Did you fall for a flashy sales pitch and buy an underperforming, overpriced auto insurance policy? Trust us when we tell you there are a lot of people in Broken Arrow just like you who feel imprisoned by their auto insurance policy.
Companies like State Farm, Farmers Insurance, Geico and Allstate persitently shower you with ad campaigns and it is challenging if not impossible to ignore the propoganda and do the work needed to find the best deal.
Consumers should take time to get comparison quotes once or twice a year because rates change quite often. If you had the best price six months ago the chances are good that you can find a lower rate today. You can find a lot of wrong information about auto insurance online but we’re going to give you the easiest ways to buy auto insurance cheaper.
If you currently have a car insurance policy, you will most likely be able to cut costs considerably using this strategy. Finding affordable coverage in Broken Arrow is not rocket science. Although Oklahoma car owners need to learn how companies price online insurance because it can help you find the best coverage.
Comparison of Auto Insurance in Broken Arrow, OK
To find the best auto insurance prices, there are several ways of comparing price quotes from local in Broken Arrow, OKauto insurance companies. By far the easiest way to find the lowest rates consists of shopping online. It is quite easy and can be accomplished in several different ways.
- The easiest and least time consuming way to get quotes is an all-inclusive rate comparison like this one (opens in new window). This method keeps you from doing a different quote for every auto insurance company. Just one form gets you price quotes from several companies.
- A different way to compare prices consists of going to each individual company website and fill out their own quote form. For example, we’ll assume you want to compare rates from Progressive, Allstate and GMAC. To get rate quotes you would need to visit each site and enter your information, which is why the first method is quicker. For a handy list of car insurance company links in Broken Arrow, click here.
- The least recommended method to compare rates is driving to different Broken Arrow agent offices. The ability to buy insurance online makes this process obsolete unless you want the professional guidance that only a license agent can provide. However, consumers can get prices online but still have the advice of a local agent.
Whichever way you use, ensure you’re using exactly the same coverages and limits for every company. If you use different values for each quote it will be impossible to determine the best price in Broken Arrow. Slightly different coverages may result in a large different in cost. Keep in mind that getting more free quotes will improve the odds of getting a better price.
Discounts are basically free money
Car insurance is not cheap, but you can get discounts that you may not know about. Most are applied when you complete an application, but a few need to be manually applied prior to receiving the credit.
- Paperless Signup – A few companies give back up to $50 for buying your policy over the internet.
- Drivers Education – Require your teen driver to successfully complete driver’s ed class if it’s offered in school.
- Discount for Good Grades – This discount can get you a discount of up to 25%. The discount lasts until age 25.
- Passive Restraint Discount – Vehicles equipped with air bags may earn rate discounts up to 30%.
- Accident Forgiveness – A handful of insurance companies permit an accident before hitting you with a surcharge as long as you don’t have any claims for a particular time prior to the accident.
A little note about advertised discounts, many deductions do not apply to all coverage premiums. Most only apply to individual premiums such as liability and collision coverage. Just because you may think having all the discounts means you get insurance for free, it doesn’t quite work that way. Any amount of discount will help reduce your overall premium however.
To see a list of insurers with discount auto insurance rates in Oklahoma, follow this link.
Online quotes with a local Broken Arrow insurance agent
Certain consumers would rather visit with an insurance agent and that is a personal choice. One of the best bonuses of price shopping on the web is you can get the lowest rates but also keep your business local. And supporting local agencies is important particularly in Broken Arrow.
After filling out this quick form, your insurance coverage information is emailed to local insurance agents in Broken Arrow who will battle for your coverage. There is no need to leave your computer since price quotes are sent to your email. Now that’s easy! Get lower rates AND a local agent.
Types of insurance agents in Broken Arrow
When finding a reputable insurance agent or broker, there are two different types of agents from which to choose. Insurance agencies in Broken Arrow are categorized either captive or independent.
Independent Agents
Independent agents are not required to write business for one company but instead can place your coverage with many different companies and possibly get better coverage at lower prices. To move your coverage to a new company, the agent simply finds a different carrier and you don’t have to find a new agent.
When shopping rates, you should always contact at a minimum one independent agency to have the most options to choose from.
Listed below are independent agencies in Broken Arrow that may be able to provide pricing information.
Michael Ward Agency – 1008 N Hickory Ave – Broken Arrow, OK 74012 – (918) 258-6611
Mike Emerson Agency – 610 S Aspen Ave – Broken Arrow, OK 74012 – (918) 258-5676
American National Insurance Co – 11375 E 61st St # 103 – Broken Arrow, OK 74012 – (918) 254-2578
Onebeacon Insurance – 8282 S Memorial Dr – Broken Arrow, OK 74011 – (918) 459-8141
Sid Sidman Agency – 4902 W Kenosha St – Broken Arrow, OK 74012 – (918) 254-0125
Captive Agents
These agents are contracted to one company like State Farm, AAA and Liberty Mutual. They usually cannot give you multiple price quotes so they have no alternatives for high prices. Captive agencies receive extensive training on their products and sales techniques which helps them compete with independent agents.
Listed below is a short list of captive insurance agents in Broken Arrow willing to provide comparison quotes.
