Bullhead City, AZ Auto Insurance Buying Tips You Aren’t Supposed to Know

I can’t think of a single person who cherishes buying auto insurance, especially knowing their premiums are through the roof. Insurance companies such as Allstate, Progressive and GEICO constantly blast consumers with advertising and it is challenging if not impossible to ignore the flashy ads and do the work needed to find the best deal.

If you have a policy now or need new coverage, you can use these techniques to find better prices while maximizing coverage. Choosing the best insurance company for you in Bullhead City is not that difficult. Arizona consumers just need to learn the most effective way to compare price quotes over the internet.

Quick Bullhead City Auto Insurance Quotes

Most companies like State Farm, Allstate and GEICO allow you to get insurance quotes directly from their websites. Obtaining pricing is pretty painless as you just enter your coverage preferences into a form. When complete, the company’s rating system will obtain your credit score and driving record and gives you a price quote. Online quotes simplifies rate comparisons, but the time required to go to a lot of sites and enter the same data into a form can get tiresome after awhile. But it is imperative to have as many quotes as possible if you want to find the lowest price.

Quote rates the easy way

A less time-consuming method to compare rates makes use of a single form that analyzes rates from more than one company. This type of form saves time, reduces the work, and makes online quotes much simpler. Once the form is submitted, your coverage is rated with multiple companies and you can pick your choice of the quote results.

If the quotes result in lower rates, you simply finish the application and purchase coverage. It takes less than 15 minutes and you will know how your current rates stack up.

To save time and find out if lower rates are available, simply click here to open in new window and enter your vehicle and coverage information. To compare your current rates, we recommend you complete the form with the coverage information exactly as they are listed on your policy. This makes sure you’re receiving comparison quotes for exact coverage.

Save $453 a year? Really?

Consumers can’t get away from ads that promise big savings from the likes of State Farm, Allstate and GEICO. They all make an identical promise that you can save if you move your coverage to them.

How can each company make the same claim? This is how they do it.

All the different companies can use profiling for the type of driver that is profitable for them. An example of a profitable customer could be between the ages of 30 and 50, has no driving citations, and chooses high deductibles. Any driver who matches those parameters will get very good rates and therefore will pay quite a bit less when switching companies.

Potential customers who don’t qualify for these standards will be charged a more expensive rate which usually ends up with business going elsewhere. Company advertisements say “people who switch” not “everyone that quotes” save that kind of money. This is how companies can truthfully make the claims of big savings.

That is why you should compare many company’s rates. It is impossible to predict the company that will fit your personal profile best.

Smart Consumers Save More

Consumers need to have an understanding of some of the elements that help determine your auto insurance rates. Knowing what impacts premium levels helps enable you to make changes that can help you get much lower annual insurance costs.

• How many coverages with the same company – The majority of insurers provide better rates to policyholders who consolidate policies with them such as combining an auto and homeowners policy. Discounts can amount to five, ten or even twenty percent. Even though this discount sounds good, it’s still a good idea to shop around to ensure the best deal.
• Tickets mean higher rates – Your driving record has a big impact on rates. Even a single citation can bump up the cost by twenty percent. Drivers who don’t get tickets tend to pay less for car insurance compared to drivers with tickets. Drivers who get flagrant violations like DUI or reckless driving may be required to file a SR-22 with their state DMV in order to keep their license.
• Do you have a high stress job? – Did you know your auto insurance rates can be affected by your occupation? Occupations like real estate brokers, architects and stock brokers tend to have the highest rates because of job stress and long work days. On the other hand, occupations like pilots, students and homemakers receive lower rates.
• Performance level impacts rates – The performance of the car you are buying insurance for makes a substantial difference in the rate you pay. Lower performance four cylinder passenger vehicles generally have the cheapest insurance rates, but the cost you end up paying is determined by many additional factors.
• Credit scores impact auto insurance rates – A driver’s credit rating is a huge factor in determining what you pay for auto insurance. Drivers who have excellent credit tend to be better drivers and file fewer claims as compared to drivers with poor credit. Therefore, if your credit can use some improvement, you could be paying less to insure your by improving your credit score.
• Lower deductibles cost more – The deductibles define the amount you are willing to pay before a claim is paid by your company. Coverage for physical damage, otherwise known as comp (or other than collision) and collision, covers damage that occurs to your car. Some examples of claims that would be covered are running into the backend of another car, collision with an animal, and windstorm damage. The higher the amount the insured has to pay upfront, the less your auto insurance will be.

Save big with these discounts

Insuring your vehicles can cost a lot, buy you may qualify for discounts that can drop the cost substantially. Certain discounts will be triggered automatically at the time of purchase, but a few need to be asked for before you will receive the discount. If they aren’t giving you every credit possible, you’re paying more than you need to.

