Learn How to Shop For Coatesville Auto Insurance Like a Professional

Purchasing cheap Coatesville auto insurance online may be impossible for consumers not familiar with shopping for insurance online. When there are so many choices, how can you have a chance to compare them all to find the lowest rates?

It’s a good idea to price shop coverage yearly because prices are rarely the same from one policy term to another. Despite the fact that you may have had the lowest price last year other companies may now be cheaper. You’ll find quite a bit of inaccurate information about auto insurance online, so we’re going to give you a lot of great tips on how to find cheap auto insurance.

Finding affordable coverage in Coatesville is not rocket science. If you have a policy now or are shopping for new coverage, you can follow these tips to shop for the lowest rates and possibly find even better coverage. Pennsylvania vehicle owners only need an understanding of how to shop their coverage around over the internet.

Auto Insurance Comparison Rates in Coatesville, Pennsylvania

Performing a rate comparison can be exhausting if you don’t utilize the most efficient way. You can waste hours discussing policy coverages with insurance companies in Coatesville, or you can utilize online quoting to get pricing more quickly.

Many popular insurance companies belong to a marketplace that allows shoppers to send in one quote, and every company then gives them pricing based on that information. This system prevents you from having to do repetitive form submissions to each company.

To find out what other companies charge click to open in new window.

The only downside to getting quotes like this is you are unable to specify which insurance companies to get pricing from. If you wish to select individual companies to request quotes from, we have a page of companies who write auto insurance in Pennsylvania. Click to view list.

It’s up to you which method you use, but make sure you use exactly the same coverages and limits on every quote. If the quotes have differing limits it will be impossible to make a fair comparison in Coatesville.

Discounts are available to cut your rates

Companies offering auto insurance don’t list every discount very well, so here is a list both the well known and the harder-to-find discounts you could be receiving. If you don’t get every credit available, you are throwing money away.

  • Anti-theft System – Cars that have factory anti-theft systems are stolen less frequently and will save you 10% or more.
  • Drive Safe and Save – Insureds without accidents may save up to 50% more than less cautious drivers.
  • Passive Restraints – Cars that have air bags can receive discounts of 20% or more.
  • Drivers Education – Cut your cost by having your teen driver successfully complete driver’s ed class in school.
  • Distant Student – Children who are attending college without a vehicle on campus may be able to be covered for less.
  • Good Students Pay Less – A discount for being a good student can get you a discount of up to 25%. This discount can apply well after school through age 25.
  • Anti-lock Brakes – Vehicles with anti-lock braking systems are safer to drive and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
  • Memberships – Belonging to certain professional organizations may earn a discount on auto insurance.
  • Pay Now and Pay Less – By paying your policy upfront instead of paying each month you may reduce your total bill.

Consumers should know that most of the big mark downs will not be given to all coverage premiums. Most only apply to the price of certain insurance coverages like liability and collision coverage. Even though it may seem like all those discounts means the company will pay you, auto insurance companies aren’t that generous.

To see a list of insurers with discount auto insurance rates in Pennsylvania, click here to view.

Informed Drivers can Cut Their Rates

Consumers need to have an understanding of the factors that go into determining the price you pay for auto insurance. Knowing what influences your rates helps enable you to make changes that can help you get big savings.

  • High credit ratings translate to low rates – A driver’s credit history is a large factor in calculating your auto insurance rates. If your credit score is not that good, you could potentially save money when insuring your by repairing your credit. Drivers who have excellent credit tend to be better drivers and file fewer claims than drivers with lower credit scores.
  • Low deductibles can be expensive – Deductibles for physical damage define the amount you are required to spend out-of-pocket before your auto insurance pays a claim. Physical damage coverage, also known as collision and other-than-collision, covers damage that occurs to your car. Some examples of claims that would be covered would be running into the backend of another car, vandalism, or theft. The more money the insured has to pay upfront, the lower your rates will be.
  • Theft deterrents lower rates – Purchasing a vehicle with anti-theft technology or alarm system can help lower your rates. Theft prevention features such as vehicle immobilizer systems, General Motors OnStar and LoJack tracking systems all aid in stopping auto theft.
  • Where you live is a factor – Living in small towns and rural areas has it’s advantages when it comes to auto insurance. Drivers who live in large cities tend to have congested traffic and longer commutes to work. Less people living in that area means fewer accidents.
  • Always keep insurance in force – Driving your car without having proper coverage can get your license suspended and your next policy will cost more because you let your insurance lapse. And not only will your rates increase, but being ticketed for driving with no insurance will get you a hefty fine and possibly a revoked license.
  • Little extras can really add up – There are a lot of extra coverages that you can get tricked into buying when buying auto insurance. Insurance for vanishing deductibles, accidental death and term life insurance are examples of these. These coverages may sound good initially, but if they’re wasting money eliminate the coverages to reduce your premium.

Buying auto insurance from a local agent

Some people would rather get advice from a local agent and that is a personal choice. Educated insurance agents can help determine the best coverages and give you peace of mind. One of the great benefits of comparing rates online is that you can obtain lower rates but also keep your business local.

