If you want to save the most money, the best way to find cheaper quotes for car insurance rates is to do a yearly price comparison from different companies in Kansas City. Drivers can shop around by following these guidelines.
- Step 1: Try to understand policy coverages and the steps you can take to keep rates down. Many risk factors that cause high rates such as tickets, at-fault accidents, and a poor credit score can be amended by making minor changes to your lifestyle. This article provides ideas to help prevent high rates and find overlooked discounts.
- Step 2: Compare prices from exclusive agents, independent agents, and direct providers. Direct and exclusive agents can only give rate quotes from one company like GEICO or State Farm, while agents who are independent can quote prices from multiple sources. View companies
- Step 3: Compare the quotes to your current policy premium to determine if switching companies saves money. If you find a better price, ensure there is no coverage lapse between policies.
- Step 4: Provide proper notification to your current company to cancel your existing policy. Submit a completed application and payment to the new company. Once received, keep the new proof of insurance certificate along with your vehicle registration.
The key thing to remember is to try to compare the same coverage limits and deductibles on each quote request and and to get quotes from every insurance company. Doing this provides an apples-to-apples comparison and a better comparison of the market.
We don’t have to tell you that insurance companies don’t want customers comparing rates. Consumers who shop around for cheaper prices will probably switch insurance companies because there is a high probability of finding better rates. A study discovered that drivers who regularly compared price quotes saved over $70 a month compared to other drivers who never shopped around for lower prices.
If finding the most affordable insurance is the reason you’re reading this, then having some insight into the best way to quote and compare insurance rates can help simplify the task of finding more affordable coverage.
The companies in the list below are our best choices to provide price quotes in Kansas City, MO. To locate the best car insurance in Kansas City, MO, it’s a good idea that you compare several of them to get a more complete price comparison.
Don’t neglect these nine money saving discounts
Insuring your vehicles can cost a lot, but there could be available discounts that can drop the cost substantially. Some discounts apply automatically when you purchase, but occasionally some discounts must be specially asked for before you will receive the discount.
- Discounts for Federal Employees – Active or retired federal employment can save as much as 8% but check with your company.
- Data Collection Discounts – People who choose to allow their car insurance company to study when and where they use their vehicle through the use of a telematics system such as Drivewise from Allstate or Snapshot from Progressive could see a rate decrease if they are good drivers.
- New Car Discount – Buying a new car model can save you some money because newer models have to meet stringent safety requirements.
- Anti-lock Brake Discount – Cars with ABS braking systems or traction control are much safer to drive and will save you 10% or more on C-Max Hybrid insurance in Kansas City.
- Payment Method – If you can afford to pay the entire bill instead of paying each month you may reduce your total bill.
- Kansas City Homeowners Discount – Owning your own home or condo can get you a discount because it means you have a higher level of financial diligence.
- Discounts for Safe Drivers – Insureds who avoid accidents can get discounts for up to 45% lower rates compared to rates paid by drivers with frequent claims.
- Memberships – Belonging to a civic or occupational organization in Kansas City is a good way to get lower rates on your bill.
- Driver’s Ed – It’s a good idea to have your young drivers participate in a local driver’s education class in high school.
You should keep in mind that some credits don’t apply to the whole policy. Most only apply to individual premiums such as liability and collision coverage. Even though the math looks like having all the discounts means you get insurance for free, car insurance companies aren’t that generous.
Companies and some of their more popular discounts are shown below.
- AAA discounts include pay-in-full, good driver, AAA membership discount, good student, multi-car, anti-theft, and education and occupation.
- Progressive has discounts for online signing, good student, homeowner, online quote discount, and multi-policy.
- State Farm includes discounts for good student, multiple policy, accident-free, student away at school, driver’s education, Steer Clear safe driver discount, and defensive driving training.
- Esurance offers discounts for safety device, defensive driver, Pac-12 alumni, claim free, and online shopper.
- Nationwide offers premium reductions for family plan, easy pay, good student, anti-theft, defensive driving, and business or organization.
