It’s an obvious statement that insurance companies don’t want you shop around. Consumers who compare other rates will probably move their business because they have a good chance of finding a more affordable policy. A recent survey discovered that consumers who compared rates once a year saved as much as $850 each year compared to other drivers who never shopped for cheaper rates.
If finding the best rates on Audi Q3 insurance in Raleigh is your goal, then having some knowledge of how to get rate quotes and compare car insurance can help make the process easier and more efficient.
To save the most money, the best way to get budget Audi Q3 insurance in Raleigh is to do an annual price comparison from companies in North Carolina.
- First, try to learn about policy coverages and the things you can change to prevent expensive coverage. Many risk factors that drive up the price like getting speeding tickets and a less-than-favorable credit rating can be eliminated by being financially responsible and driving safely. This article gives additional ideas to get cheaper coverage and find discounts that may have been missed.
- Second, obtain price quotes from exclusive agents, independent agents, and direct providers. Direct companies and exclusive agencies can give quotes from a single company like GEICO or Allstate, while independent agents can quote prices from multiple sources. View a list of agents
- Third, compare the new quotes to your current policy premium to determine if you can save on Q3 insurance. If you find better rates, make sure there is no lapse between the expiration of your current policy and the new one.
- Fourth, provide notification to your current company to cancel your current coverage and submit payment and a completed application for the new coverage. Make sure you place your new certificate of insurance along with your vehicle registration.
An important bit of advice to remember is to make sure you enter identical deductibles and limits on each quote request and and to look at as many companies as feasibly possible. Doing this provides the most accurate price comparison and maximum price selection.
When comparing auto insurance rates, know that comparing more rates from different companies helps you find more affordable insurance.
The following companies are ready to provide free quotes in North Carolina. If your goal is to find cheaper car insurance in Raleigh, it’s highly recommended you get price quotes from several of them to get the best price comparison.
Here’s why car insurance is not optional
Despite the fact that car insurance is not cheap in Raleigh, buying car insurance is a good idea for several reasons.
- Just about all states have mandatory liability insurance requirements which means state laws require specific limits of liability insurance coverage in order to get the vehicle licensed. In North Carolina these limits are 30/60/25 which means you must have $30,000 of bodily injury coverage per person, $60,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $25,000 of property damage coverage.
- If you have a lien on your vehicle, it’s most likely the lender will require you to have insurance to guarantee loan repayment. If you let the policy lapse, the bank may insure your Audi at a much higher premium rate and require you to reimburse them the higher price.
- Car insurance protects both your car and your assets. It will also reimburse you for most medical and hospital costs for yourself as well as anyone injured by you. Liability coverage, the one required by state law, will also pay to defend you if you cause an accident and are sued. If damage is caused by hail or an accident, your policy will cover the repair costs.
The benefits of carrying adequate insurance outweigh the cost, particularly if you ever have a claim. But the average American driver is overpaying more than $869 every year so smart consumers compare quotes every year to save money.
Save with these five discounts
Insuring your vehicles can cost a lot, but you can get discounts to help offset the cost. Some discounts apply automatically when you quote, but once in a while a discount must be specially asked for before you get the savings.
- Government Employees – Active or retired federal employment may reduce rates when you quote Raleigh auto insurance with certain companies.
- Discount for Home Ownership – Simply owning a home can save you money because of the fact that having a home requires a higher level of personal finance.
- Seat Belts Save – Buckling up and requiring all passengers to use a seat belt could save 15% off the medical payments premium.
- Accident-Free Discounts – Insureds with no claims or accidents are rewarded with significantly better rates on Raleigh auto insurance quote when compared with frequent claim filers.
- Onboard Data Collection – Raleigh drivers who agree to allow driving data collection to look at their driving habits by installing a telematics device such as Progressive’s Snapshot may see discounts as long as the data is positive.
Consumers should know that some credits don’t apply to your bottom line cost. The majority will only reduce individual premiums such as collision or personal injury protection. So when the math indicates adding up those discounts means a free policy, it’s just not the way it works.
Some of the larger companies that may offer these benefits are:
When comparing rates, check with every insurance company which discounts can lower your rates. Some discounts may not apply to policies in every state. To find insurers who offer car insurance discounts in Raleigh, click this link.
When should I talk to a local insurance agent?
Many drivers would prefer to talk to a local agent and that can be a smart move An additional benefit of comparing auto insurance online is the fact that you can find cheap rate quotes but still work with a licensed agent.
To help locate an agent, after submitting this simple form, your coverage information is submitted to companies in Raleigh who will give competitive quotes to get your business. It simplifies rate comparisons since you won’t have to drive around because prices are sent to the email address you provide. Get lower rates without having to waste a lot of time. If you want to get a price quote from one company in particular, just find their quoting web page and fill out the quote form the provide.
Finding the right insurer is decision based upon more than just the price. These are some questions your agent should answer.
- Did they already check your driving record and credit reports?
- Can they give you a list of client referrals?
- Are they properly licensed to sell insurance in North Carolina?
- Is vehicle damage repaired with OEM or aftermarket parts?
- Do you work with a CSR or direct with the agent?
- What companies can they write with?
- Do they offer rental car reimbursement?
Two types of car insurance agents
When researching a reputable agency, you must know there are a couple types of insurance agents that differ in how they can insure your vehicles. Agents in Raleigh are classified as either exclusive agents or independent agents.
Exclusive Insurance Agents
Exclusive agents generally can only insure with one company and some examples include State Farm, Allstate and AAA. These agents are unable to shop your coverage around so you might not find the best rates. They are well trained on the products they sell and that can be a competitive advantage.
