9 Discounts Statesboro Drivers Forget when Quoting Auto Insurance

Comparing Statesboro auto insurance rates online might seem complicated at first if you have never used online quoting. But relax because there is an easy way to compare rates.

Choosing the best insurance company for you in Statesboro is not rocket science. If you currently have car insurance, you should be able to save some money using these tips. Georgia consumers just need to learn the best way to shop their coverage around over the internet.

Compare the Market for Auto Insurance in Statesboro, GA

Cutting your Statesboro auto insurance rates isn’t really that difficult. All you need to do is take time comparing rate quotes from different insurance companies. This is very easy and can be done using a couple different methods.

1. The easiest and least time consuming way to compare a lot of rates at once is an all-inclusive rate comparison (click to open form in new window). This type of form saves time by eliminating multiple quote forms for every auto insurance company. Taking the time to complete one form gets you coverage quotes from multiple low-cost companies. Recommended for those who want to invest the least amount of time.
2. A less efficient way to compare rate quotes requires visiting each company website to complete a price quote. For examples sake, we’ll assume you want comparison quotes from Progressive, Esurance and Liberty Mutual. You would have to take the time to go to each site to enter your coverage information, which is why most consumers use the first method.

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

3. The least recommended way of getting rate comparisons is to drive around to and from local Statesboro insurance agencies. Shopping for auto insurance online has reduced the need for local agents unless you want the professional advice that only a license agent can provide. It is possible to obtain prices from the web but still have the advice of a local agent and we’ll touch on that later.

However you get your quotes, be sure to compare identical coverages and limits with every price quote. If you have unequal deductibles or liability limits it’s impossible to determine the lowest rate in Statesboro.

Don’t miss these nine discounts

Companies don’t necessarily list every available discount in an easy-to-find place, so we break down some of the more common and the harder-to-find auto insurance savings. If they aren’t giving you every credit you deserve, you are throwing money away.

• Clubs and Organizations – Being a member of a civic or occupational organization could qualify you for a break on auto insurance.
• Drive Less and Save – Keeping the miles down can earn better rates on cars that stay parked.
• Seat Belts Save more than Lives – Requiring all passengers to use their safety belts could save 15% off your PIP or medical payments premium.
• Drivers Education – Cut your cost by having your teen driver complete a driver education course in school.
• Life Insurance Discount – Some companies give lower rates if you buy a life insurance policy as well.
• Discount for Swiching Early – Some companies give discounts for switching to them prior to your current policy expiring. The savings is around 10%.
• Auto/Home Discount – If you have multiple policies with the same insurance company you may earn at least 10% off all policies.
• Good Student – This discount can be rewarded with saving of up to 25%. Earning this discount can benefit you well after school through age 25.
• Discounts for Safe Drivers – Drivers who don’t get into accidents may save up to 50% more than drivers with accident claims.

It’s important to note that most credits do not apply to the entire policy premium. The majority will only reduce individual premiums such as medical payments or collision. Even though it may seem like adding up those discounts means a free policy, you won’t be that lucky.

But don’t I need an insurance agent?

Certain consumers prefer to talk to a local agent and that is a personal choice. Agents can answer important questions and help in the event of a claim. The best thing about price shopping on the web is you can get the best rates and still have an agent to talk to.

To make it easy to find an agent, after completing this form (opens in new window), the quote information is instantly submitted to agents in your area who will battle for your insurance coverage. You don’t have to visit any agencies due to the fact that quote results will go to your email. Now that’s easy!

Picking an insurer shouldn’t rely on just a low price. Ask your prospective agent these questions:

• Is the agency involved in supporting local community causes?
• If your car is in the repair shop, do you have coverage for a rental car?
• What insurance companies do they work with?
• Can glass repairs be made at your home?
• How much can you save by raising your physical damage deductibles?

How to choose the best car insurance agent in Statesboro

When researching a reputable insurance agent or broker, you must know there are a couple different agency structures that differ in how they can insure your vehicles. Statesboro agents are classified as either independent or captive. While both can do a good job, but it’s worth learning the difference between them because it can impact the selection process.

Agency Captives

This type of agents are contracted to one company and examples are American Family, State Farm and Allstate. These agents are unable to place coverage with different providers so they are skilled at selling on more than just price. Captives are trained well on the products they sell which can be an advantage. Consumers often choose to use a captive agent mainly due to the brand legacy and strong financial ratings.

Shown below are Statesboro captive insurance agents that are able to give comparison quotes.

