One of the first steps in getting cheap online auto insurance is by comparing quotes and learning about the companies that offer the policies. Don’t make the mistake of overlooking lesser-known, smaller insurers as they can often provide better, more personalized customer service than the larger companies. Just because 2/3s of the US market is covered by 7 car insurance companies doesn’t mean you have to be one of those. It might be worthwhile to be part of the 1/3 who gets your insurance from a smaller company.
Rates are going to vary considerably, regardless, and many of the factors that affect the rate are things that you might not have much control over, such as the location, state, age, past driving history, and so forth. Even your credit score might have an effect on the quotes you receive. If you don’t have the best driving record or the best credit, try to get back on track with those as quickly as you can in order to qualify for lower insurance quotes.
Another thing to consider is the level of coverage you actually need. The cheapest policy isn’t always the best, and could end up costing you more in the long run. For instance, cheap online auto insurance might not provide collision coverage, which is something you’ll need if you don’t want to have to pay high deductibles in the event that your vehicle is involved in an accident. You might not need collision if your car is old and not worth very much. Decide if it would be worth it to pay higher premiums on a cheap car.
Cheap Online Auto Insurance for New Vehicles
If you have a newer vehicle, the model and make are going to be huge factors in the rates you get. It’s easier to find cheap online auto insurance if you have a vehicle that is safe and affordable, such as a Honda Odyssey minivan, Subaru Outback, or Jeep Wrangler. This is because family-oriented vehicles are most likely to be driven by mature, safe drivers (parents) who are less likely to be reckless. High-end luxury and sports cars are obviously the most expensive to insure.
There are always discounts to look into, even if you don’t think you’ll qualify for any. All insurance companies offer a variety of discounts, from “Switch and Save” to “Security Features”.
You can find both cheap online auto insurance quotes AND discounts at Esurance. It offers the best customer service and has a simple, pain-free claims filing process.