Allstate Insurance – 300 N Main St – Broken Arrow, OK 74012 – (918) 258-8671
Shelter Insurance – 1101 E Lansing St – Broken Arrow, OK 74012 – (918) 258-1700
Liberty Mutual Insurance – 3762 S Elm Pl – Broken Arrow, OK 74011 – (918) 455-2943
Farm Bureau Insurance – 801 N Elm Pl – Broken Arrow, OK 74012 – (918) 258-6030
State Farm Insurance – 2001 W Washington St – Broken Arrow, OK 74012 – (918) 455-4567
Farmers Insurance Group – 409 N Aspen Ave # 101 – Broken Arrow, OK 74012 – (918) 258-1191
For a full directory of captive insurance agents in Broken Arrow, simply jump to this page.
Selecting a car insurance agent needs to be determined by more than just the price. Ask your prospective agent these questions:
- If they are an independent agency, which companies do they recommend?
- Do they have adequate Errors and Ommissions coverage? This protects you if they make a mistake.
- What is the agency’s Better Business Bureau rating?
- Do they have advanced training designations such as CPCU, AAI, AIC, or CIC?
- Are there any hidden costs in their price quote and does it include driving and credit history?
- What will you get paid if your car is a total loss? How is that amount determined?
After getting reasonable responses to all your questions and a good coverage price, you may have just found an insurance agent that will provide auto insurance coverage.
Don’t assume everyone needs the same coverage
When choosing the right insurance coverage, there isn’t really a best way to insure your cars. Everyone’s needs are different and a cookie cutter policy won’t apply. For instance, these questions could help you determine whether your personal situation would benefit from professional advice.
- Is a new car covered when I drive it off the dealer lot?
- What if I don’t agree with a claim settlement offer?
- Does my policy cover my teen driver if they drive my company car?
- Am I getting all the discounts available?
- Does my vehicle need full coverage?
- Are rental cars covered under my policy?
If you don’t know the answers to these questions but you think they might apply to your situation, you might consider talking to an agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, simply complete this short form or click here for a list of auto insurance companies in your area.
Much more information about auto insurance in Oklahoma is located on the website for the Oklahoma Insurance Department located here. Visitors are able to find out which companies have the most complaints, read enforcement actions against agents and companies, get help finding coverage, and find a variety of consumer forms.
Specific coverages
Knowing the specifics of your policy can be of help when determining the best coverages at the best deductibles and correct limits. Policy terminology can be ambiguous and even agents have difficulty translating policy wording. Below you’ll find typical coverages offered by auto insurance companies.
Protection from uninsured/underinsured drivers
This provides protection from other drivers when they do not carry enough liability coverage. Covered losses include injuries to you and your family as well as damage to your vehicle.
Since many Oklahoma drivers carry very low liability coverage limits (25/50/25 in Oklahoma), their liability coverage can quickly be exhausted. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage should not be overlooked. Frequently these limits are set the same as your liablity limits.
Comprehensive (Other than Collision)
Comprehensive insurance pays for damage that is not covered by collision coverage. You need to pay your deductible first and the remainder of the damage will be paid by comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive insurance covers claims such as hitting a deer, rock chips in glass, vandalism and damage from a tornado or hurricane. The maximum payout you’ll receive from a claim is the cash value of the vehicle, so if the vehicle is not worth much it’s not worth carrying full coverage.
Collision protection
This coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage resulting from a collision with a stationary object or other vehicle. You will need to pay your deductible and the rest of the damage will be paid by collision coverage.
Collision can pay for things such as sideswiping another vehicle, rolling your car and colliding with another moving vehicle. This coverage can be expensive, so consider dropping it from vehicles that are 8 years or older. It’s also possible to bump up the deductible to bring the cost down.
Liability auto insurance
This coverage can cover damages or injuries you inflict on other people or property that is your fault. This coverage protects you from legal claims by others. It does not cover your own vehicle damage or injuries.
Coverage consists of three different limits, bodily injury for each person injured, bodily injury for the entire accident and a property damage limit. Your policy might show values of 25/50/25 which means $25,000 bodily injury coverage, a per accident bodily injury limit of $50,000, and $25,000 of coverage for damaged propery. Occasionally you may see a combined limit which limits claims to one amount without having the split limit caps.
Liability insurance covers things such as legal defense fees, medical services, bail bonds, court costs and medical expenses. How much liability should you purchase? That is a personal decision, but you should buy as much as you can afford. Oklahoma requires drivers to carry at least 25,000/50,000/25,000 but you should think about purchasing higher limits.
Medical expense insurance
Medical payments and Personal Injury Protection insurance reimburse you for bills such as nursing services, prosthetic devices, doctor visits, pain medications and funeral costs. The coverages can be utilized in addition to your health insurance policy or if there is no health insurance coverage. It covers you and your occupants as well as any family member struck as a pedestrian. Personal injury protection coverage is only offered in select states but can be used in place of medical payments coverage
Buy online or local, you save
While you’re price shopping online, you should never skimp on coverage in order to save money. There are many occasions where someone dropped liability limits or collision coverage only to find out that the few dollars in savings costed them thousands. Your goal should be to buy enough coverage at the best price.
You just read many ways to compare auto insurance prices online. The key thing to remember is the more rate comparisons you have, the better your comparison will be. You may even find the best price on auto insurance is with an unexpected company. These companies may cover specific market segments cheaper than their larger competitors like Allstate or State Farm.
Cost effective auto insurance can be purchased both online and also from your neighborhood Broken Arrow agents, so you should be comparing quotes from both so you have a total pricing picture. Some companies may not provide online price quotes and most of the time these small insurance companies sell through independent agents.