Never Compare Bloomington Car Insurance Without Knowing These Money Saving Methods

Are you a victim of an underperforming, overpriced car insurance policy? Trust us when we tell you many consumers are feeling buyer’s remorse and feel like there’s no way out. Big companies like GEICO and Progressive all promote huge savings with ads and it is difficult to see through the deception and effectively compare rates to find the best deal.

You should make it a habit to get comparison quotes quite often since rates are variable and change quite frequently. If you had the lowest rates on your last policy there may be better deals available now. You can find a lot of wrong information about car insurance online but by reading this article, you’re going to learn a lot of great tips on how to put money back in your pocket.

If you have a current car insurance policy or are looking for a new policy, you can use these techniques to find the best rates and still get good coverage. Finding the best rates in Bloomington is not rocket science. Minnesota drivers just need to learn how to shop online.

Comparison of Car Insurance in Bloomington

Cutting your Bloomington car insurance rates can be relatively painless. The only thing you need to do is spend a few minutes on the computer comparing rates provided by online insurance companies. This can be accomplished in several different ways.

One of the best ways consumers can make multiple comparisons is an all-inclusive rate comparison (click to open form in new window). This method saves time by eliminating multiple quote forms for each company. Just one form will return quotes from many national carriers.
A different way to compare rate quotes is going to the website of each company and fill out their own quote form. For sake of this example, let’s assume you want rates from Allstate, Esurance and Liberty Mutual. To get each rate you have to visit each site and enter your policy data, and that’s why the first method is more popular.
For a list of links to insurance companies in Bloomington, click here.
The least recommended way to compare rates is to spend time driving to insurance agents’ offices. The internet makes this process obsolete unless you prefer the professional guidance only provided by licensed Bloomington agents. It is possible to get prices online but still have the advice of a local agent and we’ll talk about that later.

Whichever method you choose, make sure you use apples-to-apples coverages and limits on every quote. If you use higher or lower deductibles it’s not possible to make a fair comparison in Bloomington.

Do you qualify for discounts?

Car insurance companies do not list every available discount very clearly, so we break down some of the best known and the more hidden discounts you could be receiving. If you’re not getting every credit possible, you are paying more than you should be.

Good Student – This discount can get you a discount of up to 25%. Earning this discount can benefit you up until you turn 25.
Pay Now and Pay Less – If paying your policy premium upfront instead of paying each month you could save 5% or more.
Theft Prevention Discount – Vehicles with anti-theft systems help deter theft and therefore earn up to a 10% discount.
55 and Retired – If you qualify as a senior citizen, you can possibly qualify for a discount up to 10%.
Lower Rates for Military – Having a family member in the military may qualify for rate reductions.
Homeowners Pay Less – Owning a house in Bloomington can save you money because of the fact that having a home is proof that your finances are in order.
New Vehicle Savings – Buying coverage on a new vehicle is cheaper since new cars are generally safer.
Accident Waiver – A few companies will forgive one accident without raising rates so long as you haven’t had any claims prior to the accident.

As a disclaimer on discounts, most discounts do not apply to the overall cost of the policy. The majority will only reduce individual premiums such as medical payments or collision. So when it seems like you would end up receiving a 100% discount, companies don’t profit that way.

For a list of insurance companies with the best car insurance discounts in Bloomington, follow this link. save money concept

What happened to insurance agents?

Certain consumers would rather visit with an insurance agent and that is a personal choice. Professional agents can point out coverage gaps and help you file claims. One of the great benefits of price shopping on the web is the fact that you can find the lowest rates and still choose a local agent.

Once you complete this form (opens in new window), your coverage information is instantly submitted to local insurance agents who will battle to get your business. You don’t have to visit any agencies as quotes are delivered straight to your inbox. How’s that for easy!

