Compare 1997 Pontiac Firebird Car Insurance Rates

Nobody rejoices having to buy insurance coverage, especially when the prices are way too high.

You have multiple insurers to choose from, and although it’s a good thing to have a selection, it can be more challenging to adequately compare rates.

Free auto insurance price quotes

When shopping for auto insurance there are multiple ways to compare prices from all the different companies. The easiest way by far to do a complete rate comparison is to jump online and get quotes. This is quite simple and can be completed in several different ways.

The single most time-saving way consumers can analyze rates is to use a rate comparison form click here to open form in new window. This style of form eliminates the need for multiple quote forms for every prospective company. A single form will get you price quotes from several companies.

A slightly less efficient method to find better pricing is to manually visit each company website and complete a new quote form. For examples sake, let’s say you need rates from Progressive, Allstate and State Farm. In order to get each rate, you would have to visit each site and type in your information over and over, which explains why we recommend starting with the first method. For a list of links to companies insuring cars in your area, click here.

The most time-consuming method to price shop rates is to spend your day driving to all the different insurance agencies. Comparing rates online eliminates the need for an insurance agent unless you have a need for the professional abilities of a local agent. Some companies do allow you to price shop online but have a local agent actually write the policy.

Whichever way you choose to compare rates, be sure you’re using nearly identical deductibles and coverage limits for each quote you get. If your comparisons have mixed coverages it will be nearly impossible to determine which rate is truly the best. Even a minor difference in insurance coverages may result in a large different in cost. Keep in mind that getting more free quotes increases the change that you will find a better price.

Lower your car insurance rates with discounts

Some insurance providers don’t always publicize all available discounts very well, so the following is a list of both well-publicized as well as some of the hidden discounts that may be available. If they aren’t giving you every credit you deserve, you’re just leaving money on the table.

• Early Signing – Some larger companies give discounts for switching companies prior to your current policy expiration. Ten percent is about the average savings.
• Passive Restraints and Air Bags – Vehicles equipped with air bags and/or automatic seat belt systems can get savings up to 30%.
• Mature Driver Discount – Seniors may receive reduced rates on Firebird insurance.
• Student Discount for Driver Training – Cut your cost by having your teen driver complete a driver education course in high school.
• Clubs and Organizations – Affiliation with a qualifying organization can get you a small discount on your next car insurance statement.
• New Car Discount – Putting insurance on a new car may earn a small discount because new vehicles are generally safer.
• Auto/Home Discount – When you have multiple policies with one company you could earn a discount of 10% to 20% off each policy.
• Multi-car Discount – Having several vehicles on one policy can reduce rates for all insured vehicles.
• Defensive Driver Discounts – Completing a class that teaches safe driver techniques could cut 5% off your bill if you qualify.

Discounts lower rates, but some credits don’t apply to your bottom line cost. Most only cut specific coverage prices like medical payments or collision. So even though they make it sound like you could get a free car insurance policy, you’re out of luck.

A partial list of companies that may offer policyholders most of these discounts include:

• Farmers Insurance
• Esurance
• State Farm
• Geico
• Allstate

If you need lower rates, check with every prospective company what discounts are available to you. Some of the discounts discussed earlier may not apply to policies in your area. To locate insurance companies with discount car insurance rates, click this link.

You are unique and your auto insurance should be too

When it comes to choosing the right insurance coverage, there really is no “best” method to buy coverage. Everyone’s needs are different and a cookie cutter policy won’t apply. Here are some questions about coverages that might help in determining whether you might need an agent’s assistance.

• Do I have coverage if my license is suspended?
• What companies insure drivers after a DUI or DWI?
• At what point should I drop full coverage?
• Is my Pontiac Firebird covered if I use it for business?
• How do I buy GAP insurance?
• Do I pay less if my vehicle is kept in my garage?
• Is my trailer covered?

If you’re not sure about those questions but a few of them apply, you might consider talking to an agent. To find an agent in your area, complete this form or click here for a list of auto insurance companies in your area.

Car insurance specifics

Knowing the specifics of your policy helps when choosing appropriate coverage at the best deductibles and correct limits. Car insurance terms can be difficult to understand and nobody wants to actually read their policy. Shown next are typical coverages found on the average car insurance policy.

Collision coverages – This coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage caused by collision with another vehicle or an object, but not an animal. A deductible applies then your collision coverage will kick in.

Collision coverage protects against things such as damaging your car on a curb, backing into a parked car, rolling your car and colliding with a tree. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so analyze the benefit of dropping coverage from vehicles that are 8 years or older. Another option is to bump up the deductible to bring the cost down.

UM/UIM Coverage – This coverage provides protection from other motorists when they either have no liability insurance or not enough. Covered claims include hospital bills for your injuries and also any damage incurred to your Pontiac Firebird.

Since many drivers only carry the minimum required liability limits, it only takes a small accident to exceed their coverage. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage is a good idea. Normally these coverages are set the same as your liablity limits.

Comprehensive or Other Than Collision – This coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage from a wide range of events other than collision. You first have to pay a deductible then your comprehensive coverage will pay.

Comprehensive can pay for claims like fire damage, a broken windshield, hitting a deer, a tree branch falling on your vehicle and damage from a tornado or hurricane. The maximum amount your car insurance company will pay is the market value of your vehicle, so if the vehicle is not worth much it’s probably time to drop comprehensive insurance.

Medical costs insurance – Med pay and PIP coverage kick in for bills for things like prosthetic devices, surgery, chiropractic care and pain medications. The coverages can be used to cover expenses not covered by your health insurance policy or if there is no health insurance coverage. Coverage applies to you and your occupants as well as if you are hit as a while walking down the street. Personal Injury Protection is not an option in every state and gives slightly broader coverage than med pay

Liability coverages – This coverage provides protection from damages or injuries you inflict on a person or their property that is your fault. This coverage protects you from legal claims by others, and doesn’t cover your injuries or vehicle damage.

It consists of three limits, bodily injury for each person, bodily injury for the entire accident, and a limit for property damage. As an example, you may have limits of 100/300/100 which stand for $100,000 in coverage for each person’s injuries, a total of $300,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $100,000 of coverage for damaged propery. Some companies may use a combined single limit or CSL which combines the three limits into one amount with no separate limits for injury or property damage.

Liability coverage protects against claims like structural damage, attorney fees, court costs, pain and suffering and loss of income. How much liability should you purchase? That is a decision to put some thought into, but buy higher limits if possible.

What is YOUR best insurance company?

When you buy auto insurance online, you should never sacrifice coverage to reduce premiums. In many instances, consumers will sacrifice full coverage and learned later that saving that couple of dollars actually costed them tens of thousands. Your focus should be to purchase a proper amount of coverage at the lowest possible cost while not skimping on critical coverages.

Throughout this article, we presented some good ideas how you can compare 1997 Pontiac Firebird insurance premium rates online. The key concept to understand is the more price quotes you have, the higher the chance of saving money. Consumers may even find the most savings is with an unexpected company. Regional companies may cover specific market segments cheaper compared to the large companies like State Farm, Geico and Nationwide.

Other learning opportunities

• Tread Depth and Tire Safety (State Farm)
• Auto Insurance Learning Center (State Farm)
• Frontal Crash Tests (iihs.org)
• How Much Auto Coverage do I Need? (Insurance Information Insitute)