The most effective way to find cheaper prices for car insurance rates is to make a habit of regularly comparing prices from providers in Omaha.
First, get a basic knowledge of policy coverages and the steps you can take to keep rates down. Many factors that are responsible for high rates such as multiple speeding tickets and a less-than-favorable credit rating can be controlled by making minor driving habit or lifestyle changes. This article provides tips to get low prices and get discounts that may be overlooked.
Second, request rate estimates from direct carriers, independent agents, and exclusive agents. Exclusive agents and direct companies can only give prices from a single company like GEICO or State Farm, while agents who are independent can provide price quotes from multiple insurance companies. Begin your rate comparison
Third, compare the new quotes to your current policy to see if a cheaper price is available. If you find a better price, make sure the effective date of the new policy is the same as the expiration date of the old one.
One thing to remember is to make sure you’re comparing similar deductibles and liability limits on each quote and and to get quotes from as many companies as possible. Doing this enables a fair rate comparison and and a good selection of different prices.
It’s a fact that insurance companies want to keep you from shopping around. Insureds who shop around annually will probably buy a new policy because they have a good chance of finding discount prices. A recent auto insurance study revealed that people who compared rate quotes regularly saved approximately $3,500 over four years compared to other drivers who never shopped around.
If finding the lowest rates on auto insurance in Omaha is the reason for your visit, then having a grasp of how to quote prices and compare coverage rates can make it easier for you to save money.
If you’re already insured or just want a better rate, you can follow these tips to save money without reducing protection. Finding the best auto insurance policy in Omaha is quite easy. Drivers just need to learn the quickest way to compare insurance rates from many companies at once.
The companies shown below offer comparison quotes in Nebraska. If you want cheaper auto insurance in Omaha, it’s highly recommended you click on several of them to get the cheapest price.
Auto insurance is not optional but you don’t have to overpay
Even though it can be expensive, maintaining insurance is mandatory in Nebraska but it also protects more than you think.
- Just about all states have mandatory liability insurance requirements which means the state requires a specific minimum amount of liability protection in order to get the vehicle licensed. In Nebraska these limits are 25/50/25 which means you must have $25,000 of bodily injury coverage per person, $50,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $25,000 of property damage coverage.
- If your Chevy has a lienholder, almost every bank will make it mandatory that you buy full coverage to guarantee loan repayment. If you default on your policy, the lender may have to buy a policy to insure your Chevy at an extremely high rate and require you to fork over for it.
- Insurance protects both your vehicle and your personal assets. It also can pay for hospital and medical expenses for you, your passengers, and anyone else injured in an accident. One of the most valuable coverages, liability insurance, also pays expenses related to your legal defense if you are sued as the result of your driving. If you have damage to your Chevy as the result of the weather or an accident, your auto insurance policy will pay to repair the damage minus the deductible amount.
The benefits of carrying adequate insurance outweigh the cost, especially with large liability claims. Today the average American driver is overpaying more than $800 each year so compare quotes from several companies once a year at a minimum to ensure rates are competitive.
Lower rates by qualifying for these nine discounts
Auto insurance companies don’t always advertise the entire discount list in a way that’s easy to find, so here is a list a few of the more common and also the lesser-known credits available to you.
- Low Mileage Discounts – Low mileage vehicles can earn better insurance rates on cars that stay parked.
- Discount for Life Insurance – Some insurance carriers give a lower price if you buy life insurance from them.
- Savings for New Vehicles – Buying a new car instead of a used Trax can cost up to 25% less because new vehicles are generally safer.
- Multiple Policy Discount – When you combine your homeowners and auto insurance and insure them both with the same insurance company you could save up to 20% off your total Trax insurance premium.
- Payment Method – If you pay your bill all at once as opposed to paying monthly you can avoid the installment charge.
- Multi-Vehicle Discounts – Buying insurance for multiple vehicles with the same insurance company can reduce rates for all insured vehicles.
- Seat Belt Discounts – Using a seat belt and requiring all passengers to buckle up before driving can save up to 10 percent (depending on the company) on medical payment and PIP coverage.
- Lower Rates for Military – Being on active duty in the military could be rewarded with lower prices.
- E-sign Discounts – Many insurance companies will give a small break just for signing your application on their website.
Remember that most of the big mark downs will not be given to the whole policy. Most only apply to the price of certain insurance coverages like comprehensive or collision. So despite the fact that it appears you can get free auto insurance, insurance companies wouldn’t stay in business.
