It’s an obvious statement that auto insurance companies want to keep you from comparing prices. Consumers who do rate comparisons are inclined to buy a different policy because the odds are good of finding better rates. A recent auto insurance study discovered that consumers who faithfully checked for cheaper rates saved on average $3,500 over four years as compared to drivers who never shopped for cheaper rates.
If finding discount rates on auto insurance is your goal, knowing how to shop and compare insurance rates can make it easier to shop your coverage around.
It takes a little time, but the best way to get low-cost car insurance rates is to compare quotes once a year from insurers in Irvine.
First, try to comprehend how insurance works and the measures you can take to prevent expensive coverage. Many rating factors that cause high rates such as traffic violations and a negative credit score can be controlled by making minor changes to your lifestyle. This article provides more details to get low prices and find missing discounts.
Second, quote rates from direct, independent, and exclusive agents. Exclusive and direct companies can provide rates from one company like Progressive or Farmers Insurance, while agents who are independent can provide price quotes from many different companies.
Third, compare the quotes to your current policy premium to see if a cheaper price is available in Irvine. If you find better rates and decide to switch, make sure there is no lapse in coverage.
The critical component of shopping around is that you use the same deductibles and limits on each price quote and and to get rate quotes from as many companies as possible. This provides a fair rate comparison and many rates to choose from.
Do you qualify for discounts on Lincoln Continental insurance in Irvine?
Companies offering auto insurance don’t always list every discount in a way that’s easy to find, so the below list has both the well known and the more hidden credits that you can use to lower your rates.
- Student Discount for Driver Training – Teen drivers should complete a driver education course if it’s offered in school.
- Anti-theft Discount – Cars, trucks, and SUVs optioned with advanced anti-theft systems can help prevent theft and will save you 10% or more on Continental insurance in Irvine.
- Multi-line Discount – Select auto insurance companies reward you with lower rates if you buy some life insurance in addition to your auto policy.
- Anti-lock Brake Discount – Cars, trucks, and SUVs that have anti-lock braking systems are much safer to drive and will save you 10% or more on Continental insurance in Irvine.
- Lower Rates for Military – Having an actively deployed family member may lower your rates slightly.
We need to note that some credits don’t apply to the entire cost. A few only apply to the cost of specific coverages such as physical damage coverage or medical payments. Despite the fact that it seems like all those discounts means the company will pay you, it doesn’t quite work that way.
A few companies that may offer some of the above discounts include:
Check with each company or agent which discounts you may be entitled to. Savings may not apply to policies in your area.
Finding a lower price on Lincoln Continental insurance is not a difficult process. Consumers just need to spend a few minutes on the computer comparing free Irvine car insurance quotes online from several insurance companies.
It’s so simple to compare insurance rate quotes online makes it obsolete to waste gas driving to different Irvine agent offices. Doing it all online has reduced the need for local agents unless you’re the type of person who wants the advice and guidance that only an agent can give. Although you can comparison shop your insurance online but have a local agent actually write the policy.
The providers in the list below are our best choices to provide price comparisons in California. To get the best car insurance in Irvine, CA, it’s a good idea that you compare several of them to find the cheapest car insurance rates.
When in doubt talk to an agent
When it comes to buying the best auto insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there really is no “perfect” insurance plan. Your financial needs are unique.
Here are some questions about coverages that may help you determine if your situation might need professional guidance.
- Are my custom wheels covered?
- Is my business laptop covered if it gets stolen from my vehicle?
- Which companies are cheaper for teen drivers?
- Should I rate my vehicle as business use?
- Is water damage covered by my policy?
- What is medical payments coverage?
If you’re not sure about those questions but you think they might apply to your situation, you may need to chat with an insurance agent. If you don’t have a local agent, complete this form. It is quick, free and can help protect your family.
