No car owner enjoys paying for auto insurance, especially when the cost is way too high.
Many car insurance companies compete for your insurance dollar, so it’s not easy to compare every insurer and get the definite cheapest price
If you currently have car insurance, you will most likely be able to save some money using this information. Finding the best rates is quite easy. But consumers do need to understand how big insurance companies sell online.
Some companies don’t always publicize every policy discount very clearly, so the list below contains some of the more common and the more hidden credits that you can use to lower your rates.
You can save money using discounts, but most discounts do not apply to the entire policy premium. Some only reduce the price of certain insurance coverages like liability and collision coverage. Even though the math looks like all those discounts means the company will pay you, it’s just not the way it works. But any discount will reduce your policy cost.
Large insurance companies and their possible discounts are shown below.
When getting a coverage quote, ask each company which discounts can lower your rates. Savings might not be offered on policies in every state. For a list of insurance companies with discount insurance rates, follow this link.
Respected companies like Allstate and Progressive consistently run ads in print and on television. They all make the point of big savings after switching your insurance coverage coverage to their company. That’s great but how can every company cost less than your current company? You have to listen carefully.
All companies have underwriting criteria for the type of customer that will most likely be profitable. For example, a profitable insured might have to be over the age of 40, carries full coverage, and has excellent credit. Someone who matches that profile will probably get cheap premium rates as well as save some money.
People who don’t qualify for those criteria may be forced to pay a more expensive rate and ends up with the driver buying from a lower-cost company. Company advertisements say “customers who switch” not “everyone who quotes” save the amount stated. This is how insurance companies can advertise the savings.
This really emphasizes why you need to get as many free car insurance quotes as possible. It’s not possible to predict which company will give you the biggest savings.
When choosing the right insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there isn’t really a cookie cutter policy. Each situation is unique and a cookie cutter policy won’t apply. For example, these questions might point out if your insurance needs would benefit from an agent’s advice.
If you can’t answer these questions but one or more may apply to you, then you may want to think about talking to an agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, simply complete this short form or click here for a list of car insurance companies in your area.
Understanding the coverages of your policy can help you determine the best coverages at the best deductibles and correct limits. The coverage terms in a policy can be difficult to understand and reading a policy is terribly boring. Below you’ll find the normal coverages available from auto insurance companies.
Auto liability – Liability insurance will cover injuries or damage you cause to other people or property. It protects YOU against other people’s claims. It does not cover your injuries or vehicle damage.
Split limit liability has three limits of coverage: per person bodily injury, per accident bodily injury, and a property damage limit. You might see limits of 25/50/25 that means you have $25,000 bodily injury coverage, a per accident bodily injury limit of $50,000, 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 insurance covers things such as court costs, legal defense fees, emergency aid, funeral expenses and repair costs for stationary objects. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is up to you, but it’s cheap coverage so purchase as high a limit as you can afford.
UM/UIM Coverage – Your UM/UIM coverage protects you and your vehicle when other motorists are uninsured or don’t have enough coverage. Covered losses include hospital bills for your injuries and damage to your Lexus GS 300.
Because many people carry very low liability coverage limits, their liability coverage can quickly be exhausted. So UM/UIM coverage should not be overlooked. Frequently these limits are set the same as your liablity limits.
Collision coverages – This pays to fix your vehicle from damage resulting from colliding with an object or car. A deductible applies then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.
Collision coverage pays for claims such as rolling your car, sustaining damage from a pot hole, scraping a guard rail, sideswiping another vehicle and colliding with a tree. Collision is rather expensive coverage, so you might think about dropping it from vehicles that are older. It’s also possible to bump up the deductible to save money on collision insurance.
Medical costs insurance – Med pay and PIP coverage reimburse you for expenses for things like X-ray expenses, rehabilitation expenses, pain medications, ambulance fees and surgery. The coverages can be utilized in addition to your health insurance plan or if there is no health insurance coverage. Coverage applies to both the driver and occupants as well as any family member struck as a pedestrian. Personal Injury Protection is not available in all states and may carry a deductible
Comprehensive or Other Than Collision – This coverage covers damage caused by mother nature, theft, vandalism and other events. You first have to pay a deductible then the remaining damage will be covered by your comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive insurance covers things such as falling objects, a broken windshield, hail damage and fire damage. The maximum payout you can receive from a comprehensive claim is the market value of your vehicle, so if the vehicle is not worth much it’s not worth carrying full coverage.
Lower-priced 1999 Lexus GS 300 insurance can be found from both online companies and from local agencies, and you should compare rates from both to have the best chance of lowering rates. Some insurance companies don’t offer online rate quotes and these small insurance companies prefer to sell through independent agents.
As you restructure your insurance plan, don’t be tempted to reduce coverage to reduce premium. In too many instances, drivers have reduced uninsured motorist or liability limits only to regret that the savings was not a smart move. Your aim should be to purchase a proper amount of coverage at the best possible price, but do not sacrifice coverage to save money.
Bettyann Burch
GEICO and Allstate had the best prices I found in Colorado.
Cassi Rosales
Good detail in your article. I’m just west of Frederick, MD. I got free rates from Progressive, Hanover, and Encompass for my GS 300 and I’m now saving $20 a month. I have a teen driver too. I only have liability coverage on it.
Soledad Mccall
Thanks for putting this site together. I live south of San Diego, CA. Quoted quotes from Amica, Safeco, and a few others for my GS 300 and cut my rates about $100 a year. Insured with Erie before. I have several vehicles insured with them. Wish I didn’t have to insure at all.
Dorothy Warren
I got decent rates for a 1999 Lexus GS 300 in Providence, RI. Ended up at darn near $120 every six months with Amica. They have a lot of discounts available. I used their website to get prices. I don’t have comp or collision coverage.
Alyssa Roman
It’s all a rip off. I live just outside Indianapolis, Indiana. Got car insurance quotes with Auto-Owners, Nationwide, and Western Auto Insurance for my GS 300 and saved just over $90 a year. Left Sentry to switch.
Lucia Kelly
Went with State Farm for my GS 300 and am saving around $110 a year. I quoted rates online then called them.
Gale Maddox
Great site. Located in Greensboro, North Carolina. Went online for free insurance quotes for a 1999 Lexus GS 300. Ended up at about $90 savings annually. Went with Allstate. Insured with Hartford before. Teenage drivers are expensive! Highly recommended. Anyone else drop full coverage?
Maura Gutierrez
I compared a lot of rate quotes for a 1999 Lexus GS 300 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Ended up at about $110 every six months with Amica. It’s too old for full coverage.
Aimee Gill
If you don’t have tickets and live in the vicinity of Portland, Maine, check out Allstate. You might get cheaper rates. Was with Erie. Even increased coverage a bit. They have free quotes online. Anyone else drop full coverage?
Ericka Lynch
If you have a good history and live in the vicinity of Gaithersburg, MD, check out Allstate. I saved quite a bit. I used their online quote form to compare rates. Just liability coverage since it’s getting old.
Elicia Alston
21st Century was cheapest for my 1999 Lexus GS 300 in Hartford, CT.
Stephenie Lane
Does Rhode Island have minimum liability laws?