Getting affordable Chicago Lincoln MKC insurance quotes online can be problematic for consumers new to comparing rates and buying auto insurance on the web. Because there are so many insurance companies available, how are consumers able to have the ability to compare each option to find the best available rates?
Statistics show that most auto insurance policyholders in Illinois have bought auto insurance from the same company for a minimum of four years, and just under half have never compared auto insurance rates at all. U.S. consumers can save hundreds of dollars each year just by getting comparison quotes, but they feel it’s too difficult to find cheaper insurance by shopping around.
If you are already insured, you stand a good chance to be able to reduce premiums using the ideas covered in this article. The goal of this article is to help you learn how to get online quotes. But Illinois drivers must know the way companies determine premium rates and take advantage of how the system works.
The are a couple different ways of comparing rates from lots of Illinois auto insurance companies. The easiest way to compare Lincoln MKC insurance prices is to get quotes online.
When comparison shopping, having more price comparisons provides better odds of finding better pricing. Not every company allows you to get Chicago MKC insurance quotes online, so you also need to get prices from those companies as well.
The companies shown below have been selected to offer quotes in Illinois. If the list has multiple companies, we suggest you visit several of them to get the best price comparison.
Auto insurance is not optional in Illinois
Despite the high cost of buying insurance for a Lincoln MKC in Chicago, paying for auto insurance is mandatory in Illinois but it also protects more than you think.
- The majority of states have mandatory liability insurance requirements which means you are required to buy specific minimum amounts of liability in order to be legal. In Illinois these limits are 20/40/15 which means you must have $20,000 of bodily injury coverage per person, $40,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $15,000 of property damage coverage.
- If you have a lien on your Lincoln, more than likely the lender will stipulate that you buy insurance to guarantee their interest in the vehicle. If you do not pay your insurance premiums, the lender may insure your Lincoln at a more expensive rate and make you pay for it.
- Insurance safeguards both your assets and your vehicle. It will also provide coverage for medical expenses that are the result of an accident. One of the most valuable coverages, liability insurance, also covers all legal expenses up to the policy limit if someone files suit against you as the result of an accident. If you receive damage to your vehicle caused by a storm or accident, your policy will cover the damage repairs after a deductible is paid.
The benefits of insuring your MKC are without a doubt worth the cost, especially when you need to use it. The average driver in Illinois overpays more than $820 a year so shop around each time the policy renews to save money.
Auto insurance advertising gotchas
Auto insurance companies such as GEICO, State Farm and Progressive seem to constantly run ads in print and on television. They all have a common claim about how much you will save just by switching your coverage. It sounds good, but how can they all make almost identical claims?
Insurance providers offer their best rates for the right customer that will add to their bottom line. An example of a desirable risk might have to be over the age of 35, has few claims, and chooses high deductibles. A propective insured who fits that profile will qualify for the lowest prices in Chicago and have a good chance to save if they switch.
Consumers who fall short of those criteria may receive higher prices which results in the customer buying from a different company. If you listen to the ad wording, they say “people that switch” not “everybody who quotes” save that much. That is how insurance companies can make those statements. Because of this risk profiling, you need to compare as many free Chicago auto insurance quotes as you can. Because you cannot predict which auto insurance company will be your best fit.
Verify you’re receiving every discount
Car insurance companies do not advertise every policy discount in an easy-to-find place, so the next list breaks down a few of the more well known as well as the least known credits that you can use to lower your rates.
- College Student – Kids who are enrolled in a college that is more than 100 miles from Chicago and leave their car at home could get you a discount.
- Discounts for Multiple Vehicles – Insuring multiple cars or trucks on one policy could earn a price break for each car.
- Discounts for Safe Drivers – Safe drivers may receive a discount up to 45% than less cautious drivers.
- Multi-line Discount – If the company offers life insurance, you could get better premium rates if you take out some life insurance in addition to your auto policy.
- Telematics Data – Drivers who elect to allow data collection to study their driving habits by using a telematics device such as In-Drive from State Farm or Allstate’s Drivewise system could save a few bucks as long as they are good drivers.
- Good Student Discount – Being a good student can get you a discount of up to 25%. This discount can apply well after school through age 25.
- Federal Employees – Active or former government employment may qualify for a discount when you quote Chicago auto insurance depending on your insurance provider.
- Defensive Driver Discount – Passing a course that instructs on driving safety is a good idea and can lower rates if you qualify.
- Early Payment Discounts – If you pay your entire premium ahead of time rather than spreading payments over time you can actually save on your bill.
- Senior Citizen Discount – Drivers that qualify as senior citizens may be able to get better insurance rates.
As is typical with insurance, most of the big mark downs will not be given to the overall cost of the policy. Some only reduce the price of certain insurance coverages like collision or personal injury protection. Even though it may seem like all those discounts means the company will pay you, insurance companies wouldn’t stay in business.
Large insurance companies and a summarized list of policyholder discounts are outlined below.
- GEICO has savings for air bags, federal employee, anti-lock brakes, five-year accident-free, daytime running lights, multi-vehicle, and anti-theft.
- MetLife may have discounts that include multi-policy, defensive driver, accident-free, claim-free, and good driver.
- Progressive offers discounts including online signing, good student, homeowner, multi-vehicle, and online quote discount.
- Travelers may offer discounts for payment discounts, hybrid/electric vehicle, save driver, student away at school, new car, early quote, and driver training.
