Learn How to Pay Less for Greenbelt Car Insurance

Did you fall for a flashy sales pitch and buy an overpriced car insurance policy? Believe me, there are many Greenbelt consumers feeling the pinch from expensive car insurance. Because you have many car insurance companies to choose from, it can be diffult for consumers to locate the cheapest provider.

You should take the time to do rate comparisons occasionally since insurance rates change quite often. Even if you got the best price two years ago there may be better deals available now. Starting right now, block out anything you think you know about car insurance because you’re going to learn the tricks you need to know to find lower rates on car insurance.

Finding the lowest cost coverage in Greenbelt can be fairly easy. If you have insurance now or need a new policy, you can use this information to cut your premiums while maintaining coverages. Maryland vehicle owners only need an understanding of the proper way to shop online.

Take advantage of discounts

Car insurance is not cheap, but discounts can save money and there are some available that can drop the cost substantially. Most are applied when you quote, but less common discounts must be asked about before being credited. If you don’t get every credit available, you’re paying more than you need to.

• College Student – Kids in college who attend school more than 100 miles from home and do not have access to a covered vehicle can receive lower rates.
• Braking Control Discount – Vehicles with anti-lock braking systems can avoid accidents and will save you 10% or more.
• Drive Safe and Save – Insureds without accidents can get discounts for up to 45% lower rates than less cautious drivers.
• Claim Free – Claim-free drivers pay much less when compared to frequent claim filers.
• Passive Restraints – Cars that have air bags or motorized seat belts can get savings up to 30%.
• Defensive Driving Course – Taking a course teaching defensive driving skills can save you 5% or more if you qualify.
• Club Memberships – Affiliation with a professional or civic organization could qualify you for a break when buying car insurance.
• Anti-theft System – Cars that have factory anti-theft systems can help prevent theft and therefore earn up to a 10% discount.
• Discount for Swiching Early – Select companies give a discount for buying a policy prior to your current policy expiring. The savings is around 10%.

As a disclaimer on discounts, many deductions do not apply to the overall cost of the policy. Most only apply to specific coverage prices like liability, collision or medical payments. So when it seems like you could get a free car insurance policy, you won’t be that lucky. But any discount will help reduce your overall premium however.

To see a list of providers with discount car insurance rates in Maryland, click here.

Neighborhood insurance agents

Certain consumers would rather sit down with an agent and there is nothing wrong with that. Agents can help determine the best coverages and give you someone to call. The biggest benefit of price shopping on the web is you may find the best rates but also keep your business local. Buying from local businesses is important especially in Greenbelt.

To find an agent, once you fill out this simple form, the quote information is instantly submitted to participating agents in Greenbelt who will give you bids for your insurance coverage. There is no reason to drive around because quoted prices will be sent immediately to your email address. Now that’s easy!

Two types of insurance agencies

If you’re trying to find a reputable insurance agent or broker, there are a couple of different types of agents from which to choose. Agencies in Greenbelt are categorized either independent or captive. Both write coverage properly, but it’s good to learn the differences because it can influence the type of agent you choose

Independent Agents (or Brokers)

Independent agencies are not required to write business for one company but instead can place your coverage with multiple insurance companies and potentially find a lower price. To move your coverage to a new company, an independent agent can move your coverage and you won’t have to switch agencies.

When comparing rates, we recommend you get quotes from multiple independent agents for maximum quote selection.

Below is a short list of independent agencies in Greenbelt who can help you get competitive price quotes.

Nationwide Insurance – 8951 Edmonston Rd # 202 – Greenbelt, MD 20770 – (301) 474-4111
Clark Insurance – 7505 Greenway Center Dr # 3 – Greenbelt, MD 20770 – (301) 345-0103

Captive Agents

Captive insurance agents can only write with one company such as AAA, State Farm, Farmers Insurance and Allstate. These agents are unable to provide prices from multiple companies so they have to upsell other benefits. These agents receive extensive training on their company’s products which can be an advantage.

The following are captive insurance agents in Greenbelt who can help you get price quote information.

Allstate Insurance – 7865 Belle Point Dr – Greenbelt, MD 20770 – (301) 699-1212
State Farm Insurance – 7474 Greenway Center Dr # 500 – Greenbelt, MD 20770 – (301) 982-8600

To view a complete directory of Greenbelt captive insurance agents, visit this site.

Picking a car insurance agent should depend on more than just a cheap price. Ask your prospective agent these questions:

• How many years of experience in personal lines insurance coverages do they have?
• If your car is in the repair shop, do you have coverage for a rental car?
• What insurance company do they write the most business with?
• Are they able to influence company decisions when a claim is filed?
• Do the coverages you’re quoting properly cover your vehicle?
• What is the agency’s Better Business Bureau rating?
• Are there any discounts that you might be missing?

After getting answers to your satisfaction to all your questions and a good coverage price, you’ve probably found an insurance agent that will properly insure your vehicles.

Do drivers who switch really save?

Consumers in Maryland constantly see and hear ads for car insurance savings from the likes of Allstate and Progressive. They all make the same claim of big savings if you switch your coverage to them.

How do they all claim to save you money?

Different companies are able to cherry pick for the driver they prefer to insure. For instance, a driver they prefer might be between the ages of 40 and 55, has no prior claims, and drives less than 7,500 miles a year. Any new insured who meets those qualifications receives the best rates and most likely will save a lot of money.

Consumers who are not a match for this ideal profile will have to pay higher rates and ends up with the customer not buying. Company advertisements say “drivers who switch” not “people who quote” save that much money. That is how insurance companies can make those claims.

Because of the profiling, you absolutely need to compare many company’s rates. It’s impossible to know which car insurance company will provide you with the cheapest rates.

For more Maryland car insurance information

Much more information about car insurance in Maryland is available on the website for the Maryland Insurance Administration located here. Maryland drivers can report car insurance fraud, read industry bulletins, view agent and company licensing information, and download brochures.

Other useful links include FindNewCarInsurance.com and QuoteClickSave.com.

Summing up your car insurance search

Affordable car insurance can be sourced both online and also from your neighborhood Greenbelt agents, and you need to comparison shop both in order to have the best price selection to choose from. Some car insurance companies may not provide the ability to get a quote online and these smaller companies work with independent agents.

We covered a lot of ways to shop for car insurance online. The key thing to remember is the more you quote, the better your chances of lowering your rates. Consumers may even find the biggest savings come from some of the smallest insurance companies. These companies may cover specific market segments cheaper than their larger competitors like State Farm or Progressive.