Tightwads Instructions on Saving on Hickory, NC Auto Insurance

Searching for the most affordable Hickory auto insurance on the internet can be somewhat difficult for people who are new to buying insurance online. Since there are so many online companies, how can anyone even start to compare every one to find the cheapest available price?

It is always a good idea to shop coverage around every six months because insurance rates trend upward over time. Even if you got the lowest rates on your last policy you may be paying too much now. There is a lot of wrong information about auto insurance on the internet, so we’re going to give you some excellent ideas to save money.

How to Compare Auto Insurance in Hickory

Finding a lower price on insurance is actually quite simple. Just spend a little time to compare rate quotes online with multiple companies. This can be done in a couple of different ways.

The most efficient way to get the best comparison quotes is a comparison rater form (click to open form in new window). This easy form eliminates the need for separate forms to each individual auto insurance company. Just one form gets rate comparisons . Just one form and you’re done.

A slightly less efficient method to analyze rates is going to each company’s website to complete a price quote. For sake of this example, let’s assume you want rates from Nationwide, Esurance and Liberty Mutual. To get rate quotes you would need to visit each site and enter your policy data, and that’s why the first method is more popular.

For a list of links to companies insuring cars in Hickory, click here.

The most time-consuming way to compare rates is to drive around to insurance agents’ offices. Shopping for auto insurance online eliminates the need for an insurance agent unless you require the trained guidance of a local Hickory agent. Drivers can price shop your coverage online and still use a local agent and you’ll learn how to do that later.

Which method you use is up to you, but make darn sure you compare apples-to-apples coverage information for every company. If you enter different limits and deductibles on each one it will be next to impossible to decipher which rate is best in Hickory.

Don’t overlook these discounts

Companies don’t always advertise every available discount in a way that’s easy to find, so we took the time to find both the well known and the harder-to-find auto insurance savings. If you aren’t receiving every discount you qualify for, you are paying more than you should be.

Student in College – Children who live away from home without a vehicle on campus may be able to be covered for less.
Multiple Cars – Insuring all your vehicles on one policy qualifies for this discount.
Auto/Life Discount – Larger companies have a break if you buy auto and life insurance together.
Anti-theft System – Vehicles with anti-theft systems help deter theft and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
Accident Forgiveness – A handful of insurance companies will forgive one accident before hitting you with a surcharge if your claims history is clear prior to the accident.

A little note about advertised discounts, most of the big mark downs will not be given to the entire policy premium. The majority will only reduce specific coverage prices like comp or med pay. Even though it may seem like you can get free auto insurance, companies wouldn’t make money that way.

To see a list of providers offering auto insurance discounts in Hickory, click here. insurance quote Hickory NC

Comparing rates from local agents

Some people just want to buy from a licensed agent and that is a personal choice. Licensed agents can point out coverage gaps and help submit paperwork. One of the great benefits of getting online price quotes is you may find the best rates but also keep your business local.

To make it easy to find an agent, after completing this form (opens in new window), your coverage information is transmitted to agents in your area who will compete for your business. There is no need to even leave your home because quoted prices will be sent to the email address you provide. How cool is that?!

Choosing an insurance company should depend on more than just a cheap price. Here are some questions to ask:

Are claims handled at the agent’s location?
Who are their largest clients?
Is the agent and/or agency licensed to do business in North Carolina?
Will you be dealing directly with the agent or with a Custom Service Representative (CSR)?
What insurance company do they write the most business with?
If you have an accident, will your rates go up?
Do they assist clients in filing claims?
Do the companies they represent have a solid financial rating?

Multiple types of car insurance agents in Hickory

If you’re trying to find a reliable agent, there are two types of agencies from which to choose. Agents are either captive or independent. Both types can properly insure your vehicles, but it’s worth learning how they differ since it can impact the type of agent you choose

Captive Insurance Agents

Captive agencies have only one company to place business with such as State Farm, AAA and Liberty Mutual. They usually cannot provide prices from multiple companies so they have no alternatives for high prices. Captive agencies are usually quite knowledgeable on their products and sales techniques which helps them sell insurance even at higher premiums. Some people will only buy from captive agents partially due to high brand loyalty and the convenience of having a single billing for all their coverages.

Below is a short list of captive insurance agents in Hickory that are able to give price quotes.

Allstate Insurance – 324 Us Highway 70 SW – Hickory, NC 28602 – (828) 328-1787
State Farm Insurance – 1843 N Center St – Hickory, NC 28601 – (828) 322-5710

Independent Insurance Agents

Independent agents are not employed by any specific company but rather can write business with lots of companies enabling the ability to shop coverage around. To transfer your coverage to a different company, they simply move the coverage in-house and you won’t have to switch agencies. When comparison shopping, you should always contact at a minimum one independent agency to have the most options to choose from. Most have the option of insuring with different regional companies who may have lower rates.

Listed below are Hickory independent agents that can give you rate quotes.

First Security Insurance – 207 Main Ave NE – Hickory, NC 28601 – (704) 465-3291
Jeannie Pierce Insurance – 921 21st Ave NE – Hickory, NC 28601 – (828) 328-8472
Direct General Ins Agency – 332 Us Highway 70 SW – Hickory, NC 28602 – (828) 322-7002

For a complete listing of Hickory insurance agents, please go to this site.

After receiving reasonable responses to any questions you have and an affordable coverage quote, you have narrowed it down to an insurance agent that will provide auto insurance coverage.

Additional detailed information is available at the North Carolina Department of Insurance website. Consumers can read enforcement actions against agents and companies, view agent and company licensing information, and discover disciplinary actions.

And the best car insurance company is…

Drivers switch companies for a variety of reasons including denial of a claim, poor customer service, high rates after DUI convictions or not issuing a premium refund. Regardless of your reason, choosing a new insurance company is less work than it seems.

We just presented some good ideas how to get a better price on auto insurance. The key concept to understand is the more providers you compare, the better likelihood of reducing your rate. You may even find the biggest savings come from some of the smallest insurance companies.

As you prepare to switch companies, it’s not a good idea to buy poor coverage just to save money. In many cases, an insured cut full coverage and discovered at claim time that it was a big error on their part. Your strategy should be to find the BEST coverage at an affordable rate, not the least amount of coverage.