I did some freelancing for a company called WebJuice, the
Kayak.com of car insurance. My objectives were to stick to a topic, include all
the top-rated SEO keywords on that topic and make it interesting.
How
to Take On Car Insurance Comparisons and Come Out On Top: a Step-by-Step Guide
Making an auto insurance quotes comparison can be a tedious and confusing task. Clever catchphrases rain down on you, funny mascots yell at you and most often, promises of saving mountains of cash hit you from all angles. But who’s offering what’s best for you? When looking to compare car insurance rates, it’s best to block out all the noise and keep these simple questions in mind.
1. What does your current insurance policy include and exactly how much are you paying?
You’re obviously not 100% happy if you’re looking to compare auto insurance rates with other companies. What is it that’s causing you to shop around – the coverage? The cost? Are you looking to make a few tweaks to it, or a major overhaul? Before you make an auto insurance comparison, write down everything that you’re covered for currently, the exact price you’re paying for it (monthly and yearly) and what you’re looking to improve.
2. Really, how much coverage do you need?
After all, you’re not your hotheaded, lead-footed brother in-law, and you’re also not the environmentalist next door who only gets behind the wheel to visit the farmer’s market across town. You may have a long commute to work. You may have children. It’s silly to compare auto insurance rates with people whose driving habits are completely different from yours. Make an honest assessment of your driving style, ability and history, as well as other factors like location and the likelihood of certain incidents taking place in your future. Don’t overpay for a policy that’s more comprehensive than you’ll ever need.
3. Are you a good driver, and can you cash in on it?
Peruse your driving record. Is it relatively incident-free? A lack of accidents or violations can equal a cheaper rate, as some companies offer “safe driver” discounts and the like. Any car insurance quotes comparison should include looking for a clean-record discount. After all, you earned it.
4. Who’s offering what?
Your car insurance comparison must always include more than two or three companies. Shop around – a lot. Compare car insurance rates of 10 or more different companies, because little differences in what they offer can possibly mean big savings for you. Oftentimes, when one insurer lowers its rates, others will follow suit, or offer specials to stay competitive. So don’t sign up for the first company that looks good to you. Remember: you’re signing a long and possibly expensive contract; auto insurance comparisons can’t be taken lightly.
5. Are they as good as they say they are?
Anyone can make promises. But an auto insurance quote comparison would not be complete without a thorough check of the companies’ track records. How long have they been in business? How many people do they insure? Do they have a lot of long-term or repeat customers? And are these companies financially solvent? It’s your right to know if a company may collapse as soon as you sign a contract. There are numerous sources you can use to check a company’s financial and customer service history, including the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), A.M. Best, J.D. Power and Associates and more. It can feel like homework, but you can never be too curious when you compare auto insurance prices.
6. What are the customers saying?
Although it may seem like it sometimes, you’re definitely not the only one struggling to compare car insurance rates. Thousands of drivers have suffered through the same ordeal…and they’re willing to talk about it. A simple online search of an insurance company’s name with the word “review” will bring up a multitude of message boards, webpage comment sections or social media postings about how good, bad or indifferent the company is to its customers. An overwhelming tide of opinion one way or the other will generally tell you how you’ll be treated. When you’re looking to compare car insurance quotes, pay close attention to compliments as well as complaints.
7. Wait…people still talk on the phone?
Yup. Your auto insurance rate comparison shouldn’t be limited to online searches. After you narrow your search down to several good choices, pick up the phone and give each of them a call. Speaking to a real, live human can clear up confusing language that may be on a company website, give you a feel for the company’s customer service and even give you the opportunity to haggle. Tell the representative that you want to compare auto insurance quotes with other insurers, and have the relevant information ready, including the details of your current policy, driving history and the advertised rates/offers of other companies. Be patient and diligent and you’ll get the best policy possible.
Making an auto insurance quotes comparison can be a tedious and confusing task. Clever catchphrases rain down on you, funny mascots yell at you and most often, promises of saving mountains of cash hit you from all angles. But who’s offering what’s best for you? When looking to compare car insurance rates, it’s best to block out all the noise and keep these simple questions in mind.
1. What does your current insurance policy include and exactly how much are you paying?
You’re obviously not 100% happy if you’re looking to compare auto insurance rates with other companies. What is it that’s causing you to shop around – the coverage? The cost? Are you looking to make a few tweaks to it, or a major overhaul? Before you make an auto insurance comparison, write down everything that you’re covered for currently, the exact price you’re paying for it (monthly and yearly) and what you’re looking to improve.
2. Really, how much coverage do you need?
After all, you’re not your hotheaded, lead-footed brother in-law, and you’re also not the environmentalist next door who only gets behind the wheel to visit the farmer’s market across town. You may have a long commute to work. You may have children. It’s silly to compare auto insurance rates with people whose driving habits are completely different from yours. Make an honest assessment of your driving style, ability and history, as well as other factors like location and the likelihood of certain incidents taking place in your future. Don’t overpay for a policy that’s more comprehensive than you’ll ever need.
3. Are you a good driver, and can you cash in on it?
Peruse your driving record. Is it relatively incident-free? A lack of accidents or violations can equal a cheaper rate, as some companies offer “safe driver” discounts and the like. Any car insurance quotes comparison should include looking for a clean-record discount. After all, you earned it.
4. Who’s offering what?
Your car insurance comparison must always include more than two or three companies. Shop around – a lot. Compare car insurance rates of 10 or more different companies, because little differences in what they offer can possibly mean big savings for you. Oftentimes, when one insurer lowers its rates, others will follow suit, or offer specials to stay competitive. So don’t sign up for the first company that looks good to you. Remember: you’re signing a long and possibly expensive contract; auto insurance comparisons can’t be taken lightly.
5. Are they as good as they say they are?
Anyone can make promises. But an auto insurance quote comparison would not be complete without a thorough check of the companies’ track records. How long have they been in business? How many people do they insure? Do they have a lot of long-term or repeat customers? And are these companies financially solvent? It’s your right to know if a company may collapse as soon as you sign a contract. There are numerous sources you can use to check a company’s financial and customer service history, including the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), A.M. Best, J.D. Power and Associates and more. It can feel like homework, but you can never be too curious when you compare auto insurance prices.
6. What are the customers saying?
Although it may seem like it sometimes, you’re definitely not the only one struggling to compare car insurance rates. Thousands of drivers have suffered through the same ordeal…and they’re willing to talk about it. A simple online search of an insurance company’s name with the word “review” will bring up a multitude of message boards, webpage comment sections or social media postings about how good, bad or indifferent the company is to its customers. An overwhelming tide of opinion one way or the other will generally tell you how you’ll be treated. When you’re looking to compare car insurance quotes, pay close attention to compliments as well as complaints.
7. Wait…people still talk on the phone?
Yup. Your auto insurance rate comparison shouldn’t be limited to online searches. After you narrow your search down to several good choices, pick up the phone and give each of them a call. Speaking to a real, live human can clear up confusing language that may be on a company website, give you a feel for the company’s customer service and even give you the opportunity to haggle. Tell the representative that you want to compare auto insurance quotes with other insurers, and have the relevant information ready, including the details of your current policy, driving history and the advertised rates/offers of other companies. Be patient and diligent and you’ll get the best policy possible.
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