No sane person likes buying auto insurance, particularly when the cost is too high. There is such a variety of auto insurance companies to insure vehicles with, and though it is a good thing to have multiple companies, too many choices makes it more difficult to compare rates and find the lowest cost auto insurance.
It’s important to take a look at other company’s rates before your policy renews because prices fluctuate regularly. Even if you got the best rates a year ago there is a good chance you can find better premium rates now. Block out anything you think you know about auto insurance because you’re about to learn one of the easiest ways to find the best coverage while lowering your premiums.
Finding cheaper auto insurance in Anamosa is not that difficult. Basically, every vehicle owner who buys auto insurance will be able to find lower rates. Although Iowa consumers benefit from understanding how the larger insurance companies determine prices and use this information to your advantage.
Shopping for lower auto insurance rates can take time and effort if you aren’t aware of the fastest way to get free quotes. You can waste a lot of time talking to agents in Anamosa, or you could use the web for quick rates.
Many companies belong to an insurance system where prospective buyers send in one quote, and each company provides a quote determined by their information. This eliminates the need for quote forms to every company.
To submit your quote information now, click here (opens in new window).
One minor caviat to comparing rates this way is you are unable to specify the companies you want to price. So if you want to choose from a list of companies to compare prices, we have a page of auto insurance companies in Iowa. Click here for list of insurance companies in Iowa.
Which method you use is up to you, but make absolute certain that you use identical coverages on every quote you get. If you compare unequal deductibles or liability limits it will be nearly impossible to determine which rate is truly the best in Anamosa. Just slight variations in coverages may result in large price differences. Just remember that obtaining a wide range of quotes helps locate a lower rate.
Auto insurance discounts help lower rates
Companies offering auto insurance do not list their entire list of discounts very clearly, so the following is a list of a few of the more well known in addition to some of the lesser obvious savings tricks you should be using when you . If you do not check that you are getting every discount possible, you could be saving more on your auto insurance.
- Defensive Driving Course – Taking part in a safe driver course could earn you a small percentage discount and make you a better driver.
- Organization Discounts – Being a member of a civic or occupational organization in Anamosa can get you a small discount on your bill.
- Waiver for an Accident – Not really a discount, but companies like Progressive and Allstate will allow you to have one accident without the usual rate increase as long as you don’t have any claims for a specific time period.
- Good Student – A discount for being a good student may save you up to 25%. Many companies even apply the discount to college students up to age 25.
- Payment Method – By paying your entire bill at once instead of monthly or quarterly installments you could save 5% or more.
- No Accidents – Insureds with no claims or accidents can save substantially in comparison to drivers who are more careless.
- ABS Brakes – Vehicles with ABS braking systems or traction control have fewer accidents so companies give up to a 10% discount.
- Seat Belts Save more than Lives – Drivers who always wear seat belts and also require passengers to buckle up before driving could save 15% off the personal injury premium cost.
A little note about advertised discounts, most discounts do not apply to the overall cost of the policy. Some only reduce the price of certain insurance coverages like physical damage coverage or medical payments. So even though they make it sound like it’s possible to get free car insurance, it’s just not the way it works.
Popular auto insurance companies and a summarized list of policyholder discounts include:
- Geico has savings for daytime running lights, multi-policy, five-year accident-free, defensive driver, emergency military deployment, and anti-lock brakes.
- Travelers offers discounts for good student, early quote, multi-policy, IntelliDrive, multi-car, student away at school, and new car.
- Farm Bureau may include discounts for 55 and retired, safe driver, multi-vehicle, multi-policy, and good student.
- Liberty Mutual discounts include teen driver discount, hybrid vehicle, new graduate, newly married, multi-car, newly retired, and exclusive group savings.
- American Family offers discounts including multi-vehicle, defensive driver, mySafetyValet, early bird, Steer into Savings, and air bags.
- Progressive includes discounts for online quote discount, continuous coverage, multi-vehicle, homeowner, multi-policy, online signing, and good student.
