When people start shopping around for insurance quotes the first thing they do is compare prices. This is completely natural because you want a good deal, but it is essential that you do not stop there. Buying an insurance policy purely based on price could come back to haunt you further down the line. Sometimes paying a little more is worth it. Let’s take a look at what else you should compare before making a decision.

Customer Service

Usually insurance companies have very slick sales processes in place so judging a company’s service levels when you are purchasing your policy is probably not the best measure. A better way is to actually call a prospective company’s claims service or customer care division. You will not be able to get much further than the first agent as you will not be a client yet, but you should get a good idea of how easy it is to contact the insurance company in future.

Another option is to take a look on consumer complaints websites. You will be able to see how many people are complaining about the customer care of the insurance companies you are interested in. Compare the number of complaints across a variety of companies to get an idea of what the average number of complaints is for an insurance company. If the insurance company that you are interested in has far more complaints than the average insurer, this could indicate that their customer service is poor.

Coverage

When comparing insurance quotes it is vital that you compare apples with apples! Insurance products differ vastly from insurer to insurer. Selecting the cheapest insurance quote based purely on price and then at claim time finding out that your cover was inadequate could wreak havoc on your savings. Comparing the cover can be tricky and if you do not feel confident doing this yourself, then it might be better to use an insurance broker who can explain the details to you. The main things to look for are how much the policy pays out and what the deductible, also known as the excess, is. Other things to look at are whether the policies include towing and car rental cover.

Discounts and Cash-Back

Check if discounts are available. Some insurers offer discounts to members of automobile associations or for drivers who have completed advanced driving courses. Ask what discounts are available as this might change the premiums of the insurance quotes. Also ask about cash-back policies. Many insurance companies give their clients money back if they have not claimed for a certain number of years and remained with the company. Some companies offer cash-back after two years, some three years and some four years. Compare the number of years and the amount they offer to pay back to you.

Payment Options

Some insurance companies require monthly payments and other yearly payments. Some offer discounts for upfront payments for a yearly policy. Check what options are available for making payments. Also check what methods of payment are available. Insurance companies sometimes offer discounts for the method of payment like credit cards or electronic transfers. Enquire about all payment options and associated discounts before selecting an insurance quote.

Remember cheap insurance quotes are only cheap if they do not cost you more money and inconvenience in the long run. Compare the premiums and then delve deeper before making a decision.