How Much Does 1996 Nissan Altima Insurance Cost?

Being forced to pay for pricey auto insurance premiums can dwindle your savings account and force you to tighten up your finances. Shopping your coverage around can help to cut your insurance bill.

You have so many insurance companies to buy insurance from, and although it’s a good thing to be able to choose, more choices can make it harder to locate the cheapest rates.

Cheap auto insurance

Comparing auto insurance rates can take hours if you don’t know the most efficient way to do it. You could waste time discussing policy coverages with local insurance agents in your area, or you can stay home and use the web to accomplish the same thing much quicker.

Many companies take part in a program that allows shoppers to submit one quote, and every company can give them a price based on the submitted data. This prevents consumers from doing quotation requests to each company.

To use this form to compare rates click to open in new window.

One minor caviat to comparing rates this way is you are unable to specify which carriers you want pricing from. So if you want to choose individual companies to receive pricing from, we have a page of the cheapest auto insurance companies in your area. Click here to view list.

Whichever way you use, compare nearly identical quote data for every quote you compare. If each company quotes different data it will be next to impossible to make an equal comparison.

Well known brands might not be cheapest

Drivers get pounded daily by advertisements that claim the lowest premium rates by 21st Century, Allstate and State Farm. All the companies tend to make the same promise that you can save just by moving your car insurance policy to them.

How does each company cost less than your current company? It’s all in the words they use.

Car insurance companies have underwriting criteria for the type of driver that earns them a profit. For example, a profitable insured may need to be between 25 and 40, owns a home, and drives a vehicle with a low ISO rating. Someone who fits those characteristics receives the best auto insurance rates and as a result will probably save money with a new company.

Insureds who don’t qualify for these stringent criteria may be required to pay higher premiums and ends up with business going elsewhere. Company advertisements say “drivers that switch” but not “all drivers who get quotes” can get the lowest rates when switching. That is how companies can truthfully make those claims.

This really illustrates why it is so important to compare rate quotes every year. It’s impossible to know which car insurance company will provide you with the cheapest rates.

Why you might pay lower rates

Lots of things are part of the equation when you get a price on insurance. Some are pretty understandable like an MVR report, but some are less obvious such as your marital status or your financial responsibility.Smart consumers have a good feel for some of the elements that are used to determine your policy premiums. If you know what determines premiums, this allows you to make educated decisions that can earn you lower insurance prices.

The list below includes some of the most common factors that factor into your prices.

• Prevent theft and save money – Choosing a vehicle with advanced anti-theft systems can earn a premium discount. Theft prevention devices like tamper alarm systems, vehicle immobilizer technology and General Motors OnStar can thwart auto theft and help lower rates.
• Safeguard your assets with liability protection – Liability coverage provides coverage if you are responsible for damages from an accident. Liability provides legal defense to defend your case. This coverage is very inexpensive compared to comp and collision, so do not skimp.
• Annual mileage impacts costs – Driving more miles in a year’s time the more you will pay for insurance. A lot of insurance companies apply a rate based upon how the vehicle is primarily used. Vehicles left parked in the garage can get a lower rate than those that get driven frequently. Having the wrong rating on your Altima may be wasting your money. It’s a good idea to make sure your insurance declarations sheet is rated on the correct usage for each vehicle.
• How your age affects rates – Youthful drivers are statistically proven to be careless and easily distracted when behind the wheel so insurance rates are higher. Older insureds have been proven to be more responsible, are lower risk to insure .
• Gender and auto insurance – The statistics show that females take fewer risks when driving. That doesn’t necessarily mean that males are worse at driving than females. They both have at-fault accidents at about the same rate, but the men cause more damage. Men also get ticketed for serious violations like DUI and reckless driving. Youthful male drivers are the most expensive to insure so they pay the highest premiums.
• Get married and get better premiums – Getting married can get you a discount on your policy. Having a significant other demonstrates that you tend to be more financially stable and insurance companies like that married drivers tend to file fewer claims.
• Safer cars lower rates – Cars with high safety ratings cost less to insure. These vehicles protect occupants better and better occupant protection means your insurance company pays less which can mean better rates for you.

Get lower-cost insurance quotes with discounts

Insurance can cost an arm and a leg, but discounts can save money and there are some available that you may not even know about. A few discounts will be applied when you complete an application, but occassionally some discounts must be inquired about prior to getting the savings.

• Cautious Driver Discounts – Insureds who avoid accidents may receive a discount up to 45% for Altima coverage than drivers with accident claims.
• Discount for Swiching Early – Some larger companies give discounts for renewing your policy before your current policy expires. It can save you around 10%.
• Low Mileage – Low annual miles may allow you to get cheaper insurancerates.
• Driver Training Discounts – Taking time to complete a defensive driver course could save 5% or more if your company offers it.
• Passive Restraints and Air Bags – Vehicles equipped with air bags could see savings as much as 30%.
• Discounts for Government Workers – Active or retired federal employment can save as much as 8% for Altima coverage with select insurance companies.
• Good Student Discount – This discount can earn a discount of 20% or more. Earning this discount can benefit you up to age 25.
• Lower Rates for Military – Having a deployed family member could be rewarded with lower insurance rates.
• Pay Early and Save – If paying your policy premium upfront as opposed to paying monthly you can avoid the installment charge.
• College Student – Youth drivers who are enrolled in higher education away from home without a vehicle on campus may be insured at a cheaper rate.

Discounts save money, but please remember that many deductions do not apply to the entire cost. Some only reduce the price of certain insurance coverages like medical payments or collision. So even though it sounds like it’s possible to get free car insurance, it’s just not the way it works.

