If shopping for is new to you, you can be overwhelmed by the confusing number of insurers all offering big savings in Fort Mitchell.
This information will help you learn how to effectively get price quotes and some money-saving tips. If you currently have a car insurance policy, you will be able to lower your premiums substantially using these methods. But Kentucky consumers can benefit from knowing the methods companies use to sell online and take advantage of how the system works.
Shop auto insurance online
When comparison shopping, there are several ways to compare rate quotes from many auto insurance companies in Kentucky. One of the best ways to find affordable insurance rates is to use the internet to compare rates. This can be done in a couple minutes as outlined below.
- If you’re in a hurry, the quickest way to compare a lot of rates at once is an all-inclusive rate comparison like this one (opens in new window). This style of form keeps you from doing repetitive form submissions for every prospective company. A single form gets coverage cost estimates from several companies. This is by far the quickest method.
- A slightly less efficient method to get comparison quotes is going to the website for each individual company and go through the quote process again. For instance, we’ll pretend you want to see prices from Auto-Owners, State Farm and Geico. To find out each rate you need to spend time going to each site individually and punch in your information repeatedly, which is why most consumers use the first method. To view a list of companies in Fort Mitchell, click here.
- The most time-consuming method to compare price quotes to each insurance agency near you. Doing it all online eliminates the middleman unless you require the professional assistance that you can only get from talking to an agent. Although you can price shop your coverage online but have a local agent actually write the policy.
The approach you take is up to you, just double check that you are using the exact same quote information for each quote you get. If you are comparing mixed coverages it’s impossible to make a fair rate comparison in Fort Mitchell. Slightly different limits could throw off the whole comparison. And when price shopping your coverage, comparing a large number of companies helps you find a better price. Not every company provides online price quotes, so you should also compare rates on coverage from those companies, too.
Find hidden discounts on Fort Mitchell auto insurance
Some companies don’t always publicize every available discount very well, so here is a list both the well known and also the more inconspicuous discounts that you can inquire about if you .
- Air Bags and Passive Restraints – Factory options such as air bags or automatic seat belts can receive discounts of 20% or more.
- Pay Early and Save – If you pay your bill all at once instead of making monthly payments you may reduce your total bill.
- First Accident Forgiveness – This one is not really a discount per se, but certain companies will allow you to have one accident before hitting you with a surcharge if your claims history is clear for a certain period of time.
- Renewal Discounts – Some larger companies provide a discount for switching to them prior to your current policy expiration. This discount can save up to 10%.
- Onboard Data Collection – Fort Mitchell drivers who agree to allow driving data collection to analyze their driving habits by using a telematics device such as In-Drive from State Farm or Allstate’s Drivewise system might get better premium rates if they exhibit good driving behavior.
- Military Deployment Discount – Being deployed with a military unit may qualify for rate reductions.
- Defensive Driver Discount – Participating in a course in driver safety could save 5% or more if you qualify.
- Memberships – Participating in specific professional or occupational memberships or organizations may earn a discount on auto insurance.
- Senior Discount – Drivers over the age of 55 could receive a small discount on rates.
- Anti-lock Brake System – Anti-lock brake equipped vehicles are much safer to drive and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
As is typical with insurance, some of the credits will not apply to the overall cost of the policy. Most only reduce specific coverage prices like comprehensive or collision. So even though they make it sound like you can get free auto insurance, companies wouldn’t make money that way. Any amount of discount will help reduce your overall bill.
A list of auto insurance companies and some of their more popular discounts can be read below.
- State Farm offers discounts including good driver, Steer Clear safe driver discount, safe vehicle, anti-theft, driver’s education, and good student.
- American Family has discounts for air bags, early bird, bundled insurance, accident-free, defensive driver, multi-vehicle, and good student.
- Geico discounts include good student, multi-policy, daytime running lights, defensive driver, air bags, anti-lock brakes, and five-year accident-free.
- 21st Century offers premium reductions for student driver, defensive driver, homeowners, 55 and older, and anti-lock brakes.
- Progressive offers discounts for multi-vehicle, continuous coverage, online signing, good student, online quote discount, and multi-policy.
It’s a good idea to ask each company which discounts can lower your rates. Savings might not be offered on policies in your state. To see insurers with the best auto insurance discounts in Kentucky, click here to view.
Independent versus captive insurance agents
Certain consumers would prefer to visit with an insurance agent and that is recommended in a lot of cases An additional benefit of comparing insurance prices online is you can get cheap auto insurance quotes but still work with a licensed agent. Supporting local agencies is especially important in Fort Mitchell.
To find an agent, once you fill out this simple form, the quote information is sent to insurance agents in Fort Mitchell who will give you quotes to get your business. You never need to contact any insurance agencies because quoted prices will be sent directly to you. You can most likely find cheaper rates AND an agent nearby. If you have a need to quote rates from one company in particular, you just need to jump over to their website and complete a quote there.
What type of Fort Mitchell auto insurance agent is right for you?
If you need to find a local Fort Mitchell insurance agency, it’s important to understand the types of agencies to choose from. Auto insurance agents are categorized either captive or independent.
Independent Auto Insurance Agents
These agents can sell policies from many different companies and that enables them to quote your coverage with many different companies and find you the best rates. If they find a cheaper price, they simply switch companies in-house which is easy for the insured.
