Being forced to pay for pricey insurance premiums can diminish your savings account and make it hard to pay other bills. Price shopping at each renewal is recommended to tighten up your finances.
There are many insurance companies to insure vehicles with, and even though it’s nice to have a selection, it can be more difficult to compare rates.
Some companies don’t list the entire discount list in an easy-to-find place, so the next list breaks down some of the more common and the harder-to-find discounts that you can inquire about if you buy car insurance online.
It’s important to note that many deductions do not apply to your bottom line cost. Some only reduce the cost of specific coverages such as medical payments or collision. Even though it may seem like you would end up receiving a 100% discount, auto insurance companies aren’t that generous.
Popular auto insurance companies and a partial list of their discounts are shown below.
Before buying, ask each insurance company what discounts are available to you. Some discounts listed above may not apply in your area.
When it comes to buying coverage for your personal vehicles, there isn’t really a cookie cutter policy. Everyone’s situation is a little different so your insurance needs to address that. For example, these questions might point out if your situation may require specific advice.
If you’re not sure about those questions, you may need to chat with an insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, simply complete this short form or go to this page to view a list of companies.
Learning about specific coverages of a car insurance policy aids in choosing the right coverages and proper limits and deductibles. Car insurance terms can be confusing and reading a policy is terribly boring. Listed below are the normal coverages available from car insurance companies.
Collision protection
Collision insurance covers damage to your Altima resulting from colliding with an object or car. A deductible applies then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.
Collision coverage protects against things such as hitting a mailbox, colliding with a tree, sustaining damage from a pot hole, damaging your car on a curb and driving through your garage door. This coverage can be expensive, so consider dropping it from lower value vehicles. You can also choose a higher deductible to save money on collision insurance.
Coverage for liability
This coverage protects you from damage or injury you incur to a person or their property. This coverage protects you from claims by other people. Liability doesn’t cover your own vehicle damage or injuries.
Split limit liability has three limits of coverage: per person bodily injury, per accident bodily injury, and a property damage limit. As an example, you may have liability limits of 50/100/50 which means $50,000 bodily injury coverage, $100,000 for the entire accident, and $50,000 of coverage for damaged propery.
Liability coverage pays for claims such as attorney fees, repair costs for stationary objects, loss of income, repair bills for other people’s vehicles and structural damage. How much liability coverage do you need? That is up to you, but consider buying as large an amount as possible.
Medical payments coverage and PIP
Coverage for medical payments and/or PIP kick in for short-term medical expenses for things like X-ray expenses, hospital visits and ambulance fees. The coverages can be used in conjunction with a health insurance policy or if there is no health insurance coverage. Medical payments and PIP cover all vehicle occupants and will also cover any family member struck as a pedestrian. Personal injury protection coverage is not an option in every state and may carry a deductible
Comprehensive coverage
Comprehensive insurance coverage will pay to fix damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. You first must pay your deductible then the remaining damage will be covered by your comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive coverage pays for claims such as theft, a broken windshield and hail damage. The maximum payout you’ll receive from a claim is the ACV or actual cash value, so if the vehicle is not worth much it’s probably time to drop comprehensive insurance.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage
Your UM/UIM coverage protects you and your vehicle from other motorists when they are uninsured or don’t have enough coverage. Covered claims include hospital bills for your injuries and damage to your Nissan Altima.
Due to the fact that many drivers have only the minimum liability required by law, their limits can quickly be used up. For this reason, having high UM/UIM coverages should not be overlooked.
When searching for the cheapest car insurance quotes, it’s very important that you do not skimp on coverage in order to save money. There are many occasions where an insured cut uninsured motorist or liability limits and learned later that saving that couple of dollars actually costed them tens of thousands. Your aim should be to find the BEST coverage at an affordable rate.
More affordable insurance is definitely available on the web as well as from independent agents, so you need to shop car insurance with both to get a complete price analysis. Some insurance companies may not have online price quotes and many times these small, regional companies only sell through independent insurance agents.
Josefina Franks
Will GEICO raise rates for a small claim?
Alvera Baird
Cheap is not always the best policy. From north side of Rutland, VT. Quoted a bunch of companies. Saved right around $60 a month. 21st Century was the most affordable for me. Was with American Family. My new agent seems to be really good. Just waiting to see how claims go.
Kathlyn Lynn
I live in Springfield, MA. Got rates from 21st Century, AIG Insurance, and Eastwood for my Nissan and I think I am saving around $30 each month. Hopefully won’t need it. Not sure about claim service.
Anabel Molina
Does Progressive prorate premiums at cancellation?
Frederick Prince
Need cheaper insurance rates for my teenage driver in Indianapolis, IN!!
Zulma Mitchell
I can’t pay high rates. I’m in the south part of Mobile, AL. Got car insurance quotes with AAA, Nationwide, and a few others for my Altima and saved just over $100 a year. Insured with 21st Century before.
Katherine Abbott
I live in Eugene, OR. Checked online prices for a 2006 Nissan Altima. Ended up at about $100 savings annually. Went with State Farm.
Else Leblanc
IT’S ALL TOO EXPENSIVE! Found cheapest coverage with State Farm for my Nissan and saved around $480 a year. Even increased my liability limits. I used their website to get prices.
Jan Quinn
I’m in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and Progressive rates were affordable. Was with Auto-Owners. I got a quote from their website.
Virgil Williams
I live just outside Honolulu, HI. Got car insurance quotes from GEICO, Amica, and some I forget for my Altima and saved about $170 a year.
Una Wells
Too expensive. I ride a bike.
Bernardine Norman
I was with Liberty Mutual last year but switched to GEICO. Checking in from Worcester, MA. Not sure if rates are cheaper online or through an agent.