Free Guide to Cutting Costs on Independence Missouri Car Insurance Online

Shopping online for Independence car insurance can seem like an uphill battle if you’ve never compared online quoting. But don’t let that discourage you because using the internet to shop for car insurance is actually quite easy.

Consumers should take time to compare prices at least once a year since rates tend to go up over time. Despite the fact that you may have had the best deal six months ago there may be better deals available now. So ignore everything you know about car insurance because you’re going to learn how to use online quotes to lower your annual insurance bill.

How to Get Independence Car Insurance Comparison Quotes

There are multiple methods to compare car insurance quotes, and some are easier and takes less work. You can waste hours talking about coverages with insurance agencies in Independence, or you can utilize the web to get rates in a matter of minutes.

Many popular insurance companies participate in an industry program where prospective buyers send in one quote, and every company provides a quote for coverage. This eliminates the need for quote forms to each individual car insurance company.

To access this free quoting program, click here (opens in new window).

One minor caviat to pricing coverage this way is you can’t choose the companies to get pricing from. So if you prefer to choose specific insurance companies to compare rates, we have a listing of low cost car insurance companies in Missouri. Click here for list of insurance companies in Missouri.

It’s your choice how you get your quotes, but be sure to compare identical quote information for each price quote. If the quotes have different values for each quote it will be impossible to determine the best price in Independence.

Don’t believe everything you hear

Missouri drivers constantly see and hear ads for cheaper car insurance from companies such as State Farm, Allstate and GEICO. They all say the same thing of big savings after switching your policy.

How does each company say the same thing? It’s all in the numbers.

Different companies have a certain “appetite” for the right customer that is profitable for them. A good example of a profitable customer could be over the age of 50, is a homeowner, and drives newer vehicles. A driver that hits that “sweet spot” gets the lowest rates and is almost guaranteed to save quite a bit of money when switching.

Drivers who are not a match for this ideal profile must pay a more expensive rate which leads to business not being written. Company advertisements say “customers that switch” not “everybody who quotes” save that much money. That’s the way insurance companies can confidently claim big savings.

This illustrates why drivers must get as many quotes as possible. You cannot predict which car insurance company will give you the biggest savings.

Why you might pay higher rates in Independence

An important part of buying insurance is that you know the rating factors that help determine car insurance rates. When you know what positively or negatively determines base rates empowers consumers to make smart changes that could result in big savings. Missouri car insurance prices

The following are a few of the “ingredients” used by your company to calculate premiums.

Your car insurance rates can be influenced by your job – Did you know that where you work can have an impact on rates? Occupations such as judges, social workers and financial analysts tend to have higher average rates in part from high stress levels and lengthy work days. Conversely, professions such as farmers, engineers and homemakers receive lower rates.
Your location affects your rates – Choosing to live in less populated areas can be a good thing when buying car insurance. Fewer drivers means fewer accidents. Drivers in populated Missouri areas tend to have much more traffic to deal with and longer commute times. Longer commute distances means more change of being in an accident.
Adjust deductibles and save – Physical damage coverage, otherwise known as comp (or other than collision) and collision, protects your car from damage. A few examples of covered claims could be running into the backend of another car, collision with an animal, and burglary. Deductibles for physical damage are the amount of money you are required to spend in the event of a claim. The more expense you have to pay, the less your car insurance will be.
Frequent car insurance claims increase rates – Auto insurance companies in Missouri generally give cheaper rates to policyholders who are claim-free. If you frequently file small claims, you can definitely plan on either higher rates or even cancellation. Your insurance policy is designed for the large, substantial claims.
Safer cars cost less to insure – Vehicles with good safety scores are cheaper to insure. The safest vehicles have better occupant injury protection and fewer injuries means lower claim amounts and thus lower rates.
Do you qualify for a multi-policy discount? – Some car insurance companies provide better rates to policyholders who consolidate policies with them, otherwise known as a multi-policy discount. Even if you’re getting this discount you may still want to compare other company rates to verify if the discount is saving money. Drivers may still find better rates by insuring with multiple companies.
Do you have enough liability coverage? – Liability insurance is the coverage that protects you in the event that a court rules you are at fault for damages from an accident. Liability insurance provides legal defense coverage up to the limits shown on your policy. Liability is cheap compared to physical damage coverage, so do not skimp.

These discounts can lower your rates

Car insurance is not cheap, but you can get discounts to reduce the price significantly. Larger premium reductions will be automatically applied at quote time, but a few must be asked about prior to receiving the credit. If you don’t get every credit you deserve, you are throwing money away.

No Claims – Claim-free drivers pay less compared to frequent claim filers.
Drive Safe and Save – Safe drivers may save up to 50% more than drivers with accidents.
Theft Prevention System – Vehicles equipped with anti-theft or alarm systems prevent vehicle theft and earn discounts up to 10%.
Anti-lock Brake System – Cars that have steering control and anti-lock brakes prevent accidents and earn discounts up to 10%.
Paperless Signup – Some insurance companies will give a small break for buying a policy and signing up digitally online.
Federal Government Employee – Simply working for the federal government could cut as much as 10% off with a few car insurance companies.
Use Seat Belts – Requiring all passengers to wear their seat belts can save up to 15% off the personal injury premium cost.
Early Switch Discount – A few companies offer discounts for switching to them prior to your current policy expiration. It’s a savings of about 10%.
Good Students Pay Less – A discount for being a good student can get you a discount of up to 25%. This discount can apply up until you turn 25.
Auto/Home Discount – If you have multiple policies with one insurance company you may save up to 20% off your total premium.

