Best 10 Ways to Save on Auto Insurance in Kansas City Missouri

I can’t think of anyone who likes paying for auto insurance, in particular when they are paying too much.

Drivers have so many insurance companies to buy insurance from, and though it is a good thing to have a selection, lots of choices makes it harder to find the best rates.

Vehicle Insurance Comparison

Most companies give prices for coverage directly from their websites. The process is pretty easy as you just enter your coverage preferences as requested by the quote form. When the form is submitted, their system makes automated requests for credit information and your driving record and gives you a price quote based on these factors. This makes comparing rates easy, but having to visit a lot of sites and complete many quote forms is repetitive and time-consuming. But it’s very important to perform this step in order to get the best price possible.

There is an easier way!

The quickest way to lower your auto insurance bill uses one form that analyzes rates from multiple companies. It’s a real time-saver, eliminates form submissions, and makes price shopping online much more enjoyable. Immediately after submitting the form, it is quoted and you can choose any of the returned quotes.

If the quotes result in lower rates, you can click and sign and buy the new coverage. The whole process takes 15 minutes at the most and you will know how your current rates stack up.

To quickly fill out one form to compare multiple rates now, click here to open in new window and enter your vehicle and coverage information. If you currently have coverage, we recommend that you enter the coverages as close as possible to your current policy. This makes sure you will have a price comparison based on identical coverages.

Is there deception in advertising?

GEICO, State Farm and Progressive continually stream ads on TV and radio. All the companies make an identical promise that you’ll save big after switching to them. How can each company make the same claim? It’s all in the numbers.

All the different companies can use profiling for the right customer that earns them a profit. For instance, a preferred risk could possibly be between the ages of 30 and 50, is a homeowner, and drives less than 7,500 miles a year. Any new insured who meets those qualifications will qualify for the lowest rates and is almost guaranteed to save when they switch companies.

Potential insureds who do not match the requirements must pay a more expensive rate which leads to the driver buying from a lower-cost company. The ad wording is “drivers who switch” not “everybody who quotes” save that much. That’s why companies can truthfully make those claims.

This illustrates why drivers must compare as many rates as you can. It’s impossible to know which insurance companies will provide you with the cheapest rates.

Don’t pay full price with these ten discounts

Car insurance can cost a lot, but companies offer discounts to help bring down the price. Some discounts apply automatically at the time of quoting, but some must be manually applied prior to receiving the credit.

  • Theft Prevention Discount – Vehicles with anti-theft systems prevent vehicle theft and therefore earn up to a 10% discount.
  • Drive Less and Save – Driving fewer miles can earn discounted rates on garaged vehicles.
  • Multiple Cars – Insuring all your vehicles on one policy qualifies for this discount.
  • Discount for Swiching Early – A few companies offer discounts for switching policies before your current policy expires. The savings is around 10%.
  • Resident Student – Kids in college who attend school more than 100 miles from home and do not have a car can receive lower rates.
  • Life Insurance Discount – Some companies give lower rates if you buy auto and life insurance together.
  • Homeowners Pay Less – Being a homeowner may earn you a small savings due to the fact that maintaining a home demonstrates responsibility.
  • Safe Driver Discount – Drivers who don’t get into accidents can pay as much as 50% less than drivers with accidents.
  • Save with a New Car – Insuring a new car can cost up to 25% less compared to insuring an older model.
  • Seat Belts Save more than Lives – Drivers who require all occupants to use a seat belt can save 10% or more on the medical payments or PIP coverage costs.

Keep in mind that most of the big mark downs will not be given to your bottom line cost. Most only cut the price of certain insurance coverages like collision or personal injury protection. Even though it may seem like you could get a free auto insurance policy, auto insurance companies aren’t that generous. Any amount of discount will reduce your overall premium however.

To choose insurance companies who offer auto insurance discounts in Kansas City, click here.

What about my local Kansas City agents?

A small number of people would rather buy from a licensed agent and there is nothing wrong with that. The biggest benefit of comparing rates online is you may find the best rates and still choose a local agent. And supporting local insurance agencies is important especially in Kansas City.

By using this form (opens in new window), your insurance coverage information is instantly submitted to local insurance agents in Kansas City who will give you bids to get your business. You never need to even leave your home because quoted prices will be sent immediately to your email address. You can find the lowest rates AND an agent nearby.Kansas City MO insurance cheap

Types of insurance agents

When searching for a reliable agent, you need to know there are two different agency structures from which to choose. Agencies in Kansas City are categorized either captive or independent.

Independent Agents (or Brokers)

Independent agencies are not required to write business for one company but instead can place your coverage with multiple insurance companies depending on which coverage is best. To transfer your coverage to a different company, the business is moved internally and that require little work on your part. When comparison shopping, it’s a good idea to include multiple independent agents to have the most options to choose from.

Shown below is a list of independent agencies in Kansas City that are able to give competitive price quotes.

Ardi Agency Inc – 102 NW Parkway Rd – Kansas City, MO 64150 – (816) 842-6586
Fail Safe Insurance Svc Inc – 638 W 39th St – Kansas City, MO 64111 – (816) 931-8376
William Carson General Agency – 2200 E 12th St – Kansas City, MO 64127 – (816) 221-0004
Media/Professional Insurance – 2300 Main St # 800 – Kansas City, MO 64108 – (816) 471-6118
Robert Redmond Agency Inc – 6315 Brookside Plz # 104 – Kansas City, MO 64113 – (816) 361-8600

Agency Captives

Captive agents can only place business with one company and some examples include State Farm or Allstate. They generally cannot place coverage with different providers so it’s a take it or leave it situation. Captives are trained well on their products and sales techniques which helps them sell insurance even at higher premiums.