Popular insurance companies and a summarized list of policyholder discounts are shown below.

• State Farm has discounts for defensive driving training, multiple autos, driver’s education, multiple policy, Drive Safe & Save, passive restraint, and good student.
• Farmers Insurance offers discounts including teen driver, multi-car, pay in full, good student, and alternative fuel.
• Progressive discounts include online quote discount, online signing, multi-policy, multi-vehicle, and homeowner.
• Geico offers premium reductions for defensive driver, federal employee, emergency military deployment, military active duty, and air bags.
• Auto-Owners Insurance may have discounts that include company car, mature driver, paperless, safe vehicle, anti-theft, and anti-lock brakes.
• The Hartford includes discounts for defensive driver, driver training, air bag, bundle, and vehicle fuel type.
• Farm Bureau policyholders can earn discounts including renewal discount, youthful driver, multi-policy, safe driver, multi-vehicle, and driver training.
• USAA may include discounts for new vehicle, military installation, multi-vehicle, driver training, defensive driver, and multi-policy.

Double check with each insurance company the best way to save money. Some credits may not be available in every state. If you would like to choose from a list of providers that have a full spectrum of discounts, follow this link.

Tailor your car insurance coverage to you

When choosing proper insurance coverage, there isn’t really a single plan that fits everyone. Everyone’s needs are different so your insurance should reflect that For instance, these questions might point out if your situation might need professional guidance.

• Do I need an umbrella policy?
• Is my 1996 Nissan Altima covered for smoke damage?
• Should I file a claim if it’s only slightly more than my deductible?
• Does my 1996 Nissan Altima qualify for pleasure use?
• Am I covered when driving someone else’s vehicle?
• What is roadside assistance coverage?
• Do I get a pro-rated refund if I cancel my policy early?
• Is other people’s property covered if stolen from my vehicle?
• Do I benefit by insuring my home with the same company?
• Should I drop comprehensive coverage on older vehicles?

If you don’t know the answers to these questions, then you may want to think about talking to an insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, simply complete this short form or go to this page to view a list of companies. It only takes a few minutes and you can get the answers you need.

Specific coverages for a 1996 Nissan Altima

Learning about specific coverages of a insurance policy can be of help when determining appropriate coverage for your vehicles. The terms used in a policy can be confusing and coverage can change by endorsement. Below you’ll find the usual coverages found on most insurance policies.

Comprehensive insurance

Comprehensive insurance pays to fix your vehicle from damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. You first must pay your deductible and then insurance will cover the rest of the damage.

Comprehensive coverage protects against claims like a broken windshield, vandalism, damage from a tornado or hurricane, fire damage and a tree branch falling on your vehicle. The maximum amount your insurance company will pay is the market value of your vehicle, so if it’s not worth much more than your deductible it’s probably time to drop comprehensive insurance.

Auto liability

This coverage will cover injuries or damage you cause to other’s property or people by causing an accident. This coverage protects you against claims from other people, and doesn’t cover damage to your own property or vehicle.

Liability coverage has three limits: bodily injury for each person injured, bodily injury for the entire accident and a property damage limit. You might see policy limits of 50/100/50 that translate to $50,000 in coverage for each person’s injuries, a total of $100,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and a limit of $50,000 paid for damaged property. Some companies may use a combined limit which combines the three limits into one amount and claims can be made without the split limit restrictions.

Liability coverage protects against claims like repair costs for stationary objects, emergency aid, attorney fees and loss of income. How much liability should you purchase? That is your choice, but you should buy as much as you can afford.

Med pay and Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

Coverage for medical payments and/or PIP provide coverage for short-term medical expenses for things like EMT expenses, hospital visits and doctor visits. They can be used to cover expenses not covered by your health insurance policy or if you are not covered by health insurance. Coverage applies to not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants as well as getting struck while a pedestrian. Personal injury protection coverage is not available in all states and may carry a deductible

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM)

This coverage protects you and your vehicle from other drivers when they do not carry enough liability coverage. Covered claims include injuries to you and your family and also any damage incurred to your 1996 Nissan Altima.

Since a lot of drivers only purchase the least amount of liability that is required, their limits can quickly be used up. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage is important protection for you and your family. Frequently these limits are identical to your policy’s liability coverage.

Collision coverage protection

Collision coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage from colliding with a stationary object or other vehicle. You first must pay a deductible and the rest of the damage will be paid by collision coverage.

Collision coverage pays for claims such as hitting a mailbox, crashing into a building, damaging your car on a curb and crashing into a ditch. This coverage can be expensive, so consider removing coverage from older vehicles. You can also increase the deductible to get cheaper collision coverage.

Feed the piggy bank

Cheaper insurance coverage is possible on the web in addition to local insurance agencies, so get free auto insurance quotes from both of them so you have a total pricing picture. Some insurance providers do not offer online price quotes and usually these regional carriers provide coverage only through local independent agents.

When shopping online for insurance coverage, do not reduce coverage to reduce premium. There are many occasions where someone dropped liability coverage limits only to find out that the savings was not a smart move. Your strategy should be to buy a smart amount of coverage at an affordable rate, not the least amount of coverage.

More information is located below:

• Vehicle Size and Weight FAQ (iihs.org)
• Who Has Affordable Auto Insurance Quotes for a Nissan Altima in Durham? (CarInsuranceDurham.com)
• Five Steps to Filing an Auto Insurance Claim (Insurance Information Insitute)
• Distracted Driving Extends Beyond Texting (State Farm)
• What are my Rights when Filing a Claim? (Insurance Information Insitute)
• Understanding Rental Car Insurance (Insurance Information Insitute)