Top 10 Ways to Save on Car Insurance in Amherst

No one in their right mind enjoys paying for car insurance, especially when the cost is too high.

Because there are so many companies and agents to choose from, it can be impossible to pick the most affordable provider.

You should make it a habit to compare rates every six months due to the fact that insurance rates fluctuate regularly. Just because you had the best price on your last policy a different company probably has better rates today. So just forget all the misinformation about car insurance because we’re going to show you the things you must know in order to properly buy coverages and cut your premium.

Compare the Market for Car Insurance in Amherst

To find the best car insurance prices, there are several ways of comparing rate quotes from local in Amherstcar insurance companies. The fastest way to find the cheapest insurance rates is simply to get online rate quotes. It is quite easy and can be accomplished in just a few minutes using one of these methods.

The recommended way consumers can make multiple comparisons would be an industry-wide quote request form (click to open form in new window). This type of form eliminates the need for repetitive form submissions for every car insurance company. One form submission gets you price quotes from many national carriers.
Another way to obtain and compare quotes online is going to each company website to request a price quote. For examples sake, let’s assume you want to compare Progressive, Liberty Mutual and GEICO. You would have to visit each site to input your insurance information, which is why most consumers use the first method.
For a list of links to insurance companies in Amherst, click here.
The hardest way of getting rate comparisons to and from local Amherst insurance agencies. The ability to buy insurance online has reduced the need for local agents unless you require the professional guidance only provided by licensed Amherst agents. It is possible to price shop your coverage online and get advice from an agent in your area.

Which method you use is up to you, but make sure you use identical coverage limits for every quote you compare. If you are comparing different deductibles it’s not possible to determine the lowest rate in Amherst. Slightly different insurance coverages could mean much higher rates. And when comparing car insurance rates, know that getting more free quotes provides better odds of finding lower pricing.

Discounts can save BIG

Companies offering auto insurance don’t necessarily list every discount very clearly, so we took the time to find both well-publicized as well as the least known ways to save on car insurance.

Discount for Good Grades – Performing well in school can be rewarded with saving of up to 25%. The discount lasts well after school through age 25.
One Accident Forgiven – Certain companies will forgive one accident before your rates go up as long as you don’t have any claims for a set time period.
Club Memberships – Being a member of a professional or civic organization could trigger savings when buying car insurance.
Save over 55 – If you’re over the age of 55, you may qualify for a discount up to 10%.
Anti-lock Brake Discount – Vehicles with anti-lock braking systems prevent accidents and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
Homeowners Savings – Simply owning a home may earn you a small savings because of the fact that having a home requires personal responsibility.
Fewer Miles Equal More Savings – Keeping the miles down could be rewarded with better rates on cars that stay parked.
Military Discounts – Being on active duty in the military can result in better rates.
Auto/Life Discount – Companies who offer life insurance give lower rates if you buy life insurance.
Air Bag Discount – Cars that have air bags can qualify for discounts up to 30%.

Consumers should know that many deductions do not apply to your bottom line cost. Some only apply to specific coverage prices like collision or personal injury protection. So even though it sounds like adding up those discounts means a free policy, it just doesn’t work that way.

To choose insurance companies who offer car insurance discounts in Amherst, click here.

Your insurance agent down the street

Some people just want to get advice from a local agent and that is OK! The biggest benefit of comparing rates online is you can get the lowest rates and still have an agent to talk to.

To make it easy to find an agent, after completing this form (opens in new window), the quote information is transmitted to participating agents in Amherst who will battle to get your business. You won’t need to even leave your home as quotes are delivered to your email. Now that’s easy! You can find the lowest rates AND a local agent.

Deciding on an insurer requires more thought than just a cheap price. These are valid questions to ask:

Are glass claims handled on-site or do you have to take your vehicle to a repair shop?
Is the agency involved in supporting local community causes?
Which insurance companies are they affiliated with?
Does the agency have a good rating with the Better Business Bureau?
Do the companies they represent have a solid financial rating?
Are they properly licensed to sell insurance in New Hampshire?
Will you be dealing directly with the agent or with a Custom Service Representative (CSR)?

Captive and independent Amherst auto insurance agents

When finding a good insurance agency, you need to know there are two different types of agents to choose from. Agencies in Amherst are classified as either independent (non-captive) or captive.

Captive Insurance Agents

Captive agents are contracted to one company and some examples include Allstate, AAA, Liberty Mutual and State Farm. These agents are unable to shop your coverage around so they have no alternatives for high prices. Captive agencies are very knowledgeable on their products and sales techniques which helps them sell insurance even at higher premiums.

Below are captive insurance agents in Amherst who may provide you with comparison quotes.

