Top 10 Tips to Save on Auto Insurance in Andover

Finding lower rates for Andover auto insurance can seem to be a challenge for consumers not familiar with shopping for insurance online. There are so many options available that it can be a big hassle to find lower rates in Andover.

You should make it a habit to check auto insurance prices on a regular basis because insurance rates are adjusted regularly by insurance companies. Despite the fact that you may have had the lowest rates a few years ago you can probably find a better price now. Forget all the misinformation about auto insurance because we’re going to demonstrate the fastest and easiest way to lower your rates without sacrificing coverage.

Comprehensive Auto Insurance Comparison in Andover

Performing a rate comparison can be a daunting task if you don’t understand the most efficient way to do it. You could spend the better part of a day talking about coverages with insurance companies in Andover, or you can utilize online quotes to get rate comparisons in just a few minutes.

Many companies belong to an insurance system that enables customers to submit one quote, and each participating company then returns a price quote based on the submitted data. This system prevents you from having to do quote requests for each company you want a rate for.

To fill out one form to compare multiple rates now click here to open in new window.

The one disadvantage to using this type of system is you don’t know exactly which insurance companies you will receive quotes from. So if you want to choose specific providers to receive pricing from, we have a page of low cost auto insurance companies in Minnesota. Click to view list.

Whichever method you choose, double check that you are using identical coverage limits and deductibles on every quote you get. If you have differing limits it’s impossible to make an equal comparison in Andover.

Buyer beware of auto insurance advertising tricks

Minnesota drivers can’t ignore all the ads that promise big savings by companies like State Farm, Allstate and GEICO. All the companies say the same thing that you’ll save big after switching to them.

How do they all say the same thing?

Different companies have a preferred profile for the right customer that makes them money. A good example of a preferred risk might be profiled as over the age of 50, has no tickets, and drives less than 10,000 miles a year. A propective insured who fits that profile receives the best rates and is almost guaranteed to save a lot of money.

Drivers who don’t qualify for the requirements will have to pay a more expensive rate and ends up with the driver buying from a lower-cost company. The ads state “customers who switch” not “everyone that quotes” save money. That’s the way insurance companies can confidently make those claims. Because of the profiling, drivers should compare many company’s rates. It’s not possible to predict which company will have the lowest rates.

Pay less by taking advantage of these ten discounts

Companies that sell car insurance don’t necessarily list all available discounts very well, so we took the time to find both the well known as well as the least known auto insurance savings. If you don’t get every credit you deserve, you are paying more than you should be.

• Drivers Ed for Students – Have your child enroll in driver’s education in school.
• Homeowners Savings – Owning a house in Andover can help you save on auto insurance because maintaining a house is proof that your finances are in order.
• Anti-lock Brake System – Vehicles with anti-lock braking systems are safer to drive and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
• Drive Safe and Save – Drivers who avoid accidents may receive a discount up to 45% less than their less cautious counterparts.
• Seat Belts Save – Drivers who require all occupants to wear their seat belts could cut 10% or more off the personal injury premium cost.
• Sign Online – A few companies give back up to $50 just for signing your application on their website.
• Save with a New Car – Putting insurance coverage on a new car can save up to 30% compared to insuring an older model.
• Memberships – Participating in a qualifying organization is a good way to get lower rates on your policy.
• Passive Restraint Discount – Cars that have air bags may earn rate discounts of up to 25% or more.
• Driver Safety – Taking part in a driver safety course could save 5% or more depending on where you live.

A little note about advertised discounts, most discounts do not apply to your bottom line cost. Most only apply to individual premiums such as liability and collision coverage. Even though it may seem like adding up those discounts means a free policy, it doesn’t quite work that way.

For a list of providers with discount auto insurance rates in Minnesota, follow this link.

What about using a local agent?

Some consumers would rather buy from a local agent and there is nothing wrong with that. Educated insurance agents can answer important questions and help in the event of a claim. One of the best bonuses of price shopping on the web is you can get the best rates but also keep your business local.

To help locate an agent, after submitting this short form, the quote information is submitted to local insurance agents who will give you bids for your insurance coverage. You won’t need to leave your house as quotes are delivered straight to your inbox.

