Learn How to Pay Less for New York New York Car Insurance

Searching for the most affordable New York car insurance on the web is rather challenging for consumers not familiar with buying insurance online. Since there are so many companies in the marketplace, how can you even start to compare the different rates to find the lowest rates?

If you have a policy now or need new coverage, you will benefit by learning to find better prices and possibly find even better coverage. The purpose of this article is to help educate you on the most effective way to quote insurance and some tricks to saving. New York consumers just need to learn the proper methods to shop for car insurance over the internet.

Discounts are available to cut your rates

Car insurance companies don’t necessarily list every available discount in an easy-to-find place, so we break down some of the best known and the more hidden discounts you could be receiving. If they aren’t giving you every credit you qualify for, you’re paying more than you need to.

Save over 55 – Mature drivers may receive a small decrease in premiums.
Discounts for Safe Drivers – Drivers who don’t get into accidents can pay as much as 50% less than their less cautious counterparts.
Anti-lock Brake Discount – Anti-lock brake equipped vehicles can avoid accidents and earn discounts up to 10%.
Passive Restraints – Vehicles equipped with air bags or motorized seat belts can get savings of 20% or more.
Drive Less and Save – Fewer annual miles can qualify you for discounted rates on garaged vehicles.
Theft Prevention System – Cars that have factory anti-theft systems can help prevent theft and therefore earn up to a 10% discount.
Resident Student – Children living away from home attending college and do not have access to a covered vehicle may be able to be covered for less.

It’s important to understand that most discount credits are not given the the whole policy. Most only cut the cost of specific coverages such as collision or personal injury protection. So when the math indicates you would end up receiving a 100% discount, you’re out of luck.

To choose providers who offer car insurance discounts in New York, click here to view.

How to Get Cheap Car Insurance in New York, NY

There are multiple methods you can shop for car insurance but some are less time-consuming than others. You can spend your afternoon discussing policy coverages with insurance companies in New York, or you can stay home and use the internet to maximize your effort.

Most of the larger companies participate in an industry program that allows shoppers to complete one form, and each company can provide price quotes for coverage. This prevents consumers from doing quote forms for each company you want a rate for. To compare rates now click to open in new window.

The single downside to using this type of system is that you can’t choose which companies to receive prices from. If you wish to select specific insurance companies for rate comparison, we have a listing of low cost car insurance companies in New York. Click here for list of insurance companies in New York.

It’s up to you how you get prices quotes, just make absolute certain that you use identical coverage limits and deductibles on every quote. If you compare higher or lower deductibles then you won’t be able to determine the best price in New York.

Components of your insurance rates

An important part of buying insurance is that you know the different types of things that play a part in calculating the price you pay for car insurance. When you know what positively or negatively impacts premium levels empowers consumers to make smart changes that could result in better car insurance rates.

Shown below are a few of the “ingredients” used by your company to calculate premiums.

Rates may be higher depending on your occupation – Jobs such as judges, business owners and stock brokers tend to pay the highest rates attributed to job stress and lengthy work days. On the other hand, occupations like actors, students and retirees have the lowest average rates.
Liability insurance protects assets – Liability insurance is the coverage that protects you if a jury decides you are liable for damages caused by your negligence. It will provide 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 cut corners here.
Frequent car insurance claims increase rates – If you file claims often, you can pretty much guarantee either policy cancellation or increased premiums. Companies in New York give lower rates to policyholders who are claim-free. Your insurance policy is intended for the large, substantial claims.
Policy add-ons can waste money – There are a lot of add-on coverages that you can get tricked into buying if you aren’t careful. Coverages like rental car reimbursement, accidental death and additional equipment coverage are examples of these. They may seem good when talking to your agent, but now you might not need them so get rid of them and save.
What type of vehicle do you drive? – The performance level of the vehicle you are buying insurance for makes a big difference in how high your rates are. Small economy passenger models usually have the lowest rates, but the cost you end up paying is determined by many additional factors.
Better credit scores mean better rates – Your credit history is a important factor in determining what you pay for car insurance. If your credit is not that good, you could pay less to insure your by repairing your credit. Drivers who have high credit scores tend to be better drivers and file fewer claims as compared to drivers with lower credit scores.
Younger drivers pay higher rates – More mature drivers are more cautious drivers, file fewer claims and are safer drivers. Young drivers are statistically proven to be more careless when driving and because of this, their car insurance rates are much higher.
Don’t cancel a policy without a new one in place – Driving with no insurance can get your license suspended and as a result your rates will increase for letting your insurance expire. Not only will you pay more, failure to provide proof of insurance will get you a license revocation or jail time.

Car insurance is unique, just like you

When choosing the right insurance coverage, there isn’t really a cookie cutter policy. Everyone’s needs are different.

