There isn’t a single person who looks forward to paying for insurance, especially when they are aware that their premiums are through the roof.
Sad but true, over 70% of New York drivers have remained with the same insurance company for a minimum of four years, and nearly the majority have never shopped around. American insurance shoppers could save 46.5% a year just by comparing rates, but they don’t want to spend time to save money by comparing rate quotes.
Steps to finding better rates for Lincoln Mark LT insurance in Buffalo
If saving the most money is your goal, then the best way to get discount car insurance rates in Buffalo is to start doing an annual price comparison from insurance carriers in New York.
Step 1: Get an understanding of the coverage provided by your policy and the steps you can take to prevent expensive coverage. Many factors that cause high rates such as accidents, traffic violations, and an unacceptable credit score can be amended by making lifestyle changes or driving safer. This article gives more information to help reduce prices and get additional discounts.
Step 2: Compare rates from direct carriers, independent agents, and exclusive agents. Exclusive agents and direct companies can only give prices from a single company like GEICO and State Farm, while independent agents can provide rate quotes for many different companies.
Step 3: Compare the quotes to your current policy and see if there is a cheaper rate in Buffalo. If you can save money, make sure coverage does not lapse between policies.
Step 4: Provide notification to your current agent or company to cancel your current car insurance policy. Submit a down payment along with a completed application to the new company. As soon as you have the new policy, keep the new proof of insurance certificate in a readily accessible location in your vehicle.
One tip to remember is to compare the same deductibles and limits on every price quote and and to look at as many different companies as possible. This enables a fair price comparison and many rates to choose from.
Popular companies such as Allstate and Progressive constantly blast consumers with fancy advertisements and it can be hard to separate fact from fiction and find the best price available.
It is always a good idea to take a look at other company’s rates once or twice a year because insurance prices are variable and change quite frequently. Even if you got the best rates on Lincoln Mark LT insurance in Buffalo a few years ago there is a good chance you can find better rate quotes now. Block out anything you think you know about insurance because it’s time to teach you the best methods to find lower rates on insurance.
Auto insurance quotes and discounts
The cost of insuring your cars can be expensive, but you may qualify for discounts that may help make it more affordable. Some trigger automatically when you complete an application, but some may not be applied and must be specifically requested prior to receiving the credit.
- Good Students Pay Less – Performing well in school can get you a discount of up to 25%. The good student discount can last up until you turn 25.
- Bundled Policy Discount – If you insure your home and vehicles with one company you could earn a discount of as much as 10 to 15 percent.
- Air Bags and Passive Restraints – Factory air bags or automatic seat belts may qualify for discounts of 20 to 30 percent.
- Defensive Driver Discount – Taking part in a course in defensive driver is a good idea and can lower rates and also improve your driving technique.
- Buffalo Homeowners Pay Less – Being a homeowner can get you a discount because of the fact that having a home is proof of financial responsibility.
- Anti-lock Brake Discount – Vehicles with anti-lock braking systems prevent accidents so you can save 10 percent or more.
- Drive Safe and Save – Safe drivers can get discounts for up to 45% lower rates than their less cautious counterparts.
- Driving Data Discount – Policyholders that allow driving data collection to look at where and when they drive through the use of a telematics system such as In-Drive from State Farm or Allstate’s Drivewise system may get a rate reduction if their driving habits are good.
As is typical with insurance, many deductions do not apply to your bottom line cost. Most only reduce the price of certain insurance coverages like medical payments or collision. So even though you would think all the discounts add up to a free policy, it just doesn’t work that way.
If you would like to choose from a list of insurers that provide some of the discounts listed above in New York, click here.
How to lower your Lincoln Mark LT insurance cost in Buffalo, NY
When shopping for Lincoln Mark LT insurance in Buffalo there are multiple ways of comparing price quotes from insurance companies in your area. The quickest method to comparison shop involves getting comparison quotes online.
Online shopping is fast and free, and it takes the place of having to actually drive to insurance agencies in your area. Comparing Lincoln Mark LT insurance rate quotes online can eliminate the need for a local agent unless you have a complicated situation and need the trained guidance that can only be provided by a licensed insurance agent. Although, it is possible price shop online but buy from a local insurance agent.
When comparison shopping, comparing all the rates in your area will increase your chances of finding lower pricing.
The providers in the list below provide free quotes in Buffalo, NY. To find the best car insurance in Buffalo, we suggest you click on several of them to get the lowest price.