The following is a list of captive agents in Kansas City willing to provide comparison quotes.

Allstate Insurance – 1001 E 101st Ter # 210 – Kansas City, MO 64131 – (816) 942-0190
Liberty Mutual Insurance – 1601 E 18th St – Kansas City, MO 64108 – (816) 842-2880
State Farm Insurance – 3911 N Oak Trfy – Kansas City, MO 64116 – (816) 452-6700
Farm Bureau Insurance – 7517 N Oak Trfy – Kansas City, MO 64118 – (816) 436-9571
American Family Insurance – 400 E Red Bridge Rd # 108 – Kansas City, MO 64131 – (816) 763-9099
Shelter Insurance – 8135 Wornall Rd – Kansas City, MO 64114 – (816) 363-5848
Farmers Insurance Group – 11229 Hickman Mills Dr – Kansas City, MO 64134 – (816) 763-6888

To view a complete directory of captive insurance agents in Kansas City, visit this link.

Choosing an insurance agency needs to be determined by more than just the premium amount. Any agent should have no problem answering these questions:

  • Do they review policy coverages at every renewal?
  • Which company do they place the most coverage with?
  • Is the agent and/or agency licensed to do business in Missouri?
  • Do they receive special compensation for putting your coverage with one company over another?
  • What is the agency’s Better Business Bureau rating?

Upon receiving satisfactory answers to any questions you have and a good coverage price, you’ve probably found a car insurance agent that will properly service your auto insurance policy. Keep in mind you can always cancel your policy whenever you wish so never assume that you’re stuck with any particular company with no way to switch.

When might I need an agent?

When buying proper insurance coverage, there is no single plan that fits everyone. Everyone’s situation is unique and a cookie cutter policy won’t apply. For instance, these questions could help you determine if you would benefit from an agent’s advice.

  • Am I covered when renting a car or should I buy coverage from the car rental agency?
  • Do I have coverage if my license is suspended?
  • Will my vehicle be repaired with OEM or aftermarket parts?
  • How high should my medical payments coverage be?
  • Do I get a pro-rated refund if I cancel my policy early?
  • Can my teen driver be rated on a liability-only vehicle?
  • Do I need special endorsements for business use of my vehicle?
  • Do I have coverage when using my vehicle for my home business?

If you don’t know the answers to these questions but you know they apply to you, then you may want to think about talking to a licensed agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, complete this form or you can also visit this page to select a carrier

Additional information can be found on the website for the Missouri Department of Insurance found here. Visitors are able to download brochures, find disaster information, and find out industry alerts.

Additional helpful sites include this site for auto insurance information in Missouri and this page of Kansas City insurance agents.

Coverage specifics

Knowing the specifics of auto insurance helps when choosing appropriate coverage and proper limits and deductibles. The coverage terms in a policy can be confusing and nobody wants to actually read their policy. Shown next are typical coverages found on the average auto insurance policy.

Coverage for medical payments

Coverage for medical payments and/or PIP kick in for short-term medical expenses for prosthetic devices, surgery and doctor visits. The coverages can be utilized in addition to your health insurance policy or if there is no health insurance coverage. Coverage applies to both the driver and occupants and will also cover getting struck while a pedestrian. PIP coverage is not available in all states but can be used in place of medical payments coverage

Kansas City car insurance prices

Auto liability insurance

This coverage can cover damages or injuries you inflict on other people or property that is your fault. Coverage consists of three different limits, per person bodily injury, per accident bodily injury, and a property damage limit. As an example, you may have values of 50/100/50 which means a $50,000 limit per person for injuries, a per accident bodily injury limit of $100,000, and $50,000 of coverage for damaged propery. Another option is a combined limit which limits claims to one amount and claims can be made without the split limit restrictions.

Liability coverage protects against things such as repair bills for other people’s vehicles, loss of income, funeral expenses, court costs and pain and suffering. How much coverage you buy is up to you, but it’s cheap coverage so purchase higher limits if possible. Missouri requires drivers to carry at least 25,000/50,000/10,000 but you should think about purchasing higher limits.

Auto collision coverage

This coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage resulting from colliding with a stationary object or other vehicle. You will need to pay your deductible and then insurance will cover the remainder.

Collision can pay for things like crashing into a ditch, sustaining damage from a pot hole, hitting a parking meter and colliding with another moving vehicle. Collision is rather expensive coverage, so consider dropping it from lower value vehicles. It’s also possible to bump up the deductible to bring the cost down.

Comprehensive coverages

This coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage from a wide range of events other than collision. You first must pay your deductible then your comprehensive coverage will pay.

Comprehensive insurance covers claims such as damage from flooding, rock chips in glass, hitting a deer, theft and fire damage. The highest amount your auto insurance company will pay is the market value of your vehicle, so if the vehicle is not worth much consider removing comprehensive coverage.

Uninsured and underinsured coverage

This coverage provides protection when other motorists are uninsured or don’t have enough coverage. Covered losses include medical payments for you and your occupants and damage to your vehicle.

Since a lot of drivers carry very low liability coverage limits (Missouri limits are 25/50/10), it only takes a small accident to exceed their coverage. So UM/UIM coverage is very important. Normally these limits are similar to your liability insurance amounts.

More effort can pay off

Cost effective auto insurance is available from both online companies and also from your neighborhood Kansas City agents, and you should be comparing both so you have a total pricing picture. Some auto insurance companies may not provide online price quotes and most of the time these regional insurance providers sell through independent agents.

You just learned a lot of information how to compare auto insurance prices online. The key thing to remember is the more you quote, the better your comparison will be. Consumers may even find the best price on auto insurance is with the smaller companies. These smaller insurers may cover specific market segments cheaper as compared to the big name companies such as Allstate, GEICO and Progressive.