• Passive Restraints – Vehicles with factory air bags or motorized seat belts can get savings of 20% or more.
• No Charge for an Accident – A few companies will allow you to have one accident before your rates go up as long as you don’t have any claims for a certain period of time.
• Pay Now and Pay Less – If you pay your entire premium ahead of time instead of paying each month you can actually save on your bill.
• No Accidents – Good drivers with no accidents can save substantially when compared with frequent claim filers.
• Use Seat Belts – Buckling up and requiring all passengers to wear their seat belts could save 15% off your medical payments premium.
• Life Insurance – Some companies give lower rates if you buy a life insurance policy as well.
• Save over 55 – Mature drivers may be able to get a small decrease in premiums.
• Federal Government Employee – Active or retired federal employment can earn a discount up to 10% with select insurance companies.

A little note about advertised discounts, many deductions do not apply to the entire policy premium. Some only reduce specific coverage prices like physical damage coverage or medical payments. So even though it sounds like having all the discounts means you get insurance for free, companies don’t profit that way. Any qualifying discounts will help reduce your premiums.

To see a list of providers with the best auto insurance discounts in Arizona, click here.

Do I just need basic coverages?

When it comes to buying the right insurance coverage, there really is not a “best” method to buy coverage. Every situation is different so this has to be addressed. Here are some questions about coverages that could help you determine if your insurance needs may require specific advice.

• Does my personal auto insurance policy cover using my vehicle for business use?
• Do I have coverage for damage caused while driving under the influence?
• Why am I required to buy high-risk coverage?
• Am I covered when driving on a suspended license?
• How high should my medical payments coverage be?
• Am I covered when driving in Canada or Mexico?
• Who is covered when they drive my vehicle?
• Which companies will insure high-risk drivers?
• Are split liability limits better than a combined single limit?
• Is borrowed equipment or tools covered if stolen or damaged?

If you don’t know the answers to these questions, then you may want to think about talking to a licensed agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, complete this form or you can also visit this page to select a carrier It’s fast, doesn’t cost anything and may give you better protection.

Buying car insurance locally

Some people would rather sit down with an agent. Professional agents can point out coverage gaps and help file insurance claims. The biggest benefit of price shopping on the web is that you can obtain the best rates and still have an agent to talk to. Supporting local businesses is important particularly in Bullhead City.

To find an agent, once you fill out this simple form, your coverage information is emailed to participating agents in Bullhead City who will return price quotes for your insurance coverage. There is no reason to leave your computer as quotes are delivered to your email. Now that’s easy!

Multiple types of car insurance agents in Bullhead City

When finding a reputable insurance agent or broker, there are two different agency structures that you can select. Bullhead City agents can either be captive or independent. Either one can do a good job, but it’s worth learning how they differ since it may influence the selection process.

Independent Agents (or Brokers)

These agents are not employed by any specific company but instead can place your coverage with any number of different companies and potentially find a lower price. If you are not satisfied with one company, the business is moved internally and that require little work on your part.

When searching for an agent, it’s a good idea to include at a minimum one independent agency for maximum quote selection.

Shown below are Bullhead City independent insurance agents that may be able to provide competitive price quotes.

Applewhite Insurance – 1285 Hancock Rd # C – Bullhead City, AZ 86442 – (928) 758-7961
Kitty Carling Insurance – 1370 Ramar Rd # A – Bullhead City, AZ 86442 – (928) 758-4184

Captive Insurance Agents

These agents write business for a single company such as Allstate, Farmers Insurance, State Farm and AAA. They are unable to place coverage with different providers so always compare other rates. Captives are well schooled on the products they sell and that can be a competitive advantage.

Below is a list of captive agents in Bullhead City that are able to give comparison quotes.

Farm Bureau Insurance – 2071 Highway 95 # A – Bullhead City, AZ 86442 – (928) 763-8464
Farmers Insurance Group – 3712 Highway 95 # 2 – Bullhead City, AZ 86442 – (928) 763-4841
Allstate Insurance – 1848 Highway 95 – Bullhead City, AZ 86442 – (928) 763-3749
American Family Insurance – 1355 Ramar Rd # 3 – Bullhead City, AZ 86442 – (928) 704-5510

For a full directory of captive agents in Bullhead City, visit this site.

Picking an auto insurance agent needs to be determined by more than just the price. Some important questions to ask are:

• How much will you save each year by using a higher deductible?
• Do you have coverage for a rental car if your vehicle is in the repair shop?
• Is vehicle damage repaired with OEM or aftermarket parts?
• Which members of your family are coverage by the policy?
• Is working in the agency their full-time job?

After receiving good answers to your questions as well as a affordable price, chances are good that you have found a car insurance agent that meets your needs to service your policy.

Quote often and quote early

As you shop your coverage around, do not buy lower coverage limits just to save a few bucks. In too many instances, an insured cut uninsured motorist or liability limits and found out when filing a claim that it was a big error on their part. Your strategy should be to buy a smart amount of coverage for the lowest price while still protecting your assets.

We covered a lot of ways to reduce auto insurance prices online. The key thing to remember is the more times you quote, the higher the chance of saving money. Consumers could even find that the lowest priced auto insurance comes from a small local company. Smaller companies can often insure niche markets at a lower cost than their larger competitors like Allstate and Progressive.

Additional reading for auto insurance information

Much more information about auto insurance in Arizona is available on the website for the Arizona Department of Insurance. Click here for link. Arizona consumers can read consumer alerts, file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, and get help finding coverage.