If you’ve never shopped for insurance coverage quotes online, you may be overwhelmed by the vast assortment of local and online companies offering insurance.
An important part of buying insurance is that you know some of the elements that help calculate your premiums. When you understand what influences your rates, this enables you to make decisions that may reward you with big savings.
Shown below are most of the major factors used by your company to calculate your rates.
Effectively comparing auto insurance prices can be exhausting if you don’t know the easiest way. You can waste hours talking to insurance agencies in your area, or you could save time and use online quoting to get rate comparisons in just a few minutes.
Most of the best insurance companies participate in an industry program that allows shoppers to enter their policy data once, and at least one company can provide price quotes determined by their information. This prevents consumers from doing form submissions to each individual auto insurance company.
To compare rates using this form now click to open in new window.
The only downside to using this type of form is buyers cannot specifically choose which carriers you will receive quotes from. So if you prefer to choose specific providers to compare rates, we put together a list of auto insurance companies in your area. Click here for list of insurance companies.
Which method you use is up to you, but make sure you use identical information on every quote. If you enter different coverage information it will be very difficult to determine which company has the best rates. Slightly different coverages could skew the results. And when quoting auto insurance, remember that comparing more rates from different companies provides better odds of finding the best offered rates.
Insurance companies such as 21st Century, Allstate and State Farm continually stream television, radio, and online ads. They all seem to make the point that drivers will save a bundle if you switch your policy. How does every company charge less that you’re paying now? Here is the trick they use.
Different companies are able to cherry pick for the right customer that will add to their bottom line. A good example of a desirable risk should be between the ages of 30 and 50, insures multiple vehicles, and drives a vehicle with a low ISO rating. Any person who fits those characteristics will get very good premium rates as well as save some money.
Drivers who do not fit those standards will get higher premiums and this can result in the driver buying from a lower-cost company. If you listen closely, the ads state “drivers that switch” not “everyone who quotes” will save that much if they switch. That is how insurance companies can confidently claim big savings.
Because of the profiling, you really should get price quotes at each policy renewal. It’s not possible to predict which insurance companies will have the best car insurance rates at this point in time.
Companies don’t always list all possible discounts very well, so the next list breaks down both well-publicized and the harder-to-find discounts you could be receiving when you buy insurance coverage online.
Don’t be surprised that most credits do not apply to the overall cost of the policy. Most cut specific coverage prices like liability, collision or medical payments. Despite the appearance that it’s possible to get free car insurance, it just doesn’t work that way.
For a list of insurance companies that have a full spectrum of discounts, follow this link.
When it comes to buying adequate coverage, there really is no “best” method to buy coverage. Every insured’s situation is different.
Here are some questions about coverages that might help in determining if you might need professional guidance.
If it’s difficult to answer those questions, you might consider talking to a licensed agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, take a second and complete this form.
Having a good grasp of your insurance policy helps when choosing the right coverages for your vehicles. The terms used in a policy can be confusing and nobody wants to actually read their policy.
Medical costs insurance – Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage provide coverage for expenses like surgery, funeral costs, pain medications, X-ray expenses and chiropractic care. They are used to fill the gap from your health insurance policy or if you lack health insurance entirely. Coverage applies to not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants as well as any family member struck as a pedestrian. Personal Injury Protection is only offered in select states but can be used in place of medical payments coverage
Comprehensive or 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 coverage protects against things like rock chips in glass, fire damage and vandalism. The maximum payout a insurance company will pay at claim time is the cash value of the vehicle, so if the vehicle’s value is low it’s not worth carrying full coverage.
Liability auto insurance – Liability insurance can cover damage or injury you incur to other’s property or people in an accident. This coverage protects you against other people’s claims. 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 limits of 25/50/25 that means you have a limit of $25,000 per injured person, a total of $50,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and a total limit of $25,000 for damage to vehicles and property. Some companies may use one number which is a combined single limit that pays claims from the same limit rather than limiting it on a per person basis.
