8 Ways You Can Buy Auto Insurance for Less in Branford Connecticut

Cutting costs on Branford auto insurance can be hard for people who are new to buying insurance online. You have so many options that it can easily become a lot of work to compare prices in Branford.

Finding Auto Insurance in Branford

To find the best auto insurance prices, there are several ways of comparing rate quotes and find the best price. The best way to find competitive insurance rates consists of shopping online. It is quite easy and can be accomplished in just a few minutes using one of these methods.

One of the simplest ways consumers can make multiple comparisons is to use a rate comparison form click to view form in new window. This easy form eliminates the need for repetitive form entry for each company. Completing one form will get you price quotes instantly. It’s the fastest way to compare.
A more difficult way to get comparison quotes requires a visit to the website for every company you want to comare and complete a new quote form. For example, we’ll assume you want comparison quotes from Farmers, Allstate and American Family. To find out each rate you need to take the time to go to each site to enter your coverage information, which is why the first method is quicker. For a handy list of car insurance company links in Branford, click here.
The least recommended method of getting rate comparisons to insurance agents’ offices. The internet can eliminate the need for a local agent unless you have a need for the professional advice that only a license agent can provide. It is possible to obtain prices from the web but still have the advice of a local agent.

It’s your choice how you get your quotes, but double check that you are using apples-to-apples deductibles and coverage limits for every quote you compare. If the quotes have unequal deductibles or liability limits it will be next to impossible to decipher which rate is best in Branford. Quoting even small variations in coverages can make a big difference in price. Keep in mind that comparing a large number of companies provides better odds of finding the best offered rates.

Pay less by taking advantage of these eight discounts

Properly insuring your vehicles can get expensive, but companies offer discounts that can drop the cost substantially. Certain discounts will be triggered automatically when you purchase, but a few need to be inquired about in order for you to get them.

Multiple Cars – Buying insurance for all your vehicles on one policy qualifies for this discount.
Use Seat Belts – Drivers who require all occupants to use a seat belt could cut 10% or more on the medical payments or PIP coverage costs.
Payment Method – If you pay your entire premium ahead of time rather than paying monthly you may reduce your total bill.
Federal Employees – Being employed by or retired from a federal job could cut as much as 10% off with certain companies.
Anti-lock Brakes – Vehicles equipped with ABS or steering control are safer to drive and will save you 10% or more.
Passive Restraints and Air Bags – Vehicles with factory air bags or motorized seat belts can get savings of more than 20%.
Theft Prevention Discount – Vehicles with anti-theft systems prevent vehicle theft and will save you 10% or more.
Life Insurance – Companies who offer life insurance give a discount if you purchase auto and life insurance together.

It’s important to note that most discounts do not apply to your bottom line cost. Some only reduce specific coverage prices like liability and collision coverage. So even though they make it sound like all the discounts add up to a free policy, it doesn’t quite work that way. But any discount will reduce the amount you have to pay.

Don’t I need to talk to an agent?

Some consumers prefer to buy from a licensed agent and there is nothing wrong with that. The biggest benefit of price shopping on the web is you may find the lowest rates but also keep your business local. Buying from small agencies is definitely important in Branford.

To make it easy to find an agent, after completing this short form, your information is submitted to local insurance agents in Branford who will return price quotes to get your business. There is no reason to even leave your home because quoted prices will be sent to your email. How’s that for easy! It’s the lowest rates and work with a local agent.

Multiple types of insurance agents in Branford

When researching a reputable insurance agent or broker, there are a couple of different agency structures from which to choose. Agencies in Branford can either be captive or independent (non-captive).

Independent Agents (or Brokers)

Independent agents are not required to write business for one company so they have the ability to put coverage with lots of companies depending on which coverage is best. To transfer your coverage to a different company, an independent agent can move your coverage and you won’t have to switch agencies.

When comparison shopping, it’s recommended you contact multiple independent agents to have the most options to choose from.Most can insure with lesser-known insurance companies who may have lower rates.

Shown below is a list of independent insurance agents in Branford who can help you get price quote information.

Pawson Group Insurance – 31 Business Park Dr – Branford, CT 06405 – (203) 481-8898
Richard W Squeri Agency – 698 Main St – Branford, CT 06405 – (203) 488-1677
Azzaro Insurance – 230 E Main St # 6 – Branford, CT 06405 – (203) 488-6667

Agency Captives

These agents have only one company to place business with like AAA, State Farm, Farmers Insurance and Allstate. Captives cannot place coverage with different providers so they are skilled at selling on more than just price. Captive agencies are well schooled on their company’s products and that can be a competitive advantage. Some consumers prefer to purchase coverage from captives mostly because of the prominence of the brand and strong financial ratings.

Listed below is a short list of captive insurance agents in Branford that are able to give rate quotes.

State Farm Insurance – 46 Park Pl # D – Branford, CT 06405 – (203) 481-2005

For a full directory of Branford captive insurance agencies, simply jump to this page.

Picking an auto insurance agent requires more thought than just the price. These questions are important to ask:<img class="alignright" style="padding-top:15px;" src="https://www.findnewcarinsurance.com/wp-content/uploads/ci175-49.jpg" alt="Branford Connecticut car insurance prices”/>

What are the financial ratings for the companies they represent?
Can they provide you with a list of referrals?
Did they already check your driving record and credit reports?
Is their price quote a firm figure or are their hidden costs?
If your car is in the repair shop, do you have coverage for a rental car?

