Separating the Best Auto Insurance from the Rest
There are a lot of things that can ruin your day, but one of the most frustrating is when your car runs into trouble. Maybe you're driving home from work when your transmission gives out, or maybe you can't break fast enough on an icy road. In any case, one of the few consolations in such an event is that your car insurance will help cover any expenses you incur. But not all insurance plans are made equal. How can you make sure you have the best auto insurance?
Fortunately, there are tools that can help. One of the easiest is to look at reports and rankings, like consumerreports.org. These sites look across the broad spectrum of auto-insurance companies and rank them according to various criteria; additionally, they often include extra information to consider when choosing an insurance plan.
The most basic criteria for picking insurance companies is the cost. Remember—the premium is the yearly amount you pay for the plan (although it may be charged monthly or once every six months), and the deductible is the amount of out-of-pocket money you have to pay before the insurance will begin to cover costs! Just because one plan's premiums are low doesn't necessarily mean it's cheaper than another plan—after all, the deductible is usually much higher for low-premium insurance.
Perhaps one of the best ways to find the best auto insurance is to ask around. Websites, reports, and statistics are helpful, but firsthand stories from your friends and family can tell you much, much more. If you talk to people about car insurance long enough, you'll soon find someone who has an insurance "horror story." Whether it happened to them or they heard it from a friend, they will give you all the reasons you could need to take your time choosing a policy. Monthly premiums that continue being charged after the policy is cancelled, low payouts, poor customer service—these are just a few reasons why "doing your homework" can not only save you money but also a lot of headaches.
With a little homework, the proper research, and a few good conversations with people you trust, you can find the best insurance company for you in no time. Insurance is like a parachute—if everything goes well, you never use it, but when you need it, you'll be much happier with it than without! Take your time, then, and make sure you have a plan that's right for you.
Share
