Compare 1997 GMC Sonoma Insurance Rates

If you’re searching for lower-cost insurance on the web, are you intimidated by the sheer number of auto insurance choices in your area? You’re not alone. drivers have so many options that it can really be hard work to find better premium rates.

Double check you’re getting these rate-reducing discounts

Auto insurance is not an enjoyable expense, but there could be available discounts to help offset the cost. A few discounts will be applied when you get a quote, but a few must be specifically requested in order for you to get them.

• Discounts for Federal Employees – Active or retired federal employment could cut as much as 10% off on Sonoma coverage but check with your company.
• Own a Home – Simply owning a home may earn you a small savings because of the fact that having a home demonstrates responsibility.
• Telematics Data – People who choose to allow companies to track their driving habits by using a telematic data system such as Progressive’s Snapshot could possibly reduce rates if they show good driving skills.
• Senior Citizen Discount – Drivers over the age of 55 can get reduced rates on Sonoma coverage.
• Claim Free – Drivers who stay claim-free pay much less compared to policyholders that have many claims.

As a footnote on discounts, some of the credits will not apply to all coverage premiums. Most only reduce individual premiums such as medical payments or collision. Even though it may seem like you could get a free auto insurance policy, you won’t be that lucky.

Large auto insurance companies and a summarized list of policyholder discounts are outlined below.

• State Farm has discounts for Steer Clear safe driver discount, passive restraint, multiple autos, student away at school, accident-free, driver’s education, and multiple policy.
• Farmers Insurance policyholders can earn discounts including bundle discounts, alternative fuel, switch companies, pay in full, homeowner, and electronic funds transfer.
• Geico includes discounts for military active duty, anti-theft, driver training, federal employee, air bags, emergency military deployment, and seat belt use.
• American Family may offer discounts for accident-free, multi-vehicle, bundled insurance, good student, defensive driver, Steer into Savings, and good driver.
• Nationwide may include discounts for Farm Bureau membership, multi-policy, business or organization, defensive driving, easy pay, and accident-free.
• Progressive has savings for homeowner, continuous coverage, good student, multi-policy, multi-vehicle, and online signing.

When getting free insurance quotes, it’s a good idea to every company how you can save money. Depending on the company, some discounts might not apply in your area.

Do I need special coverages?

When it comes to buying the best auto insurance coverage, there isn’t really a “best” method to buy coverage. Everyone’s situation is unique.

Here are some questions about coverages that could help you determine whether your personal situation will benefit from professional help.

• How much underlying liability do I need for an umbrella policy?
• I have health insurance so do I need medical payments coverage?
• Are there companies who specialize in insuring high-risk drivers?
• What is the difference between comprehensive and collision coverage?
• Am I covered if I break a side mirror?
• When should I drop full coverage on my 1997 GMC Sonoma?

If it’s difficult to answer those questions then you might want to talk to a licensed agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, simply complete this short form.

But the ad said I’d save 15% in 15 minutes!

Auto insurance providers like Allstate, Geico and Progressive endlessly run television and radio advertisements. All the ads tend to make the same promise that drivers will save a bundle if you switch your policy. How is it plausible that every one can charge less that you’re paying now? This is how they do it.

All the different companies quote their cheapest rates for the right customer that makes them money. For instance, this type of driver should be over the age of 40, has a clean driving record, and the vehicle is rated for pleasure use. Any person who fits those characteristics will probably get the lowest car insurance rates as well as save money with a new company.

People who do not fit these criteria will see more expensive rates and this can result in the customer not buying. If you listen closely, the ads state “people that switch” not “everybody who quotes” save that kind of money. This is how companies can truthfully advertise the savings.

Because of the profiling, it’s extremely important to get insurance quotes from several different companies. It’s not possible to predict the company that will have the best rates.

Insurance coverages and their meanings

Knowing the specifics of your insurance policy aids in choosing the right coverages at the best deductibles and correct limits. The coverage terms in a policy can be impossible to understand and even agents have difficulty translating policy wording.

Collision coverage

Collision insurance pays for damage to your Sonoma caused by collision with another vehicle or an object, but not an animal. A deductible applies and the rest of the damage will be paid by collision coverage.

Collision insurance covers claims like backing into a parked car, crashing into a building, rolling your car, sideswiping another vehicle and sustaining damage from a pot hole. Paying for collision coverage can be pricey, so consider dropping it from vehicles that are 8 years or older. You can also choose a higher deductible to get cheaper collision coverage.

Auto liability

This provides protection from damage that occurs to other people or property. It protects you against other people’s claims, and doesn’t cover your own vehicle damage or injuries.

Coverage consists of three different limits, bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident and property damage. You might see limits of 25/50/25 which stand for $25,000 in coverage for each person’s injuries, a limit of $50,000 in injury protection per accident, and property damage coverage for $25,000. Some companies may use one number which is a combined single limit that pays claims from the same limit and claims can be made without the split limit restrictions.

Liability coverage protects against things like medical services, legal defense fees and emergency aid. How much liability coverage do you need? That is up to you, but consider buying as large an amount as possible.

Medical costs insurance

Coverage for medical payments and/or PIP kick in for short-term medical expenses like nursing services, prosthetic devices, surgery and pain medications. They are often utilized in addition to your health insurance program or if you lack health insurance entirely. They cover not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants in addition to if you are hit as a while walking down the street. PIP is not available in all states but it provides additional coverages not offered by medical payments coverage

Comprehensive or Other Than Collision

Comprehensive insurance coverage covers damage caused by mother nature, theft, vandalism and other events. You need to pay your deductible first and the remainder of the damage will be paid by comprehensive coverage.

Comprehensive coverage pays for claims like fire damage, hitting a deer and damage from a tornado or hurricane. The most you’ll receive from a claim is the cash value of the vehicle, so if your deductible is as high as the vehicle’s value consider dropping full coverage.

UM/UIM Coverage

Your UM/UIM coverage provides protection from other motorists when they either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. It can pay for injuries to you and your family as well as your vehicle’s damage.

Since a lot of drivers have only the minimum liability required by law, it doesn’t take a major accident to exceed their coverage limits. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage is very important. Usually your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverages do not exceed the liability coverage limits.

Knowledge is power

Cost effective 1997 GMC Sonoma insurance can be bought from both online companies and with local insurance agents, and you need to comparison shop both to have the best rate selection. Some auto insurance companies do not provide online price quotes and many times these smaller companies sell through local independent agencies.

As you shop your coverage around, do not reduce coverage to reduce premium. There are a lot of situations where someone dropped uninsured motorist or liability limits only to find out that the few dollars in savings costed them thousands. Your strategy should be to find the BEST coverage for the lowest price while still protecting your assets.

People switch companies for a number of reasons such as high rates after DUI convictions, delays in responding to claim requests, unfair underwriting practices or even denial of a claim. Regardless of your reason, choosing a new insurance company can be easier than you think.

To read more, take a look at the following helpful articles:

• Side Impact Crash Tests (iihs.org)
• Young Drivers: The High Risk Years Video (iihs.org)
• Preventing Carjacking and Theft (Insurance Information Insitute)
• When is the Right Time to Switch Car Insurance Companies? (Allstate)
• Vehicle Insurance (Wikipedia)
• Rental Reimbursement Coverage (Allstate)