When getting a coverage quote, ask each company to apply every possible discount. Some of the earlier mentioned discounts may not be available in Kansas City. To locate companies with discount car insurance rates in Missouri, follow this link.
Here’s why insurance is not optional
Even though Kansas City C-Max Hybrid insurance rates can get expensive, maintaining insurance is required in Missouri but also provides important benefits.
First, almost all states have compulsory liability insurance requirements which means state laws require specific minimum amounts of liability if you drive a vehicle. In Missouri these limits are 25/50/10 which means you must have $25,000 of bodily injury coverage per person, $50,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $10,000 of property damage coverage.
Second, if you bought your C-Max Hybrid with a loan, it’s most likely the lender will require you to have full coverage to guarantee payment of the loan. If coverage lapses or is canceled, the lender may have to buy a policy to insure your Ford for a much higher rate and force you to reimburse them much more than you were paying before.
Third, insurance preserves both your assets and your car. It will also provide coverage for most medical and hospital costs for yourself as well as anyone injured by you. Liability insurance also covers all legal expenses up to the policy limit if you cause an accident and are sued. If damage is caused by hail or an accident, comprehensive and/or collision insurance will pay to restore your vehicle to like-new condition.
The benefits of carrying adequate insurance definitely exceed the price paid, particularly if you ever have a claim. As of last year, the average driver in Missouri is overpaying over $700 annually so compare quotes from several companies at every renewal to make sure the price is not too high.
Best car insurance company in Missouri
Choosing a highly-rated auto insurance company can be rather challenging considering how many different insurance companies sell coverage in Kansas City. The rank data in the lists below can help you pick which auto insurers to look at when comparing rate quotes.
Top 10 Kansas City Car Insurance Companies Ranked by Customer Satisfaction
- USAA – 92%
- American Family – 88%
- State Farm – 88%
- Nationwide – 88%
- 21st Century – 88%
- AAA Insurance – 87%
- Liberty Mutual – 87%
- Farmers Insurance – 87%
- The Hartford – 87%
- Progressive – 87%
Top 10 Kansas City Car Insurance Companies Ranked by Value
- USAA
- GEICO
- AAA Insurance
- State Farm
- Liberty Mutual
- Allstate
- Safeco Insurance
- 21st Century
- Travelers
- Titan Insurance
When should I get advice from an agent?
Certain consumers just prefer to talk to an insurance agent and there is nothing wrong with that. Professional agents can help determine the best coverages and help in the event of a claim. A good thing about comparing auto insurance online is you can get cheap auto insurance rates but still work with a licensed agent.
After completing this simple form, your insurance coverage information is immediately sent to local insurance agents who can give free rate quotes and help you find cheaper coverage. It simplifies rate comparisons since you won’t have to contact any agents as quotes are delivered to you. If you have a need to get a price quote from a specific insurance company, don’t hesitate to search and find their rate quote page and submit a quote form there.
Finding a good provider should depend on more than just the quoted price. Some important questions to ask are:
- If you are a high risk driver, do they have special markets for your coverage?
- Will the company cover a rental car if your car is getting fixed?
- Is there a local claims center in Kansas City?
- Does the agent help file claims?
- Is there a Errors and Omissions policy in force?
- Do they have designations such as AIC, CPCU, or CIC?
- Do you qualify for any additional discounts?
If you want a local Kansas City insurance agency, you should know the different agency structures and how they operate. Insurance agencies in Kansas City are classified as either independent (non-exclusive) or exclusive. Both types can write auto insurance policies, but it’s worth learning the difference between them because it can influence which type of agent you select.
Exclusive Insurance Agents
Exclusive agencies can only write with one company and some examples include Farmers Insurance, Allstate, or State Farm. These agents are not able to shop your coverage around so you might not find the best rates. Exclusive agents are well trained on what they offer which helps overcome the inability to quote other rates. Many people choose to use a exclusive agent primarily because of high brand loyalty and solid financial strength.
