Texas Car Insurance Quotes

When shopping for car insurance in Texas, it is important to compare both cost and coverage options with several different auto insurers. As a wise, budget-conscious consumer, it is important to set aside an appropriate amount of time to compare car insurance quotes in Texas so that you can find the best rates.

While price is extremely important, when you are comparison shopping you must look past price first to find a reputable insurer who will fulfill their promises when you need them to be by your side.

Here is the consumer guide to requesting, comparing and choosing car insurance quotes in Texas to make the task easier on you. And be sure to use the FREE comparison tool above to start your search!

How to Choose Which Texas Insurers to Request Quotes From

Not all Texas auto insurers are created equal. Some companies that operate in the state are dedicated to offering the highest quality products and service, and others choose to offer low premiums to attract new business.

You want to avoid requesting quotes from sub-par insurers who only want to collect premiums and do not focus on retaining their policyholders and treating them well.

This is why the first step that you should take before you begin comparing price quotations is to research several different companies and narrow down your options.

Here are the factors to consider before you get any quotes or before you put weight on the quotations you have received:

License Status with the Texas Department of Insurance

Some companies can sell insurance in Texas online without being licensed by the TDI, but it is not wise to purchase insurance from these companies. As a consumer, it is in your best interest to buy coverage from a company that is required to meet the standards set by a regulatory agency in the state.

The TDI is a regulatory body that approves rates and oversees producers in the insurance industry to protect consumers. By choosing an insurer that has an active license in the state, you have peace of mind in knowing that the company must answer to regulatory officials when you have a concern or a complaint.

Financial Security and Creditworthiness

Another factor to consider before you begin comparing car insurance quotes in Texas is financial rankings. Financial solidity is very important when you are buying any type of financial product in Texas. Failing to buying your insurance from a financially sound company may land you in hot water if you ever need to file a claim, and this will have your regretting your decision to buy a policy based on quotes alone.

Believe it or not, sometimes, low quotes that are much cheaper than the average premiums in Texas can be a red flag to consumers who are buying an auto insurance product. This is because rates are risk-based, and when a company does not collect enough premiums based on the risk that a driver presents, they may be financially vulnerable.

Every company has their own unique rating system, but if the rating system does not put enough weight on factors that expose the company to claims the company is at-risk of going out of business.

If you are not sure how to check a company's financial ranking before you are influenced by quotes that the company gives you, you can easily use the rankings assigned by an independent consumer rating agency.

A.M. Best, Standard & Poor's and Moody's are three independent agencies that review the financial records of auto insurance companies in Texas and throughout the nation. The purpose of these rankings is to help consumers and creditors make smart decisions so that they can avoid vulnerable companies.

Avoid Companies With a High Complaint Index

If a company has several different complaints filed against it, you may want to strongly consider another company that keeps their clients satisfied. Consumers have the right to file complaints if they feel like they were discriminated against, their claim was unfairly denied, the company misrepresented itself, or the company was guilty of insurance fraud.

After an investigation, the Texas Department of Insurance and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners will decide if an enforcement action is appropriate. If these are several enforcement actions, consumers should consider this a red flag.

You should also consider a company's complaint index. This is a comparison of the number of closed claims versus the market share of the company. The higher the index, the bigger the red flag. You can check the complaint records of a company by entering the company name in the Consumer Information Source and reviewing the public records and complaint trends.

Which Quoting Method is the Best?

In today's modern society, there are several different ways that you can request car insurance quotes in Texas. You will need to decide which method you are most comfortable with and which suits you best as a consumer.

Here are the most popular options you can choose from, and the pros and cons of each:

Quotes Through a Local Exclusive Agency

If you love traditional face-to-face service and you do not mind setting aside time to go to several different exclusive agencies, visiting a local office is an option. Because these agencies can only quote the price of products through their company, comparison shopping can be difficult.

With this being said, some individuals are more comfortable dealing with agents in this personal manner.

Quotes with a Local Broker

Brokers are licensed to quote products through several different companies. If you want to personal element of face-to-face service and to price coverage with several companies at once, this is a better alternative.

Many find going to a broker is more convenient, but you will pay a price for the convenience in the form of a brokerage fee. This fee is charged in addition to the premiums.

Toll-Free Phone Numbers

Sales agents are on standby through several top name insurers waiting to give you quotes 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You simply pick up the phone, provide your information, and then get a quote via phone.

You can only get a quote through the insurer, but there is the benefit of being able to price shop from home.

Online Quoting Systems

The most popular option in recent years is to price shop by using online quoting systems. You can use a system direct through the insurer, or a comparison net quote system that gives you access to several different rates at once. Some companies have special quoting tools online, but the better option for technically savvy shoppers is a net quote system because you can compare rates instantly.

Studies from Comscore.com show that 48% of shoppers quote insurance online, and 63% of these shoppers purchased their policy online. As this number rises, the features in rating systems will only improve.

What Information Do You Need to Provide?

No matter which method you choose to retrieve your quotes, you will need the same information to ensure your quotes are accurate. If you provide the wrong information, the quotes that you request could be inaccurate and the policy will be issued at a higher rate.

Here is a list of the information you will need:

• Name, date of birth, driver license number, and prior license number
• Violation dates and dates of at-fault accidents for all drivers
• Year, make, model, odometer and VIN of vehicles in household
• Safety features and aftermarket features of vehicles
• Usage classifications and annual mileage of each vehicle
• Payment information
• Grades and class certificate information when you qualify for discounts

What to Consider When Comparing Your Car Insurance Quotes in Texas

Your personal rating factors, the coverage options that you select, and your limits all dictate how much you will pay for coverage. This is why you need to look at more than just the price quote before you decide which quote is best. Whenever you are shopping around for car insurance, you should be sure that you are comparing apples to apples quotes.

Apples to apples quotes means that the coverage options and limits on the quote are the same as what you currently carry through your insurer. Only after you see what the base rate is for the basic coverage that you carry can you modify the coverage on your quotes.

You can make modifications to raise your deductibles, raise limits, or select add-ons like rental reimbursement and towing if you have found a policy that will save you money.

Never purchase the very first policy that you are offered. You should always take the time to compare rates before you assume that a top-rated company is offering you a truly competitive price quotation. If you want to comparison shop from the comforts of your own home without needing to contact several insurers, use an intelligent rating tool online and retrieve your quotes in minutes.

Once you have researched companies and compared quotes, make an informed decision. Use our FREE comparison tool below to get started!