Thursday, July 30, 2009

Finding High Quality, But Cheap, Insurance Online

Are you tired of writing big checks each month for second-rate auto insurance coverage? You may not realize it's possible to find high quality auto insurance with low premiums online. Here's how to search for and secure cheap insurance online without sacrificing coverage.
The first step in finding cheap car insurance online is to find an insurance comparison site that allows you to evaluate several insurance policies at once. With policy coverage and premiums side-by-side, compare the following variables:
* Policy deductible: What will you pay up front on a claim before your coverage starts? Deductibles can be adjusted to make premiums more affordable, but make sure you know what your share will be before buying insurance coverage.
* Liability Limits: The amount your insurance company will pay to cover damage or injury caused by your vehicle is called liability coverage. Each state sets a minimum amount of liability coverage drivers can carry, so you'll need to be sure your proposed coverage meets that requirement. Carrying the bare minimum in liability coverage is a gamble, as legal action could quickly exceed that amount.
A good online insurance comparison site will compare the liability coverage of each company's policies. Remember, it is possible to find cheap auto insurance with great liability coverage, but carefully check your options.
* Additional Coverage: Collision and comprehensive coverage may not be required, but they do provide additional peace of mind.
Collision coverage covers your car in the event of an accident. Lenders usually require you to carry collision coverage to protect their investment until your loan is repaid. When comparing coverage, check the deductible you'll be required to pay when your car is repaired.
Comprehensive coverage covers your vehicle against other types of damage, such as hail or fire. Again, be sure you're comparing similar deductibles when evaluating coverage. Pay attention to variables such as windshield replacement costs, too.
In addition to comparing deductibles, liability limits and additional coverage, look carefully at how each company rates policyholders. Most insurance coverage is rated upon age, driving record, sex of drivers, and sometimes even your credit rating. If you'll look carefully online, you'll discover a wide variation in rating factors.
One more consideration is ease of claims processing. Find out before you purchase coverage how claims are filed. It won't be a bargain to pay for cheap insurance only to find filing a claim takes days of frustration.
Before you make your final decision, you'll want to talk to actual representatives for the proposed insurers to get a feel for how each company will be to work with. It's surprising that some of the most exclusive insurers aren't necessarily the most customer-friendly!
It's possible to find cheap car insurance online that carries the features you need. Working through a policy comparison website makes the job easier. Decide what premium fits your budget, what coverage protects you best and compare policies until you find exactly what you need. Cheap auto insurance doesn't have to mean inadequate coverage, if you're willing to do your homework online.

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