Just like most products on the market, different car insurance companies appeal to different drivers. If you are out shopping for car insurance, knowing what to look for in your insurance companies can make it easier to narrow down your options.
Here are three easy ways to compare car insurance companies and find the one that fits your needs best.
Check the Consumer Track Record
Begin by narrowing down your search. Start with your state insurance commission’s website and look for a buyer’s guide for auto insurance. This will usually list the companies that sell insurance in your state. Get an overall rating of various company’s performance. Remember that state complaint ratios might be far more critical than financial ratings for car insurance. Also, look at the A.M. Best Ratings to check if your choice is financially solvent to pay you if you need to make a claim. Finally, choose a company that has both a low level of customer complaints and low prices.
Compare Complaint Ratios
Experts suggest choosing five to seven companies and checking their complaint records. Never pick an insurance company with poor customer service. The National Association of Insurance Commissioner (NAIC) website is an excellent place to start. Compare the company’s complaint ratio number with the national median and see how they have fared over time.
Compare Car Insurance Coverage Offered by Different Companies
The easiest way to save is to buy only what you need. If you have good medical insurance, you may not have to opt for Personal Injury Protection coverage as well. It’s the same for an older car, where you might not have to pay for collision insurance. You should establish your desired coverage limits before shopping and remember to use those same limits for every car insurance quote.
Finally, before you begin comparing car insurance quotes, make sure you find out all you can about discounts and compare optional auto insurance options. Let’s suppose one company offers optional coverage that you want at the same price or close to the cost of another company’s insurance policy without the optional extras; in this case, experts recommend picking the one that comes with the options.