- SAFECO offers premium reductions for anti-lock brakes, anti-theft, safe driver, teen safe driver, drive less, bundle discounts, and accident prevention training.
- AAA may include discounts for anti-theft, good driver, pay-in-full, education and occupation, AAA membership discount, multi-car, and multi-policy.
Check with every prospective company which discounts you qualify for. Some discounts may not be available in your state. If you would like to see a list of companies with discount rates in Illinois, click here to view.
You may require the services of an insurance agent
Some consumers prefer to sit down with an agent and often times that is recommended A nice benefit of price shopping on the web is that you can obtain better rates but still work with a licensed agent.
Once you complete this quick form, the quote information is instantly submitted to agents in your area who will give you bids to get your business. It simplifies rate comparisons since you won’t have to find an agent because quoted prices will be sent immediately to your email address. It’s the lowest rates and work with a local agent. If you wish to compare prices from a specific insurance company, you can always search and find their rate quote page and give them your coverage information.
Finding the right provider is decision based upon more than just the quoted price. Before buying a policy in Chicago, get answers to these questions.
- How long has their agency been in business in Chicago?
- How often do they review coverages?
- What company holds the largest book of business for them?
- Is the agent properly licensed in Illinois?
- Do they get paid more for recommending certain coverages?
- Do they have a Better Business Bureau rating in Chicago?
- Is there a 24/7 contact number?
- Do they regularly work with personal auto policies in Chicago?
Below is a short list of car insurance companies in Chicago that may be willing to give price quote information for Lincoln MKC insurance in Chicago.
- American Auto Insurance
3201 N Harlem Ave #1 – Chicago, IL 60634 – (773) 286-3500 – View Map - Allstate Insurance: Maribel Marron
3060 W Armitage Ave – Chicago, IL 60647 – (773) 572-9495 – View Map - Grace Murray – State Farm Insurance Agent
7035 W Grand Ave – Chicago, IL 60707 – (708) 453-1771 – View Map - Illinois Vehicle Auto Insurance
100 W. Randolph, Suite C14 – Chicago, IL 60601 – (312) 201-9111 – View Map
Auto insurance coverage options for a Lincoln MKC
Knowing the specifics of your policy aids in choosing appropriate coverage at the best deductibles and correct limits. Auto insurance terms can be impossible to understand and even agents have difficulty translating policy wording.
Comprehensive coverages
This coverage will pay to fix damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. You first have to pay a deductible and the remainder of the damage will be paid by comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive coverage pays for things like theft, damage from a tornado or hurricane and a tree branch falling on your vehicle. The maximum payout you’ll receive from a claim is the ACV or actual cash value, so if the vehicle’s value is low it’s not worth carrying full coverage.
Uninsured and underinsured coverage
Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage protects you and your vehicle from other motorists when they either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. Covered losses include medical payments for you and your occupants and also any damage incurred to your Lincoln MKC.
Due to the fact that many Illinois drivers only carry the minimum required liability limits (Illinois limits are 20/40/15), it only takes a small accident to exceed their coverage. For this reason, having high UM/UIM coverages is a good idea.
Auto collision coverage
Collision coverage covers damage to your MKC from colliding with a stationary object or other vehicle. You have to pay a deductible and then insurance will cover the remainder.
Collision can pay for claims such as scraping a guard rail, driving through your garage door, colliding with another moving vehicle, sideswiping another vehicle and damaging your car on a curb. Collision is rather expensive coverage, so consider dropping it from lower value vehicles. Another option is to bump up the deductible on your MKC to get cheaper collision coverage.
Coverage for medical payments
Coverage for medical payments and/or PIP reimburse you for short-term medical expenses for rehabilitation expenses, funeral costs, prosthetic devices and ambulance fees. They can be utilized in addition to your health insurance policy or if you are not covered by health insurance. They cover not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants in addition to getting struck while a pedestrian. Personal Injury Protection is not available in all states and gives slightly broader coverage than med pay
Liability
This coverage can cover damage that occurs to people or other property. This coverage protects you from legal claims by others, and does not provide coverage for your injuries or vehicle damage.
Liability coverage has three limits: bodily injury for each person injured, bodily injury for the entire accident and a property damage limit. You commonly see values of 20/40/15 which means a limit of $20,000 per injured person, a per accident bodily injury limit of $40,000, and a total limit of $15,000 for damage to vehicles and property.
Liability insurance covers things such as court costs, pain and suffering, medical services, bail bonds and funeral expenses. How much coverage you buy is your choice, but consider buying as large an amount as possible. Illinois requires minimum liability limits of 20/40/15 but drivers should carry better liability coverage.
Be persistent to save money
Budget-conscious Lincoln MKC insurance can be purchased online and from local agencies, so you need to shop Chicago auto insurance with both in order to have the best chance of saving money. Some insurance providers do not offer rate quotes online and most of the time these small, regional companies work with local independent agencies.
As you restructure your insurance plan, make sure you don’t skimp on critical coverages to save a buck or two. There have been many cases where consumers will sacrifice liability coverage limits and learned later that they should have had better coverage. The ultimate goal is to buy a smart amount of coverage for the lowest cost, but don’t skip important coverages to save money.
In this article, we covered a lot of tips how to shop for Lincoln MKC insurance online. It’s most important to understand that the more you quote Chicago auto insurance, the higher the chance of saving money. You may even be surprised to find that the best prices are with a lesser-known regional company.
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