Could you save hundreds of dollars by switching your car insurance? It is a question worth asking yourself at least once a year. By doing a little research now, you may be able to find a comparable insurance plan at a better rate with another company, and save money. But you have to make sure you take the appropriate steps to switch, because you don't want to have a lapse in coverage.
Jeanne Salvatore, senior vice president at the Insurance Information Institute in New York, suggests asking yourself if you're happy with the cost, coverage and service of your current policy each time it comes up for renewal. "If the answer is 'yes, yes and yes,' then stay with them. But if you're not sure, it's a good opportunity to shop around," she says.
Here are four key steps to take when it comes to switching car insurance:
1. Review your current driving situation.
Take note of your driving circumstances as well as the needs of other drivers in your household. Do you have a newer model car? Do you commute several miles each week to work? Do you have recent traffic tickets?
According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), your potential new insurance company may ask you all of these questions as part of the underwriting process. You'll also likely be asked about the number of drivers on the policy, your driver license information, and the insurance coverage and limits you'd like to purchase.
Take a look at your existing auto insurance policy. Knowing what you currently have will make it easier to create apples-to-apples comparisons with the rates you receive from different insurers. An easy way to do this is to study your current policy's declarations page, says Vaughn Graham, president of Rich and Cartmill insurance company in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
"The declarations page describes the insurance you have, including the amount of coverage as well as coverage limits, and the amount of your deductible," he says. When you're more informed about your current coverage, it can help you become a smarter shopper.
2. Shop around.
Once you're familiar with your current policy, it's time to look for alternatives. A good first call is to your current insurance agent or the insurance company itself (some insurers, such as Geico and Progressive don't work with agents). Even if you're not happy with your existing policy (if you think the premiums are too expensive, for example), ask if there are ways to lower your rate for the same amount of coverage, says Salvatore. You may be eligible to receive discounts you're not getting.
Here's a list of common insurance company discounts, according to the NAIC:
Having safety devices in the car, such as anti-theft features
Having a good driving record
Driving a low number of miles a year
Having multiple cars on the same policy
Being a student who gets good grades
Insuring both your home and car with the same provider
While you're reviewing discounts, be aware that switching to a new provider could affect discounts you already have with other types of insurance. For example, if you're already getting a homeowner's and car-policy rate reduction from your current provider, and you then move your car insurance to a different company, you may lose the discount you receive for homeowner's insurance. It may make more financial sense to stay where you are, or switch both policies to a new provider that will give you a rate reduction for both.
In addition to speaking to your current agent or insurance company about your options, you can look online to research potential companies and obtain quotes. It is also a good idea to get referrals from family members, colleagues and other people whom you trust, Salvatore says. If they have had to file a claim with the insurer, they could tell you in person about their customer service experience.
If you're currently buying through an independent agent who represents multiple insurance companies, you have a few more options. "You can go to them and say 'I'm happy working with you, but I'm not so happy with this carrier' and explain why," Salvatore says. "Ask if they can suggest another carrier."
A good agent should be able to offer you customized choices to fit your needs, adds Graham. "There is no one-size-fits-all solution. We're all a little different."
3. Don't skimp on coverage.
As you receive quotes, make sure the insurance coverage and deductibles mentioned are satisfactory. Just because a rate quote may be lower than what you're currently paying, it doesn't mean it's a better deal if the coverage is lacking, Graham says. If you're not sure how much coverage you need, discuss your needs with insurance company representatives, and ask for guidance.
For example, if you have significant assets, you may need more than just the
state minimum for bodily injury liability insurance. The same is true for property damage coverage. The retail price for an average new vehicle could easily top $30,000, but in many states, the minimum property damage coverage required is only $25,000. If you were responsible for a loss and did not have enough insurance coverage, you'd likely be on the hook for the difference. "Many of those limits are often inadequate and not near enough to meet today's exposures to price of vehicles," Graham says.
Though it's important to have ample liability coverage, if you drive an older model vehicle that is paid for, you may choose to opt out of some optional types of coverage, such as collision and comprehensive insurance, in order to keep premiums low.
Collision insurance pays for the physical damage your vehicle receives if it collides with another object, such as a tree or another car. Comprehensive insurance pays for damage to your car from causes other than a collision. This could include vandalism, broken glass, fire and theft. If this coverage is more than your vehicle is worth, you could skip it to lower your rates. Just understand that you would then be paying for these losses out of your own funds if such damage did occur. People who live in areas prone to such
natural disasters as floods, high winds and earthquakes might want to think about retaining their comprehensive coverage, experts say.
Another way to get a lower premium is to ask for a higher deductible. If you are willing to pay $1,000 out of pocket for a claim instead of $250, you could lower your rates. But make sure you can afford the higher deductible in the event that you suffer an insurable loss.