October 12, 2010

Determining The Auto Insurance Deductible That Is Right For You

Finding an auto insurance quote is easier than ever, thanks to the myriad of companies that have chosen to take their business online. For consumers, a simple search will pull up a host of automobile insurance quote sites, many of which offer other insurance options as well. This can make the task of choosing the right auto insurance quote difficult, as every site will offer a different deal, a different option that helps to make their product and service more attractive. Add to this the fact that many will also offer bundled services with home insurance or discounts for more than one vehicle or driver in a household, and it is no wonder that many Americans have trouble choosing the auto insurance quote that is right for their needs. As with many things, however, the best way to go about choosing auto insurance is to start with the basics—what type of auto insurance deductible is right for you and your family?

An auto insurance deductible is the monetary amount a consumer is required to pay before the insurance company will pay out any money for damages to a vehicle. This leaves consumers with several options to make their lives simpler and easier when it comes to car insurance. The first option available to consumers is to increase the amount of their auto insurance deductible to double or triple what the company offers. This will mean lower risk for the insurance company, as there will be a lesser chance that it will have to pay for any damages. In turn, this will mean smaller premiums for a consumer, which can add up to a significant savings if no accidents occur. If a serious accident does happen, however, an insured can find themselves with a significant bill on their hands before the insurance company will be of any assistance.

The other option is for consumers to lower their deductible. Not all auto insurance companies will offer this service, but those that do will also increase the cost of a policy premium in order to off-set the lower deductible. This can be of benefit for those that do a great deal of driving for business or for pleasure, as their chances of being in an accident are far higher than those of casual drivers. While this option can be expensive due to the greater risk assumed by the insurance company, it can also be a boon to a driver who has a history of minor accidents.

No matter the type of deductible chosen, a driver must always be aware of just what they need to do in order to have their insurance coverage both begin assessing a claim and successfully completing it.