I can’t think of a single person who rejoices having to buy auto insurance, particularly when the price is too high.
Due to the increasing number of options when it comes to auto insurance, it can be hard to find the cheapest auto insurance company.
Not too many consumers would say insurance coverage is affordable, but there may be some discounts that can drop the cost substantially. Some trigger automatically when you get a quote, but once in a while a discount must be asked for before being credited.
Discounts reduce rates, but you should keep in mind that some of the credits will not apply to the entire policy premium. A few only apply to specific coverage prices like liability, collision or medical payments. So even though you would think it’s possible to get free car insurance, you aren’t that lucky.
Large insurance coverage companies and their possible discounts include:
When quoting, ask every insurance company which discounts you qualify for. Some discounts listed above may not apply to policyholders in your area. If you would like to view companies who offer insurance coverage discounts, click this link.
Most companies make it easy to get price estimates on the web. Doing online quotes is easy for anyone as you simply type in the amount of coverage you want as detailed in the form. After the form is submitted, their system automatically orders your credit score and driving record and provides a quote based on the information you submitted. Online price estimates makes comparing rates easy, but the work required to visit several different sites and type in the same data is a waste of time. But it’s necessary to do this if you are searching for the lowest price.
The easiest way to compare rates is to use a quote form to return rates from multiple companies. It’s a real time-saver, reduces the work, and makes online shopping a little more enjoyable. Once the form is submitted, it is rated and you are able to buy your choice of the pricing results.
If the quotes result in lower rates, you can simply submit the application and buy the new coverage. The entire process can be completed in a matter of minutes and you’ll know if lower rates are available.
To find out what other companies charge, click here to open in a new tab and input your coverage information. If you have your current policy handy, we recommend you type in the coverages just like they are on your policy. This helps ensure you will have an apples-to-apples comparison based on similar coverages.
Part of the insurance buying process is learning the factors that come into play when calculating your policy premiums. If you understand what impacts premium levels, this helps enable you to make changes that will entitle you to lower premium levels. Many things are taken into consideration when quoting car insurance. A few of the factors are predictable such as your driving history, but others are less obvious like your continuous coverage or your vehicle rating.
When it comes to buying the best insurance coverage, there really is no “perfect” insurance plan. Every situation is different so your insurance needs to address that. Here are some questions about coverages that might help in determining if your situation would benefit from an agent’s advice.
If you’re not sure about those questions, you might consider talking to an insurance agent. If you don’t have a local agent, complete this form or go to this page to view a list of companies.
Popular auto insurance providers such as 21st Century, Allstate and State Farm regularly use ads on TV and radio. They all try to convey promises about how much you will save after switching your policy. How can each company charge you a lower premium? It’s all in the numbers.
Different companies quote their cheapest rates for the type of customer that earns them the most money. For instance, a profitable risk profile could be between the ages of 40 and 55, has few claims, and drives less than 10,000 miles a year. A driver that hits that “sweet spot” receives the best premium rates and will also cut their rates if they switch.
Potential insureds who do not meet these standards may receive a more expensive rate which usually ends up with business going elsewhere. The ad wording is “customers who switch” not “everyone who quotes” can save as much as they claim. This is how insurance companies can confidently make those claims.
That is why you need to compare quotes as often as possible. It is impossible to guess the company that will provide the lowest premium rates.
Knowing the specifics of your policy can help you determine the right coverages and the correct deductibles and limits. Policy terminology can be difficult to understand and reading a policy is terribly boring. Listed below are typical coverages available from auto insurance companies.
Liability auto insurance
This coverage can cover damages or injuries you inflict on other people or property that is your fault. This insurance protects YOU against claims from other people, and does not provide coverage for your own vehicle damage or injuries.
Split limit liability has three limits of coverage: bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident and property damage. You might see liability limits of 50/100/50 which means a limit of $50,000 per injured person, a per accident bodily injury limit of $100,000, and property damage coverage for $50,000. Some companies may use a combined single limit or CSL which combines the three limits into one amount and claims can be made without the split limit restrictions.
Liability coverage pays for things such as medical services, repair bills for other people’s vehicles and funeral expenses. How much liability should you purchase? That is your choice, but buy as large an amount as possible.
Collision coverage protection
This pays to fix your vehicle from damage resulting from colliding with a stationary object or other vehicle. A deductible applies and then insurance will cover the remainder.
Collision coverage protects against things like sideswiping another vehicle, hitting a parking meter, hitting a mailbox, colliding with another moving vehicle and crashing into a ditch. Paying for collision coverage can be pricey, so consider dropping it from vehicles that are older. Drivers also have the option to raise the deductible in order to get cheaper collision rates.
