Make sure the policy details are the same for each
quote
Most comparison websites do a reasonable job of making
sure that policy quotes from different providers are consistent in their
coverage. But sometimes there are details that can make a big difference.
Car insurance policies often come with a variety of
extra features. Some features may be completely meaningless to you, but others
might be significant.
For example, some car insurance policies offer towing
and labor cost coverage. In addition to basic towing services, they can offer
tire changes for flats, emergency jump starts, lockout assistance, and even
gasoline delivery, should you run out (hey, it happens to everybody sooner or
later).
If your car is newer that service may not be
important to you, but if your car is more than five years old and has an
occasional breakdown, it can save you some money in an emergency situation.
Another feature is rental reimbursement coverage. This
is a service that pays for a rental car while your car is being repaired. One
company may offer to reimburse up to $30 per day for a car rental, while
another may limit it to $15 per day, and some may not reimburse you at all.
None of these add-on services might make or break a
policy, but they could be important if you’re weighing out two closely priced
policies.
Evaluate your specific personal circumstances
Naturally, car insurance companies give their best
quote in order to get the highest number of potential customers, but the best
quote may not necessarily work based on your personal circumstances.
It’s very important to understand that each insurance
company gives different weight to various negatives in your profile. This can
include your credit rating, any traffic citations, accidents, or even drunk
driving episodes. If you have any one of these issues running against you, the
impact on the premium can vary dramatically from one company to another.
The details also work going in the other direction.
For example, some companies may offer advantageous pricing based on bundling
your car insurance with other policies. They may also provide discounts for
being a good student, being a homeowner, or offer a substantial discount for making
an annual payment, compared with monthly payments.
This is where you need to remember that any quote you
get, particularly on the web, is a preliminary offer. The actual premium may
change as you provide more specific information.
Summary
Getting car insurance quotes can be tricky and
ultimately depends on your driving record. Look closely at any quote you get.
There’s plenty in the fine print that can sway you one way or the other.
Comments
Post a Comment