Learn How to Compare Durham Car Insurance Like an Informed Consumer

Have you fallen victim to an overpriced car insurance policy? Believe me, there are many people just like you.

Because there are so many options, it is hard for the average consumer to find the cheapest insurer.

It’s smart to take a look at other company’s rates at least once a year because prices change regularly. Despite the fact that you may have had the best rates a few years ago there is a good chance you can find better rates now. So forget all the misinformation about car insurance because you’re about to learn the only way to find lower rates on car insurance.

How to Get Cheap Car Insurance in Durham, North Carolina

All major car insurance companies such as 21st Century, Allstate and State Farm quote price estimates on the web. The process is pretty painless as you just type in the coverages you want as requested by the quote form. Upon sending the form, their rating system will obtain your driving record and credit report and generates a price. Online quotes simplifies rate comparisons, but the process of having to visit a lot of sites and complete many quote forms is repetitive and time-consuming. Unfortunately, it is important to get many rate quotes in order to get the lowest price.

There is an easier way!

The preferred way to lower your rates makes use of a single form to obtain quotes from many companies. The form is fast, eliminates repetitive work, and makes quoting online a little more enjoyable. After your information is entered, it is rated and you can choose your choice of the price quotes you receive. If you find a better price you simply finish the application and purchase the new policy. The whole process can be completed in less than 10 minutes and can result in significant savings.

To save time and find out how much you can save on car insurance, simply click here to open in new window and complete the simple form. If you have your current policy handy, we recommend you replicate the limits and deductibles exactly as they are listed on your policy. This way, you will be getting an apples-to-apples comparison using the same coverage and limits.

Understand what determines the rate you pay

Smart consumers have a good feel for the factors that help determine your car insurance rates. Knowing what determines base rates empowers consumers to make smart changes that can help you get much lower annual insurance costs.

• High performance equals high price – The type of car you own makes a substantial difference in how high your rates are. The lowest rates are generally reserved for economy passenger cars, but the cost you end up paying is determined by many additional factors.
• Do you need those extra coverages? – There are a ton of additional coverages you can purchase if you aren’t careful. Coverages like rental car reimbursement, better glass coverage and additional equipment coverage may be wasting your money. They may seem like a good idea initially, but now you might not need them so get rid of them and save.
• Don’t sacrifice liability coverage – Your policy’s liability coverage is the protection if a jury decides you are liable for causing damage or personal injury in an accident. Liability provides legal defense coverage starting from day one. Carrying liability coverage is mandatory and cheap as compared to coverage for physical damage, so buy as much as you can afford.
• Car features impact rates – Driving a car that has an advanced theft prevention system can save you a little every year. Theft prevention devices like vehicle immobilizer systems, General Motors OnStar and LoJack tracking systems all hinder car theft.
• Where you reside plays a part – Being located in a rural area is a positive aspect when insuring your vehicles. Fewer drivers means reduced accidents and also fewer theft and vandalism claims. Drivers who live in large North Carolina cities regularly have more traffic problems and much longer commute distances. Higher commute times means higher likelihood of an accident.
• Are you male or female? – Statistics have proven that women are safer drivers than men. However, this does not mean women are BETTER drivers than men. Women and men tend to get into accidents at about the same rate, but the male of the species have costlier accidents. Men also tend to get more serious tickets such as DWI and reckless driving. Youthful male drivers are several times more likely to be in an accident and therefore are the most expensive to insure.
• Being married is a good thing – Getting married actually saves money when buying car insurance. Having a spouse is viewed as being more responsible and statistics show being married results in fewer claims.
• How many coverages with the same company – Many car insurance companies will give a discount to policyholders who buy several policies from them. It’s known as a multi-policy discount. Discounts can add up to ten or even up to twenty percent in some cases. Even though this discount sounds good, it’s still a good idea to shop around to ensure the best deal.

Cut your premium with discounts

Companies that sell car insurance don’t list every available discount in a way that’s easy to find, so the following is a list of both the well known and the harder-to-find discounts you could be receiving.

• Passive Restraints and Air Bags – Cars that have air bags or automatic seat belts can get savings of up to 25% or more.
• Life Insurance Discount – Larger companies have lower rates if you buy life insurance.
• Safe Drivers – Drivers who avoid accidents may receive a discount up to 45% less than their less cautious counterparts.
• Seat Belts Save more than Lives – Buckling up and requiring all passengers to use a seat belt could cut 10% or more on the medical payments or PIP coverage costs.
• Driver Safety – Taking a course teaching defensive driving skills could cut 5% off your bill depending on where you live.
• Theft Prevention System – Anti-theft and alarm systems can help prevent theft and earn discounts up to 10%.
• New Car Discount – Adding a new car to your policy can save up to 30% since new cars are generally safer.
• Multiple Vehicles – Having multiple vehicles on one policy can get a discount on all vehicles.

As a disclaimer on discounts, most of the big mark downs will not be given to all coverage premiums. Most cut the price of certain insurance coverages like medical payments or collision. So despite the fact that it appears you can get free auto insurance, you won’t be that lucky.

For a list of companies with the best car insurance discounts in Durham, click here to view.

But I want to work with a local agent

A small number of people just want to visit with an insurance agent and that is just fine! One of the great benefits of comparing insurance prices online is you may find lower rates but also keep your business local.

Once you complete this short form, your insurance data is emailed to insurance agents in Durham who will compete for your coverage. You don’t have to leave your computer as quotes are delivered to your email. Now that’s easy! Get lower rates AND an agent nearby.

Deciding on an provider should depend on more than just the price. These are valid questions to ask:

• How long has their agency been open in Durham?
• Who are their largest clients?
• Do you have coverage for a rental car if your vehicle is in the repair shop?
• How are they compensated?
• Do they carry Errors and Omissions coverage?

Shown below are Durham auto insurance companies that may be able to provide comparison quotes.

State Farm Insurance – 3622 Shannon Rd # 102, Durham, NC 27707 – (919) 401-6147
Allstate Insurance – 14 Consultant Pl # 150, Durham, NC 27707 – (919) 490-6667
Direct General Ins Agency – 1605 Maple Ave, Durham, NC 27701 – (919) 226-5887
Farm Bureau Insurance – 2945 S Miami Blvd # 103, Durham, NC 27703 – (919) 544-4953
Automobile Insurance Svc – 1207 N Buchanan Blvd # A, Durham, NC 27701 – (919) 286-0702
AAI Acceptance Insurance – 4215 University Dr # 4b, Durham, NC 27707 – (919) 493-2911

Once you have received positive feedback for all questions you ask and an affordable coverage quote, chances are good that you have found an insurer that can properly service your car insurance policy.

Better coverage you can count on

When trying to cut insurance costs, don’t be tempted to reduce needed coverages to save money. There are many occasions where an insured dropped comprehensive coverage or liability limits and learned later that they should have had better coverage. The proper strategy is to find the BEST coverage at an affordable rate while still protecting your assets.

Cost effective car insurance is definitely available online and also from your neighborhood Durham agents, and you need to comparison shop both to have the best rate selection. Some insurance companies may not provide online quoting and usually these small, regional companies provide coverage only through local independent agents.

Some additional reading

More tips and info about car insurance is available at the North Carolina Department of Insurance website. North Carolina consumers can read enforcement actions against agents and companies, learn about specific coverages, and view agent and company licensing information.