Sunday, July 8, 2007

Purchasing Discount Auto Insurance

There are many insurance companies that advertise that they are discount auto insurance companies. A person who is looking for discount auto insurance should be sure they are getting quality insurance at discounted rates and that there are not hidden costs or areas which they do not have coverage. With careful searching and information gathering the best discount auto insurance companies can be found and the customer can be sure they are getting a good deal.

Ratings For Discount Auto Insurance Companies

A good way a customer can get information on discount auto insurance companies is to look at the insurance rating companies. Both A.M. Best and Weiss Ratings offer consumer information including grades for insurance companies. When looking at insurance companies these two resources can prove invaluable because they offer information on how the companies provide service overall and how satisfied customers are with the service. The information is easy for all consumers to understand and will easily help to eliminate the worst companies quickly.

Comparing Discount Auto Insurance Companies

One of the best ways a consumer can determine the cost and benefits of discount auto insurance companies is to compare a few companies. Each company should be able to provide a written quote of the premiums and coverage that is being provided if there service is chosen. It may take a little effort but a person can compare the coverage limits, deductible cost and other insurance basics.

Some companies will make up for their discounted prices by having low limits on the coverage provided. Insurance that only pays fifty or one hundred thousand per incident will quickly prove insufficient in a serious accident. The purpose to having insurance is to protect the property and assets of the consumer in the case of accident or other event. There is no point to buying insurance which will not provide good enough coverage even if it is discounted.

References For Discount Auto Insurance

When all other aspects have been reviewed and checked it is good to ask friends and relatives about their dealings with different discount auto insurance companies. Companies tend to develop patterns in their customer service and will quickly show what their true commitment to service and their customer is. If it is hard to find someone with a good experience dealing with a certain company it may be best to avoid this company. When a stressful situation such as a car accident occurs customer service will be a very important issue for the discount auto insurance company.

Considerations When You Compare Auto Insurance Rates

When you start getting serious about your search for new auto insurance, there will come a point when you’ve received a number of quotes. Once you’re hit this point, you need to compare auto insurance rates and make a choice on just what you’re willing to pay. While for some, the only measuring stick they’ll use when they compare auto insurance rates is what comes after the dollar sign, others take a number of factors into considerations. If it’s time for you to compare auto insurance rates, here are some things to consider:

Payment Sizes

One thing to consider when you compare auto insurance rates is whether you’re being quoted for three months, six months, or a year; a great deal can turn out to be not so good if you read the fine print and realize that your quote is for shorter than the standard six month coverage period. How the payments are structured may also matter to you when you compare auto insurance rates. For instance, if two companies offer comparable coverage at comparable rates, but one requires a heavy deposit up front, then you may wan to select the company who requires smaller deposits to start with.

Coverage Amounts

Another thing to look at when you compare auto insurance rates is the amount of coverage you’re receiving for the price you pay. For some, price isn’t an object and they want a lot of coverage. So if you find that a company’s got a great offer and you have money left over in your budget, consider adjusting the coverage you request with that company. In other cases, you’ll have coverage amounts dictated by whoever’s in charge of your car loan, so make sure that inexpensive insurance gives the coverage you need.

Company Reputation And Stability

If you find a company with a great, low price when you compare auto insurance rates and you don’t recognize the name, beware! At the very least, you need to do a little research to find out if your potential insurer is trustworthy or a dud. Some sites will rate insurance companies for you when you compare auto insurance rates through them, while others will leave you to do the hunting on your own. Some companies will offer low rates, but be faltering enough that when it comes time to give you payments for a claim, they don’t keep up their end of the deal. So be knowledgeable about the insurance company you do choose when you compare auto insurance rates, compare coverage and rating periods, and you should end up with good coverage at a low price.

What is Mercury Auto Insurance?

When it comes to auto insurance, everyone wants the best deal they can get while receiving the best customer service available as well. One company that is known for offering both of these things well, is Mercury Auto insurance. Although this insurance company is not a household name, it is known well enough to start creating a buzz.

About the Company

Mercury auto insurance was born in 1961, offering auto insurance coverage to consumers in California. Since then, the company has grown to offer coverage nationwide, and is still the 3rd largest private passenger vehicle provider of insurance today. Mercury has reported to have over 3 billion dollars in assets, and continues to grow on a monthly basis.

Although Mercury auto insurance offers coverage nationwide, it does not offer coverage in every state. Some states you will find Mercury auto insurance in are:

The state of Florida
The state of Georgia
The state of Texas
The state of New York
The state of Virginia
The state of New Jersey
The state of Nevada

Mechanical breakdown and homeowners insurance however, can be found in some states the company doesn’t offer auto insurance in. Mercury auto insurance is thought to be convenient and fair, something most consumers look for in an insurance company.

Do they Have a Website?

Mercury auto insurance has a comprehensive website, www.mercuryinsurance.com. The things you will find on the page include auto quotes, something that’s probably one of the biggest concerns for many consumers. Right online, you can receive a comprehensive and personalized quote for the auto insurance you’re looking for through Mercury.

A drop down list let’s you choose which state you reside in, and if you don’t see it on the list, you can rest assured Mercury doesn’t offer auto insurance in your area. At which point, at least you didn’t waste much time!

Other helpful links on the Mercury auto insurance website include helpful information about their company, investor information, customer information and account maintenance, customer service options and information about career opportunities with the company.

One option on their website that is probably most popular of their customers, is the ability to file, manage and learn about your claims right online. This saves time on the phone, and also allows you a quick look at the information you want now, not later. In the end, Mercury auto insurance is thought of as a top notch insurance option, offering a lot of the things the big guys offer, without the feeling of the huge corporation.