Meriden Connecticut Auto Insurance Savings the Insurance Agents Don’t Want You to Know About

Have you fallen victim to an overpriced auto insurance policy? Believe me when I say there are lots of people in the same boat. Lots of insurers contend for your hard-earned dollar, so it can be very hard to choose a provider to get the cheapest price

It is always a good idea to compare prices every six months because rates are constantly changing. Even if you think you had the lowest price six months ago the chances are good that you can find a lower rate today. Starting right now, ignore everything you know about auto insurance because I’m going to teach you one of the best ways to lower your annual insurance bill.

How to Lower Your Auto Insurance Cost in Meriden, CT

Finding a better price on auto insurance is not rocket science. Drivers just need to take the time comparing price quotes provided by online insurance companies. This can be accomplished using a couple different methods.

1. One of the simplest ways to compare a lot of rates at once is to use a rate comparison form like this one (opens in new window). This form saves time by eliminating separate quote forms for each company. A single form gets you coverage quotes .
2. A harder way to shop for auto insurance online is going to the website for every company you want to comare and fill out their own quote form. For sake of this example, we’ll assume you want to compare rates from USAA, Liberty Mutual and State Farm. To find out each rate you need to visit each site and enter your information, and that’s why the first method is more popular.

   For a list of links to insurance companies in Meriden, click here.

3. The least recommended method to get comparison rates is to spend time driving to local Meriden insurance agencies. Buying insurance online makes this process obsolete unless you have a need for the trained guidance that only a license agent can provide. Drivers can comparison shop your insurance online but still have the advice of a local agent and we’ll talk about that later.

However you get your quotes, make darn sure you compare the exact same deductibles and coverage limits for every company. If you use different liability limits you will not be able to find the best deal in Meriden.

Take discounts and save

Companies that sell car insurance don’t always list every discount very clearly, so we break down some of the best known and the more hidden auto insurance savings. If you’re not getting every credit you deserve, you are throwing money away.

• Drivers Education – Require your teen driver to take driver’s ed class in school.
• Anti-lock Brake Discount – Cars that have steering control and anti-lock brakes can reduce accidents and earn discounts up to 10%.
• Service Members Pay Less – Being deployed with a military unit could be rewarded with lower premiums.
• Save with a New Car – Putting insurance coverage on a new car can be considerably cheaper compared to insuring an older model.
• Senior Citizens – Older drivers may be able to get a discount up to 10%.
• Passive Restraints and Air Bags – Vehicles with factory air bags or motorized seat belts can get savings of up to 25% or more.
• Seat Belt Usage – Drivers who require all occupants to wear their seat belts could save 15% off your medical payments premium.
• Sign Early and Save – A few companies offer discounts for switching to them before your current expiration date. It can save you around 10%.

A little note about advertised discounts, most of the big mark downs will not be given to the overall cost of the policy. Most only reduce the cost of specific coverages such as comp or med pay. Just because it seems like adding up those discounts means a free policy, auto insurance companies aren’t that generous.

Meriden Rates are Influenced by These Factors

Consumers need to have an understanding of the rating factors that play a part in calculating auto insurance rates. Understanding what controls the rates you pay empowers consumers to make smart changes that may reward you with lower auto insurance prices.

• Equipment add-ons that lower auto insurance rates – Purchasing a vehicle with an alarm system can save you a little every year. Anti-theft features like GM’s OnStar, tamper alarm systems and vehicle immobilizers all aid in stopping car theft.
• Liability coverage is cheap – The liability section of your policy will protect you if you are found liable for personal injury or accident damage. It provides you with a defense in court up to the limits shown on your policy. Carrying liability coverage is mandatory and cheap compared to insuring for physical damage coverage, so do not cut corners here.
• Your location affects your rates – Choosing to live in less populated areas can save you money when it comes to auto insurance. Drivers in populated areas tend to have traffic congestion and much longer commute distances. Lower population translates into fewer accidents as well as less vandalism and auto theft.
• Lower deductibles cost more – Your deductibles represent how much money you are willing to pay out-of-pocket in the event of a claim. Coverage for physical damage, commonly called comprehensive (or other-than-collision) and collision coverage, covers damage that occurs to your car. Some examples of claims that would be covered are colliding with a building, damage from fire, and windstorm damage. The higher the amount the insured has to pay upfront, the bigger discount you will receive.
• Multiple policies with one company can save – Most companies will award you with lower prices to policyholders who buy several policies from them. It’s known as a multi-policy discount. Discounts can amount to anywhere from five to ten percent in most cases. If you currently are using one company, it’s still a good idea to compare rates to verify if the discount is saving money.
• Little extras can really add up – There are many additional coverages you can purchase when buying auto insurance. Insurance for vanishing deductibles, better glass coverage and motor club memberships may be wasting your money. These coverages may sound good at first, but if you don’t need them eliminate the coverages to reduce your premium.
• Older drivers pay less – Young drivers in Connecticut are known to get distracted easily behind the wheel so auto insurance rates are higher. Adding a teen driver to your auto insurance policy can really hurt. Older drivers are more responsible, tend to cause fewer accidents and get fewer tickets.
• Rates may be lower depending on your job – Did you know your auto insurance rates can be affected by your occupation? Occupations like judges, business owners and dentists tend to pay the highest average rates due to high stress and long work hours. Other professions such as pilots, historians and performers have the lowest average rates.