Seven Tips to Get Lower-cost Buffalo Insurance Rates
When buying insurance it’s important to understand a few of the rating criteria that help determine your policy premiums. When you know what positively or negatively positively or negatively impacts your premiums, this enables you to make decisions that could result in lower insurance prices. Multiple criteria are part of the equation when you get a price on insurance. Some are obvious like an MVR report, but other factors are more transparent like your continuous coverage or your commute time.
The list below includes some of the most common factors utilized by car insurance companies to help set your rates.
Low stress vocation equals lower prices – Jobs such as real estate brokers, social workers, and miners generally pay the highest average rates because of intense work situations and long work hours. Conversely, jobs such as scientists, students and the unemployed generally pay rates lower than average.
Don’t cancel your insurance without a new one in place – Having a gap between insurance policy dates will be a fast way to trigger a rate increase. And not only will your rates increase, failure to provide proof of insurance could earn you a fine, jail time, or a revoked license. You may need to file a SR-22 with the New York DMV.
Long commutes cost more – Driving more miles in a year the higher your rates will be. A lot of companies rate vehicles determined by how the vehicle is used. Cars and trucks used primarily for pleasure use cost less to insure than those that get driven frequently. An improperly rated Mark LT can result in significantly higher rates. Ask your agent if your insurance policy correctly shows the correct driver usage.
Policy add-ons can waste money – There are quite a few extra add-on coverages that you can get tricked into buying on your Mark LT policy. Coverages like roadside assistance, better glass coverage, and extra life insurance coverage could be just wasting money. They may seem good when discussing your needs, but if you’ve never needed them in the past consider taking them off your policy.
Having a spouse can save on insurance – Your spouse can actually save you money on your insurance bill. Having a spouse demonstrates that you tend to be more financially stable and it’s proven that married drivers tend to file fewer claims.
Choose high NHTSA crash test ratings and save – Vehicles with good safety scores tend to have better insurance rates. Safer cars reduce injuries and lower injury rates means less money paid by your insurance company and more competitive rates for policyholders. If your Lincoln Mark LT is rated at least an “acceptable” rating on the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety website or four stars on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website you may be receiving a better rate.
Where you reside can impact prices – Residing in less populated areas of the country has it’s advantages when buying insurance. Less people translates into fewer accident claims in addition to lower liability claims. City drivers regularly have much more traffic and much longer commute distances. More time on the road means higher likelihood of an accident.
Local Buffalo auto insurance agents
Some people still prefer to go talk to an agent and that is OK! The biggest benefit of getting free rate quotes online is the fact that you can find better rates but also keep your business local. Supporting neighborhood agents is definitely important in Buffalo.
To make it easy to find an agent, after completing this quick form, your coverage information is transmitted to local insurance agents in Buffalo who will return price quotes and help you find cheaper coverage. You never need to search for any insurance agencies because quoted prices will be sent to the email address you provide. It’s the lowest rates without having to waste a lot of time. If you wish to get a price quote from a specific insurance company, you would need to navigate to their website and give them your coverage information.
Not all car insurance agents are the same
If you would like to find a reputable agency, you should know the different types of agents and how they are distinctly different. Car insurance policy providers are considered either independent or exclusive.
Independent Car Insurance Agencies
Independent insurance agents are not limited to a single company so as a result can place your coverage through lots of different companies and find the cheapest car insurance rates. If you are not satisfied with one company, they simply switch companies in-house and you don’t have to switch agencies.
When comparing car insurance prices, you should always contact at least one independent agent to ensure the widest selection of prices.
Featured below are Buffalo independent agencies that may be able to provide free rate quotes.
Vanner Insurance Agency
11 Pinchot Ct # 2 – Buffalo, NY 14228 – (716) 688-8888 – View Map
Bob White Insurance Agency
602 Grover Cleveland Hwy – Amherst, NY 14226 – (716) 836-2222 – View Map
The Byrne Insurance Agency Inc
480 Abbott Rd – Buffalo, NY 14220 – (716) 825-4100 – View Map
Exclusive Insurance Agents
Exclusive insurance agents work for only one company like American Family, State Farm, and Allstate. They usually cannot provide other company’s prices so they really need to provide good service. They are well schooled on their company’s products which helps them sell on service rather than price.
The following is a list of exclusive agencies in Buffalo that are able to give comparison quotes.
State Farm: Dan Hawrylczak
1335 Hertel Ave – Buffalo, NY 14216 – (716) 873-3771 – View Map
Farmers Insurance – Toni Du Bois
2460 Main St – Buffalo, NY 14214 – (716) 931-5200 – View Map
Lou Santiago – State Farm Insurance Agent
557 Niagara St – Buffalo, NY 14201 – (716) 883-5500 – View Map
Choosing a insurance agent is decision based upon more than just a cheap quote. The answers to these questions are important, too.
