Really, the only way to find low-cost Mercury Montego insurance in Charlotte is to start doing an annual price comparison from companies who can sell car insurance in North Carolina. Price quotes can be compared by following these steps.
- First, take a little time to learn about what coverages are included in your policy and the steps you can take to keep rates down. Many risk factors that drive up the price like high-risk driving behaviors and a negative credit history can be improved by being financially responsible and driving safely.
- Second, obtain price quotes from independent agents, exclusive agents, and direct companies. Exclusive agents and direct companies can provide rates from one company like GEICO and Allstate, while agents who are independent can quote prices from multiple sources. Get quotes now
- Third, compare the new rate quotes to the price on your current policy and see if you can save money. If you can save money and buy the policy, make sure there is no lapse in coverage.
- Fourth, provide adequate notice to your current company to cancel the current policy and submit the completed application along with a down payment to the new insurer. Don’t forget to put the new certificate of insurance in an accessible location in your vehicle.
A valuable tip to remember is to use identical deductibles and limits on each quote request and and to get prices from as many different companies as possible. This ensures a level playing field and a complete price analysis.
It’s safe to assume that insurance companies want to keep you from comparing prices. Drivers who shop around for the cheapest price will most likely switch companies because of the good chance of finding lower rate quotes. A recent car insurance study revealed that consumers who made a habit of comparing rate quotes saved about $3,450 over four years compared to policyholders who never compared other company’s rates.
If finding the best price on insurance in Charlotte is the reason for your visit, then having some insight into how to find and compare insurance can help simplify the task of finding more affordable coverage.
If you have insurance now, you will surely be able to save money using this strategy. Locating the best rates in Charlotte can really be easy if you know what you’re doing. But North Carolina vehicle owners do need to learn the way companies calculate your policy premium and use it to find better rates.
How Your Montego Insurance Premiums are Determined
It’s important that you understand some of the elements that play a part in calculating the rates you pay for insurance. When consumers understand what determines premiums, this empowers consumers to make smart changes that could help you find lower rates. Multiple criteria are considered when pricing auto insurance. Some of the criteria are obvious like your driving record, but some are less obvious such as whether you are married and annual miles driven.
The itemized list below are some of the most common factors companies use to determine your rates.
- Responsible drivers pay better costs – Even one speeding ticket or other violation can increase rates by twenty percent. Attentive drivers tend to pay less for car insurance than people who have multiple driving citations. Drivers who have received careless violations like reckless driving, hit and run or driving under the influence may need to file a proof of financial responsibility form (SR-22) with the DMV in their state in order to continue driving.
- Save money by having good credit – Having a good credit score is likely to be a major factor in calculating your premium rate. If your credit is lower than you’d like, you could pay less to insure your Mercury Montego by repairing your credit. People with excellent credit tend to file fewer claims as compared to drivers with bad credit.
- High physical damage deductibles reduce prices – Physical damage deductibles are how much you are willing to pay before a claim is paid by your company. Physical damage protection, commonly called comprehensive (or other-than-collision) and collision coverage, insures against damage to your car. Some instances where coverage would apply would be a windshield broken by a bird, damage from fire, and having a roll-over accident. The more of the claim the insured has to pay upfront, the lower your rates will be.
- Your spouse saves you money – Being married actually saves money on your insurance bill. It may mean you are more mature and responsible and insurance companies like that married drivers get in fewer accidents.
- Premiums impacted by vehicle usage – Driving more miles annually the higher your rates will be. Most insurance companies calculate prices determined by how the vehicle is used. Autos left parked in the garage can get a lower rate than those that get driven frequently. Double check that your policy correctly shows the correct usage for each vehicle. Improper usage on your Montego may be costing you.
- Occupation impacts rates – Did you know that where you work can have an impact on rates? Occupational choices like fire fighters, airline pilots, and medical professionals tend to pay higher average rates because of intense work requirements and incredibly demanding work hours. On the flip side, jobs like farmers, students and homemakers receive lower rates.
