9 Discounts Belen Consumers Forget when Quoting Car Insurance

Nobody I know enjoys paying for car insurance, particularly when they are paying too much. Companies like State Farm, Farmers Insurance, GEICO and Allstate continually bombard you with ads and it can be hard to ignore the propoganda and effectively compare rates to find the best deal.

Consumers should take time to shop coverage around quite often due to the fact that insurance rates change quite often. Even if you think you had the best price a year ago you will most likely find a better rate today. Ignore everything you know about car insurance because you’re about to learn how to use online quotes to properly buy coverages while reducing your premium.

Comparison of Car Insurance in Belen, New Mexico

Shopping for lower car insurance rates can be exhausting if you don’t utilize the best way to get rate quotes. You could waste a few hours driving to agents in Belen, or you can stay home and use online quotes to accomplish the same thing much quicker.

Most car insurance companies take part in a program where insurance shoppers enter their policy data once, and each company returns a rated price for coverage. This system prevents you from having to do form submissions for each company.

To compare pricing click here to start a free quote.

The one downside to doing it this way is you don’t know exactly which carriers you want to price. If you would rather choose specific providers to request quotes from, we have assembled a list of companies who write car insurance in New Mexico. Click to view list.

It’s your choice how you get your quotes, but be sure to compare exactly the same coverage limits on every quote you get. If you are comparing unequal deductibles or liability limits you will not be able to decipher which rate is best in Belen.

Drivers who switch save $461 a year? Really?

New Mexico drivers can’t ignore all the ads for car insurance savings by companies like State Farm, GEICO and Progressive. All the ads make an identical promise that you can save if you switch to them.

How can each company say the same thing? This is how they do it.

Insurance companies are able to cherry pick for the right customer that is profitable for them. For example, a driver they prefer could be over the age of 40, a clean driving record, and has great credit. A customer who fits that profile is entitled to the best price and therefore will save when they switch companies.

Consumers who fall outside the “perfect” profile must pay a higher premium which usually ends up with the customer not buying. Company advertisements say “customers that switch” not “everybody who quotes” save that much. That is how companies can truthfully advertise the way they do.

This illustrates why you need to get as many quotes as possible. It’s just too difficult to predict which insurance companies will give you the biggest savings.

Discounts are available to cut your rates

Car insurance can cost a lot, but there are discounts available to help bring down the price. Some discounts apply automatically at the time you complete a quote, but a few must be specially asked for prior to getting the savings. If you aren’t receiving every discount possible, you are throwing money away.

• Safety Course Discount – Taking part in a course in driver safety could save 5% or more depending on where you live.
• Anti-lock Brake Discount – Anti-lock brake equipped vehicles can avoid accidents and will save you 10% or more.
• One Accident Forgiven – Certain companies allow you one accident without raising rates as long as you don’t have any claims for a set time period.
• Paperless Signup – A few companies may give you up to $50 just for signing your application on their website.
• Discounts for Safe Drivers – Safe drivers may save up to 50% more than their less cautious counterparts.
• Low Mileage – Low mileage vehicles could qualify for discounted rates on garaged vehicles.
• Claim Free – Good drivers with no accidents pay much less when compared with drivers who are more careless.
• New Vehicle Savings – Putting insurance coverage on a new car can save up to 30% because new vehicles have to meet stringent safety requirements.
• Good Student Discount – Performing well in school can be rewarded with saving of up to 25%. The discount lasts until age 25.

A little note about advertised discounts, some credits don’t apply to the entire policy premium. Most only apply to specific coverage prices like physical damage coverage or medical payments. So despite the fact that it appears all the discounts add up to a free policy, it doesn’t quite work that way. But all discounts will help reduce your overall premium however.

To choose insurance companies with the best car insurance discounts in New Mexico, click here to view.

What happened to insurance agents?

Some consumers just want to visit with an insurance agent and that is OK! Good agents are trained to spot inefficiencies and help file insurance claims. One of the great benefits of comparing rates online is that you can obtain the best rates and still have an agent to talk to. And supporting local agencies is important especially in Belen.

After filling out this simple form, the quote information gets sent to companies in Belen who will compete for your coverage. You don’t have to leave your house as quotes are delivered to the email address you provide.

Captive and independent Belen insurance agents

If you’re trying to find a good Belen insurance agent, there are two different types of agents that differ in how they can insure your vehicles. Agencies in Belen are categorized either independent or captive. While both can properly insure your vehicles, but it’s worth mentioning how they differ because it can influence buying decisions.

Independent Insurance Agents

Independent agents are not locked into one company so they can insure your vehicles with any number of different companies and possibly get better coverage at lower prices. If your agent finds better pricing, the business is moved internally and you won’t have to switch agencies.

When searching for an agent, you should always include price quotes from multiple independent agents for maximum quote selection.

Below is a list of independent insurance agents in Belen who can help you get price quote information.

Pavlos Panagopoulos Insurance – 511 W Reinken Ave – Belen, NM 87002 – (505) 864-6675
Brooke Insurance Store – 703 S Main St – Belen, NM 87002 – (505) 861-0002

Agency Captives

These agents work for only one company and some examples include Allstate, Farmers Insurance, State Farm and AAA. These agents are unable to provide prices from multiple companies so they have no alternatives for high prices. Captive agencies are usually quite knowledgeable on their company’s products which helps them compete with independent agents.

The following are Belen captive agencies who can help you get comparison quotes.

