AZ Auto Insurance pays for damage to your car resulting from an accident that you cause. Also covers damage caused by uninsured motorists and other factors, like natural disasters. You may be able to reduce your premium by dropping comprehensive coverage.

To get a quote, insurers usually ask for the year, make and model of the vehicle; the name of the driver; and details about any safety systems installed in it. They also need the lienholder if the car is still under loan.

Auto insurance helps pay for damage caused by the use of your motor vehicle. It also pays for injury to others if you are found legally responsible for an accident. The process of choosing a policy begins by figuring out what your coverage needs are and determining the amount of premium you can afford to pay. Whether or not you decide to buy comprehensive and collision coverage is up to you. After deciding what you want in your policy, talk to an agent to get a quote.

The agent or broker can give you a quote for a full year’s worth of premiums, and break it down to tell you how much is added to your monthly payments. Some insurers let you choose to pay the premium in installments. Some companies charge a fee for this service, but it is usually less than the extra cost of paying in cash.

You can lower your rates by keeping your credit and driving record clean, and by choosing a safe and economical car. You can also ask for discounts such as low annual mileage, mature driver discount, multiple vehicle discount and safety device discount. These can save you money on the cost of the premium, or even the entire policy.

You should always carefully read your policy contract. You need to know exactly what your policy covers, the terms of the contract and how to file a claim. Your insurance company should provide great customer service inside and outside of claims, and help you understand your policy and how it works.

Coverage Needs

Generally, there are two basic types of auto insurance: the mandatory coverage required by most states and additional coverage that you may choose to purchase. The minimum amounts of mandatory coverage include bodily injury liability, which covers costs associated with injuries you or other drivers operating your vehicle cause to others; and property damage liability, which reimburses other people for the cost of repairs or replacement to their vehicles or belongings if you are found responsible for an accident. In addition, most companies offer a wide range of optional coverages that can be added to your policy. Some of the most popular and valuable include roadside assistance, towing and labor coverage and extended transportation (rental car) coverage.

Some insurance companies also offer a variety of discounts, which can reduce the premiums you pay. These can be based on factors such as your driving record, your vehicle usage (e.g., the number of miles you drive each year) and your age and gender. For example, some insurers offer a mature driver discount or a low annual mileage discount. You should ask about these and other possible discounts when you are purchasing or renewing a policy, and whenever your circumstances change.

It is important to consider the maximum value of your vehicle and its ability to be replaced or repaired, when determining the level of collision and comprehensive coverage you need on your policy. If you have a newer, higher-valued vehicle that has expensive parts or components, you may want to consider upgrading to more extensive physical damage coverages.

Most auto insurance policies are sold for six- or 12-month time periods and are renewable at the end of the term. If you wish to make changes to your policy during the term of the contract, you will need to do so within a special enrollment period specified by the insurance company. During this period, most insurers will allow you to add or remove vehicles or drivers, adjust your coverage levels and/or change the address on your policy. During the rest of the year, you can generally make these changes at any time, but your rate may increase as a result of the action.

Obtaining a Quote

The process of obtaining car insurance involves gathering information about your specific situation and coverage needs and then comparing the cost of policies from different companies. The quotes will be based on many factors, including your driving record, age, the location of the vehicle and your credit history. A reputable agent will work with you to find the policy that best suits your budget and meets your coverage needs. You should obtain a number of quotes and shop carefully, but don’t be rushed into a decision by high-pressure sales tactics or misleading advertising.

Whether you buy your car insurance directly from the insurance company or through a broker, the information you provide will determine the cost of the premium. To get a true comparison, you need to provide the same information for each quote you receive. Be sure to include the year, make and VIN (vehicle identification number) for each vehicle you want insured. Also, be sure to specify the same coverage limits for each quote. If you have multiple vehicles, it is usually more cost-efficient to insure them with the same insurer. In addition, many companies offer discounts when you insure more than one vehicle with them or for bundling auto insurance with home and renter’s insurance.

Other factors that influence your premium are the type of vehicle you drive, your driving record, your age and any accidents or violations on your driving record. You will also need to choose the types of coverage you want, such as collision and comprehensive, which pay for damage to your vehicle in an accident, or liability which pays for injuries or property damage to others caused by your negligence. You may also want to add coverage for roadside assistance, medical payments, rental car coverage and other extras.

Be aware that insurance agents and brokers are paid a fee, called a commission, when they sell you a policy. You should always be aware of this before you meet with an agent or broker to ensure that they are putting your interests first. A good agent will explain the terms of any policy they recommend to you.

Payment Options

There are a number of payment options available to you when it comes to car insurance. The most common is an EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer), which allows the insurer to pull your payments directly from your checking account, eliminating the need for a monthly check or recurring card payments. Many auto insurers offer this option and often waive certain small fees associated with it, making it one of the most convenient payment options available. It also eliminates the possibility of missing a payment or paying it late, which could result in a cancellation.

Most insurance companies also offer a quarterly billing option, which will allow you to pay your premium on a quarter-by-quarter basis throughout the year rather than paying it in one lump sum at the beginning of your six or 12-month policy term. If you choose this option, make sure that you will have enough money in your checking or savings account to cover the amount of the premium when it is due. Otherwise, you might be responsible for overdraft charges and risk having your insurance coverage canceled because of a missed payment.

Another option is to use your credit card for your car insurance payments. This may be convenient, especially if you already use your credit card to pay a lot of other bills and you’re familiar with how it works. However, it’s important to remember that, unlike a debit card, if you don’t pay off your credit card balance in full by the end of the month, you will be charged interest on the unpaid balance. This can add up quickly and increase the cost of your car insurance.

If you do choose to pay by credit card, it is recommended that you enroll in autopay through the company’s website or through their app so that the payments are automatically withdrawn each month. While you can still pay by cash, most insurance agents don’t accept it and even if they do, you run the risk of your payment getting lost in the mail and potentially being delayed or not received in time to avoid a lapse in coverage.