Many senior citizens have been dependable to their auto insurance companies for years, often decades. Having the same sterling insurance agent and company is comforting. But the auto insurance industry has become more competitive, actively vying for the senior citizen market. It makes sense for senior citizens to gather information to compare their current rates, especially at the time of auto insurance renewal.

Getting quotes for auto insurance is an easy process. With just a few clicks on the computer or toll-free telephone calls, anyone can bag a list that compares auto insurance by services and rates. For senior citizens, who often are on fixed incomes, this can be a very cost-effective exercise, possibly saving them hundreds of dollars during an insured period.

Finding Comparable Rates

Buying auto insurance is like any other important, long-term purchase. The key is to win time to research and shop for the best deal with reliable auto insurance companies.

The following is a sample of insurance companies and insurance brokers offering auto insurance quotes on the Internet. Many have specific marketing programs targeting senior citizens.

AARP: www.aarp.thehartford.com.
AARP is an advocacy organization for seniors that promotes the interests of people over 50 years old. They offer auto insurance to members through The Hartford.

Allstate: www.allstate.com.
Allstate is a well known insurance company. Quotes can be gathered at the above website or local agents can be found in the telephone book and are available to assist in preparing a free quote.

Farmers Insurance Group: http://www.farmersinsurance.com.
Online or in person, a Farmers insurance agent can review auto insurance coverage, help identify potential gaps, and include any qualifying Farmers Auto insurance discounts.

Progressive Insurance: www.progressive.com.
Progressive will provide a quote for their company along with comparables of other auto insurance companies for easy comparisons.

Geico Insurance: www.geico.com.
This company can be accessed online or at one of their many offices. It is easy to get a quote; they offer flexible payment options and competitive rates.

Costco: www.costco.com.
Costco offers membership insurance through Ameriprise Auto & Home Insurance.

Autoinsure: www.autoinsure.org.
Autoinsure has a page with helpful insurance information for senior citizens. They can provide quotes from all the major auto insurance companies.

Esurance: www.esurance.com.
A rising star among insurance companies that buy pride in stating: “Esurance doesn’t just offer reliable insurance coverage, we also enjoy in educating consumers.” Their online quote process is easy to navigate.

US Insurance: www.usinsuranceonline.com
They will provide multiple auto insurance quotes tailored to specific needs within minutes of filling out their simple short form. It’s easy then to compare them side by side to find the best prices and coverage.

Car Insurance Rates: www.carinsurancerates.com
Their network of companies and brokers offer a variety of car insurances: Farmers, Allstate, AIG, Nationwide, AARP, Safeco Insurance, Liberty Mutual, MetLife and Mercury.

Every insurance rate: www.everyinsurancerate.com
EveryInsuranceCompany.com is a handy Internet directory to find local insurance companies, insurance quotes and discount insurance rates.

Quote Scout: www.quotescout.com.
This website will provide quotes from a long list of auto insurance companies – literally from “A” to “Z”.

Insurance.com: http://www.insurance.com.
Insurance.com works directly with 15 highly rated car insurance companies in 46 states: 21st Century, Electric Insurance, Esurance Auto Insurance, The Hartford, Infinity, Liberty Mutual, Meritplan Insurance, MetLife Auto Insurance, Newport Insurance, Permanent General Assurance Corporation (The General), Progressive, QBE Insurance, Safeco, Travelers Insurance, and Unitrin Direct.

Keeping Auto Insurance Rates Down

There are ways that senior citizens can take responsibility to control their auto insurance rates. Here are a few suggestions.

According to seniorjournal.com, most of the major auto insurance agencies provide a 5% – 10% discount to drivers beginning at the ages of 50 or 55. However, as a group, drivers 75 and older have one of the highest rates of fatal daytime accidents. Because of this, it’s important that senior drivers discontinue proactive and eager in keeping their driving skills sharp.

Many states offer an auto insurance discount for mature drivers if a person meets a given age criteria and has taken an approved mature driver safety course. Local colleges and senior centers are good resources to learn about the classes. AARP has local and on-line access to the course. Costco offers its members an online drivers’ safety training course through FirstNet: www.firstnetlearning.com.

Another way to maintain auto insurance rates down is to drive a low-profile car, one that as part of a group has a lower rate due to minimum repair costs, considered safer and less likely to be stolen. Check the Highway Loss Data Institute, www.iihs.org, for the latest related data.

Inquire current auto insurance needs and requirements. Changing to higher deductibles or dropping collision or comprehensive coverage for older cars may make sense.

Always ask about discounts when purchasing or renewing auto insurance.

