How to Find the Top 10 Car Insurance Companies

Cars have to be insured, (unless you live somewhere that insurance is not compulsory) but trying to find the best coverage at the most reasonable price can be daunting. The top 10 car insurers listed in this article appeared in 5 surveys conducted by different companies. All of the car insurers below appeared in the top 10 of all the surveys we reviewed.

1. Choose a company based on multiple factors. You definitely want a car insurer that’s been in the business for a long period of time and that has a proven reputation. It’s always a good idea to check a company’s credit rating, it may have a large impact on their ability to provide adequate insurance and pay claims.

2. Use the following list to take a closer look at a company you are interested in. Remember to examine all aspects of an insurance company; including its credit rating, longevity, premiums and customer satisfaction. Listed below are the top 10 rated car insurance companies. The information for the top 10 car insurers on this list is compiled from Auto Insurance.org, Consumer Search Insurance Quote Review The Top Tens and Auto Insurance Claim Advice.

• 21st Century
•  Allstate
•  America
•  American Family
•  Auto Owners
•  GEICO
• Liberty Mutual
•  Nationwide
•  Progressive

 3. Understand how car insurers develop their premium quotes. You are being rated on your driving history, age, gender, geographical location, (the companies listed above may not provide insurance for cars in other countries such as Australia, Canada, the UK, Northern Ireland and New Zealand) marital status, the amount of miles you drive annually and the make, model and age of your car. Your premiums may be discounted for the following reasons:

•  Clean driving record
•  Low mileage
•  Anti-theft devices
• Academic record (for student drivers)
• Marital status and home ownership
• Multiple policy holders (using the same company to insure your house, boat or RV, for example)

4. Always compare the quotes from at least 4 companies before you decide on which policy to purchase. Some companies may not offer the same kind of discounts. It’s also smart to get quotes from 4 or 5 national companies and then ask your local car insurer[6] if they can do better.

Tips

• The rankings mentioned in this article are for nationwide companies, but you should check into regional companies as well. Many regional companies are extremely competitive with larger insurers.
•  If you have a poor driving record, check out some companies that are most likely to insure you: Dairy land Auto, (division of Sentry) State Farm, Allstate and Progressive. Again, these companies may not insure cars or drivers that are not present where they are based.
•  If you are in the US military, get quotes from USAA (United States Armed Forces Association). This company consistently showed up in the top 10, but their coverage is available only to U.S. military personnel and their families.

How to Get the Cheapest Car Insurance

Getting discounts on your car premium quotes is easy if you know how to shop for it. Auto insurance companies offer several discounts if you prove that you are a low-risk driver. Here are some ways to get the cheapest car insurance.

Instructions

1. Ask your insurance company representative if you qualify for premium discounts. You may get a cheap quote depending on your profession. For example, writers who work from home usually pay a low premium. They drive less and are not prone to hectic life schedules, since they work from home.

2. Learn the art of lowering the quotes. If you choose a residence closer to your workplace, you will pay a lower premium. Moreover, if your home is located in a safe neighborhood (low crime rate), you qualify for a cheaper quote.

3. Consider buying a multi-person policy. You can get coverage for more people under one policy. Put the names of family members under the name of the person who has the best driving record.

4. Renew policies from the same insurance company. Often companies provide discounts on renewals. The moment you establish a driving record with a company, it knows you are likely to get a cheaper quote from other providers. This qualifies you for a lower quote. Moreover, if you had no claims during your previous terms, you qualify for such discounts.

5. Take a defensive driver's course. You will receive a certificate of defensive driving that you will have to submit to your company at the time of application. Taking this course lowers your premium substantially.

6. Submit your report card if you are a young driver studying at an educational institution. If your report card is excellent, you are likely to receive a cheaper quote.

7. Take advantage of being a senior citizen. You may qualify for senior discounts and get cheap insurance.

Tips & Warnings

• While these steps will help you receive a cheaper quote, don't forget to shop around for rates to get the cheapest quote.
• Talk to the agent and ask about every possible discount. If membership to certain institutions or clubs qualifies you to get more discounts, become a member.
• Maintain a good driving record at all times, and especially stay away from speeding tickets.