Wish you could get a refund on an overpriced insurance policy? You’re preaching to the choir because many consumers are feeling buyer’s remorse and feel like there’s no way out.
Online insurance companies like State Farm, Farmers Insurance, Geico and Allstate constantly bombard you with fancy advertisements and it is challenging if not impossible to ignore the promise of big savings and do the work needed to find the best deal.
If you are paying for car insurance now, you stand a good chance to be able to save some money using this information. Finding the best rates is not that difficult. Nevertheless, drivers can benefit by having an understanding of the way companies price insurance differently and use this information to your advantage.
Many factors are used in the calculation when you get a price on insurance. Some are pretty understandable such as your driving record, but other factors are less obvious like your continuous coverage or your financial responsibility.The best way to find cheaper insurance is to take a look at some of the things that play a part in calculating your policy premiums. When consumers understand what determines base rates, this enables you to make decisions that may result in much lower annual insurance costs.
There are a variety of methods you can shop for insurance and some are easier and takes less work. You can waste a lot of time talking to local insurance agents in your area, or you could use the web to accomplish the same thing much quicker.
Many companies belong to an insurance system where insurance shoppers submit one quote, and each company then gives them pricing based on that data. This saves time by eliminating repetitive form submissions for each company you want a rate for.
To compare rates now click here to start a free quote.
The only downside to using this type of form is that you can’t choose which insurance companies to get quotes from. So if you want to select individual companies to compare, we put together a list of insurance companies in your area. Click here to view list.
Which method you use is up to you, but try to keep identical coverages for every quote you compare. If you use mixed coverages it will be next to impossible to determine which rate is truly the best. Just a small difference in coverage limits can mean a large discrepancy in price. And when quoting insurance, remember that having more price comparisons helps you find lower pricing. Some smaller insurers to not give online quotes, so it’s recommended that you also compare quotes from them, too.
Insurance coverage providers like State Farm and Allstate continually stream ads on TV and radio. They all advertise the message that you’ll save big if you get a free car insurance quote and switch to them. That’s great but how can every company charge you less for car insurance? This is the way they can do it.
All the different companies quote their best rates for the type of customer that will generate a profit. For instance, a profitable insured may be a married female, has a clean driving record, and insures a new vehicle. Any customer that fits those parameters will probably get the lowest car insurance rates and therefore will save a lot if they switch.
Potential insureds who do not meet this ideal profile will probably have to pay higher prices and business going elsewhere. The trick companies use is to say “people that switch” but not “all drivers who get quotes” save that kind of money. This is how insurance companies can make claims like that.
This illustrates why you should get car insurance quotes from several different companies. Because you cannot predict with any certainty which company will have the best car insurance rates.
Auto insurance is neither fun to buy or cheap, but you may find discounts that you may not even be aware of. Some discounts apply automatically when you purchase, but once in a while a discount must be inquired about before they will apply. If you don’t get every credit available, you could be paying more than you need to.
Just know that most of the big mark downs will not be given to your bottom line cost. Most only reduce the price of certain insurance coverages like collision or personal injury protection. Just because you may think it’s possible to get free car insurance, companies don’t profit that way. Any qualifying discounts will lower the cost of coverage.
A list of auto insurance companies and their offered discounts are outlined below.
When comparing rates, check with every prospective company which discounts they offer. All car insurance discounts may not apply to policyholders in your area.
When it comes to choosing coverage for your vehicles, there isn’t really a cookie cutter policy. Every situation is different so your insurance needs to address that. These are some specific questions can aid in determining whether your personal situation would benefit from an agent’s advice.
If you’re not sure about those questions then you might want to talk to an agent. To find an agent in your area, fill out this quick form or click here for a list of insurance companies in your area.
Understanding the coverages of your insurance policy aids in choosing the right coverages for your vehicles. The terms used in a policy can be impossible to understand and even agents have difficulty translating policy wording. These are typical coverages available from insurance companies.
Medical payments coverage and PIP
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage pay for expenses like dental work, pain medications, chiropractic care and doctor visits. They are used in conjunction with a health insurance program or if you do not have health coverage. It covers both the driver and occupants and will also cover getting struck while a pedestrian. Personal injury protection coverage is not an option in every state but can be used in place of medical payments coverage
Auto liability
Liability insurance can cover damage or injury you incur to other people or property that is your fault. It protects YOU from claims by other people. It does not cover damage sustained by your vehicle in an accident.
