Auto Insurance in Keene – 8 Discounts Drivers are Missing

Feel like you’re a prisoner to an underperforming, overpriced auto insurance policy? Trust us, there are lots of people in the same boat.

Consumers have many insurance companies to choose from, and though it is a good thing to have a selection, lots of choices makes it harder to find the best rates for your vehicles.

It’s a good habit to check auto insurance prices periodically because prices fluctuate regularly. Even if you got the best rates six months ago there is a good chance you can find better rates now. So forget anything you know (or think you know) about auto insurance because I’m going to teach you the tricks you need to know to save money, get proper coverage and the best rates.

Finding the best rates in Keene is easy if you know what you’re doing. Basically, anyone who carries auto insurance should be able to cut their insurance bill. But New Hampshire car owners must know how the larger insurance companies market insurance on the web.

Are you getting all your discounts?

Companies that sell car insurance don’t always list all their discounts very clearly, so we researched some of the more common and also the lesser-known discounts you could be receiving.

• Payment Discounts – If you pay your entire premium ahead of time rather than paying monthly you can actually save on your bill.
• Accident Free – Drivers with accident-free driving histories pay much less when compared with accident-prone drivers.
• Accident Forgiveness – Some insurance companies allow you one accident without raising rates as long as you don’t have any claims prior to the accident.
• Seat Belts Save – Drivers who require all occupants to use a seat belt can save 10% or more off the personal injury premium cost.
• Discount for Life Insurance – Select insurance companies reward you with a discount if you purchase a life insurance policy as well.
• Discounts for Safe Drivers – Insureds without accidents may receive a discount up to 45% less than less cautious drivers.
• E-sign – Some insurance companies may give you up to $50 just for signing your application online.
• Government Employees – Simply working for the federal government could cut as much as 10% off with select insurance companies.

It’s important to note that most discounts do not apply to the overall cost of the policy. Some only reduce the cost of specific coverages such as comprehensive or collision. So despite the fact that it appears you could get a free auto insurance policy, auto insurance companies aren’t that generous.

Automobile Insurance Quotes in Keene, NH

Comparing auto insurance rates can take time and effort if you don’t know the most efficient way to do it. You can waste hours talking to local insurance agents in Keene, or you could save time and use online quotes to get prices fast.

Most of the best insurance companies are enrolled in a marketplace where insurance shoppers only type in their quote data once, and each participating company returns a competitive quote. This saves time by eliminating repetitive form submissions for every auto insurance company.

To compare pricing click here to start a free quote.

The only drawback to getting quotes like this is you can’t choose which carriers to receive prices from. If you would rather choose specific providers to compare rates, we put together a list of low cost auto insurance companies in New Hampshire. Click here for list of insurance companies in New Hampshire.

Whichever way you use, double check that you are using the exact same coverage limits for every quote you compare. If you are comparing different values for each quote it will be next to impossible to make a fair comparison in Keene. Having just a slight variation in limits may cause a big price difference. And when comparing auto insurance rates, know that comparing a large number of companies will increase your chances of finding a lower rate.

Situations that might require an agent

When it comes to choosing the right insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there really is not a “best” method to buy coverage. Your needs are not the same as everyone else’s and a cookie cutter policy won’t apply. For example, these questions might point out whether or not you would benefit from an agent’s advice.

• Do I need PIP coverage since I have good health insurance?
• Is rental equipment covered for theft or damage?
• Do I need rental car coverage?
• Should I have combined single limit or split liability limits?
• Do I need added coverage for expensive stereo equipment?
• Am I covered when delivering products for my home-based business?
• Is my vehicle covered for flood damage?
• Is pleasure use cheaper than using my vehicle to commute?
• Can I rate high risk drivers on liability-only vehicles?
• Am I covered when driving someone else’s vehicle?

If you’re not sure about those questions but one or more may apply to you, then you may want to think about talking to an insurance agent. If you don’t have a local agent, fill out this quick form or go to this page to view a list of companies.

What happened to insurance agents?

Some consumers would prefer to buy from a licensed agent. One of the best bonuses of comparing insurance prices online is you can get the best rates but still work with a licensed agent.

Once you complete this quick form, the coverage information is submitted to insurance agents in Keene who will return price quotes to get your business. There is no reason to visit any agencies since price quotes are sent directly to your email. You’ll get the best rates and work with a local agent.

Deciding on a company should depend on more than just a cheap price. Any agent should have no problem answering these questions:

• Will their companies depreciate repairs to your car based on the mileage?
• Do they specialize in personal lines coverage?
• If your car is in the repair shop, do you have coverage for a rental car?
• Do they review policy coverages at every renewal?
• Are there any discounts that you might be missing?
• Do they receive special compensation for putting your coverage with one company over another?
• Do the coverages you’re quoting properly cover your vehicle?

