Comparison shopping for more affordable Elizabeth City auto insurance can seem to be hard for drivers who are new to online rate comparisons. With literally dozens of insurance companies available, it can quickly become a difficult situation to find a cheaper company.
Consumers should take time to do price comparisons on a regular basis because auto insurance rates change frequently. Even if you think you had the best premium rates two years ago there may be better deals available now. Ignore everything you know about auto insurance because you’re going to learn the only way to save money, get proper coverage and the best rates.
Comparing auto insurance rates can be a daunting task if you don’t know the best way to get rate quotes. You can waste a few hours (or days) talking to local insurance agents in Elizabeth City, or you could save time and use online quotes to get prices fast.
All the larger companies participate in an industry program that enables customers to only type in their quote data once, and each participating company then returns a price quote based on that information. This system prevents you from having to do form submissions to each company.
To enter your information into the quoting system, click here to open in new window.
The one disadvantage to pricing coverage this way is buyers cannot specifically choose the providers to get pricing from. So if you want to choose from a list of companies to receive pricing from, we have a listing of the cheapest auto insurance companies in North Carolina. Click to view list.
It’s up to you which method you use, but compare identical deductibles and coverage limits on every quote you get. If your comparisons have different limits and deductibles on each one it’s not possible to determine the best price in Elizabeth City. Just a small difference in limits may result in a large different in cost. Keep in mind that comparing a large number of companies helps you find the best offered rates.
Save 15 percent in 15 minutes? Is it for real?
Auto insurance providers like Allstate and Progressive continually stream ads on TV and radio. They all make an identical promise that you’ll save big if you change your auto insurance coverage to their company. How do they all charge less that you’re paying now? Here is how they do it.
Insurance providers have specific characteristics for the type of customer that will be a good risk. For instance, a profitable insured might be between the ages of 30 and 50, has other policies, and drives a car with an anti-theft system. Any new insured who matches that profile will get the preferred prices as well as cut their rates substantially.
Drivers who fall outside these standards will have to pay a higher rate and this can result in the driver buying from a lower-cost company. The ads say “customers that switch” not “everybody who quotes” save the amount stated. That’s why companies can make those statements.
Because of the profiling, it is so important to do a quote comparison often. It is just not possible to predict which auto insurance company will be your best fit.
Cheaper rates by applying these eight discounts
Some insurers don’t list every available discount in an easy-to-find place, so we researched some of the best known as well as some of the hidden auto insurance savings. If you’re not getting every credit available, you are paying more than you should be.
- Pay Upfront and Save – By paying your policy upfront rather than paying monthly you can avoid the installment charge.
- Early Renewal Discounts – A few companies offer discounts for signing up prior to your current policy expiration. You can save around 10% with this discount.
- More Vehicles More Savings – Having multiple vehicles with the same company qualifies for this discount.
- Own a Home and Save – Being a homeowner can earn you a little savings because it means you have a higher level of financial diligence.
- Passenger Safety Discount – Vehicles equipped with air bags or motorized seat belts can receive discounts of 20 to 30 percent.
- Auto/Life Discount – Not every insurance company offers life insurance, but if they do you may earn a discount if you purchase life insurance from them.
- Senior Discount – Seniors could receive better auto insurance rates.
- Discount for Good Grades – Excelling in school can earn a discount of 20% or more. The good student discount can last up until you turn 25.
Discounts save money, but please remember that most discounts do not apply to the entire policy premium. Some only apply to the price of certain insurance coverages like liability and collision coverage. Even though it may seem like it’s possible to get free car insurance, companies wouldn’t make money that way.
Some companies who may offer these money-saving discounts possibly include:
It’s a good idea to ask each company the best way to save money. Some credits may not be available in Elizabeth City. If you would like to choose from a list of companies that can offer you the previously mentioned discounts in North Carolina, click here.
Your situation helps dictate your coverage
When it comes to buying the right insurance coverage for your vehicles, there isn’t really a one size fits all plan. Everyone’s needs are different.
These are some specific questions might help in determining whether your personal situation would benefit from an agent’s advice.
- When do I need to add a new car to my policy?
- Should I buy only the required North Carolina minimum liability coverage?
- Are my tools covered if they get stolen from my vehicle?
- Can I afford low physical damage deductibles?
- Am I covered when driving a rental car?
- Do I have coverage if my license is suspended?
- Am I covered if I crash into my own garage door?
- Is my teen driver covered when they drive my company car?
- Does my vehicle need full coverage?
If you’re not sure about those questions, then you may want to think about talking to an insurance agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, simply complete this short form.
Are insurance agencies a thing of the past?
A small number of people would prefer to talk to a local agent and that is just fine! An additional benefit of comparing rates online is the fact that you can find cheaper car insurance rates and still have a local agent. Buying from and supporting local insurance agencies is important particularly in Elizabeth City.
To help locate an agent, after submitting this quick form, the quote information is sent to local insurance agents in Elizabeth City who will gladly provide quotes for your business. It’s much easier because you don’t need to even leave your home because prices are sent to you. You can most likely find cheaper rates and work with a local agent. If you wish to compare rates from a specific auto insurance provider, you would need to search and find their rate quote page and submit a quote form there.
Choose the right car insurance agent
If you would like to find a local agent, there are a couple of different types of agencies and how they differ in how they can insure your vehicles. Elizabeth City agents are classified as either independent agents or captive agents.
