When searching for lower-priced insurance, do you get confused by the crazy number of car insurance sources that you can choose from? Many other people are too. There are such a large number of options that it can really be a big hassle to find lower premium rates.
A large part of saving on insurance coverage is knowing some of the things that help calculate the rates you pay for insurance coverage. When consumers understand what positively or negatively impacts your premiums, this allows you to make educated decisions that may result in lower premium levels. Many factors are part of the equation when you quote your car insurance policy. A few of the factors are predictable such as traffic violations, but others are not as apparent like your continuous coverage or your financial responsibility.
Listed below are a few of the “ingredients” insurance coverage companies consider when setting your prices.
Some providers do not advertise every discount they offer in an easy-to-find place, so the following list contains a few of the more well known and also the more inconspicuous credits that you can use to lower your rates.
Please keep in mind that some of the credits will not apply to the entire policy premium. The majority will only reduce the cost of specific coverages such as collision or personal injury protection. So despite the fact that it appears having all the discounts means you get insurance for free, company stockholders wouldn’t be very happy. But any discount will reduce your overall bill.
A list of car insurance companies and their possible discounts can be found below.
If you are trying to find affordable insurance quotes, ask each company or agent to give you their best rates. Discounts may not be offered everywhere. To see a list of insurers that can offer you the previously mentioned discounts, follow this link.
When choosing the best insurance coverage coverage for your personal vehicles, there isn’t really a single plan that fits everyone. Coverage needs to be tailored to your specific needs.
For example, these questions 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 a licensed agent. To find an agent in your area, fill out this quick form.
Understanding the coverages of your auto insurance policy aids in choosing appropriate coverage for your vehicles. Auto insurance terms can be confusing and nobody wants to actually read their policy.
Auto liability – This coverage can cover injuries or damage you cause to a person or their property by causing an accident. It protects YOU against other people’s claims, and does not provide coverage for your own vehicle damage or injuries.
Liability coverage has three limits: bodily injury for each person injured, bodily injury for the entire accident and a property damage limit. You might see limits of 25/50/25 which stand for a $25,000 limit per person for injuries, a total of $50,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and a limit of $25,000 paid for damaged property. Another option is a combined single limit or CSL which combines the three limits into one amount with no separate limits for injury or property damage.
Liability can pay for things such as legal defense fees, pain and suffering and medical expenses. How much coverage you buy is your choice, but buy as large an amount as possible.
Comprehensive (Other than Collision) – This will pay to fix damage from a wide range of events other than collision. You need to pay your deductible first then your comprehensive coverage will pay.
Comprehensive insurance covers claims such as theft, rock chips in glass and damage from a tornado or hurricane. The highest amount you’ll receive from a claim is the ACV or actual cash value, so if it’s not worth much more than your deductible consider removing comprehensive coverage.
Medical expense insurance – Medical payments and Personal Injury Protection insurance kick in for expenses for ambulance fees, EMT expenses and doctor visits. They can be used to fill the gap from your health insurance policy or if you are not covered by health insurance. They cover all vehicle occupants as well as if you are hit as a while walking down the street. PIP coverage is not an option in every state but it provides additional coverages not offered by medical payments coverage
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 insurance covers things like crashing into a building, damaging your car on a curb, colliding with a tree, crashing into a ditch and hitting a mailbox. Collision is rather expensive coverage, so you might think about dropping it from vehicles that are 8 years or older. You can also raise the deductible to get cheaper collision coverage.
Protection from uninsured/underinsured drivers – Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage gives you protection when other motorists do not carry enough liability coverage. It can pay for injuries to you and your family and also any damage incurred to your 2001 Pontiac Sunfire.
Due to the fact that many drivers only carry the minimum required liability limits, their liability coverage can quickly be exhausted. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage is very important. Frequently these limits are set the same as your liablity limits.
We just presented many ways to lower your 2001 Pontiac Sunfire insurance premium rates. The key concept to understand is the more you quote insurance, the better your chances of lowering your prices. You may even find the lowest premium rates are with some of the smallest insurance companies.
When searching for the cheapest insurance quotes, never reduce coverage to reduce premium. There are a lot of situations where an insured dropped collision coverage only to regret that the savings was not a smart move. The goal is to buy a smart amount of coverage at an affordable rate, but do not sacrifice coverage to save money.
Some insurance providers do not provide price quotes online and many times these smaller providers work with independent agents. Affordable 2001 Pontiac Sunfire insurance can be bought on the web and also from your neighborhood agents, and you need to comparison shop both so you have a total pricing picture.
Additional car insurance information is located at the links below
Verdie Mcguire
Just my two cents. I live just to the north of Philadelphia, PA. Can’t remember who all I quoted but I ended up saving about $20 each month. Even increased my liability limits. Wish I didn’t have to insure at all. It’s too old for full coverage.
Rosie Stokes
Just a quick comment on my experience. I live just to the west of San Jose, California. Don’t remember every company but I ended up saving about $20 each month. My new agent seems to be really good.
Mira Stafford
I’m in the suburbs of New Orleans, LA. Got quotes with The General, AIG Insurance, Nationwide, and a couple others for my 2001 Pontiac Sunfire and saved just over $60 a year. Ask about discounts. Just waiting to see how claims go. I don’t insure for physical damage though.
Erline Watts
Here’s what I found out. Found cheapest coverage with Liberty Mutual for my Sunfire and am saving around $80 a year. Thankfully I’m not a high risk driver. I dropped full coverage awhile back.
Galina Wall
Good detail in your article. I’m just north of San Jose, CA. Received rates from GEICO, Amica, and some I forget for my Pontiac and saved $75 a year. Was with Erie. I think they have home insurance too. It’s still not cheap enough. Next renewal I’ll just do liability.
Hilario Mullen
I found pretty cheap rate quotes for a 2001 Pontiac Sunfire in Anchorage, Alaska. Ended up at darn near $100 every six months with Auto-Owners. They have a lot of discounts available. Not sure if rates are cheaper online or not. It’s too old for full coverage.
Alden Rich
Allstate is decent in Hartford, CT.
Maria Avila
Will Allstate cancel me if I have an accident?
Merissa Long
I can’t pay high rates. I’m in the suburbs of Eugene, OR. I got free quotes from 21st Century, Eastwood, and Hanover for my Pontiac and saved $109 a year. Thankfully I have a good driving record. It’s only liability tho.