5 Ways to Get Lower Rates on Auto Insurance in Laredo Texas

Confused by the crazy number of auto insurance company choices in Laredo? Lot’s of other consumers are too. You have so many companies to choose from that it can easily become a challenge to find the lowest price.

It’s a great practice to take a look at other company’s rates yearly since insurance rates change regularly. Even if you got the lowest price a couple years back a different company probably has better rates today. Forget anything you know (or think you know) about auto insurance because you’re about to find out one of the best ways to buy cheaper auto insurance.

Free Laredo Auto Insurance Quotes

Cutting your auto insurance rates isn’t really that difficult. The only requirement is to take a couple of minutes getting comparison quotes from different insurance companies. This is very easy and can be done in a couple of different ways.

The most efficient way to compare a lot of rates at once is an all-inclusive rate comparison click to view form in new window. This method prevents you from having to do repetitive form entry to each individual auto insurance company. Completing one form gets rate comparisons from multiple companies. Just one form and you’re done.
A slightly less efficient method to find lower rates consists of going to each company’s website and request a quote. For sake of this example, let’s assume you want rates from Farmers, GEICO and State Farm. To find out each rate you need to take the time to go to each site to enter your coverage information, and that’s why the first method is more popular.
To view a list of companies in Laredo, click here.
The least efficient way to get comparison rates to insurance agents’ offices. The ability to buy insurance online has reduced the need for local agents unless you want the professional guidance of a local Laredo agent. However, consumers can get the lowest quotes online but buy from a local insurance agent and we’ll touch on that later.

It doesn’t matter which method you choose, just compare the exact same deductibles and coverage limits for every quote you compare. If you have unequal deductibles or liability limits it will be impossible to make an equal comparison in Laredo.

Do you qualify for a discount?

Auto insurance companies do not list every available discount in a way that’s easy to find, so we break down some of the more common and the more hidden discounts you could be receiving. If you aren’t receiving every discount you qualify for, you’re just leaving money on the table.

Federal Employees – Being employed by or retired from a federal job can save as much as 8% depending on your company.
Good Student Discount – Getting good grades can save 20 to 25%. The good student discount can last well after school through age 25.
Seat Belts Save more than Lives – Using a seat belt and requiring all passengers to buckle their seat belts can save up to 15% on the medical payments or PIP coverage costs.
Safe Driver Discount – Drivers who avoid accidents can pay as much as 50% less than drivers with accidents.
Resident Student – Children living away from home attending college and do not have access to a covered vehicle may qualify for this discount.

As a disclaimer on discounts, most discounts do not apply to the entire policy premium. Most cut the price of certain insurance coverages like comprehensive or collision. Even though it may seem like all the discounts add up to a free policy, you’re out of luck.

Comparing rates from local agents

Certain consumers would rather sit down with an agent and there is nothing wrong with that. Insurance agents can help determine the best coverages and help in the event of a claim. One of the great benefits of getting online price quotes is that you can obtain the best rates but also keep your business local.

After completing this short form, your insurance coverage information is transmitted to companies in Laredo who will battle for your coverage. There is no reason to leave your computer due to the fact that quote results will go to your email.

Deciding on a company should depend on more than just a cheap price. Some important questions to ask are:

Does the agency have a good rating with the Better Business Bureau?
How are claims handled?
How long has their agency been open in Laredo?
Who are their largest clients?
If your car is in the repair shop, do you have coverage for a rental car?
What will you get paid if your car is a total loss? How is that amount determined?
Is the agency involved in supporting local community causes?

Captive agents vs. Independent agents

When finding a local agent, there are a couple of different types of agents that you can select. Laredo agents are classified as either independent or captive. Both insure your vehicles, but it’s important to know the differences since it may influence the selection process.

Captive Agents

Captive agencies work for only one company like State Farm, AAA, Farmers Insurance or Allstate. They generally cannot place coverage with different providers so always compare other rates. Captive agents are well schooled on their products and sales techniques which helps them compete with independent agents. Consumers sometimes choose to use a captive agent mainly due to high brand loyalty and solid financial strength.

Below is a list of captive insurance agents in Laredo willing to provide price quote information.

