5 Ways to Pay Less on Auto Insurance in Bellevue

Shopping online for Bellevue auto insurance can seem like an uphill battle if you’ve never compared quoting online. But don’t let that discourage you because using the internet to shop for auto insurance is actually quite easy.

It is always a good idea to shop coverage around once or twice a year since rates are constantly changing. If you had the best deal on your last policy you may be paying too much now. Don’t believe everything you read about auto insurance online but with this article, you’re going to get some tested techniques to buy auto insurance cheaper.

Don’t miss these 5 discounts

Companies don’t always advertise every discount very clearly, so we break down some of the best known and also the lesser-known savings tricks you should be using.

• 55 and Retired – If you’re over the age of 55, you may receive better auto insurance rates.
• Club Memberships – Belonging to a professional or civic organization could trigger savings when buying auto insurance.
• Good Students Pay Less – This discount can be rewarded with saving of up to 25%. Earning this discount can benefit you up until you turn 25.
• Multi-car Discount – Buying insurance for more than one vehicle with the same company could earn a price break for each car.
• Pay Upfront and Save – By paying your policy upfront rather than paying monthly you may reduce your total bill.

It’s important to understand that most of the big mark downs will not be given to the entire policy premium. Most only cut the price of certain insurance coverages like liability, collision or medical payments. So when it seems like it’s possible to get free car insurance, companies don’t profit that way.

To see a list of companies offering auto insurance discounts in Bellevue, click this link.

But don’t I need an insurance agent?

Some consumers would prefer to buy from a licensed agent. One of the great benefits of comparing rates online is the fact that you can find the lowest rates and still choose a local agent.

For easy comparison, once you complete this short form, your coverage information is transmitted to participating agents in Bellevue who will battle for your business. You won’t need to even leave your home since price quotes are sent to the email address you provide. You’ll get the best rates and work with a local agent.

Choosing an insurance company shouldn’t rely on just a low price. Agents should be asked these questions:

• How much can you save by raising your physical damage deductibles?
• Do they make recommendations based only on price?
• Do they have adequate Errors and Ommissions coverage? This protects you if they make a mistake.
• Are there any discounts that you might be missing?
• How are claims handled?

Captive agents vs. Independent agents

When searching for a reliable agent, you must know there are a couple types of agencies to choose from. Bellevue agents are either independent (non-captive) or captive.

Agency Captives

Captive agents are contracted to one company and examples are AAA, Allstate and State Farm. These agents are not able to place coverage with different providers so it’s a take it or leave it situation. Captive agents are usually quite knowledgeable on their company’s products and that can be a competitive advantage. Consumers sometimes buy insurance from these agents partially due to the brand legacy and strong financial ratings.

The following is a short list of captive agents in Bellevue who may provide you with comparison quotes.

• Allstate Insurance – 3605 132nd Ave SE – Bellevue, WA 98006 – (425) 747-4200
• Farmers Insurance Group – 1417 116th Ave NE – Bellevue, WA 98004 – (425) 635-2900
• American Family Insurance – 3180 139th Ave SE # 100 – Bellevue, WA 98005 – (425) 644-3027

Independent Agents

Independent agencies are not employed by any specific company so they can insure your vehicles with many different companies depending on which coverage is best. If your agent finds better pricing, the agent simply finds a different carrier and you don’t have to find a new agent. When shopping rates, we recommend you get quotes from several independent insurance agents for the best price selection.Many can place coverage with lesser-known insurance companies which can save you money.

Shown below are independent agents in Bellevue that can give you comparison quotes.

• Insurance Management Svc – 13606 NE 20th St # 308 – Bellevue, WA 98005 – (425) 643-5212
• Independent Agency Marketing – 14042 NE 8th St – Bellevue, WA 98007 – (425) 643-2060
• Insurance Service Network – 3150 Richards Rd # 104 – Bellevue, WA 98005 – (425) 641-6334
• Joe Hughes Agency – 3805 108th Ave NE # 204 – Bellevue, WA 98004 – (425) 827-8066

To view a complete directory of insurance agents in Bellevue, visit this site.

