Proven Ways for Comparing Cheaper Houston Car Insurance

Finding better rates for Houston car insurance is a challenge for people who are new to comparison shopping online. There are so many choices that it can easily become a real hassle to locate the lowest price in Houston.

What impacts Houston insurance rates?

It’s important that you understand the factors that come into play when calculating your car insurance rates. Having a good understanding of what impacts premium levels allows you to make educated decisions that will entitle you to big savings.

• High numbers of claims are not good – If you frequently file small claims, you can pretty much guarantee either higher rates or even cancellation. Auto insurance companies in Texas provide better rates to people who file claims infrequently. Car insurance is meant to be used in the event of the large, substantial claims.
• A lapse in coverage is a bad thing – Driving your car without having proper coverage can get your license suspended and your next policy will cost more because you let your insurance expire. And not only will your rates increase, failure to provide proof of insurance can result in a steep fine or even jail time.
• Liability coverage is peace of mind – Liability insurance provides coverage if a jury decides you are liable for damages caused by your negligence. It provides you with a defense in court up to the limits shown on your policy. Carrying liability coverage is mandatory and cheap compared to physical damage coverage, so do not skimp.
• High performance equals high price – The make and model of the car you are buying insurance for makes a huge difference in how high your rates are. The lowest rates are usually for small economy passenger vehicles, but there are many factors that impact the final cost.
• Younger drivers pay higher rates – Youthful drivers in Texas tend to be careless and easily distracted when behind the wheel so they pay higher car insurance rates. Older insureds are more cautious drivers, tend to cause fewer accidents and get fewer tickets.
• Your credit rating is important – Having a bad credit history is a huge factor in calculating your car insurance rates. If your credit is not that good, you could be paying less to insure your by spending a little time repairing your credit. Drivers who have high credit ratings tend to be better drivers and file fewer claims than drivers with lower credit scores.
• Choose a safe vehicle and save – Cars with high safety ratings tend to have better insurance rates. Safer cars protect occupants better and any reduction in injury severity translates into fewer and smaller insurance claims and more competitive rates for policyholders.

Are you getting all your discounts?

Companies that sell car insurance do not list every available discount in a way that’s easy to find, so we researched some of the more common and also the lesser-known ways to save on car insurance. If you aren’t receiving every discount you deserve, you are throwing money away.

• No Accidents – Drivers who don’t have accidents can save substantially compared to bad drivers.
• Low Mileage – Keeping the miles down could be rewarded with lower rates on the low mileage vehicles.
• Early Switch Discount – A few companies offer discounts for switching policies before your current policy expires. It’s a savings of about 10%.
• Distant Student – Youth drivers who live away from home and do not have a car can be insured at a reduced rate.
• Homeowners Discount – Owning a home in Houston may earn you a small savings because maintaining a house demonstrates responsibility.
• Life Insurance – Companies who offer life insurance give lower rates if you buy a life insurance policy as well.
• Passive Restraint Discount – Factory air bags may earn rate discounts up to 30%.
• Theft Prevention Discount – Vehicles with anti-theft systems can help prevent theft and earn discounts up to 10%.

It’s important to understand that some of the credits will not apply to the entire policy premium. Some only apply to specific coverage prices like comprehensive or collision. Even though it may seem like adding up those discounts means a free policy, you’re out of luck.

To choose insurance companies with the best car insurance discounts in Houston, click this link.

Can’t I compare rates from local Houston agents?

Some people would prefer to talk to a local agent and that is OK! Agents can answer important questions and help you file claims. One of the great benefits of getting online price quotes is that you can obtain the best rates and still have an agent to talk to.

For easy comparison, once you complete this quick form, the coverage information is transmitted to participating agents in Houston who will battle to get your business. There is no need to even leave your home due to the fact that quote results will go directly to your email. Now that’s easy!

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

• What insurance companies do they work with?
• Do the coverages you’re quoting properly cover your vehicle?
• Do they have adequate Errors and Ommissions coverage? This protects you if they make a mistake.
• Did they already check your driving record and credit reports?
• Is vehicle mileage a factor when determining depreciation for repairs?