Local Irvine car insurance agents
Certain consumers just want to have an agent’s advice and that is recommended in a lot of cases Experienced insurance agents can point out coverage gaps and help in the event of a claim. The biggest benefit of comparing rates online is you can get cheap insurance quotes and still buy from a local agent. Supporting local agencies is definitely important in Irvine.
By using this short form, your insurance coverage information is emailed to agents in your area that give free quotes and help you find cheaper coverage. You won’t even need to search for an agent since rate quotes are delivered immediately to your email address. In the event you want to quote rates for a specific company, don’t hesitate to visit that company’s website and give them your coverage information.
Two types of Irvine auto insurance agents
When researching a local Irvine insurance agency, it’s helpful to know the types of agencies to choose from. Irvine agents are considered either exclusive agents or independent agents. Either one can sell and service insurance coverage, but it is important to understand the difference between them since it may influence the selection process.
Independent Agents (or Brokers)
Agents of this type do not write with just one company so they can insure your vehicles through lots of different companies and possibly get better coverage at lower prices. If your agent finds better pricing, they can switch companies in-house which requires no work on your part. When shopping rates, it’s recommended you get some free quotes from multiple independent agents to get the most accurate price comparison.
Featured below is a list of independent insurance agents in Irvine who may provide comparison quotes.
Journey Insurance
9541 Irvine Center Dr – Irvine, CA 92618 – (888) 323-7480 – View Map
First American Property and Casualty Insurance Agency, Inc.
24 Executive Park Suite 250 – Irvine, CA 92614 – (888) 546-5118 – View Map
AIS | Auto Insurance Specialists | Irvine
16969 Von Karman Ave #100 – Irvine, CA 92606 – (949) 660-7061 – View Map
Exclusive Agencies
Agents in the exclusive channel normally can only provide a single company’s rates and examples are State Farm, Allstate, or Farmers Insurance. These agents are not able to give you multiple price quotes so you need to shop around if the rates are high. Exclusive agents receive extensive training in insurance sales which helps offset the inability to provide other markets.
Listed below are exclusive agencies in Irvine willing to provide rate quotes.
Mike McCain – State Farm Insurance Agent
1442 Irvine Blvd #204 – Tustin, CA 92780 – (714) 734-8300 – View Map
State Farm: Jane Lee
30 Corporate Park – Irvine, CA 92606 – (949) 223-5020 – View Map
Allstate Insurance: Kay Yang
4255 Campus Dr A270 – Irvine, CA 92612 – (949) 509-2888 – View Map
Deciding on an insurance agency should include more criteria than just the quoted price. The following questions are important to ask.
- Is there a 24/7 contact number?
- Are they properly licensed to sell insurance in California?
- Which members of your family are coverage by the policy?
- Is auto insurance their primary focus in Irvine?
- If they are an independent agency in Irvine, which companies do they recommend?
If you receive good feedback and a good coverage price, it’s a good possibility that you have found an auto insurance agent that meets your needs to insure your vehicles.
Buying the right Lincoln vehicle insurance in California is an important decision
Even though it’s not necessarily cheap to insure a Lincoln in Irvine, insuring your vehicle is mandatory in California but it also protects more than you think.
- Almost all states have mandatory insurance requirements which means the state requires a specific minimum amount of liability coverage in order to drive the car. In California these limits are 15/30/5 which means you must have $15,000 of bodily injury coverage per person, $30,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $5,000 of property damage coverage.
- If you have a loan on your Lincoln, it’s most likely the lender will make it a condition of the loan that you have insurance to protect their interest in the vehicle. If coverage lapses or is canceled, the lender may have to buy a policy to insure your Lincoln for a much higher rate and force you to pay the higher premium.
- Insurance protects your Lincoln and your assets. It will also pay for medical transport and hospital expenses that are the result of an accident. As part of your policy, liability insurance also pays for attorney fees and expenses if you are sued as the result of an accident. If you have damage to your Lincoln as the result of the weather or an accident, collision and comprehensive coverages will pay to restore your vehicle to like-new condition.
