Professional Advice on Saving Money on Augusta, ME Auto Insurance

Searching for low-cost Augusta auto insurance on the internet is problematic for people who are new to buying insurance online. When there are so many companies competing online, how can anyone even start to compare the different rates to find the cheapest available price?

Consumers should take time to price shop coverage quite often due to the fact that insurance rates change frequently. Even if you think you had the best rates last year a different company probably has better rates today. So just block out anything you think you know about auto insurance because it’s time to teach you one of the best ways to save money, get proper coverage and the best rates.

Comprehensive Augusta Auto Insurance Comparison

Most companies quote coverage price quotes on their websites. The process is fairly simple as you simply enter into a form. When the form is submitted, the company’s rating system will obtain reports for credit and driving violations and provides a quote based on these and other factors.

Online quotes makes comparing rates easy, but the time required to go to a lot of sites and fill out multiple forms is repetitive and time-consuming. Unfortunately, it is important to get many rate quotes if you want to find better auto insurance pricing.

An easier way to find better auto insurance pricing makes use of a single form to obtain quotes from a bunch of companies at once. It saves time, eliminates form submissions, and makes comparison shopping much more enjoyable. After sending your information, it gets priced and you can choose your choice of the resulting price quotes.

If the quotes result in lower rates, it’s easy to complete the application and purchase coverage. It just takes a couple of minutes and you will find out if you’re overpaying now.

In order to find out how much you can save on auto insurance, simply click here to open in new window and input your coverage information. If you have your current policy handy, we recommend you complete the form with the coverages identical to your current policy. This helps ensure you are getting an apples-to-apples comparison based on identical coverages.

Do drivers who switch really save $445 a year?

Companies like Allstate and Progressive consistently run ads on television and other media. All the ads have a common claim that you’ll save big if you change to them. But how can every company claim to save you money? This is how they do it.

Different companies have a certain “appetite” for the driver that makes them money. An example of a profitable customer might be profiled as between 25 and 40, a clean driving record, and has great credit. Any new insured who meets those qualifications receives the best rates and as a result will probably pay quite a bit less when switching companies.

Consumers who do not match the “perfect” profile will be quoted higher prices which usually ends up with business not being written. The ads say “customers who switch” not “everybody who quotes” save that kind of money. That is how companies can advertise the way they do.

This emphasizes why you should quote coverage with many companies. You cannot predict the company that will have the lowest rates.

Why your price might be higher

An important part of buying insurance is that you know some of the elements that go into determining auto insurance rates. Understanding what controls the rates you pay helps enable you to make changes that will entitle you to much lower annual insurance costs.

Listed below are a few of the “ingredients” that factor into prices.

• Pleasure use saves money – The higher the mileage driven in a year’s time the more you’ll pay to insure your vehicle. The majority of insurers rate vehicles based on their usage. Vehicles used primarily for pleasure use receive lower rates compared to those used for work or business. Double check that your auto insurance declarations sheet properly reflects the correct usage for each vehicle, because improper ratings can cost you money.
• Adjust deductibles and save – Physical damage coverage, also known as collision and other-than-collision, protects your car from damage. A few examples of covered claims are running into the backend of another car, damage from fire, or theft. Deductibles for physical damage are the amount of money you are required to spend in the event of a claim. The higher the amount you have to pay, the lower your rates will be.
• Pay less after the wedding – Being married can actually save you money when buying auto insurance. It is viewed as being more mature and it’s statistically proven that being married results in fewer claims.
• Where you live is a factor – Being located in a rural area can save you money when talking about auto insurance. Drivers who live in large cities regularly have traffic congestion and much longer commute distances. Lower population means a lower chance of having an accident and a lower car theft rate.

You probably qualify for some discounts

Car insurance is not cheap, but there are discounts available that you may not know about. Some trigger automatically at quote time, but a few need to be specifically requested before you will receive the discount.

• Paperless Signup – A few companies will give a small break for buying your policy on their website.
• Drive Safe and Save – Insureds without accidents may receive a discount up to 45% less than their less cautious counterparts.
• Save over 55 – Mature drivers may be able to get reduced rates.
• Discount for Good Grades – Performing well in school can earn a discount of 20% or more. Earning this discount can benefit you until age 25.
• Accident Waiver – Some insurance companies allow you one accident before hitting you with a surcharge if you are claim-free prior to the accident.
• Seat Belts Save more than Lives – Buckling up and requiring all passengers to buckle their seat belts could save 15% off your PIP or medical payments premium.
• Accident Free – Good drivers with no accidents pay less as compared to bad drivers.

