I can’t think of anyone who likes buying auto insurance, especially when it costs too dang much. Having so many options, it’s difficult to choose the best insurer.
It’s smart to compare prices before your policy renews because auto insurance prices tend to go up over time. If you had the best deal for Grand Prix insurance six months ago you can probably find a better rate now. There is a lot of bad advice regarding auto insurance online but in this article, you’re going to get some great ideas on how to buy auto insurance cheaper.
Finding affordable coverage is not that difficult. If you are paying for car insurance now, you should be able to lower your premiums substantially using these tips. Drivers only need an understanding of the most efficient way to buy insurance online.
Finding low cost insurance prices can be surprisingly simple. All that’s required is to invest a few minutes comparing price quotes from different insurance companies. Comparing prices online can be done in just a few minutes using one of these methods.
The recommended way to get quotes would be an industry-wide quote request form click here to open form in new window. This method saves time by eliminating multiple quote forms for every prospective company. Taking the time to complete one form will return price quotes from all major companies.
A harder way to obtain and compare quotes online is spending the time to visit the website of each company to complete a price quote. For instance, let’s assume you want comparison quotes from Farmers, Esurance and Geico. To find out each rate you need to visit each site and repeatedly enter your information, which is why the first method is more popular.
For a list of links to insurance companies in your area, click here.
The most time-consuming method of comparing rate quotes is to drive around to local insurance agencies. Comparing online rate quotes has made agencies unnecessary unless you want the trained advice only provided by licensed agents. It is possible to get the lowest quotes online but buy from a local insurance agent.
You can use whichever method you prefer to find lower rates, just do your best to enter exactly the same quote data with each company. If your comparisons have unequal deductibles or liability limits it will be next to impossible to make a fair rate comparison.
Consumers can’t get away from ads for car insurance savings by companies like Progressive, Geico, Allstate and State Farm. All the companies try to convey promises about how much you will save if you move your policy.
How is it possible that every company can say the same thing? You have to listen carefully.
Insurance providers have a certain “appetite” for a prospective insured that earns them the highest profit. One example of this type of driver might have to be over the age of 35, has no claims, and drives a lower-performance vehicle. A driver who fits those characteristics receives the best rates and will most likely save a lot if they switch.
Drivers who do not match those standards will be quoted a more expensive rate which leads to the customer buying from a different company. The ad wording is “people who switch” not “everybody who quotes” can get the lowest rates when switching. That’s the way insurance companies can confidently state the savings. Because of this risk profiling, you really should get as many free auto insurance quotes as possible. It is just not possible to predict the company that will have better premium rates than you’re paying now.
A large part of saving on car insurance is knowing a few of the rating criteria that come into play when calculating car insurance rates. When you know what positively or negatively impacts premium levels, this enables you to make decisions that will entitle you to cheaper rates.
Listed below are some of the major factors used by your company to calculate your prices.
Insuring your fleet can be pricey, but discounts can save money and there are some available that you may not even be aware of. Many of these discounts will be applied automatically when you complete an application, but some must be requested specifically before you get the savings.
As a sidenote, some of the credits will not apply the the whole policy. Most only apply to the price of certain insurance coverages like collision or personal injury protection. Just because you may think adding up those discounts means a free policy, companies wouldn’t make money that way.
Popular car insurance companies and some of the premium reductions they offer are shown below.
If you want affordable auto insurance quotes, ask each company or agent to apply every possible discount. All car insurance discounts may not apply in your area. To see a list of car insurance companies that provide some of the discounts listed above, click here.
When it comes to buying the right insurance coverage, there really is not a one size fits all plan. Your needs are not the same as everyone else’s so your insurance should reflect that Here are some questions about coverages that might help in determining whether or not you will benefit from professional help.
If you can’t answer these questions but you know they apply to you then you might want to talk to an agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, complete this form or click here for a list of auto insurance companies in your area. It’s fast, doesn’t cost anything and can provide invaluable advice.
Understanding the coverages of your policy can be of help when determining the right coverages at the best deductibles and correct limits. The coverage terms in a policy can be difficult to understand and reading a policy is terribly boring. Below you’ll find typical coverages found on most auto insurance policies.
Liability coverage – Liability insurance protects you from damages or injuries you inflict on other people or property that is your fault. This coverage protects you from claims by other people, and does not provide coverage for your own vehicle damage or injuries.