A few of the larger companies and the discounts they provide are detailed below.
- State Farm has discounts for anti-theft, good student, multiple autos, accident-free, and Steer Clear safe driver discount.
- Liberty Mutual may include discounts for good student, newly married, newly retired, new move discount, preferred payment discount, safety features, and multi-policy.
- American Family discounts include early bird, multi-vehicle, good student, accident-free, TimeAway discount, and defensive driver.
- Progressive may offer discounts for multi-policy, multi-vehicle, homeowner, good student, online quote discount, continuous coverage, and online signing.
- Farmers Insurance offers premium reductions for homeowner, distant student, mature driver, switch companies, good student, pay in full, and business and professional.
- Auto-Owners Insurance may have discounts that include paperless, anti-theft, company car, teen driver, good student, mature driver, and group or association.
- SAFECO includes discounts for anti-theft, bundle discounts, homeowner, teen safety rewards, accident prevention training, and drive less.
It’s a good idea to ask every prospective company the best way to save money. Some of the earlier mentioned discounts may not apply in your state. To locate insurers who offer insurance discounts in Omaha, click here.
Insurance agent or online?
A small number of people just want to sit down with an agent and there is nothing wrong with that. Insurance agents will help you protect your assets and help you file claims. One of the great benefits of getting free rate quotes online is that drivers can save money and get cheaper premium rates and still buy from a local agent. Buying from local agents is especially important in Omaha.
Upon completion of this quick form, your information is sent to companies in Omaha that can provide free Omaha auto insurance quotes for your insurance coverage. It makes it easy because there is no need to contact any agents since rate quotes are delivered to you directly. If you wish to compare rates for a specific company, you can always jump over to their website and fill out their quote form.
If you would like to find a good insurance agency, there are a couple of types of insurance agents that differ in how they can insure your vehicles. Insurance agencies in Omaha may be either independent agents or exclusive agents depending on their employer. Both types can write policy coverage, but it’s good to learn the differences because it can influence the kind of agent you use.
Independent Auto Insurance Agents (or Brokers)
Agents that choose to be independent often have affiliation with several companies so they can quote policies through many different auto insurance companies and find the cheapest auto insurance rates. If they find a lower price, they simply move your policy to a different company and you don’t have to switch agencies.
When shopping rates, we recommend you check rates from at a minimum one independent agency in order to have the best price comparison. Most have the option of insuring with mutual insurance companies that may provide cheaper auto insurance rates.
Listed below is a partial list of independent agents in Omaha that may be able to give you rate quotes.
- Omaha Insurance Services, Inc.
11132 O St – Omaha, NE 68137 – (402) 592-4455 – View Map - AA Brokers Insurance Agency Inc.
2214 N 90th Plaza – Omaha, NE 68134 – (402) 392-1930 – View Map - Omaha Division Insurance
14792 Ray Sapp Dr – Omaha, NE 68138 – (402) 334-7087 – View Map
Exclusive Insurance Agents
Agents that choose to be exclusive normally can only provide a single company’s rates like Allstate, State Farm and Farm Bureau. These agents are not able to shop your coverage around so they have to upsell other benefits. They are usually quite knowledgeable on what they offer and that allows them to sell at a higher price point. Some insured continue to buy from the same agent for years mainly due to the brand and the convenience of having a single billing for all their coverages.
Shown below are Omaha exclusive insurance agencies willing to provide price quotes.
- Len Siedlik – State Farm Insurance Agent
12781 Q St – Omaha, NE 68137 – (402) 895-4446 – View Map - Tim Edwards – State Farm Insurance Agent
6550 S 84th St #200 – Omaha, NE 68127 – (402) 331-0112 – View Map - Steve Skidmore – State Farm Insurance Agent
17525 Gold Plaza #105 – Omaha, NE 68130 – (402) 330-9200 – View Map
Selecting an auto insurance agent needs to be determined by more than just the premium amount. These are some valid questions you should ask.
- Will they take your side in the event of a claim?
- Are they able to provide referrals?
- Does the quote include credit and driving reports?
- If your car is totaled, how to they determine the replacement cost?
- Are glass claims handled on-site or do you have to take your vehicle to a repair shop?
- Is every driver in your family covered?
Auto insurance company ratings
Picking the right auto insurance company can be difficult considering how many choices you have in Omaha. The company rank data listed below could help you choose which providers you want to consider buying from.