- Does the company allow you to choose your own collision repair facility?
- Do they specialize in personal lines coverage in Buffalo?
- Can glass claims be handled at your home?
- Will the agent help in case of a claim?
- Will vehicle repairs be made with aftermarket parts or OEM replacement parts?
- Do you need full coverage on every vehicle?
Protect your Mark LT and other assets
Despite the high cost of buying insurance for a Lincoln Mark LT in Buffalo, insurance serves an important purpose.
First, most states have mandatory liability insurance requirements which means the state requires specific limits of liability if you want to drive legally. In New York these limits are 25/50/10 which means you must have $25,000 of bodily injury coverage per person, $50,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $10,000 of property damage coverage.
Second, if your Mark LT has a loan, it’s guaranteed your bank will require you to have comprehensive coverage to ensure loan repayment if the vehicle is totaled. If you let the policy lapse, the bank may insure your Lincoln at a significantly higher premium and force you to reimburse them the higher price.
Third, insurance preserves not only your Lincoln but also your financial assets. Insurance will pay for medical transport and hospital expenses for you, your passengers, and anyone else injured in an accident. Liability insurance, one of your policy coverages, also pays expenses related to your legal defense if you are sued as the result of your driving. If your vehicle suffers damage from an accident or hail, collision and comprehensive (also known as other-than-collision) coverage will pay to repair the damage.
The benefits of insuring your Mark LT more than offset the price you pay, especially for larger claims. According to a 2015 survey, the average American driver is currently overpaying as much as $820 a year so you should quote and compare rates once a year at a minimum to help ensure money is not being wasted.
Which auto insurance company is best in New York?
Picking the highest-rated insurance provider can be rather challenging considering how many different companies insure vehicles in New York. The ranking information shown below could help you analyze which auto insurers you want to consider to insure your vehicles.
Top 10 Buffalo Car Insurance Companies Overall
- The General
- Mercury Insurance
- The Hartford
- Progressive
- Travelers
- State Farm
- Farmers Insurance
- Erie Insurance
- Safeco Insurance
- USAA
Top 10 Buffalo Car Insurance Companies Ranked by Value
- The General
- Erie Insurance
- The Hartford
- Mercury Insurance
- Farmers Insurance
- 21st Century
- Safeco Insurance
- AAA Insurance
- State Farm
- Travelers
Don’t give up on affordable rates
As you prepare to switch companies, you should never sacrifice coverage to reduce premiums. There are many occasions where an insured dropped comprehensive coverage or liability limits only to regret at claim time that it was a big error on their part. Your goal is to purchase plenty of coverage at the lowest possible cost, but do not sacrifice coverage to save money.
More affordable auto insurance in Buffalo is possible both online as well as from independent agents in Buffalo, and you should be comparing both in order to have the best chance of saving money. A few companies may not provide internet price quotes and usually these regional carriers work with local independent agents.
How to find cheaper Lincoln Mark LT insurance in Buffalo
Truthfully, the best way to get low-cost Lincoln Mark LT insurance in Buffalo is to compare prices regularly from companies in New York.
Step 1: It will benefit you to learn about how companies set rates and the modifications you can make to keep rates in check. Many factors that result in higher prices like traffic citations, accidents, and a substandard credit history can be improved by improving your driving habits or financial responsibility.
Step 2: Get rate quotes from independent agents, exclusive agents, and direct companies. Exclusive and direct companies can provide rates from one company like GEICO or Allstate, while agents who are independent can quote prices for a wide range of companies.
Step 3: Compare the quotes to your existing coverage and determine if there is any savings. If you find a lower rate and change companies, make sure coverage is continuous and does not lapse.
One important bit of advice is to try to use the same coverage limits and deductibles on each quote request and and to look at as many companies as possible. Doing this helps ensure the most accurate price comparison and a complete selection of prices.
To learn more, link through to the resources below:
- Older Driver Statistics (Insurance Information Institute)
- How Much is Car Insurance for a Ford Escape in Buffalo? (FAQ)
- Who Has Cheap Auto Insurance Rates for State Employees in Buffalo? (FAQ)
- Electronic Stability Control FAQ (iihs.org)
- Pickups fall short in headlight tests (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)
- Safety Tips for Teen Drivers (Insurance Information Institute)