Not knowing what to look for in a car insurance company can leave you vulnerable to customer dissatisfaction, inadequate coverage and high prices. With a little research and some comparisons between providers, you can get the coverage you need with relatively affordable prices. In order to find a reliable provider, there are 5 main things you should look for.
1. Look for high customer ratings. Your best bet is to check out the J.D. Power and Associates website. Here you can find collected data from nationwide policyholders, including ratings on pricing, policy offerings, billing and payment, contacting the insurer and overall experience.
2. Make sure the insurance company has financial strength. The bottom line is this-if the company isn’t financially secure, they won’t be able to cover your claims. Above all else, this should be the main thing to look for in a car insurance company. The last thing you need is paying ridiculous prices out of pocket, leaving you as much in the hole as your insurance provider is. Two great websites to visit for current information are A.M. Best and Standard & Poor’s.
3. Lean toward providers that offer multiple types of coverage. While teaming up with a company that offers gap insurance, collision, liability and uninsured motorists protection is great, a company that offers life and fire insurance is even better. Getting a package deal can really give families peace of mind.
4. Work with someone you can build a relationship with. In other words, find an agent. Having an agent that is dedicated to building a good foundation with you is more beneficial than you may think. A big bonus of working with an agent is that this is someone who has a vested interest in your protection. On top of that, many agents reward loyal customers with discounts. Many times, these breaks here and there can save you hundreds of dollars per year.
5. Get your policy from a provider licensed in your state. Not every insurance company is licensed in every state. In order to fully protect yourself, it’s wise to make sure your provider is licensed in your state. This means, that if a problem arises, you can depend on your state insurance department for help. As a general rule, researching a license should be pretty high up on your list of what to look for in car insurance companies.
To sum it all up, figuring out what to look for in an auto insurance company shouldn’t cause you a lot of distress. Just doing some basic research will save you both time and money in the long run. Using the five tips above as a guide while shopping for auto insurance will make the task of finding the right provider less daunting.
Above all else, trust your gut instinct. If a certain car insurance company or car insurance agent makes you feel uncomfortable, then there’s probably a reason behind it. You, above anyone else must feel safe and secure with your choice. Now that you know what to look for in an auto insurance company, get to it. Compare quotes from at least 5 different auto insurance companies side by side in order to find the best value.