Liability coverage pays for things like pain and suffering, bail bonds, medical services and structural damage. How much coverage you buy is up to you, but it’s cheap coverage so purchase as large an amount as possible.
UM/UIM Coverage – Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage protects you and your vehicle’s occupants from other motorists when they either have no liability insurance or not enough. Covered claims include hospital bills for your injuries and damage to your Chevy Equinox.
Because many people carry very low liability coverage limits, it only takes a small accident to exceed their coverage. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage should not be overlooked. Usually the UM/UIM limits are similar to your liability insurance amounts.
Collision – This coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage resulting from a collision with an object or car. You first must pay a deductible then your collision coverage will kick in.
Collision can pay for claims like rolling your car, crashing into a building and sideswiping another vehicle. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so analyze the benefit of dropping coverage from vehicles that are 8 years or older. Another option is to raise the deductible to bring the cost down.
When you buy insurance coverage online, do not skimp on coverage in order to save money. There are a lot of situations where someone sacrificed uninsured motorist or liability limits and learned later that the small savings ended up costing them much more. Your objective should be to purchase a proper amount of coverage at an affordable rate while still protecting your assets.
Insureds change insurance companies for many reasons like poor customer service, delays in paying claims, being labeled a high risk driver and an unsatisfactory settlement offer. Whatever your reason, switching companies can be pretty painless.
We’ve covered quite a bit of information on how to reduce 2007 Chevy Equinox insurance car insurance rates online. It’s most important to understand that the more price quotes you have, the better chance you’ll have of finding the cheapest insurance coverage. Consumers could even find that the biggest savings come from some of the smallest insurance companies.
Additional detailed information is located in the articles below:
Johnson Barrera
Anyone buy from Auto-Owners? I’m in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Patsy Bright
I’m in the suburbs of Jackson, Mississippi. Not sure of all the companies but I ended up saving about $20 each month. Thankfully I’m not a high risk driver.
Diana Ramirez
Anyone buy from Auto-Owners? I’m in Hartford, Connecticut.
Marry Lindsey
If you have a good history and live near Shreveport, LA, check out GEICO. They seem to be cheaper.
Marcus Murray
Mine is so expensive. I’m in the north part of Mobile, AL. Got quotes from GEICO, Amica, and some I forget for my Chevrolet and cut my rates about $90 a year. Left American Family to switch. I have a couple other vehicles on the policy.
Lezlie Osborn
From a town just southwest of Aurora, IL. Don’t remember every company but I ended up saving about $60 each month. Just go online and compare their rates.
Robby Stanton
If you have a good history and live around Cedar Rapids, IA, check out GEICO. You might save some money. Was with Esurance. Even increased coverage a bit.
Margery Gardner
I got quite a few price quotes for a 2007 Chevrolet Equinox in Montgomery, Alabama. Ended up at darn near $130 every six months with AAA.
Britany Beck
Not sure what I should be paying. I’m in the west part of Shreveport, Louisiana. Got quotes with Progressive, AAA, and some I forget for my Equinox and saved about $230 a year. Even increased my liability limits. I got prices on the web.
Clarita Moss
What is comprehensive coverage?
Sterling Savage
Just my two cents. I’m just west of Reno, NV. Quoted quotes from Liberty Mutual, American Family, Mercury, and a couple others for my Chevrolet and I’m now saving $55 a month. Insured with GEICO before. Even increased coverage a bit.
Edwin Sanchez
It’s all a rip off. I’m from Bismarck, ND. Got free quotes online for a 2007 Chevrolet Equinox. Ended up at about $580 savings annually. Went with Progressive. Insured with Allstate before. Even increased coverage a bit.
Moshe Parker
Well-written and thought out article. I live south of Manchester, NH. I don’t recall every quote but I ended up saving about $70 each month. Left AAA to switch. You can get a rate quote online.
Bibi Reilly
I found affordable 2007 Chevrolet Equinox insurance from Allstate in Lexington, KY.