Here's a piece from Money Central that gives how-to shop for car insurance plus offers thoughts on saving money on car insurance. Here's the saving money part of their advice that I like the best:
Call a couple of the larger carriers (State Farm, Allstate, Nationwide, SAFECO, etc.) and then check with a couple independent agents and phone-based carriers, such as GEICO or Amica, just to make sure you've covered your bases.
If you prefer to shop on the Internet, a number of services offer online price quotes. Web sites give you quick access to a number of quotes without ever picking up the phone. However, as convenient as they are, it's still advisable to consult other more traditional sources as well.
As I've written before, shopping around for car insurance is one of the best ways to save on auto insurance. Don't fall into the trap of just going with the same old carrier you've always been with -- especially when their premiums jump up.
The piece also lists the major factors that determine your car insurance rate:
- You. (age, gender, marital status, driving record and record of prior claims)
- Where you live.
- Your vehicle.
- How you use your vehicle.
Finally, it details the major types of insurance coverage you should be familiar with including:
- Collision
- Comprehensive
- Medical
- Liability
- Uninsured motorist
- Underinsured motorist
- Umbrella
- Gap insurance
- Other optional coverage
Overall, it's a great primer on shopping for and saving on insurance.
New Jersey car insurance can be very expensive. How does it compare to other states rates?
Posted by: New Jersey Auto Insurance | April 02, 2006 at 11:52 PM
"fall into the trap of just going with the same old carrier you've always been with -- especially when their premiums jump up"
This is so important. Many people think that they can't find a better deal online. Most carriers bracing themselves as their competition begins using the internet for marketing all their insurance products.
My Dad was hunting for insurance for there cabin in the lake. He found the best deal online. (only after I convinced him to at least try)
Brent
Posted by: Brent | April 05, 2006 at 06:59 PM
Once a year I audit all my expenses in the attempt to live below my means. This year I focused on car insurance and found a plan that saved my about 50%! I wrote about it on my blog at http://netperks.blogspot.com/2006/12/i-spent-friday-sitting-in-urget-care.html The company is A+ rated and the parent is AIG. I noticed they are not in all states, but its worth a look.
Posted by: NETperks Open Wallet | March 07, 2007 at 08:49 PM