It takes a few minutes, but the best way to find better pricing on auto insurance rates is to start comparing rates regularly from companies that insure vehicles in Buffalo. Drivers can shop around by following these guidelines.
First, it will benefit you to learn about car insurance and the things you can control to prevent expensive coverage. Many rating factors that drive up the price such as at-fault accidents, careless driving, and a negative credit history can be rectified by improving your driving habits or financial responsibility. Keep reading for ideas to help prevent high rates and get discounts that may be available to you.
Second, compare prices from exclusive agents, independent agents, and direct providers. Direct companies and exclusive agencies can only quote rates from a single company like GEICO or State Farm, while independent agents can provide price quotes from multiple companies. Start a quote
Third, compare the new rate quotes to the premium of your current policy and see if there is a cheaper rate. If you can save some money and make a switch, verify that coverage does not lapse between policies.
Fourth, provide adequate notice to your current company to cancel your existing policy and submit the required down payment along with the signed application to your new insurance company. Be sure to place the new certificate of insurance in a readily accessible location in your vehicle.
One key aspect when comparing rates is to use similar coverage information on each price quote and and to get price quotes from as many different companies as possible. This helps ensure a fair rate comparison and and a good selection of different prices.
Surprisingly, a recent survey revealed that almost 70% of insureds have bought car insurance from the same company for at least the last four years, and almost 40% of drivers have never even shopped around for cheaper coverage. Drivers in Buffalo can save almost $840 each year just by shopping around, but they just feel it’s too hard to find cheaper car insurance rates.
If you are already insured or are just looking to switch companies, use these tips to save money without reducing coverage. Comparing rates for more affordable coverage in Buffalo is simple if you know the tricks. Comparison shoppers just have to learn the most efficient way to shop their coverage around over the internet.
The auto insurance companies shown below can provide price comparisons in Buffalo, NY. To find the cheapest auto insurance in Buffalo, we suggest you get rates from several of them in order to get a fair rate comparison.
Auto insurance discounts are available for cheaper rates
Car insurance companies don’t list all possible discounts very well, so below is a list a few of the more common in addition to some of the lesser obvious ways to save on auto insurance.
- Good Grades Discount – Getting good grades can earn a discount of 20% or more. Earning this discount can benefit you until age 25.
- Paperwork-free – Many larger companies will give a small break for completing your application online.
- No Claim Discounts – Claim-free drivers pay less compared to frequent claim filers.
- Discount for Multiple Policies – If you can combine your auto and homeowners policy and place coverage with the same company you could earn a discount of up to 20% and get you inexpensive Tesla Model X insurance in Buffalo.
- Defensive Driving Course – Taking a defensive driving class could save 5% or more if your company offers it.
It’s important to understand that some of the credits will not apply to your bottom line cost. Most cut specific coverage prices like comp or med pay. Despite the fact that it seems like adding up those discounts means a free policy, companies don’t profit that way.
A few companies that may offer policyholders these benefits include:
When quoting, ask each company how many discounts you can get. Discounts may not apply to policyholders in your state.
Insurance agent or online?
Some people still prefer to get professional advice from a licensed agent and doing so can bring peace of mind Good insurance agents can make sure you are properly covered and will help you if you have claims. A nice benefit of comparing insurance prices online is that drivers can save money and get lower premium rates and still buy from a local agent. Buying from and supporting local agencies is important particularly in Buffalo.
To make it easy to find an agent, after completing this simple form, the coverage information is immediately sent to companies in Buffalo who will return price quotes for your insurance coverage. It makes it easy because there is no need to find an agent on your own since price quotes are sent straight to your inbox. If you have a need to get a rate quote from one company in particular, you just need to visit that company’s website and complete a quote there.
Compare rates from both independent and exclusive auto insurance agents
When researching a good Buffalo insurance agent, there are a couple of types of agencies and how they work. Insurance agents in Buffalo are categorized either independent (non-exclusive) or exclusive. Either one can sell affordable insurance policies, but it’s good to learn how they differ since it can impact which agent you choose.
Independent Agencies or Brokers
Agents that elect to be independent are normally appointed by many insurers and that is an advantage because they can write policies with an assortment of companies and find the cheapest rate. If premiums increase, they simply switch companies in-house and you can keep the same agent.
When comparing rate quotes, you absolutely need to get several quotes from at a minimum one independent agency to have the best price comparison. Most also have access to additional companies that you may not be familiar with that can offer cheaper rates than bigger companies.
Shown below is a short list of independent insurance agencies in Buffalo who may be able to give you cheap rate quotes.
- Hoch Insurance
2333 Elmwood Ave – Buffalo, NY 14217 – (716) 846-1715 – View Map - Lawley
361 Delaware Ave – Buffalo, NY 14202 – (716) 849-8618 – View Map - GPA Insurance Inc
520 Lee Entrance # 120 – Buffalo, NY 14228 – (716) 681-1556 – View Map
Exclusive Insurance Agents
Exclusive agents can only write with one company and some examples include State Farm, AAA, Farmers Insurance or Allstate. Exclusive agents cannot compare other company’s rates so they are skilled at selling on more than just price. Exclusive agencies are trained well in insurance sales and that allows them to sell at a higher price point. Some consumers prefer to use the same agent partially due to the brand name instead of buying on price only.
