Compare Car Insurance Quote

Car insurance is one of the most complicated types of coverage available, making it relatively hard to compare one quote to another. The best way to do this is to understand what type of insurance one has and then to compare quotes to that insurance.

The easiest thing to compare is the amount of coverage. When comparing auto insurance rates, one should look at the specifications for what is being covered. The key coverage with automobile insurance is the Bodily Injury and Property Damage liability protection. This is what will pay off in the event that one gets into an accident and damages another person’s car or harms the person. Basic Personal Injury Protection is optional in some states, and may carry a different name under different carriers. It provides coverage for injury which the driver may suffer. Optional in many states, but required by some carriers, Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist coverage will cover one against damage done by people without insurance coverage. The price for all of these different types of coverage will vary based on how much is being offered.

For most policyholders, the most expensive parts of their policy are the collision and comprehensive coverage items. These two lines cover damage to the insured vehicle through an accident and damage through non-accidental damage, like glass breakage or theft. Although the coverage amount does not vary from insurer to insurer, premiums can vary wildly based on the deductible, which is the out of pocket amount that the insured will pay in the event of a loss. In fact, it is not uncommon to see an annual premium decrease by $250.00 by simply increasing one’s collision deductibles to $500.00 from $250.00. With this in mind, it is crucial to ensure that deductibles are the same from policy to policy when comparing a quote.

Finally, there are certain additional items which should also be considered when one endeavors to compare car insurance rates from different companies. A number of convenience coverages, such as rental car coverage, roadside assistance, and even a coverage which allows for free maps, are available from different insurers. If one is comparing quotes, one should ensure that both policies contain similar levels of these types of insurance.

Ultimately, many aspects of insurance can be compared to each other. It is easy to do a comparison of car insurance rates—whichever is cheapest, all things being equal, is best. The challenge comes in when comparing unquantifiable qualities. For instance, if one has a carrier that has an easy-to-use website, or an 800 number with short hold times, one needs to assign a value to that. For those who drive nicer automobiles, some insurers offer coverage for luxury rental cars. Although one could save some money by dropping that coverage, or by going to a different insurer which does not offer that coverage, one needs to decide if that change is acceptable. Only through considering all of these factors can a true comparison of car insurance quotes be made.