• State Farm Insurance – 102 N College St – Statesboro, GA 30458 – (912) 764-9061
• Farm Bureau Insurance – 366 Northside Dr E – Statesboro, GA 30458 – (912) 764-6231
• Allstate Insurance – 601 Brannen St # B – Statesboro, GA 30458 – (912) 764-6500

Independent Agents (or Brokers)

Independent agencies do not work for one specific company but instead can place your coverage with any number of different companies and potentially find a lower price. If your agent finds better pricing, your agent can switch companies and you don’t have to find a new agent. When comparing rates, it’s recommended you contact at a minimum one independent agency to have the most options to choose from. Most have the option of insuring with smaller companies which can save you money.

The following is a list of independent insurance agencies in Statesboro willing to provide rate quotes.

• Banks Insurance – 4 E Vine St – Statesboro, GA 30458 – (912) 489-1015
• Statesboro Agency Inc – 102 Langston Chapel Rd – Statesboro, GA 30458 – (912) 681-4619
• Direct General Ins Agency – 300 E Main St – Statesboro, GA 30458 – (912) 764-3153
• Carl R Reddick Insurance – 7 Simmons Shopping Ctr – Statesboro, GA 30458 – (912) 764-9813

For a full directory of auto insurance agents in Statesboro, visit this site.

Once you have received positive responses to any questions you have as well as a affordable price, you have narrowed it down to an insurance agent that can service your policy.

Auto insurance 101

Understanding the coverages of your auto insurance policy can help you determine the right coverages for your vehicles. The coverage terms in a policy can be impossible to understand and reading a policy is terribly boring.

Coverage for medical expenses

Medical payments and Personal Injury Protection insurance kick in for expenses for things like EMT expenses, doctor visits and nursing services. They are used in conjunction with a health insurance plan or if you lack health insurance entirely. Medical payments and PIP cover you and your occupants in addition to any family member struck as a pedestrian. PIP coverage is not an option in every state but it provides additional coverages not offered by medical payments coverage

Auto collision coverage

This pays to fix your vehicle from damage from colliding with a stationary object or other vehicle. A deductible applies then your collision coverage will kick in.

Collision insurance covers claims like colliding with a tree, driving through your garage door, crashing into a building, hitting a parking meter and hitting a mailbox. Paying for collision coverage can be pricey, so you might think about dropping it from vehicles that are older. You can also increase the deductible to get cheaper collision coverage.

Comprehensive auto insurance

Comprehensive insurance pays to fix your vehicle from damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. You first must pay your deductible and the remainder of the damage will be paid by comprehensive coverage.

Comprehensive coverage protects against claims like fire damage, falling objects, a broken windshield, a tree branch falling on your vehicle and rock chips in glass. The most a auto insurance company will pay at claim time is the cash value of the vehicle, so if the vehicle’s value is low it’s not worth carrying full coverage.

Coverage for uninsured or underinsured drivers

This coverage protects you and your vehicle’s occupants from other drivers when they either have no liability insurance or not enough. This coverage pays for injuries sustained by your vehicle’s occupants and also any damage incurred to your vehicle.

Since many Georgia drivers only carry the minimum required liability limits (Georgia limits are 25/50/25), their liability coverage can quickly be exhausted. For this reason, having high UM/UIM coverages is important protection for you and your family.

Auto liability

Liability insurance can cover damage or injury you incur to people or other property in an accident. It protects YOU from claims by other people. It does not cover damage sustained by your vehicle in an accident.

It consists of three limits, per person bodily injury, per accident bodily injury, and a property damage limit. As an example, you may have limits of 50/100/50 that means you have $50,000 bodily injury coverage, a per accident bodily injury limit of $100,000, and property damage coverage for $50,000.

Liability can pay for claims like repair costs for stationary objects, repair bills for other people’s vehicles, bail bonds, emergency aid and funeral expenses. How much liability coverage do you need? That is up to you, but it’s cheap coverage so purchase as much as you can afford. Georgia requires minimum liability limits of 25,000/50,000/25,000 but you should consider buying more coverage.

More detailed Georgia auto insurance information can be read at the Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner website. Consumers can read consumer alerts, learn about specific coverages, find out industry alerts, and read enforcement actions against agents and companies.

Other useful links include QuoteClickInsure.com and this page on QuoteClickInsure.com.

Final thoughts

You just learned some good ideas how to compare auto insurance prices online. The most important thing to understand is the more providers you compare, the higher your chance of finding lower rates. You may even discover the best price on auto insurance is with the least-expected company.

People change insurance companies for many reasons like extreme rates for teen drivers, delays in paying claims, questionable increases in premium and even poor customer service. Whatever your reason, choosing a new company can be easier than you think.

Low-cost auto insurance can be sourced on the web in addition to many Statesboro insurance agents, and you should be comparing both to get a complete price analysis. Some insurance companies do not provide online price quotes and these smaller companies work with independent agents.