9 Discounts Stowe Drivers Forget when Buying Auto Insurance

If you are a novice to online auto insurance shopping, you can be overwhelmed because of the huge number of online auto insurance companies and websites selling insurance in Stowe.

It’s smart to get comparison quotes quite often since rates change regularly. Despite the fact that you may have had the best deal two years ago a different company probably has better rates today. Forget anything you know (or think you know) about auto insurance because we’re going to demonstrate how to use online quotes to reduce your cost while improving coverage.

If you have a current auto insurance policy or are looking for a new policy, you can use this information to get lower rates and possibly find even better coverage. Locating more affordable protection in Stowe is easy if you know what you’re doing. Vermont drivers only need an understanding of the tricks to buy auto insurance over the internet.

Comprehensive Stowe Auto Insurance Comparison Quotes

All the larger auto insurance companies such as State Farm, Allstate and GEICO provide pricing directly from their websites. Getting quotes doesn’t take a lot of time as you just type in your personal and coverage information as requested by the quote form. After the form is submitted, their rating system will obtain information on your driving record and credit history and returns pricing information determined by many factors.

Quoting online streamlines rate comparisons, but the process of having to visit multiple sites and type in the same information is monotonous and tiresome. But it is imperative to have as many quotes as possible in order to get lower prices.

The easy way to compare rates

The easiest way to lower your rates uses one simple form that gets prices from a bunch of companies at once. It saves time, eliminates form submissions, and makes quoting online much more enjoyable and efficient. After sending your information, it is rated with multiple companies and you can pick any or none of the quote results.

If one or more price quotes are lower than your current rates, it’s easy to complete the application and purchase the new policy. It only takes a few minutes and can result in significant savings.

In order to compare rates now, click here to open in a new tab and submit your coverage information. If you currently have coverage, we recommend you input the limits and deductibles as shown on your current policy. Doing this assures you will have an apples-to-apples comparison using the exact same coverages.

Don’t pay full price with these nine discounts

Insuring your vehicles can cost a lot, but there are discounts available that can drop the cost substantially. A few discounts will automatically apply when you complete an application, but lesser-known reductions have to be asked about prior to getting the savings. If you’re not getting every credit you deserve, you are throwing money away.

• 55 and Retired – If you’re over the age of 55, you may qualify for reduced rates.
• Good Student Discount – A discount for being a good student can earn a discount of 20% or more. The discount lasts up to age 25.
• Drive Less and Save – Keeping the miles down could be rewarded with better rates on cars that stay parked.
• Bundle and Save – If you insure your home and vehicles with one company you may save at least 10% off all policies.
• Discounts for Safe Drivers – Safe drivers can pay as much as 50% less than their less cautious counterparts.
• Government Employees – Being employed by or retired from a federal job may qualify you for a discount with a few auto insurance companies.
• Life Insurance Discount – Larger companies have a break if you buy life insurance.
• Pay Now and Pay Less – If paying your policy premium upfront instead of making monthly payments you could save 5% or more.
• Anti-lock Brake System – Anti-lock brake equipped vehicles are safer to drive and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.

A little note about advertised discounts, most discount credits are not given to the entire policy premium. Most only apply to the price of certain insurance coverages like liability, collision or medical payments. So despite the fact that it appears adding up those discounts means a free policy, companies wouldn’t make money that way. But all discounts will help reduce the cost of coverage.

To see a list of providers who offer auto insurance discounts in Vermont, click this link.

You are unique and your auto insurance should be too

When it comes to choosing the best auto insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there is no “perfect” insurance plan. Coverage needs to be tailored to your specific needs.

For example, these questions may help highlight whether or not you could use an agent’s help.

• Am I covered by my spouse’s policy after a separation?
• Should I rate my vehicle as pleasure use or commute?
• Is business property covered if stolen from my car?
• Does my policy cover me when driving someone else’s vehicle?
• Will I be non-renewed for getting a DUI or other conviction?
• Am I covered if I drive in a foreign country?
• Can my teen driver be rated on a liability-only vehicle?
• What can I do if my company won’t pay a claim?
• Should I sign the liability waiver when renting a car?

If you can’t answer these questions but a few of them apply then you might want to talk to a licensed insurance agent. If you don’t have a local agent, complete this form. It only takes a few minutes and may give you better protection.

Auto insurance coverage breakdown

Having a good grasp of a auto insurance policy can be of help when determining the best coverages for your vehicles. The terms used in a policy can be impossible to understand and nobody wants to actually read their policy.

UM/UIM Coverage – This coverage protects you and your vehicle from other drivers when they either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. Covered claims include hospital bills for your injuries as well as your vehicle’s damage.

Since a lot of drivers have only the minimum liability required by law (Vermont limits are 25/50/10), it doesn’t take a major accident to exceed their coverage limits. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage is important protection for you and your family. Normally your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverages are identical to your policy’s liability coverage.

Comprehensive or Other Than Collision – This will pay to fix damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. You first must pay your deductible and then insurance will cover the rest of the damage.

Comprehensive coverage pays for claims such as hitting a deer, damage from a tornado or hurricane, damage from flooding and damage from getting keyed. The highest amount a auto insurance company will pay at claim time is the cash value of the vehicle, so if the vehicle is not worth much consider dropping full coverage.

Auto liability – Liability coverage will cover injuries or damage you cause to a person or their property that is your fault. Coverage consists of three different limits, per person bodily injury, per accident bodily injury, and a property damage limit. As an example, you may have policy limits of 25/50/25 that means you have a limit of $25,000 per injured person, a total of $50,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and a limit of $25,000 paid for damaged property. Alternatively, you may have one number which is a combined single limit which combines the three limits into one amount and claims can be made without the split limit restrictions.

Liability coverage protects against claims such as repair costs for stationary objects, court costs, medical services and loss of income. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is up to you, but it’s cheap coverage so purchase as large an amount as possible. Vermont requires minimum liability limits of 25,000/50,000/10,000 but you should consider buying more liability than the minimum.

Collision – This coverage covers damage to your vehicle caused by collision with an object or car. You have to pay a deductible then your collision coverage will kick in.

Collision insurance covers things such as sideswiping another vehicle, backing into a parked car and crashing into a building. This coverage can be expensive, so analyze the benefit of dropping coverage from vehicles that are 8 years or older. You can also raise the deductible in order to get cheaper collision rates.

Medical costs insurance – Medical payments and Personal Injury Protection insurance pay for bills for rehabilitation expenses, hospital visits, EMT expenses, prosthetic devices and chiropractic care. The coverages can be utilized in addition to your health insurance policy or if you are not covered by health insurance. Coverage applies to all vehicle occupants and will also cover any family member struck as a pedestrian. Personal Injury Protection is only offered in select states but can be used in place of medical payments coverage

Much more information about auto insurance in Vermont can be found on the Vermont Department of Financial Regulation website located here. Consumers can read state legal mandates and laws, learn about insurance regulations, discover disciplinary actions, and find out which companies have the most complaints.

Additional helpful sites include this link for Vermont coverage information and this resource to find Stowe, VT insurance agents.