Car Insurance in South Kingstown, RI – 8 Discounts You Might be Missing

Saving money on South Kingstown car insurance is nearly impossible for consumers new to shopping for insurance online. There are so many companies to choose from that it can be a real hassle to find lower rates in South Kingstown.

Consumers need to do rate comparisons once or twice a year because rates change frequently. Despite the fact that you may have had the lowest price a few years ago there is a good chance you can find better rates now. Don’t believe everything you read about car insurance on the internet, so by reading this article, you’re going to learn the best ways to buy car insurance cheaper.

Compare the Market for Car Insurance in South Kingstown, Rhode Island

Finding lower South Kingstown car insurance rates is actually quite simple. Just take time comparing rate quotes online from several insurance companies. It is quite easy and can be accomplished in just a few minutes using one of these methods.

1. The easiest and least time consuming way to find the lowest comparison rates is an all-inclusive rate comparison (click to open form in new window). This type of form prevents you from having to do repetitive form entry for each company. One form gets you coverage quotes instantly. It’s the fastest way to compare.
2. A less efficient way to obtain and compare quotes online is spending the time to visit the website for each individual company and fill out their own quote form. For example, let’s assume you want rates from Farmers, Safeco and State Farm. You would have to spend time on each company’s site and enter your information, which is why the first method is quicker. To view a list of companies in South Kingstown, click here.
3. The least recommended way of comparing rate quotes is driving around to and from local South Kingstown insurance agencies. Shopping for car insurance online can eliminate the need for a local agent unless you have a need for the professional guidance of a local South Kingstown agent. You can, however, find lower rates online but still have the advice of a local agent and we’ll talk about that later.

However you get your quotes, double check that you are using identical information on every quote. If you compare different limits and deductibles on each one it’s impossible to decipher which rate is best in South Kingstown.

Cut your premium with these eight discounts

The price of auto insurance can be rather high, but there could be available discounts that can drop the cost substantially. Some trigger automatically when you purchase, but lesser-known reductions have to be requested specifically before you will receive the discount. If you don’t get every credit you qualify for, you are paying more than you should be.

• Defensive Driving Course – Taking part in a course in driver safety could save 5% or more depending on where you live.
• Braking Control Discount – Vehicles equipped with ABS or steering control can reduce accidents and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
• Good Student Discount – Getting good grades can save 20 to 25%. The discount lasts up until you turn 25.
• Sign Early and Save – A few companies offer discounts for signing up before your current expiration date. It can save you around 10%.
• Paperwork-free – A few companies will discount your bill up to fifty bucks for buying your policy digitally online.
• More Vehicles More Savings – Having multiple cars or trucks on the same car insurance policy can get a discount on all vehicles.
• Drive Safe and Save – Insureds without accidents may save up to 50% more than less cautious drivers.
• Seat Belts Save more than Lives – Requiring all passengers to use their safety belts could save 15% off the personal injury premium cost.

Consumers should know that most discount credits are not given to all coverage premiums. Most only reduce individual premiums such as liability and collision coverage. So even though it sounds like you could get a free car insurance policy, companies wouldn’t make money that way. But all discounts will reduce your premiums.

For a list of insurance companies offering car insurance discounts in South Kingstown, follow this link.

Car insurance policy specifics

Having a good grasp of car insurance can help you determine the right coverages and the correct deductibles and limits. Policy terminology can be impossible to understand and reading a policy is terribly boring.

Liability coverages

This coverage will cover injuries or damage you cause to people or other property that is your fault. Coverage consists of three different limits, per person bodily injury, per accident bodily injury, and a property damage limit. You might see values of 100/300/100 which stand for a limit of $100,000 per injured person, a total of $300,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $100,000 of coverage for damaged propery. Occasionally you may see one number which is a combined single limit which combines the three limits into one amount rather than limiting it on a per person basis.

Liability coverage protects against claims such as medical services, structural damage, repair costs for stationary objects and court costs. How much liability should you purchase? That is up to you, but buy as large an amount as possible. Rhode Island state law requires minimum liability limits of 25,000/50,000/25,000 but it’s recommended drivers buy more coverage.

Comprehensive coverage (or Other than Collision)

This coverage covers damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. You need to pay your deductible first then your comprehensive coverage will pay.

Comprehensive coverage protects against claims such as hitting a bird, hitting a deer, damage from a tornado or hurricane and fire damage. The maximum amount you can receive from a comprehensive claim is the actual cash value, so if the vehicle is not worth much consider removing comprehensive coverage.

Uninsured Motorist or Underinsured Motorist insurance

Your UM/UIM coverage protects you and your vehicle’s occupants from other motorists when they either have no liability insurance or not enough. Covered losses include injuries sustained by your vehicle’s occupants and also any damage incurred to your vehicle.

Because many people only carry the minimum required liability limits (25/50/25), their limits can quickly be used up. For this reason, having high UM/UIM coverages is important protection for you and your family. Most of the time the UM/UIM limits do not exceed the liability coverage limits.

Collision coverage

Collision coverage pays for damage to your vehicle caused by collision with another car or object. A deductible applies then your collision coverage will kick in.

Collision coverage protects against claims like colliding with another moving vehicle, rolling your car, sideswiping another vehicle and damaging your car on a curb. Paying for collision coverage can be pricey, so you might think about dropping it from lower value vehicles. Drivers also have the option to increase the deductible to get cheaper collision coverage.

Insurance for medical payments

Medical payments and Personal Injury Protection insurance pay for short-term medical expenses for ambulance fees, doctor visits, EMT expenses and chiropractic care. The coverages can be used to fill the gap from your health insurance program or if you are not covered by health insurance. Coverage applies to all vehicle occupants and also covers any family member struck as a pedestrian. Personal Injury Protection is not available in all states but can be used in place of medical payments coverage

Additional car insurance information is available on the Rhode Island Division of Insurance Regulation website located here. Consumers can read enforcement actions against agents and companies, download brochures, report car insurance fraud, and learn about insurance regulations.