Gabriel Walker
Nov 19, 2023
Auto insurance is a must-have for any car owner who wants to protect themselves and their vehicle from accidents, theft, vandalism, and other risks. But how do you find the best auto insurance company for your needs and budget? Here are some tips to help you choose the right policy and provider in 2023.
Tips to choose best auto insurance
Compare quotes from different companies
One of the easiest ways to find the best auto insurance is to compare quotes from different companies. You can use online tools like EverQuote or VIU to get multiple quotes from top-rated insurers in minutes. You can also call or visit the websites of individual companies to get personalised quotes.
Comparing quotes will help you see how much you can save by switching to a different provider or adjusting your coverage level, deductible, or discount. You should also check the customer service, claims handling, and complaint level of each company to make sure they are reliable and responsive.
Consider your coverage needs and options
Another factor to consider when choosing the best auto insurance is your coverage needs and options. Depending on your state, you may be required to have a minimum amount of liability coverage, which pays for the damages and injuries you cause to others in an accident. However, liability coverage alone may not be enough to cover your own expenses if you are at fault or if the other driver is uninsured or underinsured.
That’s why you may want to add optional coverages like collision, comprehensive, medical payments, personal injury protection, uninsured/underinsured motorist, gap, and roadside assistance. These coverages will pay for the repairs or replacement of your car, your medical bills, your lost income, and other expenses related to an accident or a non-collision event like fire, theft, or vandalism.
The amount of coverage you need depends on several factors, such as the value of your car, your driving history, your financial situation, and your risk tolerance. You should weigh the cost and benefits of each coverage option and choose the ones that suit your needs and budget.
Look for discounts and savings on auto insurance
One of the best ways to lower your auto insurance premium is to look for discounts and savings that you may qualify for. Most auto insurance companies offer various discounts based on your driving habits, vehicle features, personal characteristics, policy details, and loyalty.
Some of the common discounts on auto insurance:
- Safe driver discount: If you have a clean driving record with no accidents or violations in the past few years, you may get a lower rate.
- Usage-based or mileage-based discount: If you drive less than the average driver or use a device or app that tracks your driving behaviour, you may get a discount based on how much and how well you drive.
- Multi-policy or multi-vehicle discount: If you bundle your auto insurance with other policies like home, renters, or life insurance, or if you insure more than one vehicle with the same company, you may get a discount on each policy.
- Good student or student away discount: If you are a student who maintains good grades or attends school away from home without a car, you may get a discount.
- Military or veteran discount: If you are an active-duty military member, a veteran, or a family member of either, you may get a discount from some companies like USAA, which specialises in serving the military community.
- Anti-theft or safety feature discount: If your car has anti-theft devices like alarms or tracking systems, or safety features like airbags or anti-lock brakes, you may get a discount.
- Paid-in-full or automatic payment discount: If you pay your premium in full at the start of your policy term or set up automatic payments from your bank account or credit card, you may get a discount.
- Renewal or loyalty discount: If you renew your policy with the same company or stay with them for a long time, you may get a discount.
These are just some examples of discounts that may be available from different auto insurance companies. You should ask your agent or representative about all the discounts that you may be eligible for and how much they can save you.
