Getting The Best Auto Insurance in New York

Reader’s Question:

Ok, so I have a brand new car here in New York and it needs to be insured ASAP. How can I find the best auto insurers out there?

Cory

Amherst, NY

This is a tricky but excellent question. Tricky because there are many factors you must consider before deciding that a certain auto insurer is the best one for you. But let’s make it a bit easier for you. Here are some tips to help you find the best auto insurance provider there in New York (note: these tips are applicable to other states as well.)

Tip# 1: Use Independent rating Agencies

Here’s a good shortcut: use one of the many independent agencies that publish auto insurance ratings. Some of the best includes J.D. Powers, Moodys, and Standard & Poor’s. They have websites that publish ratings of many different companies and industries and information is usually free. Rating categories include: customer service, claims handling, billings & payments and overall customer experience. This is an excellent resource for consumers who want to minimize the risk of going with a “bad” company.

Tip# 2: Run a Free Auto Insurance Quote Check

It would still be a good idea to run auto insurance ratings check of your own, if only to see the latest rates and prices on the market. Online auto insurance comparison websites (like this website) can help you get rates from a wide-variety of insurers simultaneously and for free. Doing this maximizes your ability to get the best priced policy (from among the best companies – see above tip.) in the market.

Tip# 3: Ask Around

Sometimes you don’t have to go far and wide. Ask your friends, co-workers, and even your relatives about their insurance service. You might get valuable feedback and information that can help you choose the best auto insurers available.

How to Find the Best Insurance Company

Reader’s Question:

I’d like to know how I can choose between auto insurance companies effectively. How do I know I’m getting the best deals and reliable service?

Donatello

Portland, OR

Good question. Getting the right auto insurance company is just as important as getting the best rates. However, this is easier said than done to a lot of people. Listed below are a few useful tips to maximize your chances of getting the right kind of auto insurer for you.

1. Independent Rating Agencies - Moodys, J.D. Powers, A.M Best, and Standard & Poor offer a wealth of information to consumers by rating/scoring the performance of different companies. Scores fall under categories such as billing and payments, customer service, and pricing. This can help you get a good idea about the insurers you should be doing business with.

2. Online Comparison Websites - Use these to obtain free quotes and compare offers coming from many different insurers. This is a good way to maximize your ability to spot the best-priced policies in the market.

3. Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.org) - This is another resource that consumers should take full advantage of. The BBB helps by educating people about good business and learning about complains against certain companies. This will help you become a smarter consumer.

4. Ask Around - Referrals can be a great way to find out about the best auto insurance companies. Ask your friends, relatives and co-workers. Doing this can lead to some valuable insights that can help you choose your auto insurer effectively. You get instant feedback from their actual experiences with the companies they went with as well.