Top 8 Tricks to Save on Auto Insurance in Searcy

Are you overwhelmed by the dozens of auto insurance options in Searcy? Many other consumers are too. Drivers have so many companies to choose from that it can quickly become a challenge to find lower rates.

If you currently have a car insurance policy, you will be able to save some money using this strategy. Buying affordable auto insurance in Searcy can be fairly easy. But Arkansas drivers should learn the way insurance companies sell insurance online because it can help you find the best coverage.

These eight discounts can lower your rates

Companies that sell car insurance don’t necessarily list every discount in a way that’s easy to find, so we took the time to find some of the best known and the harder-to-find savings tricks you should be using.

Good Student Discount – Getting good grades can save 20 to 25%. The good student discount can last up until you turn 25.
Passive Restraints – Vehicles with factory air bags can qualify for discounts of 20% or more.
Lower Rates for Military – Being on active duty in the military may qualify for rate reductions.
Drivers Ed for Students – Make teen driver coverage more affordable by requiring them to successfully complete driver’s ed class in school.
Braking Control Discount – Cars that have steering control and anti-lock brakes can reduce accidents and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
Accident Waiver – A handful of insurance companies will forgive one accident before your rates go up as long as you don’t have any claims for a particular time prior to the accident.
Use Seat Belts – Requiring all passengers to buckle their seat belts can save up to 15% off the personal injury premium cost.
Safe Driver Discount – Insureds without accidents can pay as much as 50% less than less cautious drivers.

Consumers should know that many deductions do not apply to your bottom line cost. Some only reduce individual premiums such as comp or med pay. So even though they make it sound like you can get free auto insurance, auto insurance companies aren’t that generous.

To choose insurance companies who offer auto insurance discounts in Arkansas, follow this link.

Aren’t my neighborhood agents an option?

Certain consumers just want to get advice from a local agent and there is nothing wrong with that. One of the best bonuses of comparing insurance prices online is you can get lower rates but still work with a licensed agent.

After completing this simple form, your insurance coverage information is immediately sent to local insurance agents who will battle for your insurance coverage. You never need to leave your computer due to the fact that quote results will go directly to your email. It’s the lowest rates AND an agent nearby.

Selecting an insurer should depend on more than just the premium amount. Ask your prospective agent these questions:

What are the financial ratings for the companies they represent?
If you are a high risk driver, do they have special markets for your coverage?
Does the agent have professional designations like CIC, CPCU or AIC?
What insurance company do they write the most business with?
How are claims handled?
Will their companies depreciate repairs to your car based on the mileage?
Can they give you a list of client referrals?
Can glass repairs be made at your home?

Insurance agents in Searcy come in two varieties

When searching for a good Searcy insurance agent, there are two types of agencies that differ in how they can insure your vehicles. Agents are either independent or captive.

Captive Insurance Agents

These agents can only place business with one company and some examples include State Farm, Allstate and AAA. They generally cannot shop your coverage around so always compare other rates. Captive agencies are trained well in insurance sales which can be an advantage. Some people will only purchase coverage from captives primarily because of loyalty to the company and strong financial ratings.

Below is a list of captive agents in Searcy willing to provide price quote information.

State Farm Insurance – 2990 E Moore Ave – Searcy, AR 72143 – (501) 268-1608
Shelter Insurance – 1709 W Center Ave – Searcy, AR 72143 – (501) 882-3348

Independent Agencies or Brokers

These agents do not work for one specific company but instead can place your coverage with many different companies enabling the ability to shop coverage around. To move your coverage to a new company, they simply move the coverage in-house and you don’t have to find a new agent. When shopping rates, it’s a good idea to get quotes from several independent insurance agents to have the most options to choose from. They often place coverage with smaller regional carriers who may have lower rates. auto insurance image

Listed below is a list of independent insurance agencies in Searcy that can give you rate quotes.