The benefits of buying car insurance greatly outweigh the cost, specifically if you ever have a liability claim. The average driver in California is overpaying more than $810 a year so compare quotes from several companies at every policy renewal to ensure rates are competitive.
Insurance coverage basics
Having a good grasp of a insurance policy aids in choosing which coverages you need and proper limits and deductibles. The coverage terms in a policy can be difficult to understand and nobody wants to actually read their policy.
Comprehensive insurance
This covers damage from a wide range of events other than collision. You first have to pay a deductible and then insurance will cover the rest of the damage.
Comprehensive insurance covers claims like hail damage, falling objects, hitting a bird, theft and a tree branch falling on your vehicle. The highest amount your insurance company will pay is the ACV or actual cash value, so if it’s not worth much more than your deductible consider removing comprehensive coverage.
Med pay and Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
Coverage for medical payments and/or PIP pay for short-term medical expenses for things like nursing services, surgery, ambulance fees, funeral costs and X-ray expenses. They are often used to fill the gap from your health insurance program or if there is no health insurance coverage. Medical payments and PIP cover all vehicle occupants and will also cover if you are hit as a while walking down the street. Personal Injury Protection is not available in all states but it provides additional coverages not offered by medical payments coverage
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM)
This provides protection when the “other guys” are uninsured or don’t have enough coverage. This coverage pays for injuries to you and your family and also any damage incurred to your Lincoln Continental.
Since many California drivers only purchase the least amount of liability that is required (California limits are 15/30/5), their limits can quickly be used up. For this reason, having high UM/UIM coverages is important protection for you and your family. Frequently these coverages are set the same as your liability limits.
Coverage for collisions
This coverage covers damage to your Continental resulting from a collision with a stationary object or other vehicle. A deductible applies and the rest of the damage will be paid by collision coverage.
Collision coverage pays for things like sustaining damage from a pot hole, crashing into a building and driving through your garage door. Paying for collision coverage can be pricey, so consider removing coverage from lower value vehicles. You can also bump up the deductible on your Continental to save money on collision insurance.
Liability
This protects you from damage or injury you incur to people or other property in an accident. It protects YOU against other people’s claims. It does not cover your own vehicle damage or injuries.
Coverage consists of three different limits, bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident and property damage. You might see limits of 15/30/5 that translate to $15,000 in coverage for each person’s injuries, a limit of $30,000 in injury protection per accident, and property damage coverage for $5,000. Occasionally you may see a combined limit which provides one coverage limit with no separate limits for injury or property damage.
Liability coverage protects against things such as bail bonds, funeral expenses and attorney fees. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is your choice, but buy as high a limit as you can afford. California requires minimum liability limits of 15/30/5 but you should consider buying better liability coverage.
The chart below shows why buying low liability limits may not be enough.
Cheaper insurance is a realistic goal
When you buy Irvine car insurance online, do not buy lower coverage limits just to save a few bucks. Too many times, drivers have reduced uninsured motorist or liability limits to discover at claim time that the small savings ended up costing them much more. Your aim should be to find the BEST coverage at an affordable rate.
People leave their current company for a variety of reasons including poor customer service, denial of a claim, delays in paying claims or high rates after DUI convictions. It doesn’t matter what your reason, choosing a new company is not as hard as you think.
Discount Lincoln Continental insurance in Irvine is available online in addition to many Irvine insurance agents, and you need to comparison shop both in order to have the best price selection to choose from. Some insurance companies may not have price quotes online and these regional carriers work with independent insurance agents.
More detailed insurance information is available by following these links:
- Speed and Speed Limit FAQ (iihs.org)
- Who Has Affordable Auto Insurance Rates for Government Employees in Irvine? (FAQ)
- Who Has the Cheapest Auto Insurance for Teenage Males in Irvine? (FAQ)
- What is the Best Cheap Car Insurance in Irvine, CA? (FAQ)
- Collision Insurance Coverage (Nationwide)
- Teen Driver Licensing Information (iihs.org)