I can’t think of a single person who cherishes buying car insurance, especially knowing the cost is too high. You have multiple insurers to pick from, and even though it’s nice to be able to choose, having more auto insurance companies makes it harder to adequately compare rates.
Finding affordable coverage in Lancaster is quite easy. If you have car insurance now, you will most likely be able to cut costs considerably using this information. Texas drivers just need to understand the most efficient way to find the lowest price online.
Where Can I Get Cheap Lancaster Car Insurance?
Finding a better price on car insurance isn’t really that difficult. All that’s required is to spend a little time comparing rate quotes from different insurance companies. This is very easy and can be done in several different ways.
- The single most time-saving way to get quotes for comparison is a comparison rater form like this one (opens in new window). This method saves time by eliminating a different quote to each individual car insurance company. A single, simple form gets you coverage quotes from multiple companies.
- A slightly less efficient method to shop for car insurance online consists of visiting each individual company website to complete their respective quote request forms. For sake of this example, we’ll pretend you want comparison quotes from Auto-Owners, GEICO and Farmers. You would have to spend time on each company’s site and enter your information, and that’s why the first method is more popular.
To view a list of companies in Lancaster, click here.
- The least recommended method of getting rate comparisons is to waste gas driving to and from local Lancaster insurance agencies. Buying insurance online has reduced the need for local agents unless you require the personal advice of a local Lancaster agent. It is possible to compare online quotes but still have the advice of a local agent and we’ll touch on that later.
Which method you use is up to you, but be sure to compare identical coverage limits and deductibles for each comparison quote. If you have higher or lower deductibles it’s impossible to make a fair comparison in Lancaster.
Do drivers who switch really save $447 a year?
Texas drivers can’t get away from ads for the lowest price auto insurance from the likes of Progressive, GEICO, Allstate and State Farm. All the ads have a common claim that you’ll save big if you change your coverage to them.
How can each company say the same thing?
All the different companies can use profiling for the type of driver that makes them money. An example of a preferred risk might be profiled as between the ages of 30 and 50, has no driving citations, and drives less than 7,500 miles a year. A customer who meets those qualifications will get the preferred rates and is almost guaranteed to pay quite a bit less when switching companies.
Drivers who don’t qualify for the requirements will have to pay higher premiums which leads to the customer not buying. The ad wording is “customers who switch” not “people who quote” save that kind of money. That’s the way companies can claim big savings. Because of the profiling, it is so important to get quotes from several different companies. You cannot predict the company that will have the lowest rates.
Factors that affect insurance rates
Smart consumers have a good feel for the rating factors that come into play when calculating the rates you pay for car insurance. Having a good understanding of what controls the rates you pay helps enable you to make changes that may reward you with better car insurance rates.
The list below includes some of the factors that factor into rates.
- High crash test scores lower rates – Cars with high safety ratings get lower rates. Safer cars have better occupant injury protection and lower injury rates means less money paid by your insurance company and thus lower rates.
- Lower rates with optional equipment – Owning a car that has an advanced theft prevention system can help lower your rates. Anti-theft features such as GM’s OnStar, tamper alarm systems and vehicle immobilizers can help prevent your car from being stolen.
- Where you reside plays a part – Being located in a rural area can save you money when buying car insurance. City drivers regularly have traffic congestion and much longer commute distances. Less people living in that area means fewer accidents and also fewer theft and vandalism claims.
- Men fork out a little more – Statistics demonstrate that women are safer drivers than men. However, don’t assume that men are worse drivers. Women and men are in accidents in similar percentages, but the males cause more damage and cost insurance companies more money. They also get more serious tickets like DUI and reckless driving.
- Drive less and save money – The more miles you rack up on your car each year the more you’ll pay to insure your vehicle. The majority of insurers charge to insure your cars based on their usage. Vehicles that are left in the garage receive lower rates as compared to vehicles used primarily for driving to work. Verify your car insurance policy is rated on how each vehicle is driven, because improper ratings can cost you money.
These discounts can slash car insurance rates
Companies offering auto insurance don’t always publicize all available discounts very clearly, so we took the time to find both well-publicized and also the lesser-known ways to save on car insurance. If you’re not getting every credit possible, you’re just leaving money on the table.
- Discount for Good Grades – This discount can earn a discount of 20% or more. Earning this discount can benefit you until age 25.
- Payment Method – If you pay your entire premium ahead of time instead of monthly or quarterly installments you can actually save on your bill.
