Car Insurance Comparison Shopping – How to do It Right

Reader’s Question:

I’ve called a couple of car insurance agents here in Illinois for some rate info but I’m not very happy with what I got. Is there anything else that I can do to get the best deals without having to spend so much time on the phone with different agents?

Bruce

Joliet, IL

The good news is that there are still ways for you to locate the best car insurance rates and offers out there. You actually don’t have to limit yourself with having to speak to different agents or having to hire a broker, not when the Internet can do all of that for you at no cost at all! If you want to save a lot of time and effort while doing effective car insurance comparison shopping, here are some tips to help you out:

1. Use Car Insurance Comparison Websites – These websites offer free rate quote checks which allows you access to the latest car insurance rates. You can do car insurance comparisons with dozens of different insurers, maximizing your ability to find the best-priced policies today.

2. Get Insurance Rating Information – J.D. Power, Moodys, and A.M. Best are great examples of reliable independent rating agencies that can give you valuable insights about the performance of different car insurance providers. You can find out which companies rate the best (and worst) in customer service, claims handling, billing, financial stability, etc. This should give you an idea about the best-overall insurers to do business with.

3. Visit Your State Department of Insurance Website – Yes, every state has one (Google yours). Often times this is a good place to start with regard to what kind of laws or special requirements that your state may have with regards to car insurance coverage.

4. Go to the Better Business Bureau (BBB) Homepage – Find out if the car insurer that you’re interested has any record with the BBB. This will tell you if the insurer you’re interested in has good (or shady) business practices.