How to Find Auto Insurance Near Me?
“How do I find auto insurance near me?” How many times have you typed that question or a variation of it into Google? And why did you do it? I’m guessing that like me, it’s because you’re not just looking for a service (in this case, auto insurance). You’re looking for auto insurance that’s local to you, and therefore more likely to understand your needs.
We live in a highly globalized world. One in which the customer service agents for your local grocery store may well be located on another continent. While that is convenient for the grocery store, because it’s cheaper, it may not be so convenient for you. That agent may not be able to answer questions that are specific to your locality. We’ve all come to realize that, and so we want to ensure that our search is as specific as possible. And as close to local as it is possible to get. So, if I were to do an online search, I would search for auto insurance near me.
Does it help to search for auto insurance near me?
While dealing with far away customer service may put you off, does doing a local-centric search really help in a practical sense? After all, insurance is insurance right?
Well, no. Not really.
There are local variables that affect your auto insurance. For example, let’s say you live in North Carolina and you do a google search to see how much auto insurance costs. Your results may include insurance costs for Harris County, Texas. As I have written before, Harris County is one of the most expensive places in the country for auto insurance. It may also include results for Michigan, which was the most expensive US state for car insurance in 2017, at $2,551. You may not know that North Carolina has cheaper auto insurance than those places, and so end up believing that insurance is very expensive.
With this kind of discrepancy, I’m sure you see how googling “auto insurance near me” would give you a better idea of how much auto insurance is likely to cost at your location rather than a national average. It is beneficial therefore, to be as specific as possible in your search. “Auto insurance in Houston” is far better than simply typing “auto insurance.”
Having said that, I should also point out that location is not the only factor that influences your insurance cost. There are many other variables. For instance, the cost of auto insurance is influenced by the age and gender of the driver of the car to be insured. Auto insurance is more expensive for male and younger drivers. That’s because they are seen as higher risk. The average cost of car insurance in 2016 for a 19-year-old man was approximately $2,154. For females it was $1,930. As people grow older the cost of car insurance reduces significantly, while the price gap between genders closes considerably.
Why do I need auto insurance?
“All well and good,” you say, “but do I really need auto insurance?”
Unless you have a crystal ball to tell the future and an unlimited pot of cash, yes you do. Auto insurance makes you ready for what may happen unexpectedly to or with your vehicle. Accidents involving motor vehicles are a very common occurrence in the US. Millions are registered in each year. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), an estimated 4.6 million were involved in crashes in 2016, the most recent data available. It is estimated that associated costs of car accidents including injuries, property damage and administrative expenses amounted to $432 billion in 2016.
Without auto insurance, where would payment for those costs come from? You guessed it – from your pocket and mine. Broken down further, it’s clear that the cost of even one accident can be devastating. On average, one crash can cost about $61,600, while the medical costs of treating a critically injured accident victim can reach $ 1 million. Add in your legal defense costs, and things quickly escalate. This is so even if you’re eventually cleared of all culpability in the crash. With such alarming statistics, the importance of finding the right car insurance becomes quite apparent.
Now that you know why you need to have auto insurance, you probably want to jump onto your computer right away and furiously google auto insurance near me. It’s great that you want to do the right thing, but also ensure you’re doing it right.
How do I find auto insurance near me?
In your pursuit of auto insurance, the first step is to seek advice from an independent insurance agent. Yes, that takes more effort than googling auto insurance near me. But buying insurance online without first getting advice from an insurance expert may expose you to the risk of purchasing a policy that is wrong for you. Insurance agents are professionals who know and understand the insurance requirements of your state. They also know what qualities make up the best auto insurance policy.
When you are seeking insurance quotes, look for a policy that addresses each of the concerns you have. E.g., doe it covers both you and a third party or just a third party? Of course, you should also make sure it’s affordable for you. Independent insurance agents will help you get quotes which meet your needs and they may also be able to help you get discounts.
Furthermore, when you work with an independent agent, you’re not limited to purchasing your auto policy from one insurance company. You have access to a wide range of alternative policies. These include policies provided by insurance companies across your state or the country. And if supporting a local business is important to you, you can easily let him or her know: look, I want to find auto insurance near me.
Where possible, the agent can also lump together your auto, home and other insurance. This helps keep your cost low. An online search doesn’t cover those nuances.
The agent’s assistance will include helping you to review several policies, their pricing, deductibles and coverage limits so you can make an intelligent decision.
Are there other ways of finding auto insurance near me?
Yes, it so happens that there are. Here are a few options:
Google: Yup, good ol’ google is still the primary online method that you can use for finding auto insurance near you. But you must ensure that you enable the location setting on your device.
Google searches the businesses around your location and presents them in the search result. Be sure to read the customer reviews for each of the results before you proceed. And bear in mind that with instant online insurance, it is difficult to determine whether the amount and type of protection they offer is the right one for you. Many basic auto insurance policies may meet the requirements of the state but may not give you the right compensation needed for recovery after an accident.
Family and friends: Your network of family and friends may be able to recommend auto insurance for you, based on their own experiences. However, be aware that your need or personal situation may be quite different from theirs. This will affect both the type and cost of your insurance.
Auto dealership: the dealership from where you buy your car may be able to recommend an auto insurer. I always counsel caution with this. The dealership may simply make a recommendation based on the commercial agreement they have with that auto insurance company, and not necessarily because it is right for you. Do your due diligence before committing to anything.
All these are potential ways to get auto insurance quotes. While they may be more convenient, that is not the best way to purchase auto insurance coverage. They have many drawbacks. This includes the risk of paying for insurance that does not match your needs. Unfortunately, you will only find out it’s not appropriate when you file a claim. By that time, you may have been paying premiums for years.
That’s why it’s important to involve an independent insurance agent when searching for auto insurance near you.
Lastly, what kind of auto insurance should I get?
In addition to your needs, the laws of your state are also a factor in determining your insurance. Auto liability insurance is a legal requirement for drivers in most states. Some states also require you to carry a minimum amount of personal injury and protection (PIP), but requirements vary by state. In the event that you cause an accident, your liability coverage will pay for bodily injuries and property damage to the maximum set by your policy.
In addition to the mandatory liability coverage, you may also want to protect your investment in your car by purchasing comprehensive insurance coverage Comprehensive insurance coverage is also known as “other than collision” policy. Bundled together, comprehensive and collision insurance cover accidents, vandalism and theft.
With all these in mind, getting the right auto insurance should be a breeze. Begin your search and find local Insurance Agents Near Me.
