Best Car Insurance Rates in Austin

What are the Best Car Insurance Rates in Austin Texas?

How much is car insurance coverage in Austin, TX? Austin’s relatively high accident rate, uninsured drivers, congested roadways and high rate of insurance claims make insurance rates in Austin higher than the national and state average. The average cost of car insurance in Austin is $1,272 per year for men and $1,333 for women. This is much higher than the Texas average of $905. So where can you find the best car insurance rates in Austin?  Compare quotes now.

Best car Insurance Rates in AustinExact premiums will vary depending on multiple factors including: you zip code,  your driving record and the number of points on your driver’s license, age, gender, your car, policy limits, coverage (liability or comprehensive), and the total number of claims you filed in the past 5 years.

Austin Insurance Group helps consumers compare insurance rates from top rated insurance carriers. Comparing quotes can help you find the best car insurance in Austin and you may save up to 40% on your premiums.

What Are the most stolen cars in Texas?

There are many cars, trucks and other vehicles stolen on a regular basis. In cities like Austin and Houston, there are a greater number of cars, trucks and other vehicles stolen than in suburban and rural areas but the car thieves are just about everywhere. Utilizing general automobile security tips such as removing your keys from the ignition or avoiding parking in secluded areas is the foremost means to protect your car, SUV or truck. The following are listings of the cars and vehicles most stolen in Texas for various years. If your car is listed below, be sure to take excess safeguards when leaving your car unattended.

This is our list of the top 10 most stolen cars in Texas.

  1. Ford Pickup (Full Size 2006)
  2. Chevy Pickup (Full Size 2004)
  3. Dodge Pickup (Full Size 2004)
  4. Honda Accord (1997)
  5. GMC Pickup (Full Size 2015)
  6. Honda Civic (2000)
  7. Chevy Tahoe (2004)
  8. Toyota Camry (2014)
  9. Nissan Altima (2012)
  10. Chevy Impala (2007)

Provided by NCIB 2015

Top 5 Most Popular Cars in Texas

Texas is a big place. It’s also the second biggest state in the U.S., in both population (just behind California) and area (just behind Alaska). So having a vehicle that is up to the challenge of the state’s sheer size and variety is essential to living and working in Texas. That’s why we’ve come up with this list of the top five used cars for Texas..

  1. Ford F150 and Dodge Ram 1500 (Tied for 1st)
  2. Chevy Silverado 1500
  3. Chevy Volt
  4. Toyota Camry

Provided by InstaMotor

What Are the Top 5 Car Insurance Companies in Austin?

This is our list of the top 10 most popular car insurance companies in Austin.

  1. State Farm Insurance
  2. Progressive Insurance
  3. Farmers Insurance
  4. Allstate Insurance
  5. Home State County Mutual

Provided by TDI

Other popular Austin, TX car insurance companies include: Travelers, Geico, Safeco, MetLife, Liberty Mutual, American Family, Kemper, 21st Century Insurance,  Hartford, Texas Farm Bureau, Infinity, Amica Mutual, Mercury, Erie, and Allied Group.

What can impact car insurance rates in Austin?

Major factors that can impact insurance rates are:

  • High Accident Rates – Austin ranked 166th out of the 200 cities. Drivers in Austin are involved in crashes every 7.3 years, that’s 37.1 percent higher than the national average. The high frequency of car accidents is helping to raise the cost of car insurance in Austin.
  • Weather – Austin weather is humid subtropical with hot and humid summers and mild winters with cold nights. Austin is fairly dry, but it can receive a lot of rain in April and September, creating slick roads and long commutes. It’s not unusual for thunderstorms to produce hail, sometimes damaging. On a more positive note, it almost never freezes or snows here.
  • Road Conditions – Washington, DC non-profit transportation research group TRIP reports that Austin drivers waste as much as $706 a year on fuel, time, and car repairs due to the high number of potholes, ruts, and rough street conditions. According to Trip, 28% of the major roads here are in poor condition and in need of immediate repair and another 62% of local roads are rated mediocre.
  • Traffic Congestion – According to TomTom’s annual traffic index report, Austin is ranked as having the 21st worst traffic congestion in the United States. The average commuter spends an extra 30 minutes per hour and 115 hours a year stuck in traffic on peak hour commutes lasting 60 minutes.
  • Moving Violations – Like speeding tickets, accidents, failure to yield, or drunk driving can give you a bad driving record and make you a high risk driver.

