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Automobile insurance is one of those things that you’re required to purchase whether you want it or not, and as such, it’s tempting to just try to look for the cheapest deal you can find and hope you’ll never need to worry about it again. Unfortunately, the chances are pretty good that sooner or later, something’s going to happen to your car and you’re going to need to file an insurance claim. Even if you’re the world’s safest driver, there are a lot of unpredictable factors out there that can damage your car or cause you to get into an accident. When that happens, you’re not going to want to be calling on the cheapest cut-rate insurance company you could find, you’re going to want a company that goes above and beyond to get your car fixed and get you back on the road with minimal stress and hassle. With that in mind, here’s a few tips to help get you focused on what’s really important when it comes to car insurance providers.
The first and most important thing is to make sure you’re getting your car insurance from a trusted, highly rated company with a good track record of taking care of their customers. Check insurance reviews online, look them up with the Better Business Bureau, and ask your friends and family about the experiences they’ve had with their insurance companies. It’s not always true that bigger is better, but larger, established insurance companies are more likely to have the resources and priorities to put the satisfaction of their customers over saving a few bucks on claims, so if you decide to save money by going with a smaller, newer company, make sure they come highly recommended.
Next, you want to look carefully at just what exactly you’re paying for in terms of coverage. A minimum coverage policy might keep your monthly bills low and satisfy your legal requirements to carry auto insurance coverage, but when you have an accident and need to make a claim, you’re almost certainly going to see all those savings evaporate when you find out how high your deductibles are and just how little is actually covered. If you don’t have liability coverage, you could be on the hook for all kinds of expenses and damages if you’re found to be at fault in causing an accident.
Comprehensive and collision coverage can cover a wide range of repairs to your car should it get damaged while you’re out driving. And even if you’re being responsible and keeping your car insured, you could end up buried in bills and dealing with lost income if you end up seriously hurt in an accident caused by an uninsured driver—unless you have uninsured motorist coverage. You don’t necessarily need every coverage option your insurance company offers, but you need to make sure you’re fully aware of just what your premiums are paying for, so there won’t be any unpleasant surprises when an accident happens.
Lastly, you should find out what extra benefits and services your insurance company offers. These can add up to a huge difference in the overall value of the policy, and you could easily end up paying for minor repairs and services out of pocket if you aren’t aware that your insurance company is actually willing to cover them for you! Things like roadside assistance, towing, dead batteries, windshield glass replacement, and more. You should also look into the ways you can get discounts on your rates by taking proactive steps to improve your driving safety. Taking driving classes, buying a car with added safety features, and keeping your mileage down are just a few of the things that a good insurance company will rewards with lower monthly premiums. Also, if you have to purchase home insurance, consider bundling your policies with a single company. You’ll probably get a much better deal that way than if you use two separate insurance providers.
Nobody ever really wants to have to file an auto insurance claim, but any of us could be in the position of having to do so at any time, and having an insurance company that provides great customer service, generous coverage, and extra benefits can make a difficult situation less painful and prove to be worth every penny you pay for it. If you drive, you’re stuck paying for insurance no matter what, so take the time to make sure you’re giving your money to a company that’s going to be there for you when you need them.