State Farm Insurance – 502 W Calton Rd # 104 – Laredo, TX 78041 – (956) 726-0547
Allstate Insurance – 201 W Del Mar Blvd # 14 – Laredo, TX 78041 – (956) 725-4934

Independent Agents

These agents are not employed by any specific company so they have the ability to put coverage with multiple insurance companies and potentially find a lower price. If you are not satisfied with one company, they simply move the coverage in-house and that require little work on your part. Laredo car insurance quote

When searching for an agent, we recommend you include multiple independent agents to get the best comparison. They often place coverage with smaller companies which may provide better rates.

Below is a list of independent insurance agencies in Laredo who can help you get rate quotes.

Nationwide Insurance – 6019 Mcpherson Ave # 6 – Laredo, TX 78041 – (956) 717-5770
Unistar Auto Insurance – 4815 San Bernardo Ave – Laredo, TX 78041 – (956) 729-1858

For a full directory of insurance agents in Laredo, click here to link.

Upon receiving positive responses to all your questions as well as a affordable price, most likely you have located an insurance agent that will properly service your auto insurance policy. Keep in mind policyholders can cancel a policy at any point so never feel you’re contractually obligated to your new company for the full term.

Auto insurance coverage specifics

Understanding the coverages of your policy can help you determine the best coverages at the best deductibles and correct limits. The coverage terms in a policy can be ambiguous and even agents have difficulty translating policy wording.

Liability auto insurance – This coverage can cover damages or injuries you inflict on people or other property. Liability coverage has three limits: bodily injury for each person, bodily injury for the entire accident, and a limit for property damage. Your policy might show values of 50/100/50 that translate to $50,000 bodily injury coverage, a per accident bodily injury limit of $100,000, and $50,000 of coverage for damaged propery.

Liability insurance covers things such as court costs, emergency aid and bail bonds. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is your choice, but you should buy as much as you can afford. Texas state minimum liability requirements are 30,000/60,000/25,000 but drivers should carry more coverage.

Collision coverages – Collision insurance covers damage to your vehicle from colliding with an object or car. A deductible applies then your collision coverage will kick in.

Collision insurance covers claims like scraping a guard rail, crashing into a building, colliding with another moving vehicle and sustaining damage from a pot hole. Paying for collision coverage can be pricey, so consider dropping it from vehicles that are older. You can also increase the deductible to bring the cost down.

Comprehensive protection – Comprehensive insurance covers damage that is not covered by collision coverage. A deductible will apply then your comprehensive coverage will pay.

Comprehensive coverage protects against things like rock chips in glass, vandalism and fire damage. The maximum payout you’ll receive from a claim is the ACV or actual cash value, so if it’s not worth much more than your deductible consider removing comprehensive coverage.

Medical expense coverage – Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage kick in for short-term medical expenses for things like surgery, dental work, doctor visits and chiropractic care. They are used in conjunction with a health insurance policy or if you are not covered by health insurance. Medical payments and PIP cover all vehicle occupants and will also cover being hit by a car walking across the street. PIP coverage is not available in all states but it provides additional coverages not offered by medical payments coverage

Uninsured or underinsured coverage – Your UM/UIM coverage provides protection when other motorists are uninsured or don’t have enough coverage. It can pay for medical payments for you and your occupants and damage to your vehicle.

Since a lot of drivers carry very low liability coverage limits (30/60/25), it doesn’t take a major accident to exceed their coverage limits. So UM/UIM coverage is very important.

Better coverage you can count on

As you shop your coverage around, it’s a bad idea to reduce coverage to reduce premium. Too many times, consumers will sacrifice physical damage coverage only to discover later that it was a big mistake. Your focus should be to buy a smart amount of coverage at a price you can afford.

Affordable auto insurance can be purchased on the web as well as from independent agents in Laredo, so you should compare both to have the best rate selection. Some companies don’t offer online price quotes and usually these regional insurance providers provide coverage only through local independent agents.

We just showed you a lot of techniques to shop for auto insurance online. The most important thing to understand is the more times you quote, the better chance you’ll have of finding lower rates. Consumers may even find the best price on auto insurance is with a smaller regional carrier.

Additional detailed information is available at the Texas Department of Insurance website. Texas consumers can download brochures, report car insurance fraud, and file complaints about a company.

The articles below may also help you learn more about auto insurance in Laredo

Basics to Finding an Auto Insurance Agent in Laredo Texas