Cheap 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Car Insurance Cost

Searching for cheaper insurance rates for your Chevrolet Silverado 3500? Comparing car insurance quotes online may seem to be difficult if you’re new to online quotes. But don’t give up because comparing rates is actually very simple.

How to shop car insurance online

When shopping for car insurance there are multiple ways of comparing price quotes from different insurance companies. The easiest way by far to comparison shop consists of obtaining rate quotes online. This is very easy and can be done in several different ways.

• Without a doubt, the easiest way consumers can make multiple comparisons would be an industry-wide quote request form click to view form in new window. This quick form saves time by eliminating a different quote for each company. In just a few minutes this one form will return quotes from several companies. This is perfect if you don’t have a lot of time.
• A more time consuming way to find lower rates requires visiting the website for every company you want to comare and fill out their own quote form. For examples sake, we’ll assume you are doing a rate comparison from Liberty Mutual, Geico and Progressive. To find out each rate you need to go to every website to enter your coverage information, which can get old fast. For a list of links to insurance companies in your area, click here.

It’s up to you which method you use, but make sure you are using identical coverage data with every price quote. If you enter different limits and deductibles on each one you can’t possibly make an equal comparison. Quoting even small variations in limits can result in a big premium difference. Just keep in mind that quoting more increases the change that you will find the best offered rates.

Discounts for affordable insurance coverage rates

Insuring your fleet can be pricey, but you may qualify for discounts that can help lower your rates. Some discounts apply automatically at the time of purchase, but occassionally some discounts must be specially asked for before being credited.

• Mature Driver Discount – Mature drivers could receive reduced rates for Silverado coverage.
• No Accidents – Insureds with no claims or accidents have much lower rates as compared to bad drivers.
• Seat Belt Usage – Using a seat belt and requiring all passengers to fasten their seat belts can save 10% or more off the personal injury premium cost.
• First Accident Forgiveness – but some insurance companies will forgive one accident without getting socked with a rate hike as long as you don’t have any claims for a specific time period.
• Good Grades Discount – Performing well in school may save you up to 25%. The discount lasts up until you turn 25.
• Active Military Service – Being on active deployment in the military may qualify for rate reductions.
• Distant Student – College-age children who are enrolled in a college that is more than 100 miles from home without a vehicle on campus may qualify for this discount.
• Switch and Save Discount – A few insurance companies give discounts for buying a policy early. This can save 10% or more.
• Pay Early and Save – By paying your policy upfront rather than paying in monthly installments you can actually save on your bill.
• Drive Less and Save – Driving less may enable drivers to earn slightly better insurance coveragerates than normal.

As a disclaimer on discounts, most credits do not apply to your bottom line cost. Some only apply to individual premiums such as physical damage coverage or medical payments. So despite the fact that it appears adding up those discounts means a free policy, it doesn’t quite work that way. Any amount of discount will help lower your overall bill.

A few popular companies and a selection of discounts are:

• Progressive may have discounts that include homeowner, multi-policy, continuous coverage, online signing, and online quote discount.
• Geico discounts include federal employee, defensive driver, anti-theft, seat belt use, military active duty, driver training, and good student.
• State Farm offers premium reductions for anti-theft, defensive driving training, driver’s education, safe vehicle, multiple policy, student away at school, and Steer Clear safe driver discount.
• Esurance has discounts for defensive driver, anti-lock brakes, anti-theft, online quote, claim free, safety device, and DriveSense.
• The Hartford offers discounts for defensive driver, vehicle fuel type, bundle, good student, and air bag.

It’s a good idea to ask each company how you can save money. Some discounts may not apply in your area. To locate insurers that offer many of these discounts, click here.

How to lower your insurance prices

Lots of things are part of the calculation when you quote your car insurance policy. Some are obvious such as traffic violations, but some are not quite as obvious such as whether you are married or your financial responsibility.Part of the auto insurance buying process is learning the factors that help determine the rates you pay for auto insurance. If you have some idea of what positively or negatively impacts your premiums, this allows you to make good choices that may reward you with cheaper rates.

• Little extras can really add up – Insurance policies have a lot of additional extra coverages that you can buy if you aren’t diligent. Things like replacement cost coverage, accidental death, and additional equipment coverage may be costing you every month. You may think they are a good idea when talking to your agent, but now you might not need them so remove them and pocket the money.
• Battle of the sexes – The statistics show that men are more aggressive behind the wheel. However, don’t assume that men are worse drivers. Both sexes are in auto accidents in similar percentages, but guys tend to have more serious accidents. Men also statistically get cited for more serious violations like driving under the influence (DUI). Male teenagers are several times more likely to be in an accident so they pay the highest premiums.
• Get hitched and get better premiums – Having a wife or husband can actually save you money on auto insurance. Marriage usually means you are more financially stable and statistics show married drivers get in fewer accidents.
• How much liability coverage – The liability coverage on your policy kicks in if ever you are found liable for physical damage or personal injury to other. Liability insurance provides for a legal defense starting from day one. Liability insurance is quite affordable when compared to the cost of physical damage coverage, so drivers should buy more than the minimum limits required by law.
• Proper usage rating affects rates – The more miles you rack up on your Chevy in a year the more it will cost to insure it. Most companies charge rates based upon how the vehicle is primarily used. Autos left parked in the garage receive lower rates than those that get driven frequently. An incorrectly rated Silverado 3500 is throwing money out the window. It’s a good idea to make sure your auto insurance declarations sheet reflects annual mileage, because improper ratings can cost you money.
• Claims cost money – Companies give most affordable rates to insureds who do not file claims often. If you file claims often, you can expect either a policy non-renewal or much higher rates. Your insurance policy is meant to be used in the event of more catestrophic claims.
• High credit scores equal low costs – Credit history will be a significant factor in determining your rates. Insureds with good credit tend to be more responsible and file fewer claims than those with bad credit. Therefore, if your credit history is lower than you’d like, you could potentially save money when insuring your 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 by improving your rating.
• Lower stress equals lower rates – Jobs such as doctorsairline pilots and dentists tend to pay higher rates than the rest of us because of high stress levels and lengthy work days. On the flip side, careers such as scientists, athletes and retirees generally pay rates lower than average for Silverado coverage.

