8 Tips Proven to Save on Auto Insurance Costs in Terre Haute

Nobody looks forward to paying for auto insurance, in particular when their premiums are through the roof. Lots of insurers contend for your insurance dollar, and it can be difficult to compare rates and get the definite lowest cost out there.

If you are insured now or are shopping for new coverage, you can use this information to reduce the price you pay and possibly find even better coverage. Buying car insurance in Terre Haute is quite easy. Indiana drivers only need an understanding of the proper way to get comparison quotes online.

Vehicle Insurance Comparison

Cutting your auto insurance rates is surprisingly easy. Just spend a few minutes on the computer to compare rate quotes provided by online insurance companies. This can be done in a couple of different ways.

The recommended way to find low rates is to use a rate comparison form click to view form in new window. This form saves time by eliminating repetitive form submissions to each individual auto insurance company. One simple form gets you price quotes from auto insurance companies with the best prices.

Another way to compare rate quotes is going to each company’s website and complete a new quote form. For instance, we’ll pretend you want rates from Nationwide, Farmers and Progressive. To get each rate you have to go to every website to enter your coverage information, which is why the first method is more popular.

For a handy list of car insurance company links in Terre Haute, click here.

The least recommended method of getting rate comparisons is to spend your day driving to different Terre Haute agent offices. The internet can eliminate the need for a local agent unless you require the professional guidance of a local Terre Haute agent. Drivers can compare online quotes but still have the advice of a local agent and we’ll cover that in a bit.

It doesn’t matter which method you choose, just ensure you are comparing exactly the same coverages on every quote. If you enter different limits and deductibles on each one it’s not possible to find the best deal in Terre Haute.

Buyer beware of auto insurance advertising tricks

Consumers constantly see and hear ads for cheaper car insurance by GEICO, State Farm and Progressive. All the ads say the same thing of big savings after switching to their company.

How do they all make the same claim? This is how they do it.

All companies can use profiling for the driver that makes them money. An example of a desirable insured could possibly be between 25 and 40, owns a home, and chooses high deductibles. A customer getting a price quote who fits that profile is entitled to the best price and as a result will probably save a lot of money.

Consumers who don’t measure up to the requirements will have to pay a higher premium which usually ends up with business going elsewhere. Company advertisements say “customers who switch” but not “drivers who get quotes” save that much money. That is how companies can make those claims. Because of the profiling, you need to get as many comparisons as possible. It’s impossible to know which auto insurance company will have the lowest rates.

Discounts can save BIG

Companies that sell car insurance don’t necessarily list every discount in a way that’s easy to find, so the following is a list of both the well known as well as the least known discounts you could be receiving. If you aren’t receiving every discount you qualify for, you are paying more than you should be.

• Good Student Discount – Performing well in school can get you a discount of up to 25%. This discount can apply up to age 25.
• Government Employees – Employees or retirees of the government can save as much as 8% with certain companies.
• 55 and Retired – Older drivers may receive a discount up to 10%.
• Military Rewards – Being on active duty in the military could be rewarded with lower premiums.
• Driver’s Ed – Require your teen driver to successfully complete driver’s ed class if it’s offered in school.
• Braking Control Discount – Vehicles equipped with ABS or steering control prevent accidents and will save you 10% or more.
• Defensive Driver – Taking part in a course in driver safety could cut 5% off your bill if your company offers it.
• Theft Prevention Discount – Vehicles equipped with anti-theft or alarm systems prevent vehicle theft and will save you 10% or more.

A little note about advertised discounts, most of the big mark downs will not be given to all coverage premiums. Some only apply to the price of certain insurance coverages like physical damage coverage or medical payments. Just because it seems like all the discounts add up to a free policy, companies wouldn’t make money that way.

To see a list of providers who offer auto insurance discounts in Indiana, click this link.

What if I want to buy from a local Terre Haute agent?

Some people would prefer to buy from a local agent and there is nothing wrong with that. Insurance agents are trained to spot inefficiencies and give you someone to call. One of the great benefits of comparing insurance prices online is you can get the best rates but still work with a licensed agent.

For easy comparison, once you complete this form (opens in new window), your insurance data is transmitted to participating agents in Terre Haute who will battle to get your business. You don’t have to leave your house because quoted prices will be sent to the email address you provide.

Choosing an insurer requires more thought than just a cheap price. Ask your prospective agent these questions:

• Who is covered by the car insurance policy?
• Are claims handled at the agent’s location?
• What insurance companies do they recommend if they are an independent agent?
• Is assistance available after office hours?
• Do you have coverage for a rental car if your vehicle is in the repair shop?
• Did they already check your driving record and credit reports?
• Does the agency support the community they serve?

Different types of car insurance agents in Terre Haute

When researching an insurance agent, there are a couple of different types of agents that you can select. Agents are either independent (non-captive) or captive. Either one can insure your vehicles, but it’s important to know how they differ because it can influence the selection process.