What if I want to buy from a local Meriden agent?

A small number of people would prefer to buy from a local agent and there is nothing wrong with that. Insurance agents can answer important questions and give you peace of mind. The best thing about comparing insurance prices online is you may find lower rates but still work with a licensed agent.

For easy comparison, once you complete this quick form, your insurance coverage information is sent to participating agents in Meriden who will battle to get your business. There is no need to drive around due to the fact that quote results will go to the email address you provide. How cool is that?!

Picking a company shouldn’t rely on just the premium amount. Agents should be asked these questions:

• Does the agent have professional designations like CIC, CPCU or AIC?
• How long has their agency been open in Meriden?
• If you are a high risk driver, do they have special markets for your coverage?
• Are they full-time agents?
• Do clients work directly with the agent or are most inquiries handled by a CSR?

Captive agents vs. Independent agents

If you’re trying to find a reliable agent, there are a couple of types of insurance agents from which to choose. Meriden agents are either independent (non-captive) or captive. While both can insure your vehicles, but it’s good to learn how they differ because it can influence the selection process.

Captive Insurance Agents

This type of agents write business for a single company and some examples include AAA, State Farm, Farmers Insurance and Allstate. These agents are not able to place coverage with different providers so always compare other rates. They are very knowledgeable on their company’s products and that can be a competitive advantage.

Below are Meriden captive agencies who may provide you with rate quotes.

Allstate Insurance – 862 E Main St – Meriden, CT 06450 – (203) 238-4200

Independent Agents (or Brokers)

Independent insurance agents do not work for one specific company so they can insure your vehicles amongst many companies depending on which coverage is best. To transfer your coverage to a different company, they simply move the coverage in-house and you won’t have to switch agencies.

When comparing rates, we recommend you include at a minimum one independent agency for the best price selection.

Listed below are independent agents in Meriden that can give you comparison quotes.

James F Canning Agency and Assoc – 1237 E Main St – Meriden, CT 06450 – (203) 634-4082
Edward Zavaski Agency LLC – 8 W Main St – Meriden, CT 06451 – (203) 237-2888
Bruce Insurance Assoc – 35 Pleasant St – Meriden, CT 06450 – (203) 634-7744
Stone Insurance Inc – 88 State St – Meriden, CT 06450 – (203) 238-7400

For a full directory of Meriden insurance agents, visit this site.

After receiving reasonable responses to these questions and locked in a price quote, you’ve probably found an auto insurance agent that can properly service your auto insurance policy.

How do I know if I need professional advice?

When buying the best auto insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there really is no perfect coverage plan. Every situation is different and your policy should reflect that. For example, these questions may help you determine if you might need an agent’s assistance.

• Should I buy more coverage than the required Connecticut minimum liability coverage?
• When should my teen driver be added to my policy?
• Are rental cars covered under my policy?
• Where can I get insurance after a DUI in Connecticut?
• When do I need to add a new car to my policy?
• Do I have coverage for damage caused while driving under the influence?
• When should I not file a claim?
• Do I need PIP (personal injury protection) coverage in Connecticut?
• Do I have coverage if my license is suspended?
• Should I rate my vehicle as pleasure use or commute?

If you’re not sure about those questions but you think they might apply to your situation, then you may want to think about talking to an insurance agent. If you don’t have a local agent, fill out this quick form or go to this page to view a list of companies. It only takes a few minutes and can provide invaluable advice.

More tips and info about auto insurance is available at the Connecticut Insurance Department website. Connecticut consumers can get help finding coverage, learn about specific coverages, discover disciplinary actions, and download brochures.

Save 15 percent in 15 minutes? Is it for real?

Consumers can’t ignore all the ads for cheaper car insurance from companies such as GEICO, State Farm and Progressive. All the companies make an identical promise that you can save if you change your policy.

But how can every company make the same claim? It’s all in the numbers.

Different companies have a certain “appetite” for the type of customer that is profitable for them. A good example of a driver they prefer might be over the age of 40, a clean driving record, and drives less than 7,500 miles a year. Any new insured who fits that profile will get the preferred rates and therefore will save when they switch companies.

Potential insureds who are not a match for the “perfect” profile will have to pay higher prices which leads to business not being written. The ads state “customers that switch” not “everyone that quotes” save that much money. That’s why companies can claim big savings. Because of the profiling, drivers should get as many comparisons as possible. You cannot predict which auto insurance company will give you the biggest savings.

Keep this in mind

Discount auto insurance can be purchased on the web as well as from independent agents in Meriden, so compare prices from both so you have a total pricing picture. Some auto insurance companies don’t offer online price quotes and usually these smaller companies provide coverage only through local independent agents.

When you buy insurance online, it’s very important that you do not buy poor coverage just to save money. There have been many situations where someone dropped full coverage only to regret at claim time that their decision to reduce coverage ended up costing them more. Your goal should be to buy the best coverage you can find at an affordable rate while still protecting your assets.