It’s safe to assume that auto insurance companies don’t want you to look for a cheaper policy. People who compare rates at least once a year are inclined to switch companies because they have good chances of finding a policy with more affordable rates. A survey found that people who routinely compared rates saved an average of $70 a month compared to those who never shopped around for lower prices.
If finding the lowest price for Buick Century insurance in San Francisco is your goal, then having an understanding of how to compare insurance rates can make it simple to find affordable coverage.
Truthfully, the best way to get discount Buick Century insurance in San Francisco is to compare quotes once a year from different companies who sell insurance in California. Prices can be compared by completing these steps.
First, try to understand what coverages are included in your policy and the things you can change to prevent rate increases. Many rating criteria that drive up the price such as distracted driving and a not-so-good credit history can be remedied by making minor changes to your lifestyle.
Second, compare price quotes from independent agents, exclusive agents, and direct companies. Exclusive agents and direct companies can only quote rates from one company like GEICO or State Farm, while independent agencies can give you price quotes from many different companies.
Third, compare the new rate quotes to your existing policy to see if a cheaper rate is available in San Francisco. If you find a better price, make sure coverage is continuous and does not lapse.
Fourth, notify your company or agent of your intent to cancel your existing policy and submit the required down payment along with the signed application for your new policy. Once coverage is bound, keep your new certificate of insurance in your vehicle.
A key point to remember is to make sure you’re comparing identical deductibles and limits on each quote request and and to compare every company you can. Doing this helps ensure a fair price comparison and a complete price analysis.
Companies offering Buick Century insurance in San Francisco
The companies shown below can provide free rate quotes in San Francisco, CA. If several companies are displayed, we suggest you visit two to three different companies to get a more complete price comparison.
Decisions You Make Can Impact Your Insurance Rates
Consumers need to have an understanding of a few of the rating criteria that aid in calculating your car insurance rates. When you know what positively or negatively determines premiums, this empowers consumers to make smart changes that may reward you with big savings. Lots of factors are used when you get your auto insurance bill. Some are obvious such as your driving history, but other criteria are not as apparent like where you live or your commute time.
The itemized list below are most of the major factors car insurance companies consider when setting prices.
- Where you live factors in – Residing in areas with lower population has it’s advantages when insuring your vehicles. People in densely populated areas tend to have more aggressive driving styles and longer commutes to work. Fewer drivers on the road means a lower chance of having an accident.
- Cut prices and deter theft – Choosing a vehicle with advanced anti-theft systems can help bring down rates. Anti-theft features like LoJack tracking devices, vehicle tamper alarm systems or GM’s OnStar system all hinder your car from being stolen.
- Driving citations cost more than a fine – Careful drivers tend to pay less for car insurance as compared to those with violations. Only having one speeding ticket can boost insurance rates to the point where it’s not affordable. Drivers who get careless tickets such as reckless driving, hit and run or driving under the influence may be required to complete a SR-22 with their state’s department of motor vehicles in order to continue driving.
- You might have higher premiums if you are single – Walking down the aisle actually saves money on your policy. Marriage usually means you are more financially stable and statistics show being married results in fewer claims.
- Does insurance coverage cost more for males? – Statistics have proven that men are more aggressive behind the wheel. However, this does not mean women are BETTER drivers than men. Women and men get in auto accidents in similar percentages, but men tend to have more serious accidents. They also get ticketed for serious violations such as driving while intoxicated (DWI) or driving recklessly.
- Claim-free discounts can add up – If you frequently file small claims, you should expect increased rates or even have your policy non-renewed. Companies in California generally give lower rates to policyholders who are not frequent claim filers. Your insurance policy is intended for more catastrophic claims.
- Lower performance equals lower insurance costs – The performance level of the car you need to insure makes a substantial difference in your car insurance bill. The lowest rates are usually for the lowest performance passenger models, but other factors influence the final cost greatly.
- Multiple policies with one company can save – Most car insurance companies will award lower prices to clients who consolidate policies with them, otherwise known as a multi-policy discount. Even with this discount, it’s always a smart idea to comparison shop to guarantee you are still saving the most.
Get cheaper Buick Century insurance in San Francisco with discounts
Some insurance providers don’t always advertise their entire list of discounts in a way that’s easy to find, so the list below details a few of the more well known and the more hidden discounts that may be available. If you are not receiving all the discounts you qualify for, it’s possible you qualify for a lower rate.
- Anti-lock Brake Discount – Cars and trucks with ABS and/or traction control can avoid accidents so you can save 10 percent or more.
- Safety Restraint Discount – Drivers who require all occupants to buckle up before driving can save a little on the premium charged for medical payments and/or PIP.
- Discounts for Government Workers – Federal government employees can earn a discount up to 10% but check with your company.
- Passenger Safety Discount – Factory options such as air bags and/or automatic seat belt systems can get savings of more than 20%.
- New Vehicle Savings – Putting insurance coverage on a new Century can get you a discount because newer vehicles have to meet stringent safety requirements.
- Good Student – Being a good student could provide a savings of up to 20% or more. This discount can apply up until you turn 25.
- Multiple Vehicles – Insuring primary and secondary vehicles with the same insurance company can get a discount for every vehicle.
- Paperwork-free – A few larger companies give back up to $50 for buying a policy and signing up on the internet.
