Tightwads Instructions on Saving on Stamford Auto Insurance

Are you a victim of an underperforming, overpriced auto insurance policy? Believe me when I say there are many people just like you. Many insurance companies compete for your insurance dollar, so it’s not easy to compare every provider and uncover the absolute best price available.

Cut your auto insurance rates with discounts

Car insurance is not cheap, buy you may qualify for discounts to help offset the cost. Most are applied when you complete an application, but a few need to be manually applied before being credited. If you aren’t receiving every discount available, you’re just leaving money on the table.

  • Theft Prevention Discount – Vehicles equipped with anti-theft or alarm systems are stolen less frequently and will save you 10% or more.
  • Use Seat Belts – Requiring all passengers to buckle their seat belts could save 15% off your PIP or medical payments premium.
  • Good Student – This discount can earn a discount of 20% or more. The discount lasts well after school through age 25.
  • Drive Safe and Save – Insureds without accidents may receive a discount up to 45% less than less cautious drivers.
  • Employee of Federal Government – Being employed by or retired from a federal job may qualify you for a discount with a few auto insurance companies.

Consumers should know that many deductions do not apply to the overall cost of the policy. A few only apply to the price of certain insurance coverages like liability, collision or medical payments. So even though it sounds like all those discounts means the company will pay you, companies wouldn’t make money that way. But all discounts will cut the cost of coverage.

To choose insurers with discount auto insurance rates in Stamford, follow this link.

Stamford Auto Insurance Prices Online

Reducing your insurance rates is surprisingly easy. All that’s required is to spend a little time to compare quotes from different insurance companies. It is quite easy and can be accomplished using a couple different methods.

The single most time-saving way to find low rates would be an industry-wide quote request form like this one (opens in new window). This method prevents you from having to do multiple quote forms for every auto insurance company. In just a few minutes this one form will get you rate comparisons from many national carriers.

A less efficient way to compare rate quotes requires a visit to each individual company website and fill out their own quote form. For examples sake, let’s say you want rates from State Farm, Liberty Mutual and Travelers. To get each rate you have to go to every website to enter your coverage information, which is why most consumers use the first method. To view a list of companies in Stamford, click here.

The least recommended way of comparing rate quotes is to waste gas driving to insurance agents’ offices. Buying insurance online can eliminate the need for a local agent unless you require the personal advice of a local Stamford agent. However, consumers can obtain prices from the web but still have the advice of a local agent and we’ll touch on that later.

It’s up to you which method you use, but compare identical coverage information on every quote you get. If you enter different values for each quote it will be very difficult to make a fair comparison in Stamford.

Stamford Rates are Influenced by These Factors

Smart consumers have a good feel for the factors that play a part in calculating the price you pay for auto insurance. Knowing what controls the rates you pay allows you to make educated decisions that could result in big savings.Car insurance in Stamford

  • Your job and insurance rates – Did you know your occupation can influence how much you pay for auto insurance? Occupations like judges, executives and dentists have the highest average rates because of high stress levels and long work days. Other occupations like actors, historians and homemakers get better rates.
  • Pleasure use saves money – The higher the mileage driven each year the more you’ll pay to insure your vehicle. Almost all companies apply a rate based on how the vehicle is used. Cars that are left in the garage qualify for better rates as compared to vehicles used primarily for driving to work. Verify your auto insurance declarations sheet properly reflects the correct usage for each vehicle.
  • Protect your assets with liability insurance – Liability insurance is the coverage that protects you when a jury decides you are liable for personal injury or accident damage. Liability insurance provides legal defense up to the limits shown on your policy. Liability insurance is quite affordable compared to physical damage coverage, so buy as much as you can afford.
  • Younger drivers pay higher rates – Teen drivers in Connecticut tend to be less responsible when behind the wheel so they pay higher auto insurance rates. Older insureds tend to be more responsible, tend to cause fewer accidents and are safer drivers.

What is the best insurance coverage?

When buying coverage for your personal vehicles, there is no single plan that fits everyone. Everyone’s situation is unique so your insurance needs to address that. For example, these questions can aid in determining whether you will benefit from professional help.

