10 Must-Know Methods When Looking for the Best Deal on Essex Junction, VT Car Insurance

If you are a novice to online car insurance shopping, it’s easy to be confused by the hoards of online car insurance companies and websites selling insurance in Essex Junction.

Essex Junction Car Insurance Prices Online

There are a lot of ways to compare car insurance quotes, but some are less time-consuming than others. You can spend your afternoon talking to local insurance agents in Essex Junction, or you could save time and use the internet for quick rates.

Many popular insurance companies take part in a program where prospective buyers complete one form, and each company returns a rated price based on the submitted data. This saves time by eliminating repetitive form submissions for each company.

To access this free quoting program, click here (opens in new window).

The only drawback to pricing coverage this way is you don’t know exactly which insurance companies to receive prices from. If you would rather choose from a list of companies to compare rates, we have assembled a list of low cost car insurance companies in Vermont. View list of Vermont insurance companies.

Whichever way you use, ensure you are comparing the exact same coverages for every quote you compare. If you are comparing different deductibles it will be next to impossible to determine which rate is truly the best in Essex Junction.

The car insurance bait and switch

Vermont drivers can’t ignore all the ads that promise big savings from the likes of Progressive, GEICO, Allstate and State Farm. They all seem to make an identical promise of big savings if you change your coverage to them.

How can each company say the same thing? It’s all in the numbers.

Different companies are able to cherry pick for the type of customer that makes them money. For example, a desirable insured might be over the age of 50, owns a home, and drives less than 10,000 miles a year. A customer who matches those parameters will get the preferred rates and as a result will probably cut their rates substantially.

Potential customers who do not match the requirements will be quoted higher prices and ends up with the customer not buying. Company advertisements say “customers who switch” not “people who quote” save that kind of money. This is how insurance companies can confidently claim big savings. This emphasizes why drivers should get as many quotes as possible. It’s not possible to predict the company that will have the lowest rates.

Don’t overlook these discounts

Companies that sell car insurance don’t always publicize every available discount in an easy-to-find place, so the following is a list of some of the best known and the harder-to-find discounts you could be receiving. If they aren’t giving you every credit available, you are throwing money away.

• New Car Discount – Buying coverage on a new vehicle is cheaper because new vehicles have to meet stringent safety requirements.
• Clubs and Organizations – Participating in certain professional organizations could trigger savings when shopping for car insurance.
• Discount for Swiching Early – A few companies offer discounts for buying a policy before your current policy expires. The savings is around 10%.
• Life Insurance Discount – Select insurance companies reward you with a break if you buy life insurance from them.
• Payment Method – If you pay your entire premium ahead of time rather than paying monthly you may reduce your total bill.
• Military Discounts – Having a family member in the military could be rewarded with lower premiums.
• Good Students Pay Less – A discount for being a good student can be rewarded with saving of up to 25%. This discount can apply well after school through age 25.
• Accident Free – Drivers who don’t have accidents pay less when compared to drivers who are more careless.
• Paperwork-free – A handful of insurance companies will give a small break for buying your policy on their website.
• One Accident Forgiven – Certain companies allow you one accident before hitting you with a surcharge as long as you don’t have any claims for a particular time prior to the accident.

As a disclaimer on discounts, most of the big mark downs will not be given the the whole policy. Most only reduce the price of certain insurance coverages like collision or personal injury protection. So despite the fact that it appears you can get free auto insurance, companies don’t profit that way.

But buying car insurance online seems impersonal

Some consumers would rather buy from a local agent and that is a personal choice. Professional agents can help determine the best coverages and help you file claims. One of the best bonuses of getting online price quotes is that you can obtain the best rates but still work with a licensed agent.

After filling out this short form, your insurance data is emailed to agents in your area who will compete to get your business. You don’t have to drive around as quotes are delivered straight to your inbox. It doesn’t get any easier!