To make it easy to find an agent, after completing this quick form, the coverage information is emailed to agents in your area who will compete for your insurance coverage. There is no reason to visit any agencies because quoted prices will be sent straight to your inbox. It doesn’t get any easier!

Deciding on a company shouldn’t rely on just a cheap price. These are valid questions to ask:

  • Which insurance companies are they affiliated with?
  • What are the financial ratings for the companies they represent?
  • Is vehicle damage repaired with OEM or aftermarket parts?
  • Does the agency provide any after hours assistance?
  • Do they specialize in personal lines coverage?
  • Will their companies depreciate repairs to your car based on the mileage?
  • Are they full-time agents?
  • Is the agency involved in supporting local community causes?

Insurance agent types

When researching a good insurance agency, you need to know there are two types of agencies that differ in how they can insure your vehicles. Insurance agencies in Coatesville are classified as either captive or independent. Both properly insure your vehicles, but it’s worth learning the differences because it can influence the type of agent you choose

Agency Captives

Captive insurance agents can only write with one company like American Family, Liberty Mutual and AAA. They are unable to give you multiple price quotes so keep that in mind. Captive agencies are well schooled in insurance sales which helps them sell insurance even at higher premiums. Some people will only purchase coverage from captives partially due to loyalty to the company and strong financial ratings.

The following is a short list of captive agencies in Coatesville who may provide you with comparison quotes.

  • Allstate Insurance – 1130 W Lincoln Hwy – Coatesville, PA 19320 – (610) 383-7576
  • State Farm Insurance – 114 Airport Rd – Coatesville, PA 19320 – (610) 384-8554
Independent Agents

Independent insurance agents do not work for one specific company but instead can place your coverage amongst many companies enabling the ability to shop coverage around. If your agent finds better pricing, the agent simply finds a different carrier and that require little work on your part.

When comparison shopping, it’s recommended you include price quotes from multiple independent agents for the best price selection. Most have the option of insuring with smaller companies which can be an advantage.

Listed below is a list of independent insurance agents in Coatesville willing to provide comparison quotes.

  • Landis Insurance – 1238 W Lincoln Hwy – Coatesville, PA 19320 – (610) 383-1451
  • West Chester Insurance Inc – – Coatesville, PA 19320 – (610) 380-4444
  • Di Matteo Agency – 3000 Fisherville Rd – Coatesville, PA 19320 – (610) 383-1114

To view a full list of auto insurance agents in Coatesville, click here to link.

Upon getting positive feedback and a low price estimate, you’ve probably found an auto insurance agent that can properly service your auto insurance policy.

But I don’t know anything about car insurance

When buying the right insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there isn’t really a best way to insure your cars. Every situation is different.

For example, these questions can help discover if your situation would benefit from professional advice.

  • Does my vehicle qualify for pleasure use?
  • Are all vehicle passengers covered by medical payments coverage?
  • When would I need rental car insurance?
  • Am I covered when driving on a suspended license?
  • How much underlying liability do I need for an umbrella policy?
  • Do all my vehicles need collision coverage?
  • What if I total my vehicle and owe more than it’s worth?
  • Is my business laptop covered if it gets stolen from my vehicle?
  • Is my vehicle covered for smoke damage?

If you’re not sure about those questions, you might consider talking to an insurance agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, complete this form. It’s fast, free and can provide invaluable advice.

More tips and info about auto insurance is available at the Pennsylvania Insurance Department website. Pennsylvania drivers can get help finding coverage, find out industry alerts, view agent and company licensing information, and find a variety of consumer forms.

Is there truth in advertising?

Consumers in Pennsylvania can’t ignore all the ads for cheaper car insurance by companies like Progressive, Allstate and GEICO. All the companies make an identical promise of big savings if you change to them.

How do they all claim to save you money?

All the different companies are able to cherry pick for the driver that is profitable for them. For example, a driver they prefer could possibly be between 25 and 40, insures multiple vehicles, and drives newer vehicles. Any new insured that hits that “sweet spot” gets the lowest rates and therefore will save when switching.

Potential insureds who fall outside these standards will be charged higher prices and this can result in the driver buying from a lower-cost company. The ads say “customers who switch” not “everybody who quotes” save that kind of money. That’s why insurance companies can make those claims. That is why you need to compare as many rates as you can. It’s not possible to predict the company that will have the lowest rates.

Final considerations

As you restructure your insurance plan, you should never skimp on critical coverages to save a buck or two. In many instances, drivers have reduced physical damage coverage and found out when filing a claim that saving that couple of dollars actually costed them tens of thousands. Your goal should be to get the best coverage possible at the best price while still protecting your assets.

The cheapest auto insurance is definitely available from both online companies in addition to many Coatesville insurance agents, and you need to price shop both to get a complete price analysis. A few companies do not provide online quoting and many times these small insurance companies only sell through independent insurance agents.

Consumers switch companies for a variety of reasons including denial of a claim, unfair underwriting practices, high rates after DUI convictions and not issuing a premium refund. It doesn’t matter what your reason, choosing a new company can be easier than you think.