Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Do You Really Need To Shop Insurance Rates?

By Susan Tanner

There seem to be more new drivers on the road daily and we all want to be sure that our car insurance will cover us if we are involved in an accident. Many of us are particularly concerned about the cost of having good coverage for the teens in our home who are new drivers. This often gets us to look at the options for comparable coverage from different insurance companies. We are interested i getting the best possible coverage to meet our needs at the lowest cost we can find. Some people simply believe the advertising and choose Geico's claim of providing the best deal but doesn't it make sense to take the time to get quotes from competing auto insurance providers to be sure?

It is really important that you get more than one quote on your auto insurance because you never know if there is a better deal out there. I mean we all want the best and we want the most coverage like Geico promises but what if there is another plan just as good without the high cost. No one wants to over pay for what they get especially when it comes to getting their car fixed after a fender bender.

Be sure that when you are comparing quotes from different companies you check all the features included in the coverage so you are comparing policies with the same level of benefits. Compare deductible amounts and make sure that liability is not the only coverage offered at the given price if full coverage options like rental cars or road side assistance are important to you. If you want a lower or higher deductible for repairs on your car, then you must make sure that the quotes are both for the same amount of deductible.

Another thing to look for in shopping rate quotes is discounts. Many companies offer discounts for multiple vehicle coverage, drivers in certain age groups, or good grades for student drivers. The additional savings can be a big plus. You may also want to see if the company requires you to use a particular mechanic or garage for repairs or if you can choose wherever is convenient for you.

Many insurance companies have specific mechanics that they would prefer that you take your auto to for repair. This might be a serious issue if you live in an area with few mechanics or garages and you might have to drive a good distance to get to one they recommend or approve. This could be an obstacle if you must go to a garage that is very expensive and you have a less expensive mechanic close by that you prefer.

Some insurance companies will try to send you to very expensive mechanics at which you will have to pay a very high deductible before they cover anything. It is very important to get multiple rate quotes when purchasing automobile insurance to see what your choices really are. If you are a pet lover, you can even find rates that include the family pet.

For the right consumer, this is a great option because the vet bills will be covered if they are injured in an accident just like the medical bills for the human family members. There are a great variety of additional coverages available in the marketplace and most of us would like to have extra coverage and benefits that are right for our specific needs.

Perhaps the best reason for comparing rates getting the best coverage for the best price. You have to have good coverage for all the drivers in the family and since there is no way to avoid it,it is worth it to spend a little time to avoid overpaying for the coverage you need. - 15224

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