Auto Insurance in Somerville – 8 Discounts You May be Losing Out On

I can’t think of a single person who enjoys paying for auto insurance, especially when their premiums are too high. Many insurers vie to insure your vehicles, and because of this it can be hard to compare insurers to find the absolute best rates possible.

You need to compare rates occasionally since rates change regularly. Even if you think you had the best deal last year you can probably find a lower rate today. You’ll find quite a bit of inaccurate information about auto insurance on the internet, so we’re going to give you some tested techniques to buy auto insurance cheaper.

How to Get Cheap Auto Insurance in Somerville, MA

All the larger auto insurance companies such as Progressive, GEICO, Allstate and State Farm quote coverage prices online. The process doesn’t take much effort as you simply enter your required coverages as requested by the quote form. When the form is submitted, the system pulls credit information and your driving record and returns a price determined by many factors. Quoting online simplifies rate comparisons, but the process of having to visit many different websites and fill out multiple forms is monotonous and tiresome. But it is imperative to have as many quotes as possible in order to find a lower rate.

Isn’t there an easier way to compare rates?

A less time-consuming method to compare rates is to use a quote form that obtains quotes from several companies at one time. This type of form saves time, eliminates repetitive work, and makes price shopping online a lot less work. Immediately after submitting the form, it is rated with multiple companies and you can pick your choice of the pricing results.

If you find a better price you can click and sign and purchase the new policy. The entire process just takes a couple of minutes and you will know how your current rates stack up.

If you want to compare rates using this form now, click here to open in a new tab and enter your vehicle and coverage information. To compare your current rates, we recommend you replicate the coverages as shown on your current policy. This way, you will receive rate quotes based on similar coverages.

Save 15 percent in 15 minutes? Is it for real?

Massachusetts drivers constantly see and hear ads for cheaper car insurance from the likes of Progressive, GEICO, Allstate and State Farm. All the ads make the same claim that you’ll save big if you change your coverage to them.

But how can every company say the same thing?

All the different companies can use profiling for the driver they prefer to insure. For instance, a driver they prefer could possibly be over the age of 40, insures multiple vehicles, and has great credit. A customer who meets those qualifications is entitled to the best price and is almost guaranteed to pay quite a bit less when switching companies.

Consumers who don’t qualify for this ideal profile must pay higher prices and ends up with the customer not buying. The ads say “drivers who switch” not “everybody who quotes” save money. That is how insurance companies can confidently advertise the savings.

This illustrates why you absolutely need to quote coverage with many companies. It’s impossible to know which company will provide you with the cheapest rates.

Don’t miss these eight discounts

Insurance can cost an arm and a leg, but you can get discounts to reduce the price significantly. Certain discounts will be triggered automatically when you complete an application, but some may not be applied and must be specifically requested prior to getting the savings. If you don’t get every credit possible, you are paying more than you should be.

• No Accidents – Claim-free drivers can save substantially when compared to bad drivers.
• Paperless Signup – A handful of insurance companies give back up to $50 for buying a policy and signing up on their website.
• Safety Course Discount – Taking part in a driver safety course could save 5% or more if you qualify.
• No Charge for an Accident – Some insurance companies will allow you to have one accident without raising rates so long as you haven’t had any claims prior to the accident.
• Passive Restraint Discount – Vehicles with factory air bags or motorized seat belts can qualify for discounts of more than 20%.
• Senior Discount – If you’re over the age of 55, you may be able to get a small decrease in premiums.
• College Student – Children who live away from home and do not have access to a covered vehicle may be able to be covered for less.
• Theft Prevention System – Anti-theft and alarm systems are stolen less frequently and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.

A little note about advertised discounts, some of the credits will not apply to the entire cost. Most only cut the cost of specific coverages such as physical damage coverage or medical payments. So despite the fact that it appears all the discounts add up to a free policy, you won’t be that lucky. But any discount will cut your premiums.

For a list of insurance companies who offer auto insurance discounts in Somerville, click here.

How much car insurance do I need?

When buying the right insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there really is no cookie cutter policy. Every situation is different and your policy should reflect that. For example, these questions might point out if your insurance needs would benefit from an agent’s advice.

• Do I need higher deductibles?
• What happens if I owe more than my vehicle is worth?
• Is business property covered if stolen from my car?
• Do I need roadside assistance coverage?
• Should I rate my vehicle as pleasure use or commute?
• How much liability do I need to cover my assets?
• Do I pay less if my vehicle is kept in my garage?
• Do I need medical payments coverage since I have good health insurance?