Independent Insurance Agents
Independent agencies often have many company appointments so they can write business with a variety of different insurance companies and find the cheapest auto insurance rates. If premiums increase, your agent can just switch to a different company which makes it simple for you. If you need lower rates, it’s a good idea to get some free quotes from multiple independent agents so that you have a good selection of quotes to compare. Many write coverage with smaller mutual companies which can save you money.
Shown below is a short list of independent insurance agencies in Elizabeth City that may be able to give you free auto insurance rate quotes.
- G R Little Agency Inc – 203 E Church St – Elizabeth City, NC 27909 – (252) 335-2967
- Progressive Agent Insurance – 436 S Hughes Blvd – Elizabeth City, NC 27909 – (252) 338-2223
- Tommy Davis Insurance – 857 Halstead Blvd – Elizabeth City, NC 27909 – (252) 335-5433
Captive Auto Insurance Agencies
Agents that elect to be captive generally can only insure with one company and some examples include Farmers Insurance, State Farm, Allstate, and AAA. Captive agents are unable to give you multiple price quotes so they have to upsell other benefits. Captives are very knowledgeable on the products they sell which aids in selling service over price. Many people buy insurance from these agents mostly because of the brand rather than low price.
Below is a short list of captive agents in Elizabeth City that are able to give price quote information.
- Allstate Insurance – 1010 W Ehringhaus St # B – Elizabeth City, NC 27909 – (252) 335-1091
- State Farm Insurance – 913 Halstead Blvd – Elizabeth City, NC 27909 – (252) 335-4349
- Farm Bureau Insurance – 911 Halstead Blvd – Elizabeth City, NC 27909 – (252) 338-0173
To contact insurance agencies in your neighborhood, please see this complete selection of Elizabeth City insurance agents.
Deciding on an auto insurance agent is decision based upon more than just a cheap price. Before buying a policy, get answers to these questions.
- Do they have adequate Errors and Omissions coverage? This protects you if they make a mistake.
- What kind of financial rating does the company have?
- How does the company pay claims for a total loss?
- Are they able to provide referrals?
- Are all drivers listed on the coverage quote?
- If you have an accident, are you able to get your vehicle repaired at the shop of your choice?
- How many years of experience in personal auto insurance do they have?
- Will one accident increase rates?
Information about specific coverages
Knowing the specifics of your policy can be of help when determining the right coverages at the best deductibles and correct limits. The coverage terms in a policy can be ambiguous and reading a policy is terribly boring.
Coverage for medical payments
Med pay and PIP coverage pay for expenses for things like hospital visits, pain medications, funeral costs and nursing services. They are often used to cover expenses not covered by your health insurance policy or if you lack health insurance entirely. Medical payments and PIP cover all vehicle occupants and also covers if you are hit as a while walking down the street. Personal injury protection coverage is not an option in every state but can be used in place of medical payments coverage
Uninsured and underinsured coverage
Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage protects you and your vehicle when the “other guys” do not carry enough liability coverage. Covered claims include injuries sustained by your vehicle’s occupants and also any damage incurred to your vehicle.
Due to the fact that many North Carolina drivers have only the minimum liability required by law (which is 30/60/25), it only takes a small accident to exceed their coverage. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage is a good idea. Normally the UM/UIM limits do not exceed the liability coverage limits.
Liability auto insurance
This coverage protects you from damage that occurs to other people or property that is your fault. It consists of three limits, bodily injury for each person, bodily injury for the entire accident, and a limit for property damage. You might see values of 25/50/25 which means a limit of $25,000 per injured person, a total of $50,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and a total limit of $25,000 for damage to vehicles and property. Alternatively, you may have one limit called combined single limit (CSL) which combines the three limits into one amount and claims can be made without the split limit restrictions.
Liability coverage protects against things such as repair bills for other people’s vehicles, legal defense fees, medical expenses and attorney fees. How much coverage you buy is up to you, but it’s cheap coverage so purchase as large an amount as possible. North Carolina state minimum liability requirements are 30,000/60,000/25,000 but you should think about purchasing higher limits.
Comprehensive coverages
This coverage pays for damage from a wide range of events other than collision. You first must pay your deductible then your comprehensive coverage will pay.
Comprehensive can pay for claims like falling objects, hitting a deer and vandalism. The maximum amount you’ll receive from a claim is the actual cash value, so if your deductible is as high as the vehicle’s value consider dropping full coverage.
Collision coverage protection
Collision coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage from colliding with an object or car. You first must pay a deductible and then insurance will cover the remainder.
Collision can pay for claims like colliding with another moving vehicle, scraping a guard rail, hitting a mailbox, damaging your car on a curb and driving through your garage door. This coverage can be expensive, so consider dropping it from vehicles that are 8 years or older. It’s also possible to raise the deductible to bring the cost down.
Don’t give up on cheaper premiums
Throughout this article, we presented some good ideas how to compare auto insurance prices online. The key thing to remember is the more rate quotes you have, the better your comparison will be. Consumers may even find the lowest prices come from a company that doesn’t do a lot of advertising.
Budget-friendly auto insurance is attainable on the web in addition to local insurance agencies, so you should compare both in order to have the best chance of saving money. Some insurance companies do not offer online rate quotes and many times these small insurance companies only sell through local independent agents.
Consumers who switch companies do it for a variety of reasons including policy non-renewal, delays in paying claims, unfair underwriting practices or high prices. It doesn’t matter what your reason, switching companies is pretty simple and you could end up saving a buck or two.
More North Carolina auto insurance resources
Additional auto insurance information can be read on the through this link. North Carolina consumers can view agent and company licensing information, read enforcement actions against agents and companies, and file complaints about an insurance agent or broker.