Anyone who owns a car is familiar with the added expenses associated with ownership such as maintenance, gas, cleaning, and insurance. Auto insurance is a must have for drivers in almost every state in the U.S. and the cost of not carrying insurance coverage could end up being higher than the coverage itself. Insurance is vital in protecting not just an individual’s car in case of an accident, but also in protecting their financial assets. If an individual were to cause a major accident and did not have coverage, the resulting losses could reach into the thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Finding the best auto insurance rates is much easier than it used to be and in just a few short minutes anyone can find the right coverage for them at the right price. The vast majority of drivers have financed their vehicle either through a bank, credit union, or the motor company itself. Almost 100% of the time, vehicles with a lien against them are required to carry collision and/or comprehensive coverage at the very least to protect the vehicle in case of accidents, fire, and theft. Determining what levels of coverage are required as a part of the auto loan will provide a solid starting point in finding the best auto insurance rate possible.
The next best step to take in finding the best auto insurance rate is to learn what coverage minimums are required by the state the vehicle is going to be registered in. Only two states in the U.S., Florida and New Hampshire, don’t require proof of insurance to register a vehicle. All the other states in the country require proof of insurance as well as additional minimum coverage requirements in order to register a vehicle in the state. Where you live will determine the best auto insurance rates possible. Some states, such as Minnesota, have very high coverage requirements that must be met by insured individuals. For example, drivers in Minnesota must have liability minimums of 30/60/10 ($30,000 to cover one person in an accident, $60,000 per accident, and $10,000 for property damage) and carry personal injury protection (PIP) as well as uninsured motorist coverage (UM). Other states like Nevada only require liability minimums of 15/30/10 and do not require PIP or UM coverage.
Other things to consider when shopping for the best auto insurance rates are extra coverage’s an individual might want to carry. Add-ons such as medical expense coverage, towing, roadside assistance, and rental car coverage are nice extras to have included in any policy but will add to the premium rates an individual must pay.
Once you have gone through all the above information and have an idea what level of coverage you need and what, if any, extras you want on your policy it is time to start searching for different policies. The best place to start is often online as several different insurance companies offer free quotes online and will even allow you to compare their quotes to those of other companies. CompareAutoInsuranceRates.com provides these services by simply entering your state, quotes from different auto insurance providers around your area will instantly be shown.
One tip when hunting for the best auto insurance rates is to start with your current insurance provider. Many companies provide homeowners insurance, renters insurance, and auto insurance. If you already have coverage through one of these companies, they can help you find auto insurance through them in addition to other coverage you already have with them.
The most important factor in finding the best auto insurance rate possible is knowledge. Being knowledgeable about the coverage’s you want and the coverage you need will help avoid overpaying for services you don’t want or need. Before starting the search for insurance coverage, become as informed as possible in order to avoid wasting money each month.