SR-22 DWI Insurance

If you’ve been convicted of a DWI and need to obtain an SR-22 form, get a quote and compare rates from top insurance companies that specialize in Austin DWI insurance.

Legal Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements

Texas has a minimum liability coverage requirement known as the 30/60/25 rule. This means each policy must include at least:

  • Individual Bodily Injury Liability(BI): $30,000.
    The maximum your insurance company will pay for an individual person injured in a car accident.
  • Total Bodily Injury Liability: $60,000.
    The most your insurance carrier will pay in total for every person injured in a car accident.
  • Property Damage Liability(PD): $25,000.
    The total amount your insurer will pay for property damage caused by a car accident.

10 Ways to Save With Car Insurance Discounts and how to find the best car insurance rates in Austin.

Looking to lower your rates by finding the best car insurance rates in Austin, TX? Car insurance discounts are a great way to lower your rates. These are some of the many discounts available depending on your insurance carrier. Find out which discounts you may qualify for by getting a free quote.

  1. Early Shopping Discount apply if you have prior insurance and shop early.
  2. Pay in full and receive significant savings.
  3. Paperless Discount – when you receive your documents electronically.
  4. Continuous Insurance Discount – applies when you have been insured more than 6 months.
  5. Backdraft Discount – when you make monthly payments automatically by EFT.
  6. Multi-car Discount – when you have more than 1 car on the policy.
  7. Multi-policy Discount – when you have more than one policy with the same company.
  8. Homeowner Discount – must show proof of homeownership.
  9. Good Student Discount – apply if your child (under the age of 23) is in school full time with a B or better GPA.
  10. Education Discount – based on your level of education.
  11. Accident Free Discount – when you are claim free for 3-5 years.
  12. Compare rates with a local agent, Austin Insurance Group and find the best car insurance rates in Austin.

EverQuote, InsuranceQuotes, Online Quoting – What they don’t tell you!

Online Insurance quoting sites – What you should know.

Caveat Emptor – Buyer Beware: For a long time, the only way to compare insurance quotes from more than one major car insurance company was to make one phone call at a time.  Then came the internet and it was easy to input your data, but you still had to go to one site at a time and enter your private information.  Drivers and homeowners were stuck doing all the work to save money.  But now that’s all changing, according to EverQuote, InsuranceQuotes, QuoteWizard, Online Quoting and other online insurance quoting companies. These sites promise to do all the insurance shopping for you for free.Buyer Beware

Nothing is free. Do you really want more solicitation from the Internet?  Do you want to have your information shared online with someone who may not even be a licensed insurance agent?

Have you read the fine print on these sites?

EXAMPLE: By Clicking “Find Discounts & Check Rates” I Provide My Signature, Expressly Authorizing Telemarketing Calls From This Website, Our Marketing And Re-Marketing Partners, And Up To Eight Insurance Companies Or Their Agents Or Partner Companies At The Phone Number, Including Wireless Numbers, And Address Provided, In Order To Deliver Insurance Quotes Or To Obtain Additional Information For Such Purpose, Via Live, Pre-Recorded Or Auto-Dialed Calls, Text Messages, Or Email For Up To 180 Days. I Understand That My Consent Is Not A Condition Of Purchasing Any Property, Goods Or Services, And May Be Revoked At Any Time. Please Read Our Privacy Policy.

It’s time for you to say goodbye to Internet insurance quoting sites like EverQuote, QuoteWizard, and InsuranceQuotes to work with a local agent, Austin Insurance Group.  We can shop for you without sharing your private information because we are licensed agents for multiple insurance companies.  When you get a quote from us, we will be your agent.

