advantage insurance agency - 2345 state road, cuyahoga falls, ohio - offering ohio car insurance, akron car insurance, and homeowners and renters insurance in ohio

Seven Shopping Strategies For New Car Buyers

New car shopping can be a lot of fun, especially if you’re a car enthusiast. But others can find the experience stressful and tedious. Either way, there’s a lot to think about. According to a survey of car shoppers, overall purchase price is the most important factor when shopping for a new car (46 percent), followed by make and model (31 percent).

Safety and performance come in a distant third, tied at seven percent. But whether you’re turned on or turned off by the dizzying array of car choices, trim options, “expert” reviews, incentives and other deals, it definitely pays to approach car buying strategically.

So if you’re in the market for a new vehicle and you find yourself having trouble keeping a clear head, just keep these strategies, courtesy of Advantage Insurance Agency, in mind:

1. Decide how much money you can spend and what type of vehicle best suits your needs. Just looking for the basic transport capability of a small or medium sedan? Or do you need the hauling capacity of a van or SUV? Something practical? Something sporty? Something in between?

2. Research crash tests and accident data available from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

3. Shop around for financing. If you can, apply for and get approval for a loan from a bank, credit union or other financier before you even visit the dealership. Being a “cash buyer” gives you an advantage when you do finally meet with the dealership’s financing person.

4. Test drive the car. Try to drive in conditions that will be similar to those under which you’ll drive every day.

5. Check pricing for your desired make and model at two or three dealerships and use that information to help you negotiate the best deal.

6. Get a firm quote, in writing. This should include not only the cost of the car, but any fees and the sales tax.

7. Inspect your new car carefully before driving off the lot. Make sure all the options you’ve ordered are included and that the body and paint are free of scratches or dents.

Finally, it’s important to consider the cost of auto insurance, although it seems that few people realize that what they pay for insurance can add significantly to the vehicle’s total cost.

Wise car buyers know to shop around for insurance and find out how costs compare. They also know to visit an independent insurance agency – like Advantage Insurance Agency. We can check with several companies to find the best combination of coverage and price.

To get a Progressive quote with Advantage Insurance Agency, call us at 330-940-2288.

It can be easier than you think to put the brakes on high auto insurance rates – as an independent agency, Advantage Insurance Agency can help! We can review your policy and possibly help you find a variety of illuminating ways to save money. Here are some things you may want to consider:

• Ask us to check several companies’ rates. This is the single most important thing you can do to get the best possible rate—and we can do it for you quickly and easily. The difference between the highest and lowest rate available to you from different companies could vary by hundreds of dollars.

• Reduce or drop physical damage coverage on an older car. Depending on your car’s age and where you live, comprehensive and collision coverage may not be worth keeping. We can give you advice on whether it makes sense to reduce or drop this coverage altogether.

• Raise your deductible. According to the Insurance Information Institute, raising your deductible from $200 to $500 could reduce your collision and comprehensive cost by 15 to 30 percent. In addition, because the average driver files a collision claim only once every ten years, odds are that over the lifetime of your car, a higher deductible will save you money. We can show you how raising your deductible will lower your premium.

• Look for discounts. Many insurance companies reduce premiums for certain driver traits or car features. For example: being a homeowner for more than three years, nonsmoker, nondrinker, students with good grades, senior citizens who have taken an approved defensive driving course, people who only drive for pleasure, cars kept in garages, antilock brakes, antitheft devices, air bags, etc. Ask us to check.

• Don’t assume having your car and home insured by the same company is the best option. Because auto insurance rates vary so much from company to company, it may make sense for you to have your car and home insured by separate companies. Let’s talk about it.

To learn more about all an independent agency can offer you, call Advantage Insurance Agency at 330-940-2288.

Well it is that time of year again when all the kids head back to school. It is hard to believe that summer is coming to an end. It also means that changes in the weather are inevitable. Now is the time to get your Auto insurance coverages reviewed and in order before the snow starts flying. Next thing you know the holidays will be upon us and we tend to set aside our responsibilities. By getting all you insurances in order now, it saves you time and money in the long run. It also may not be a bad idea to review your homeowners coverage to make sure that you have all the proper coverages in the event we have extreme weather in the up coming months. CALL TODAY 330-940-2288

We are running a special promotion for the month of March. If you sign up for our email alert newsletter you will be entered into our drawing for a $25 gift card from Acme. The winner will be chosen at random on April 1st and will be notified by email. Progressive Insurance has changed their rate structure recently and has really been offering some great auto rates. Call us to compare your current rate today 330-940-2288.

Well i for one am happy to see 2009 come to an end. It has been a trying year for all of us. Things seem to be looking up for 2010. Companies are adjusting rates (for the better) and many new products will eventually surface this year in the wake of our economy's recovery. Progressive Insurance has started off the year with a bang by offering a multitude of discounts that were not previously offered. Call us today to compare your existing rates with us. You will not be disappointed. In Cuyahoga Falls 330-940-2288 and in Barberton 330-848-9879

As we approach the end of another year, many of us have had some tough times to contend with. It is our hope that as the new years reigns in we will all start to see some improvement in our lives. We believe the end of the year is a great time to review all of our financial matters and try to lower some costs and at the same time make sure we have the coverages that we need. We have done a really good job of lowering a lot of client's homeowners rates this year and we hope to be able to continue to do so. Auto insurance tends to change frequently and really needs to be reviewed at least once a year. There has always been the misconception that you should wait until your renewal to shop around. We have saved 100's of people money even before their renewal has come up. In today's economy we have to be proactive on our saving and spending more then ever. Call us today for a review of all your insurance policies. Lastly, we are now starting the Medicare season for Annual enrollment into Medicare Health Plans. If you are over 65 you need to call us ASAP so we can review your current plan. 330-940-2288

We will now be offering coverage through Grange Insurance company's Passport Auto. Grange has a long standing reputation for being a strong and reputable insurance company. Some of our companies have gone through rate changes, some have gone up a little and some have gone down. Right now is a great time to shop homeowners insurance as some of our companies are offering great new programs at very affordable premiums. You can quote an auto policy online with Progressive or Safeco (soon Grange) or you can have us shop the rate with our over 20 companies that we represent. You provide the info we will do all the work. CALL us today for great Akron, Ohio auto insurance rates or Akron Ohio home insurance rates. CALL TODAY! 330-940-2288

Folks, it was a difficult decision but we decided to move the Akron (Waterloo/S. Arlington) office over to the office in Cuyahoga Falls at 2345 State Road. The economy is definitely effecting everyone and we are no exception. We are streamlining our company to make it more efficient and profitable for the long term. You will receive the best in service and second to none in providing you with the best rates our companies have to offer. So as of today all payments, calls, etc. will be done in Cuyahoga Falls. Thanks to all of our customer's continued patronage.

Our Auto quoting online is up and running now. You can get an online quote from Progressive or Safeco currently. We will be adding more companies soon to the online quote system. You can get a health insurance or dental insurance quote online now also. All of these online quote systems also offer the opportunity to purchase the policy online if you choose or have it sent to us to review the quote for you before you buy. It is your choice. We will be adding more products and companies to our online quote system within the next month or so. If you want us to do the quote for you just fill out the online quote questionnaire and we will shop the quote for you and get back to you on the next business day. Online homeowners quotes will also be coming soon. In the meantime, fill out the homeowners questionnaire and we will shop the quote for you. We will be adding a subscribe section within a week or so to let you know of any updates or changes that have been made or are coming. Please feel free to contact us via our contact page.