Farm Bureau Insurance – 7 Edward Dr # B – Belen, NM 87002 – (505) 864-4453
Allstate Insurance – 329 E Reinken Ave – Belen, NM 87002 – (505) 864-1291
Farmers Insurance Group – 415 W Reinken Ave – Belen, NM 87002 – (505) 861-0100
State Farm Insurance – 614 Becker Ave – Belen, NM 87002 – (505) 864-7474

To view a complete directory of car insurance agents in Belen, view this link.

Selecting an auto insurance agent should depend on more than just the price. These are valid questions to ask:

• Is vehicle mileage a factor when determining depreciation for repairs?
• Will your rates increase after a single accident?
• Which company do they place the most coverage with?
• Do they specialize in personal lines coverage?
• How long has their agency been in business in Belen?
• Are there any hidden costs in their price quote and does it include driving and credit history?

Upon getting answers to your satisfaction to all your questions and a low price estimate, chances are good that you have found an auto insurance agent that is a good match to service your policy. Just keep in mind once you purchase a policy you can cancel your coverage at any time so don’t feel you’re contractually obligated to any particular company with no way to switch.

Situations that might require an agent

When it comes to buying proper insurance coverage for your vehicles, there isn’t really a cookie cutter policy. Everyone’s situation is a little different and your policy should reflect that. These are some specific questions might point out if your situation might need professional guidance.

• Am I covered when driving in Canada or Mexico?
• Does my policy cover my teen driver if they drive my company car?
• Is rental equipment covered for theft or damage?
• Does my car insurance cover rental cars?
• Do I pay less if my vehicle is kept in my garage?
• Do I have coverage if my license is suspended?
• Does my policy pay for OEM or aftermarket parts?
• Do I need added coverage for expensive stereo equipment?
• How do I file an SR-22 for a DUI in New Mexico?
• Is pleasure use cheaper than using my vehicle to commute?

If it’s difficult to answer those questions but one or more may apply to you then you might want to talk to a licensed insurance agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, simply complete this short form or you can go here for a list of companies in your area. It’s fast, free and can provide invaluable advice.

Specific coverages

Having a good grasp of your policy can be of help when determining appropriate coverage at the best deductibles and correct limits. Car insurance terms can be confusing and reading a policy is terribly boring. Below you’ll find typical coverage types found on the average car insurance policy.

Uninsured Motorist or Underinsured Motorist insurance – This coverage gives you protection when other motorists either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. Covered claims include injuries to you and your family as well as your vehicle’s damage.

Because many people only purchase the least amount of liability that is required (New Mexico limits are 25/50/10), their liability coverage can quickly be exhausted. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is a good idea. Normally these coverages are identical to your policy’s liability coverage.

Collision – Collision insurance covers damage to your vehicle caused by collision with an object or car. You have to pay a deductible and then insurance will cover the remainder.

Collision coverage pays for claims like sustaining damage from a pot hole, hitting a parking meter, driving through your garage door and colliding with another moving vehicle. Paying for collision coverage can be pricey, so consider removing coverage from older vehicles. Another option is to raise the deductible to save money on collision insurance.

Insurance for medical payments – Med pay and PIP coverage kick in for bills for things like pain medications, chiropractic care, prosthetic devices and rehabilitation expenses. The coverages can be used in conjunction with a health insurance policy or if you do not have health coverage. Medical payments and PIP cover you and your occupants in addition to if you are hit as a while walking down the street. PIP coverage is only offered in select states but can be used in place of medical payments coverage

Auto liability – This protects you from damage that occurs to a person or their property that is your fault. Coverage consists of three different limits, bodily injury for each person, bodily injury for the entire accident, and a limit for property damage. As an example, you may have liability limits of 100/300/100 that translate to a $100,000 limit per person for injuries, $300,000 for the entire accident, and a total limit of $100,000 for damage to vehicles and property. Occasionally you may see one limit called combined single limit (CSL) which provides one coverage limit with no separate limits for injury or property damage.

Liability coverage pays for things like repair costs for stationary objects, funeral expenses, pain and suffering and medical services. How much liability should you purchase? That is your choice, but it’s cheap coverage so purchase higher limits if possible. New Mexico state minimum liability requirements are 25,000/50,000/10,000 but drivers should carry more liability than the minimum.

Comprehensive coverage (or Other than Collision) – This pays for damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. You first must pay your deductible and then insurance will cover the rest of the damage.

Comprehensive coverage protects against claims like damage from getting keyed, falling objects, vandalism, a tree branch falling on your vehicle and hitting a deer. The most you can receive from a comprehensive claim is the ACV or actual cash value, so if the vehicle’s value is low consider dropping full coverage.

More information is available on the website for the New Mexico Insurance Division found here. New Mexico consumers can read state legal mandates and laws, read enforcement actions against agents and companies, file complaints about a company, and find out which companies have the most complaints.

A little work can save a LOT of money

As you prepare to switch companies, do not buy lower coverage limits just to save a few bucks. In many instances, someone dropped liability limits or collision coverage and found out when filing a claim that the few dollars in savings costed them thousands. Your aim should be to find the BEST coverage at the best price, not the least amount of coverage.

Throughout this article, we presented a lot of ways to compare car insurance prices online. The most important thing to understand is the more times you quote, the better your chances of lowering your rates. You may even find the lowest premiums are with a small local company. Some small companies can often insure niche markets at a lower cost compared to the large companies like State Farm and Allstate.