HERE’S WHAT THEY SAY:

  • They say that the information you need to help you save can be found in one place.
  • They say you should compare quotes with their online insurance quoting site.
  • They say you should not consider buying car insurance without comparing quotes first because you may be overpaying for your car insurance or home insurance.
  • They say their services are free.
  • They say that they are not an insurer, but  a comparison shopping marketplace – and are providing customers what they want – lower quotes.
  • They say that car insurance agents make money from your premiums.
  • They say that the higher your premiums are, the more the insurance agent makes.
  • They say that the system makes it difficult to determine if you are getting a fair price.
  • They say that you are smart if you use their “free internet tools” to get an honest and fair quote.
  • They say that it’s really no wonder that with so many driver’s saving money, services like these are gaining momentum.
  • They say that they “try” to give consumers the lowest rates with tools you can trust.
  • They say just enter your zip code and some driver information to see quotes from top-rated car insurance companies and local agents.
  • They say you will put money in your pocket.

There is nothing wrong with this type of comparison shopping site like EverQuote.  But before you provide information about yourself and your family, know who is collecting it.  If you are okay with your information being sold to the highest bidder, then my job is done and you have been warned.

WHAT THEY DON”T TELL YOU:

  • They don’t tell you that all they want is your information.
  • They don’t tell you that these type of websites are all about leads, leads, leads.  Personal insurance leads.  Commercial insurance leads.  Life Insurance leads.
  • They don’t tell you that they are collecting your information to sell it to an insurance company or insurance agent who buy and pay for leads.
  • They don’t tell you that they sell your information more than once.
  • They don’t tell you that most insurance agents who purchase their leads, do not prioritize Internet leads because they’re perceived to have low value. So after giving up your information, you may still not find what you need.
  • They don’t tell you that the response time may be slow with little to no-followup if the person who purchased your lead doesn’t think you are a valuable client.
  • They don’t tell you that the person who buys your information doesn’t care about the relationship or your coverage, but instead they focus on nothing but price.
  • They don’t tell you that shopping for insurance this way is cold and impersonal.
  • They don’t tell you that they will give you the lowest rates, they tell you they’ll try.
  • They don’t tell you that the insurance companies they are quoting, pay to be on their sites.
  • They don’t tell you that not all the insurance companies are on their sites.
  • They don’t tell you that insurance agents are trying to rip you off, but they are implying it.
  • They don’t tell you that the only way an insurance agent gets paid is by selling you insurance.  That’s our job.
  • They don’t tell you that an insurance agent must be licensed in the State of Texas because selling insurance is regulated by the state.
  • They don’t tell you that insurance companies use local insurance agents to sell their policies.
  • They don’t tell you that insurance agents have no control over the prices because your price is based on multiple factors, like your zip code, your age, your driving record, type of car you drive, the type of insurance coverage you need and many other factors.
  • They don’t tell you what the coverages actually cover.
  • They don’t tell you their service will NOT protect you at the time of your loss.
  • They don’t tell you if you are a price shopper,  “you get what you pay for.”
  • The bottom line: Caveat Emptor-Buyer Beware!

It’s time for you to say goodbye to Internet insurance online quoting sites who are not agents.

Whether you are searching for Personal or Business insurance, a local Independent Agent is free to shop multiple providers on your behalf. More freedom means more options and more savings for you.

Only a local, licensed agent or insurance company can sell you insurance.

Our motto is “Let us do the shopping for you, so you don’t have to.”  

We will provide comparison shopping, but we are NOT selling your information to anyone.  We are local insurance agents, licensed to do business in the state of Texas.  We will compare your rates with the top-rated carriers that we are appointed with, like Progressive, Metlife, Mercury, Travelers, Kemper, Foremost/Farmers, Dairyland, Gainsco, and others. When you purchase an insurance policy from Austin Insurance Group, we will be the servicing agent for your policy.  Austin Insurance Group has been a local Texas agent since 1994. Call our office today or get an online quote.  Your information is private and we keep it that way.

HERE’S WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

  • You are free to do what’s right for you.
  • Local Independent Agents are free to shop multiple providers on your behalf.
  • Our strength as independent insurance agents is building a trusted relationship with insurance buyers unique to our agency.
  • Your concerns are our concerns.

