The best way we recommend to find low-cost car insurance rates in Buffalo is to make a habit of regularly comparing prices from insurance carriers in New York. Rate comparisons can be done by following these guidelines.
- Try to learn a little about auto insurance and the changes you can make to prevent high rates. Many things that are responsible for high rates like speeding and poor credit can be controlled by making minor driving habit or lifestyle changes. This article gives more ideas to help prevent costly coverage and earn a bigger discount.
- Obtain price quotes from exclusive agents, independent agents, and direct providers. Direct companies and exclusive agencies can only give prices from a single company like Progressive or Allstate, while independent agents can provide prices from multiple sources.
- Compare the quotes to your existing rates to determine if switching companies saves money. If you find a lower rate and make a switch, make sure coverage does not lapse between policies.
- Provide notification to your current company of your intention to cancel your current coverage and submit payment along with a signed and completed policy application for the new coverage. Make sure you keep your new certificate verifying coverage in your vehicle’s glove compartment or console.
One key aspect when comparing rates is that you’ll want to make sure you compare identical coverages on each quote and and to get prices from as many car insurance companies as possible. This provides a fair price comparison and a better comparison of the market.
Unthinkable but true, almost 70% of insureds have stayed with the same insurance company for a minimum of four years, and almost 40% of drivers have never compared rate quotes at all. Consumers in Buffalo could pocket roughly $800 a year by just comparing quotes, but they just assume it’s a time-consuming process to do a rate comparison.
When looking for the cheapest Chevrolet Cobalt rate quotes, there are a couple ways of comparing price quotes from many different New York insurance companies. The easiest way to find the cheapest Chevy Cobalt insurance rates involves getting comparison quotes online.
When price shopping your coverage, obtaining a wide range of quotes will improve the odds of getting a lower rate than you’re paying now. Not every company allows you to get online Buffalo Cobalt insurance quotes, so it’s recommended that you also compare price quotes on coverage from those companies, too.
The companies shown below offer free quotes in New York. In order to find the best cheap car insurance in NY, we suggest you visit as many as you can to find the most affordable car insurance rates.
Score discounts to get cheaper Buffalo insurance rates
Some insurers don’t necessarily list all available discounts in a way that’s easy to find, so the list below contains both the well known and also the more inconspicuous discounts that may be available.
- Save with a New Car – Buying coverage on a new vehicle can cost up to 25% less because newer models are generally safer.
- Policy Bundle Discount – If you can bundle your homeowners and auto insurance with the same company you will save over 10 percent off each policy depending on the company.
- Discounts for Multiple Vehicles – Purchasing coverage when you have multiple vehicles with one company may reduce the rate for each vehicle.
- Onboard Data Collection – People who choose to allow data collection to track vehicle usage by using a small device installed in their vehicle such as In-Drive from State Farm or Allstate’s Drivewise system could possibly reduce rates as long as they are good drivers.
- E-sign Discounts – Some insurance companies will provide an incentive for buying your policy over the internet.
As a sidenote, some credits don’t apply to the overall cost of the policy. Most only apply to specific coverage prices like medical payments or collision. Even though it may seem like it’s possible to get free car insurance, insurance companies aren’t that generous.
The information below shows the comparison of Chevy Cobalt premium costs with and without some available policy discounts. The rates are based on a female driver, no accidents or driving violations, New York state minimum liability limits, full physical damage coverage, and $250 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with multi-car, multi-policy, marriage, claim-free, homeowner, and safe-driver discounts applied.
Some companies that may include many of the previously listed discounts include:
Before you buy a policy, ask every insurance company how you can save money. Some of the discounts discussed earlier might not be offered on policies in Buffalo. To see a list of providers offering insurance discounts in Buffalo, click here.
Insurance coverage analysis
The information displayed below outlines estimates of coverage prices for Chevy Cobalt models. Being able to understand how policy premiums are established can assist in making informed purchases.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cobalt LS 4-Dr Sedan | $94 | $264 | $338 | $20 | $102 | $818 | $68 |
| Cobalt XFE 4-Dr Sedan | $94 | $264 | $338 | $20 | $102 | $818 | $68 |
| Cobalt LS 2-Dr Coupe | $108 | $264 | $374 | $22 | $112 | $880 | $73 |
| Cobalt XFE 2-Dr Coupe | $108 | $264 | $374 | $22 | $112 | $880 | $73 |
| Cobalt LT 4-Dr Sedan | $108 | $264 | $338 | $20 | $102 | $832 | $69 |
| Cobalt LT 2-Dr Coupe | $122 | $264 | $374 | $22 | $112 | $894 | $75 |
| Cobalt SS Turbo 2-Dr Coupe | $136 | $342 | $374 | $22 | $112 | $986 | $82 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
Price data assumes single male driver age 50, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $1000 deductibles, and New York minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-vehicle, safe-driver, claim-free, homeowner, and multi-policy. Estimates do not factor in specific Buffalo garaging location which can decrease or increase price quotes considerably.