- Protect yourself with liability insurance – A critical coverage on your policy, liability insurance is the coverage that protects you when you are responsible for damages caused by your negligence. This coverage provides legal defense coverage up to the limits shown on your policy. It is affordable coverage compared to physical damage coverage, so drivers should make sure they buy enough to cover all assets.
- Your car’s features help determine premiums – Purchasing a vehicle with anti-theft technology or alarm system can help lower your rates. Theft deterrent systems like OnStar found on GM vehicles, advanced tracking like LoJack, and vehicle immobilization systems help track and prevent your vehicle from being stolen.
When quoting auto insurance, remember that comparing a wide range of rates increases your odds of finding more affordable insurance. Some companies don’t provide online Charlotte Montego insurance quotes, so you need to compare price estimates on coverage from those companies, too.
The companies shown below are ready to provide price quotes in North Carolina. To find the cheapest auto insurance in Charlotte, NC, it’s highly recommended you visit two to three different companies in order to get a fair rate comparison.
Three reasons to insure your Montego
Even though it can be expensive, car insurance may be required and benefits you in several ways.
- Just about all states have minimum mandated liability insurance limits which means you are required to buy a minimum amount of liability coverage if you drive a vehicle. In North Carolina these limits are 30/60/25 which means you must have $30,000 of bodily injury coverage per person, $60,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $25,000 of property damage coverage.
- If you took out a loan on your Montego, most banks will make it a condition of the loan that you carry insurance to guarantee loan repayment. If you do not pay your insurance premiums, the bank or lender will purchase a policy for your Mercury at a more expensive rate and force you to pay for it.
- Insurance protects both your assets and your Mercury Montego. It will also cover hospital and medical expenses for both you and anyone you injure as the result of an accident. Liability insurance, one of your policy coverages, will also pay to defend you if you are sued as the result of your driving. If your Mercury gets damaged, comprehensive (other-than-collision) and collision coverage will cover the damage repairs after a deductible is paid.
The benefits of buying car insurance definitely exceed the cost, particularly if you ever have a claim. According to a recent study, the average American driver is currently overpaying as much as $750 every year so it’s important to compare rates each time the policy renews to help ensure money is not being wasted.
Auto insurance rates and discounts
Not too many consumers would say auto insurance is affordable, but you can get discounts that you may not even be aware of. Certain reductions will be credited at the time of quoting, but some discounts are required to be asked for prior to receiving the credit.
- College Student Discount – Children living away from Charlotte attending college and leave their car at home could qualify for this discount.
- Accident-Free Discounts – Good drivers with no accidents get the best auto insurance rates in comparison with accident-prone drivers.
- Telematics Data – Insureds that choose to allow driving data collection to spy on when and where they use their vehicle by using a telematics device in their vehicle like Allstate’s Drivewise might see lower rates as long as the data is positive.
- Defensive Driver Discount – Passing a safe driver course can save you 5% or more and make you a better driver.
- Good Driver Discount – Accident-free drivers can save up to 40% or more on their Charlotte auto insurance quote than drivers with accidents.
- Discounts for Seat Belt Usage – Requiring all passengers to buckle their seat belts can save up to 15% off the PIP or medical payment premium.
- Multiple Policy Discount – If you insure your home and vehicles and place coverage with the same company you could earn a discount of at least 10 to 15 percent or more.
- Government Employees – Having worked for a branch of the government could provide a small rate reduction with select insurance companies.
- Student Discounts – Excelling in school can get you a discount of up to 25%. You can use this discount normally well after school through age 25.
Keep in mind that some of the credits will not apply to the whole policy. Some only reduce specific coverage prices like liability and collision coverage. Despite the appearance that adding up those discounts means a free policy, you aren’t that lucky. But all discounts will help lower your premiums.
To locate insurers that have a full spectrum of discounts in North Carolina, follow this link.
