3 Ways Auto Insurance Agents Help Drivers
Whether you are a newly licensed driver or have recently purchased a car for the first time, one of the first things you should do is get insurance. This may be a stand-alone policy or it may be bundled with other policies such as fire insurance and home insurance, but regardless, you can count on an insurance agent to present you with all the necessary information. Agents are not just sources of information, however. There is a multitude of ways they can assist the everyday driver in finding the best possible insurance policy. Keep reading below to discover just three of the most important ones.
Comparing Options
Without the help of an agent, you'll likely receive information about policies based only on a few limiting factors such as your zip code, the make and model of your car, and the number of miles you drive each month. While all of these things certainly do play into the costs associated with auto insurance policies, they are far from definitive. An agent can better understand your needs and priorities as a driver, and then direct you to the policies that best match them. These may have a higher deductible but a lower monthly premium, for example, or forego comprehensive coverage if you have an older vehicle.
Following the Law
All states have different laws when it comes to the minimum amount of insurance that you must carry as a driver. In California, state law requires drivers to carry $15,000 of insurance for bodily injury liability per person, $30,000 for bodily injury liability per accident, and $5,000 for property damage liability per accident. Contrast this with New Jersey, which requires drivers carry policies with $5,000 property damage liability per accident and $15,000 of personal injury protection. An auto insurance agent will make sure that your current policy always meets these requirements, which can change from year to year.
Getting the Best Discounts
If you don't utilize the services of an auto insurance agent, it's highly unlikely you'll be able to take advantage of all the discounts available to you. Maybe you're a veteran, a student with especially good grades, or a long-time driver with a perfect safety record. Or perhaps you can bundle all your insurance policies together and pay the annual premium all at once. In all these situations and more, an agent can help you locate substantial discounts that add up quickly.
For more information, contact a local auto insurance agent.