The following are exclusive insurance agencies in Buffalo willing to provide price quotes.
- GEICO Insurance Agent
3835 McKinley Pkwy #2 – Buffalo, NY 14219 – (716) 604-0345 – View Map - George Ihle III – State Farm Insurance Agent
7718 Buffalo Ave – Niagara Falls, NY 14304 – (716) 283-9100 – View Map - Progressive Insurance – Buffalo Service Center
6699 Transit Road – Buffalo, NY 14221 – (716) 810-1500 – View Map
Choosing the best insurance agent is decision based upon more than just the premium amount. Before buying a policy in Buffalo, get answers to these questions.
- What companies can they write with?
- Will their companies depreciate repairs to your car based on the mileage?
- Do they assist clients in filing claims?
- By raising physical damage deductibles, how much would you save?
- What company holds the largest book of business for them?
- Is there a local claims center in Buffalo?
- Do they feel the quoted coverages are adequate?
After you get positive responses for all questions you ask as well as an affordable premium quote, you have narrowed it down to an insurance agency that can be trusted to service your policy. Keep in mind you can terminate your policy for any reason so never feel you are locked into any specific company for a certain time period.
Auto insurance coverages
Learning about specific coverages of your insurance policy can be of help when determining the right coverages at the best deductibles and correct limits. The terms used in a policy can be ambiguous and reading a policy is terribly boring.
Medical payments and PIP coverage
Med pay and PIP coverage pay for immediate expenses like doctor visits, rehabilitation expenses and ambulance fees. They are often utilized in addition to your health insurance policy or if there is no health insurance coverage. They cover both the driver and occupants and will also cover getting struck while a pedestrian. Personal Injury Protection is not universally available and may carry a deductible
Liability auto insurance
This coverage protects you from damages or injuries you inflict on other people or property by causing an accident. Split limit liability has three limits of coverage: bodily injury for each person, bodily injury for the entire accident, and a limit for property damage. As an example, you may have values of 25/50/10 that translate to a $25,000 limit per person for injuries, a per accident bodily injury limit of $50,000, and a total limit of $10,000 for damage to vehicles and property. Some companies may use one number which is a combined single limit which provides one coverage limit with no separate limits for injury or property damage.
Liability can pay for things such as pain and suffering, court costs and repair costs for stationary objects. How much liability should you purchase? That is a personal decision, but consider buying as much as you can afford. New York requires minimum liability limits of 25/50/10 but drivers should carry higher limits.
The next chart demonstrates why low liability limits may not be high enough to cover claims.
Comprehensive auto coverage
This pays to fix your vehicle from damage caused by mother nature, theft, vandalism and other events. You first have to pay a deductible and then insurance will cover the rest of the damage.
Comprehensive coverage pays for claims like damage from a tornado or hurricane, hitting a bird, hitting a deer and damage from getting keyed. The maximum payout you’ll receive from a claim is the market value of your vehicle, so if the vehicle is not worth much consider dropping full coverage.
UM/UIM (Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist) coverage
This coverage gives you protection when the “other guys” do not carry enough liability coverage. Covered losses include medical payments for you and your occupants as well as damage to your Tesla Model X.
Since a lot of drivers only purchase the least amount of liability that is required (25/50/10), their limits can quickly be used up. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is a good idea. Usually these coverages are similar to your liability insurance amounts.
Collision coverage protection
This coverage will pay to fix damage to your Model X caused by collision with an object or car. A deductible applies then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.
Collision can pay for claims like damaging your car on a curb, colliding with a tree, crashing into a ditch, backing into a parked car and hitting a mailbox. This coverage can be expensive, so you might think about dropping it from lower value vehicles. It’s also possible to raise the deductible on your Model X to get cheaper collision coverage.
Cheap insurance premiums are out there
Drivers who switch companies do it for a variety of reasons including unfair underwriting practices, high rates after DUI convictions, policy non-renewal and even high prices. No matter why you want to switch, switching companies is not as hard as you think.
Cheaper Tesla Model X insurance in Buffalo is available online as well as from independent agents in Buffalo, so you need to quote Buffalo car insurance with both so you have a total pricing picture. Some insurance companies do not offer rate quotes online and usually these smaller providers work with independent insurance agents.
While you’re price shopping online, make sure you don’t reduce coverage to reduce premium. There have been many cases where consumers will sacrifice comprehensive coverage or liability limits and learned later they didn’t purchase enough coverage. The ultimate goal is to buy enough coverage at an affordable rate.
To read more, feel free to visit the articles below:
- Safety Belts FAQ (iihs.org)
- Who Has Cheap Auto Insurance for Drivers Under 21 in Buffalo? (FAQ)
- Who Has Cheap Auto Insurance for Government Employees in Buffalo? (FAQ)
- How Much is Auto Insurance for Teenagers in Buffalo? (FAQ)
- Who Has Cheap Car Insurance Rates for Immigrants in Buffalo? (FAQ)
- Event Data Recorders FAQ (iihs.org)
- Tread Depth and Tire Safety (State Farm)