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Auto Insurance Tips and Advice Center Topic: Online Auto Insurance See the subtopics menu for tips and advice about comparing auto insurance options online. For additional information about auto insurance, see the topic list directly below.
What do I need to apply for auto insurance online? Before sitting down at your computer to apply for auto insurance online, you will need to have a list of vital information to make the application process go smoothly.
View the Auto Insurance Coverage section for more information about different types of auto insurance coverage as well as more information about deductibles and limits. ^ Back to top What are the benefits of buying auto insurance online? Instant Quotes One of the main benefits of buying auto insurance online is that you can receive free car insurance quotes instantly. You don't have to wait for an insurance agent to call you back or fax you a quote. You can get your auto insurance quote instantly and begin comparing prices right away. No Pressure When dealing with an auto insurance agent, you can often feel pressured into buying auto insurance coverage that you don't really need. When buying auto insurance online, you can compare free rate quotes at your own pace and decide to buy only when you are ready. Save Time Not only is the process for getting free online car insurance quotes fast, but so is buying your policy. When you have decide to purchase your car insurance online, it only takes a few clicks and you may be able to pay your premium or even print your insurance cards directly online. Also, with most online auto insurance providers, you can shop online 24 hours a day. You don't need to deal with limited 9-to-5 business hours. Save Money You can cut out the middleman by purchasing your car insurance online, so the rates you receive can be lower online than elsewhere. The companies that only offer online insurance have lower overhead and thus may also have lower auto insurance rates. ^ Back to top Is It Safe to Purchase Auto Insurance Online? If you are dealing with a reputable auto insurance company, you shouldn't have to worry about the security of purchasing insurance online. Most, if not all, online auto insurance companies use data encryption systems to protect your personal and payment information to ensure that it remains private. Before entering your information, you should read the privacy policy of the Web site to find out what they do with your info once you input it. To determine if the company you are dealing with is reputable, you can contact your state's insurance commissioner to be sure they are licensed properly and do not have a history of complaints. If you are still hesitant to enter your payment information online, you can always get your free auto insurance quote online and then call the customer service number to buy the actual policy by telephone or mail. ^ Back to top What are the steps to buying car insurance online? Follow these four steps to buying car insurance online: 1. Get free auto insurance quotes. Input basic information about yourself and your vehicle and in just a couple of minutes you can receive free online quotes. Compare different insurance companies and make side-by-side comparisons. 2. Apply online. Once you have decided which company you are going to purchase auto insurance from, you need to fill out an application. The application process normally takes less than 15 minutes. You will need to include specific information about your vehicle, including the VIN#, as well as information about yourself and all drivers. 3. Buy the policy. After you have filed the application, you can normally pay your premium online with a credit card or electronic bank payment. You will oftentimes be able to sign your policy electronically and your insurance will go into effect immediately after the company receives your payment. 4. Get your insurance cards. Some online auto insurance companies allow you to print proof of insurance immediately on your home or business computer, while other companies will mail you the cards. Keep this proof in your automobile beginning immediately. ^ Back to top How do I compare auto insurance quotes? A great way to find the auto insurance that best fits your needs is to compare free auto insurance quotes online from several different insurance companies. Once you have the quotes, you will need to compare the details of each quote to find the best auto insurance company for you. Deductibles Be sure when comparing different car insurance companies that you take into account the deductible amount. You don't want a deductible that is so low that your premium rates are too high. However, you also don't want a deductible that is so high that you won't be able to afford it in the case of an accident. Compare policies with similar deductibles between different auto insurance providers. Limits Compare auto insurance quotes with similar limits. Limits are usually listed as two sets of numbers, such as 50/100, 100/300, etc. The first number indicates the maximum the insurance company will pay on a claim per person. The second number indicates the maximum the insurance company will pay on a claim per incident. Many states have mandated minimums for auto insurance limits. Exclusions Check out what is excluded from each policy. Even online it's important to read the small print to assure you are not missing out on something vital concerning your car insurance. Perks Read your online car insurance quote carefully to find out if there are any perks that will save you time or money. Perks may include such things as free car rental or complementary roadside assistance. If you have any questions about the exclusions or perks, contact a representative from the insurance company before finalizing your auto insurance purchase. ^ Back to top How can I get the lowest auto insurance quote online? Shop Around Don't settle for the first reasonable rate quote you see. Take your time and find the best policy for you. Install an Alarm One of the bigger discounts offered on auto insurance is for having an alarm or other anti-theft device. The money you will save on your auto insurance premiums is usually well worth the cost of installing an alarm on your car. Don't Automatically Go for the Cheapest Deductible Many people are fooled into thinking that the cheapest deductible is the cheapest policy in the long run. It may actaully be better to have a higher deductible, which will lower your premiums. Evaluate many different options. Pay Upfront Some insurance companies will give you a discount if you pay your policy six or twelve months at a time rather than in monthly premium payments. Pay Electronically Some auto insurance companies are beginning to charge a fee for paying by mail. If this is the case, set up payments to be electronically deducted from your checking account or charged to your credit card. ^ Back to top What type of auto insurance discounts are available? When buying auto insurance online, try to apply all the discounts you can before comparing your auto insurance quotes. Auto insurance discounts may include: Auto Safety Discount Some auto insurance companies offer discounts if you have airbags, anti-theft devices, or keep your car in an enclosed garage. Mileage Discount If you drive less than a specified number of miles per year, you may be be eligible to receive a discount on your auto insurance. Multi-Car Discount If you are insuring more than one car in your household, you may be able to receive some sort of discount on your policy. Safe Driver Discount If you haven't had an accident or moving violation within a specified period of time, you may be able to receive a discount on your policy. Senior Discount Older drivers may be able receive additional discounts by taking a driving refresher course or other driving class. Teenager Discount If there is a teenager on your auto insurance policy, you may be able to get a discount if he/she takes an driver's education course. ^ Back to top Why should I seek multiple quotes? Although the first auto insurance quote you receive may seem reasonable, it is in your best interest to get more than one free car insurance quote. By receiving multiple quotes, you can compare levels of coverage, premiums, policy terms and more. Things to consider when comparing online auto insurance quotes:
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