Top 10 Omaha Car Insurance Companies by A.M. Best Rank
- USAA – A++
- GEICO – A++
- Travelers – A++
- State Farm – A++
- Allstate – A+
- Progressive – A+
- Mercury Insurance – A+
- The Hartford – A+
- Nationwide – A+
- Esurance – A+
Top 10 Omaha Car Insurance Companies Ranked by Customer Service
- Mercury Insurance
- Nationwide
- State Farm
- Safeco Insurance
- American Family
- Titan Insurance
- Travelers
- Liberty Mutual
- GEICO
- Allstate
Specific coverages for a Chevy Trax
Understanding the coverages of insurance helps when choosing the right coverages and proper limits and deductibles. The terms used in a policy can be impossible to understand and reading a policy is terribly boring.
Comprehensive insurance – Comprehensive insurance coverage will pay to fix damage caused by mother nature, theft, vandalism and other events. A deductible will apply and then insurance will cover the rest of the damage.
Comprehensive insurance covers claims such as falling objects, damage from flooding, a broken windshield and theft. The most a insurance company will pay at claim time is the ACV or actual cash value, so if the vehicle’s value is low consider removing comprehensive coverage.
Collision – Collision coverage pays for damage to your Trax resulting from a collision with an object or car. A deductible applies and then insurance will cover the remainder.
Collision coverage pays for claims like colliding with a tree, damaging your car on a curb and scraping a guard rail. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so consider dropping it from vehicles that are older. It’s also possible to bump up the deductible on your Trax in order to get cheaper collision rates.
Med pay and Personal Injury Protection (PIP) – Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage reimburse you for bills for prosthetic devices, hospital visits and dental work. They are used to fill the gap from your health insurance program or if you do not have health coverage. Medical payments and PIP cover you and your occupants as well as getting struck while a pedestrian. Personal Injury Protection is not an option in every state but can be used in place of medical payments coverage
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) – This gives you protection from other drivers when they either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. Covered claims include injuries to you and your family as well as damage to your Chevy Trax.
Because many people carry very low liability coverage limits (Nebraska limits are 25/50/25), it doesn’t take a major accident to exceed their coverage limits. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage is important protection for you and your family. Frequently these coverages are similar to your liability insurance amounts.
Liability car insurance – Liability coverage will cover damage that occurs to people or other property by causing an accident. Split limit liability has three limits of coverage: bodily injury for each person injured, bodily injury for the entire accident and a property damage limit. You commonly see policy limits of 25/50/25 that translate to a limit of $25,000 per injured person, $50,000 for the entire accident, and a total limit of $25,000 for damage to vehicles and property. Some companies may use a combined limit which combines the three limits into one amount and claims can be made without the split limit restrictions.
Liability can pay for claims such as medical services, repair bills for other people’s vehicles and court costs. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is a decision to put some thought into, but buy as high a limit as you can afford. Nebraska requires drivers to carry at least 25/50/25 but you should think about purchasing more liability than the minimum.
The chart below demonstrates why minimum state limits may not be enough.
A conclusion for your insurance search
Lower-priced Chevy Trax insurance in Omaha is attainable from both online companies in addition to many Omaha insurance agents, and you should compare rates from both to get a complete price analysis. Some companies may not provide internet price quotes and many times these small, regional companies only sell coverage through local independent agencies.
As you quote Omaha auto insurance, it’s very important that you do not sacrifice coverage to reduce premiums. There have been many cases where an insured dropped liability coverage limits only to find out they didn’t purchase enough coverage. The goal is to buy the best coverage you can find at a price you can afford, but do not sacrifice coverage to save money.
People switch companies for a variety of reasons including denial of a claim, delays in responding to claim requests, an unsatisfactory settlement offer and extreme rates for teen drivers. Regardless of your reason, switching insurance companies can be easy and end up saving you some money.
Helpful information
- Teen Driver Licensing Information (iihs.org)
- Who Has the Cheapest Car Insurance Rates for a Learners Permit in Omaha? (FAQ)
- How Much are Auto Insurance Rates for Drivers with Accidents in Omaha? (FAQ)
- How Much are Auto Insurance Rates for a Mazda CX-7 in Omaha? (FAQ)
- What Car Insurance is Cheapest for Government Employees in Omaha? (FAQ)
- Uninsured Motorist Statistics (Insurance Information Institute)
- Choosing a Car for Your Teen (State Farm)
- Smart Auto Insurance Tips (Insurance Information Institute)
- Higher speed limits cause more fatalities (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)