Tested Methods for Low-Cost Durham New Hampshire Auto Insurance

Purchasing affordable Durham auto insurance on the web may be impossible for consumers not familiar with comparing rates online. Since there are so many companies competing online, how can consumers possibly compare them all to find the best available rates?

Don’t overlook these discounts

Car insurance can cost a lot, buy you may qualify for discounts that you may not know about. Certain discounts will be triggered automatically at the time of quoting, but a few need to be asked about in order for you to get them. If you don’t get every credit you deserve, you’re paying more than you need to.

  • No Charge for an Accident – Certain companies permit an accident without raising rates as long as you don’t have any claims for a certain period of time.
  • Senior Citizens – Mature drivers may qualify for a small decrease in premiums.
  • Theft Prevention System – Anti-theft and alarm systems help deter theft and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
  • Seat Belt Usage – Using a seat belt and requiring all passengers to use their safety belts could cut 10% or more off the personal injury premium cost.
  • No Accidents – Claim-free drivers pay much less compared to bad drivers.
  • Defensive Driver – Completing a defensive driving course could save 5% or more if your company offers it.
  • Homeowners Pay Less – Being a homeowner can save you money because of the fact that having a home demonstrates responsibility.

It’s important to understand that some of the credits will not apply to the entire cost. Some only reduce specific coverage prices like physical damage coverage or medical payments. So even though they make it sound like you would end up receiving a 100% discount, you’re out of luck. But all discounts will cut your overall premium however.

To see a list of companies who offer auto insurance discounts in Durham, click here.

Do I need a local agent?

A small number of people prefer to sit down with an agent and that is OK! Good agents can answer important questions and give you someone to call. One of the great benefits of comparing insurance prices online is that you can obtain the lowest rates but also keep your business local. And providing support for local businesses is definitely important in Durham.

To find an agent, once you fill out this simple form, your coverage information is transmitted to local insurance agents who will give you bids for your coverage. You never need to leave your house as quotes are delivered straight to your inbox. It doesn’t get any easier!

Compare rates from both independent and captive auto insurance agents

When finding local Durham agents, you need to know there are two different agency structures that differ in how they can insure your vehicles. Agencies in Durham can either be independent or captive. Both types can write coverage properly, but it’s worth learning how they are different because it can influence the selection process.

Independent Agents (or Brokers)

Independent insurance agents do not work for one specific company so they can insure your vehicles with many different companies enabling the ability to shop coverage around. To transfer your coverage to a different company, the agent simply finds a different carrier and you don’t have to find a new agent. When comparing rates, it’s recommended you include several independent insurance agents to ensure the widest selection of prices. They also have the ability to place coverage with smaller regional carriers who may have lower rates.

Listed below is a list of independent agents in Durham willing to provide price quotes.<img class="alignright" style="padding-top:15px" src="https://www.findnewcarinsurance.com/wp-content/uploads/ci175-23.jpg" alt="lower rates in New Hampshire” />

  • Ray F Mac Donald Insurance – 39 Madbury Rd – Durham, NH 03824 – (603) 868-5563
  • Gorman Insurance and Risk Mgmt – 14 Mcdaniel Dr – Durham, NH 03824 – (603) 868-3598
Captive Insurance Agents

Captive agents can only write with one company and examples are Liberty Mutual, State Farm, Allstate and AAA. They usually cannot provide prices from multiple companies so they have no alternatives for high prices. Captive agencies are well schooled in insurance sales which helps them compete with independent agents. Some people will only buy insurance from these agents primarily because of the brand legacy and the convenience of having all coverages with one company.

Selecting an insurance agency should depend on more than just a cheap price. These are valid questions to ask:

  • How long has their agency been in business in Durham?
  • What insurance companies do they work with?
  • Are claim adjusters local or do you have to take your car somewhere else?
  • How many years of experience in personal lines insurance coverages do they have?
  • What are the financial ratings for the companies they represent?
  • Can glass repairs be made at your home?

After getting answers to your satisfaction to any questions you have and a low price estimate, it’s possible that you found an insurance agency that meets your needs to provide auto insurance coverage.

Don’t listen to company ads

New Hampshire consumers get pounded daily by advertisements for the lowest price auto insurance by companies like Allstate and Progressive. They all seem to say the same thing of big savings if you move to them.

How can each company make almost identical claims?

Different companies can use profiling for the right customer that is profitable for them. For example, a driver they prefer might be between the ages of 30 and 50, a clean driving record, and drives less than 10,000 miles a year. A driver who matches those parameters will get the preferred rates and is almost guaranteed to save when switching.

Potential insureds who don’t qualify for these standards must pay higher premiums and this can result in the driver buying from a lower-cost company. Company advertisements say “people who switch” not “everybody who quotes” save that kind of money. That’s why companies can truthfully make the claims of big savings.

This illustrates why you should quote coverage with many companies. It’s just too difficult to predict the company that will fit your personal profile best.

Much more information about auto insurance in New Hampshire is located on the New Hampshire Insurance Department website through this link. New Hampshire drivers can learn about specific coverages, read state legal mandates and laws, download brochures, and read enforcement actions against agents and companies.

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Do the work, save more money

While you’re price shopping online, it’s a bad idea to sacrifice coverage to reduce premiums. There are many occasions where an insured cut physical damage coverage and discovered at claim time that a couple dollars of savings turned into a financial nightmare. Your goal should be to buy enough coverage at an affordable rate while not skimping on critical coverages.

Insureds leave their current company for many reasons like high prices, questionable increases in premium, being labeled a high risk driver and even an unsatisfactory settlement offer. Regardless of your reason for switching companies, finding the right auto insurance provider is less work than it seems.

Lower-priced auto insurance can be found online in addition to many Durham insurance agents, so you should compare both in order to have the best price selection to choose from. There are still a few companies who do not provide online quoting and these small insurance companies work with independent agents.