Pricey insurance coverage can dry up your checking account and force you to prioritize other expenses. Lots of insurance companies contend to insure your vehicles, so it can be very hard to choose a insurer and get the definite cheapest price
It’s a good idea to take a look at other company’s rates quite often because insurance coverage prices go up and down regularly. Just because you had the lowest price for Grand Am insurance at your last renewal you can probably find a better rate quote now. Block out anything you think you know about insurance coverage because I’m going to teach you the best methods to reduce your cost while increasing coverage.
The quickest way to get policy rate comparisons is to take advantage of the fact most of the bigger providers pay for the opportunity to give rate comparisons. The only thing you need to do is provide information like coverage limits, your occupation, if you have a valid license, and if you’re married. Your information is submitted instantly to insurance carriers in your area and they provide comparison quotes with very little delay.
Consumers can’t ignore all the ads that promise big savings from the likes of 21st Century, Allstate and State Farm. All the companies state the claim about saving some big amount just by moving to their company.
It sounds good, but how can they all have lower policy pricing? It’s all in the wording.
All companies quote the lowest rates for the type of driver that will be a good risk. For example, a profitable risk profile might have to be over the age of 50, has no claims, and the vehicle is rated for pleasure use. A propective insured who matches those parameters will most likely get cheap premium rates and will most likely cut their rates substantially.
Consumers who do not match these stringent criteria will be charged higher premiums and this can result in the customer not buying. If you pay attention, the ads say “people who switch” not “everybody who quotes” save the amount stated. That’s the way insurance companies can make those claims. Because of the profiling, you absolutely need to do a price quote comparison at every renewal. It is impossible to guess which insurance companies will provide the lowest premium rates.
Lots of things are taken into consideration when you get a price on insurance. A few of the factors are predictable such as your driving record, but others are less apparent like your vehicle usage or your vehicle rating.
Shown below are most of the major factors companies use to determine premiums.
Companies do not list their entire list of discounts very clearly, so the following list contains a few of the more well known in addition to some of the lesser obvious discounts you could be receiving when you buy insurance coverage online. If you do not double check each discount you qualify for, you are throwing money away.
Discounts reduce rates, but you should keep in mind that most discounts do not apply to the overall cost of the policy. Some only apply to the price of certain insurance coverages like liability, collision or medical payments. So even though you would think having all the discounts means you get insurance for free, it doesn’t quite work that way.
Some of the larger companies that may offer quotes with some of the discounts shown above include:
Before purchasing a policy, check with each company or agent the best way to save money. Some discounts may not apply to policyholders in your area. If you would like to see a list of insurance companies with discount rates, click this link.
When it comes to buying adequate coverage, there really is no best way to insure your cars. Every insured’s situation is different and your policy should reflect that. For instance, these questions could help you determine whether or not you might need an agent’s assistance.
If you can’t answer these questions but one or more may apply to you then you might want to talk to a licensed agent. If you don’t have a local agent, simply complete this short form or you can also visit this page to select a carrier It only takes a few minutes and can help protect your family.
Having a good grasp of your car insurance policy can help you determine the right coverages at the best deductibles and correct limits. Policy terminology can be ambiguous and reading a policy is terribly boring. These are the normal coverages available from car insurance companies.
Comprehensive car insurance
This coverage will pay to fix damage from a wide range of events other than collision. You first have to pay a deductible and the remainder of the damage will be paid by comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive coverage pays for things like hitting a bird, a tree branch falling on your vehicle, fire damage, damage from a tornado or hurricane and rock chips in glass. The most you’ll receive from a claim is the cash value of the vehicle, so if your deductible is as high as the vehicle’s value it’s not worth carrying full coverage.
Coverage for uninsured or underinsured drivers
This coverage provides protection when the “other guys” are uninsured or don’t have enough coverage. This coverage pays for medical payments for you and your occupants as well as damage to your 2004 Pontiac Grand Am.
Since many drivers only carry the minimum required liability limits, their liability coverage can quickly be exhausted. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is important protection for you and your family.
Collision insurance
This pays to fix your vehicle from damage resulting from colliding with a stationary object or other vehicle. You have to pay a deductible and then insurance will cover the remainder.
Collision coverage pays for things such as hitting a mailbox, rolling your car and crashing into a ditch. Collision is rather expensive coverage, so analyze the benefit of dropping coverage from older vehicles. Drivers also have the option to bump up the deductible to get cheaper collision coverage.
Auto liability insurance
Liability coverage can cover injuries or damage you cause to people or other property that is your fault. It protects YOU against claims from other people, and doesn’t cover damage to your own property or vehicle.
Coverage consists of three different limits, bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident and property damage. Your policy might show liability limits of 100/300/100 which stand for $100,000 bodily injury coverage, $300,000 for the entire accident, and a total limit of $100,000 for damage to vehicles and property.
Liability can pay for things like loss of income, medical expenses and repair bills for other people’s vehicles. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is your choice, but consider buying as high a limit as you can afford.
Coverage for medical expenses
Med pay and PIP coverage pay for bills like X-ray expenses, chiropractic care and prosthetic devices. The coverages can be used in conjunction with a health insurance policy or if you lack health insurance entirely. It covers not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants in addition to being hit by a car walking across the street. PIP coverage is not an option in every state and may carry a deductible
As you go through the steps to switch your coverage, don’t be tempted to buy less coverage just to save a little money. Too many times, an insured dropped full coverage only to find out that it was a big mistake. Your aim should be to find the BEST coverage at the lowest possible cost, but do not sacrifice coverage to save money.
Some companies may not have internet price quotes and most of the time these regional carriers sell through independent insurance agents. Cost effective 2004 Pontiac Grand Am insurance is definitely available online and from local agencies, and you should compare rates from both to get a complete price analysis.
More information is available at these links:
Isreal Gamble
I’m in Chicago, Illinois. Received rates from American Family, Mercury, and a few others for my 2004 Pontiac Grand Am and saved just over $60 a year. I’m a pretty good driver though.
Deonna Richards
Not sure if this is cheap. I’m in the suburbs of Phoenix, Arizona. Received quotes from Auto-Owners, Safeco, and some smaller one I can’t remember the name of for my Grand Am and saved just over $90 a year. Moved home policy as well.
Bertie Silva
Here’s my quote info. Proud to be from Wichita, Kansas. I quoted with Hanover, Auto-Owners, Nationwide, and a couple others for my Grand Am and saved just over $80 a year. Left Western Auto Insurance to switch. LOL I dropped full coverage awhile back.
Louanne Crawford
Just a quick comment on my experience. Located in Lincoln, NE. Compared quite a few companies. Saved darn near $20 a month. State Farm was the most affordable for me. Ask about discounts.
Reita Mejia
From northwest of Idaho Falls, ID. Quoted a bunch of companies. Saved about $20 a month. 21st Century was the cheapest option for me. I even had a DUI years ago. Bought it from an online quote. Not worth enough to pay for comprehensive and collision.
Arden Cote
Is State Farm cheap in Oklahoma City, OK?