Learn the Secrets to Cheaper Durham, NH Car Insurance

Buying the most affordable Durham car insurance on the web can be difficult for beginners to comparison shopping online. With so many insurance companies available, how can you effectively compare the different rates to find the lowest price available?

If you have a policy now or are shopping for new coverage, you can use these tips to shop for the lowest rates and still get good coverage. Pricing the best protection in Durham is quite easy. New Hampshire drivers just need to understand the proper way to find the lowest price on the web.

Don’t miss these discounts

The cost of insuring your cars can be expensive, but there could be available discounts to help offset the cost. Larger premium reductions will be automatically applied at quote time, but a few must be asked about in order for you to get them. If you don’t get every credit possible, you are paying more than you should be.

Pay Now and Pay Less – If you pay your bill all at once instead of paying each month you can actually save on your bill.
Discount for Life Insurance – Some companies give lower rates if you buy a life insurance policy as well.
One Accident Forgiven – A few companies will allow you to have one accident without raising rates as long as you don’t have any claims for a set time period.
Multiple Cars – Buying coverage for all your vehicles on one policy qualifies for this discount.
Organization Discounts – Belonging to a qualifying organization may earn a discount on your policy.
Employee of Federal Government – Simply working for the federal government can save as much as 8% depending on your company.
Multi-policy Discount – If you have multiple policies with one insurance company you will save 10% to 20% off each policy.
Braking Control Discount – Vehicles equipped with ABS or steering control can reduce accidents and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
Defensive Driver – Taking a defensive driving course could save 5% or more and easily recoup the cost of the course.
Homeowners Discount – Owning a home in Durham may trigger a car insurance policy discount because maintaining a house is proof that your finances are in order.

As a disclaimer on discounts, some credits don’t apply to the entire cost. Most only cut individual premiums such as collision or personal injury protection. So even though they make it sound like all the discounts add up to a free policy, car insurance companies aren’t that generous. But any discount will help reduce your overall premium however.

To see a list of providers who offer car insurance discounts in New Hampshire, follow this link.

Fast and Easy Durham Car Insurance Quotes

All major car insurance companies such as State Farm, Allstate and GEICO provide insurance quotes directly from their websites. Getting online quotes is pretty painless as you simply type in your personal and coverage information as requested by the quote form. Behind the scenes, the company’s rating system collects credit information and your driving record and provides a quote based on many factors.

This simplifies rate comparisons, but the time required to go to multiple sites and complete many quote forms is monotonous and tiresome. But it’s very important to do this in order to get better prices.

Isn’t there an easier way to compare rates?

A less time-consuming method to locate the lowest prices requires only one form to obtain quotes from multiple companies. The form is fast, requires much less work on your part, and makes quoting online much easier. After sending the form, it gets priced and you can select any or none of the quotes that you receive.

If you find a better price you can simply submit the application and buy the new coverage. It takes 15 minutes at the most and you’ll know if lower rates are available.

To save time and compare rates now, simply click here to open in new window and input your coverage information. If you have your current policy handy, we recommend you duplicate just like they are on your policy. This ensures you will receive rate comparison quotes based on similar coverages.

Learn How to Lower your Rates

An important part of buying insurance is that you know the factors that help determine your car insurance rates. Knowing what influences your rates allows you to make educated decisions that can help you get big savings.

Better credit scores mean better rates – Credit rating is a large factor in calculating your car insurance rates. People with high credit scores tend to be more responsible as compared to drivers with lower ratings. If your credit rating can use some improvement, you could potentially save money when insuring your by improving your rating.
Teen drivers pay high rates – Youthful drivers in New Hampshire are statistically proven to be careless and easily distracted behind the wheel so car insurance rates are higher. Adding a young driver onto a policy can be quite pricey. Older drivers are more cautious drivers, file fewer claims and receive fewer citations.
Women pay lower rates – The statistics show women are more cautious behind the wheel. However, don’t assume that women are BETTER drivers than men. They both cause accidents in similar percentages, but the male of the species cause more damage and cost insurance companies more money. Men also tend to receive more costly citations like DUI and reckless driving.
Big city or small town – Choosing to live in a small town can be a good thing when insuring your vehicles. Less people living in that area means reduced accidents and a lower car theft rate. Drivers in populated New Hampshire areas regularly have much more traffic to deal with and much longer commute distances. Higher commute times can result in more accidents.

Do I need a local agent?

Some consumers prefer to buy from a local agent and that is just fine! Licensed agents can point out coverage gaps and help file insurance claims. One of the best bonuses of comparing insurance prices online is that you can obtain the best rates but also keep your business local. Buying from local agencies is important particularly in Durham.

After filling out this form (opens in new window), your insurance data is emailed to participating agents in Durham who will return price quotes for your insurance coverage. You don’t have to leave your house since price quotes are sent to the email address you provide. Now that’s easy!

Compare rates from both independent and captive insurance agencies

When looking for an insurance agent, there are two different types of agents to choose from. Insurance agencies in Durham are categorized either captive or independent. Both types can properly insure your vehicles, but it’s good to learn the differences since it may influence buying decisions.

Independent Insurance Agents

Independent agencies are not employed by any specific company but rather can write business 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 won’t have to switch agencies. When shopping rates, it’s recommended you include price quotes from at a minimum one independent agency to ensure the widest selection of prices.Most can insure with different regional companies who may have lower rates.

The following is a list of independent insurance agents in Durham who can help you get competitive price quotes.

Gorman Insurance and Risk Mgmt – 14 Mcdaniel Dr – Durham, NH 03824 – (603) 868-3598
Ray F Mac Donald Insurance – 39 Madbury Rd – Durham, NH 03824 – (603) 868-5563

Captive Insurance Agents

Captive agents write business for a single company such as AAA, State Farm, Farmers Insurance and Allstate. They generally cannot compare other company’s rates so they have no alternatives for high prices. These agents receive extensive training on the products they sell which can be an advantage. Some consumers prefer to purchase coverage from captives partially due to high brand loyalty and strong financial ratings.

Selecting an insurance agency should depend on more than just the premium amount. Here are some questions to ask:

Is the agent and/or agency licensed to do business in New Hampshire?
If your car is totalled, how to they determine the replacement cost?
Will you be dealing directly with the agent or with a Custom Service Representative (CSR)?
Do they regularly work with personal auto policies?
Is their price quote a firm figure or are their hidden costs?
What insurance company do they write the most business with?

Once you have received acceptable answers and an affordable coverage quote, chances are good that you have found an auto insurance agent that meets your needs to adequately provide car insurance.

Final thoughts

Consumers change insurance companies for a number of reasons such as being labeled a high risk driver, denial of a claim, delays in paying claims or extreme rates for teen drivers. Regardless of your reason for switching companies, finding a great new company is pretty easy and you might even save some money in the process.

Lower-priced car insurance is available both online in addition to many Durham insurance agents, so compare prices from both to get a complete price analysis. Some car insurance companies do not provide the ability to get a quote online and usually these smaller companies provide coverage only through local independent agents.

While you’re price shopping online, don’t be tempted to buy lower coverage limits just to save a few bucks. In too many instances, consumers will sacrifice liability coverage limits and learned later that it was a big mistake. The ultimate goal is to get the best coverage possible at an affordable rate while not skimping on critical coverages.

More information is available on the New Hampshire Insurance Department website located here. New Hampshire drivers can read industry bulletins, learn about specific coverages, and file complaints about a company.

The following information may also be useful.