It's well known that insurance companies don't want you to compare rates. Consumers who shop around for cheaper rates will, in all likelihood, switch companies because the odds are good of finding a policy with more affordable rates. A survey found that consumers who regularly compared rates saved over $72 a month compared to drivers who never shopped for cheaper rates.
If finding discount rates on car insurance is your objective, then having an understanding of how to quote and compare cheaper coverage can make the process less intimidating.
Truthfully, the best way to get more affordable car insurance rates is to compare quotes once a year from providers in El Paso. Rate comparisons can be done by following these guidelines.
- First, spend a few minutes and learn about how insurance companies determine prices and the steps you can take to prevent high rates. Many rating factors that cause high rates like at-fault accidents, careless driving, and a negative credit score can be rectified by making small lifestyle or driving habit changes.
- Second, compare price quotes from direct carriers, independent agents, and exclusive agents. Direct companies and exclusive agencies can only give rate quotes from one company like GEICO or State Farm, while agents who are independent can quote rates for a wide range of insurance providers.
- Third, compare the new rate quotes to your current policy premium and determine if there is any savings. If you find a lower rate quote and change companies, ensure coverage does not lapse between policies.
- Fourth, provide notification to your current agent or company to cancel your current coverage and submit payment and a signed application to the new company. Once received, place the new certificate verifying coverage in a readily accessible location in your vehicle.
A tip to remember is that you'll want to compare the same deductibles and limits on every price quote and and to get price estimates from as many companies as you can. This guarantees a fair rate comparison and the best price selection.
The easiest way to get policy rate comparisons for Ford Fiesta insurance in El Paso takes advantage of the fact all the major auto insurance companies participate in online systems to compare rate quotes. To begin a comparison, all you need to do is provide information including the type of vehicles you drive, your credit rating estimate, how much coverage you want, and how much school you completed. Your details is automatically sent to many different companies and you should receive rate quotes within a short period of time.
To start a rate quote now, click here and complete the quick form.
The providers in the list below have been selected to offer quotes in El Paso, TX. If more than one company is shown, it's a good idea that you visit several of them to get a more complete price comparison.
Auto insurance is an important decision
Despite the high cost, insurance is most likely required but also gives you several important benefits.
- Just about all states have mandatory insurance requirements which means you are required to carry a minimum amount of liability in order to license the vehicle. In Texas these limits are 30/60/25 which means you must have $30,000 of bodily injury coverage per person, $60,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $25,000 of property damage coverage.
- If your Fiesta has a lienholder, more than likely the lender will have a requirement that you have physical damage coverage to ensure they get paid if you total the vehicle. If you let the policy lapse, the lender may insure your Ford at a significantly higher premium and force you to reimburse them a much higher amount than you were paying before.
- Insurance protects both your assets and your Ford Fiesta. It will also provide coverage for all forms of medical expenses for not only you but also any passengers injured in an accident. One of the most valuable coverages, liability insurance, will also pay for a defense attorney if you cause an accident and are sued. If you receive damage to your vehicle caused by a storm or accident, collision and comprehensive coverages will pay all costs to repair after the deductible has been paid.
The benefits of buying auto insurance more than offset the price you pay, especially with large liability claims. On average, a vehicle owner in El Paso is currently overpaying as much as $800 each year so compare quotes from several companies at every renewal to make sure the price is not too high.
The coverage is in the details
Knowing the specifics of your auto insurance policy can help you determine the right coverages at the best deductibles and correct limits. Policy terminology can be confusing and nobody wants to actually read their policy.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage
Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage provides protection from other drivers when they do not carry enough liability coverage. Covered claims include injuries to you and your family and damage to your Ford Fiesta.
Due to the fact that many Texas drivers have only the minimum liability required by law (30/60/25), it only takes a small accident to exceed their coverage. That's why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage should not be overlooked. Most of the time these coverages are set the same as your liability limits.
Medical payments coverage and PIP
Coverage for medical payments and/or PIP provide coverage for expenses for rehabilitation expenses, funeral costs, pain medications, nursing services and X-ray expenses. They are often used in conjunction with a health insurance policy or if there is no health insurance coverage. Coverage applies to both the driver and occupants in addition to being hit by a car walking across the street. Personal Injury Protection is only offered in select states and may carry a deductible
Liability auto insurance
This coverage provides protection from injuries or damage you cause to people or other property in an accident. It consists of three limits, bodily injury for each person injured, bodily injury for the entire accident and a property damage limit. You might see liability limits of 30/60/25 that translate to a limit of $30,000 per injured person, a limit of $60,000 in injury protection per accident, and property damage coverage for $25,000. Another option is one limit called combined single limit (CSL) which combines the three limits into one amount without having the split limit caps.
Liability coverage pays for things like repair costs for stationary objects, legal defense fees, pain and suffering, court costs and bail bonds. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is a personal decision, but consider buying higher limits if possible. Texas state law requires minimum liability limits of 30/60/25 but you should consider buying higher limits.
The illustration below demonstrates why minimum state limits may not be adequate coverage.
Collision protection
Collision coverage covers damage to your Fiesta caused by collision with an object or car. A deductible applies then your collision coverage will kick in.
Collision coverage pays for claims like colliding with a tree, rolling your car, scraping a guard rail and crashing into a building. Paying for collision coverage can be pricey, so consider removing coverage from lower value vehicles. Drivers also have the option to increase the deductible on your Fiesta in order to get cheaper collision rates.
Comprehensive coverage
This will pay to fix damage that is not covered by collision coverage. A deductible will apply then your comprehensive coverage will pay.
Comprehensive insurance covers things like falling objects, theft, damage from a tornado or hurricane and hail damage. The maximum payout a auto insurance company will pay at claim time is the market value of your vehicle, so if the vehicle's value is low consider dropping full coverage.