Some car dealers offer Maine car insurance at the time of purchase. This is good for dealers because it increases their closing rate and their profits.
Is it good for you? Maybe not.
If you already have insurance, making a snap decision to change when buying a new car at a dealership can be a bad choice. Here’s why.
What’s the Rush?
The salesperson may create a sense of urgency about insurance. However, there’s no rush. If you have an insurance policy with collision coverage on at least one vehicle, your policy probably automatically covers the new one until you can contact your insurance company or agent. Dealers know this; it’s been that way for decades.
Why Add Pressure?
Car buying is already a stress. Why add more? Most of us don’t make our best decisions under pressure. Moreover, you’re making a big financial commitment and choosing between expensive options on the fly. Don’t let the salesperson force you to make unnecessary snap decisions. That includes insurance.
A “Good Deal” May Not Be
First, many new cars have high-end safety features that help reduce insurance costs. Therefore, some don’t cost any more to insure than the ones they replace. So, if you get a quote at the dealer, and were pleased to see it wasn’t as much as you expected, it may still be more than your current insurance company would charge.
You Can Mess Up Your Other Insurance
Your current policy might have benefits you’ll lose. For instance, a home/auto bundle discount. Or a multi-vehicle discount. Or accident forgiveness, or some other perk. You could lose those if you make a snap decision to insure your new vehicle at the dealer. In conclusion, you might pay more – not less.
You Can End Up With Worse Insurance
First of all, most people don’t know what insurance they have. For example, the liability limits and deductibles on their policy. If they make snap insurance decisions at a dealership, they can end up with inadequate coverage.
In conclusion, if the insurance quote from your dealer is really a better value, that won’t change in a few days. Take your time. Make your insurance decisions on your schedule – not the salesperson’s. Above all, whether you switch insurance or not, you’ll have peace of mind that you made the right choice after a thoughtful decision.
Need An Insurance Quote for a New Car?
Do you live in Southern Maine? Want a quote to insure your new car? Call a Noyes Hall & Allen Insurance agent in South Portland at 207-799-5541. Or, get up to 5 Maine auto insurance quotes in 10 minutes on our website. We offer a choice of Maine’s top insurance companies. We’re independent and committed to you.