Liability coverage has three limits: bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident and property damage. You commonly see liability 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.
Liability coverage pays for claims like attorney fees, loss of income, repair costs for stationary objects, legal defense fees and repair bills for other people’s vehicles. How much coverage you buy is a personal decision, but consider buying as high a limit as you can afford.
Comprehensive insurance – Comprehensive insurance covers damage from a wide range of events other than collision. You first have to pay a deductible and then insurance will cover the rest of the damage.
Comprehensive insurance covers things like damage from getting keyed, a tree branch falling on your vehicle, hitting a bird and rock chips in glass. The maximum amount a auto insurance company will pay at claim time is the actual cash value, so if the vehicle is not worth much it’s not worth carrying full coverage.
Collision – Collision coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage resulting from a collision with a stationary object or other vehicle. You first must pay a deductible then your collision coverage will kick in.
Collision insurance covers claims like sideswiping another vehicle, damaging your car on a curb, scraping a guard rail, crashing into a ditch and sustaining damage from a pot hole. Paying for collision coverage can be pricey, so consider removing coverage from vehicles that are older. You can also choose a higher deductible to bring the cost down.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) – This protects you and your vehicle’s occupants from other drivers when they do not carry enough liability coverage. Covered losses include injuries to you and your family and also any damage incurred to your 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix.
Due to the fact that many drivers only purchase the least amount of liability that is required, their limits can quickly be used up. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage is important protection for you and your family.
Med pay and Personal Injury Protection (PIP) – Medical payments and Personal Injury Protection insurance provide coverage for immediate expenses such as X-ray expenses, hospital visits and EMT expenses. They can be used to fill the gap from your health insurance policy or if you lack health insurance entirely. Medical payments and PIP cover all vehicle occupants as well as getting struck while a pedestrian. Personal Injury Protection is not an option in every state but can be used in place of medical payments coverage
When trying to cut insurance costs, don’t be tempted to skimp on critical coverages to save a buck or two. There have been many situations where someone sacrificed collision coverage and discovered at claim time that a couple dollars of savings turned into a financial nightmare. Your goal should be to purchase plenty of coverage at the lowest possible cost, but do not sacrifice coverage to save money.
You just learned a lot of ways to shop for 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix insurance online. The most important thing to understand is the more companies you get prices for, the better likelihood of getting the cheapest auto insurance. You may be surprised to find that the lowest premium rates are with a small local company. These companies may often insure only within specific states and give getter rates compared to the large companies like Progressive or Geico.
More tips and info about auto insurance can be found at these sites:
Vanessa Newman
Cheaper car insurance is a myth. I’m from Biloxi, MS. Checked online prices for a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix. Ended up at about $110 savings annually. Went with GEICO. Left Travelers to switch. They were helpful in switching over. I think I’ll get rid of full coverage next time.
Meta Livingston
Does State Farm settle claims fairly?
Weldon Ewing
I live just outside New Orleans, LA. I quoted with Mercury, Farmers, State Farm, and Auto-Owners for my Grand Prix and I’m now saving $14 a month. Thankfully I’m not a high risk driver. Might find lower rates online. I don’t insure for physical damage though.
Bryant Mercer
21st Century is decent in Spokane, WA.
Omega Brennan
I’m in Biloxi, Mississippi. Received prices from Auto-Owners, Safeco, and Western Auto Insurance for my Grand Prix and saved $81 a year. Insured with Liberty Mutual before.
Gracia Daniel
Lifelong resident of Greensboro, NC. Got rates from Western Auto Insurance, AIG Insurance, Hanover, and Sentry for my 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix and saved $94 a year. Insured with Eastwood before. Thankfully I have a good driving record.
Ian Roman
I’m in the suburbs of Virginia Beach, VA. Checked online prices for a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix. Ended up at about $100 savings annually. Went with Allstate. Only insure liability on my Grand Prix.
Ferne Leblanc
Here’s what I found out. Checking in from Atlanta, Georgia. Got car insurance quotes with AIG Insurance, Safeco, and a few others for my Grand Prix and I’m now saving $20 a month. Even increased coverage a bit.
Daniel Mcmillan
If you have a clean record and live around Grand Forks, ND, check out Progressive. They seem to be cheaper.
Francisco Raymond
If you have a good history and live around Owensboro, KY, check out 21st Century. You might save some money. I increased coverages a little too. Not worth enough to pay for comprehensive and collision.