After receiving acceptable answers to your questions and an affordable coverage quote, you have narrowed it down to a car insurance agent that meets your needs to service your policy. Keep in mind you can always cancel your policy any time you want so don’t think you’re contractually obligated to your new company with no way to switch.

When might I need help?

When it comes to buying the best auto insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there really is not a single plan that fits everyone. Every situation is different.

For example, these questions may help you determine whether your personal situation might need professional guidance.

• What is high-risk coverage and where do I buy it?
• Can I pay claims out-of-pocket if I buy high deductibles?
• Am I covered when driving on a suspended license?
• Should I rate my vehicle as pleasure use or commute?
• Does my insurance cover a custom paint job?
• Where can I get insurance after a DUI in Washington?
• Is my business laptop covered if it gets stolen from my vehicle?

If you don’t know the answers to these questions then you might want to talk to an insurance agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, simply complete this short form.

Auto insurance coverages and their meanings

Having a good grasp of auto insurance can help you determine which coverages you need for your vehicles. Policy terminology can be ambiguous and even agents have difficulty translating policy wording.

Collision coverage protection

Collision insurance pays for damage to your vehicle caused by collision with another car or object. You will need to pay your deductible then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.

Collision coverage protects against things like crashing into a ditch, sideswiping another vehicle and crashing into a building. Collision is rather expensive coverage, so consider removing coverage from vehicles that are older. Drivers also have the option to bump up the deductible to save money on collision insurance.

Med pay and Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

Medical payments and Personal Injury Protection insurance kick in for expenses like chiropractic care, dental work, ambulance fees, X-ray expenses and doctor visits. They can be used in conjunction with a health insurance program or if you do not have health coverage. They cover you and your occupants in addition to any family member struck as a pedestrian. PIP coverage is not an option in every state and may carry a deductible

Comprehensive insurance

This coverage covers damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. You first must pay your deductible then the remaining damage will be covered by your comprehensive coverage.

Comprehensive insurance covers claims such as fire damage, a broken windshield and falling objects. The most a auto insurance company will pay at claim time is the actual cash value, so if the vehicle is not worth much it’s probably time to drop comprehensive insurance.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM)

Your UM/UIM coverage protects you and your vehicle’s occupants when the “other guys” either have no liability insurance or not enough. Covered losses include injuries to you and your family and also any damage incurred to your vehicle.

Since many Washington drivers only carry the minimum required liability limits (25/50/10), it only takes a small accident to exceed their coverage. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is important protection for you and your family.

Liability auto insurance

Liability insurance protects you from damage or injury you incur to people or other property that is your fault. Coverage consists of three different limits, bodily injury for each person injured, bodily injury for the entire accident and a property damage limit. You might see limits of 50/100/50 which means $50,000 bodily injury coverage, $100,000 for the entire accident, and property damage coverage for $50,000.

Liability can pay for claims like medical services, repair costs for stationary objects, pain and suffering and loss of income. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is a personal decision, but buy as much as you can afford. Washington requires drivers to carry at least 25,000/50,000/10,000 but you should think about purchasing more coverage.

For more information

More tips and info about auto insurance can be read at the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner website. Washington drivers can learn about specific coverages, read consumer alerts, and read industry bulletins.

Also read more on this page for auto insurance in Washington and this page for help finding agents in Bellevue, WA.

Affordable insurance is out there

As you shop your coverage around, don’t be tempted to reduce coverage to reduce premium. There are too many instances where consumers will sacrifice full coverage and discovered at claim time that it was a big error on their part. The ultimate goal is to purchase a proper amount of coverage for the lowest price, not the least amount of coverage.

Throughout this article, we presented quite a bit of information on how to save on auto insurance. It’s most important to understand that the more quotes you get, the better chance you’ll have of finding lower rates. You may be surprised to find that the best price on auto insurance is with an unexpected company.

Low-cost auto insurance is definitely available both online as well as from independent agents in Bellevue, so you should be comparing quotes from both to have the best selection. A few companies don’t offer online price quotes and most of the time these small, regional companies sell through independent agents.