Tailor your car insurance coverage to you

When buying adequate coverage for your vehicles, there really is no “best” method to buy coverage. Everyone’s situation is unique.

These are some specific questions may help you determine whether or not you might need professional guidance.

• Should I file a claim if it’s only slightly more than my deductible?
• How high should my medical payments coverage be?
• Which is better, split liability limits or combined limits?
• Is my camper covered by my car insurance policy?
• If my 2001 Chevy Silverado 3500 is totaled, can I afford another vehicle?
• Do I need special endorsements for business use of my vehicle?

If you don’t know the answers to these questions but you know they apply to you, then you may want to think about talking to a licensed insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, fill out this quick form.

Insurance in the media

Popular insurance providers such as Allstate and Progressive endlessly run television and radio advertisements. All the ads advertise claims of big savings if you move your insurance coverage to their company. That’s great but how can every company claim to save you money? It’s all in the wording.

Insurance companies have underwriting criteria for the type of customer that is profitable for them. An example of this type of insured could possibly be over the age of 40, has other policies, and drives less than 7,500 miles a year. Any driver who fits that profile receive the lowest rate quotes and most likely will save quite a bit of money when switching.

Potential customers who don’t qualify for the ideal profile will be quoted higher premiums which leads to the customer buying from a different company. If you pay attention, the ads say “people that switch” but not “everyone who gets a quote” will save that much if they switch. This is how insurance companies can confidently state the savings.

Because every company is different, you really should compare rate quotes every year. Because without a comparison, you cannot know which insurance companies will have the best premium rates.

Auto insurance coverages and their meanings

Understanding the coverages of your auto insurance policy can help you determine which coverages you need and the correct deductibles and limits. The coverage terms in a policy can be ambiguous and even agents have difficulty translating policy wording.

Liability – Liability coverage protects you from injuries or damage you cause to other people or property by causing an accident. It protects you against claims from other people. Liability doesn’t cover your own vehicle damage or injuries.

Split limit liability has three limits of coverage: 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 50/100/50 that translate to a limit of $50,000 per injured person, a per accident bodily injury limit of $100,000, and property damage coverage for $50,000. Occasionally you may see a combined single limit or CSL which limits claims to one amount with no separate limits for injury or property damage.

Liability coverage protects against claims such as medical expenses, bail bonds, legal defense fees, repair costs for stationary objects and pain and suffering. How much coverage you buy is up to you, but you should buy as large an amount as possible.

Medical expense coverage – Med pay and PIP coverage reimburse you for immediate expenses such as nursing services, hospital visits, prosthetic devices, X-ray expenses and EMT expenses. They are used to cover expenses not covered by your health insurance plan or if you are not covered by health insurance. Medical payments and PIP cover you and your occupants as well as being hit by a car walking across the street. PIP coverage is not universally available but can be used in place of medical payments coverage

Uninsured or underinsured coverage – This coverage gives you protection from other drivers when they are uninsured or don’t have enough coverage. This coverage pays for injuries to you and your family as well as your vehicle’s damage.

Because many people only purchase the least amount of liability that is required, it doesn’t take a major accident to exceed their coverage limits. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage is important protection for you and your family. Usually the UM/UIM limits are set the same as your liablity limits.

Comprehensive protection – Comprehensive insurance covers damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. You first have to pay a deductible then the remaining damage will be covered by your comprehensive coverage.

Comprehensive coverage protects against things like damage from flooding, theft, hail damage and rock chips in glass. The maximum payout a auto insurance company will pay at claim time is the cash value of the vehicle, so if it’s not worth much more than your deductible it’s not worth carrying full coverage.

Collision – This pays to fix your vehicle from damage caused by collision with another car or object. A deductible applies and then insurance will cover the remainder.

Collision can pay for claims such as damaging your car on a curb, scraping a guard rail, crashing into a ditch, rolling your car and hitting a parking meter. Paying for collision coverage can be pricey, so you might think about dropping it from lower value vehicles. It’s also possible to choose a higher deductible to bring the cost down.

And the best car insurance company is…

Cheaper car insurance is available on the web and also from your neighborhood agents, so you need to shop car insurance with both so you have a total pricing picture. Some car insurance companies do not provide online price quotes and many times these small, regional companies provide coverage only through independent agents.

As you go through the steps to switch your coverage, make sure you don’t sacrifice coverage to reduce premiums. There are too many instances where someone sacrificed comprehensive coverage or liability limits only to regret at claim time that the few dollars in savings costed them thousands. Your goal should be to get the best coverage possible at the best price but still have enough coverage for asset protection.

In this article, we covered a lot of ways to compare 2001 Chevy Silverado 3500 insurance rates online. The key concept to understand is the more price quotes you have, the better your chances of lowering your auto insurance rates. Consumers could even find that the best rates are with the smaller companies.

Additional learning opportunities

• What is Covered by GAP Insurance? (Allstate)
• What Insurance is Cheapest for a Chevrolet Silverado in Tucson? (TucsonInsure.com)
• A Tree Fell on Your Car: Now What? (Allstate)
• Tread Depth and Tire Safety (State Farm)
• What is Covered by an Auto Insurance Policy? (Insurance Information Insitute)