For instance, these questions may help highlight whether or not you may require specific advice. New York insurance quotes

What is the difference between comprehensive and collision coverage?
What are the financial responsibility laws in New York?
Why am I required to get a high-risk car insurance policy?
What is the minimum liability in New York?
Why does it cost so much to insure a teen driver in New York?
Is business equipment covered while in my vehicle?
Should I buy more coverage than the required New York minimum liability coverage?
Do I have coverage if my license is suspended?
When should I not file a claim?

If you don’t know the answers to these questions but a few of them apply, then you may want to think about talking to an 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.

Compare online but buy from a local New York agent

A small number of people would rather talk to a local agent and that is OK! Professional agents can help determine the best coverages and help submit paperwork. One of the best bonuses of getting online price quotes is you may find the best rates and still have an agent to talk to.

Once you complete this short form, the coverage information gets sent to local insurance agents in New York who will battle for your insurance coverage. There is no need to leave your computer as quotes are delivered to the email address you provide. Now that’s easy!

Deciding on an insurer needs to be determined by more than just the premium amount. Ask your prospective agent these questions:

How long has their agency been in business in New York?
Do they carry Errors and Omissions coverage?
Did they already check your driving record and credit reports?
Are they full-time agents?
Is vehicle mileage a factor when determining depreciation for repairs?

Types of insurance agents in New York

When looking for a reliable agent, you need to know there are two different agency structures that differ in how they can insure your vehicles. Insurance agencies in New York can either be captive or independent. Both types can properly insure your vehicles, but it’s good to learn how they differ since it can impact the selection process.

Captive Insurance Agents

Captive insurance agents write business for a single company such as Allstate, Farmers Insurance, State Farm and AAA. These agents are not able to provide prices from multiple companies so they have no alternatives for high prices. They are very knowledgeable on their products and sales techniques and that can be a competitive advantage. Some consumers prefer to buy insurance from these agents mostly because of the prominence of the brand and strong financial ratings.

Shown below is a list of captive agencies in New York who may provide you with price quotes.

American Family Celebration – 275 7th Ave – New York, NY 10001 – (212) 206-1066
Liberty Mutual Insurance – 1133 Avenue Of The Americas – New York, NY 10036 – (212) 391-7500
Allstate Insurance Co – 162 W 72nd St # 500 – New York, NY 10023 – (212) 769-2899

Independent Agents (or Brokers)

Independent insurance agents are not employed by any specific company so they have the ability to put coverage amongst many companies depending on which coverage is best. If your agent finds better pricing, the business is moved internally and you don’t have to find a new agent. When shopping rates, it’s recommended you contact at least one independent agent to get the best comparison. They also have the ability to place coverage with different regional companies which can save you money.

Shown below are New York independent agents that can give you rate quotes.

Madison Park Title Agency – 1 Chase Manhattan Plz # 23 – New York, NY 10005 – (212) 231-3351
Center Agency Inc – 396 Broome St – New York, NY 10013 – (212) 677-6738
Great American Insurance Co – 40 Rector St – New York, NY 10006 – (212) 513-4014
Fleetwood Agency Inc – 108 Greenwich St # 700 – New York, NY 10006 – (212) 968-9100
Integro Insurance Brokers – 3 Times Sq – New York, NY 10036 – (212) 295-8000

For a complete listing of car insurance agents in New York, visit this link.

Once you have received good answers to your questions in addition to an acceptable price estimate, you may have just found an auto insurance agent that meets your needs to service your policy.

Save $472 a year. For real?

Consumers in New York get pounded daily by advertisements for car insurance savings from the likes of Allstate, GEICO and Progressive. They all seem to make an identical promise that you can save if you switch your coverage to them.

How can each company claim to save you money? It’s all in the numbers.

All companies have a certain “appetite” for the right customer that is profitable for them. For example, a driver they prefer could possibly be between the ages of 30 and 50, is a homeowner, and drives newer vehicles. A customer that hits that “sweet spot” will qualify for the lowest rates and most likely will save when switching.

Potential customers who don’t meet this ideal profile must pay a higher premium and ends up with the driver buying from a lower-cost company. The ads state “people who switch” not “everyone that quotes” save that much money. This is how companies can truthfully claim big savings. This illustrates why drivers should get a wide range of price quotes. It’s impossible to know which car insurance company will fit your personal profile best.

One last thing about your coverage

Drivers change insurance companies for many reasons like an unsatisfactory settlement offer, extreme rates for teen drivers, high rates after DUI convictions or even lack of trust in their agent. Whatever your reason, finding a great new company is actually quite simple.

As you shop your coverage around, never buy lower coverage limits just to save a few bucks. In many cases, an accident victim reduced full coverage and found out when filing a claim they didn’t have enough coverage. The aim is to buy a smart amount of coverage at the best price while not skimping on critical coverages.

Low-cost car insurance can be found both online in addition to many New York insurance agents, and you should compare price quotes from both to get a complete price analysis. Some insurance providers do not provide online price quotes and usually these small, regional companies provide coverage only through local independent agents.

More tips and info about car insurance can be read at the New York Department of Financial Services website. Consumers can find out industry alerts, report car insurance fraud, and read industry bulletins.