1999 Suzuki Esteem Car Insurance Cost – 10 Savings Tips

High-priced insurance can overdraw your monthly budget and force you to tighten up your finances. Shopping your coverage around can help to make sure you’re not throwing money away.

Insurance companies such as Allstate and Progressive promote their brand names with TV and radio ads and consumers find it hard to ignore the promise of big savings and effectively compare rates to find the best deal.

It’s a good habit to compare rates on a regular basis because insurance rates are rarely the same from one policy term to another. Just because you found the lowest premium rates on Esteem coverage two years ago there is a good chance you can find better prices now. Forget anything you know (or think you know) about insurance because it’s time to teach you the fastest and easiest way to find better rates and still maintain coverage.

If you currently have car insurance, you stand a good chance to be able to cut costs considerably using these tips. Buying car insurance is not that difficult. Although consumers need to have an understanding of how big insurance companies sell insurance online.

How to compare auto insurance price quotes

Effectively comparing auto insurance prices can be challenging if you don’t understand the most efficient way. You could spend your day driving to insurance agencies in your area, or you could save time and use online quoting to get rate comparisons in just a few minutes.

The majority of car insurance companies participate in an industry program where prospective buyers complete one form, and each participating company then gives them pricing for coverage. This prevents consumers from doing quote requests to each individual auto insurance company.

To participate in this free quote system, click here (opens in new window).

The one disadvantage to pricing coverage this way is you cannot specify which carriers to receive prices from. So if you prefer to pick from a list of companies to compare, we have assembled a list of low cost auto insurance companies in your area. Click here for list of insurance companies.

Which method you use is up to you, but compare the same quote information for each price quote. If you compare mixed coverages it will be next to impossible to truly determine the lowest rate. Slightly different limits can mean a large discrepancy in price. Keep in mind that quoting more helps increase your odds of locating the best rates.

Save $421 a year? Really?

Companies like Allstate, Geico and Progressive continually stream television and radio advertisements. They all seem to tend to make the same promise that drivers can save some big amount if you change your coverage. It sounds good, but how can they all offer you a better deal? This is how they do it.

Insurance companies quote their best rates for the type of driver they prefer to insure. An example of this type of insured might be described as a female over age 40, has had continuous coverage, and has great credit. Anybody who fits those characteristics receive the lowest rate quotes and will also save a lot if they switch.

Potential customers who don’t qualify for the requirements will probably have to pay higher rates which leads to the prospect going elsewhere. The trick companies use is to say “customers that switch” but not “everyone who gets a quote” save money. That is how insurance companies can confidently make the claims of big savings. This really drives home the point why you really should get car insurance quotes from several different companies. It is impossible to guess the company that will have the best rates.

Drivers save money with these ten discounts

Companies that sell car insurance do not advertise every discount they offer in a way that’s easy to find, so we researched both the well known as well as some of the hidden credits that may apply to you.

• Multiple Cars – Buying a policy with multiple cars on a single policy can get a discount on all vehicles.
• Defensive Driving Course – Taking part in a driver safety class could possibly earn you a 5% discount if you qualify.
• Low Miles Discount – Keeping the miles down on your Suzuki can earn cheaper premium rates.
• Anti-theft System – Cars and trucks optioned with advanced anti-theft systems can help prevent theft so companies will give you a small discount.
• Homeowners Pay Less – Just owning your own home may trigger a policy discount on auto insurance because maintaining a house shows financial diligence.
• Accident-Free Discounts – Good drivers with no accidents pay much less when compared to policyholders that have many claims.
• Clubs and Organizations – Being in certain professional organizations may earn a discount on your next auto insurance statement.
• Employee of Federal Government – Being employed by or retired from a federal job can save as much as 8% on Esteem coverage with some auto insurance companies.
• Discounts for New Vehicles – Insuring a new car can get you a discount since new model year vehicles are generally safer.
• Discount for Good Grades – This discount may save as much as 25% on a car insurance quote. Many companies even apply the discount to college students well after school through age 25.

Discounts save money, but please remember that some of the credits will not apply to the entire policy premium. Some only apply to specific coverage prices like comprehensive or collision. Despite the appearance that you can get free auto insurance, you aren’t that lucky.

The best auto insurance companies and the discounts they provide can be found below.

