How To Compare One Car Insurance Estimate With Another
Comparing one car insurance estimate to another is a very important part of buying auto insurance in the first place. Without comparing several quotes, it's almost impossible to find discount car insurance policies or to purchase coverage that's right for a particular driver. There are a number of important things to think about in order to effectively and accurately compare two auto insurance quotes. Drivers should be prepared to read about coverage limits, contract terms, and, of course, the premiums of a policy before selecting one policy over another.
The first thing to do when comparing any two estimates is to consider whether or not they offer the same amount of coverage. Two car insurance quotes that offer different amounts of coverage will be very difficult to compare, so look at each type of coverage that you own–on a standard policy, this will usually include comprehensive, collision, and liability coverages at the very minimum–and make sure that both estimates offer the same amount of coverage. Look to the deductibles of each policy and make sure that they're the same or very close to the same. If you find that one policy offers more coverage than the other, call one of the insurance providers to get a new estimate so that they line up. This is an essential first step, as finding discount car insurance will greatly depend on whether you're looking at quotes for a similar amount of coverage.
You should also be sure to read the terms of each estimate. Car insurance terms can seem perplexing at first, but they're usually fairly easy to understand if you're able to find a car insurance glossary to use while reading along. Look for terms that relate to payouts and coverage definitions. This is particularly important if you're buying any add-on coverages, because different car insurance companies will have different definitions for these types of coverage. For example, if you're trying to buy a policy with accident forgiveness, make sure that you know the limits of the accident forgiveness program and what you'll have to do to stay eligible for it.
Finally, look at the premiums of each car insurance estimate to determine what the better deal is. You can only do this if you've already verified that other aspects of the car insurance policies are equal. Be sure that the premiums aren't supplemented by hidden charges like cancellation fees, and consider contacting your car insurance agent to ask whether you can apply for any special discounts. Comparing car insurance estimates can take some time, but in the end, it's well worth it for lower premiums and better coverage.
