How to get car insurance savings from online shopping

Auto Insurance Shopping for the best deals

It can be easier than you think to put the brakes on high auto insurance rates – as an independent agency, Insurance Brokers Group can help! We can review your policy and possibly help you find a variety of illuminating ways to save money. Here are some things you may want to consider: 

1. Look for multi-policy discounts: If you have several insurance policies like home, life, or renter's insurance, bundling them with one provider can often lower your total premiums. Insurance companies want to keep customers and are more likely to give discounts for having multiple policies with them. 

2. Increase your deductible: Raising your deductible – the amount of money you pay out-of-pocket before your insurance coverage kicks in – can significantly lower your monthly premiums. Just make sure that you have enough money set aside to cover the deductible in case of an accident.

3. Take advantage of good driver discounts: Safe driving habits not only keep you and others on the road safe but they can also

• Ask us to check several companies’ rates. This is the single most important thing you can do to get the best possible rate—and we can do it for you quickly and easily. The difference between the highest and lowest rate available to you from different companies could vary by hundreds of dollars.

• Reduce or drop physical damage coverage on an older car. Depending on your car’s age and where you live, comprehensive and collision coverage may not be worth keeping. We can give you advice on whether it makes sense to reduce or drop this coverage altogether.

• Raise your deductible. According to the Insurance Information Institute, raising your deductible from $200 to $500 could reduce your collision and comprehensive cost by 15 to 30 percent. In addition, because the average driver files a collision claim only once every ten years, the odds are that over the lifetime of your car, a higher deductible will save you money. We can show you how raising your deductible will lower your premium.

• Look for discounts. Many insurance companies reduce premiums for certain driver traits or car features. For example being a homeowner for more than three years, nonsmoker, nondrinker, students with good grades, senior citizens who have taken an approved defensive driving course, people who only drive for pleasure, cars kept in garages, antilock brakes, antitheft devices, airbags, etc. Ask us to check.

• Don’t assume having your car and home insured by the same company is the best option. Because auto insurance rates vary so much from company to company, it may make sense for you to have your car and home insured by separate companies. Let’s talk about it.

It is possible to save money online when buying car insurance.

Start by getting your free online quote below.

Online Car Insurance Quotes FAQ

1) What do I need for an online car insurance quote?
Driver’s license, garaging address, vehicle VIN or plate, current insurer and coverage limits, annual miles, and the names and birthdays of all drivers.

2) How can I lower my car insurance cost online today?
Compare quotes from several companies, bundle auto with home or renters, try a safe driver program like Snapshot, choose a higher deductible you can afford, set accurate mileage and usage, review coverage on older cars, and ask about multi-vehicle, good student, homeowner, and paperless discounts.

3) Will shopping for car insurance hurt my credit?
No. Getting quotes does not add a hard inquiry. Many insurers use a credit-based insurance score in some states, but quoting itself doesn’t change your credit score.

4) Are safe driver programs worth it?
Often. Telematics programs track driving habits such as braking and time of day. Careful drivers may see savings in the 5% to 25% range, depending on the company and state rules.

5) Does bundling really save money?
Usually. One company may discount when you place auto and home (or renters) together. We also check split-carrier options in case separate policies beat a bundle.

6) Should I raise my deductible?
A higher deductible can lower your premium. Pick an amount you can pay after a loss, and compare prices at $250, $500, and $1,000 to see the tradeoff.

7) When should I re-shop my policy?
Every 12 months, or after a move, a new vehicle, a teen driver, a job or commute change, or a claim.

8) Is it smart to drop collision on an older car?
Maybe. If the car’s value is close to the annual collision premium plus the deductible, dropping collision can make sense. If not, keep it.

Note: Discounts and programs vary by state and company.