Are you overwhelmed by the wide range of insurance coverage choices? people have such a large number of options that it is hard work to lower your rates.
If you currently have a car insurance policy, you will be able to reduce your rates substantially using this information. This article will let you in on the best way to quote coverages and some tricks to saving. But consumers do need to understand the methods companies use to market on the web.
Smart consumers have a good feel for the factors that go into determining the level of your policy premiums. If you know what determines premiums, this helps enable you to make changes that could result in lower premium levels. Multiple criteria are taken into consideration when quoting car insurance. Most are fairly basic like an MVR report, but other factors are less apparent like your vehicle usage or your financial responsibility.
The following are a few of the things utilized by car insurance companies to help set your rates.
Buying car insurance is not cheap, but there may be some discounts to cut the cost considerably. Many discounts should be triggered when you quote, but some need to be manually applied before you get the savings.
Discounts reduce rates, but you should keep in mind that some of the credits will not apply to the entire policy premium. Most cut the cost of specific coverages such as collision or personal injury protection. If you do the math and it seems like adding up those discounts means a free policy, you aren’t that lucky. Any qualifying discounts will cut your policy cost.
A few popular companies and some of the discounts are outlined below.
When getting a coverage quote, ask every prospective company which discounts they offer. Discounts might not be available to policyholders in your area. If you would like to see a list of insurers with discount rates, follow this link.
When choosing the right insurance coverage, there really is not a one size fits all plan. Your needs are not the same as everyone else’s.
For instance, these questions can aid in determining if your insurance needs would benefit from an agent’s advice.
If it’s difficult to answer those questions but you think they might apply to your situation, you may need to chat with an insurance agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, take a second and complete this form.
Having a good grasp of your policy aids in choosing which coverages you need and proper limits and deductibles. Policy terminology can be ambiguous and reading a policy is terribly boring.
Liability coverage protects you from damage or injury you incur to other people or property that is your fault. This coverage protects you from legal claims by others, and doesn’t cover your own vehicle damage or injuries.
Coverage consists of three different limits, bodily injury for each person injured, bodily injury for the entire accident and a property damage limit. Your policy might show liability limits of 25/50/25 that means you have a limit of $25,000 per injured person, $50,000 for the entire accident, and property damage coverage for $25,000. Occasionally you may see a combined single limit or CSL that pays claims from the same limit rather than limiting it on a per person basis.
Liability can pay for things like funeral expenses, pain and suffering, medical expenses, bail bonds and legal defense fees. How much liability should you purchase? That is a personal decision, but you should buy as large an amount as possible.
This covers damage to your Sidekick from colliding with another vehicle or an object, but not an animal. A deductible applies then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.
Collision coverage protects against things such as hitting a mailbox, colliding with a tree, scraping a guard rail and crashing into a building. Paying for collision coverage can be pricey, so you might think about dropping it from vehicles that are 8 years or older. Another option is to raise the deductible to get cheaper collision coverage.
Comprehensive insurance will pay to fix damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. You first have to pay a deductible then your comprehensive coverage will pay.
Comprehensive can pay for things such as fire damage, damage from getting keyed and hitting a bird. The highest amount your car insurance company will pay is the cash value of the vehicle, so if the vehicle is not worth much consider removing comprehensive coverage.
Coverage for medical payments and/or PIP provide coverage for short-term medical expenses like nursing services, doctor visits, ambulance fees, prosthetic devices and EMT expenses. 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 not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants in addition to getting struck while a pedestrian. PIP is not available in all states and gives slightly broader coverage than med pay
This provides protection from other drivers when they are uninsured or don’t have enough coverage. It can pay for injuries to you and your family as well as your vehicle’s damage.
Because many people carry very low liability coverage limits, their liability coverage can quickly be exhausted. So UM/UIM coverage is important protection for you and your family. Frequently the UM/UIM limits are similar to your liability insurance amounts.
Budget-conscious 1998 Suzuki Sidekick insurance is available online and from local agencies, and you need to price shop both to have the best chance of lowering rates. A few companies do not provide internet price quotes and usually these small, regional companies sell through independent insurance agencies.
Insureds who switch companies do it for many reasons like delays in paying claims, high rates after DUI convictions, an unsatisfactory settlement offer or unfair underwriting practices. Whatever your reason, switching companies can be less work than you think.
We just presented a lot of tips how to reduce 1998 Suzuki Sidekick insurance rates online. The key concept to understand is the more companies you get auto insurance rates for, the more likely it is that you will get a better rate. You may be surprised to find that the best rates are with a small mutual company.
More detailed car insurance information can be read at these sites:
Rachal Little
FYI in Shreveport, Louisiana try 21st Century. I got a good deal.
Lamont Mayo
Allstate is cheapest in South Dakota! :)
Nelson Harrington
What is Underinsured Motorist coverage?
Anthony Key
Lots of good stuff here. From Springfield, Massachusetts. Not sure of all the companies but I ended up saving about $20 each month. :P
Hunter Meadows
Does Allstate insure teenage drivers?
Imelda Bailey
I’ve had GEICO for years. I’m in Springfield, Missouri.
Francisco Larsen
If you don’t have tickets and live in the vicinity of Lewiston, Maine, check out GEICO. You might get cheaper rates. Left Esurance to switch. Got better coverage too. I used their online quote form to compare rates.
Rory Hooper
What is Underinsured Motorist coverage?
Santiago Boyle
Affordable car insurance is a myth. Lifelong resident of Mesa, AZ. Got quotes with American Family, Erie, and Sentry for my 1998 Suzuki Sidekick and I’m now saving $17 a month. Hardly afford to drive anymore. It’s only liability tho.
Ela Floyd
I’m just south of Baton Rouge, LA. Got car insurance quotes with 21st Century, AIG Insurance, and Encompass for my Suzuki and I think I cut my rates about $20 each month. I just quoted rates online.
Micheal Leonard
Corporate greed I’m telling you. From west side of Buffalo, NY. Quoted prices online for a 1998 Suzuki Sidekick. Ended up at about $80 savings annually. Went with 21st Century. Anyone else drop full coverage?
Shenika Horn
Will Progressive insure with a DUI in Baton Rouge, Louisiana?
Tisa Chang
Just my two cents. I live in Wichita, Kansas. Got car insurance quotes with AIG Insurance, Sentry, and some smaller one I can’t remember the name of for my 1998 Suzuki Sidekick and saved just over $100 a year.
Vicky Moody
Got pretty cheap 1998 Suzuki Sidekick insurance from State Farm in Columbia, SC.
Sherice Petersen
Corporate greed I’m telling you. Lifelong resident of Oklahoma City, OK. Compared rates from a lot of places. Saved about $20 a month. Allstate was the cheapest for me. I get lower rates because of my clean driving record.
Ronda Cunningham
Here’s my quote info. Located in Mesa, AZ. Got prices from MetLife, Erie, GEICO, and American Family for my Sidekick and I’m now saving $11 a month. Hopefully won’t need it. Still almost need a second mortgage. I don’t have comp or collision coverage.
Cameron Cortez
Where is cheaper car insurance? I’m in Honolulu, HI. Went online for free insurance quotes for a 1998 Suzuki Sidekick. Ended up at about $90 savings annually. Went with State Farm. I have a couple other vehicles on the policy. Get lots of quotes to find the best rate.