Car Insurance in Essex, VT

Accidents can happen to anyone, especially in the winter when roads are slick with snow and ice. That's why If you own a vehicle in Essex, you are required to have car insurance. From fender benders on Pearl Street to multi-car collisions on I-89, a good auto insurance policy can shield you from large financial losses.

Finding the best car insurance is easy when you work with an independent agent. These agents can provide you with customized car insurance quotes from multiple providers so you can be sure you are getting your policy at a competitive price. Contact an independent insurance agent in Essex to get started.

How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Essex, VT?

The average cost of car insurance in Vermont, and Essex specifically, is much lower than the national average. This is good news for area residents looking for an affordable policy.

• National average annual car insurance cost: $1,311
• Vermont's average annual car insurance cost: $957
• Essex's average annual car insurance cost: $958

Of course, your actual costs could be higher or lower than this average rate. Premiums can vary significantly from one driver to another because car insurance companies use several factors when calculating prices. Your cost can be influenced by considerations such as:

• Your vehicle's make, model, year, and value
• Your age, gender, occupation, marital status, and driving history
• Information about any other licensed drivers in your household
• Whether you own or rent your home
• Your claims history and credit score
• The amount of liability coverage you want to purchase
• The coverage options you wish to include in your policy
• The size of your deductible

Comparing quotes from a few different insurance providers enables you to purchase the policy that offers the coverage you want at the lowest price.

You can frequently earn rate reductions if you bundle your car insurance with other policies such as homeowners insurance or renters insurance. Be sure to ask about this and other potential car insurance discount opportunities when you request quotes from insurance companies.

Independent insurance agents can save you time and money by doing the comparison shopping legwork for you and by ensuring that you receive all potential discounts for which you qualify.

Is Car Insurance Required in Essex, VT?

By law, vehicle owners in Essex must carry a car insurance policy that meets or exceeds Vermont's minimum coverage requirements. This means that your policy must include:

• Liability insurance: This covers other people's injuries and property damage if you are at fault for a collision. Your liability coverage must consist of, at a minimum:
  • $25,000 in bodily injury liability insurance per person
  • $50,000 in bodily injury liability insurance per accident
  • $10,000 in property damage liability insurance per accident
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance (UIM): This covers property damage and the treatment of injuries if you or your passengers are hurt in an accident caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver. Your UIM coverage must consist of, at a minimum:
  • $50,000 in UIM bodily injury insurance per person
  • $100,000 in UIM bodily injury insurance per accident
  • $10,000 in UIM property damage insurance per accident

Many vehicle owners in Essex opt to purchase car insurance with liability coverage limits that are much higher than the state requires. If you want even more liability coverage than your car insurance company can provide, you can supplement your coverage with an affordable umbrella insurance policy.

Additionally, though it is not mandatory by law, many vehicle owners in Essex need to include physical damage coverage in their car insurance policies. Lenders typically require  coverage if you are financing your car, and dealerships require it if you are leasing. This coverage includes:

• Collision coverage: This covers the cost to repair or replace your vehicle if it is damaged or totaled in a collision, regardless of fault.
• Comprehensive coverage: This covers the cost to repair or replace your vehicle if it is damaged or totaled by a non-collision event such as a hailstorm or theft.

If you own your car outright, physical damage coverage is optional.

What Else Does Car Insurance Cover in Essex, VT?

In addition to the coverage you are required to include in your policy, you will be able to choose from a variety of coverage options.

Some optional coverage you may want to consider adding to your car insurance policy include:

• Medical payments insurance: This helps pay for medical treatment if you or your passengers are injured in a collision, regardless of fault. It can cover the things your health insurance may not, like copays, deductibles, and ambulance services.
• Gap insurance: This can pay off your car loan or buy out your lease if your vehicle is totaled in a covered event and you still owe more than it is worth.
• Towing & roadside assistance: This covers the cost of professional service if your car becomes disabled, such as if your engine overheats, you run out of gas, or you have a flat tire, and you need to call for help.
• Windshield and glass replacement: This covers the cost of replacing your vehicle's safety glass in your windshield, windows, or sunroof if it is cracked or broken.
• Rental car reimbursement: This covers the cost of renting a vehicle while yours is being repaired following a covered event.

Reviewing coverage details and costs for all of your available options can help you determine which are a good fit for you and your family.

Save on Car Insurance

Our independent agents shop around to find you the best coverage.

Request a Quote

What Is the Penalty for Driving without Insurance in Essex, VT?

Driving without insurance is illegal in Vermont. If caught, you can face consequences that include:

• The suspension of your driver's license until you can provide proof of insurance
• A fine of up to $100 for failure to show proof of insurance
• A civil penalty of up to $500 for driving an uninsured vehicle
• The requirement to maintain an SR-22 for three years
• Higher car insurance rates

Furthermore, if you cause an accident while driving without insurance, you will be liable for paying for any property damage and injuries you may have caused other people. This can get very expensive.

Fortunately, the rate of uninsured drivers in Vermont is much lower than the national rate.

• Percentage of US drivers who are uninsured: 13.0%
• Percentage of Vermont drivers who are uninsured: 6.8%

If you are in a collision for which an uninsured driver is at fault, your policy's uninsured motorist coverage will provide you with timely compensation for your property damage and medical bills.

Your insurance company will then take on the difficult task of recouping their losses by suing the at-fault driver and will absorb the costs if unsuccessful.

Does Essex, VT Have a High Auto Theft Rate?

The auto theft rate in Vermont is higher than the national rate, but the rate is much lower in Essex. This is not to say that the risk does not exist. Residents of this city report an average of 7 vehicle thefts a year. 

• National auto theft rate per 1,000 vehicles: 2.29
• Vermont's auto theft rate per 1,000 vehicles: 4.04
• Essex's auto theft rate per 1,000 vehicles: 0.27

In the unlikely event that your vehicle is stolen, your car insurance provider can reimburse you for your loss only if your policy includes comprehensive (or "other than collision") coverage.

This optional insurance covers more than just auto thefts. It can also reimburse you for repair costs related to various non-collision events, such as an uprooted tree falling on your vehicle or your car being washed away in a flash flood.

If you are leasing or financing your car, you probably have comprehensive insurance already. If not, be sure to find out how much it will cost to include this optional coverage in your car insurance policy so you can determine whether it is of good value to you.

What Are the Best Car Insurance Companies in Essex, VT?

Some of the features that make certain insurance companies stand out above the rest include responsive customer service, reliable coverage, rapid claims processing, and affordable rates.

Independent insurance agents in Essex have developed partnerships with some of the best car insurance companies in Vermont. This lets you be sure that any policies your agent recommends for your review are offered by insurers you can count on if you ever need to file a claim.

How Can an Independent Insurance Agent in Essex, VT Help Find the Best Coverage for Your Car?

When you are looking for an ideal car insurance policy, look no further than a local independent agent. These experienced agents aren't tied to a particular insurance provider, so they are free to shop around as they search for the policy that offers all the coverage you want at the most competitive price.

Get in touch with an independent insurance agent in or near Essex to get answers to your insurance-related questions and to start comparing customized quotes from some of Vermont's most highly rated insurance companies.