As a disclaimer on discounts, some credits don’t apply to the entire policy premium. Most cut specific coverage prices like medical payments or collision. Just because you may think you can get free auto insurance, insurance companies wouldn’t stay in business. But all discounts should help reduce the premium cost.
Companies and their possible discounts can be found below.
- AAA offers discounts including multi-car, multi-policy, AAA membership discount, education and occupation, good student, and anti-theft.
- Progressive may include discounts for continuous coverage, online quote discount, homeowner, online signing, multi-policy, multi-vehicle, and good student.
- State Farm offers premium reductions for good driver, anti-theft, safe vehicle, driver’s education, multiple autos, accident-free, and passive restraint.
- Esurance policyholders can earn discounts including homeowner, claim free, Pac-12 alumni, emergency road assistance, multi-policy, good student, and multi-car.
- Nationwide offers discounts for business or organization, good student, easy pay, multi-policy, defensive driving, and family plan.
When getting free San Francisco car insurance quotes, it’s a good idea to every prospective company which credits you are entitled to. Savings may not be offered in San Francisco.
Insurance agents near you
Certain consumers just prefer to sit down with an agent and that is recommended in a lot of cases Agents can answer important questions and help file insurance claims. One of the best bonuses of comparing insurance prices online is you may find the best rates and still have a local agent. Putting coverage with neighborhood insurance agencies is still important in San Francisco.
Upon completion of this short form, your coverage information is submitted to agents in your area that can provide free San Francisco car insurance quotes for your insurance coverage. It’s much easier because you don’t need to do any legwork because prices are sent to the email address you provide. If you wish to compare prices from one company in particular, you just need to jump over to their website to submit a rate quote request.
Auto insurance agents in San Francisco come in two varieties
If you are wanting to purchase car insurance from a good insurance agency, you must know there are a couple different agency structures and how they are distinctly different. Insurance agencies in San Francisco are considered either exclusive or independent agents depending on their company appointments. Either can sell and service car insurance coverage, but we need to point out the difference in the companies they write for since it can affect the selection process.
Independent Agencies or Brokers
These agents often have affiliation with several companies and that gives them the ability to insure with a variety of different insurance companies and help determine which has the cheapest rates. If premiums increase, they can switch companies in-house and you don’t have to do anything. When comparing rates, you will definitely want to include independent agents to have the best price comparison.
The following is a list of independent insurance agents in San Francisco who may provide pricing information.
Robert E. Kennedy Insurance Agency
Flood Building, 870 Market St #740 – San Francisco, CA 94102 – (415) 951-0738 – View Map
Milber Health Insurance Agent
1492 11th Ave – San Francisco, CA 94122 – (415) 564-8829 – View Map
Express Service Insurance
2085 Van Ness Ave – San Francisco, CA 94109 – (415) 440-5136 – View Map
Exclusive Car Insurance Agents
Exclusive insurance agents can usually just insure with one company and examples are Allstate, Farmers Insurance, State Farm, and AAA. They usually cannot provide other company’s prices so you need to shop around if the rates are high. They are well schooled in insurance sales which helps them sell insurance even at higher premiums.
Listed below are exclusive agents in San Francisco that can give you comparison quotes.
Kate McIntyre – State Farm Insurance Agent
1215 9th Ave b – San Francisco, CA 94122 – (415) 661-3650 – View Map
State Farm: Michael Woo
2166 Market St – San Francisco, CA 94114 – (415) 565-6777 – View Map
Sandy Lee – State Farm Insurance Agent
188 S Park St #4 – San Francisco, CA 94107 – (415) 227-9833 – View Map
Picking an car insurance agent is decision based upon more than just a cheap quote. Any agent in San Francisco should have no problem answering these questions:
- Do they prorate repair cost based on vehicle mileage?
- Is the agent properly licensed in California?
- Which insurance company do they prefer to write with?
- Is there a Errors and Omissions policy in force?
- Does the company use OEM repair parts?
Don’t give up on cheaper rates
When searching for inexpensive San Francisco car insurance quotes, it’s very important that you do not sacrifice coverage to reduce premiums. There are too many instances where drivers have reduced collision coverage only to regret that it was a big error on their part. The goal is to get the best coverage possible at a price you can afford and still be able to protect your assets.
Discount Buick Century insurance in San Francisco can be found both online as well as from insurance agents, so you need to shop San Francisco car insurance with both to get a complete price analysis. Some companies do not provide price quotes online and most of the time these smaller providers sell through independent insurance agents.
For more information, feel free to browse the articles below:
- Shopping for a Safe Car (Insurance Information Institute)
- What Insurance is Cheapest for a Dodge Ram in San Francisco? (FAQ)
- Who Has the Cheapest San Francisco Car Insurance Quotes for a Toyota Camry? (FAQ)
- Who Has Cheap Auto Insurance Rates for a Ford Explorer in San Francisco? (FAQ)
- Who Has Cheap San Francisco Auto Insurance Rates for Teenage Females? (FAQ)
- Who Has Cheap San Francisco Auto Insurance for Hybrid Vehicles? (FAQ)
- Should I Purchase an Umbrella Liability Policy? (Insurance Information Institute)
- Reducing Your Risks in a Car Crash Video (iihs.org)
- Vehicle Safety Ratings (iihs.org)
- Property Damage Coverage (Liberty Mutual)