If you want to save the most money, the best way to find the cheapest price for car insurance rates in Long Beach is to start comparing prices regularly from different companies that insure vehicles in California. You can compare prices by following these guidelines.
First, read about individual coverages and the factors you can control to drop your rates. Many factors that result in higher prices like at-fault accidents, careless driving, and an unacceptable credit rating can be amended by making minor changes to your lifestyle.
Second, request price quotes from exclusive agents, independent agents, and direct providers. Exclusive and direct companies can only quote rates from a single company like GEICO or Allstate, while agents who are independent can quote prices from many different companies.
Third, compare the new rate quotes to your current policy premium to see if switching to a new carrier will save money. If you find a better price and decide to switch, ensure coverage does not lapse between policies.
Fourth, tell your current agent or company to cancel the current policy. Submit the application along with any required down payment to the new company. Immediately upon receiving it, keep the new certificate of insurance somewhere easily accessible.
An important bit of advice to remember is to use identical coverage information on each quote request and and to get prices from all possible companies. This provides an apples-to-apples comparison and the best rate selection.
Surprisingly, a recent survey revealed that almost 70% of insureds have purchased from the same company for over three years, and almost half have never compared rates to find cheap insurance. Long Beach insurance shoppers could save nearly $470 each year, but they just don’t understand how much money they would save if they swap their current policy for a cheaper one.
To find the cheapest Mercury Mountaineer rate quotes, there are several ways of comparing price quotes from local Long Beach insurance companies. The recommended way to find affordable Mercury Mountaineer insurance rates is to get quotes online. Just keep in mind that comparing a wide range of rates provides better odds of finding the best rates. Not every company allows you to get online Long Beach Mountaineer insurance quotes, so it’s necessary to compare price quotes from the smaller companies as well.
The companies in the list below provide quotes in Long Beach, CA. If you want to find the best auto insurance in Long Beach, it’s highly recommended you visit several of them to get a more complete price comparison.
These discounts can lower your insurance rates
Car insurance can cost a lot, but you might be missing out on some discounts that you may not know about. Certain discounts will be triggered automatically when you quote, but some may not be applied and must be inquired about before you get the savings.
- Early Signing – A few larger companies give discounts for buying a new policy prior to your current Mountaineer insurance policy expiring. You may see this discount when you get Long Beach car insurance quotes online.
- No Accidents – Drivers with accident-free driving histories get the best insurance rates in comparison with accident-prone drivers.
- Low Mileage Discounts – Driving fewer miles may enable drivers to earn cheaper rates.
- 55 and Retired – Older drivers may receive reduced rates.
- Driver Education Discount – It’s a good idea to have your young drivers successfully complete driver’s ed class if it’s offered in school.
- Auto/Life Discount – Larger companies have better prices if you take out life insurance.
- Pay Now and Pay Less – If paying your policy premium upfront instead of paying each month you may have a lower total premium amount.
A quick disclaimer, most of the big mark downs will not be given to your bottom line cost. A few only apply to the price of certain insurance coverages like collision or personal injury protection. Just because you may think all those discounts means the company will pay you, you won’t be that lucky.
The diagram below visualizes the comparison of Mercury Mountaineer insurance prices with and without discounts. The costs are based on a female driver, no claims or driving violations, California state minimum liability limits, comp and collision included, and $100 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with marriage, safe-driver, multi-policy, claim-free, homeowner, and multi-car discounts applied.
Some companies that have most of these discounts include:
If you are trying to find inexpensive Long Beach car insurance quotes, ask all companies you are considering what discounts are available to you. Some of the discounts discussed earlier may not apply to policies in every state.
Mercury Mountaineer detailed coverage information
The coverage table shown below highlights different insurance premium costs for Mercury Mountaineer models. Being more informed about how rate quotes are formulated can be valuable when making smart policy decisions.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mountaineer 2WD | $234 | $446 | $596 | $36 | $178 | $1,490 | $124 |
| Mountaineer AWD | $264 | $446 | $596 | $36 | $178 | $1,520 | $127 |
| Mountaineer Premier 2WD | $264 | $524 | $596 | $36 | $178 | $1,598 | $133 |
| Mountaineer Premier AWD | $264 | $524 | $596 | $36 | $178 | $1,598 | $133 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
Table data represents single female driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $1000 deductibles, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include safe-driver, homeowner, claim-free, multi-policy, and multi-vehicle. Price information does not factor in garaging location in Long Beach which can change coverage prices considerably.
