Top 9 Ways You Can Buy Car Insurance for Less in Brunswick

If price shopping car insurance online is new to you, it’s easy to get overwhelmed because of the huge number of companies selling insurance in Brunswick.

It’s a good idea to check car insurance prices on a regular basis because insurance rates are adjusted regularly by insurance companies. Even if you think you had the best deal six months ago other companies may now be cheaper. Block out anything you think you know about car insurance because I’m going to let you in on the secrets to the things you must know in order to eliminate unnecessary coverages and save money.

Car Insurance Prices in Brunswick

There are a variety of methods to compare car insurance prices but some are easier and takes less work. You could spend the better part of a day discussing policy coverages with local insurance agents in Brunswick, or you can utilize the internet to maximize your effort.

Most car insurance companies take part in a program where insurance shoppers only type in their quote data once, and each participating company can provide price quotes based on that information. This prevents consumers from doing quote requests for each company.

To fill out one form to compare multiple rates now click here to start a free quote.

One minor caviat to doing it this way is you can’t choose the insurers to get pricing from. So if you prefer to pick specific insurance companies to request quotes from, we have a page of low cost car insurance companies in Maine. Click here for list of insurance companies in Maine.

Whichever way you use, ensure you’re using the exact same information for each comparison quote. If you have different liability limits you can’t possibly determine the best price in Brunswick.

These nine discounts can slash car insurance rates

Companies offering auto insurance don’t always advertise all their discounts very clearly, so we researched some of the best known and also the lesser-known savings tricks you should be using. If you’re not getting every credit possible, you’re just leaving money on the table.

• Anti-lock Brake Discount – Vehicles equipped with ABS or steering control are safer to drive and will save you 10% or more.
• Theft Prevention Discount – Vehicles with anti-theft systems help deter theft and will save you 10% or more.
• Lower Rates for Military – Being deployed with a military unit could mean lower rates.
• Clubs and Organizations – Affiliation with a professional or civic organization may earn a discount when buying car insurance.
• Passive Restraint Discount – Vehicles with factory air bags or motorized seat belts can receive discounts up to 30%.
• Employee of Federal Government – Active or retired federal employment may qualify you for a discount with select insurance companies.
• Multiple Policy Discount – If you insure your home and vehicles with one insurance company you may earn at least 10% off all policies.
• New Vehicle Savings – Adding a new car to your policy can be considerably cheaper because new vehicles have to meet stringent safety requirements.
• Claim Free – Claim-free drivers can earn big discounts when compared to drivers who are more careless.

Consumers should know that most discount credits are not given to the entire cost. Most only apply to the cost of specific coverages such as liability and collision coverage. So when it seems like you would end up receiving a 100% discount, companies don’t profit that way.

For a list of providers offering car insurance discounts in Brunswick, click this link.

More tips and info about car insurance is located at the Maine Bureau of Insurance website. Consumers can find out which companies have the most complaints, file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, get help finding coverage, and file complaints about a company.

Beware of misleading car insurance ads

Maine consumers get pounded daily by advertisements for cheaper car insurance by State Farm and Allstate. All the ads make the same claim that you’ll save big if you move to their company.

But how can every company make almost identical claims?

All the different companies have a preferred profile for the driver that earns them a profit. For example, a desirable insured might be over the age of 50, has no prior claims, and drives less than 10,000 miles a year. A customer who meets those qualifications will get the preferred rates and as a result will probably save quite a bit of money when switching.

Potential insureds who are not a match for these standards must pay more money and this can result in the driver buying from a lower-cost company. The ads state “people who switch” not “everyone that quotes” save money. That’s why companies can make the claims of big savings. This illustrates why you absolutely need to get quotes from several different companies. It’s not possible to predict which company will fit your personal profile best.

Information about specific coverages

Having a good grasp of a car insurance policy aids in choosing which coverages you need and proper limits and deductibles. Policy terminology can be difficult to understand and reading a policy is terribly boring.

Comprehensive coverage – This covers damage that is not covered by collision coverage. A deductible will apply then your comprehensive coverage will pay.

Comprehensive insurance covers things such as a broken windshield, damage from flooding, rock chips in glass and theft. The maximum amount your car insurance company will pay is the ACV or actual cash value, so if your deductible is as high as the vehicle’s value consider removing comprehensive coverage.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage – This coverage provides protection when the “other guys” either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. It can pay for injuries to you and your family as well as your vehicle’s damage.

Since many Maine drivers carry very low liability coverage limits (Maine limits are 50/100/25), their limits can quickly be used up. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is a good idea.

Collision coverages – This coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage caused by collision with a stationary object or other vehicle. A deductible applies and then insurance will cover the remainder.

Collision coverage pays for claims such as backing into a parked car, colliding with another moving vehicle and hitting a mailbox. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so consider dropping it from older vehicles. Another option is to increase the deductible to bring the cost down.

Medical payments coverage and PIP – Med pay and PIP coverage provide coverage for short-term medical expenses like dental work, nursing services, ambulance fees, chiropractic care and EMT expenses. They are often used to cover expenses not covered by your health insurance policy or if you are not covered by health insurance. They cover both the driver and occupants and will also cover if you are hit as a while walking down the street. PIP is not available in all states and gives slightly broader coverage than med pay

Liability insurance – This coverage will cover damage that occurs to other’s property or people by causing an accident. This insurance protects YOU from legal claims by others, and doesn’t cover damage to your own property or vehicle.

Split limit liability has three limits of coverage: bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident and property damage. You might see values of 50/100/50 that translate to $50,000 in coverage for each person’s injuries, a total of $100,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $50,000 of coverage for damaged propery.

Liability insurance covers things like attorney fees, court costs, emergency aid and legal defense fees. How much coverage you buy is a decision to put some thought into, but buy as high a limit as you can afford. Maine state minimum liability requirements are 50,000/100,000/25,000 but drivers should carry better liability coverage.

The best insurance company isn’t always the cheapest

Cheap car insurance can be bought both online and also from your neighborhood Brunswick agents, so you should compare both to get a complete price analysis. A few companies may not provide you the ability to get quotes online and these regional insurance providers work with independent agents.

Drivers leave their current company for a number of reasons such as policy cancellation, poor customer service, being labeled a high risk driver and even high rates after DUI convictions. Regardless of your reason, finding a great new company can be easy and end up saving you some money.

When you buy insurance online, it’s a bad idea to buy less coverage just to save a little money. There have been many situations where an insured dropped liability limits or collision coverage only to discover later that it was a big error on their part. The ultimate goal is to find the BEST coverage at an affordable rate while still protecting your assets.