When you're out hunting for a good quote on your auto insurance it's easy to fall for the lines of the first smooth talking salesperson to come your way. Let's face it, none of us really want to spend an entire day hunting for auto insurance quotes. There are much better things we could be doing with our time. Getting a root canal without anesthesia, for example. General distaste for spending hours camped in front of your computer or on the telephone aside, however, shopping around for a good quote on your auto insurance is one of the most important things you can do for your budget-and your peace of mind.
Believe it or not, not all auto insurance companies are created equal-and not all of them are going to give you the same kind of value for your dollar. Oh granted, there are certain state mandates that all insurance companies have to obey, but after that it's all grey area. Some insurance companies will offer you a better value for your dollar than others, and there are most definitely different degrees of ease when it comes to filing a claim. When you go looking for an auto insurance provider, be sure you're looking for:
1) Reliability. Does the company have a reputation for paying their claims on time, or do they tend to drag their feet and try to debate the point? Are they the type of company that tries to find every loophole they can to get out of paying their claims, or do they step up to the bat and do the best they can to help you out? If you've been the victim of a theft, or been involved in an accident, you've got enough on your plate. You don't need your insurance company adding to your stress.
2) Value. Did you shop around for a quote, or did you just sign on the dotted line for the first insurance company you found? The annual difference between auto insurance providers can pave the way to that vacation you've been dreaming of, so it pays to shop around for a company that will give you maximum value for a minimum monthly premium.
3) Extras. Okay, so no one really needs all of the extra services that many auto insurance companies offer, but it's nice to have a few at your disposal. Things like car rental insurance (for when you're broken down four states from home, where no one can come rescue you), medical insurance (if you don't already have it) and emergency roadside assistance (if you haven't already discovered the beauty of AAA) can be invaluable. Keep that in mind when you're shopping around for your insurance carrier.
You'd never even consider placing your family's well-being in the hands of anyone who was less than capable. Why would you offer your car even less? Take the time to shop around for an auto insurance carrier who can give you everything you need. Sitting around gathering quotes might be between major surgery and spending hours watching grass grow on your list of favorite things to do, but the end result is always more than worth it.