If you are looking for an insurance agent and the professional guidance we offer, call our office today, or get your online quote here and one of our agents will review your information and offer professional advice regarding your insurance needs.

Get Insurance Quotes from a Local agent - Who needs EverQuote!

Austin Insurance Group – Local Texas Agent since 1994 – 512.339.2901

Privacy is our policy. “We will never sell, give, or otherwise transfer your personal information to any person or entity other than the insurance companies we are appointed with and with our agents and representatives selected to provide you with quotes.” 

Local Insurance Agent

Filing a Home Insurance Claim

Filing a Home Insurance Claim

What’s the process for filing a home insurance claim?

Filing a Home Insurance ClaimImmediately following a loss, contact your agent or call claim service team. You should also:

  • Take pictures of all damage and complete temporary repairs to your property immediately—for example, patching walls or roofs, or covering shattered windows with plywood and/or heavy-duty plastic.
  • Save invoices and receipts associated with any emergency repairs to give to your claim adjuster.
  • File a report with the police department and keep a copy for your adjuster if you’ve been robbed, making sure to include a detailed list of the items stolen or damaged.
  • Make a room-by-room, written assessment of all damaged property, including original costs, descriptions, and approximate ages of all items.

Once you’ve reported your claim, a claim specialist will usually contact you within 24 hours. The claim specialist will review your claim, help organize emergency services and temporary repairs, and set a date for inspecting the damages.

I have Replacement Cost (RC) coverage. How will you pay my claim?

In the event of a covered loss, you will first receive actual cash value for the damage to your property. When you replace the item or complete the specified repairs, you will then be paid the difference between the replacement cost and the actual cash value amount previously paid. The total amount you’re reimbursed is subject to the terms and conditions of your particular policy, including your limits and deductibles.

Whose name will appear on the settlement check?

You’ll receive a settlement check as soon as  your coverage and been confirmed, investigation and comprehensive damage estimate are completed. If necessary, you’ll receive other authorized supplemental checks once proper re-inspections are performed or when your claim adjuster prepares a supplemental estimate. It may be required by policy language and state laws to include any mortgagees/ lien holders on your settlement check(s). If a mortgagee/lien holder’s name appears on your settlement check(s), they must sign off on the check before you can be cash it. You should contact them directly to determine the process for cashing settlement checks.

Metlife Homeowners Insurance

I need to learn more about MetLife homeowners insurance.

Metlife Homeowners InsuranceHow can I lower my MetLife homeowners insurance premiums?

There are a few ways you can save on your MetLife homeowners insurance with MetLife Auto & Home®.

  • Bundle your auto and home insurance. Consider purchasing a Metlife homeowners insurance policy with an auto policy from MetLife Auto & Home—it could save you up to 10%.
  • Consider choosing a higher deductible. The higher your deductible, the lower your premium. But in the case of a loss, always make sure that you’re financially able to pay your deductible.
  • Your premiums will be lower if your home has fire prevention systems, such as fire alarms, smoke detectors, automatic sprinkler systems, and fire extinguishers. Theft prevention systems, like deadbolt locks and central burglar alarms, may also qualify you for discounts.
I’ve never had an insurance claim. Shouldn’t my home insurance costs be going down?

Your insurance costs can still rise over time, even if you’ve never had a claim.  However, it’s probably rising slower than for people who submit claims.  Premiums are based on a variety of factors in addition to loss history, including:

  • Your home’s type of construction and age.
  • When it’s time to replace or rebuild your home, both the cost of materials and regional labor costs are taken into consideration for this.
  • Where you live can affect your rates. Is there a high risk of wildfires? Hurricanes? Is your home in a high crime area? Insurance companies monitor weather patterns, how quickly a fire department can get to a home, how close the nearest hydrant is to a property, as well as loss statistics in your area, among other factors which bear on past and prospective expenses and loss experience.
  • Fraud. Sadly, fraud and increased lawsuits contribute to rising insurance costs.

Let us Compare Metlife Homeowners Insurance for you today! Quote Now.