Check with all companies you are considering which discounts can lower your rates. Some credits may not be offered in Anamosa. If you would like to see a list of insurance companies that offer discounts in Iowa, follow this link.
Which is the best auto insurance?
When it comes to buying the right insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there isn’t really a “perfect” insurance plan. Every insured’s situation is different and a cookie cutter policy won’t apply. For example, these questions may help highlight if you will benefit from professional help.
- Am I covered when driving on a suspended license?
- Do I need to file an SR-22 for a DUI in Iowa?
- How much liability coverage do I need in Iowa?
- When should I not file a claim?
- Which companies will insure high-risk drivers?
- Can I still get insurance after a DUI?
- Can I afford low physical damage deductibles?
If it’s difficult to answer those questions, you may need to chat with an agent. To find an agent in your area, complete this form or click here for a list of auto insurance companies in your area.
Auto insurance coverage breakdown
Understanding the coverages of your policy helps when choosing appropriate coverage at the best deductibles and correct limits. Policy terminology can be ambiguous and reading a policy is terribly boring. Below you’ll find typical coverage types found on the average auto insurance policy.
Medical expense insurance – Medical payments and Personal Injury Protection insurance reimburse you for immediate expenses such as EMT expenses, funeral costs, nursing services and hospital visits. The coverages can be used in conjunction with a health insurance plan or if you are not covered by health insurance. They cover all vehicle occupants as well as being hit by a car walking across the street. Personal Injury Protection is only offered in select states but can be used in place of medical payments coverage
Protection from uninsured/underinsured drivers – Your UM/UIM coverage protects you and your vehicle when the “other guys” are uninsured or don’t have enough coverage. Covered losses include injuries sustained by your vehicle’s occupants as well as damage to your vehicle.
Since a lot of drivers only purchase the least amount of liability that is required (20/40/15 in Iowa), their limits can quickly be used up. For this reason, having high UM/UIM coverages is a good idea. Most of the time these coverages are set the same as your liablity limits.
Comprehensive (Other than Collision) – This coverage will pay to fix damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. A deductible will apply and the remainder of the damage will be paid by comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive coverage protects against claims like theft, damage from flooding, damage from getting keyed, hail damage and rock chips in glass. The maximum amount a auto insurance company will pay at claim time is the cash value of the vehicle, so if the vehicle’s value is low consider removing comprehensive coverage.
Coverage for liability – Liability coverage can cover damage or injury you incur to people or other property by causing an accident. Coverage consists of three different limits, bodily injury for each person, bodily injury for the entire accident, and a limit for property damage. You commonly see values of 25/50/25 that means you have $25,000 in coverage for each person’s injuries, a total of $50,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and property damage coverage for $25,000. Another option is a combined limit which combines the three limits into one amount rather than limiting it on a per person basis.
Liability coverage protects against claims like emergency aid, loss of income, court costs and repair bills for other people’s vehicles. How much coverage you buy is your choice, but you should buy higher limits if possible. Iowa requires minimum liability limits of 20,000/40,000/15,000 but you should think about purchasing more coverage.
Collision coverages – Collision insurance covers damage to your vehicle caused by collision with another vehicle or an object, but not an animal. A deductible applies then your collision coverage will kick in.
Collision coverage pays for things like crashing into a ditch, backing into a parked car and hitting a parking meter. Paying for collision coverage can be pricey, so consider removing coverage from lower value vehicles. Drivers also have the option to raise the deductible to get cheaper collision coverage.
One last thing to lower rates
As you restructure your insurance plan, it’s not a good idea to buy lower coverage limits just to save a few bucks. In too many instances, someone sacrificed physical damage coverage only to regret that it was a big error on their part. Your focus should be to buy the best coverage you can find at the best possible price while still protecting your assets.
Some companies do not provide internet price quotes and many times these smaller companies prefer to sell through independent insurance agents. Cheap auto insurance can be found both online and with local Anamosa insurance agents, so you should be comparing quotes from both so you have a total pricing picture.
Additional auto insurance information is available on the . Click here for link. Iowa drivers can find disaster information, read industry bulletins, and discover disciplinary actions.