Once you have answers to your satisfaction to these questions and a low price estimate, most likely you have located an insurance agent that meets your needs to properly service your auto insurance policy.

How much car insurance do I need?

When buying the best auto insurance coverage, there isn’t really a cookie cutter policy. Coverage needs to be tailored to your specific needs.

Here are some questions about coverages that may help you determine if your insurance needs will benefit from professional help.

Does my medical payments coverage pay my health insurance deductible?
Is borrowed equipment or tools covered if stolen or damaged?
What if I total my vehicle and owe more than it’s worth?
Am I covered if I wreck a rental car?
What if I don’t agree with a claim settlement offer?
Is a new car covered when I drive it off the dealer lot?
How high should my medical payments coverage be?
Will I lose any money if I cancel my policy before it expires?
Am I covered when renting a car or should I buy coverage from the car rental agency?

If you don’t know the answers to these questions but you know they apply to you, you might consider talking to a licensed agent. To find an agent in your area, simply complete this short form.

Additional information can be read on the Connecticut Insurance Department website through this link. Visitors are able to file complaints about a company, find out which companies have the most complaints, learn about specific coverages, and find disaster information.

Switch companies and save? Really?

Auto insurance providers like State Farm, Allstate and GEICO constantly bombard you with television and radio advertisements. They all say the same thing of big savings if you switch to their company. How can each company claim to save you money?

Different companies can use profiling for the right customer that makes them money. A good example of a profitable customer could possibly be over the age of 40, insures multiple vehicles, and drives less than 10,000 miles a year. Any new insured who matches those parameters will qualify for the lowest rates and as a result will probably save when switching.

Drivers who don’t meet the “perfect” profile will be quoted higher prices which usually ends up with the customer not buying. The ads say “customers that switch” not “people who quote” save that much money. That’s the way companies can make those claims.

This emphasizes why you should compare many company’s rates. Because you never know which auto insurance company will give you the biggest savings.

Educate yourself about auto insurance coverages

Understanding the coverages of your auto insurance policy can help you determine appropriate coverage and proper limits and deductibles. Policy terminology can be ambiguous and reading a policy is terribly boring.

Comprehensive coverage (or Other than Collision) – Comprehensive insurance pays for damage caused by mother nature, theft, vandalism and other events. You need to pay your deductible first and the remainder of the damage will be paid by comprehensive coverage.

Comprehensive coverage pays for claims like damage from a tornado or hurricane, falling objects and damage from flooding. The maximum amount your auto insurance company will pay is the cash value of the vehicle, so if the vehicle’s value is low it’s not worth carrying full coverage.

Insurance for medical payments – Med pay and PIP coverage kick in for immediate expenses like X-ray expenses, dental work, nursing services, prosthetic devices and hospital visits. They are used in conjunction with a health insurance program or if you are not covered by health insurance. They cover you and your occupants and also covers if you are hit as a while walking down the street. PIP coverage is not universally available but it provides additional coverages not offered by medical payments coverage

Collision coverage – Collision coverage will pay to fix damage to your vehicle resulting from a collision with another vehicle or an object, but not an animal. A deductible applies then your collision coverage will kick in.

Collision insurance covers claims like scraping a guard rail, sustaining damage from a pot hole, crashing into a building and hitting a mailbox. Paying for collision coverage can be pricey, so consider removing coverage from lower value vehicles. You can also increase the deductible to save money on collision insurance.

Liability insurance – Liability insurance will cover damage that occurs to other people or property by causing an accident. It protects you against claims from other people, and does not provide coverage for your injuries or vehicle damage.

Split limit liability has three limits of coverage: bodily injury for each person, bodily injury for the entire accident, and a limit for property damage. You commonly see limits of 100/300/100 which means a $100,000 limit per person for injuries, a total of $300,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and property damage coverage for $100,000. Alternatively, you may have one number which is a combined single limit which provides one coverage limit with no separate limits for injury or property damage.

Liability can pay for things like structural damage, pain and suffering, funeral expenses and attorney fees. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is your choice, but consider buying higher limits if possible. Connecticut requires drivers to carry at least 20,000/40,000/10,000 but you should think about purchasing higher limits.

Uninsured Motorist or Underinsured Motorist insurance – Your UM/UIM coverage protects you and your vehicle when the “other guys” do not carry enough liability coverage. Covered losses include injuries to you and your family as well as damage to your vehicle.

Because many people have only the minimum liability required by law (20/40/10), it only takes a small accident to exceed their coverage. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is important protection for you and your family. Most of the time your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverages are set the same as your liablity limits.

Quote more, save more

We just presented some good ideas how to shop for auto insurance online. It’s most important to understand that the more rate quotes you have, the better your chances of lowering your rates. You may even discover the lowest premiums are with the smaller companies.

Affordable auto insurance can be bought from both online companies as well as from independent agents in Branford, and you need to comparison shop both to have the best selection. Some companies don’t offer online quoting and usually these small, regional companies provide coverage only through local independent agents.

When trying to cut insurance costs, make sure you don’t buy less coverage just to save a little money. Too many times, someone sacrificed liability limits or collision coverage and found out when filing a claim they didn’t purchase enough coverage. Your strategy should be to purchase plenty of coverage at the best price while not skimping on critical coverages.