Selecting an provider should depend on more than just a cheap price. Any agent should be forthright in answering these questions:

• Do the companies they represent have a solid financial rating?
• Does the agency provide any after hours assistance?
• If your car is in the repair shop, do you have coverage for a rental car?
• Do they carry Errors and Omissions coverage?
• Do they make recommendations based only on price?
• Can they provide you with a list of referrals?

The type of insurance agency you choose is important

If you’re trying to find an insurance agent, you must know there are a couple different types of agents that differ in how they can insure your vehicles. Insurance agencies in Essex Junction are classified as either captive or independent. Both types can do a good job, but it’s worth mentioning the difference between them because it can influence buying decisions.

Agency Captives

Captive agencies have only one company to place business with and examples are Farmers Insurance, American Family, State Farm and Allstate. These agents are unable to place coverage with different providers so they are skilled at selling on more than just price. Captive agencies are usually quite knowledgeable on their products and sales techniques which helps them compete with independent agents. Consumers frequently purchase coverage from captives mostly because of the brand legacy and solid financial strength.

Independent Agencies or Brokers

Independent agents are not employed by any specific company but instead can place your coverage amongst many companies enabling the ability to shop coverage around. If you are not satisfied with one company, an independent agent can move your coverage without you having to go to a different agency.

When comparison shopping, it’s recommended you include price quotes from at a minimum one independent agency for the best price selection. They often place coverage with different regional companies which may provide better rates.

Shown below is a list of independent agents in Essex Junction willing to provide price quotes.

• Pat Spielman-Morris Agency Inc – 29 Upper Main St – Essex Junction, VT 05452 – (802) 872-8300
• Griffin Agency – 11 Pearl St # 101 – Essex Junction, VT 05452 – (802) 879-5200
• A Agency – 1 Market Pl – Essex Junction, VT 05452 – (802) 878-5477
• Chittenden County Insurance – 11 Pearl St # 207 – Essex Junction, VT 05452 – (802) 878-3325
• Market Place Insurance Ctr – 2 Market Pl # 5 – Essex Junction, VT 05452 – (802) 878-8156

For a complete listing of car insurance agents in Essex Junction, visit this site.

Once you have received answers to your satisfaction to your questions and an acceptable price quote, you may have just found an insurance agent that will insure your vehicles.

Which policy gives me the best coverage?

When buying coverage for your vehicles, there really is not a “perfect” insurance plan. Every situation is different.

These are some specific questions may help highlight if your situation would benefit from professional advice.

• Does my policy pay for OEM or aftermarket parts?
• Do I have coverage if my license is suspended?
• Do I need special endorsements for business use of my vehicle?
• Am I covered by my spouse’s policy after a separation?
• Will I lose any money if I cancel my policy before it expires?
• Are my friends covered when driving my vehicle?
• Do I need added coverage for expensive stereo equipment?
• What is covered by UM/UIM coverage?
• Do I have coverage when using my vehicle for my home business?
• Do I have coverage when making deliveries for my home business?

If you don’t know the answers to these questions but a few of them apply, you may need to chat with an insurance agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, fill out this quick form. It only takes a few minutes and can provide invaluable advice.

Even more information is available at the Vermont Department of Financial Regulation website. Consumers can report car insurance fraud, read state legal mandates and laws, and find a variety of consumer forms.

Also read more on this Car Insurance FAQ and this link which helps you find a Essex Junction agent.

Cheaper insurance is a realistic goal

Cheaper car insurance can be bought both online as well as from independent agents in Essex Junction, and you should be comparing both in order to have the best price selection to choose from. Some insurance providers don’t offer the ability to get a quote online and many times these regional insurance providers only sell through independent insurance agents.

While you’re price shopping online, you should never reduce coverage to reduce premium. Too many times, drivers have reduced liability limits or collision coverage only to regret at claim time they didn’t have enough coverage. The proper strategy is to buy enough coverage at a price you can afford while still protecting your assets.

People change insurance companies for a number of reasons such as unfair underwriting practices, an unsatisfactory settlement offer, high prices or policy cancellation. Regardless of your reason for switching companies, finding the right car insurance provider can be easier than you think.