The different types of insurance agents

When searching for a local agent, there are a couple of types of agencies that differ in how they can insure your vehicles. Insurance agencies in Houston can either be captive or independent (non-captive). Either one can properly insure your vehicles, but it’s good to learn how they are different since it can impact your selection of an agent.

Captive Insurance Agents

Captive agents write business for a single company and some examples include Farmers Insurance or State Farm. These agents are unable to provide prices from multiple companies so it’s a take it or leave it situation. These agents are very knowledgeable on their products and sales techniques which can be an advantage. Some people will only choose to use a captive agent primarily because of the brand legacy and the convenience of having a single billing for all their coverages.

Listed below are Houston captive insurance agencies who may provide you with rate quotes.

• Farmers Insurance Group – 918 Mercury Dr – Houston, TX 77029 – (713) 467-1403
• Liberty Mutual Insurance – 13201 Northwest Fwy # 400 – Houston, TX 77040 – (713) 460-4650
• State Farm Insurance – 800 W Sam Houston Pkwy S # 212 – Houston, TX 77042 – (713) 464-2077
• American Family Insurance – 10603 Grant Rd # 210 – Houston, TX 77070 – (281) 955-7332
• Farm Bureau Insurance – 10998 North Fwy – Houston, TX 77037 – (281) 447-0499
• Allstate Insurance – 7001 Corporate Dr # 139 – Houston, TX 77036 – (713) 773-9500

Independent Agencies or Brokers

These agents are not employed by any specific company but instead can place your coverage amongst many companies depending on which coverage is best. If you are not satisfied with one company, they simply move the coverage in-house and you don’t have to find a new agent.

When comparing rates, you should always get quotes from at least one independent agent to get the best comparison.Most can insure with smaller companies which can save you money.

Shown below is a short list of independent agencies in Houston who can help you get price quote information.

• Ideal Insurance Svc – 507 W Patton St # C – Houston, TX 77009 – (713) 880-8817
• Eckart Agency – 2211 Norfolk St # 711 – Houston, TX 77098 – (713) 526-9185
• Duckworth Insurance – 3824 Broadway St # I-45 – Houston, TX 77017 – (713) 527-4419
• Don Gould Agency – 2055 S Gessner Rd # 200 – Houston, TX 77063 – (281) 531-1824
• Insurance Agency – 7322 Southwest Fwy – Houston, TX 77074 – (713) 795-5441

For a complete listing of insurance agents in Houston, simply jump to this page.

Upon getting answers to your satisfaction to your questions and an affordable coverage quote, chances are good that you have found an insurance agency that is a good match to provide car insurance coverage.

Beware of misleading car insurance ads

Consumers can’t get away from ads for cheaper car insurance from the likes of Allstate, GEICO and Progressive. All the companies say the same thing about savings if you change your coverage to them.

How do they all make the same claim? This is how they do it.

All companies are able to cherry pick for the type of customer that makes them money. For example, a driver they prefer could possibly be between the ages of 40 and 55, owns a home, and chooses high deductibles. A propective insured who meets those qualifications will qualify for the lowest rates and is almost guaranteed to save when switching.

Consumers who don’t qualify for the requirements will be quoted a more expensive rate and this can result in business going elsewhere. The ad wording is “customers who switch” not “everybody who quotes” save money. That is how companies can truthfully advertise the way they do. This emphasizes why you need to get as many quotes as possible. It is impossible to predict which company will have the lowest rates.

Even more information is located at the Texas Department of Insurance website. Texas drivers can discover disciplinary actions, find out which companies have the most complaints, and report car insurance fraud.

Other useful links include this site for car insurance information in Texas and this page of insurance agents in Houston.

More quotes mean more savings

Throughout this article, we presented some good ideas how to lower your car insurance rates. The most important thing to understand is the more providers you compare, the more likely it is that you will get a better rate. You may even discover the biggest savings come from a small local company.

When trying to cut insurance costs, don’t be tempted to skimp on coverage in order to save money. There are too many instances where an insured cut liability limits or collision coverage and discovered at claim time they didn’t purchase enough coverage. Your goal should be to purchase a proper amount of coverage for the lowest price.

Consumers change insurance companies for any number of reasons including extreme rates for teen drivers, poor customer service, policy cancellation and high rates after DUI convictions. No matter why you want to switch, choosing a new company is less work than it seems.