If you’re a car owner, you probably already have car insurance. At least some amount of coverage is required in almost every U.S. state, and in the few states where it isn’t, having auto insurance is still a good idea.
But you may feel like it’s a good time to change providers, perhaps because you think you could get a better rate, you need a different kind of coverage or for some other reason entirely. Luckily, switching car insurance is a fairly simple process, as long as you’re prepared. Here’s how to switch auto policies.
Why would I switch car insurance?
One of the most common reasons for switching car insurance providers is that your current rates have increased, and you may be curious to see if you can get a better deal with a different company. Another commonly reported reason for switching is if you filed a claim with your current car insurer and were dissatisfied — either with the amount you were offered or the process.
How to shop around for new car insurance
It’s always a smart idea to shop around and compare quotes before settling on a new provider. Set aside some time to do this research; you want to ensure you’re getting the right policy for your needs (and your wallet). Here is a quick refresher on how to compare car insurance quotes:
Figure out exactly what kinds of coverage you’ll want and how much you want to pay
You can start with your state’s minimum requirements. You’re usually required to carry some level of liability insurance. Bodily Injury (BI) covers the cost of injuries (or death) that result from an accident you caused; Property Damage (PD) covers damage made to another car or piece of property you crashes into.
State minimums are generally low when it comes to adequate coverage. As such, you should also consider all the other kinds of car insurance coverage you might need. These coverages include:
- Medical Expenses or Personal Injury Protection, which covers injuries or medical expenses for you and any passengers
- Collision Coverage, which will cover damage caused by an accident if you were at fault
- Comprehensive Coverage, which covers basically anything that happens to your car while you’re not driving.
You’ll also want to figure out what you want your deductible to be. That’s the amount you’ll pay out of pocket before your insurance takes over. The higher your deductible, the lower your premiums — but you have to be prepared to pay the full amount of your deductible if needed.
Compare and contrast
Once you’ve decided how much insurance you want, you can start shopping around. Some providers will quote you based on what you’ll pay monthly and some will show the annual cost of the policy, so make sure you’re comparing prices by the same metrics.
When insurance shopping, you should also check out online reviews and the insurer’s J.D. Power rating.
This article originally appeared on Policygenius and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
Featured Image Credit: SrdjanPav.
