American Family is owned by American Family policyholders, since it is a mutual insurance company and its shares are not available to investors on the public market. Among the 10 largest car insurance companies in the U.S., four are mutual insurance companies.
To get car insurance for the first time, drivers need to decide what coverage they need, gather their personal and vehicle information, and shop around for the best policy at the lowest price. A first-time driver should expect to pay up to 300% more for coverage than someone with more experience. But with research and a little bit of searching, first-time drivers can still find a policy that fits their budget.… read full answer
How To Get Car Insurance for the First Time: 5 Tips
1. Determine what type of coverage you want to purchase.
Almost every state requires drivers to carry liability insurance, which covers property damage and injuries to other drivers in accidents that you cause. Some states also require other types of coverage, like uninsured motorist and personal injury protection. Plus, you should consider purchasing extra coverage to protect yourself in more situations.
2. Gather your personal and vehicle information.
To get car insurance quotes and ultimately purchase a policy, you will need to provide personal information such as your driver’s license number, date of birth, address, occupation, driving history and insurance history. You will also need to have your vehicle registration number and vehicle identification number (VIN).
3. Get at least three quotes from different insurance companies.
Every insurance company has its own way of calculating premiums, so getting multiple quotes increases your chances of finding the best deal possible.
4. Pick a company
While price will be an important factor when choosing an insurance company, you’ll also want to consider the insurer’s coverage options, available discounts, ease of doing business and overall reputation.
5. Get insured
Once you choose an insurance company, it’s time to buy your policy. You’ll get a physical or digital copy of your policy, and you’ll need to look over it to make sure you understand the fine print before you sign. The policy will usually take effect once you make your first payment.
Mistakes to Avoid When Getting Car Insurance for the First Time
One of the most common mistakes that drivers make when getting car insurance for the first time is only purchasing the minimum amount of insurance coverage. Although this is a great way to save money on your premium, it can cost you a lot more later on if you get into an accident.
You should also avoid lying about your driving history when getting quotes. Insurance companies will always check your driving record before selling you a policy, which means that you could end up paying more than your original quote if you’re not honest.
Finally, make sure you know exactly what you’re signing up for. Car insurance can be complicated, but reading the fine print and understanding your policy will make your experience much smoother if you ever need to file a claim.
First-Time Car Insurance Premiums
As a first-time driver, your insurance costs are going to be high because of your lack of experience, but that doesn’t mean savings opportunities are nonexistent. Be sure to ask about every available discount that you qualify for, and check to see if your insurance company gives a discount for paying for the whole year in full.
As time goes on and you gain more experience driving, you’ll qualify for better prices, so take the time to occasionally shop around for quotes or revisit your current rate with your insurer to find out if you can get it lowered.
Full coverage car insurance from American Family costs $2,683 per year, on average, and is more expensive than a … read full answerliability-only policy since it provides more coverage.
Cost of American Family Full Coverage by Driver’s Age
Driver
Annual Cost
16-year-old
$5,449 per year
22-year-old
$2,437 per year
45-year-old
$1,416 per year
65-year-old
$1,429 per year
Common American Family Full Coverage Insurance Components
Liability insurance. Almost every state requires drivers to carry liability insurance, which includes property damage liability and bodily injury liability coverage. Liability insurance pays for others’ expenses after an accident you are at fault for.
Collision and comprehensive insurance. Collision insurance covers the cost of fixing or replacing the policyholder’s vehicle after an accident, regardless of who was at fault. Similarly, comprehensive insurance covers the policyholder’s car if it’s damaged by something besides an accident, like vandalism, a fire, or a natural disaster. Collision and comprehensive are not mandatory in any state, but they are usually required for leased and financed cars.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. This type of coverage protects you if you are involved in an accident with a driver who either does not have car insurance or does not have enough coverage. Uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance covers your expenses after an accident that should have been paid for by the at-fault driver’s liability insurance. It will automatically be included in your full coverage policy if it is required in your state.
Personal injury protection/MedPay. Personal injury protection (PIP) insurance and MedPay coverage both cover medical expenses for you and your passengers after an accident, regardless of fault. Depending on your state, you may be required to carry one or the other.
Although these types of insurance are commonly included in a full coverage policy, what your specific policy includes will depend on your state. Full coverage is not the official name of any type of insurance, so be sure to clarify whether these types of insurance are included if you’re purchasing an American Family policy.
When You Should Consider Full Coverage From American Family
A American Family full coverage policy is a good choice for drivers who don’t want to pay for vehicle repairs out of pocket. If you are leasing or financing your car, you may be re,quired to get full coverage.
American Family is so cheap because the company offers a wide variety of discounts that almost anyone can get. A minimum coverage policy from American Family costs an average of $67 per month, and American Family premiums can be made even cheaper by taking advantage of discounts such as safety features discounts and low mileage discount. Plus, American Family rewards customer loyalty with discounts for insuring more than one car and bundling multiple policies, such as home and auto.… read full answer
Average Monthly Rates for American Family vs. Top Competitors
Note: Premiums are representative of a 45-year-old good driver in IL; individual premiums will vary.
American Family is especially cheap for young drivers in particular. That’s because American Family has special savings opportunities for drivers in this category, such as discounts for drivers under 25 years old who volunteer for non-profits, and savings for students who maintain at least a B average.
Your final premium is based on a variety of factors, though, such as your driving record, insurance history, and more. Every insurance company determines their rates differently, so even though American Family is among the cheapest car insurance companies, the only way to confirm you’ve found the lowest price is to compare quotes from multiple companies.
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