Are you overwhelmed by the dozens of auto insurance options in Springdale? You’re not alone. People have so many options that it can be a real challenge to compare prices.
Getting a cheaper price on insurance can be surprisingly simple. Drivers just need to invest a little time to get quotes provided by online insurance companies. This can be accomplished in several different ways.
The most efficient way consumers can make multiple comparisons is an all-inclusive rate comparison (click to open form in new window). This easy form eliminates the need for separate forms for each company you want a rate for. One quote request will get you rate comparisons from several companies. It’s the fastest way to compare.
Another way to get quotes online requires visiting the website for every company you want to comare and complete a new quote form. For sake of this example, we’ll pretend you want comparison quotes from Auto-Owners, Liberty Mutual and Allstate. To find out each rate you need to take the time to go to each site to input your insurance information, and that’s why the first method is more popular. For a list of links to companies insuring cars in Springdale, click here.
The least recommended method to get comparison rates is driving to and from local Springdale insurance agencies. The internet eliminates the need for an insurance agent unless you require the professional advice only provided by licensed Springdale agents. You can, however, compare online quotes but still have the advice of a local agent and we’ll touch on that later.
It doesn’t matter which method you choose, just ensure you’re using apples-to-apples deductibles and coverage limits on every quote you get. If your comparisons have unequal deductibles or liability limits it’s impossible to determine the lowest rate in Springdale.
Insuring your fleet can be pricey, but discounts can save money and there are some available to help offset the cost. Certain discounts will be triggered automatically at the time you complete a quote, but some may not be applied and must be inquired about in order for you to get them. If you’re not getting every credit possible, you’re paying more than you need to.
It’s important to understand that most of the big mark downs will not be given to all coverage premiums. Most only apply to specific coverage prices like physical damage coverage or medical payments. So even though they make it sound like all the discounts add up to a free policy, auto insurance companies aren’t that generous. But all discounts will help reduce your overall premium however.
Some consumers just want to visit with an insurance agent and that is just fine! Agents are trained to spot inefficiencies and help in the event of a claim. One of the great benefits of comparing rates online is that you can obtain better rates but also keep your business local. Supporting small agencies is important particularly in Springdale.
Upon completion of this short form, your insurance data is submitted to insurance agents in Springdale who will compete for your business. You never need to leave your house as quotes are delivered directly to your email. Now that’s easy!
When researching local Springdale agents, you must know there are a couple types of insurance agents from which to choose. Agencies in Springdale are either independent (non-captive) or captive. While both can insure your vehicles, but it’s important to know how they are different because it can influence your selection of an agent.
Independent insurance agents are not required to write business for one 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 don’t have to find a new agent.
When searching for an agent, it’s recommended you include at least one independent agent to have the most options to choose from.Many can place coverage with different regional companies which may provide better rates.
Shown below is a short list of independent insurance agencies in Springdale who can help you get pricing information.
This type of agents can only write with one company such as State Farm or Allstate. They generally cannot shop your coverage around so they are skilled at selling on more than just price. Captive agents are usually quite knowledgeable on their products and sales techniques and that can be a competitive advantage. Some people will only buy insurance from these agents partially due to the brand legacy and solid financial strength.
Shown below is a list of captive agents in Springdale who can help you get rate quotes.
For a full directory of auto insurance agents in Springdale, visit this link.
Deciding on an auto insurance agent should depend on more than just a low price. These are valid questions to ask:
Upon receiving satisfactory answers for all questions you ask in addition to an acceptable price estimate, most likely you have located a car insurance agent that can properly insure your vehicles.
Having a good grasp of your policy aids in choosing which coverages you need and the correct deductibles and limits. Auto insurance terms can be impossible to understand and coverage can change by endorsement.
Comprehensive insurance
This coverage pays for damage that is not covered by collision coverage. A deductible will apply and the remainder of the damage will be paid by comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive can pay for claims such as damage from getting keyed, theft, damage from flooding, hitting a bird and rock chips in glass. The maximum amount you can receive from a comprehensive claim is the ACV or actual cash value, so if the vehicle is not worth much it’s not worth carrying full coverage.
Collision insurance
Collision insurance will pay to fix damage to your vehicle from colliding with another vehicle or an object, but not an animal. You have to pay a deductible then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.
Collision coverage protects against things like driving through your garage door, scraping a guard rail, damaging your car on a curb and crashing into a building. Collision is rather expensive coverage, so analyze the benefit of dropping coverage from vehicles that are older. Drivers also have the option to raise the deductible in order to get cheaper collision rates.
Med pay and Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage pay for immediate expenses such as rehabilitation expenses, X-ray expenses, doctor visits, funeral costs and dental work. They are utilized in addition to your health insurance policy or if you lack health insurance entirely. It covers both the driver and occupants and will also cover being hit by a car walking across the street. Personal Injury Protection is not universally available but it provides additional coverages not offered by medical payments coverage
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM)
Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage provides protection when the “other guys” either have no liability insurance or not enough. Covered claims include injuries to you and your family and also any damage incurred to your vehicle.
Since a lot of drivers carry very low liability coverage limits (which is 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 very important. Usually these limits do not exceed the liability coverage limits.
Auto liability insurance
This will cover damage that occurs to a person or their property in an accident. This coverage protects you from claims by other people. It does not cover your own vehicle damage or injuries.
It consists of three limits, bodily injury for each person injured, bodily injury for the entire accident and a property damage limit. You might see liability limits of 100/300/100 that means you have $100,000 bodily injury coverage, a total of $300,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and a total limit of $100,000 for damage to vehicles and property. Occasionally you may see one number which is a combined single limit which provides one coverage limit rather than limiting it on a per person basis.
Liability insurance covers things like funeral expenses, emergency aid and medical expenses. How much liability should you purchase? That is a personal decision, but buy as much as you can afford. Arkansas requires minimum liability limits of 25,000/50,000/25,000 but you should consider buying more liability than the minimum.
Budget-conscious auto insurance is attainable on the web as well as from independent agents in Springdale, and you should be comparing both so you have a total pricing picture. Some companies don’t offer the ability to get a quote online and these small insurance companies work with independent agents.
We covered some good ideas how to reduce auto insurance prices online. The most important thing to understand is the more companies you get rates for, the higher the chance of saving money. You may even discover the most savings is with some of the smallest insurance companies.
Consumers change insurance companies for a number of reasons such as denial of a claim, extreme rates for teen drivers, high prices or delays in responding to claim requests. No matter why you want to switch, finding the right auto insurance provider is less work than it seems.
Additional information can be found on the Arkansas Insurance Department website located here. Visitors are able to view agent and company licensing information, find a variety of consumer forms, and file complaints about a company.