Liability coverage has three limits: bodily injury for each person, bodily injury for the entire accident, and a limit for property damage. Your policy might show limits of 50/100/50 which means $50,000 in coverage for each person’s injuries, a per accident bodily injury limit of $100,000, and a total limit of $50,000 for damage to vehicles and property. Some companies may use a combined limit which limits claims to one amount and claims can be made without the split limit restrictions.
Liability coverage protects against claims such as funeral expenses, loss of income, pain and suffering, medical expenses and attorney fees. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is a personal decision, but buy as much as you can afford.
Collision insurance
This coverage will pay to fix damage to your Murano from colliding with an object or car. You have to pay a deductible then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.
Collision can pay for claims such as colliding with another moving vehicle, crashing into a ditch, backing into a parked car, rolling your car and hitting a mailbox. Collision is rather expensive coverage, so consider removing coverage from older vehicles. Drivers also have the option to raise the deductible to get cheaper collision coverage.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage
This protects you and your vehicle’s occupants when other motorists are uninsured or don’t have enough coverage. It can pay for medical payments for you and your occupants as well as your vehicle’s damage.
Because many people carry very low liability coverage limits, it only takes a small accident to exceed their coverage. For this reason, having high UM/UIM coverages should not be overlooked. Usually the UM/UIM limits are similar to your liability insurance amounts.
Comprehensive coverage
This covers damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. You need to pay your deductible first and the remainder of the damage will be paid by comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive coverage protects against things such as damage from getting keyed, fire damage and a tree branch falling on your vehicle. The most a insurance company will pay at claim time is the actual cash value, so if the vehicle’s value is low consider dropping full coverage.
Low-cost 2004 Nissan Murano insurance is available online as well as from insurance agents, and you should compare rates from both to have the best rate selection. Some insurance companies do not offer price quotes online and these small, regional companies work with local independent agents.
When getting car insurance quotes online, make sure you don’t reduce needed coverages to save money. In many cases, someone sacrificed uninsured motorist or liability limits and discovered at claim time they didn’t purchase enough coverage. The ultimate goal is to buy enough coverage for the lowest price.
More tips and info about insurance can be found by following these links:
Gabrielle Kirby
I can’t pay high rates. Lifelong resident of Mobile, Alabama. Checked online prices for a 2004 Nissan Murano. Ended up at about $110 savings annually. Went with State Farm. It’s only liability tho.
Taina Frederick
I’m looking for cheaper coverage. From west side of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. I quoted with AAA, Farmers, and Nationwide for my Murano and saved about $70 a year.
Yadira Puckett
Too expensive. I ride a bike.
Ernestine Compton
Lots of good stuff here. Live in Overland Park, Kansas. Don’t remember every company but I ended up saving about $20 each month. It’s easy to compare rates online now. Only insure liability on my Murano.
Elsie Cannon
Is State Farm cheaper than GEICO in Anchorage, Alaska?
Bud Hinton
I’m looking for cheaper coverage. From a town just southwest of Springfield, MA. I compared lots of rates. Saved right around $10 a month. 21st Century was the cheapest for me. Was with Liberty Mutual. Have an at-fault accident tho. I just carry liability insurance.
Yolande Sosa
I live on the west side of Omaha, NE. Got prices from Amica, Esurance, and MetLife for my 2004 Nissan Murano and saved $91 a year. Ask about discounts.
Carissa Perkins
IT’S ALL TOO EXPENSIVE! I live in a small town just outside of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Got free quotes online for a 2004 Nissan Murano. Ended up at about $70 savings annually. Went with State Farm. Left Auto-Owners to switch. :)
Waldo Lowery
Anyone buy from AAA? I’m in Chesapeake, Virginia.
Lisha Warren
Well-written and thought out article. I’m in the south part of Juneau, AK. Received rates from Progressive, AAA, Esurance, and Liberty Mutual for my 2004 Nissan Murano and I think I cut my rates about $30 each month. My new agent seems to be really good. I don’t insure for physical damage though.
Rosalee Pugh
Lifelong resident of Evansville, IN. Got car insurance prices from 21st Century, The General, and Eastwood for my 2004 Nissan Murano and saved about $60 a year. Full coverage costs too much.
Bella Shelton
Live in the southern part of Missoula, Montana. Got car insurance quotes with State Farm, Amica, and Erie for my 2004 Nissan Murano and saved around $100 a year. Was with Hanover. I recommend comparing lots of rates.
Bobbie Sosa
GEICO and State Farm were both pretty cheap in Norfolk, Virginia.
Michale Bass
I live just outside Las Cruces, NM. I quoted with GEICO, American Family, and Esurance for my Murano and cut my rates about $60 a year. My new agent seems to be really good. Only insure liability on my Murano.