Coverage for medical expenses
Medical payments and Personal Injury Protection insurance provide coverage for bills for prosthetic devices, hospital visits, ambulance fees and dental work. The coverages can be utilized in addition to your health insurance policy or if there is no health insurance coverage. It covers both the driver and occupants as well as being hit by a car walking across the street. Personal Injury Protection is not an option in every state but can be used in place of medical payments coverage
Comprehensive auto insurance
Comprehensive insurance will pay to fix damage from a wide range of events other than collision. You first have to pay a deductible then the remaining damage will be covered by your comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive coverage pays for things such as hitting a deer, fire damage, hail damage and hitting a bird. The maximum amount your auto insurance company will pay is the market value of your vehicle, so if it’s not worth much more than your deductible consider dropping full coverage.
Coverage for uninsured or underinsured drivers
This protects you and your vehicle when the “other guys” either have no liability insurance or not enough. This coverage pays for injuries to you and your family as well as your vehicle’s damage.
Since a lot of drivers only carry the minimum required liability limits, their liability coverage can quickly be exhausted. So UM/UIM coverage is important protection for you and your family. Usually your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverages are set the same as your liablity limits.
When you buy insurance coverage online, don’t be tempted to reduce needed coverages to save money. There are many occasions where drivers have reduced full coverage only to regret that the savings was not a smart move. The ultimate goal is to purchase plenty of coverage for the lowest cost, but do not sacrifice coverage to save money.
Some companies do not provide rate quotes online and many times these small insurance companies work with independent agents. Low-cost 2000 Pontiac Montana insurance can be bought online in addition to many insurance agents, and you need to price shop both to have the best chance of lowering rates.
Additional information is located below:
Penelope Delgado
Not sure if this is cheap. Went with Western Auto Insurance for my Montana and saved about $60 a year. BTW speeding tickets are not good. I think I’ll get rid of full coverage next time.
Tyree Sanders
Cheap is not always the best policy. I live in Lexington, KY. Went online for free insurance quotes for a 2000 Pontiac Montana. Ended up at about $110 savings annually. Went with Allstate. Insured with Travelers before. BTW speeding tickets are not good. I quoted rates online then called them. Only insure liability on my Montana.
Danielle Bonner
Mine is so expensive. Live in the western part of Parkersburg, West Virginia. Not sure of all the companies but I ended up saving about $20 each month. I recommend comparing lots of rates.
Lelah Wynn
In Columbia, South Carolina, 21st Century auto insurance rates for my 2000 Pontiac Montana were good. Just waiting to see how claims go. Only insure liability on my Montana.
Emiko Powers
Great site. Got a quote with Western Auto Insurance for my Montana and saved about $110 a year.
Eliz Cochran
If you have a good history and live near Frederick, Maryland, check out 21st Century. You might get cheaper rates. Was with The General. I increased coverages a little too. Liability only on my Pontiac.
Domenica Mathis
All companies are crooks. I live east of Columbus, OH. Got car insurance quotes from Progressive, Amica, and Encompass for my Montana and saved just over $110 a year. Good multi-policy discounts. Full coverage costs too much.
Nguyet Hobbs
Live in Rutland, Vermont. I got free quotes from 21st Century, Hartford, and Esurance for my Pontiac and saved $82 a year. Was with American Family. Only insure liability on my Montana.
Casey Kidd
Nice info. From northwest of Bangor, ME. Received quotes from Auto-Owners, MetLife, and Travelers for my Montana and I’m now saving $25 a month.
Claris Mckay
Mine is so expensive. From northwest of Missoula, Montana. Quoted a bunch of companies. Saved darn near $20 a month. 21st Century was the cheapest option for me. Left The General to switch. Got better coverage too. Liability only on my Pontiac.
Tommie Tran
If you have a good history and live in the vicinity of Cincinnati, OH, check out Allstate. They seem to be cheaper. Ask about discounts. Are quotes cheaper online? Liability only on my Pontiac.
Grace Hahn
Cheaper car insurance is a myth. I’m in Norfolk, VA. Went online for free insurance quotes for a 2000 Pontiac Montana. Ended up at about $120 savings annually. Went with Allstate. Insured with Progressive before. Good multi-policy discounts. Just liability coverage since it’s getting old.
Lisha Serrano
I’m in the suburbs of Providence, RI. Quoted with State Farm, Liberty Mutual, and Esurance for my 2000 Pontiac Montana and I think I saved around $30 each month. I get multi-vehicle and multi-policy discounts. Are quotes cheaper online?