Auto Insurance Comparison Shopping: How and when to shop for auto insurance

	Comparing Auto Insurance Companies Simply put, comparing auto insurance companies can save you money. While many people find it easier to stay with the same company for years – especially when their auto, home and life insurance policies are with that same company, the truth is that you may be paying too much. Everyone shops around for the best deal when purchasing a car; why not do the same with the insurance that protects that car? Shopping on-line. Many insurers now offer rate quotes on-line, such as Geico, e-surance.com and insurance.com. Others, like Progressive, even provide their rates and the rates of their competitors. Take advantage of these no-hassle on-line services, such as our on-line tool for free insurance quotes which provides links to those carriers who write insurance in your area. These on-line tools are extremely easy to use and generally only take a few minutes. They are well worth the effort if you can save money on your next policy. Services. Getting a lower rate is only part of the equation. It is important to look at what services the insurer provides. For example, many insurers, such as Geico, have add-on features such as emergency road service available for a nominal charge (Geico charges $12 per year/per car). Others, like Progressive, have 30,000 independent agencies throughout the U.S., so you can deal with a “live” person instead of trading e-mails and phone calls. Allstate now offers programs on accident forgiveness (this helps keeps rates from going up because of an accident) and deductible rewards (gives an immediate $100 off collision coverage deductible and an additional $100 off for each year of accident free driving – up to a $500 total. These are just a few examples; the key is to make a list of what’s important to you and make sure you are getting the coverage you desire. Crucial times for comparison. Comparing auto insurance companies is especially important when you’ve moved as location directly affects your premiums. It is also important to compare auto insurance companies when circumstances in your life have changed, such as retirement, marriage, adding a teenager to your policy, adding another vehicle, whether the amount you drive has changed or if you’ve purchased a new vehicle. Changed circumstances cause insurers to re-evaluate their risk – and since all insurers use different methods to evaluate that risk, your current provider may not always be as competitive as others.
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Comparing Auto Insurance Companies