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Arriving at the best coverage for an auto insurance quote isn’t easy for many Central New Yorkers. Car insurance is one of the most important financial decisions you will make as a driver. It can save you from paying thousands of dollars in damages and medical bills if you get into an accident.
It can also protect you from lawsuits and legal troubles. But how do you know what kind of car insurance coverage you need and how much it will cost you?
You might be confused by the many terms and options that car insurance companies offer. You might wonder what the difference is between liability, collision, comprehensive, and other coverages. You might also worry about finding the best deal and not overpaying for your policy.
That’s why we’re here to help you. We’re Horan, your local independent insurance agency in Baldwinsville, New York. We’ve been serving our community since 2009. We provide personalized insurance solutions for both personal and business needs.
In this article, we’ll help you understand the purpose of each coverage type. Using that info, you’ll learn how to find the best value in auto insurance quotes.
How to Find the Best Coverage for Your Auto Insurance Quote
As an insurance agency, one of the most common questions we get from clients is: What’s the best coverage for an auto insurance quote?
This is not an easy question to answer. The word “best” can mean different things to different people. The best coverage for you depends on two main factors:
- your lifestyle and
- your budget.
Your lifestyle determines what kind of risks you face as a driver and what kind of protection you need. For example, you might drive your vehicle often. You may have a new or expensive car. Where you live may experience high crime or weather hazards.
Considering all of these factors, you might pay more for comprehensive coverage than others. Someone who lives in another area with an older car may see different rates.
Your budget determines how much you can afford to pay for your car insurance policy. You want to get the most value for your money. But you also don’t want to skimp on essential coverage that could save you from financial ruin in case of an accident.
So how do you find the best coverage for your auto insurance quote?
The answer is:
- by comparing different options and
- finding the right balance between coverage and cost.
That’s where a good insurance agent comes in. An independent agent will have access to several carriers. That allows them to find the best car insurance quote for your needs and budget.
They’ll work with you to understand your lifestyle and your risk profile. A good agent will also explain the different types of coverage available and how they affect your premium and claim. They’ll help you decide on how much coverage you need. They can also choose the best quotes from the most suitable carrier and find you the best deal possible.
How to Allocate Your Auto Insurance Dollar Wisely When Getting Quotes
You don’t want to waste your money on car insurance, even if you can afford it. But how do you get the most value from your coverage? How do you find the best balance between protection and cost?
Questions like this may gnaw at you during your auto insurance quote search. You might be wondering: What’s the best insurance coverage then? Really?
What we’re talking about is where is the best allocation of your insurance dollar.
Fulfilling Obligations with Your Auto Insurance Policy
Say you’re willing to spend $200 a month on auto insurance, and not a dollar more. Where would you apply this $200?
The answer is: It depends on your situation and priorities. But here are some general guidelines to help you make the best decision.
First, let’s presume you have a loan on the vehicle. Or at least you have to carry comprehensive and collision coverage. These are the coverages that pay for the damage to your own car in case of an accident or other event. They are usually required by lenders or leaseholders.
The best coverage is being able to fulfill your obligations to the bank. Meaning, you have to carry physical damage coverage. But how much deductible should you choose? The deductible is the amount of money you have to pay out of pocket before the insurance kicks in.
The higher the deductible, the lower the premium. But also, the more risk you take on yourself. The lower the deductible, the higher the premium. But also, the more protection you get from the insurance.
So, what’s the best balance?
Well, one option is to choose a higher deductible than the industry standard of $500. For example, if you can choose a $1,000 deductible instead of $500, you might be able to save money on your premium. By doing so, you might be able to free up enough money to go up another level in your liability coverage.
Liability coverage is the coverage that pays for the damage and injuries you cause to others in an accident. It is required by law in New York State. But the minimum limits are often not enough to cover the actual costs of a serious accident.
The higher the liability limit, the more protection you have from lawsuits and legal troubles. But also, the higher the premium. The lower the liability limit, the less protection you have from lawsuits and legal troubles. But also, the lower the premium.
So, why should you choose a higher liability limit if you can? Because it’s easier to find an extra $500 somewhere in your world than it is to find an extra $150,000 in liability coverage.
By putting more money toward the thing that would be harder for you to solve later, you made your money go further. You paid the same amount per month, but you got more value from your insurance.
Beefing Up Coverages on Your Auto Policy to Add Value and Layers of Protection
But what if you still have some money left over after choosing a higher deductible and a higher liability limit? Or what if you don’t need comprehensive and collision coverage at all because you own your car outright? And the car isn’t worth much.
Then you might want to buy or beef up coverages that could add value and convenience to your policy. For example:
- Increased uninsured/underinsured motorist. This is the coverage that pays for your own damage and injuries if you’re hit by a driver who has no insurance or not enough insurance. It can also shield you from lawsuits and legal troubles if you’re hit by such a driver.
Increasing this coverage might not be essential for everyone. But doing so could provide some peace of mind and convenience in case of an accident.
What if you’re on a tight budget? Or maybe you want to prioritize something else.
For example, you might want to put that money into another layer of no-fault coverage. No-fault coverage is another term for personal injury protection. It’s a type of coverage that pays for your own medical expenses and lost wages if you are injured in an accident, regardless of who is at fault. It is required by law in some states, such as New York, but not in others.
The minimum limit for no-fault coverage in New York is $50,000, but you might want to increase it to $100,000 or more if you can afford it. Why? Because medical bills can quickly add up after an accident, especially if you have serious injuries or need long-term care. And no-fault coverage can help you pay for those bills without having to sue anyone or wait for a settlement.
By increasing your no-fault limit, you might be able to avoid financial hardship and stress in case of an accident. And that might be worth more than having a rental car or extra protection from uninsured drivers.
At the end of the day, everyone’s situation is different. Also, policy needs differ from household to household. And what works for you now may not work for you in five years.
That’s why you need a consultation with an insurance agent. They can help you find the best coverage for your needs and budget. They might ask you hard questions, even if you just met them on the phone. But that’s the only way they can help you get the best value for your money.
Get the Best Coverage for Your Auto Insurance Policy
So, what’s the best coverage for auto insurance? The best coverage is the one that meets your needs and your budget. The one that gives you the most protection and value for your money. The one that makes you feel safe and confident on the road.
And that’s what we can help you find. We know how hard it can be to choose the right policy that meets you where you are.
As an independent CNY insurance agency, we have the experience and the expertise to help you find the best car insurance quote for your unique situation.
We’ll also help you understand the different types of coverage and how they affect your premium and your claim. Finding the best balance between coverage and cost is not impossible. That’s what we do. We will help you compare quotes from different carriers and find the best deal possible.
We want you to avoid common mistakes and pitfalls that could leave you underinsured or overpaying. If you follow our advice, you will have peace of mind and confidence on the road.
But if you overlook our advice, you might end up paying more than you need to or getting less than you deserve. You might face financial hardship or legal trouble if you have an accident.
Don’t let that happen.
If you’re ready for an auto insurance quote tailored to your needs, click the Get a Quote button below. A friendly and knowledgeable Horan agent will contact you and discuss your policy options.
Want a deeper dive into the best policy limits and deductibles for your auto insurance quotes? Read the articles below:
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