When shopping rates, you need to include rate quotes from independent agents in order to compare the most rates. Many independent agencies also insure through smaller mutual companies which may provide better rates.
Captive Auto Insurance Agents
Agents that elect to be captive can only write with one company and some examples include Farmers Insurance, State Farm, Allstate, and AAA. They usually cannot shop your coverage around so keep that in mind. Captives are usually quite knowledgeable on their company’s products and that allows them to sell at a higher price point. Many people use the same agent primarily because of the brand rather than having the cheapest rates.
Choosing an car insurance agent is decision based upon more than just a cheap price. Before buying a policy, get answers to these questions.
- Do the coverages you’re quoting properly cover your vehicle?
- Are they in the agency full-time?
- Does the agency have a good rating with the Better Business Bureau?
- Has the agent ever had any license suspensions?
- If you raise deductibles, how much can you save?
- Can glass claims be handled at your home?
- Do they have cheaper tiers of coverage?
- In the event of vehicle damage, can you pick the collision repair facility?
Everyone needs different auto insurance coverages
When buying coverage for your personal vehicles, there really is no best way to insure your cars. Everyone’s situation is a little different.
For example, these questions can aid in determining if you would benefit from an agent’s advice.
- Does my vehicle need full coverage?
- Is business property covered if stolen from my car?
- Do I qualify for additional discounts?
- When would I need rental car insurance?
- How much liability coverage do I need in Kentucky?
- Do I need roadside assistance coverage?
- How much liability do I need to cover my assets?
- Who is covered by my policy?
If you’re not sure about those questions but a few of them apply then you might want to talk to a licensed agent. If you don’t have a local agent, simply complete this short form.
Auto insurance 101
Knowing the specifics of auto insurance can help you determine which coverages you need at the best deductibles and correct limits. The terms used in a policy can be difficult to understand and nobody wants to actually read their policy.
Comprehensive auto insurance
Comprehensive insurance will pay to fix damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. You first have to pay a deductible then your comprehensive coverage will pay.
Comprehensive coverage protects against things such as fire damage, a broken windshield, falling objects and rock chips in glass. The highest amount you’ll receive from a claim is the market value of your vehicle, so if it’s not worth much more than your deductible consider dropping full coverage.
Collision protection
Collision insurance will pay to fix damage to your vehicle resulting from a collision with a stationary object or other vehicle. A deductible applies and the rest of the damage will be paid by collision coverage.
Collision coverage protects against claims like colliding with a tree, sustaining damage from a pot hole, hitting a mailbox and colliding with another moving vehicle. Paying for collision coverage can be pricey, so analyze the benefit of dropping coverage from lower value vehicles. It’s also possible to choose a higher deductible to bring the cost down.
Liability
Liability insurance will cover damage or injury you incur to other’s property or people. It protects you from legal claims by others. It does not cover your own vehicle damage or injuries.
Coverage consists of three different limits, per person bodily injury, per accident bodily injury, and a property damage limit. Your policy might show policy limits of 25/50/25 which means a limit of $25,000 per injured person, a limit of $50,000 in injury protection per accident, and a limit of $25,000 paid for damaged property. Occasionally you may see a combined limit that pays claims from the same limit rather than limiting it on a per person basis.
Liability coverage pays for things like funeral expenses, emergency aid, repair costs for stationary objects, legal defense fees and bail bonds. How much coverage you buy is up to you, but buy higher limits if possible. Kentucky requires drivers to carry at least 25,000/50,000/10,000 but you should consider buying higher limits.
Coverage for uninsured or underinsured drivers
This provides protection when the “other guys” either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. This coverage pays for injuries to you and your family as well as your vehicle’s damage.
Due to the fact that many Kentucky drivers carry very low liability coverage limits (25/50/10), it doesn’t take a major accident to exceed their coverage limits. For this reason, having high UM/UIM coverages is important protection for you and your family. Normally the UM/UIM limits do not exceed the liability coverage limits.
Coverage for medical expenses
Med pay and PIP coverage pay for short-term medical expenses for things like dental work, ambulance fees, pain medications and prosthetic devices. They are used to cover expenses not covered by your health insurance policy or if there is no health insurance coverage. They cover you and your occupants in addition to if you are hit as a while walking down the street. Personal injury protection coverage is not available in all states but it provides additional coverages not offered by medical payments coverage
Additional information can be found on the found here. Kentucky drivers can learn about specific coverages, view agent and company licensing information, read consumer alerts, and learn about insurance regulations.
Persistent drivers can save
In this article, we presented a lot of ways to compare auto insurance rates online. It’s most important to understand that the more companies you get car insurance rates for, the more likely it is that you will get a better rate. You may even discover the lowest rates come from a smaller regional carrier.
Cheaper auto insurance can be found on the web as well as from insurance agents, and you should compare price quotes from both in order to have the best price selection to choose from. There are still a few companies who may not have rate quotes online and usually these smaller companies only sell coverage through independent agents.
Drivers change insurance companies for a number of reasons such as delays in responding to claim requests, policy non-renewal, high rates after DUI convictions and policy cancellation. Regardless of your reason for switching companies, choosing a new insurance company is not as hard as you think.