State Farm Insurance – 391 State Route 101 – Amherst, NH 03031 – (603) 673-0221

Independent Agents

Independent agencies do not work for one specific company but instead can place your coverage with multiple insurance companies and potentially find a lower price. If you are not satisfied with one company, they simply move the coverage in-house and you don’t have to find a new agent. When comparison shopping, it’s recommended you include price quotes from at a minimum one independent agency for the best price selection. Car insurance in Amherst New Hampshire

Listed below is a list of independent agents in Amherst that can give you price quote information.

Insurance Information Bur Inc – 5 Northern Blvd – Amherst, NH 03031 – (603) 595-9550
Thompson Agency – 294 State Route 101 – Amherst, NH 03031 – (603) 732-0070
Beard Insurance – 8 Main St – Amherst, NH 03031 – (603) 673-7228

To view a full list of Amherst insurance agents, visit this site.

Upon getting answers to your satisfaction to your questions and a good coverage price, you have narrowed it down to an insurance agent that meets your needs to service your policy.

Don’t listen to company ads

Car insurance companies such as GEICO, State Farm and Progressive regularly use television and radio advertisements. They all seem to have a common claim of big savings if you move your policy. But how can every company make almost identical claims? It’s all in the numbers.

Different companies have a preferred profile for the type of driver that makes them money. For instance, a driver they prefer might be over the age of 50, insures multiple vehicles, and has excellent credit. Any new insured that hits that “sweet spot” will qualify for the lowest rates and most likely will save when switching.

Consumers who fall outside this ideal profile will be charged a higher premium and ends up with the customer not buying. Company advertisements say “people who switch” not “everyone that quotes” save that much. That is how insurance companies can claim big savings. That is why you need to get as many quotes as possible. It is impossible to predict which insurance companies will fit your personal profile best.

Auto insurance 101

Learning about specific coverages of a car insurance policy can be of help when determining the best coverages for your vehicles. The terms used in a policy can be ambiguous and nobody wants to actually read their policy. Below you’ll find the usual coverages offered by car insurance companies.

Auto liability insurance

This coverage protects you from damage or injury you incur to a person or their property by causing an accident. This coverage protects you from legal claims by others. Liability doesn’t cover your own vehicle damage or injuries.

Split limit liability has three limits of coverage: bodily injury for each person injured, bodily injury for the entire accident and a property damage limit. You commonly see values of 25/50/25 which stand for a limit of $25,000 per injured person, $50,000 for the entire accident, and $25,000 of coverage for damaged propery.

Liability insurance covers claims like pain and suffering, bail bonds, medical expenses and funeral expenses. How much liability should you purchase? That is a personal decision, but consider buying as large an amount as possible. New Hampshire state law requires minimum liability limits of 25,000/50,000/25,000 but it’s recommended drivers buy more liability than the minimum.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM)

This protects you and your vehicle’s occupants from other drivers when they are uninsured or don’t have enough coverage. It can pay for medical payments for you and your occupants and damage to your vehicle.

Since a lot of drivers only carry the minimum required liability limits (25/50/25 in New Hampshire), their liability coverage can quickly be exhausted. So UM/UIM coverage is very important.

Comprehensive insurance

This will pay to fix damage that is not covered by collision coverage. You first have to pay a deductible and then insurance will cover the rest of the damage.

Comprehensive insurance covers claims like rock chips in glass, hitting a bird, hitting a deer, hail damage and theft. The highest amount you’ll receive from a claim is the actual cash value, so if the vehicle’s value is low consider dropping full coverage.

Collision protection

This pays for damage to your vehicle resulting from a collision with another car or object. You first must pay a deductible then your collision coverage will kick in.

Collision can pay for claims such as sideswiping another vehicle, sustaining damage from a pot hole, crashing into a ditch, driving through your garage door and crashing into a building. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so consider removing coverage from older vehicles. It’s also possible to choose a higher deductible to save money on collision insurance.

Med pay and Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage provide coverage for short-term medical expenses for EMT expenses, prosthetic devices, chiropractic care, X-ray expenses and pain medications. They are often used to fill the gap from your health insurance policy or if you lack health insurance entirely. Coverage applies to not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants and will also cover being hit by a car walking across the street. PIP is not available in all states and gives slightly broader coverage than med pay

Final thoughts

You just read a lot of tips how to reduce car insurance prices online. The key concept to understand is the more providers you compare, the higher your chance of finding lower rates. Drivers may discover the lowest priced car insurance comes from the smaller companies. Smaller companies can often insure niche markets at a lower cost as compared to the big name companies such as State Farm, GEICO and Nationwide.

Budget-conscious car insurance is available online and also from your neighborhood Amherst agents, so you should compare both to have the best selection. Some car insurance companies may not provide online price quotes and most of the time these regional insurance providers sell through independent agents.

For more New Hampshire car insurance information

Additional detailed information is available at the New Hampshire Insurance Department website. Consumers can report car insurance fraud, file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, read state legal mandates and laws, and read enforcement actions against agents and companies.

The following information may also be useful.

How to Know Youre Spending Too Much for Auto Insurance in Amherst