  • What happens if I owe more than my vehicle is worth?
  • Are rental cars covered under my policy?
  • When would I need additional glass coverage?
  • Why am I required to buy high-risk coverage?
  • What can I do if my company won’t pay a claim?
  • Exactly who is provided coverage by my policy?
  • Can I rate high risk drivers on liability-only vehicles?
  • Am I covered by my employer’s commercial auto policy when driving my personal car for business?
  • Is pleasure use cheaper than using my vehicle to commute?
  • Is borrowed equipment or tools covered if stolen or damaged?

If you’re not sure about those questions, then you may want to think about talking to an agent. If you don’t have a local agent, simply complete this short form or click here for a list of auto insurance companies in your area. It’s fast, doesn’t cost anything and you can get the answers you need.

What about using a local agent?

A small number of people prefer to talk to a local agent and that is just fine! Insurance agents can help determine the best coverages and give you peace of mind. One of the best bonuses of price shopping on the web is the fact that you can find the best rates and still choose a local agent. Buying from local businesses is important particularly in Stamford.

Upon completion of this quick form, your coverage information is immediately sent to companies in Stamford who will compete for your business. There is no need to drive around as quotes are delivered immediately to your email address. It doesn’t get any easier!

Captive agents vs. Independent agents

When researching a reputable insurance agent or broker, you must know there are a couple types of agencies that you can select. Stamford agents are either captive or independent. Both do a good job, but it’s good to learn the differences since it can impact buying decisions.

Independent Agents (or Brokers)

Independent insurance agents do not work for one specific company so they can insure your vehicles with lots of companies enabling the ability to shop coverage around. To transfer your coverage to a different company, an independent agent can move your coverage and that require little work on your part.

When shopping rates, it’s recommended you contact multiple independent agents to get the best comparison.

The following are independent insurance agencies in Stamford willing to provide competitive price quotes.

Raiteri Agency – 800 Summer St # 412 – Stamford, CT 06901 – (203) 324-5114
Diaz Insurance Inc – 1372 Summer St # 3 – Stamford, CT 06905 – (203) 866-1133
Putnam Agency – 2015 W Main St – Stamford, CT 06902 – (203) 967-1550
Edouard Insurance Inc – 87 Glenbrook Rd – Stamford, CT 06902 – (203) 324-3770
Beckerman Agency Inc – 50 Glenbrook Rd # 6j – Stamford, CT 06902 – (203) 316-0434

Agency Captives

These agents can only write with one company like State Farm, AAA, Farmers Insurance or Allstate. They generally cannot shop your coverage around so it’s a take it or leave it situation. They are trained well on their company’s products which helps them sell insurance even at higher premiums.

Below are captive insurance agencies in Stamford that are able to give price quote information.

Car insurance in Stamford

Allstate Insurance – 1122 E Main St # 2 – Stamford, CT 06902 – (203) 356-8980
State Farm Insurance – 231 Hope St – Stamford, CT 06906 – (203) 323-6300
Liberty Mutual Insurance – 456 Glenbrook Rd – Stamford, CT 06906 – (203) 327-9400

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

Selecting a car insurance agent requires more thought than just a low price. These questions are important to ask:

  • Do they have adequate Errors and Ommissions coverage? This protects you if they make a mistake.
  • Which insurance companies are they affiliated with?
  • Do the coverages you’re quoting properly cover your vehicle?
  • Are claims handled at the agent’s location?
  • What is the agency’s Better Business Bureau rating?
  • How often do they review policy coverages?
  • How much can you save by raising your physical damage deductibles?
  • How long has their agency been open in Stamford?

After getting positive responses for all questions you ask and an acceptable price quote, it’s possible that you found an insurance agency that is a good match to adequately provide auto insurance.

In Summary

Budget-conscious auto insurance can be purchased on the web as well as from independent agents in Stamford, so you should be comparing quotes from both to have the best selection. There are still a few companies who don’t offer the ability to get a quote online and usually these regional insurance providers provide coverage only through local independent agents.

You just read a lot of information how to get a better price on auto insurance. The most important thing to understand is the more rate comparisons you have, the better your comparison will be. You may even discover the lowest priced auto insurance comes from a company that doesn’t do a lot of advertising. They may cover specific market segments cheaper compared to the large companies like Allstate or State Farm.

Learn more about Connecticut auto insurance

Additional information can be found on the website for the Connecticut Insurance Department located here. Visitors are able to file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, download brochures, and view agent and company licensing information.