Below are Kansas City exclusive agencies willing to provide price quotes.
- American Family Insurance – Jeff Woody
1300 NW Vivion Rd – Kansas City, MO 64118 – (816) 459-8010 – View Map - David Denny – State Farm Insurance Agent
8600 Ward Pkwy #2070 – Kansas City, MO 64114 – (816) 363-3187 – View Map - American Family Insurance – Jeff Williams Agency Inc.
6505 N Prospect Ave #100 – Kansas City, MO 64119 – (816) 459-7779 – View Map
Independent Auto Insurance Agencies
These type of agents are not locked into one company so as a result can place your coverage with multiple insurance companies and find the cheapest auto insurance rates. If premiums increase, your agent can just switch to a different company and you stay with the same agent.
When comparing rates, we recommend you include price quotes from a couple of independent agencies for maximum quote selection. A lot of them also have access to small mutual carriers which could offer lower prices.
Below is a list of independent agencies in Kansas City who can help you get rate quotes.
- Francisco Banuelos Insurance
536 Benton Blvd – Kansas City, MO 64124 – (816) 920-5400 – View Map - Daniel Crawford Insurance Agency
1201 NW Briarcliff Pkwy #345 – Kansas City, MO 64116 – (816) 390-4790 – View Map - Safeway Insurance Agency
3600 Broadway Suite 110 – Kansas City, MO 64111 – (816) 931-1222 – View Map
Coverage specifics
Understanding the coverages of your policy helps when choosing appropriate coverage at the best deductibles and correct limits. The terms used in a policy can be confusing and reading a policy is terribly boring.
Uninsured or underinsured coverage
Your UM/UIM coverage protects you and your vehicle when the “other guys” either have no liability insurance or not enough. It can pay for injuries to you and your family and damage to your Ford C-Max Hybrid.
Since a lot of drivers have only the minimum liability required by law (25/50/10), it doesn’t take a major accident to exceed their coverage limits. So UM/UIM coverage is very important.
Coverage for collisions
Collision insurance will pay to fix damage to your C-Max Hybrid caused by collision with a stationary object or other vehicle. A deductible applies then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.
Collision coverage pays for things like sustaining damage from a pot hole, colliding with a tree and damaging your car on a curb. Paying for collision coverage can be pricey, so analyze the benefit of dropping coverage from vehicles that are 8 years or older. Drivers also have the option to bump up the deductible on your C-Max Hybrid to get cheaper collision coverage.
Comprehensive protection
Comprehensive insurance coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage caused by mother nature, theft, vandalism and other events. A deductible will apply and the remainder of the damage will be paid by comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive coverage pays for claims such as damage from a tornado or hurricane, theft, vandalism, damage from flooding and a broken windshield. The highest amount a insurance company will pay at claim time is the market value of your vehicle, so if the vehicle is not worth much it’s not worth carrying full coverage.
Medical expense coverage
Medical payments and Personal Injury Protection insurance kick in for expenses for things like rehabilitation expenses, doctor visits and surgery. They can be used to fill the gap from your health insurance plan or if there is no health insurance coverage. It covers both the driver and occupants and will also cover being hit by a car walking across the street. PIP coverage is not an option in every state but can be used in place of medical payments coverage
Liability auto insurance
Liability coverage provides protection from damage or injury you incur to a person or their property. It protects YOU against claims from other people, and does not provide coverage for your injuries or vehicle damage.
Liability coverage has three limits: bodily injury for each person injured, bodily injury for the entire accident and a property damage limit. Your policy might show policy limits of 25/50/10 which means a limit of $25,000 per injured person, a total of $50,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $10,000 of coverage for damaged property.
Liability coverage pays for things like repair costs for stationary objects, attorney fees, medical services, court costs and loss of income. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is your choice, but buy higher limits if possible. Missouri requires drivers to carry at least 25/50/10 but you should think about purchasing higher limits.
The chart below demonstrates why minimum state limits may not be high enough to adequately cover claims.