There’s more to owning a car than simply having a driver’s license and a nice set of wheels. Responsibility, cautiousness, and composure – key traits that all drivers should possess – reveal themselves in every aspect regarding one’s vehicle, insurance included. As a car owner myself, I know that I’m always on the lookout for better auto insurance options (just because I’m an independent insurance agent doesn’t mean I’m spared the trouble). For this reason, I make a priority out of reviewing my existing policy every year. This begs the question – when do you know it’s time for a change? And if I feel like it, can I change auto insurance before the renewal date?
Out Now: THE QUICK GUIDE TO AUTO INSURANCE (EBOOK) – Get your free copy!
From what I notice, there are three reasons why Tennesseans decide to change car insurance:
- their circumstances change, and they need more (or less) coverage;
- they are unhappy with the customer service of their current auto insurance company;
- they want to bundle their policies – home and auto – with one carrier, so they only have one point of contact for car and home insurance issues.
Can You Change Auto Insurance at Any Time?
Pretty much. If, like many other vehicle owners, you too have decided to tinker with your coverage, keep reading. In the following paragraphs, I’ll look at the above-mentioned reasons and try to help you make the right decision.
Your Auto Insurance Coverage Needs Change
You may have been tempted to opt for the bare minimum in the past or to splurge on your premiums in order to lower deductibles. Either way, circumstances change and it’s important to know your options.
Tennessee state law mandates that all owned vehicles should at least maintain liability insurance, with the minimum coverage (as of 2020) being:
- $25,000 bodily injury per person
- $50,000 bodily injury per accident
- $15,000 property damage per accident
Financed vehicles usually require additional coverage, such as comprehensive and collision.
Alternatively, you may have decided to be extra cautious and selected more insurance than you actually need. Options are pretty vast, ranging from uninsured/underinsured motorist, to medical payments, to emergency roadside assistance, to mechanical breakdown coverage. It can be quite difficult to choose what’s right for you and to understand what are the average auto insurance costs if you don’t have someone trustworthy and experienced by your side.
Nonetheless, being underinsured is the norm. It’s very common for vehicle owners to limit their coverage in exchange for cheap auto insurance premiums. If this is the case for you, the single best thing you can do is start comparing auto insurance quotes. You can do so online, by yourself, or turn to a reputable auto insurance agent in Franklin, TN, such as Williams Insurance Group, who can use their extensive expertise in order to personalize the comparison experience and help you better identify your ideal option. This way, you’re bound to find the best auto insurance in Franklin, Tennessee.
You Are Unhappy With Your Current Insurance Provider
There are a variety of aspects that can influence your relationship with your provider and make you want to change auto insurance. Some can creep up in the most inopportune of moments – such as when you file a claim and realize that it takes months to process – while others can be evident from the get-go, but are looked over because of seemingly good rates.
If you decided that enough’s enough and it’s time to move on to a new provider, there are a couple of safety measures you can take in order to avoid facing the same issues in the future.
What I suggest you start with is due diligence – research the auto insurance company. There are a few websites that offer useful information on customer service. Consumer Report Magazine is an excellent source of insight, as it showcases extensive user ratings on car insurance companies. Criteria include anything from process simplicity to timely response and transparency. While you need a subscription to view this information on the CR page, you can review auto insurance company ratings here.
The second thing you can consider is getting in touch with an independent auto insurance agent in Franklin, TN and have them mediate your relationship with the insurance company. This is what we do here at Williams: our customers are saved from the trouble of discussing with the insurer directly, as everything is handled by us. And mind you, we’re known in Franklin, TN for our impeccable service, so don’t hesitate to reach out if you don’t know how to change your auto insurance policy and feel that this is something we can help with.
You Want a Home and Auto Insurance Bundle
Lastly, you may want to simplify the entire insurance process and have your most important policies coupled with the same carrier. This is something I always advise our clients to consider, as it can save both time and money.
Insurance bundles allow you to minimize wait time and get two policies (home and auto) simultaneously. Further to that, insurance companies offer steep multi-policy discounts for such packages. So if you have the option, go for it. For example, Williams offers home and auto insurance packages that have been very well-received by thousands of families in Franklin, TN. Make sure to drop me a line if you’re interested.
How Do I Change My Auto Insurance Company
Remember that you can change car insurance before the renewal date. Start with comparing auto insurance quotes and researching providers with the tools linked above. Then, contact your independent insurance broker and ask for personalized offers from the carriers you selected (that is, if you haven’t done so already and went to a broker for quote comparison). Choose the insurance that makes the most sense for you and avoid gaps in coverage by ensuring that your new policy starts on the same day the old one ends. Remember to explicitly cancel your previous policy once you sign on with a new provider. Lastly, change your insurance ID cards and, if you’re still paying for your car, notify your leasing company about the swap.
It’s also important to mention that changing auto insurance mid-policy does not affect your credit score.
If you have any questions about full coverage auto insurance in Franklin, TN and changing providers, feel free to get in touch. I promise to get back to you and help you figure things out.
