Paying more affordable premium rates for auto insurance could be slightly frustrating for people who have little experience online price comparisons. There are so many agents and companies to choose from that it can quickly become hard work to find the lowest price.
Car insurance can cost a lot, but there are discounts available that can drop the cost substantially. Many of these discounts will be applied automatically at the time of purchase, but lesser-known reductions have to be specially asked for before they will apply.
You should keep in mind that some credits don’t apply to the overall cost of the policy. The majority will only reduce the price of certain insurance coverages like liability and collision coverage. Just because you may think you could get a free insurance coverage policy, insurance coverage companies aren’t that generous. But any discount will reduce the cost of your policy.
Large insurance coverage companies and some of the discounts are included below.
When comparing rates, check with every company which discounts can lower your rates. Discounts may not apply to policies in your area. To view insurers who offer discounts, click here.
Effectively comparing auto insurance prices can take time and effort if you don’t understand the easiest way. You can waste a lot of time discussing policy coverages with insurance agencies in your area, or you could use the web to maximize your effort.
The majority of car insurance companies take part in a program that allows shoppers to complete one form, and each participating company returns a rated price determined by their information. This eliminates the need for quote forms for each company you want a rate for.
To get comparison pricing now click to open in new window.
The one disadvantage to comparing rates this way is you can’t choose which insurance companies to get quotes from. So if you want to select individual companies to compare rates, we have assembled a list of the cheapest auto insurance companies in your area. View list of insurance companies.
The approach you take is up to you, just make sure you use nearly identical quote information for every quote you compare. If your comparisons have different deductibles then you won’t be able to truly determine the lowest rate. Even a minor difference in insurance coverages or limits can result in a big premium difference. Keep in mind that obtaining a wide range of quotes helps you find a better price. Some regional insurers cannot provide prices over the internet, so it’s recommended that you also compare price quotes on coverage from those companies, too.
When it comes to choosing proper insurance coverage, there really is no perfect coverage plan. Each situation is unique.
Here are some questions about coverages that may help highlight whether or not you would benefit from an agent’s advice.
If you’re not sure about those questions but you know they apply to you, you might consider talking to a licensed agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, complete this form.
Learning about specific coverages of your policy aids in choosing the right coverages at the best deductibles and correct limits. Insurance terms can be confusing and coverage can change by endorsement.
Collision protection
This coverage pays for damage to your Malibu resulting from a collision with another car or object. A deductible applies then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.
Collision insurance covers claims such as sustaining damage from a pot hole, driving through your garage door, colliding with a tree, colliding with another moving vehicle and damaging your car on a curb. Paying for collision coverage can be pricey, so analyze the benefit of dropping coverage from vehicles that are older. Drivers also have the option to choose a higher deductible to bring the cost down.
Liability auto insurance
Liability insurance will cover injuries or damage you cause to people or other property in an accident. Coverage consists of three different limits, bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident and property damage. You commonly see policy limits of 50/100/50 that translate to a $50,000 limit per person for injuries, $100,000 for the entire accident, and $50,000 of coverage for damaged propery. Some companies may use one number which is a combined single limit which limits claims to one amount without having the split limit caps.
Liability coverage pays for things like pain and suffering, bail bonds, repair costs for stationary objects and attorney fees. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is a personal decision, but you should buy as much as you can afford.
Comprehensive coverages
Comprehensive insurance coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. You first have to pay a deductible and then insurance will cover the rest of the damage.
Comprehensive can pay for things like a broken windshield, rock chips in glass and damage from a tornado or hurricane. The highest amount you’ll receive from a claim is the actual cash value, so if the vehicle is not worth much consider removing comprehensive coverage.
Coverage for medical payments
Med pay and PIP coverage pay for immediate expenses such as rehabilitation expenses, nursing services, dental work and ambulance fees. The coverages can be used to cover expenses not covered by your health insurance policy or if you do not have health coverage. Medical payments and PIP cover both the driver and occupants and also covers any family member struck as a pedestrian. PIP is not available in all states and may carry a deductible
Uninsured and underinsured coverage
Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage gives you protection when the “other guys” either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. It can pay for medical payments for you and your occupants and damage to your Chevy Malibu.
Because many people only purchase the least amount of liability that is required, their limits can quickly be used up. So UM/UIM coverage is very important. Normally the UM/UIM limits are set the same as your liablity limits.
We just presented a lot of ways to reduce 1997 Chevy Malibu insurance premium rates online. The key concept to understand is the more you quote insurance coverage, the higher your chance of finding cheap insurance coverage. Drivers may discover the best price on insurance coverage is with a small local company.
When buying insurance coverage, make sure you don’t buy less coverage just to save a little money. There have been many situations where an insured dropped liability limits or collision coverage only to discover later that the savings was not a smart move. Your goal is to purchase a proper amount of coverage at the lowest possible cost and still be able to protect your assets.
Drivers who switch companies do it for a number of reasons such as not issuing a premium refund, poor customer service, delays in paying claims or even being labeled a high risk driver. Regardless of your reason for switching companies, finding a new company is not as difficult as it may seem.
Staci Graves
I’m from Cranston, Rhode Island. Got car insurance prices from Allstate, American Family, Eastwood, and Liberty Mutual for my Chevrolet and saved $60 a year. Good savings if you bundle. LOL
Karin Britt
Need cheaper insurance rates for my teenage driver in Hartford, CT!!
Iraida Wagner
Corporate greed I’m telling you. I’m in the east part of Idaho Falls, ID. Can’t remember who all I quoted but I ended up saving about $30 each month. Liability only on my Malibu.
Jama Cooke
Just my two cents. Proud to be from Salt Lake City, UT. Received prices from GEICO, AIG Insurance, and some I forget for my 1997 Chevrolet Malibu and saved just over $90 a year. I think they have home insurance too. Not worth enough to pay for comprehensive and collision.
Shelli Phelps
Just my two cents. I live just to the north of Owensboro, KY. Got quotes with State Farm, AIG Insurance, and some I forget for my Malibu and saved just over $90 a year. Not sure about claim service.
Kimberely Baird
Does Progressive insure at replacement cost?
Bryanna Davenport
Here’s my info. I live on the south side of Columbus, OH. Quoted with 21st Century, AIG Insurance, Eastwood, and Liberty Mutual for my 1997 Chevrolet Malibu and cut my rates about $80 a year. Insured with Allstate before. I even had a DUI years ago.
Adrian Rowland
Like your site, BTW. From north side of Gulfport, MS. Compared quite a few companies. Saved darn near $20 a month. 21st Century was the cheapest for me. I think they have home insurance too. I recommend comparing lots of rates.
Pauline Humphrey
Too expensive. I ride a bike.