5 Must-Know Methods When Buying Prairie Village Auto Insurance

Finding better rates for Prairie Village auto insurance is challenging for consumers new to comparison shopping online. Drivers have so many options available that it can quickly become a real hassle to locate the lowest price in Prairie Village.

Smart consumers take time to price shop coverage before your policy renews due to the fact that insurance rates are rarely the same from one policy term to another. Even if you think you had the lowest rates two years ago you can probably find a better price now. There is a lot of wrong information about auto insurance on the web, but we’re going to give you some guaranteed methods to find affordable auto insurance.

If you are insured now or are shopping for new coverage, you can use these tips to find the best rates and possibly find even better coverage. Shopping for affordable auto insurance in Prairie Village is quite easy. Kansas consumers just need to know the best way to compare price quotes over the internet.

Cut your premium with discounts

Companies that sell car insurance don’t always advertise all available discounts in a way that’s easy to find, so we break down both well-publicized and the more hidden savings tricks you should be using. If you aren’t receiving every discount you qualify for, you are paying more than you should be.

Good Students Pay Less – Performing well in school can get you a discount of up to 25%. The good student discount can last up until you turn 25.
No Charge for an Accident – A few companies permit an accident before hitting you with a surcharge if you are claim-free for a particular time prior to the accident.
Air Bag Discount – Cars that have air bags may earn rate discounts up to 30%.
Discount for Life Insurance – Larger companies have lower rates if you buy auto and life insurance together.
Senior Citizens – Older drivers can possibly qualify for reduced rates.
Multiple Vehicles – Insuring multiple vehicles with the same company can get a discount on all vehicles.
Homeowners Discount – Simply owning a home may trigger a auto insurance policy discount because maintaining a house demonstrates responsibility.

A little note about advertised discounts, most discounts do not apply the the whole policy. A few only apply to individual premiums such as comprehensive or collision. Just because it seems like it’s possible to get free car insurance, companies wouldn’t make money that way.

To see a list of insurers offering auto insurance discounts in Kansas, click here to view.

Why you might pay higher rates in Prairie Village

It’s important that you understand some of the elements that go into determining your auto insurance rates. Understanding what determines base rates allows you to make educated decisions that could result in lower auto insurance prices.

Males pay more for insurance – Statistics demonstrate women are more cautious behind the wheel. However, this does not mean women are better drivers. Women and men tend to get into accidents at about the same rate, but the males have costlier accidents. They also have more aggressive citations like DUI and reckless driving. Teenage male drivers are most likely to cause an accident and thus pay the highest rates.
A lapse in coverage is a bad thing – Allowing your auto insurance policy to lapse will be a fast way to trigger a rate increase. Not only will rates go up, but not being able to provide proof of insurance can result in a license revocation or jail time.
Proper usage rating affects rates – The more miles you rack up on your car every year the more you’ll pay to insure your vehicle. Almost all companies charge to insure your cars determined by how the vehicle is used. Cars and trucks left parked in the garage receive lower rates as compared to vehicles used primarily for driving to work. Make sure your auto insurance policy is rated on how each vehicle is driven, because improper ratings can cost you money.
Type of vehicle determines base rates – The performance level of the car you are buying insurance for makes a big difference in your rates. The most favorable rates tend to be for low performance passenger cars, but there are many factors that impact the final cost.
Higher deductibles cost less – The deductibles represent how much money you are required to spend before your auto insurance pays a claim. Insurance for physical damage to your car, also known as collision and other-than-collision, protects your car from damage. A few examples of covered claims would be colliding with a building, damage caused by hail, or theft. The more expense you have to pay, the lower your rates will be.
Younger drivers pay higher rates – Youthful drivers in Kansas are known to be careless and easily distracted in a vehicle so auto insurance rates are higher. Mature drivers are more cautious drivers, statistically cause fewer accidents and get fewer tickets.
Do you qualify for a multi-policy discount? – Some insurers will award you with lower prices to customers who buy several policies from them. It’s known as a multi-policy discount. Discounts can amount to five, ten or even twenty percent. If you currently are using one company, it’s in your best interest to compare other company rates to make sure you are getting the best deal. Drivers may still find better rates by buying auto insurance from a different company.

What is the best insurance coverage?

When buying the best auto insurance coverage, there isn’t really a “best” method to buy coverage. Coverage needs to be tailored to your specific needs.

