Driving in the Green Mountain state can be troublesome. Whether surviving another harsh winter in Montpelier or dealing with crazy drivers in Burlington, you want to be sure that you get the best car insurance deals. But not all companies will deal with drivers in the state of Vermont. So how do you know that you’ll get the best deals? Never fear. We are here to help you with a guide. Just enter your ZIP and our FREE car insurance comparison tool will do the rest!

Searching For a Company

Understand that not all insurance companies deal in the state of Vermont. For example, Mercury Insurance does not operate in the state of Vermont. Another thing is that while a lot of companies offer discounts, none can promise you the lowest price, so always check with several car insurance companies before accepting each quote. You want to know:

• What is your total coverage?
• What is your per person coverage?
• What is your property damage coverage?
• Does the policy cover uninsured motorist?
• How good is the company financially?
• How good is their customer service?

Why Are These Things Important?

The first three are usually given as a number in thousands of dollars, such as 25/50/10. This means that you are limited in coverage to $25,000 per person liability, $50,000 per accident for total people and $10,000 in property damage. Remember: If someone sues you for $200,000 and you only have $50,000 in insurance, you will be on the hook for the rest!

The fourth one is technically considered optional, but even though motor insurance is the law in Vermont, you know there will be people trying to stretch their budget by skirting the law and driving with no insurance, and if you don’t have uninsured motorist, you may be on the hook for any injuries if the person is uninsured, even if that driver is partially at fault.

The last two are really more fringe benefits but it may be worth it to check out the company’s solvency and whether they have a good customer service unit in case the .

To get this car insurance information, check with companies like the National Association of Insurance Commissioners to see how many complaints a company has against them, and to check the financial stability of a company, check with companies like Standard and Poor’s or A.M. Best Inc. to check how likely it is the company will be around when you need them.

What Else Do I Need to Know?

Also always remember that companies cannot always promise the lowest car insurance premiums. This is primarily because your premiums are based on multiple factors and each one of them affects insurance costs differently. Since it is your money, it is your responsibility to call several companies and get quotes for the auto insurance coverage you want.

So Who Can I Trust?

Some of the more reliable companies are listed below:

• Vermont Mutual Insurance Group - Vermont Mutual is one of the oldest insurance companies in the United States. Founded in 1828, they are a conglomerate of three companies that specialize in all types of insurance for patrons in the New England states and the State of New York. You will get local coverage and a company with a long history.
• Progressive Insurance - The Progressive Corporation is an international insurance company with a rich history dating back nearly three-quarters of a century. Progressive uses a special program called “Snapshot” which takes the concept of usage-based insurance and customizes the insurance to fit your needs. Progressive will actually show you additional ways to save money on your insurance as you drive in Vermont. And Snapshot is available in Vermont along with 38 other states.
• GEICO Insurance - Although GEICO is more known for their advertising in the last 10 years, this company was founded in 1936 and headquartered in Chevy Chase, Maryland, GEICO has a reputation for saving people money on car insurance. With over 24,000 employees nationwide, you know this company will be around for decades to come. A web site called “The Top Tens” also named Geico as best in customer service.
• Nationwide - One of the big Fortune 500 companies, Nationwide Insurance was founded in 1926 and tends to cater to the small town mentality, trying to get industry in the town. In their home town of Columbus, Ohio, they actually were the ones responsible for their first pro team, the Columbus Blue Jackets of the NHL. Vermont drivers can get quotes quickly and easily going through Nationwide Insurance which is offered in the state.
• State Farm Insurance - The biggest insurance company in the United States and one of the biggest in Canada, State Farm is the biggest auto insurance company in America, with revenues of over $61 billion in 2007. They were founded in 1922 in Bloomington, IL and have over 40 million people insured in 48 states and the District of Columbia. State Farm is a company that is likely to lead the way in auto insurance in the next century.
• Liberty Mutual - Liberty Mutual has been around for a hundred years, being founded in 1911 in Boston. Liberty Mutual is the choice of people who like to play it safe, dealing primarily with auto insurance and worker’s compensation insurance. They started offering safety material to teenage drivers who take Driver’s Ed in 1930, and introduced a concept car with seat belts in 1957. Truly, a person that wants to be protected completely would go with Liberty Mutual.

Summary on the Best Car Insurance Companies

In conclusion, getting good car insurance in the state of Vermont should not be a problem, a lot easier than trying to get to the car when it’s 15 below and there’s black ice on the ground. Just check around, make sure you get the coverage you need, the customer service you deserve and the price that you can afford. Find affordable car insurance with our FREE comparison tool!

The most important thing is not to let a salesman pressure you into buying car insurance until you know you have everything you want. It’s your money, so get the most out of it.