Picking a company needs to be determined by more than just a low price. Agents should be asked these questions:

• Are claims handled at the agent’s location?
• Does the company allow you to choose your own collision repair facility?
• Can they provide you with a list of referrals?
• How are they compensated?
• Do the coverages you’re quoting properly cover your vehicle?
• Which company do they place the most coverage with?
• Are they able to influence company decisions when a claim is filed?

If you wish to select a specific agent in Andover, visit this site.

Once you have answers to your satisfaction to all your questions as well as a affordable price, you have narrowed it down to an provider that can provide auto insurance coverage. Keep in mind consumers can cancel your coverage at any point so don’t assume that you are obligated to your new company for the entire policy term.

Auto insurance coverages

Having a good grasp of auto insurance can be of help when determining which coverages you need for your vehicles. The terms used in a policy can be impossible to understand and reading a policy is terribly boring.

Collision – Collision insurance pays for damage to your vehicle from colliding with another car or object. You will need to pay your deductible and then insurance will cover the remainder.

Collision coverage protects against things like hitting a mailbox, scraping a guard rail, damaging your car on a curb and crashing into a ditch. Collision is rather expensive coverage, so consider dropping it from older vehicles. Drivers also have the option to bump up the deductible to bring the cost down.

Auto liability insurance – This coverage provides protection from injuries or damage you cause to other people or property by causing an accident. Split limit liability has three limits of coverage: bodily injury for each person injured, bodily injury for the entire accident and a property damage limit. Your policy might show values of 100/300/100 which stand for a $100,000 limit per person for injuries, a limit of $300,000 in injury protection per accident, and $100,000 of coverage for damaged propery.

Liability coverage pays for claims such as attorney fees, funeral expenses and bail bonds. How much liability should you purchase? That is a personal decision, but you should buy higher limits if possible. Minnesota state law requires minimum liability limits of 30,000/60,000/10,000 but it’s recommended drivers buy higher limits.

Comprehensive auto coverage – This coverage covers damage caused by mother nature, theft, vandalism and other events. You first must pay your deductible and the remainder of the damage will be paid by comprehensive coverage.

Comprehensive insurance covers claims such as vandalism, a tree branch falling on your vehicle, fire damage and theft. The maximum amount you can receive from a comprehensive claim is the actual cash value, so if the vehicle is not worth much it’s not worth carrying full coverage.

Medical payments and PIP coverage – Coverage for medical payments and/or PIP pay for expenses for things like pain medications, funeral costs, rehabilitation expenses, doctor visits and nursing services. They are used in conjunction with a health insurance policy or if you are not covered by health insurance. Medical payments and PIP cover you and your occupants and will also cover getting struck while a pedestrian. Personal Injury Protection is not an option in every state but it provides additional coverages not offered by medical payments coverage

UM/UIM (Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist) coverage – Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage provides protection from other drivers when they are uninsured or don’t have enough coverage. This coverage pays for injuries sustained by your vehicle’s occupants and damage to your vehicle.

Since many Minnesota drivers carry very low liability coverage limits (which is 30/60/10), it only takes a small accident to exceed their coverage. For this reason, having high UM/UIM coverages is a good idea.

More tips and info about auto insurance is located at the Minnesota Department of Commerce website. Consumers can get help finding coverage, find out which companies have the most complaints, read enforcement actions against agents and companies, and report car insurance fraud.

Cheaper insurance is a realistic goal

As you go through the steps to switch your coverage, you should never reduce needed coverages to save money. There are many occasions where consumers will sacrifice uninsured motorist or liability limits only to regret that the small savings ended up costing them much more. Your aim should be to buy enough coverage for the lowest price, not the least amount of coverage.

Discount auto insurance is available from both online companies and also from your neighborhood Andover agents, and you need to comparison shop both to have the best selection. Some insurance providers may not provide the ability to get a quote online and most of the time these small, regional companies sell through independent agents.

We’ve covered a lot of techniques to save on auto insurance. The key thing to remember is the more companies you get rates for, the better likelihood of reducing your rate. Consumers may even find the best prices are with a company that doesn’t do a lot of advertising.