Feel like you’re a prisoner to an overpriced auto insurance policy? Trust us when we tell you there are a lot of people in Odessa just like you who feel imprisoned by their auto insurance policy. Insurance companies such as Progressive, GEICO and Farmers Insurance constantly bombard you with ad campaigns and it is difficult to ignore the flying pigs and cute green geckos and do the work needed to find the best deal.
Consumers need to take a look at other company’s rates every six months because prices are variable and change quite frequently. Just because you found the lowest rates a few years ago you can probably find a lower rate today. There is a lot of wrong information about auto insurance online, so with this article, you’re going to get the best ways to slash your auto insurance rates.
If you are insured now or are looking for a new policy, you can learn to shop for the lowest rates and possibly find even better coverage. Finding the best rates in Odessa is not rocket science. Texas drivers just need to understand the proper methods to get comparison rates online.
Vehicle Insurance Comparison
Reducing your insurance rates is actually quite simple. Just spend a few minutes to compare quotes online from several insurance companies. This can be done in a couple of different ways.
- The recommended way to get quotes for comparison is to use a rate comparison form (click to open form in new window). This type of form eliminates the need for separate forms for every auto insurance company. Filling out one form gets you price quotes from multiple companies.
- A more difficult way to shop for auto insurance online requires you to visit each company website to complete a price quote. For example, let’s assume you want to compare rates from USAA, Allstate and Travelers. You would have to spend time on each company’s site and enter your policy data, which is why the first method is quicker. For a list of links to companies insuring cars in Odessa, click here.
- The least efficient method of comparing rate quotes is to spend time driving to different agent offices. Shopping for auto insurance online has reduced the need for local agents unless you want the professional advice that only a license agent can provide. It is possible to price shop your coverage online but buy from a local insurance agent and you’ll learn how to do that later.
It’s your choice how you get your quotes, but make darn sure you compare exactly the same information with each company. If you compare different deductibles it will be very difficult to make a fair comparison in Odessa.
Auto insurance ads bend the truth
Texas consumers can’t get away from ads for car insurance savings from companies such as Allstate and Progressive. They all seem to have a common claim about savings if you change your policy.
How do they all make almost identical claims?
Insurance companies have a preferred profile for the type of driver that makes them money. A good example of a driver they prefer could possibly be between the ages of 40 and 55, has no tickets, and has a high credit rating. A customer that hits that “sweet spot” will get very good rates and is almost guaranteed to save a lot of money.
Potential customers who do not match the requirements must pay more money and this can result in the customer not buying. The ad wording is “customers who switch” not “everybody who quotes” save that kind of money. This is how companies can advertise the savings.
This illustrates why you absolutely need to get a wide range of price quotes. It’s impossible to know the company that will have the lowest rates.
Don’t pay full price with these discounts
Insuring your vehicles can cost a lot, but discounts can save money and there are some available that can drop the cost substantially. Certain discounts will be applied at the time of purchase, but some may not be applied and must be manually applied before being credited. If you’re not getting every credit available, you are throwing money away.
- Passive Restraints and Air Bags – Vehicles equipped with air bags or automatic seat belts can receive discounts of more than 20%.
- Anti-theft System – Vehicles with anti-theft systems can help prevent theft and therefore earn up to a 10% discount.
- Payment Discounts – If you pay your entire premium ahead of time instead of making monthly payments you can actually save on your bill.
- Good Student Discount – Getting good grades can be rewarded with saving of up to 25%. Earning this discount can benefit you up to age 25.
- Seat Belt Usage – Requiring all passengers to wear their seat belts can save 10% or more on the medical payments or PIP coverage costs.
- More Vehicles More Savings – Insuring multiple cars or trucks on one policy can get a discount on all vehicles.
- Resident Student – Any of your kids living away from home attending college and don’t have a car can be insured at a reduced rate.
Drivers should understand that most discount credits are not given the the whole policy. Most only cut the price of certain insurance coverages like physical damage coverage or medical payments. So when it seems like you can get free auto insurance, auto insurance companies aren’t that generous. But any discount will help reduce the cost of coverage.
For a list of providers who offer auto insurance discounts in Texas, click here to view.
Compare online but buy from a local Odessa agent
Certain consumers just want to visit with an insurance agent and that is just fine! Professional agents can point out coverage gaps and give you someone to call. One of the great benefits of getting online price quotes is the fact that you can find the best rates and still have an agent to talk to. And supporting local agencies is important especially in Odessa.
Once you complete this quick form, your information gets sent to insurance agents in Odessa who will compete for your coverage. You won’t need to even leave your home as quotes are delivered straight to your inbox. It doesn’t get any easier!
If you want to select a specific agent in Odessa, visit this site.
Deciding on an insurer shouldn’t rely on just the bottom line cost. Some important questions to ask are:
- How long has their agency been in business in Odessa?
- Is the agent and/or agency licensed to do business in Texas?
- Do they feel the quoted coverages are adequate?
- Does the agency support the community they serve?
- Can they provide you with a list of referrals?
- If you have an accident, are you able to get your vehicle repaired at the shop of your choice?
- Are there any hidden costs in their price quote and does it include driving and credit history?
Once you have received positive feedback to these questions and a good coverage price, you’ve probably found an provider that will provide auto insurance coverage.
Car insurance is unique, just like you
When buying proper insurance coverage, there is no single plan that fits everyone. Everyone’s situation is unique so your insurance should reflect that For instance, these questions might help in determining if you would benefit from an agent’s advice.
- Am I covered if I drive in a foreign country?
- Can I still get insurance after a DUI?
- What are the financial responsibility laws in Texas?
- Does my policy cover my teen driver if they drive my company car?
- What can I do if my company won’t pay a claim?
- How high should my medical payments coverage be?
- Will I be non-renewed for getting a DUI or other conviction?
- Does my policy pay for OEM or aftermarket parts?
If you’re not sure about those questions, then you may want to think about talking to an insurance agent. If you don’t have a local agent, take a second and complete this form or go to this page to view a list of companies. It’s fast, free and may give you better protection.
Additional information is located on the website for the Texas Department of Insurance found here. Texas drivers can read enforcement actions against agents and companies, file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, read industry bulletins, and discover disciplinary actions.
Shop smart and save
While you’re price shopping online, you should never skimp on coverage in order to save money. In too many instances, an insured cut liability coverage limits and discovered at claim time that the small savings ended up costing them much more. The aim is to find the BEST coverage at an affordable rate while still protecting your assets.
In this article, we presented many ideas to shop for auto insurance online. The most important thing to understand is the more price quotes you have, the better chance you’ll have of finding lower rates. You may be surprised to find that the lowest priced auto insurance comes from some of the lesser-known companies. Smaller companies may have significantly lower rates on certain market segments as compared to the big name companies such as Allstate, GEICO and Progressive.