Are you overwhelmed by the wide range of auto insurance choices in Arlington? Lot’s of other consumers are too. You have so many options that it can quickly become a lot of work to locate the lowest price.
It is always a good idea to compare prices once or twice a year because prices are usually higher with each renewal. Even if you got the best price six months ago you will most likely find a better rate today. Forget anything you know (or think you know) about auto insurance because I’m going to let you in on the secrets to the things you must know in order to save money, get proper deductibles and limits, all at the lowest rate.
Pricing more affordable protection in Arlington is easy if you know what you’re doing. Just about everyone who is shopping for auto insurance will be able to find lower rates. But Massachusetts consumers do need to learn how insurance companies compete online because it can help you find the best coverage.
Which Auto Insurance is Cheapest in Arlington, Massachusetts?
Most companies quote pricing on their websites. This process is quite simple as you just type in the coverages you want into the quote form. After the form is submitted, their rating system will obtain reports for credit and driving violations and generates a price.
Quoting online simplifies rate comparisons, but having to visit each company’s website and repetitively type in the same information can be a bit repetitive. Unfortunately, it is important to get many rate quotes in order to find better prices.
There is a better way!
A quicker way to locate the lowest prices makes use of a single form that analyzes rates from a bunch of companies at once. The form is fast, requires less work, and makes online shopping much more enjoyable. After sending your information, it is quoted and you can choose any or none of the resulting price quotes.
If a lower price is quoted, you simply finish the application and purchase coverage. The entire process takes less than 15 minutes and you will know how your current rates stack up.
If you want to compare pricing, click here to open in a new tab and submit the form. If you have coverage now, it’s recommended that you enter the limits and deductibles identical to your current policy. This ensures you will receive rate quotes for exact coverage.
Save 15 percent in 15 minutes? Is it for real?
State Farm and Allstate regularly use ads on television and other media. All the companies say the same thing of big savings if you move your coverage to them. How does each company claim to save you money?
All companies have a certain “appetite” for the driver that makes them money. An example of a preferred risk might be profiled as over the age of 40, owns a home, and chooses high deductibles. A propective insured who fits that profile will get very good rates and most likely will save when they switch companies.
Consumers who don’t measure up to this ideal profile will have to pay a higher premium and ends up with business not being written. The ad wording is “customers that switch” but not “drivers who get quotes” save that kind of money. That is how insurance companies can confidently claim big savings.
Because of the profiling, you should get as many comparisons as possible. You cannot predict the company that will give you the biggest savings.
Take discounts and save
The cost of insuring your cars can be expensive, but you may find discounts to help bring down the price. Some discounts apply automatically when you quote, but lesser-known reductions have to be specifically requested before they will apply.
- Military Rewards – Being deployed with a military unit may qualify for rate reductions.
- E-sign – Certain companies may give you up to $50 just for signing your application over the internet.
- Bundle and Save – If you insure your home and vehicles with the same company you could get a discount of at least 10% off all policies.
- Early Signing – Some insurance companies reward drivers for switching policies before your current expiration date. This can save 10% or more.
- 55 and Retired – Older drivers may be able to get better auto insurance rates.
It’s important to note that most credits do not apply to the entire policy premium. The majority will only reduce individual premiums such as liability and collision coverage. Just because it seems like all those discounts means the company will pay you, auto insurance companies aren’t that generous. Any amount of discount will cut the cost of coverage.
Compare online but buy from a local Arlington agent
Certain consumers prefer to visit with an insurance agent. The best thing about comparing rates online is you can get the best rates and still have an agent to talk to. Buying from local insurance agencies is especially important in Arlington.
Once you complete this quick form, the coverage information is submitted to local insurance agents in Arlington who will give you bids for your coverage. There is no need to leave your computer since price quotes are sent to the email address you provide. How’s that for easy! You can find better rates AND a local agent.
Different types of Arlington car insurance agents
When finding local Arlington agents, you must know there are a couple types of insurance agents that you can select. Agencies in Arlington are classified as either captive or independent (non-captive).
Independent Insurance Agents
Independent agencies are not employed by any specific company but instead can place your coverage with any number of different companies depending on which coverage is best. If your agent finds better pricing, the business is moved internally and that require little work on your part.
When searching for an agent, you should always get quotes from at a minimum one independent agency to ensure the widest selection of prices. Many write coverage with smaller companies which may provide better rates.
Shown below is a short list of independent insurance agents in Arlington that may be able to provide price quote information.
- O’Donoghue Insurance – 90 Summer St – Arlington, MA 02474 – (781) 646-9300
- W T Phelan Insurance – 1193 Massachusetts Ave – Arlington, MA 02476 – (781) 643-7117
Captive Agents
This type of agents are contracted to one company like Allstate, Farmers Insurance, State Farm and AAA. They generally cannot place coverage with different providers so they have to upsell other benefits. Captive agents are usually quite knowledgeable on their products and sales techniques which helps them sell insurance even at higher premiums. Consumers sometimes buy from captive agents mainly due to high brand loyalty and strong financial ratings.
Choosing an auto insurance agent requires more thought than just a low price. Any agent should be forthright in answering these questions:
- How are claims handled?
- Do they receive special compensation for putting your coverage with one company over another?
- Which insurance companies are they affiliated with?
- What is the agency’s Better Business Bureau rating?
- Is their price quote a firm figure or are their hidden costs?
Once you have positive responses to these questions and an affordable coverage quote, you may have just found an insurance agent that will adequately provide auto insurance.
Car insurance is unique, just like you
When buying the right insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there isn’t really a perfect coverage plan. Every insured’s situation is different.
For example, these questions can aid in determining if your insurance needs will benefit from professional help.
- Who is covered when they drive my vehicle?
- Can I afford to buy a different vehicle if my vehicle is totaled?
- When should I drop full coverage on my vehicle?
- Is my nanny covered when driving my vehicle?
- When does my teenage driver need to be added to my policy?
- Should I buy only the required Massachusetts minimum liability coverage?
- Am I covered when pulling a rental trailer?
- Is my custom paint covered by insurance?
If you can’t answer these questions but one or more may apply to you then you might want to talk to a licensed insurance agent. If you don’t have a local agent, complete this form.
Additional information can be found on the Massachusetts Division of Insurance website located here. Visitors are able to find out which companies have the most complaints, file complaints about a company, read consumer alerts, and read state legal mandates and laws.
Other related articles:
- Save Money on Upper Arlington Car Insurance Rates in Five Minutes
- Follow These Ultimate Techniques for Saving Money on Arlington, TX Car Insurance
- Five Minute Guide to Finding an Arlington Insurance Agent
And the best car insurance company is…
Insureds switch companies for any number of reasons including denial of a claim, an unsatisfactory settlement offer, policy non-renewal or even policy cancellation. It doesn’t matter why you want to switch switching companies is easier than you think.
Budget-conscious auto insurance can be found from both online companies as well as from independent agents in Arlington, and you should be comparing both to have the best rate selection. Some insurance companies don’t offer online quoting and usually these small, regional companies provide coverage only through local independent agents.
We just covered many ideas to reduce auto insurance prices online. It’s most important to understand that the more rate comparisons you have, the higher your chance of finding lower rates. You may even find the lowest priced auto insurance comes from some of the smallest insurance companies.