The basic reason why anyone requires auto insurance is for protection for both you and your car. Depending on your location you have a number of options to choose from for the type of auto insurance you require. Initially, it can be confusing with the plethora of choices available to consumers today. But by getting an understanding of the different types of auto insurances, the task is certainly made easier.
Apart from a handful of states, all the others require a minimal amount of liability insurance. This type of insurance is mainly meant to protect the occupants of the other car when you are responsible for any damage. It covers their medical bills and car repair but not you or your vehicle. For yourself, the insurance you need is comprehensive or collision insurance.
Auto insurance quotes for collision insurance are much higher than liability insurance mainly due to the fact that the coverage is a lot more. It pays for the repairs required for your car as well as your medical bills irrespective of whether or not you were at fault in an accident. Comprehensive insurance covers a majority of other kinds of damage to your vehicle including fire, vandalism or natural disasters.
Based on the particular circumstances, various deductibles can be opted for that will alter the total estimated annual cost for collision and comprehensive auto insurance quotes.
Medical payment and personal injury protection are also available with some companies. They increase medical coverage and sometimes even cover lost wages, childcare costs and related expenses owing to accidents.
Bodily injury coverage is an important coverage in addition to the minimum requirement coverage. This is for auto accidents where you were at fault and in situations where the injury of the other vehicles occupants exceeds their personal injury coverage. Lacking this coverage gives the victim of the accident the right to legal action which may result in a financial responsibility being placed by the state on you and your motor vehicle report. This would remain for three years. It is also referred to as an SR22.
Uninsured motorist and underinsured motorist insurance take care of you when you happen to be in an accident with those who either dont have or have insufficient liability insurance.
Rental reimbursement and towing and labor insurance are other additional options. These costs are usually classified as add-ons or endorsements to your policy.
For auto insurance quotes companies require details about driving records, age and duration of a license, apart from inspection of your car for the purpose of certifying it.
The benefits and drawbacks of buying your auto insurance online
With the Internet providing great shopping experience to most online buyers, people are now willing to buy more than just books and gifts on the net. The shopping list now includes financial products like insurance and mortgages.
An auto loan is one such product that you can purchase on the net with some great advantages. Instead of approaching several different automobile dealers or banks and credit unions, one only needs to fill in one simple form to get multiple quotes from several auto insurance providers. The quotes are free and receiving them does not subject you to any prior commitment. This allows the prospective buyer to browse, consider and compare all the possible options available to him and choose and change insurance companies according to his requirement.
Most online auto insurance companies offer very competitive rates that are made possible by the low overhead costs of their virtual offices. In addition, the cutthroat competition in the segment adds to a price war that works in favor of the customers as it has virtually eliminated application fees and made costs cutting a company priority for insurers.
Online shopping for auto insurance includes not only finding the lowest rate of interest but also exploring the various discounts that are available on different policies. You may qualify for a discount if you fulfill certain requirements like installing a vehicle safety alarm system or taking a certified driving course or already carrying multiple insurance policies from a particular auto insurance company.
The biggest advantage of buying online is the convenience it gives. One can connect to the net at ones own convenience and complete all the necessary steps right from inquiry, to comparing the quotes to actually applying for the insurance policy. One need not schedule a meeting with any auto insurance agent or endure his sales gimmicks.
The facility of payment calculator available on auto insurance sites gives a precise knowledge of what impact a particular payment rate, (monthly, quarterly, semi-annually etc.) has on the total payment due on the policy. Shoppers can work on the calculator to work out which policy suits him the best.
Though there are certain disadvantages to purchasing auto insurance online, most them get outweighed by the benefits. When purchasing online, one has to be very careful about submitting the accurate personal and credit information. Any error can rob you of the best possible quotes. Check for any non-disclosure agreements on the site of the insurance company and internal security measures taken by the company so that you know that any sensitive information about your credit doesnt get circulated on the net.
Another common error is to value flash over substance. Dont get fooled by impressive looking web sites and quotes that look too good to be true. Before making any final decision, ensure that the company has a physical address, a good customer support system and that someone from the company has actually bothered to get in touch with you personally. Overall, a little caution can do away with the risks of buying online and get you a good auto insurance policy