receiving satisfactory answers as well as a affordable price, you may have just found a car insurance agent that is a good match to properly service your car insurance policy.
Is my situation unique?
When it comes to buying the best car insurance coverage, there isn’t really a “best” method to buy coverage. Each situation is unique.
For instance, these questions can aid in determining if you will benefit from professional help.
- Is rental equipment covered for theft or damage?
- Am I covered by my employer’s commercial auto policy when driving my personal car for business?
- How much liability do I need to cover my assets?
- How much liability coverage do I need in Tennessee?
- Should I drop comprehensive coverage on older vehicles?
- Do I qualify for additional discounts?
- Does my policy cover me when driving someone else’s vehicle?
- Is my nanny covered when driving my vehicle?
- Does my insurance cover a custom paint job?
If you’re not sure about those questions but one or more may apply to you, you may need to chat with an agent. To find an agent in your area, complete this form.
Much more information about car insurance in Tennessee can be read on the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance website through this link. Visitors are able to read industry bulletins, find disaster information, and download brochures.
Do car insurance companies bend the truth?
Car insurance providers like State Farm and Allstate continually stream ads on television and other media. They all make the same claim about savings after switching your policy. How can each company make the same claim? It’s all in the numbers.
All the different companies have a certain “appetite” for the type of customer they prefer to insure. For example, a driver they prefer could possibly be over the age of 40, owns a home, and has excellent credit. Any driver who fits that profile will get the preferred rates and most likely will pay quite a bit less when switching companies.
Potential insureds who do not match the “perfect” profile will be charged higher premiums and this can result in the customer not buying. Company advertisements say “drivers who switch” but not “drivers who get quotes” save money. That’s why companies can make the claims of big savings.
That is why it’s extremely important to get a wide range of price quotes. It’s just too difficult to predict which company will provide you with the cheapest rates.
Car insurance coverages explained
Having a good grasp of your policy can be of help when determining the best coverages and the correct deductibles and limits. The terms used in a policy can be ambiguous and even agents have difficulty translating policy wording.
Comprehensive coverage (or Other than Collision)
Comprehensive insurance coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage from a wide range of events other than collision. You first must pay your deductible and the remainder of the damage will be paid by comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive coverage pays for claims such as hitting a bird, a broken windshield, damage from getting keyed and falling objects. The most a car insurance company will pay at claim time is the ACV or actual cash value, so if the vehicle is not worth much it’s not worth carrying full coverage.
Collision coverage protection
Collision insurance pays to fix your vehicle from damage resulting from colliding with a stationary object or other vehicle. You will need to pay your deductible then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.
Collision can pay for things such as damaging your car on a curb, sustaining damage from a pot hole, backing into a parked car, colliding with another moving vehicle and hitting a mailbox. This coverage can be expensive, so you might think about dropping it from vehicles that are 8 years or older. It’s also possible to bump up the deductible to get cheaper collision coverage.
Uninsured Motorist or Underinsured Motorist insurance
This coverage gives you protection from other drivers when they either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. This coverage pays for injuries sustained by your vehicle’s occupants as well as your vehicle’s damage.
Since many Tennessee drivers only purchase the least amount of liability that is required (Tennessee limits are 25/50/15), it doesn’t take a major accident to exceed their coverage limits. For this reason, having high UM/UIM coverages should not be overlooked. Normally these coverages are identical to your policy’s liability coverage.
Insurance for medical payments
Medical payments and Personal Injury Protection insurance pay for immediate expenses for X-ray expenses, nursing services, dental work and EMT expenses. They are often used to fill the gap from your health insurance program or if you are not covered by health insurance. Coverage applies to all vehicle occupants as well as any family member struck as a pedestrian. Personal Injury Protection is not universally available and gives slightly broader coverage than med pay
Auto liability
Liability insurance protects you from damage or injury you incur to people or other property by causing an accident. It protects YOU against other people’s claims, and does not provide coverage for damage sustained by your vehicle in an accident.
Split limit liability has three limits of coverage: per person bodily injury, per accident bodily injury, and a property damage limit. As an example, you may have limits of 100/300/100 that means you have a $100,000 limit per person for injuries, $300,000 for the entire accident, and property damage coverage for $100,000. Some companies may use one limit called combined single limit (CSL) that pays claims from the same limit and claims can be made without the split limit restrictions.
Liability insurance covers claims like court costs, medical services, loss of income, pain and suffering and attorney fees. How much liability coverage do you need? That is up to you, but it’s cheap coverage so purchase higher limits if possible. Tennessee requires minimum liability limits of 25,000/50,000/15,000 but you should consider buying more coverage.
Buy online or local, you save
As you go through the steps to switch your coverage, it’s not a good idea to reduce needed coverages to save money. There have been many situations where consumers will sacrifice comprehensive coverage or liability limits and discovered at claim time that a couple dollars of savings turned into a financial nightmare. The aim is to purchase plenty of coverage at an affordable rate, not the least amount of coverage.
Low-cost car insurance is definitely available both online and with local Shelbyville insurance agents, and you should compare price quotes from both in order to have the best price selection to choose from. Some insurance companies do not offer online quoting and most of the time these regional insurance providers sell through independent agents.
Drivers who switch companies do it for many reasons like policy cancellation, high prices, delays in paying claims and high rates after DUI convictions. Regardless of your reason, finding the right car insurance provider is not as difficult as it may seem.