The different types of insurance agents

When looking for a local agent, there are a couple of different types of agents to choose from. Agents are either captive or independent (non-captive).

Captive Insurance Agents

This type of agents can only place business with one company like American Family, State Farm and Allstate. Captives cannot place coverage with different providers so keep that in mind. These agents are well schooled on their company’s products which helps them sell insurance even at higher premiums.

Below are captive insurance agents in Keene who may provide you with rate quotes.

Allstate Insurance – 403 Winchester St – Keene, NH 03431 – (603) 357-7000
North American Family Inst – 164 Emerald St – Keene, NH 03431 – (603) 357-8355

Independent Agents

These agents are not employed by any specific company so they have the ability to put coverage with many different companies depending on which coverage is best. If you are not satisfied with one company, your agent can switch companies and that require little work on your part.

When comparison shopping, you should always get quotes from at least one independent agent for maximum quote selection.

The following are independent agencies in Keene that can give you price quotes.

Tudor Insurance Co – – Keene, NH 03431 – (603) 352-6471
De Steph Agency – 39 Central Sq – Keene, NH 03431 – (603) 358-9596
Pierce-Putman Insurance – 265 Washington St – Keene, NH 03431 – (603) 352-5026
Clark-Mortenson Agency Inc – 102 Main St – Keene, NH 03431 – (603) 352-2121

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

Upon receiving positive responses to all your questions and a low price estimate, you have narrowed it down to an insurance agent that can properly service your auto insurance policy. But remember, you can always cancel your coverage at any time so never assume you’re contractually obligated to your new company with no way to switch.

Coverages available on your policy

Learning about specific coverages of your policy aids in choosing which coverages you need at the best deductibles and correct limits. The coverage terms in a policy can be difficult to understand and coverage can change by endorsement. Below you’ll find the usual coverages found on most auto insurance policies.

Collision coverages – Collision insurance pays to fix your vehicle from damage resulting from colliding with a stationary object or other vehicle. A deductible applies and then insurance will cover the remainder.

Collision coverage pays for things like crashing into a ditch, backing into a parked car, sideswiping another vehicle, crashing into a building and hitting a parking meter. Collision is rather expensive coverage, so consider dropping it from vehicles that are 8 years or older. Another option is to increase the deductible to bring the cost down.

UM/UIM Coverage – Your UM/UIM coverage protects you and your vehicle when other motorists are uninsured or don’t have enough coverage. Covered claims include injuries to you and your family and damage to your vehicle.

Since a lot of drivers have only the minimum liability required by law (25/50/25), it doesn’t take a major accident to exceed their coverage limits. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is important protection for you and your family.

Medical costs insurance – Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage kick in for bills for nursing services, pain medications and X-ray expenses. They are often used to cover expenses not covered by your health insurance plan or if there is no health insurance coverage. Coverage applies to not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants as well as being hit by a car walking across the street. PIP coverage is only offered in select states and gives slightly broader coverage than med pay

Liability coverages – This protects you from injuries or damage you cause to other people or property by causing an accident. Split limit liability has three limits of coverage: bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident and property damage. You might see liability limits of 25/50/25 that means you have $25,000 in coverage for each person’s injuries, $50,000 for the entire accident, and a total limit of $25,000 for damage to vehicles and property.

Liability coverage pays for claims such as medical services, repair bills for other people’s vehicles and medical expenses. How much liability coverage do you need? That is a decision to put some thought into, but buy as high a limit as you can afford. New Hampshire requires minimum liability limits of 25,000/50,000/25,000 but you should consider buying higher limits.

Comprehensive or Other Than Collision – This pays for damage that is not covered by collision coverage. You need to pay your deductible first and then insurance will cover the rest of the damage.

Comprehensive can pay for things such as fire damage, falling objects, damage from flooding and vandalism. The most your auto insurance company will pay is the actual cash value, so if your deductible is as high as the vehicle’s value consider dropping full coverage.

Online plus local equals savings

In this article, we presented some good ideas how to shop for auto insurance online. The most important thing to understand is the more quotes you get, the higher the chance of saving money. Consumers may even find the best prices are with a smaller regional carrier. Smaller companies can often provide lower rates in certain areas than the large multi-state companies such as State Farm and Allstate.

Discount auto insurance is attainable online and also from your neighborhood Keene agents, and you need to comparison shop both so you have a total pricing picture. Some auto insurance companies may not provide the ability to get a quote online and usually these regional insurance providers provide coverage only through local independent agents.

More sites with auto insurance information

More tips and info about auto insurance can be found at the New Hampshire Insurance Department website. Consumers can view a list of available companies, learn about specific coverages, and read enforcement actions against agents and companies.

Additional helpful sites include this site for rates in New Hampshire and this resource to find Keene, NH insurance agents.