A little note about advertised discounts, some of the credits will not apply to the overall cost of the policy. A few only apply to individual premiums such as physical damage coverage or medical payments. Just because it seems like you would end up receiving a 100% discount, companies wouldn’t make money that way. But all discounts will cut the cost of coverage.

But I prefer to buy car insurance from an agent

Some people just want to visit with an insurance agent. The best thing about getting online price quotes is you can get better rates but still work with a licensed agent. Supporting small agencies is definitely important in Augusta.

Once you complete this quick form, your information is immediately sent to local insurance agents in Augusta who will compete for your business. There is no reason to even leave your home due to the fact that quote results will go straight to your inbox. It doesn’t get any easier! It’s the lowest rates and a licensed agent to work with.

Is a captive or independent insurance agent right for you?

When looking for a reputable insurance agent or broker, you must know there are a couple different agency structures to choose from. Agents are classified as either independent (non-captive) or captive.

Independent Agencies or Brokers

Independent insurance agents are not locked into one company so they have the ability to put coverage with multiple insurance companies enabling the ability to shop coverage around. To transfer your coverage to a different company, an independent agent can move your coverage and you won’t have to switch agencies. When shopping rates, you should always contact at a minimum one independent agency to have the most options to choose from. They also have the ability to place coverage with smaller companies which can save you money.

Below is a short list of independent agencies in Augusta who can help you get rate quotes.

• GHM Insurance – 1 Orchard St – Augusta, ME 04330 – (207) 620-8878
• Belgrade Insurance – 347 Water St – Augusta, ME 04330 – (207) 622-3188

Captive Agents

Captive agents have only one company to place business with like State Farm, AAA and Liberty Mutual. These agents are unable to shop your coverage around so it’s a take it or leave it situation. They are very knowledgeable on their company’s products which helps them sell insurance even at higher premiums. Consumers often buy from captive agents partially due to the prominence of the brand and the convenience of having a single billing for all their coverages.

Listed below are Augusta captive agents willing to provide comparison quotes.

• Allstate Insurance – 116 Western Ave – Augusta, ME 04330 – (207) 626-0001
• State Farm Insurance – 86 Western Ave – Augusta, ME 04330 – (207) 622-6383

To view a full list of auto insurance agents in Augusta, please view this page.

Selecting an insurance agent needs to be determined by more than just the premium amount. Any agent should be forthright in answering these questions:

• Does the company allow you to choose your own collision repair facility?
• Do they assist clients in filing claims?
• Is vehicle mileage a factor when determining depreciation for repairs?
• Are claim adjusters local or do you have to take your car somewhere else?
• Will you be dealing directly with the agent or with a Custom Service Representative (CSR)?
• Do they have any clout with companies to ensure a fair claim settlement?
• Which company do they place the most coverage with?
• Are glass claims handled on-site or do you have to take your vehicle to a repair shop?

After receiving acceptable answers to these questions as well as a affordable price, it’s possible that you found a car insurance agent that will insure your vehicles.

Compare but don’t skimp

In this article, we covered some good ideas how you can lower your auto insurance rates. The most important thing to understand is the more you quote, the better your chances of lowering your rates. Consumers may even find the lowest rates come from some of the smallest insurance companies.

Drivers change insurance companies for many reasons like delays in responding to claim requests, policy non-renewal, high prices or even an unsatisfactory settlement offer. No matter why you want to switch, choosing a new insurance company is pretty simple and you could end up saving a buck or two.

As you shop your coverage around, you should never sacrifice coverage to reduce premiums. In many instances, an accident victim reduced physical damage coverage and learned later that the small savings ended up costing them much more. Your aim should be to purchase plenty of coverage at a price you can afford while still protecting your assets.

Additional resources for Maine consumers

Much more information about auto insurance in Maine is available on the Maine Bureau of Insurance website. Click here for link. Maine consumers can learn about specific coverages, read industry bulletins, learn about insurance regulations, and find out which companies have the most complaints.

Other informative sites include Wikipedia and this page where you can research Augusta insurance agents.