Best Auto Insurance Companies? We all know that an insurance company’s good reputation usually determines whether someone will stick with them when it’s time to renew. When you’re deciding which auto insurance company gets your premium dollars, you need to weigh several key factors.
A. Pick the best car insurance companies for your area. The best auto insurance companies for one person might be terrible for someone else. With so many different car models out there today, you’ll notice some clear patterns when it comes to which insurers work best. Money Expert panelist Clark Howard’s top 3 picks are: USAA, Amica Mutual, and NJM Insurance Company.
B. Hunt for discounts. Every company has different discount programs, and knowing what your potential insurer offers can save you serious money. Clark Howard suggests three simple ways to find out what discounts are available: get online, make a phone call, or send them a letter.
C. Shop around. People who compare prices always find better deals and service. This is especially true with insurance. The only way to get the best price is to compare policies from multiple companies. Think about your vehicle’s value, your budget, how much coverage you need, and anything else that might influence your choice.
D. Test their customer service. Poor customer service is one of the biggest reasons people switch insurance companies. Good insurers never slack off on customer service. If you want accurate information about your coverage and want to start off right, talk to an agent before you sign anything. Don’t assume a cheap quote means bad service, but do shop around for competitive rates and coverage options.
E. Think about safety. You can lower your car insurance rates by raising your deductibles and adjusting your coverage. But if you get into an accident without proper protection or enough money down, you could end up paying much more out of pocket.
F. Consider your health insurance connection. Most people with health insurance stick with companies that get good ratings from J.D. Power and Associates. Those J.D. Power ratings give you a solid idea of whether a company keeps its customers happy overall.
G. Look for insurers with solid track records. Most auto insurance companies have decent customer service ratings. But if a company racks up lots of complaints in any given year, you probably want to steer clear. Find an insurer with consistently high satisfaction scores. That shows they actually care about taking care of customers and providing reliable service.
H. Check what discounts they actually offer. Most auto insurance companies give discounts for things like clean driving records or anti-theft devices in your car. Compare these discounts across different companies and pick the one with the best deals for your situation.
I. Know what your coverage actually covers. Depending on your state, you might be required to carry certain minimum coverage amounts. For example, most states require medical coverage for accidents. Car insurance that doesn’t include this is pretty much useless and leaves you exposed.
J. Look at their bodily injury protection options. Bodily injury protection covers medical costs for anyone hurt in an accident, plus property damage from vandalism or theft. The cost varies wildly between insurers. Some offer full coverage with no payment limits if you’re in an accident. Others only cover part of the injured person’s medical bills. Before buying full coverage, compare the cost of bodily injury protection against what you’d pay if you actually got into an accident.
K. Go with a company that actually cares. Too many insurers just want to collect premiums and disappear when you need to file a claim. If their customer service is lacking, find someone else. Ask other customers what they thought of the service they got after filing a claim. Find out whether the insurer actually helped them or just gave them the runaround.