We all have a number of different bills that need to be paid on a regular monthly basis such as our credit card bills, mortgage or rent, utility bills, etc. So the last thing you need to add to all these expenses is a high-priced California auto insurance premium. In order to prevent this from happening, you’ll need to secure several quotes online and do some serious comparison shopping once you have up to 6 of them to examine across the board. Fortunately, you can do this from the convenience of your own home and not invest a lot of time in the process.
Convenience is the Key Factor
Naturally, anyone who is shopping for California Auto Insurance has the option of going from one company to the next and discussing their needs in person with an agent. However, the internet has made it so much easier to do your shopping from home without the hassle of fighting the crowds and the road traffic. So besides convenience being the key factor here, you also have the issue of saving a lot of time and stress when you are shopping for the most affordable auto insurance premium.
Statistics to be Aware of
According to com Score’s “Online Auto Insurance Report” regarding shopping for and buying California auto insurance over the internet, the number of insurance policies sold online increased 80% to 2.8 million between 2008 and 2012. These statistics shouldn’t be that surprising when you consider that is so much more convenient and quicker to search for auto insurance online. Additionally, you can shop at your own pace without all the stress involved with driving all over town from one company office to the next.
Features and Benefits of Shopping for Insurance Online
So if you are at a point where you need to renew your current policy but have enough time to do some comparison shopping, here are several benefits to consider:
Determine your needs – when you examine your current policy, you need to determine if it reflects your circumstances and personal needs. Have there been any changes in your personal life or your work life?
Research several companies – don’t just pick the first company that offers the best rates. Remember, your California auto insurance will only be as good as the reputation of the company that stands behind it. There is several agency rating websites where you can research the companies you are interested in. These websites provide information on each company’s financial stability and their ability to meet their obligations. You can also view any consumer complaint data that may exist.
Shopping for and purchasing California auto insurance online is easy – just make sure that you are prepared and have gathered all of the necessary documents such as:
• Annual mileage that you drive
• Declaration page from your current policy
• Driver’s license number and how long you have been a licensed driver (include all household members as well)
• Information regarding any accidents you’ve been involved in or traffic violations
• Make, model, year, and VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) from your vehicle
• Your vehicle’s security features
Naturally, you will need to provide your name, age, gender, and where you live as well as your contact information. Most importantly, what used to take hours and even days in the past can now be accomplished within an hour or two when you search for auto insurance using the internet.
Additional Benefits to Consider
Most California auto insurance companies today have their own websites that feature user-friendly interfaces for their visitors to use. So when you are insured by any of these auto insurance companies, you can also change your coverage levels, file any claims that arise, and pay your premiums, all from the convenience of home. You can also visit the California Department of Insurance website to see which companies are licensed to sell their products in this state.
Keep in mind that the type of coverage you select has the greatest influence on the price of your premium. Plus, it’s a matter of receiving the best value for the money, not just the price that you pay for your insurance. Remember, cheaper is not always better where California auto insurance is concerned. However, you don’t have to pay top dollar either in order to get the right coverage.
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