Buying insurance from Charlotte insurance agencies
A small number of people would rather get professional advice from a licensed agent and that can be a smart move An additional benefit of comparing insurance online is that you can find cheap rate quotes but also keep your business local.
Upon completion of this quick form, your insurance coverage information is emailed to local insurance agents in Charlotte who can give free rate quotes for your insurance coverage. It simplifies rate comparisons since you won’t have to leave your house because quoted prices will be sent to your email. You can find the lowest rates and work with a local agent. If you have a need to get a price quote from a specific insurance company, don’t hesitate to go to their quote page and complete a quote there.
Picking a insurance company needs to be determined by more than just the premium amount. Here are some questions to ask:
- How often do they review policy coverages?
- How experienced are they in personal risk management?
- Are they actively involved in the community?
- Is assistance available after office hours?
- Which insurance company do they prefer to write with?
- What insurance companies do they work with in Charlotte?
- Are all drivers listed on the coverage quote?
If you want a reputable insurance agent or broker, you should know the different agency structures that you can select. Insurance agents are considered either independent (non-exclusive) or exclusive.
Exclusive Agencies
Agents of this type generally can only insure with one company such as Allstate, State Farm and Farmers Insurance. They generally cannot place coverage with different providers so you might not find the best rates. Exclusive insurance agents are highly trained on what they offer which aids in selling service over price.
Shown below are Charlotte exclusive insurance agencies who can help you get price quotes.
AAA Carolinas
6600 A A A Dr – Charlotte, NC 28212 – (704) 569-3600 – View Map
State Farm: Happy Mullen
2201 South Blvd #420 – Charlotte, NC 28203 – (704) 362-0800 – View Map
Todd Younker – State Farm Insurance Agent
7725 Matthews-Mint Hill Road – Charlotte, NC 28227 – (704) 545-9111 – View Map
Independent Insurance Agents
Independent agencies do not sell for just one brand so they can quote policies amongst many companies and get the cheapest rates. To move your coverage to a new company, your policy is moved internally without you having to go to a different agency.
If you need cheaper insurance rates, we recommend you include multiple independent agents to maximize your price options.
Listed below are independent agents in Charlotte willing to provide comparison quotes.
Pegram Insurance Agency
9010 Glenwater Dr #103 – Charlotte, NC 28262 – (704) 494-9495 – View Map
Nationwide Insurance: Timothy G Hausmann Agency
2313 Randolph Rd – Charlotte, NC 28207 – (704) 332-0011 – View Map
Johnson Insurance Management, LLC
3220 Wilkinson Boulevard Ste A3 – Charlotte, NC 28208 – (704) 394-7327 – View Map
Upon receiving positive responses to all your questions and a good coverage price, you have narrowed it down to an insurance agency that meets the criteria to service your policy.
Lower rates by being persistent
Low-cost Mercury Montego insurance in Charlotte is definitely available both online and from local insurance agents, so you need to quote Charlotte auto insurance with both in order to have the best chance of saving money. Some car insurance companies don’t offer online quoting and usually these regional carriers work with independent insurance agents.
When shopping online for car insurance, do not buy less coverage just to save a little money. There are a lot of situations where an accident victim reduced uninsured motorist or liability limits and discovered at claim time that it was a big error on their part. The ultimate goal is to purchase a proper amount of coverage at the best possible price.
You just learned some good ideas how you can shop for Mercury Montego insurance online. The most important thing to understand is the more price quotes you have, the better likelihood of getting inexpensive Charlotte auto insurance quotes. Drivers may even discover the lowest premium rates are with a small mutual company. They often have lower prices on specific markets compared to the large companies like State Farm and Allstate.
Additional information can be read below:
- Older Driver Statistics (Insurance Information Institute)
- Vehicle Size and Weight FAQ (iihs.org)
- What does Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Cover? (Allstate)
- Auto Insurance 101 (About.com)
- Credit Impacts Car Insurance Rates (State Farm)