How to Find a Better Car Insurer
Maybe you feel you're being overcharged for car insurance.
Perhaps you had a ticket or a claim and your premium was raised.
Is it possible to find a better car insurer? That depends upon a number of variables.
Before shopping for quotes, consider your driving record.
If you've had a ticket or accident in the last three years, it may be wise to stick with your current company for the time being.
A new company may charge you even more.
You can often request quotes online or by phone.
However, you need to make sure that all quotes are for the same amount of coverage.
You may ask for "state minimum" and get a low quote.
Then, when it's time to write the policy the company "no longer offers" the minimum and tries to talk you into higher coverage limits (with higher premiums.
) But price isn't the only factor.
How an insurance company treats its customers, how it handles claims, and how stable it is are all important components of their ability to meet your needs.
Most states have a state Department of Insurance, a regulatory agency that helps resolve insurance problems and make sure that insurers are operating legally.
Many of these agencies have websites that list complaint statistics for insurers licensed in that state.
If your state doesn't have such a website, you may want to check adjacent states, especially if you're considering a nationally-known insurer.
You may also check the Better Business Bureau to determine if there are any unresolved complaints on file for the insurer you are considering.
A Google search for "company name" and "complaints" can direct you to other peoples' experiences with the company.
You need to remember that not all complaints are valid.
However, a number of complaints, especially about the same practices, should raise some concerns.
A.
M.
Best is a company that rates insurers according to their financial stability.
The time to find out a company is in financial trouble is BEFORE you have to rely on them to pay your medical expenses or car repairs.
Local body shops can be a valuable source of information about which companies handles claims best.
Finally, an independent insurance agent represents more than one company and can direct you to the one that meets your needs.
Even if you plan to purchase insurance direct from the company, either online or by phone, it's important to do a little preliminary research to help you find the right company to meet your needs within your budget.
Perhaps you had a ticket or a claim and your premium was raised.
Is it possible to find a better car insurer? That depends upon a number of variables.
Before shopping for quotes, consider your driving record.
If you've had a ticket or accident in the last three years, it may be wise to stick with your current company for the time being.
A new company may charge you even more.
You can often request quotes online or by phone.
However, you need to make sure that all quotes are for the same amount of coverage.
You may ask for "state minimum" and get a low quote.
Then, when it's time to write the policy the company "no longer offers" the minimum and tries to talk you into higher coverage limits (with higher premiums.
) But price isn't the only factor.
How an insurance company treats its customers, how it handles claims, and how stable it is are all important components of their ability to meet your needs.
Most states have a state Department of Insurance, a regulatory agency that helps resolve insurance problems and make sure that insurers are operating legally.
Many of these agencies have websites that list complaint statistics for insurers licensed in that state.
If your state doesn't have such a website, you may want to check adjacent states, especially if you're considering a nationally-known insurer.
You may also check the Better Business Bureau to determine if there are any unresolved complaints on file for the insurer you are considering.
A Google search for "company name" and "complaints" can direct you to other peoples' experiences with the company.
You need to remember that not all complaints are valid.
However, a number of complaints, especially about the same practices, should raise some concerns.
A.
M.
Best is a company that rates insurers according to their financial stability.
The time to find out a company is in financial trouble is BEFORE you have to rely on them to pay your medical expenses or car repairs.
Local body shops can be a valuable source of information about which companies handles claims best.
Finally, an independent insurance agent represents more than one company and can direct you to the one that meets your needs.
Even if you plan to purchase insurance direct from the company, either online or by phone, it's important to do a little preliminary research to help you find the right company to meet your needs within your budget.
