How To Buy Car Insurance In Odessa
Buying auto insurance in Odessa doesn’t have to be time-consuming or complex once you decide whether to take the traditional route of shopping for insurance by working with an agent or shopping online. Whichever you choose, following these steps will save you time and money.
Do Your Information Gathering
Before you call a local agent or buy a policy online, gather up this information they’ll be asking you for to give you an accurate quote:
- Name and birthdate of everyone who will be on the car insurance policy
- Driver license numbers for each person to be covered
- Facts about the car: make, model, vehicle identification number, safety features, current odometer reading, annual miles driven
- Driving records & history for all drivers, including tickets, accidents, or any other violations
- Your current insurer, if applicable, and your current coverage limits
Determine Your Coverage Needs
Make sure you know how much coverage you need. If you’re unsure, use the Texas minimum auto insurance requirements:
- Bodily injury liability per person: $30,000
- Bodily injury liability per accident: $60,000
- Property damage liability per accident: $25,000
- Personal injury protection: $2,500 (automatically provided with liability insurance)
If you’re still unsure how much coverage you need, you may want to work with an agent who can help you determine what you need.
Choose Your Buying Method
There are a couple of ways to buy the cheapest auto insurance in Odessa.
First, you can work with an insurance agent. There are several different types of agents to choose from. Captive agents work for only one insurance company (Nationwide, State Farm, etc.), insurance brokers that represent more than one company (i.e., Progressive, Geico), and specialty agencies that can help if you have a poor driving record, such as having had recent accidents, DUIs, tickets, or lapses in coverage.
The other way to buy auto insurance in Odessa is to buy it directly from the insurer online. You won’t have to speak with an agent if you buy this way; you simply enter your information, and you’ll get a quote(s) with all of your car insurance policy options and pricing. You can then complete the application online.
Either buying method will work; it just depends on whether you want to interact with an agent or representative of the different companies you get quotes from.
Compare Companies
When buying auto insurance, get quotes from at least three companies before deciding which company and coverage are best for you. When comparing prices, make sure you compare apples to apples and get quotes for the same coverage limits.
After you get your quotes, check how many consumer complaints have been filed against the insurer by visiting the National Association of Insurance Commissioners website.
Buy Your New Policy And Cancel Your Old One
If you’re buying a new car, don’t drive off the lot without having auto insurance. If you’re replacing coverage on an existing vehicle, contact your former insurer and cancel the auto policy once your new coverage takes effect. You should receive a refund minus any cancellation fee if there is any unused premium.