What to Know About Switching Car Insurance – Nationwide

Switching indemnity companies can be a positive experience. It may even result in lower fees and better coverage. But to ensure that you make the right decisiveness, it ’ sulfur important to do your research and shop wisely, as you would for any fiscal services products .
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners recommends that you understand the terms used and coverage levels offered for different types of indemnity before working with an agent or broke to select an appropriate policy .

Below are seven things to remember when contemplating a change in insurance companies.

Ask about your current rate

even if you ’ ve been reviewing your policies annually, it ’ south dependable to double-check your pace. You could be entitled to a discount that wasn ’ thyroxine immediately apparent, or the stream policy might not amply savoir-faire changes in your situation, such as marriage or a move to a new neighborhood .

Be a smart consumer

Take your meter getting to know the carriers and their products. Can they address all your needs ? Do they have a reputation for providing exceptional customer service ? The best carriers understand that providing excellent indemnity products is only partially of what defines their trade name ; they know that developing firm long-run relationships with customers is besides very crucial.

Confirm your potential new coverage

alternatively of comparing policies on a payment-to-payment basis, compare the benefits each offers. Create a list of the benefits your current coverage offers. then compare the coverage point by point with the prospective policy offered by another insurance company. It ’ mho significant to look beyond monetary value. Saving a few dollars for coverage that doesn ’ thyroxine address your needs is not a sound decision .
If you ’ rhenium working with an agent, ask questions that ensure you are comparing precisely the like benefits, or if the policies don ’ t match precisely, ask how a electric potential new policy might offer better value. A skilled agent can raise issues that you might not have considered .

Double-check potential extra costs

By giving proper notice, you ’ ll broadly be able to switch carriers in the middle of a coverage period. The carrier refunds the unused region of the premium, although some companies may charge a little fee or penalty. even if you ’ ve already decided to switch, you may want to calculate whether it makes more fiscal sense to wait until a policy term ends before making the exchange.

Once you’ve switched…

Don’t cancel your current policy too soon

Before you cancel, ensure the new policy is amply in consequence. It might cost you an extra month ’ second payment but it ’ randomness deserving it to wait until you receive documentation that your policy is 100 % active .
besides, be aware that the price an insurance agent quotes you might increase, particularly in the case of life insurance. With life indemnity, you might need to get a physical, and the consequence of your examination could increase your hazard and your indemnity agio costs.

Don’t forget to cancel your old policy

once your modern policy is in seat, you will need to cancel your old one ; you can ’ t just stop paying the premiums. It ’ randomness besides best to get written confirmation that your policy has been canceled .

Carry your new insurance card

Don ’ metric ton forget to swap out your erstwhile insurance calling card for the raw menu, specially if it is car policy. If you get stopped by the patrol and can ’ t produce a valid human body of car insurance, you may be fined .
If you ’ ra considering switching policy companies, contact an agent to learn more about coverage from Nationwide .