If you don’t know the answers to these questions, you might consider talking to an agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, simply complete this short form or click here for a list of auto insurance companies in your area. It is quick, free and may give you better protection.

Don’t I need to talk to an agent?

Some people just want to buy from a local agent and that is OK! Good agents can help determine the best coverages and help submit paperwork. One of the best bonuses of price shopping on the web is the fact that you can find the lowest rates but also keep your business local. Buying from local insurance agencies is especially important in Somerville.

To make it easy to find an agent, after completing this simple form, your information gets sent to insurance agents in Somerville who will compete to get your business. You won’t need to leave your computer as quotes are delivered directly to your email.

If you want to view a list of agents in Somerville to contact, visit this link.

Picking an insurer needs to be determined by more than just a low price. Agents should be asked these questions:

• If your car is in the repair shop, do you have coverage for a rental car?
• What is the agency’s Better Business Bureau rating?
• Are they able to influence company decisions when a claim is filed?
• If your car is totalled, how to they determine the replacement cost?
• Do they assist clients in filing claims?
• If they are an independent agency, which companies do they recommend?
• How long has their agency been in business in Somerville?

Upon getting satisfactory answers to your questions and a low price estimate, you have narrowed it down to an insurance company that can properly insure your vehicles. But remember, policyholders can terminate coverage any time you want so don’t think you’re contractually obligated to your new company for the full term.

Auto insurance policy coverages

Knowing the specifics of auto insurance can help you determine which coverages you need and the correct deductibles and limits. The coverage terms in a policy can be ambiguous and nobody wants to actually read their policy. Below you’ll find typical coverages found on the average auto insurance policy.

Coverage for medical expenses

Coverage for medical payments and/or PIP reimburse you for bills like nursing services, surgery and pain medications. They can be used to fill the gap from your health insurance plan or if you do not have health coverage. They cover not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants in addition to getting struck while a pedestrian. Personal injury protection coverage is only offered in select states and may carry a deductible

Liability coverages

Liability coverage protects you from injuries or damage you cause to other’s property or people. Liability coverage has three limits: bodily injury for each person, bodily injury for the entire accident, and a limit for property damage. You commonly see policy limits of 50/100/50 which stand for a limit of $50,000 per injured person, $100,000 for the entire accident, and a limit of $50,000 paid for damaged property. Some companies may use one limit called combined single limit (CSL) which combines the three limits into one amount rather than limiting it on a per person basis.

Liability insurance covers claims such as emergency aid, repair bills for other people’s vehicles, funeral expenses and medical expenses. How much liability coverage do you need? That is your choice, but consider buying as large an amount as possible. Massachusetts state law requires minimum liability limits of 20,000/40,000/5,000 but it’s recommended drivers buy better liability coverage.

Collision coverage

Collision coverage pays for damage to your vehicle resulting from a collision with another car or object. You will need to pay your deductible and the rest of the damage will be paid by collision coverage.

Collision can pay for things such as backing into a parked car, driving through your garage door and crashing into a ditch. This coverage can be expensive, so consider dropping it from vehicles that are 8 years or older. It’s also possible to bump up the deductible to bring the cost down.

Coverage for uninsured or underinsured drivers

This coverage protects you and your vehicle when other motorists either have no liability insurance or not enough. Covered claims include medical payments for you and your occupants and also any damage incurred to your vehicle.

Since many Massachusetts drivers have only the minimum liability required by law (Massachusetts limits are 20/40/5), their limits can quickly be used up. So UM/UIM coverage is important protection for you and your family. Normally your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverages do not exceed the liability coverage limits.

Comprehensive auto insurance

This pays for damage from a wide range of events other than collision. A deductible will apply and then insurance will cover the rest of the damage.

Comprehensive coverage protects against claims like falling objects, damage from a tornado or hurricane, vandalism, hitting a bird and damage from getting keyed. The highest amount your auto insurance company will pay is the ACV or actual cash value, so if the vehicle’s value is low consider dropping full coverage.

Best coverage at the best price

We just covered a lot of information how to shop for auto insurance online. The key thing to remember is the more providers you compare, the higher your chance of finding lower rates. You may even find the lowest rates come from some of the lesser-known companies. These companies often have lower prices on specific markets compared to the large companies like Progressive and GEICO.

Low-cost auto insurance can be found from both online companies in addition to many Somerville insurance agents, so you should be comparing quotes from both in order to have the best price selection to choose from. Some insurance providers do not provide online price quotes and these small, regional companies work with independent agents.

Much more information about auto insurance in Massachusetts can be read on the website for the Massachusetts Division of Insurance located here. Massachusetts consumers can find disaster information, file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, and view agent and company licensing information.