Choosing the right car insurance provider is imperative. If you’re in a situation where you need to make a claim (an auto accident, your car was stolen, etc.), you need to make sure that you’re fully covered. You also need to make sure the company you select is going to work with you to make the claim process much easier. An experienced insurance agent can help you choose the best car insurance company for you and your family. Getting into a car accident is stressful, choosing the best insurance company shouldn’t be.
Part 1 – Research the CompaniesBefore you can begin researching insurance companies, you need to decide what type of coverage you need. Do you just want liability insurance or do you also want collision or comprehensive coverage? Learn the different types of car insurance coverage to make sure you select the coverage type that’s right for you.
Once you select the best auto insurance coverage for you, you can start compiling your list of providers that offer that type of coverage.
There are many factors to look at when researching the best auto insurance companies. Some important things to look for include:
If you find yourself in a difficult claim situation, you don’t want to hear your insurance company can’t pay your claim because it doesn’t have the financial means to do so. There are several independent rating agencies that review many factors including the financial solvency of a company. Some of the top credit rating agencies to check are AM Best, Standard & Poor’s, and Moody’s.
Another great source of information is the customer reviews on the company. Nothing beats real-world experience with a company. Look at places like Google, Yelp, Facebook, and other online review sites. Read through the positive and negative reviews and look for trends. Is there something specific in most of the negative reviews? If so, that could be an ongoing issue.
Your local auto insurance agent has likely been working with these companies for years and will be able to give you insight from the experienced of their other clients. Ask them about the claims process, whether or not the companies pay out claims right away or make you jump through hoops. Your agent will likely be able to recommend the top insurance companies for you.
While pricing shouldn’t be the top factor in choosing an insurance company, it is important. You need to go with a policy you can afford and will continue to be able to afford in the future. Understand the premiums for each company on your list and why some might be more expensive than others. Some companies might also offer multi-policy discounts so it might make sense to go with the same company you’re using for your home or renters insurance.
Part 3 – Pick the Best Insurance Company for YouOnce you’ve completed the above steps and you feel that you’ve selected the best car insurance company for you, read through all of their documents. These can usually be found online but you can also ask your agent to send them to you or even reach out to the company directly. Make sure you understand what you’re signing and don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Now that you’ve reviewed and understood the policy, it’s time to sign the contract. Carefully read through this agreement and feel free to ask any questions about the terms of the contract. As any lawyer will tell you—never sign a contract that you don’t feel comfortable with or fully understand! Once you sign the contract, you can sigh in relief that your car is now covered with the best insurance company for you.
