Car Insurance in Dillingham Alaska – 8 Tricks to Save Money

Overpriced car insurance can empty your bank account and force you to prioritize other expenses. Comparing price quotes is a smart way to cut your insurance bill. Because you have many options when it comes to car insurance, it’s difficult to find the lowest cost insurance company.

Take these eight discounts and save

Companies that sell car insurance don’t necessarily list every available discount in an easy-to-find place, so we break down both well-publicized and the more hidden ways to save on car insurance. If they aren’t giving you every credit you deserve, you’re paying more than you need to.

  • Accident Waiver – A few companies will forgive one accident before hitting you with a surcharge if your claims history is clear for a certain period of time.
  • Pay Upfront and Save – If you pay your bill all at once rather than paying monthly you can actually save on your bill.
  • Senior Discount – If you’re over the age of 55, you may receive a small decrease in premiums.
  • Multi-car Discount – Buying coverage for more than one vehicle on one policy can get a discount on all vehicles.
  • Discount for Swiching Early – A few companies offer discounts for signing up before your current policy expires. The savings is around 10%.
  • Resident Student – Children who attend school more than 100 miles from home and don’t have a car may qualify for this discount.
  • Claim Free – Drivers who don’t have accidents pay much less compared to bad drivers.
  • New Vehicle Savings – Insuring a new car is cheaper compared to insuring an older model.

Drivers should understand that most of the big mark downs will not be given the the whole policy. A few only apply to the cost of specific coverages such as liability and collision coverage. So when it seems like it’s possible to get free car insurance, companies don’t profit that way.

To see a list of companies offering car insurance discounts in Alaska, click this link.

Are insurance agents obsolete?

A small number of people prefer to visit with an insurance agent and that is a personal choice. Agents can answer important questions and help you file claims. The biggest benefit of comparing insurance prices online is the fact that you can find the lowest rates but still work with a licensed agent.

After completing this form (opens in new window), your coverage information gets sent to local insurance agents who will battle to get your business. You won’t need to even leave your home since price quotes are sent immediately to your email address. How’s that for easy!

Picking an insurance company shouldn’t rely on just a low price. Agents should be asked these questions:

  • Is assistance available after office hours?
  • Can glass repairs be made at your home?
  • What are the financial ratings for the companies they represent?
  • How much will you save each year by using a higher deductible?
  • Are they able to influence company decisions when a claim is filed?
  • Do they have advanced training designations such as CPCU, AAI, AIC, or CIC?
  • Are claims handled at the agent’s location?

Independent or Captive: It’s your choice

When finding an insurance agent, you must know there are a couple different agency structures to choose from. Agencies in Dillingham are either captive or independent (non-captive). Both do a good job, but it’s important to know how they differ since it may influence buying decisions.

Captive Agents

Captive agencies can only place business with one company and examples are State Farm, AAA, Farmers Insurance or Allstate. Captives cannot compare other company’s rates so it’s a take it or leave it situation. Captive agencies are very knowledgeable on their company’s products which helps them sell insurance even at higher premiums.

Independent Agents (or Brokers)

Independent agents are not required to write business for one company but rather can write business with many different companies depending on which coverage is best. If you are not satisfied with one company, they simply move the coverage in-house and you won’t have to switch agencies. When comparing rates, you should always contact at a minimum one independent agency to have the most options to choose from.

Listed below is a short list of independent insurance agencies in Dillingham that can give you comparison quotes.

Insurance Office – 330 Main St – Dillingham, AK 99576 – (907) 842-2560

To view a complete directory of insurance agents in Dillingham, visit this site.save money in Alaska

Once you have received answers to your satisfaction to these questions as well as a affordable price, you have narrowed it down to an insurance agent that can properly service your car insurance policy.

Car insurance coverage considerations

Having a good grasp of car insurance aids in choosing which coverages you need and proper limits and deductibles. Policy terminology can be impossible to understand and coverage can change by endorsement. Below you’ll find typical coverage types available from car insurance companies.

Collision insurance

This will pay to fix damage to your vehicle caused by collision with another vehicle or an object, but not an animal. A deductible applies and then insurance will cover the remainder.

Collision insurance covers things such as driving through your garage door, sideswiping another vehicle, hitting a mailbox and colliding with a tree. This coverage can be expensive, so consider removing coverage from vehicles that are 8 years or older. You can also increase the deductible to save money on collision insurance.

Liability

Liability coverage can cover injuries or damage you cause to people or other property that is your fault. It protects you from legal claims by others. It does not cover damage sustained by your vehicle in an accident.

Coverage consists of three different limits, per person bodily injury, per accident bodily injury, and a property damage limit. You commonly see policy limits of 100/300/100 that means you have $100,000 bodily injury coverage, a per accident bodily injury limit of $300,000, and a limit of $100,000 paid for damaged property.

Liability coverage pays for claims such as medical expenses, legal defense fees, repair bills for other people’s vehicles and loss of income. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is up to you, but consider buying as much as you can afford. Alaska requires minimum liability limits of 50,000/100,000/25,000 but you should consider buying more coverage.

Uninsured or underinsured coverage

This coverage provides protection when the “other guys” either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. Covered claims include medical payments for you and your occupants as well as your vehicle’s damage.

Because many people carry very low liability coverage limits (Alaska limits are 50/100/25), their liability coverage can quickly be exhausted. So UM/UIM coverage is very important.

Comprehensive protection

Dillingham AK car insurance quote

This will pay to fix damage that is not covered by collision coverage. A deductible will apply and the remainder of the damage will be paid by comprehensive coverage.

Comprehensive coverage pays for things such as theft, a broken windshield, damage from flooding, falling objects and a tree branch falling on your vehicle. The highest amount you can receive from a comprehensive claim is the cash value of the vehicle, so if your deductible is as high as the vehicle’s value it’s not worth carrying full coverage.

Medical expense coverage

Coverage for medical payments and/or PIP reimburse you for short-term medical expenses for funeral costs, chiropractic care and EMT expenses. They are often utilized in addition to your health insurance policy or if you do not have health coverage. Coverage applies to not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants in addition to getting struck while a pedestrian. Personal injury protection coverage is not available in all states and gives slightly broader coverage than med pay

More tips and info about car insurance is available at the Alaska Division of Insurance website. Alaska consumers can learn about insurance regulations, read state legal mandates and laws, and file complaints about an insurance agent or broker.

Summing up your car insurance search

Discount car insurance is available online and with local Dillingham insurance agents, and you need to price shop both to have the best rate selection. There are still a few companies who do not offer online quoting and many times these small, regional companies only sell through independent insurance agents.

When you buy insurance online, you should never skimp on coverage in order to save money. In too many instances, an insured cut full coverage and learned later they didn’t purchase enough coverage. Your strategy should be to find the BEST coverage at the best price, not the least amount of coverage.