5 Must-Know Methods When Comparing Williston, VT Auto Insurance

Are you a victim of high-priced auto insurance? Trust us, you’re not alone. Drivers have so many auto insurance companies to pick from, and although it’s a good thing to have multiple companies, having more car insurance companies makes it harder to compare company pricing.

This information will help you learn how car insurance quotes work. If you currently have car insurance, you stand a good chance to be able to lower your premiums substantially using these methods. Vermont vehicle owners only need an understanding of the tricks to find the lowest price online.

How to Compare Auto Insurance in Williston, VT

There are several ways to compare auto insurance quotes, but some are easier and takes less work. You could waste time discussing policy coverages with agents in Williston, or you can stay home and use the internet to get rate comparisons in just a few minutes.

Most car insurance companies belong to a marketplace that allows shoppers to complete one form, and each company provides a quote based on the submitted data. This eliminates the need for quote forms to each company.

To participate in this free quote system, click to open in new window.

The single downside to pricing coverage this way is you are unable to specify the companies to get quotes from. So if you prefer to choose individual companies to receive pricing from, we have assembled a list of auto insurance companies in Vermont. Click here for list of insurance companies in Vermont.

Whichever way you use, make sure you use the exact same coverages for each comparison quote. If you have higher or lower deductibles you can’t possibly make a fair comparison in Williston.

Is there truth in advertising?

Consumers in Vermont can’t get away from ads for cheaper car insurance from the likes of 21st Century, Allstate and State Farm. All the ads make an identical promise that you can save if you move your coverage to them.

How can each company claim to save you money?

All companies can use profiling for the driver that is profitable for them. For example, a profitable customer might be profiled as over the age of 40, owns a home, and has a high credit rating. A customer who matches those parameters will get the preferred rates and as a result will probably cut their rates substantially.

Potential insureds who fall outside these standards will have to pay higher premiums which leads to business going elsewhere. Company advertisements say “drivers who switch” but not “drivers who get quotes” save money. That’s why insurance companies can confidently claim big savings.

Because of the profiling, it is so important to compare as many rates as you can. It’s just too difficult to predict which company will provide you with the cheapest rates.

Verify you’re getting all your discounts

Insuring your fleet can be pricey, but you may find discounts to help bring down the price. Some discounts apply automatically at the time of purchase, but less common discounts must be specifically requested before you get the savings. If you don’t get every credit available, you’re just leaving money on the table.

• Anti-lock Brakes – Cars that have steering control and anti-lock brakes are safer to drive and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
• Low Mileage Discounts – Driving fewer miles could be rewarded with lower rates on the low mileage vehicles.
• College Student – Any of your kids living away from home attending college and don’t have a car may qualify for this discount.
• Good Student Discount – This discount can be rewarded with saving of up to 25%. Earning this discount can benefit you well after school through age 25.
• Anti-theft Discount – Vehicles with anti-theft systems are stolen less frequently and therefore earn up to a 10% discount.
• Homeowners Discount – Owning a home in Williston may trigger a auto insurance policy discount because maintaining a house is proof that your finances are in order.
• New Vehicle Savings – Adding a new car to your policy is cheaper since new cars are generally safer.

Keep in mind that most credits do not apply to the entire policy premium. Most only apply to individual premiums such as medical payments or collision. So even though it sounds like all the discounts add up to a free policy, companies don’t profit that way. But any discount will reduce your premiums.

To see a list of companies with the best auto insurance discounts in Williston, follow this link.

Can’t I compare rates from local Williston agents?

Some consumers would prefer to get advice from a local agent and that is just fine! Educated insurance agents can point out coverage gaps and help file insurance claims. One of the best bonuses of comparing rates online is you may find the best rates but still work with a licensed agent. Buying from local insurance agencies is definitely important in Williston.

To help locate an agent, after submitting this quick form, the coverage information gets sent to insurance agents in Williston who will compete to get your business. You don’t have to visit any agencies as quotes are delivered immediately to your email address. Now that’s easy!

Williston insurance agencies come in two flavors

When looking for a local agent, you must know there are a couple types of insurance agents that differ in how they can insure your vehicles. Insurance agencies in Williston are categorized either captive or independent (non-captive). While both can write coverage properly, but it’s good to learn how they differ since it may influence the type of agent you choose

Independent Insurance Agents

These agents are not employed by any specific company but rather can write business with any number of different companies and possibly get better coverage at lower prices. To move your coverage to a new company, the agent simply finds a different carrier and that require little work on your part.

When comparing rates, you should always get quotes from at least one independent agent to ensure the widest selection of prices.

Below is a short list of independent insurance agencies in Williston that can give you comparison quotes.

Allen Agency Inc – 62 Knight Ln – Williston, VT 05495 – (802) 878-1600
Us Govt Insurance – 166 Sycamore St – Williston, VT 05495 – (802) 288-7600
Williston Agency – Route 2a – Williston, VT 05495 – (802) 878-5115
Nationwide Insurance – 4 Helena Dr – Williston, VT 05495 – (802) 879-6515

Captive Insurance Agents

Captive agents can only write with one company and examples are Liberty Mutual, Allstate, Farmers Insurance or State Farm. These agents are unable to shop your coverage around so keep that in mind. These agents are usually quite knowledgeable on the products they sell which can be an advantage.

Listed below is a short list of captive insurance agencies in Williston willing to provide price quote information.

Liberty Mutual – 28 Walnut St – Williston, VT 05495 – (802) 872-7778

To view a full list of Williston captive agents, please view this page.

Picking an auto insurance agent shouldn’t rely on just the bottom line cost. Any agent should have no problem answering these questions:

• What insurance companies do they work with?
• Will you be dealing directly with the agent or with a Custom Service Representative (CSR)?
• How are they compensated?
• If you have an accident, will your rates go up?
• Who is covered by the car insurance policy?
• What insurance company do they write the most business with?

After getting reasonable responses to any questions you have and locked in a price quote, you may have just found an insurance agency that meets your needs to insure your vehicles.

When should I talk to an agent?

When buying the best auto insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there is no perfect coverage plan. Everyone’s situation is unique so this has to be addressed. For example, these questions might point out if your insurance needs may require specific advice.

• Why am I required to buy high-risk coverage?
• When do I need to add a new car to my policy?
• Is my teen driver covered when they drive my company car?
• What are the financial responsibility laws in Vermont?
• Will I be non-renewed for getting a DUI or other conviction?
• Do I have coverage when pulling a U-Haul trailer?
• Should I rate my vehicle as pleasure use or commute?
• Should I sign the liability waiver when renting a car?
• Do no-fault laws apply in Vermont?

If you’re not sure about those questions but you think they might apply to your situation then you might want to talk to an agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, fill out this quick form or click here for a list of auto insurance companies in your area. It’s fast, free and may give you better protection.

Much more information about auto insurance in Vermont can be found on the website for the Vermont Department of Financial Regulation found here. Vermont drivers can read consumer alerts, get help finding coverage, read industry bulletins, and view agent and company licensing information.

The following information may also be useful.

• Learn How to Find the Best Price on Williston Car Insurance

Summing up your auto insurance search

Budget-conscious auto insurance can be bought from both online companies in addition to many Williston insurance agents, so you should compare both in order to have the best price selection to choose from. Some auto insurance companies do not provide the ability to get a quote online and many times these smaller companies only sell through independent insurance agents.

As you restructure your insurance plan, it’s very important that you do not sacrifice coverage to reduce premiums. There have been many cases where drivers have reduced liability coverage limits only to regret that their decision to reduce coverage ended up costing them more. Your focus should be to buy the best coverage you can find at a price you can afford while still protecting your assets.