The example below illustrates how your deductible choice and can increase or decrease Chevy Cobalt insurance costs for different age groups. The data assumes a single female driver, full coverage, and no other discounts are factored in.
Smart Consumers Can Cut Insurance Costs
One of the most helpful ways to save on car insurance is to to have a grasp of a few of the rating criteria that help determine the level of your policy premiums. If you have some idea of what controls the rates you pay, this allows you to make educated decisions that could help you find lower rates.
The following are most of the major factors utilized by car insurance companies to help set your rates.
Five star NHTSA crash test rating saves money – Vehicles that have high safety ratings tend to be cheaper to insure. Safer cars help reduce the chance of injuries in an accident and lower injury rates means lower claim amounts and thus lower rates. If your Chevy scored better than an “acceptable” rating on the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety website it may be receiving lower rates.
A coverage lapse is a bad thing – Driving without insurance coverage in place is a big no-no and your next policy will cost more because you let your insurance coverage expire. Not only will you pay more, being ticketed for driving with no insurance may earn you fines and jail time. You could then be forced to prove you have insurance by filing a SR-22 with the New York department of motor vehicles.
Are you male or female? – Statistics demonstrate females are less aggressive when driving. This data doesn’t prove that females are better at driving than males. Both sexes cause fender benders at a similar rate, but men cause more damage. Men also get more serious tickets like DUI and reckless driving. Young males cause the most accidents and are penalized with high car insurance rates.
The example below shows the difference between Chevy Cobalt insurance rates for male and female drivers. The rate quotes are based on no tickets, no at-fault accidents, full coverage, $500 deductibles, drivers are not married, and no other discounts are factored in.
Reserve policy claims for larger damages – If you’re an insured who likes to file claims you can definitely plan on higher premiums or even policy non-renewal. Car insurance companies in New York provide the best rates to policyholders who are claim-free. Your insurance policy is meant to be used in the event of claims that you cannot pay yourself.
Don’t skimp on liability coverage – Your policy’s liability coverage is the protection if ever a jury decides you are liable for physical damage or personal injury to other. Your liability coverage provides you with a defense in court which can be incredibly expensive. Liability insurance is quite affordable compared to comp and collision, so do not skimp.
Compare rates if you consolidate your policies – The majority of insurers provide discounts to buyers that buy multiple policies in the form of a multi-policy discount. Discounts can be five, ten or even twenty percent. Even though this discount sounds good, consumers should still comparison shop to help ensure you have the lowest rates.
High premiums for younger drivers – More mature drivers are viewed as being more responsible, tend to file fewer claims, and receive fewer citations. Young drivers are known to get distracted easily in a vehicle so they pay higher car insurance rates.
The next chart uses these variables: single driver, full coverage with $1000 deductibles, and no discounts or violations.
Careless driving means higher rates – Getting just one citation can increase the cost of insurance by twenty percent. Drivers with clean records get better rates than bad drivers. Drivers who have severe violations like DUI or willful reckless driving may find that they have to to complete a SR-22 to the state department of motor vehicles in order to keep their license.
The diagram below demonstrates how citations and at-fault accidents influence Chevy Cobalt premium costs for each age group. The prices are based on a married female driver, full coverage, $100 deductibles, and no other discounts are factored in.
Buying insurance from Buffalo auto insurance agents
Some people still prefer to sit down and talk to an agent and that can be a great decision The best thing about comparing rates online is that drivers can save money and get the lowest rates and also buy local. Supporting small agencies is important particularly in Buffalo.
After filling out this short form, your insurance data is emailed to participating agents in Buffalo who will give competitive quotes to get your business. It simplifies rate comparisons since you won’t have to visit any agencies as quotes are delivered immediately to your email address. You can find the lowest rates AND a local agent. If you wish to compare rates for a specific company, you would need to go to their quote page to submit a rate quote request.
When narrowing the list to find a reputable agency, you should know the types of agencies that differ in how they can insure your vehicles. Insurance policy providers are considered either independent (non-exclusive) or exclusive.
Independent Agencies or Brokers
Independent agents are not required to write business for one company so they can insure your vehicles amongst many companies and get the cheapest rates. To transfer your coverage to a different company, your policy is moved internally which is easy for the insured.