512.339.2901

 

Metlife Home Insurance

MetLife Home Insurance

Metlife Home InsuranceMetLife home insurance offers a variety of homeowners insurance options to ensure protection to policyholders’ homes and their belongings inside. These coverages include Coverage for the Contents of the Home, Property Damage Protection,  Court Fees and Liability Coverage. MetLife also offers superior 24/7 claims services to best fit their customers’ needs. And when you bundle home and auto, you can save even more.

  • Excellent customer service: 24/7 claims and flexible payment plans.
  • Customizable coverage offers peace of mind in the event of hail, tornados, fire, theft, vandalism, and more. You can even replace the contents in your home—without deduction for depreciation—if you ever experience a loss.
  • Additional features available that will pay you the full cost to rebuild your home if necessary, even if it’s more than the amount for which your home was insured.
  • Liability coverage ensures that if you’re sued from a mishap on your property, your legal fees are covered.
  • Identity Protection Services are included with every policy.

About MetLife Insurance Company

The origins of MetLife (Metropolitan Life Insurance Company) go back to 1863.  Metlife Home Insurance was formed when a group of New York City businessmen raised $100,000 to found the National Union Life and Limb Insurance Company. The new company insured Civil War sailors and soldiers against disabilities due to accidents, wartime wounds, and sickness. In 1868, the company decided to focus on the life insurance business. A new company was chartered to sell “ordinary” insurance to the middle class.

On March 25, 1868, the first policy by Metropolitan Life Insurance Company was issued. Dr. James R. Dow, a retired physician from Brooklyn, NY, was named Metropolitan Life’s first president. He held this position until 1871. The company’s office consisted of two and a half rooms and was located on Broadway in lower Manhattan. By the close of business in 1868, the company had issued 1,477 policies for $4,340,000.

Metlife Home Insurance ranks in the Top 5 homeowners insurance companies in the US.

  • Overall score: 82.8 (4 stars)
  • Customers who recommend this carrier: 78%
  • Customers who plan to renew: 90%
  • Claims processing stars: 3.5
  • Customer service stars: 4.5
  • Financial strength ratings: A+

Contact information

MetLife Home Insurance
2521 Rutland Dr #150 (corner of Burnet Rd & Rutland)
Austin, TX 78758
Telephone: (512)339-2901

What is SR22? Things you should know.

What is SR22?

An SR22 is a form called the Certificate of Financial Responsibility. This certificate is required by the state and can only be provided by your auto insurance company.  It verifies you have the required state limits for auto liability insurance coverage.  If you own a vehicle, and you have insurance, you can ask your current insurance company if they will file the SR22 for you.  If you do not have insurance, or you company does not provide the filing, you will need to get insurance. If you do not own a vehicle, or have regular access to a vehicle, you can get a “non-owners” insurance policy.

get-sr22-quote
About SR22 Insurance

NOTE: If your attorney tells you to bypass your insurance company and get an SR22 with another carrier, he’s giving you misleading information.  It is NOT a good idea, in Texas anyway, to be insured with two companies at the same time on the same vehicle, or with a non-owners policy if you own a vehicle.

WHY?  There are state laws and carrier regulations that will not allow this, because of the liability implications.  So, you may get advice to do it, but just be aware of the implications in the event you have an accident, and ask yourself, “which insurance company will pay for my claim and which one will deny it, when they find out I am insured with two companies.”

Do I need an SR22?

Not everyone needs an SR22. It is usually court mandated by the state for certain driving-related violations including the following:

  • DUI convictions
  • Reckless driving
  • Accidents caused by uninsured drivers

Regulations vary from state to state.   If you need an SR22, the courts or your state Motor Vehicle Department (DMV) will notify you.

How do I get a SR22?

An SR22 is not something you can purchase separately.  The SR22 filing comes with your auto insurance.  So it all starts with getting auto insurance.

Get a quote online – Complete our online questionnaire and our local agents will shop for the best possible rates for you.

By phone – If you prefer to speak to one of our insurance counselors to get a free SR22 quote and buy a policy, please call 512-339-2901.