Choosing an provider shouldn’t rely on just the bottom line cost. Here are some questions to ask:

Do they regularly work with personal auto policies?
What will you get paid if your car is a total loss? How is that amount determined?
Do they have adequate Errors and Ommissions coverage? This protects you if they make a mistake.
Does the company allow you to choose your own collision repair facility?
Is vehicle mileage a factor when determining depreciation for repairs?
Which insurance companies are they affiliated with?

The following is a short list of insurers in Bloomington that can give you price quote information.

State Farm Insurance – 1020 W 80th St, Bloomington, MN 55420 – (612) 869-0400
Youngquist Agency Inc – 7616 W 84th St, Bloomington, MN 55438 – (952) 881-4045
Mutual Of Omaha Insurance Co – 1650 W 82nd St # 1080, Bloomington, MN 55431 – (952) 888-2772
Sentry Insurance Co – 4533 Heritage Hills Cir, Bloomington, MN 55437 – (952) 806-9975
Allstate Insurance – 2626 E 82nd St, Bloomington, MN 55425 – (952) 854-3509
Farmers Insurance Group – 3800 W 80th St # 33, Bloomington, MN 55431 – (952) 896-3808

After receiving positive responses to your questions and an affordable coverage quote, chances are good that you have found a company that meets your needs to properly insure your vehicles.

Situations that might require an agent

When buying proper insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there really is not a best way to insure your cars. Every situation is different so your insurance needs to address that. For example, these questions might point out if you will benefit from professional help.

Will I lose any money if I cancel my policy before it expires?
Should I sign the liability waiver when renting a car?
Can I pay claims out-of-pocket if I buy high deductibles?
Should I rate my vehicle as pleasure use or commute?
Who is covered by my policy?
Are there companies who specialize in insuring high-risk drivers?

If it’s difficult to answer those questions but you think they might apply to your situation, you may need to chat with a licensed insurance agent. If you don’t have a local agent, take a second and complete this form or you can go here for a list of companies in your area. It only takes a few minutes and you can get the answers you need.

Smart Consumers Save More

An important part of buying insurance is that you know some of the elements that help determine car insurance rates. When you know what positively or negatively impacts premium levels allows you to make educated decisions that will entitle you to big savings.

Where you reside plays a part – Being located in a rural area is a positive aspect when talking about car insurance. Less people living in that area means reduced accidents. Drivers who live in large Minnesota cities have more traffic problems and much longer commute distances. More time commuting means more change of being in an accident.
Don’t cancel a policy without a new one in place – Allowing your coverage to lapse will be a sure-fire way to bump up your car insurance costs. Not only will rates go up, failure to provide proof of insurance may earn you a hefty fine and possibly a revoked license.You may need to submit proof of financial responsibility or a SR-22 with the Minnesota motor vehicle department to get your license reinstated.
How many coverages with the same company – Some insurance companies provide better rates to policyholders who have multiple policies with them. It’s known as a multi-policy discount. Discounts can amount to 10 percent or more. Even with this discount, it’s in your best interest to shop around to confirm you are receiving the best rates possible. Drivers may still find better rates by splitting coverages up.
Performance influences rates – The make and model of the vehicle you are buying insurance for makes a significant difference in how high your rates are. The lowest rates are for small economy passenger cars, but the cost you end up paying is determined by many additional factors.

More comparisons equals lower rates

We covered a lot of ways to get a better price on car insurance. The key thing to remember is the more quotes you get, the better your comparison will be. Consumers may even find the lowest priced car insurance comes from some of the smallest insurance companies. These smaller insurers can often insure niche markets at a lower cost than their larger competitors like Allstate or State Farm.

As you shop your coverage around, never buy poor coverage just to save money. In many instances, someone sacrificed collision coverage only to discover later they didn’t have enough coverage. The proper strategy is to get the best coverage possible at the best price while still protecting your assets.

Learn more about car insurance in Minnesota

More detailed Minnesota car insurance information can be read at the Minnesota Department of Commerce website. Visitors are able to read state legal mandates and laws, discover disciplinary actions, download brochures, and report car insurance fraud.