- Safety Course Discount – Completing a course in driver safety can save you 5% or more and easily recoup the cost of the course.
- Driver’s Ed – Require your teen driver to enroll in driver’s education in high school.
- Drive Less and Save – Keeping the miles down could qualify for better rates on cars that stay parked.
- Homeowners Pay Less – Owning a house in Lancaster may earn you a small savings because of the fact that having a home shows financial diligence.
- Memberships – Being a member of a qualifying organization could trigger savings on your policy.
- Save with a New Car – Putting insurance coverage on a new car can cost up to 25% less since new cars are generally safer.
- Braking Control Discount – Anti-lock brake equipped vehicles can avoid accidents and will save you 10% or more.
Drivers should understand that some credits don’t apply to all coverage premiums. Most only reduce the price of certain insurance coverages like physical damage coverage or medical payments. Just because it seems like all the discounts add up to a free policy, car insurance companies aren’t that generous.
Online quotes with a local Lancaster insurance agent
A small number of people would prefer to buy from a local agent and that is just fine! Professional agents can point out coverage gaps and help submit paperwork. The biggest benefit of price shopping on the web is the fact that you can find lower rates and still have an agent to talk to.
After filling out this simple form, your insurance coverage information is instantly submitted to local insurance agents in Lancaster who will battle to get your business. You don’t have to visit any agencies because quoted prices will be sent to the email address you provide. How cool is that?!
Choosing a company should depend on more than just the premium amount. Agents should be asked these questions:
- How long have they worked with personal auto insurance coverage?
- Is vehicle damage repaired with OEM or aftermarket parts?
- Which insurance companies are they affiliated with?
- Who are their largest clients?
- If they are an independent agency, which companies do they recommend?
- Will their companies depreciate repairs to your car based on the mileage?
- Do they review policy coverages at every renewal?
- If you have an accident, are you able to get your vehicle repaired at the shop of your choice?
Types of insurance agents
If you’re trying to find an insurance agent, there are a couple of different types of agents from which to choose. Agents are either independent (non-captive) or captive. Both types can properly insure your vehicles, but it’s important to know the difference between them since it can impact the selection process.
Captive Insurance Agents
These agents can only write with one company such as State Farm or Allstate. They are unable to give you multiple price quotes so they have to upsell other benefits. Captive agents are trained well in insurance sales which can be an advantage.
Listed below are captive agents in Lancaster willing to provide rate quotes.
State Farm Insurance – 183 Historic Town Sq – Lancaster, TX 75146 – (972) 227-2408
Allstate Insurance – 1450 W Pleasant Run Rd # 240 – Lancaster, TX 75146 – (972) 227-0490
Farm Bureau Insurance – 3380 N Interstate 35 E – Lancaster, TX 75134 – (972) 224-8247
Independent Agencies or Brokers
Independent agents do not work for one specific company so they have the ability to put coverage with any number of different companies depending on which coverage is best. To transfer your coverage to a different company, the business is moved internally and you won’t have to switch agencies.
When comparison shopping, we recommend you include price quotes from at a minimum one independent agency to ensure the widest selection of prices.
Listed below are independent insurance agents in Lancaster that are able to give price quote information.
Glenn/Marco Insurance – 1425 N Dallas Ave # 304 – Lancaster, TX 75134 – (972) 227-2166
Obdulia Simcox Insurance – 2286 W Pleasant Run Rd – Lancaster, TX 75146 – (972) 227-3183
Taylor Agency – 330 W Pleasant Run Rd – Lancaster, TX 75146 – (972) 218-8166
For a full directory of licensed insurance agents in Lancaster, visit this site.
Once you have received satisfactory answers to your questions and an affordable coverage quote, you have narrowed it down to a car insurance agent that is a good match to service your policy.
More quotes mean more savings
While you’re price shopping online, it’s not a good idea to skimp on coverage in order to save money. There are too many instances where someone dropped collision coverage only to regret at claim time that it was a big error on their part. The ultimate goal is to find the BEST coverage at an affordable rate.
We just presented many ideas to get a better price on car insurance. The most important thing to understand is the more companies you get rates for, the better your comparison will be. You may even find the lowest rates come from some of the smallest insurance companies. Smaller companies may cover specific market segments cheaper as compared to the big name companies such as Allstate and Progressive.
Find out more about car insurance
More detailed Texas car insurance information can be found at the Texas Department of Insurance website. Texas consumers can download brochures, view agent and company licensing information, and discover disciplinary actions.
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