Here are some questions about coverages that can help discover if you could use an agent’s help.

Does my policy cover my teen driver if they drive my company car?
What is high-risk coverage and where do I buy it?
Will I be non-renewed for getting a DUI or other conviction?
Am I covered by my employer’s commercial auto policy when driving my personal car for business?
Is Kansas a no-fault state?
How can I get high-risk coverage after a DUI?

If you don’t know the answers to these questions but a few of them apply, then you may want to think about talking to an agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, complete this form. It’s fast, free and you can get the answers you need. car insurance image

What about using a local agent?

Some consumers would prefer to visit with an insurance agent. Agents can answer important questions and give you someone to call. One of the best bonuses of getting online price quotes is the fact that you can find the lowest rates but also keep your business local.

To find an agent, once you fill out this quick form, your coverage information is sent to agents in your area who will battle for your coverage. There is no reason to leave your computer because quoted prices will be sent directly to your email. It doesn’t get any easier!

Choosing an insurance company requires more thought than just the price. These are valid questions to ask:

Are claims handled at the agent’s location?
How many years of experience in personal lines insurance coverages do they have?
Do they make recommendations based only on price?
Which members of your family are coverage by the policy?
Can they give you a list of client referrals?
Do they have advanced training designations such as CPCU, AAI, AIC, or CIC?
Do they receive special compensation for putting your coverage with one company over another?
Do the companies they represent have a solid financial rating?

Captive or Independent: There is a difference

If you’re trying to find a local agent, there are two different agency structures that you can select. Prairie Village agents can either be independent or captive. Both write coverage properly, but it’s good to learn how they differ because it can influence your agent selection.

Captive Insurance Agents

Captive agencies have only one company to place business with like State Farm, AAA and Liberty Mutual. These agents are not able to provide prices from multiple companies so it’s a take it or leave it situation. Captive agents are usually quite knowledgeable in insurance sales and that can be a competitive advantage. Some people will only purchase coverage from captives mostly because of the brand legacy and the convenience of having a single billing for all their coverages.

Listed below is a list of captive agencies in Prairie Village that are able to give rate quotes.

State Farm Insurance – 4518 W 89th St # 110 – Prairie Village, KS 66207 – (913) 383-3444
Allstate Insurance – 7830 State Line Rd # 210 – Prairie Village, KS 66208 – (913) 648-8913

Independent Insurance Agents

Independent agencies are not locked into one company so they have the ability to put coverage with any number of different companies and possibly get better coverage at lower prices. To move your coverage to a new company, the agent simply finds a different carrier without you having to go to a different agency. When searching for an agent, it’s recommended you get quotes from multiple independent agents to ensure the widest selection of prices.Many can place coverage with smaller companies which can be an advantage.

Below is a list of independent insurance agents in Prairie Village who can help you get rate quotes.

Gerber Insurance Group – 5200 W 94th Ter # 110 – Prairie Village, KS 66207 – (913) 649-7800
Michele D Brogan Insurance Inc – 4200 Somerset Dr – Prairie Village, KS 66208 – (913) 383-9330
Mid America National Agency – 7501 Nall Ave # 2 – Prairie Village, KS 66208 – (913) 381-7305

For a full directory of auto insurance agents in Prairie Village, view this link.

Once you have received answers to your satisfaction to all your questions and a good coverage price, you’ve probably found an auto insurance agent that meets your needs to provide auto insurance coverage.

More detailed Kansas auto insurance information can be read at the Kansas Insurance Department website. Visitors are able to read consumer alerts, read state legal mandates and laws, learn about insurance regulations, and view a list of available companies.

What is YOUR best insurance company?

People change insurance companies for many reasons like policy non-renewal, an unsatisfactory settlement offer, unfair underwriting practices and delays in paying claims. No matter why you want to switch, switching companies can be less work than you think.

Cheap auto insurance is definitely available on the web and with local Prairie Village insurance agents, and you need to price shop both to have the best rate selection. A few companies do not offer the ability to get a quote online and usually these smaller companies provide coverage only through local independent agents.

We’ve covered quite a bit of information on how to lower your auto insurance rates. The most important thing to understand is the more price quotes you have, the higher the chance of saving money. Consumers may even find the best prices are with some of the lesser-known companies.