An analysis of deductible level
One of the more difficult decisions when buying auto insurance is at what level do you set your deductibles. The figures shown below outline the differences in price when you buy lower versus higher physical damage deductibles. The first set of prices uses a $250 deductible for comp and collision and the second rate table uses a $1,000 deductible.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mountaineer 2WD | $342 | $576 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,543 | $129 |
| Mountaineer AWD | $386 | $576 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,587 | $132 |
| Mountaineer Premier 2WD | $386 | $678 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,689 | $141 |
| Mountaineer Premier AWD | $386 | $678 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,689 | $141 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mountaineer 2WD | $210 | $362 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,172 | $98 |
| Mountaineer AWD | $238 | $362 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,200 | $100 |
| Mountaineer Premier 2WD | $238 | $426 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,264 | $105 |
| Mountaineer Premier AWD | $238 | $426 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,264 | $105 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
Data based on married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-policy, safe-driver, claim-free, multi-vehicle, and homeowner. Premium costs do not factor in Long Beach location which can change rates considerably.
Using the data above, we can ascertain that using a $250 deductible will cost you approximately $34 more each month or $408 annually than buying the higher $1,000 deductible. Due to the fact that you would have to pay $750 more if you file a claim with a $1,000 deductible as compared to a $250 deductible, if you normally average at a minimum 22 months between claims, you would most likely save money by going with a higher deductible.
Calculation for raising deductibles
| Average monthly premium for $250 deductibles: | $136 |
| Average monthly premium for $1,000 deductibles (subtract): | – $102 |
| Monthly savings from raising deductible: | $34 |
| Difference between deductibles ($1,000 – $250): | $750 |
| Divide difference by monthly savings: | $750 / $34 |
| Number of months required between physical damage coverage claims in order to save money by choosing the higher deductible | 22 months |
The information below demonstrates how choosing different deductibles and can raise or lower Mercury Mountaineer insurance rates for each age group. The prices are based on a single male driver, full coverage, and no discounts are factored in.
Full coverage rates compared to liability-only
The chart below shows the difference between Mercury Mountaineer auto insurance costs with full coverage and liability only. The premium estimates are based on no violations or claims, $100 deductibles, marital status is single, and no additional discounts are factored in.
When to drop comprehensive and collision
There is no specific rule to stop buying comp and collision coverage, but there is a broad guideline. If the annual cost of having full coverage is about 10% or more of the settlement you would receive from your company, the it may be a good time to stop paying for full coverage.
For example, let’s say your Mercury Mountaineer replacement value is $8,000 and you have $1,000 physical damage deductibles. If your vehicle is damaged in an accident, you would only receive $7,000 after the policy deductible has been paid. If it’s costing in excess of $700 a year for physical damage coverage, then you may need to consider dropping full coverage.
There are some cases where eliminating full coverage is not advised. If you haven’t paid off your loan, you have to carry full coverage to satisfy the loan requirements. Also, if your finances do not allow you to purchase a different vehicle if your current one is damaged, you should not eliminate full coverage.
What if I want to buy from local Long Beach car insurance agents?
Many drivers still like to visit with an insurance agent and that is just fine! The best thing about comparing insurance online is that drivers can save money and get cheap insurance quotes and still have a local agent.
After filling out this simple form, the quote information is immediately sent to insurance agents in Long Beach that can provide free Long Beach car insurance quotes for your coverage. You won’t need to do any legwork since rate quotes are delivered instantly to you. You can find better rates AND a local agent. If you want to get a price quote from a particular provider, you would need to visit that company’s website and complete a quote there.
Choosing the best insurer requires more thought than just a low price. These are some questions you should get answers to.
- Is vehicle mileage a factor when determining depreciation for repairs?
- How are they compensated?
- What will you get paid if your car is a total loss? How is that amount determined?
- Do they have 24-hour customer assistance?
- Do you work with a CSR or direct with the agent?
- Is the agency active in community causes in Long Beach?
Independent or Exclusive: It’s your choice
If you want to use a local insurance agency, you should know the different agency structures and how they can quote your rates. Agencies in Long Beach can be described as either exclusive agents or independent agents.
Exclusive Insurance Agents
Exclusive insurance agents can usually just insure with one company like State Farm, Allstate and AAA. Exclusive agents cannot compare rates from other companies so they are skilled at selling on more than just price. Exclusive agents are usually well trained on their company’s products which helps overcome the inability to quote other rates. Consumers frequently choose to use a exclusive agent primarily because of the prominence of the brand and the convenience of having all coverages with one company.
Shown below are Long Beach exclusive agencies that can give you price quotes.
- Farmers Insurance – Troy Kelly
5353 E 2nd St #207 – Long Beach, CA 90803 – (562) 434-0301 – View Map - State Farm Insurance: Damian Useda
929 E Wardlow Rd – Long Beach, CA 90807 – (562) 426-8565 – View Map - Farmers Insurance – Edmund Janik
3505 Long Beach Blvd #2o – Long Beach, CA 90807 – (562) 285-0816 – View Map
Independent Insurance Agencies
These agents can sell policies from many different companies so as a result can place your coverage with a variety of different insurance companies enabling the ability to shop coverage around. If they find a cheaper price, they simply switch companies in-house and you don’t have to do anything.