Haddix Agency – 2014 E Park Ave – Searcy, AR 72143 – (501) 268-8654
Jackson Agency – 1507 E Race Ave – Searcy, AR 72143 – (501) 268-1888
Southerland Insurance – 509 W Race Ave – Searcy, AR 72143 – (501) 268-7616
Jim Featherston Agency – 2150 E Race Ave – Searcy, AR 72143 – (501) 268-9811
Woodmen Of The World Insurance – 215 Western Hills Dr – Searcy, AR 72143 – (501) 305-3412

For a complete listing of licensed insurance agents in Searcy, click here to link.

After getting positive responses for all questions you ask and a good coverage price, it’s possible that you found a car insurance agent that meets your needs to service your policy. But keep in mind once you purchase a policy you can cancel coverage for any reason so never feel that you’re stuck with a specific agent for any length of time.

Auto insurance coverage options

Understanding the coverages of your policy aids in choosing the best coverages and the correct deductibles and limits. Auto insurance terms can be difficult to understand and even agents have difficulty translating policy wording.

Auto liability insurance

This coverage provides protection from damage or injury you incur to other’s property or people by causing an accident. Split limit liability has three limits of coverage: bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident and property damage. You commonly see values of 25/50/25 which means a limit of $25,000 per injured person, a limit of $50,000 in injury protection per accident, and $25,000 of coverage for damaged propery.

Liability coverage pays for claims like pain and suffering, medical services and repair bills for other people’s vehicles. How much coverage you buy is a decision to put some thought into, but consider buying as large an amount as possible. Arkansas requires drivers to carry at least 25,000/50,000/25,000 but you should think about purchasing better liability coverage.

Coverage for uninsured or underinsured drivers

This coverage gives you protection from other motorists when they either have no liability insurance or not enough. It can pay for hospital bills for your injuries and also any damage incurred to your vehicle.

Because many people only purchase the least amount of liability that is required (Arkansas limits are 25/50/25), their limits can quickly be used up. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage is very important.

Auto collision coverage

This pays for damage to your vehicle from colliding with another car or object. You have to pay a deductible and then insurance will cover the remainder.

Collision can pay for things like crashing into a building, crashing into a ditch, damaging your car on a curb, hitting a mailbox and rolling your car. Collision is rather expensive coverage, so consider removing coverage from older vehicles. It’s also possible to raise the deductible to save money on collision insurance.

Comprehensive auto insurance

Comprehensive insurance coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage caused by mother nature, theft, vandalism and other events. You first must pay your deductible and then insurance will cover the rest of the damage.

Comprehensive can pay for things such as damage from a tornado or hurricane, a broken windshield and a tree branch falling on your vehicle. The maximum amount you can receive from a comprehensive claim is the actual cash value, so if your deductible is as high as the vehicle’s value consider dropping full coverage.

Coverage for medical expenses

Med pay and PIP coverage reimburse you for bills for things like EMT expenses, rehabilitation expenses, funeral costs and nursing services. The coverages can be used to fill the gap from your health insurance plan or if you do not have health coverage. Medical payments and PIP cover you and your occupants and also covers if you are hit as a while walking down the street. Personal injury protection coverage is only offered in select states but can be used in place of medical payments coverage

More tips and info about auto insurance can be read at the Arkansas Insurance Department website. Arkansas consumers can find out which companies have the most complaints, learn about specific coverages, read consumer alerts, and view agent and company licensing information.

Other informative sites include this page for auto insurance in Arkansas and this link where you can get more info about Searcy coverage.

Cheaper insurance is a realistic goal

We just covered a lot of techniques to get a better price on auto insurance. The key thing to remember is the more times you quote, the higher your chance of finding lower rates. Drivers may discover the biggest savings come from a company that doesn’t do a lot of advertising.

Consumers switch companies for many reasons like delays in responding to claim requests, denial of a claim, unfair underwriting practices and not issuing a premium refund. It doesn’t matter why you want to switch finding the right auto insurance provider can be less work than you think.

As you shop your coverage around, it’s not a good idea to buy lower coverage limits just to save a few bucks. There are too many instances where an insured dropped uninsured motorist or liability limits and learned later that a couple dollars of savings turned into a financial nightmare. Your focus should be to get the best coverage possible for the lowest price while not skimping on critical coverages.