If you are trying to find cheaper rates, you should always check rates from a few independent agents to maximize your price options. Many can place coverage with small mutual carriers which can be an advantage.
Featured below is a partial list of independent insurance agencies in Buffalo who may be able to give you competitive price quotes.
- The Decker Agency, Inc.
37 Elmwood Ave – Buffalo, NY 14201 – (716) 883-1455 – View Map - Linda’s Able Agency
2564 Bailey Ave – Buffalo, NY 14215 – (716) 896-3366 – View Map - La Penna Insur Agency Inc
3835 Harlem Rd – Buffalo, NY 14215 – (716) 838-1880 – View Map
Exclusive Insurance Agencies
Agents in the exclusive channel generally can only insure with one company and some examples include AAA, Allstate, State Farm, or Farmers Insurance. Exclusive agents cannot place coverage with different providers so they are skilled at selling on more than just price. Exclusive agencies receive a lot of sales training on the products they sell and that enables them to sell even at higher rates. Some consumers prefer to buy from exclusive agents mainly due to high brand loyalty rather than having low rates.
Shown below are Buffalo exclusive agencies that are able to give price quotes.
- George Ihle III – State Farm Insurance Agent
7718 Buffalo Ave – Niagara Falls, NY 14304 – (716) 283-9100 – View Map - Marc Scherrer – State Farm Insurance Agent
2165 Sheridan Dr – Buffalo, NY 14223 – (716) 875-0524 – View Map - Farmers Insurance – Toni Du Bois
2460 Main St – Buffalo, NY 14214 – (716) 931-5200 – View Map
Picking the best insurance agent shouldn’t rely on just a low price. Ask your prospective agent these questions:
- Are they properly licensed to sell insurance in New York?
- Did they already check your driving record and credit reports?
- Are there any discounts for paying up front?
- Is insurance their full-time profession?
- Can you use your own choice of collision repair facility?
Once you have received good answers for all questions you ask in addition to an acceptable price estimate, it’s a good possibility that you have found an auto insurance agent that is reliable enough to properly service your insurance policy. Just be aware that you are able to terminate your policy whenever you choose to so don’t feel you are locked into a policy for any length of time.
Ratings for Buffalo car insurance companies
Buying coverage from a high-quality insurance company can be difficult considering how many different insurance companies sell coverage in New York. The company rank data in the next section may help you analyze which providers you want to consider to insure your vehicles.
Top 10 Buffalo Car Insurance Companies Ranked by Claims Service
- Progressive
- USAA
- Liberty Mutual
- State Farm
- GEICO
- Nationwide
- Allstate
- The General
- The Hartford
- 21st Century
Top 10 Buffalo Car Insurance Companies Overall
- The General
- Mercury Insurance
- The Hartford
- Progressive
- Travelers
- State Farm
- Farmers Insurance
- Erie Insurance
- Safeco Insurance
- USAA
The lowest rates come from being thorough
Consumers leave their current company for many reasons like high prices, delays in paying claims, questionable increases in premium or not issuing a premium refund. Regardless of your reason for switching companies, switching companies can be easy and end up saving you some money.
Cost effective Chevy Cobalt insurance can be bought online as well as from independent agents in Buffalo, so you should be comparing quotes from both to have the best selection. Some insurance providers don’t offer the ability to get quotes online and usually these small, regional companies only sell through independent insurance agents.
As you prepare to switch companies, do not sacrifice coverage to reduce premiums. In too many instances, an accident victim reduced full coverage to discover at claim time that the small savings ended up costing them much more. Your goal is to purchase plenty of coverage for the lowest cost and still be able to protect your assets.
More resources
- Auto Insurance 101 (About.com)
- How Much are Car Insurance Quotes for College Graduates in Buffalo? (FAQ)
- Who Has Cheap Buffalo Car Insurance for a Honda Civic? (FAQ)
- Who Has Affordable Auto Insurance Rates for 17 Year Olds in Buffalo? (FAQ)
- Who Has Affordable Auto Insurance Quotes for a Toyota Tacoma in Buffalo? (FAQ)
- How Much is Buffalo Car Insurance for Drivers Over Age 50? (FAQ)
- Who Has Cheap Buffalo Car Insurance Quotes for Uber Drivers? (FAQ)
- Information for Teen Drivers (GEICO)
- Electronic Stability Control FAQ (iihs.org)
- Neck Injury FAQ (iihs.org)
- Comprehensive Coverage (Liberty Mutual)