It goes without saying that auto insurance companies want to keep you from comparing prices. People who shop around for cheaper price quotes are inclined to switch to a new company because there is a significant possibility of finding good coverage at a lower price. A recent auto insurance study revealed that people who make a habit of shopping around saved on average $3,500 over four years compared to policyholders who never compared prices.
If finding the best price on car insurance in Irvine is the reason for your visit, then having an understanding of how to compare cheaper coverage can help simplify the process.
If your goal is the lowest price, then the best way to save on Volvo V90 insurance in Irvine is to start doing a yearly price comparison from insurers who sell insurance in California.
- First, read and learn about what coverages are included in your policy and the changes you can make to prevent expensive coverage. Many risk factors that cause high rates like traffic violations and a less-than-favorable credit history can be amended by making lifestyle changes or driving safer. Later in this article we will cover additional ideas to help keep prices low and earn larger discounts.
- Second, compare rates from direct carriers, independent agents, and exclusive agents. Exclusive and direct companies can give quotes from one company like Progressive or Farmers Insurance, while agents who are independent can provide rate quotes from multiple sources.
- Third, compare the new rates to your existing coverage to determine if you can save on V90 insurance in Irvine. If you can save money and change companies, make sure there is no lapse in coverage.
- Fourth, notify your company or agent of your intention to cancel your current auto insurance policy. Submit a signed application and payment for the new policy. Immediately keep your new proof of insurance certificate in an easily accessible location in your vehicle.
An important bit of advice to remember is that you’ll want to make sure you compare the same physical damage deductibles and liability limits on each price quote and and to analyze every company you can. This ensures an apples-to-apples comparison and plenty of rates choose from.
If you’re already insured or need a new policy, use these techniques to get lower rates while maintaining coverages. The intent of this article is to familiarize you with the most effective ways to compare rates and also pocket some savings Smart shoppers just have to learn the proper way to get comparison quotes online from multiple companies.
Do you qualify for discounts on Volvo V90 insurance in Irvine?
Properly insuring your vehicles can get expensive, but companies offer discounts to help bring down the price. Some discounts will apply at the time of purchase, but occasionally some discounts must be asked for before they will apply.
- Anti-theft System – Cars equipped with tracking devices and advanced anti-theft systems are less likely to be stolen and therefore earn up to a 10% discount.
- Federal Government Employee – Employees or retirees of the government may reduce rates when you quote Irvine car insurance with select insurance companies.
- Driver Safety – Successfully completing a class that teaches defensive driver techniques is a good idea and can lower rates and make you a better driver.
- Drive Safe and Save – Drivers who don’t get into accidents may receive a discount up to 45% than less cautious drivers.
- Senior Citizen Discount – Mature drivers are able to get lower premium rates.
A little note about advertised discounts, most discounts do not apply to your bottom line cost. Most only cut the price of certain insurance coverages like comp or med pay. So even though they make it sound like adding up those discounts means a free policy, insurance companies aren’t that generous.
Some of the larger companies that may offer policyholders most of the discounts above include:
- GEICO
- Mercury Insurance
- Farmers Insurance
- Auto-Owners Insurance
- Liberty Mutual
- SAFECO
- Progressive
- USAA
When quoting, ask every company how you can save money. Some of the discounts discussed earlier may not apply to policies in Irvine.
Auto insurance coverages 101
Having a good grasp of your policy can be of help when determining appropriate coverage at the best deductibles and correct limits. The coverage terms in a policy can be ambiguous and even agents have difficulty translating policy wording.
Protection from uninsured/underinsured drivers
This coverage provides protection from other motorists when they do not carry enough liability coverage. Covered claims include medical payments for you and your occupants and also any damage incurred to your Volvo V90.
Because many people only purchase the least amount of liability that is required (which is 15/30/5), their limits can quickly be used up. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage is very important.
Comprehensive (Other than Collision)
This coverage will pay to fix damage from a wide range of events other than collision. You first have to pay a deductible and the remainder of the damage will be paid by comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive coverage protects against things like fire damage, damage from getting keyed, hail damage and hitting a deer. The maximum amount you’ll receive from a claim is the actual cash value, so if your deductible is as high as the vehicle’s value consider removing comprehensive coverage.
Liability coverages
This coverage will cover damage or injury you incur to people or other property. This insurance protects YOU from legal claims by others, and does not provide coverage for your injuries or vehicle damage.
It consists of three limits, bodily injury for each person, bodily injury for the entire accident, and a limit for property damage. As an example, you may have limits of 15/30/5 that means you have $15,000 in coverage for each person’s injuries, a per accident bodily injury limit of $30,000, and $5,000 of coverage for damaged property.
Liability can pay for claims such as medical services, structural damage, loss of income, pain and suffering and court costs. How much coverage you buy is up to you, but you should buy as high a limit as you can afford. California requires minimum liability limits of 15/30/5 but you should think about purchasing better liability coverage.
The chart below shows why low liability limits may not provide you with enough coverage.
Coverage for collisions
Collision coverage will pay to fix damage to your V90 from colliding with a stationary object or other vehicle. You have to pay a deductible then your collision coverage will kick in.
Collision insurance covers things such as colliding with another moving vehicle, colliding with a tree, damaging your car on a curb and rolling your car. Paying for collision coverage can be pricey, so consider removing coverage from vehicles that are 8 years or older. Another option is to raise the deductible on your V90 to get cheaper collision coverage.
Medical expense insurance
Medical payments and Personal Injury Protection insurance pay for short-term medical expenses for things like surgery, pain medications, prosthetic devices and funeral costs. They are often utilized in addition to your health insurance plan or if there is no health insurance coverage. Medical payments and PIP cover you and your occupants as well as any family member struck as a pedestrian. Personal Injury Protection is not universally available and may carry a deductible
Cheaper insurance premiums are out there
People switch companies for any number of reasons including questionable increases in premium, high prices, high rates after DUI convictions and lack of trust in their agent. It doesn’t matter why you want to switch choosing a new company is easier than you think.
When getting Irvine car insurance quotes online, make sure you don’t skimp on coverage in order to save money. There are too many instances where an insured dropped liability coverage limits only to regret that it was a big mistake. Your focus should be to buy a smart amount of coverage at the best price, but do not skimp to save money.
You just learned a lot of ways to save on Volvo V90 insurance in Irvine. The key thing to remember is the more companies you get car insurance rates for, the better your chances of lowering your car insurance rates. Drivers may even discover the lowest rates come from the least-expected company.
Additional information
- Prom Night Tips for Teen Drivers (State Farm)
- Who Has Cheap Car Insurance Quotes for Drivers with Bad Credit in Irvine? (FAQ)
- What Car Insurance is Cheapest for 19 Year Olds in Irvine? (FAQ)
- Collision Insurance Coverage (Nationwide)
- Side Impact Crash Tests (iihs.org)
- Smart Auto Insurance Tips (Insurance Information Institute)
- State Car Insurance Guides (GEICO)