5 Must-Know Tricks When Comparing Laurel Auto Insurance

Are you confused by the wide range of auto insurance companies in Laurel? You’re not alone. There are so many options available that it can turn into a ton of work to find the best price.

It’s a good idea to do rate comparisons quite often because prices change quite often. Just because you found the best deal on your last policy you can probably find a better price now. There is a lot of wrong information about auto insurance online but by reading this article, you’re going to learn some excellent ideas to put money back in your pocket.

Shopping for the cheapest auto insurance coverage in Laurel is quite easy. In a nutshell, anyone who carries auto insurance will be able to find better rates. But Montana drivers do need to learn how insurance companies market insurance on the web and take advantage of how the system works.

Don’t pay full price with these discounts

Insuring your vehicles can cost a lot, but there could be available discounts that you may not know about. Larger premium reductions will be automatically applied at the time you complete a quote, but a few must be specifically requested before you will receive the discount.

• Anti-lock Brake Discount – Vehicles equipped with ABS or steering control prevent accidents and therefore earn up to a 10% discount.
• Passive Restraints – Cars that have air bags or automatic seat belts may earn rate discounts of 20% or more.
• Distant Student – Youth drivers who are attending college without a vehicle on campus can be insured at a reduced rate.
• Defensive Driver – Taking part in a course in driver safety could possibly earn you a 5% discount if you qualify.
• Seat Belts Save more than Lives – Drivers who require all occupants to buckle their seat belts can save 10% or more on the medical payments or PIP coverage costs.
• Federal Government Employee – Active or retired federal employment could cut as much as 10% off with certain companies.
• Discount for New Cars – Adding a new car to your policy is cheaper due to better safety requirements for new cars.

A little note about advertised discounts, most discount credits are not given to your bottom line cost. Some only apply to specific coverage prices like physical damage coverage or medical payments. Just because you may think you can get free auto insurance, it doesn’t quite work that way. Any amount of discount will bring down the cost of coverage.

To see a list of insurers with discount auto insurance rates in Montana, click this link.

How do I know if I need professional advice?

When it comes to choosing adequate coverage, there really is not a perfect coverage plan. Every situation is different.

Here are some questions about coverages that can aid in determining whether you would benefit from professional advice.

• Is borrowed equipment or tools covered if stolen or damaged?
• Am I covered when driving someone else’s vehicle?
• Should I buy only the required Montana minimum liability coverage?
• Do I have coverage when using my vehicle for my home business?
• Does having multiple vehicles earn me a discount?
• Should I sign the liability waiver when renting a car?

If it’s difficult to answer those questions but one or more may apply to you, you may need to chat with an insurance agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, fill out this quick form.

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

Some people would prefer to buy from a local agent. The best thing about price shopping on the web is you may find the best rates and still have an agent to talk to. Buying from small agencies is especially important in Laurel.

To make it easy to find an agent, after completing this quick form, your information is sent to agents in your area who will battle to get your business. You won’t need to visit any agencies due to the fact that quote results will go immediately to your email address. How cool is that?! It’s the lowest rates AND a local agent.

Pick the best insurance agent in Laurel for you

When finding a good Laurel insurance agent, there are two types of insurance agents to choose from. Agencies in Laurel are either captive or independent (non-captive).

Independent Agencies or Brokers

Independent agents are not locked into one company so they have the ability to put coverage with any number of different companies depending on which coverage is best. To move your coverage to a new company, an independent agent can move your coverage and that require little work on your part.

When shopping rates, it’s recommended you include price quotes from at least one independent agent for maximum quote selection.Most can insure with smaller companies which can save you money.

The following are Laurel independent agents who may be able to give you competitive price quotes.

• Harris Agency – 14 1st Ave – Laurel, MT 59044 – (406) 628-7951
• Laurel Insurance – 12 3rd Ave – Laurel, MT 59044 – (406) 628-6353

Agency Captives

Captive insurance agents can only write with one company like Allstate, Farmers Insurance, State Farm and AAA. They are unable to provide prices from multiple companies so they have no alternatives for high prices. Captive agencies are well schooled on the products they sell which helps them sell insurance even at higher premiums. Consumers frequently purchase coverage from captives primarily because of the prominence of the brand and strong financial ratings.

The following is a short list of captive insurance agencies in Laurel that can give you rate quotes.

• Farmers Insurance Group – 7 1st Ave – Laurel, MT 59044 – (406) 628-7007
• State Farm Insurance – 21 1st Ave – Laurel, MT 59044 – (406) 628-8618

For a complete listing of captive agencies in Laurel, visit this site.

Choosing a car insurance agent needs to be determined by more than just the price. Any agent should be forthright in answering these questions:

• Who is covered by the car insurance policy?
• Will your rates increase after a single accident?
• Does the agent have professional designations like CIC, CPCU or AIC?
• Can they give you a list of client referrals?
• Are they able to influence company decisions when a claim is filed?

After getting positive responses to your questions and a low price estimate, you have narrowed it down to an insurance agency that can service your policy.

Don’t believe everything you hear

Auto insurance companies such as GEICO, State Farm and Progressive continually stream ads in print and on television. They all seem to make an identical promise of big savings after switching to their company. How can each company say the same thing?

Different companies have a certain “appetite” for the type of driver that earns them a profit. A good example of a desirable insured could be between the ages of 30 and 50, owns a home, and drives newer vehicles. A propective insured who matches those parameters receives the best rates and most likely will save a lot of money.

Potential insureds who don’t qualify for these standards will have to pay higher premiums and this can result in business going elsewhere. Company advertisements say “customers who switch” not “everyone that quotes” save that much money. That’s why companies can advertise the savings.

Because of the profiling, you should get as many comparisons as possible. It is impossible to predict which auto insurance company will have the lowest rates.

Additional Montana consumer information

More information is located on the Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance website. Click here for link. Visitors are able to file complaints about a company, read state legal mandates and laws, learn about insurance regulations, and learn about specific coverages.

Quote more, save more

People leave their current company for many reasons like policy non-renewal, delays in paying claims, poor customer service or even high rates after DUI convictions. No matter why you want to switch, choosing a new company can be easier than you think.

We just showed you a lot of information how to shop for auto insurance online. The key thing to remember is the more rate quotes you have, the better likelihood of reducing your rate. You may even discover the best prices are with a company that doesn’t do a lot of advertising.

As you prepare to switch companies, don’t be tempted to skimp on coverage in order to save money. There are a lot of situations where someone sacrificed liability coverage limits only to regret at claim time they didn’t purchase enough coverage. Your strategy should be to purchase plenty of coverage at a price you can afford while still protecting your assets.