Scraping up a payment for high-priced auto insurance can dry up your checking account and require stricter spending habits. Big companies like Geico, 21st Century and Progressive persitently shower you with ad campaigns and consumers find it hard to avoid their marketing magic and do the work needed to find the best deal.
There are several ways you can shop for auto insurance but one way is easier and takes less work. You can spend your afternoon discussing policy coverages with agents in Bridgeport, or you could use online quoting to accomplish the same thing much quicker.
Most of the larger companies belong to a marketplace that enables customers to only type in their quote data once, and each participating company can give them a price based on the submitted data. This prevents consumers from doing quote forms to each individual auto insurance company.
To fill out one form to compare multiple rates now click here to open in new window.
The one disadvantage to pricing coverage this way is you cannot specify which providers to get quotes from. If you prefer to choose individual companies for rate comparison, we have assembled a list of companies who write auto insurance in Nebraska. Click to view list.
Compare rates however you want, just do your best to enter the exact same coverage limits and deductibles for every quote you compare. If you have different coverage information you will not be able to find the best deal in Bridgeport. Just a small difference in coverage limits may result in large price differences. It’s important to know that comparing more rates from different companies increases the change that you will find the best offered rates. Not every company allows you to get prices over the internet, so you should also compare quotes from them, too.
Six discounts to earn lower Bridgeport auto insurance rates
Auto insurance is not inexpensive, but you might find some hidden discounts to help offset the cost. Certain credits will be shown at the time of purchase, but a few must be specifically requested before they will apply.
- Defensive Driver – Passing a course that instructs on driving safety could cut 5% off your bill and easily pay for the cost of the class.
- Discounts for Government Workers – Federal government employees could provide a small rate reduction depending on your company.
- Auto/Home Discount – When you combine your auto and home insurance with one insurance company you could save at least 10 to 15 percent or more.
- Good Student Discount – This discount may save you up to 25%. The good student discount can last until age 25.
- Seat Belts Save – Requiring all passengers to use their safety belts could save 15% off PIP or medical payments premium.
- Save with More Vehicles Insured – Having multiple vehicles on the same auto insurance policy could earn a price break for each car.
Consumers should know that many deductions do not apply to the entire policy premium. Most only reduce the cost of specific coverages such as liability and collision coverage. Even though the math looks like all the discounts add up to a free policy, company stockholders wouldn’t be very happy.
Insurance companies that possibly offer these money-saving discounts may include but are not limited to:
When comparing rates, check with every company which discounts can lower your rates. Some discounts listed above might not apply everywhere. To find insurers with significant discounts in Bridgeport, follow this link.
Tailor your auto insurance coverage to you
When it comes to choosing the right insurance coverage for your vehicles, there really is no “best” method to buy coverage. Your needs are not the same as everyone else’s so your insurance should reflect that These are some specific questions might point out if your insurance needs would benefit from professional advice.
- How do I file an SR-22 for a DUI in Nebraska?
- Do I get a pro-rated refund if I cancel my policy early?
- Are my tools covered if they get stolen from my vehicle?
- Should I sign the liability waiver when renting a car?
- When would I need rental car insurance?
- Does my insurance cover a custom paint job?
If you don’t know the answers to these questions but a few of them apply then you might want to talk to a licensed insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, complete this form or you can go here for a list of companies in your area.
Coverages available on your policy
Having a good grasp of your policy helps when choosing the best coverages at the best deductibles and correct limits. Auto insurance terms can be confusing and even agents have difficulty translating policy wording. These are typical coverage types offered by auto insurance companies.
Uninsured Motorist or Underinsured Motorist insurance
This coverage provides protection when other motorists do not carry enough liability coverage. This coverage pays for injuries sustained by your vehicle’s occupants and also any damage incurred to your vehicle.
Due to the fact that many Nebraska drivers carry very low liability coverage limits (Nebraska limits are 25/50/25), it only takes a small accident to exceed their coverage. So UM/UIM coverage is important protection for you and your family.
Collision protection
This coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage from colliding with an object or car. A deductible applies and the rest of the damage will be paid by collision coverage.
Collision coverage pays for things such as hitting a mailbox, sideswiping another vehicle, backing into a parked car and scraping a guard rail. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so consider removing coverage from lower value vehicles. Another option is to choose a higher deductible to save money on collision insurance.
Comprehensive coverage (or Other than Collision)
Comprehensive insurance coverage pays for damage from a wide range of events other than collision. You first have to pay a deductible then the remaining damage will be covered by your comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive insurance covers things such as damage from a tornado or hurricane, falling objects, fire damage, hitting a bird and a tree branch falling on your vehicle. The maximum payout you’ll receive from a claim is the actual cash value, so if the vehicle is not worth much consider dropping full coverage.
Insurance for medical payments
Med pay and PIP coverage pay for immediate expenses such as pain medications, funeral costs, dental work, nursing services and rehabilitation expenses. The coverages can be utilized in addition to your health insurance plan or if you are not covered by health insurance. It covers you and your occupants in addition to getting struck while a pedestrian. Personal Injury Protection is not an option in every state and may carry a deductible
Auto liability
Liability insurance protects you from damage that occurs to people or other property in an accident. It protects you against other people’s claims, and does not provide coverage for your own vehicle damage or injuries.
Liability coverage has three limits: per person bodily injury, per accident bodily injury, and a property damage limit. Your policy might show liability limits of 100/300/100 that means you have $100,000 bodily injury coverage, a limit of $300,000 in injury protection per accident, and a total limit of $100,000 for damage to vehicles and property.
Liability can pay for things like medical expenses, legal defense fees, medical services and emergency aid. How much liability should you purchase? That is a personal decision, but you should buy as large an amount as possible. Nebraska requires drivers to carry at least 25,000/50,000/25,000 but drivers should carry more coverage.
Additional detailed information can be read at the Nebraska Department of Insurance website. Nebraska drivers can find out industry alerts, download brochures, learn about specific coverages, and file complaints about an insurance agent or broker.
Other related articles:
- Cheapest Car Insurance Exclusively for Bridgeport, CT Residents
- Techniques for Effectively Comparing Bridgeport West Virginia Auto Insurance Rates
The best insurance company isn’t always the cheapest
We’ve covered many ways to shop for auto insurance online. The key concept to understand is the more rate comparisons you have, the better likelihood of getting . Consumers could even find that the lowest priced auto insurance comes from a small mutual company. Regional companies may cover specific market segments cheaper compared to the large companies like Progressive and Geico.
When searching for , you should never buy poor coverage just to save money. There are a lot of situations where an insured cut full coverage and found out when filing a claim that their decision to reduce coverage ended up costing them more. The aim is to purchase plenty of coverage at a price you can afford, but do not skimp to save money.