When shopping rates, you will definitely want to contact at a minimum one independent agency to get the most accurate price comparison. They also have the ability to place coverage with lesser-known insurance companies that many times have cheaper rates.
Shown below is a short list of independent agencies in Long Beach who can help you get comparison quotes.
- Rosanne Sanchez Insurance Agency
1165 E San Antonio Dr – Long Beach, CA 90807 – (310) 874-3933 – View Map - Amico Insurance Agency
100 Oceangate #1200 – Long Beach, CA 90802 – (562) 628-5553 – View Map - Lanterman Insurance Agency, Inc.
5318 E 2nd St #643 – Long Beach, CA 90803 – (562) 743-1607 – View Map
Get Mercury Mountaineer Insurance More Affordably
A large part of saving on car insurance is knowing the different types of things that play a part in calculating the level of your policy premiums. When you understand what determines premiums, this helps enable you to make changes that will entitle you to cheaper rates. Many different elements are part of the calculation when pricing auto insurance. A few of the factors are predictable like your driving record, although some other factors are more obscure like your continuous coverage or your financial responsibility.
- Theft deterrents save – Driving a car with anti-theft technology or alarm system can get you a discount on your car insurance. Systems that thwart thieves such as LoJack tracking devices, vehicle tamper alarm systems or GM’s OnStar system can help prevent your vehicle from being stolen.
- Consolidate policies to earn discounts – Most major insurers will give better rates to clients that have more than one policy such as combining an auto and homeowners policy. Even if you’re getting this discount it’s in your best interest to shop around to confirm you are receiving the best rates possible.
- Your vocation can affect rates – Did you know your career choice can influence rates? Careers such as military generals, airline pilots, and dentists tend to have higher premium rates attributed to stressful work requirements and long work hours. Conversely, careers such as scientists, engineers and the unemployed get better rates.
- Defend yourself with liability insurance – Your car insurance policy’s liability coverage kicks in in the event that you are responsible for causing damage or personal injury in an accident. It will provide you with a defense in court which can cost thousands of dollars. Liability insurance is quite affordable compared to comp and collision, so insureds should have plenty of protection for their assets.
Three main reasons to buy insurance
Even though it’s not necessarily cheap to insure a Mercury in Long Beach, buying insurance is not optional due to several reasons.
- Almost all states have minimum mandated liability insurance limits which means the state requires a specific level of liability insurance if you don’t want to risk a ticket. In California these limits are 15/30/5 which means you must have $15,000 of bodily injury coverage per person, $30,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $5,000 of property damage coverage.
- If you bought your Mercury with a loan, almost all lenders will stipulate that you buy insurance to guarantee payment of the loan. If you let the policy lapse, the lender will be forced to insure your Mercury at an extremely high rate and require you to reimburse them a much higher amount than you were paying before.
- Insurance safeguards not only your car but also your financial assets. It will also pay for most medical and hospital costs for yourself as well as anyone injured by you. Liability insurance, one of your policy coverages, also covers all legal expenses up to the policy limit if someone files suit against you as the result of an accident. If damage is caused by hail or an accident, collision and comprehensive (also known as other-than-collision) coverage will pay to restore your vehicle to like-new condition.
The benefits of having insurance definitely exceed the cost, particularly when you have a large claim. As of last year, the average driver in California is currently overpaying as much as $820 a year so compare rates each time the policy renews to ensure rates are competitive.
In conclusion
As you shop your coverage around, it’s a bad idea to reduce needed coverages to save money. There are a lot of situations where someone sacrificed liability coverage limits and learned later that a couple dollars of savings turned into a financial nightmare. The ultimate goal is to buy the best coverage you can find at an affordable rate.
There are still a few companies who do not offer price quotes online and many times these regional carriers only sell through independent agents. Cost effective Mercury Mountaineer insurance can be purchased online and from local insurance agents, and you should compare price quotes from both to have the best selection.
Consumers who switch companies do it for any number of reasons including policy cancellation, not issuing a premium refund, extreme rates for teen drivers and denial of a claim. Whatever your reason, finding a new insurance company is actually quite simple.
Additional information is available on the following sites:
- Parking Tips to Reduce Door Dings (State Farm)
- How Much is Long Beach Auto Insurance for 17 Year Olds? (FAQ)
- Who Has Cheap Auto Insurance for Veterans in Long Beach? (FAQ)
- What Auto Insurance is Cheapest for Electric Cars in Long Beach? (FAQ)
- What Insurance is Cheapest for a Ford Escape in Long Beach? (FAQ)
- No-Fault Auto Insurance Statistics (Insurance Information Institute)
- Steps to Take After an Auto Accident (Insurance Information Institute)