Selecting the best auto insurance company
People use different criteria for choosing an auto insurer. Some base their decision on the opinions of friends, some on marketing and advertising promotions, and others simply on the cost of premiums.
Typically, new auto insurance buyers tend to choose the lowest cost provider, assuming that most providers are essentially the same. As they become more experienced, and after having made a claim or two, they become more wise to other factors that determine a good car insurance company. Let’s be clear, all car insurance companies are not alike. The differences go beyond differences in prices.
Eventually, most automotive insurance buyers place the most importance on how companies treat them after filing a claim. Low premiums become much less important if a company won’t pay when they should, or immediately raises rates after an accident.
What kind of problems?
Many thousands of auto insurance customers are happy with their insurers and have been with the same insurance company for 15 years or more. However, other customers don’t find their companies very satisfactory. The most frequent complaints that customers have with car insurance providers are:
- Refused claims
- Slow settlement process
- Unsatisfactory payout on claims
- Feel forced to use insurer’s repair shop
- Poor repair quality
- High premiums
- Company raised rates after single accident
- Lack of personal attention or compassion
- Billing, policy, and other non-claim issues
Unfortunately, most of these problems don’t surface until after a claim has been filed, when it’s too late to find another company. That is why it is important to do your homework before selecting an insurance provider.
How to choose the best car insurance company
There are a number of ways you can go about choosing a good insurer:
Research consumer opinions – Consumer Reports magazine frequently surveys readers on auto insurance companies. The survey measures overall customer satisfaction and claim problems. Of the 27 companies last reported, satisfaction score differences between the best company and the worst company was only 16 points out of 100. This is hardly enough of a difference to make for a solid decision choice based on this information alone. Find the report on Consumer Reports’ web site (a subscription fee is required). Browse online forums – Consumer forums and automotive discussion boards often have sections in which car insurance is discussed. These sources change frequently and the quality of the information can vary widely, so don’t use this as your only research source. Remember that people who have experienced problems are more likely to post comments than those who don’t have problems. Ask repair shop managers – Nobody knows about car insurance companies any better than body shops that have to deal with them. Ask the owners or managers of body repair shops about which insurers are the best to work with – which are the least trouble when settling claims and paying for proper repairs. We’ve seen shops in which auto insurance company ratings were actually posted on the wall in the waiting room. Don’t forget your new-car dealer’s body shop, if he has one.
Get rate quotes from as many companies as you can (quotes are free) so that you have plenty of data to compare. The more information you provide when asking for a quote, the more accurate your quote price will be. Many people overpay for their insurance simply because they do not shop around enough.
The absolute best, fastest, and easiest way to find the cheapest auto insurance rates is to get online rate quotes from muliple insurance companies and compare them. There is no other way that will let you get actual car insurance rates as easily and quickly — no other way.
Recommended auto insurance sites
Even if you’re happy with your car insurance company, you should compare rates every year or two. Rates change often. Discounts come and go. State insurance laws change. Get rates from several different companies and compare. Rate quotes are free and it might just save you money — lots of money.
We recommend Esurance, a proud member of the Allstate family, which means they are backed by the strength of an experienced and established industry leader. What’s more, they have an A+ rating from A.M. Best*, a respected industry rating organization. Each policy includes 24/7 customer service that customers can count on 365 days a year, as well as flexible payment options and discounts for additional savings.
After you choose a company
Many of the differences between car insurance companies are hidden in the details of their policies. Before you sign, make sure you read and understand these details. If you have questions or concerns, get it resolved before you sign. Later may be too late.
After you have selected a company, it’s a good idea to reexamine your choice every year or two because company policies and rates change frequently. The best auto insurance company this year might not be the best next year.
If you change from one car insurance company to another, and have already pre-paid some of your premiums, your old insurance company will refund your unused premiums.
After you’ve selected car accident insurance, and you have a used car more than 3 years old, make sure you are also covered against expensive breakdowns and repairs after your new-car warranty has expired. Your auto insurance does not cover non-accident repairs to your vehicle. We recommend Warranty Direct®, the largest and oldest provider of direct-to-consumer automobile warranties.
Summary
Finding the best auto insurance company requires finding those with the best combination of rates, discounts, and customer service. Finding the best rates is quick and easy if you get online rate quotes and compare them.