• State Farm includes discounts for passive restraint, driver’s education, defensive driving training, good driver, student away at school, and multiple autos.
• Geico policyholders can earn discounts including emergency military deployment, multi-policy, air bags, anti-lock brakes, federal employee, multi-vehicle, and membership and employees.
• Allstate may include discounts for auto/life discount, farm vehicle, good student, economy car, utility vehicle, anti-theft, and premier plus.
• SAFECO may have discounts that include teen safety rewards, anti-lock brakes, anti-theft, bundle discounts, safe driver, accident prevention training, and teen safe driver.
• Farm Bureau offers discounts for driver training, renewal discount, multi-vehicle, safe driver, multi-policy, and youthful driver.
• Progressive discounts include online signing, multi-policy, continuous coverage, online quote discount, homeowner, multi-vehicle, and good student.
• AAA offers premium reductions for good student, multi-car, education and occupation, multi-policy, pay-in-full, AAA membership discount, and good driver.

When comparing rates, check with each company or agent what discounts are available to you. All car insurance discounts may not be offered in your area. To choose companies who offer discounts, click this link.

Special considerations

When it comes to choosing coverage, there really is no one size fits all plan. Everyone’s situation is unique so this has to be addressed. For instance, these questions might point out if your situation might need an agent’s assistance.

• Am I covered when driving in Canada or Mexico?
• Am I better off with higher deductibles on my 1999 Suzuki Esteem?
• How do I insure my teen driver?
• Does liability extend to a camper or trailer?
• What is PIP insurance?
• What is the difference between comprehensive and collision coverage?
• What is covered by UM/UIM coverage?

If it’s difficult to answer those questions then you might want to talk to a licensed insurance agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, take a second and complete this form or you can go here for a list of companies in your area.

Car insurance policy specifics

Knowing the specifics of your policy helps when choosing appropriate coverage and the correct deductibles and limits. The terms used in a policy can be ambiguous and reading a policy is terribly boring. These are typical coverages found on most car insurance policies.

Uninsured or underinsured coverage

Your UM/UIM coverage gives you protection when the “other guys” do not carry enough liability coverage. Covered losses include hospital bills for your injuries as well as your vehicle’s damage.

Due to the fact that many drivers have only the minimum liability required by law, it only takes a small accident to exceed their coverage. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage should not be overlooked.

Liability coverage

This coverage provides protection from injuries or damage you cause to other’s property or people. Split limit liability has three limits of coverage: bodily injury for each person injured, bodily injury for the entire accident and a property damage limit. You might see limits of 50/100/50 which stand for a $50,000 limit per person for injuries, a limit of $100,000 in injury protection per accident, and $50,000 of coverage for damaged propery.

Liability coverage protects against claims such as funeral expenses, emergency aid and legal defense fees. How much liability should you purchase? That is a personal decision, but you should buy as much as you can afford.

Medical expense coverage

Coverage for medical payments and/or PIP kick in for short-term medical expenses like doctor visits, chiropractic care, surgery, nursing services and X-ray expenses. They are used in conjunction with a health insurance program or if you lack health insurance entirely. It covers not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants in addition to if you are hit as a while walking down the street. Personal injury protection coverage is only offered in select states and may carry a deductible

Collision protection

This coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage resulting from a collision with another vehicle or an object, but not an animal. You have to pay a deductible then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.

Collision coverage protects against things like hitting a parking meter, sideswiping another vehicle and sustaining damage from a pot hole. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so analyze the benefit of dropping coverage from older vehicles. It’s also possible to bump up the deductible to get cheaper collision coverage.

Comprehensive protection

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 like hail damage, a tree branch falling on your vehicle, hitting a deer and a broken windshield. The most you’ll receive from a claim is the cash value of the vehicle, so if the vehicle is not worth much it’s probably time to drop comprehensive insurance.

The best insurance company isn’t always the cheapest

Some companies do not provide online quoting and most of the time these small, regional companies prefer to sell through independent agencies. Cheaper 1999 Suzuki Esteem insurance can be bought from both online companies in addition to local insurance agencies, and you should be comparing both in order to have the best chance of saving money.

When trying to cut insurance costs, don’t be tempted to skimp on critical coverages to save a buck or two. There are too many instances where someone sacrificed collision coverage only to regret at claim time they didn’t have enough coverage. Your goal is to buy enough coverage at the best possible price, but do not sacrifice coverage to save money.

For more information, take a look at the following helpful articles:

• Older Drivers FAQ (iihs.org)
• Young Drivers: The High Risk Years Video (iihs.org)
• Should I Buy a New or Used Car? (Allstate)
• Distracted Driving (Insurance Information Insitute)