Agency Captives

Captive agents can only write with one company such as American Family, Liberty Mutual and AAA. They are unable to place coverage with different providers so they are skilled at selling on more than just price. Captive agencies are very knowledgeable in insurance sales which helps them sell insurance even at higher premiums.

Shown below is a short list of captive agents in Terre Haute who can help you get price quotes.

State Farm Insurance – 901 Wabash Ave – Terre Haute, IN 47807 – (812) 231-1423
Allstate Insurance – 4535 S 7th St – Terre Haute, IN 47802 – (812) 234-5226
Farm Bureau Insurance – 1500 Harding Ave – Terre Haute, IN 47802 – (812) 235-6271
American Family Insurance – 903 S 25th St – Terre Haute, IN 47803 – (812) 238-1055

Independent Insurance Agents

Independent agencies do not work for one specific company but instead can place your coverage amongst many companies depending on which coverage is best. If your agent finds better pricing, the business is moved internally and you won’t have to switch agencies. When comparing rates, you should always contact at a minimum one independent agency to ensure the widest selection of prices.

Shown below are independent insurance agencies in Terre Haute that are able to give price quotes.

Mauriello Agency – 3000 Poplar St – Terre Haute, IN 47803 – (812) 232-3050
Michael R Farr Agency Inc – 2901 Ohio Blvd # 270 – Terre Haute, IN 47803 – (812) 234-5551
Allied Insurance Co – 226 Highland Ct – Terre Haute, IN 47802 – (812) 299-3833
Sycamore Agency Inc – 999 Ohio St – Terre Haute, IN 47807 – (812) 238-1414
Jeffrey S Cope Insurance – 2901 Ohio Blvd – Terre Haute, IN 47803 – (812) 235-3654

To view a full list of insurance agents in Terre Haute, go to this page.

After receiving positive feedback as well as a affordable price, you’ve probably found a car insurance agent that will properly service your auto insurance policy. Just keep in mind you can always terminate coverage at any time so don’t think you are locked into your new company for the entire policy term.

More tips and info about auto insurance can be read at the Indiana Department of Insurance website. Indiana consumers can find out industry alerts, download brochures, and learn about specific coverages.

Other useful links include QuoteClickInsure.com and QuoteClickSave.com.

Parts of your auto insurance policy

Having a good grasp of your auto insurance policy can be of help when determining appropriate coverage and the correct deductibles and limits. Policy terminology can be ambiguous and even agents have difficulty translating policy wording. Listed below are typical coverage types offered by auto insurance companies.

Medical costs insurance – Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage reimburse you for expenses such as surgery, funeral costs and X-ray expenses. They are often used to cover expenses not covered by your health insurance policy or if you do not have health coverage. It covers not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants and will also cover being hit by a car walking across the street. Personal injury protection coverage is not an option in every state and gives slightly broader coverage than med pay

UM/UIM Coverage – Your UM/UIM coverage gives you protection from other motorists when they do not carry enough liability coverage. Covered losses include hospital bills for your injuries as well as damage to your vehicle.

Because many people only purchase the least amount of liability that is required (25/50/10), it doesn’t take a major accident to exceed their coverage limits. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage is a good idea.

Comprehensive or Other Than Collision – This coverage 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, hail damage, falling objects and damage from a tornado or hurricane. The maximum amount a auto insurance company will pay at claim time is the cash value of the vehicle, so if it’s not worth much more than your deductible consider removing comprehensive coverage.

Coverage for liability – This coverage can cover injuries or damage you cause to other’s property or people in an accident. It consists of three limits, bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident and property damage. As an example, you may have values of 25/50/25 which stand for a limit of $25,000 per injured person, a per accident bodily injury limit of $50,000, and $25,000 of coverage for damaged propery.

Liability coverage pays for claims such as repair costs for stationary objects, medical expenses and bail bonds. How much coverage you buy is a decision to put some thought into, but it’s cheap coverage so purchase as large an amount as possible. Indiana state law requires minimum liability limits of 25,000/50,000/10,000 but it’s recommended drivers buy better liability coverage.

Collision – This coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage from colliding with a stationary object or other vehicle. You will need to pay your deductible then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.

Collision coverage protects against claims such as rolling your car, sustaining damage from a pot hole, sideswiping another vehicle and colliding with another moving vehicle. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so consider removing coverage from vehicles that are 8 years or older. Drivers also have the option to bump up the deductible to save money on collision insurance.

Keep this in mind

Cheap auto insurance is available both online and also from your neighborhood Terre Haute agents, so you should be comparing quotes from both to get a complete price analysis. Some companies may not provide you the ability to get quotes online and usually these small, regional companies provide coverage only through local independent agents.

We just showed you many tips how you can get a better price on auto insurance. The key thing to remember is the more quotes you get, the better your comparison will be. You may even discover the lowest priced auto insurance comes from the smaller companies. Some small companies may cover specific market segments cheaper compared to the large companies like GEICO and State Farm.