Current Customers – If you are currently insured with our agency and need and SR22 please contact our Customer Service Department to see if this filing can be added to your existing policy. One of our insurance counselors will review the coverages on your policy and begin the process to file the certificate with the proper state authorities on your behalf.

  1. If you are not currently insured, you’ll need to start by getting a free online auto rate quote or call 512-339-2901.
  2. Make sure to indicate that you need the SR22 filing.
  3. After you complete the application process and make your initial payments,  we will begin the process of filing the certificate on your behalf.

You will be contacted if we need any additional information in order to complete the request.

How much does it cost to get sr22 insurance?

Auto insurance companies typically charge a filing fee. An average fee is  $25 for filing an SR-22 form.  However, an insurance company can not file the Sr22 of you unless you purchase a car insurance policy. Your car insurance rate will be determined based on all the factors that normally go into rating a policy and may include a surcharge for the filing.

  • With most insurance companies, the filing fee is usually $25 but may be higher or lower.
  • The filing fee is a one-time charge that you will need to pay when we file the SR22. The filing fee may be due at each renewal. The only time you will have to pay more is if you allow your policy to lapse.
  • A filing fee is charged for each individual SR-22 we file. For example, if your spouse is on your policy and both of you need an SR-22 then the filing fee will be charged for each driver.
  • Depending on the insurance company, there may also be a surcharge for the SR22 filing.
  • So make sure to find out from the DMV how long they require you to carry the filing, so that when you no longer need it, we can remove it from your insurance policy and stop the extra charges.

How long do you have to carry an SR22?

This answer varies from state to state and for each individual driver. However, SR-22s are commonly required for a minimum of 2-3 years depending on why you have to file one in the first place.  It may also only be a one time filing to release your license from another state.  If you commit another violation or are involved in another instance that may require an SR-22 filing within the initial mandated time period, you may be required to file your SR-22 for longer.

How long will the SR22 be active?

As long as your insurance policy remains active, your SR22 should remain active. If your insurance policy is canceled while you’re still required to carry an SR22 the insurance company is  required to notify the proper state authorities. Failure to maintain continuous coverage could cause you to lose your driving privileges.

*What is sr22? Depending on your state of residence, the Certificate of Financial Responsibility form is referred to as either an SR-22 or an FR-44.

SR22 Insurance Austin

SR22 Insurance Austin

If you have ever been caught driving without insurance in Austin or caught drinking and driving, you will need and SR22 insurance Austin filing.

get-sr22-quote
About SR22 Insurance

What is an SR22?

Basically it’s proof of your financial responsibility. You will need to have your auto insurance company file an SR22 after your conviction. The SR-22 filing is  usually required for about 3 years. But every state has it’s own rules and laws concerning SR22 insurance Austin is no different.

If you live in Austin, you would need to follow the Texas law regarding SR22. You need to obtain proof of insurance in Texas by having your insurance company file a document with the Texas DPA, Texas Department of Public Safety.  It is mandatory in Texas for those convicted of DWIs.

The SR22 filing shows proof to the TX DPS that you have the right amount of coverage. Coverage is determined by the State. In Texas you must show proof of 30/60/25 liability limits.  $30,000 per person/$60,000 per accident for bodily injury and $25,000 for property damage.   If your SR-22 coverage is cancelled early or there are lapse or gaps in your cover then your insurance company must inform the DPS immediately. This will result in the suspension of your drivers license.

How long must you carry and SR22 Insurance Austin filing for?

The average time is between 2 and 3 years since the day your drivers license was re-instated. You can contact the local DPS located in Austin. They will also send you a mail with the requirements.

How do you get an SR22?

Best way is to contact Austin Insurance Group a local insurance broker who specializes in SR22 insurance policies. We can show you the best available options and policies that suits your needs. We provide SR22 filings in all 50 states.

There are two types of policies available.

  • One of them is the non-owners policy. This is for people who do not own a car. Even, if you plan on driving someone’s car you would need to carry your SR-22 policy with you at all times.
  • The other is an owners policy. This is for people who own a car.

If you need to move out of State, then you would still need to have a SR-22 policy in your new State. Find out the local laws if you decide to move.