And finally, the best long-term advice: Always drive defensively, stay alert and follow the driving laws. Maintaining a safe driving record is the best way to maintain auto insurance rates down.

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • NewsVine
  • Reddit
  • StumbleUpon
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Twitter
  • Technorati
  • Live
  • LinkedIn
  • MySpace
  • MySpace

{ 0 comments }

Tips For Shopping For Auto Insurance In 2011

by admin on February 26, 2011

Shopping for auto insurance is a complex affair depending on how your current policy is set up. My automobile policy is carried by the same company that does my homeowners' insurance. My monthly mortgage payment is based on a calculation derived from information provided by the same company. To change automobile insurance means that I have to make changes to my escrow and homeowner's policy. Who wants to do all that?

There are plenty of good reasons to shop for auto insurance right now though. Whenever the economy tanks, millions of customers let insurance policies lapse. This presents an unsafe driving environment for the consumer and harsh fights among the insurance giants for the remaining paying customers. That's good news for you. I'm sure you've noticed that auto insurance companies have ramped up the volume in the past few months. That's because there have been major migrations of customers between the colossal 4 auto companies since 2009. Customers are looking for a good deal, and simply being big isn't going to keep customers paying higher rates. The top 3 auto insurance companies are Geico, Allstate and State Farm. These companies account for about 35% of the market collectively. Lately your television has been flooded with commercials by companies like Progressive and Farmer's auto insurance. These companies are looking to take some market share away from the leaders. Of course the plight is that the two leaders in the market have highly dedicated customers who may have never had a different insurer in their lives. Discount stacking and bundling make even getting these customers into a competitor's office a challenge. But there are many deals to be had for the persistent customer. As the market is being shaken up, there is a premium placed on customers to join a unique company and stick with that company for many years. Listed below are some tips you can use going into the office of a competitor for an insurance quote.

  1. Bring all your relevant documentation. License, vehicle information, homeowner's information, secondary vehicle information, etc.
  2. Ask for discounts that involve bundling. There are multi-car discounts, homeowner packages, driver training discounts, discounts for good grades for students, and safe driver discounts.
  3. Tell the salesperson what the competition is doing to get the brand down. Don't be shy, when it comes to the fact that you want a lower price.
  4. Ask for what the policy doesn't cover. Does it cover flood damage, one car accidents, accidents bewitching hit and runs and acts of God?
  5. Does the policy include roadside assistance, rental car and towing? Did your old policy cover these things?
  6. Does the policy include collision and comprehensive? Never accept a liability only quote. This is a rock-bottom price that won't repair your car in an accident.

Right now the insurance world is working aggressively to get your dollar. Now is the perfect time to encourage your dollar go farther. I will be shopping this year and I plan to save some money. I hope you save some money as well.

Sources:

A.M. Best

Interviews

Other Articles By The Author

Hybrid Vehicle Tax Deduction

Fourth Quarter Investing

Starting Your Own Business

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • NewsVine
  • Reddit
  • StumbleUpon
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Twitter
  • Technorati
  • Live
  • LinkedIn
  • MySpace
  • MySpace

{ 0 comments }

Forbes List Of Safest Cars Of 2007

February 24, 2011

Forbes Magazine (forbes.com) has complied a list of the safest cars of 2007, using data from respected sources, including Consumer Reports, The Department of Transportation, The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) and the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI). In order to acquire a spot on the list, the vehicle had to have at least [...]

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • NewsVine
  • Reddit
  • StumbleUpon
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Twitter
  • Technorati
  • Live
  • LinkedIn
  • MySpace
  • MySpace
Read the full article →

Save Time And Money With Free Auto Insurance Quotes Online

February 21, 2011

It is easier than ever before to get auto insurance. In the days of yesteryear, obtaining auto insurance was quite time consuming. It consisted of meetings with agents person-to-person, and an innumerable amount of hours cruising through the phone book. Thanks to the internet, any consumer can simply obtain their auto insurance quotes online. Many [...]

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • NewsVine
  • Reddit
  • StumbleUpon
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Twitter
  • Technorati
  • Live
  • LinkedIn
  • MySpace
  • MySpace
Read the full article →

Whole And Term Life Insurance Understanding The Difference

February 19, 2011

Life insurance is designed to create financial protection for a persons’ family should they pass away. This protection can come in the form of paying off the deceased persons’ debts or even as a replacement for their income for a certain length of time. Life insurance can even be used as an investment, although this [...]

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • NewsVine
  • Reddit
  • StumbleUpon
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Twitter
  • Technorati
  • Live
  • LinkedIn
  • MySpace
  • MySpace
Read the full article →