A little note about advertised discounts, many deductions do not apply to the overall cost of the policy. A few only apply to specific coverage prices like medical payments or collision. So when it seems like you could get a free car insurance policy, car insurance companies aren’t that generous. But all discounts will help reduce the cost of coverage.

Situations that might require an agent

When choosing coverage for your personal vehicles, there really is no cookie cutter policy. Coverage needs to be tailored to your specific needs.

For example, these questions can help discover if you would benefit from professional advice.

Do I need rental car coverage?
Why am I be forced to buy a membership to get insurance from some companies?
Is my vehicle covered for flood damage?
When would I need additional glass coverage?
Will my vehicle be repaired with OEM or aftermarket parts?
Can I afford to pay high deductible claims out of pocket?
Do I qualify for additional discounts?
Do I need roadside assistance coverage?
Why am I required to get a high-risk car insurance policy?

If it’s difficult to answer those questions but you think they might apply to your situation then you might want to talk to a licensed insurance agent. If you don’t have a local agent, fill out this quick form. It’s fast, free and you can get the answers you need.

What happened to insurance agents?

Some people just want to talk to a local agent and that is a personal choice. Insurance agents can point out coverage gaps and help you file claims. The biggest benefit of comparing rates online is you may find the lowest rates and still have an agent to talk to. And supporting local agencies is especially important in Independence.

To make it easy to find an agent, after completing this form (opens in new window), the quote information gets sent to local insurance agents in Independence who will give you bids for your business. There is no reason to even leave your home since price quotes are sent to your email. It doesn’t get any easier!

Captive or Independent: There is a difference

When researching a reliable agent, you must know there are a couple types of insurance agents that you can select. Agents can either be independent (non-captive) or captive. While both can write coverage properly, but it’s important to know the difference between them because it can influence your selection of an agent.

Independent Insurance Agents

Independent agencies are not required to write business for one company so they have the ability to put coverage with many different companies and possibly get better coverage at lower prices. To move your coverage to a new company, your agent can switch companies without you having to go to a different agency. When comparing rates, it’s a good idea to get quotes from at least one independent agent to have the most options to choose from. They often place coverage with smaller companies which may provide better rates.

The following are Independence independent agents who can help you get pricing information.

Doug Smith Agency – 4014 S Lynn Court Dr # B – Independence, MO 64055 – (816) 478-6667
Action Auto Insurance – 10221 E Us Highway 24 – Independence, MO 64053 – (816) 461-3888
Brent Lilly Agency Inc – 3720 Arrowhead Ave # 101 – Independence, MO 64057 – (816) 795-9945
Direct General Ins Agency – 4540 S Noland Rd – Independence, MO 64055 – (816) 350-8765
Safeway Insurance – 11030 E 40 Hwy – Independence, MO 64055 – (816) 313-7500

Agency Captives

Captive agents write business for a single company such as Liberty Mutual, State Farm, Allstate and AAA. They generally cannot shop your coverage around so always compare other rates. Captive agents are usually quite knowledgeable in insurance sales which helps them compete with independent agents. Consumers frequently purchase coverage from captives partially due to high brand loyalty and the convenience of having all coverages with one company.

The following is a short list of captive insurance agencies in Independence who can help you get comparison quotes.

Farmers Insurance Group – 1420 W Lexington Ave – Independence, MO 64052 – (816) 254-3939
Shelter Insurance – 9306 E Us Highway 40 # A – Independence, MO 64055 – (816) 356-1336
Allstate Insurance – 2900 S State Route 291 – Independence, MO 64057 – (816) 478-0055
State Farm Insurance – 2866 S State Route 291 # E – Independence, MO 64057 – (816) 373-0434
American Family Insurance – 4014 S Lynn Court Dr # B – Independence, MO 64055 – (816) 478-1115
Farm Bureau Insurance – 2112 S State Route 291 # B – Independence, MO 64057 – (816) 833-4440

For a full directory of car insurance agents in Independence, visit this site.

Choosing an insurance agency requires more thought than just a low price. Some important questions to ask are:

Do they have advanced training designations such as CPCU, AAI, AIC, or CIC?
What insurance company do they write the most business with?
Does the agency support the community they serve?
If your car is in the repair shop, do you have coverage for a rental car?
Is assistance available after office hours?
Are claim adjusters local or do you have to take your car somewhere else?

After getting good answers to any questions you have in addition to an acceptable price estimate, chances are good that you have found an insurance agency that will insure your vehicles.

In the end, you save

As you prepare to switch companies, don’t be tempted to buy less coverage just to save a little money. Too many times, an insured dropped collision coverage only to discover later that saving that couple of dollars actually costed them tens of thousands. The ultimate goal is to purchase plenty of coverage at the best price while not skimping on critical coverages.

Drivers switch companies for a variety of reasons including delays in paying claims, delays in responding to claim requests, unfair underwriting practices or poor customer service. Whatever your reason, finding the right car insurance provider is less work than it seems.

Low-cost car insurance is attainable on the web in addition to many Independence insurance agents, and you need to comparison shop both to have the best selection. Some companies do not provide the ability to get a quote online and usually these regional insurance providers provide coverage only through local independent agents.

To learn more about car insurance in Missouri

Additional information can be read on the Missouri Department of Insurance website found here. Consumers can download brochures, find a variety of consumer forms, and get help finding coverage.