Shown below is a list of exclusive insurance agents in Raleigh that are able to give price quotes.
Doug Wingate – State Farm Insurance Agent
2414 Wycliff Rd #110 – Raleigh, NC 27607 – (919) 787-0888 – View Map
Alex Burt – State Farm Insurance Agent
3021 Berks Way #102 – Raleigh, NC 27614 – (919) 435-1417 – View Map
Spurling Cook – State Farm Insurance Agent
7501 Creedmoor Rd #114 – Raleigh, NC 27613 – (919) 676-2502 – View Map
Independent Agencies or Brokers
Agents in the independent channel do not work for one specific company so they can quote policies through many different auto insurance companies and find you cheaper rates. To move your coverage to a new company, they simply move the coverage in-house which requires no work on your part. When comparing rates, we recommend you check rates from a few independent agents to have the best price comparison.
The following is a list of independent agencies in Raleigh willing to provide comparison quotes.
J. Miller Lawson Agency – Nationwide Insurance
9360 Falls of Neuse Rd #201 – Raleigh, NC 27615 – (919) 676-5695 – View Map
Carolina Insurance Professionals
5540 Centerview Dr – Raleigh, NC 27606 – (919) 285-4732 – View Map
Superior Insurance of Raleigh
2431 Spring Forest Rd #123 – Raleigh, NC 27615 – (919) 261-6164 – View Map
Car insurance coverage basics
Knowing the specifics of your car insurance policy can help you determine which coverages you need and proper limits and deductibles. Car insurance terms can be confusing and reading a policy is terribly boring. Listed below are typical coverage types found on most car insurance policies.
Auto liability
Liability coverage protects you from injuries or damage you cause to people or other property by causing an accident. It protects YOU from legal claims by others. Liability doesn’t cover damage to your own property or vehicle.
It consists of three limits, bodily injury for each person injured, bodily injury for the entire accident and a property damage limit. As an example, you may have limits of 30/60/25 that means you have a $30,000 limit per person for injuries, a total of $60,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and a total limit of $25,000 for damage to vehicles and property.
Liability can pay for things such as funeral expenses, structural damage and emergency aid. How much liability coverage do you need? That is your choice, but buy higher limits if possible. North Carolina requires minimum liability limits of 30/60/25 but you should consider buying more liability than the minimum.
The chart below demonstrates why buying low liability limits may not provide adequate coverage.
Collision coverage
Collision coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage from colliding with an object or car. You have to pay a deductible then your collision coverage will kick in.
Collision insurance covers things such as hitting a parking meter, colliding with another moving vehicle, sustaining damage from a pot hole and driving through your garage door. Paying for collision coverage can be pricey, so consider dropping it from older vehicles. Drivers also have the option to choose a higher deductible on your Q3 to get cheaper collision coverage.
Uninsured or underinsured coverage
This coverage protects you and your vehicle from other drivers when they either have no liability insurance or not enough. Covered losses include hospital bills for your injuries as well as damage to your Audi Q3.
Since many North Carolina drivers have only the minimum liability required by law (North Carolina limits are 30/60/25), their limits can quickly be used up. For this reason, having high UM/UIM coverages is very important.
Medical expense coverage
Coverage for medical payments and/or PIP provide coverage for bills for doctor visits, hospital visits, funeral costs and dental work. The coverages can be utilized in addition to your health insurance plan or if you do not have health coverage. It covers you and your occupants and will also cover any family member struck as a pedestrian. Personal Injury Protection is not an option in every state and gives slightly broader coverage than med pay
Comprehensive protection
This will pay to fix damage from a wide range of events other than collision. A deductible will apply and the remainder of the damage will be paid by comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive coverage protects against claims like vandalism, falling objects and hitting a deer. The highest amount a car insurance company will pay at claim time is the ACV or actual cash value, so if your deductible is as high as the vehicle’s value it’s not worth carrying full coverage.
Cheaper insurance prices are available
Cheaper Audi Q3 insurance in Raleigh can be purchased online and from local agencies, so you should be comparing quotes from both so you have a total pricing picture. There are still a few companies who may not have internet price quotes and these regional insurance providers only sell coverage through independent agents.
You just learned many tips how you can save on Audi Q3 insurance in Raleigh. It’s most important to understand that the more times you quote, the higher your chance of finding affordable Raleigh auto insurance quotes. You may even find the lowest rates are with a lesser-known regional company. Regional companies may cover specific market segments cheaper than their larger competitors like GEICO and State Farm.
More detailed insurance information is located at these sites:
- Determining Your Vehicle’s Value and Repair Cost (Insurance Information Institute)
- How Much are Auto Insurance Quotes for Infrequent Drivers in Raleigh? (FAQ)
- Who Has Cheap Raleigh Auto Insurance Quotes for Used Cars? (FAQ)
- Who Has Cheap Raleigh Car Insurance Rates for a Toyota Tacoma? (FAQ)
- What Auto Insurance is Cheapest for Good Drivers in Raleigh? (FAQ)
- How Much are Raleigh Auto Insurance Quotes for Postal Workers? (FAQ)
- Who Has Cheap Auto Insurance Rates for Active Military in Raleigh? (FAQ)
- Teen Driver Statistics (Insurance Information Institute)
- State Laws for Cellphones and Texting (iihs.org)
- Winter Driving (Insurance Information Institute)
- How Can I Save Money on Auto Insurance? (Insurance Information Institute)