Shopping for budget car insurance over the internet might appear impossible for drivers that are relatively new to comparing prices on the internet. Because there are so many companies in the marketplace, how can drivers be able to compare every company in order to find cheaper car insurance prices?
If you currently have a car insurance policy, you will most likely be able to lower your premiums substantially using this information. Pricing the lowest cost protection is not that difficult. Nevertheless, vehicle owners need to have an understanding of how big insurance companies sell online and take advantage of how the system works.
Performing a rate comparison can be a daunting task if you don’t utilize the fastest way to get free quotes. You could waste a few hours discussing policy coverages with insurance companies in your area, or you can stay home and use online quoting to achieve your goal.
Many popular insurance companies belong to a marketplace where insurance shoppers enter their coverage request one time, and each company returns a rated price for coverage. This system prevents you from having to do repetitive form submissions for each company you want a rate for. To compare pricing click here to start a free quote.
One minor caviat to using this type of system is you don’t know exactly the providers you want pricing from. So if you want to select specific providers to request quotes from, we have assembled a list of low cost car insurance companies in your area. View list of insurance companies.
It’s up to you which method you use, but make sure you use nearly identical coverage limits and deductibles on every quote. If your comparisons have different limits and deductibles on each one you can’t possibly get a fair rate comparison. Even a minor difference in coverage limits may cause a big price difference. And when price shopping your coverage, comparing a wide range of rates provides better odds of finding a lower rate.
Auto insurance companies don’t always list all possible discounts in a way that’s easy to find, so the list below contains a few of the more well known as well as some of the hidden discounts that may be available.
As a footnote on discounts, most of the big mark downs will not be given to your bottom line cost. Most only apply to individual premiums such as collision or personal injury protection. So even though you would think adding up those discounts means a free policy, insurance companies wouldn’t stay in business. Any amount of discount will help reduce the cost of coverage.
A list of auto insurance companies and their offered discounts are included below.
It’s a good idea to ask all companies you are considering which discounts you qualify for. Some discounts might not apply in your state. For a list of providers that offer the discounts shown above, follow this link.
Lots of factors are part of the calculation when you get a price on insurance. Some are obvious such as traffic violations, but some are more transparent such as your credit history or your commute time.
Listed below are some of the major factors used by insurance companies to determine your rates.
When buying coverage for your vehicles, there really is no perfect coverage plan. Your needs are not the same as everyone else’s.
These are some specific questions may help highlight if you will benefit from professional help.
If you’re not sure about those questions but you think they might apply to your situation then you might want to talk to an insurance agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, simply complete this short form.
Learning about specific coverages of insurance aids in choosing appropriate coverage for your vehicles. The terms used in a policy can be impossible to understand and coverage can change by endorsement.
Med pay and Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
Med pay and PIP coverage provide coverage for short-term medical expenses such as pain medications, surgery, funeral costs and doctor visits. They are often used to cover expenses not covered by your health insurance program or if you do not have health coverage. Medical payments and PIP cover not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants as well as if you are hit as a while walking down the street. PIP coverage is not an option in every state and may carry a deductible
Liability auto insurance
This coverage protects you from injuries or damage you cause to a person or their property in an accident. It protects you from claims by other people. Liability doesn’t cover damage to your own property or vehicle.
Liability coverage has three limits: per person bodily injury, per accident bodily injury, and a property damage limit. You commonly see values 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 a total limit of $50,000 for damage to vehicles and property. Another option is one limit called combined single limit (CSL) which limits claims to one amount rather than limiting it on a per person basis.
Liability can pay for things like loss of income, court costs, funeral expenses, pain and suffering and attorney fees. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is a decision to put some thought into, but it’s cheap coverage so purchase as much as you can afford.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM)
Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage protects you and your vehicle from other drivers when they either have no liability insurance or not enough. Covered losses include medical payments for you and your occupants as well as damage to your Nissan 350Z.
Due to the fact that many drivers have only the minimum liability required by law, it only takes a small accident to exceed their coverage. So UM/UIM coverage is important protection for you and your family. Usually your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverages are set the same as your liablity limits.
Comprehensive insurance
This covers 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 claims like vandalism, falling objects, damage from getting keyed, hitting a bird and a broken windshield. The highest amount a insurance company will pay at claim time is the market value of your vehicle, so if your deductible is as high as the vehicle’s value it’s probably time to drop comprehensive insurance.
Collision insurance
This pays for damage to your 350Z caused by collision with an object or car. You have to pay a deductible then your collision coverage will kick in.
Collision insurance covers things such as crashing into a building, colliding with a tree, colliding with another moving vehicle, hitting a mailbox and driving through your garage door. Collision is rather expensive coverage, so analyze the benefit of dropping coverage from older vehicles. Drivers also have the option to raise the deductible in order to get cheaper collision rates.
We’ve covered a lot of ways to get a better price on 2008 Nissan 350Z insurance. The key thing to remember is the more times you quote, the higher your chance of finding cheaper insurance coverage. Consumers may even find the best price on insurance coverage is with some of the smallest insurance companies.
Lower-priced insurance coverage can be purchased both online as well as from independent agents, and you should compare price quotes from both to have the best chance of lowering rates. There are still a few companies who may not provide internet price quotes and these small, regional companies prefer to sell through local independent agencies.
While you’re price shopping online, don’t be tempted to skimp on critical coverages to save a buck or two. In many instances, someone sacrificed comprehensive coverage or liability limits and learned later that it was a big mistake. Your goal is to buy a smart amount of coverage at the best possible price while not skimping on critical coverages.
Lona George
When do I drop full coverage?
Violette Snider
When do I drop full coverage?
Angelena Mclaughlin
Affordable car insurance is a myth. From north side of Philadelphia, PA. Checked online prices for a 2008 Nissan 350Z. Ended up at about $130 savings annually. Went with State Farm. Insured with Esurance before. I think they have home insurance too.
Reina Haley
Does South Dakota have minimum liability requirements?
Holly Ruiz
If you have a good history and live near Wichita, Kansas, check out GEICO. You might get cheaper rates. Left Sentry to switch. Get lots of quotes to find the best rate.
Claretha Garner
Looking for cheaper 2008 Nissan 350Z insurance in Bellevue, NE. Help!
Delpha Vazquez
Can I get replacement cost coverage for a 2008 Nissan 350Z?
Emerald Valenzuela
I live just to the east of Eugene, Oregon. Not sure of all the companies but I ended up saving about $50 each month. Not sure if rates are cheaper online or not.
Stefanie Rosario
I got quite a few price quotes for a 2008 Nissan 350Z in Burlington, VT. Ended up at roughly $480 every six months with Auto-Owners. I used their online quote form to compare rates.
Yong Hardy
Live in the southern part of Rapid City, SD. Can’t remember who all I quoted but I ended up saving about $40 each month. Left 21st Century to switch. Have an at-fault accident tho.
Lyla Huber
Just my two cents. Proud to be from Aurora, CO. I don’t recall every quote but I ended up saving about $30 each month. Left Auto-Owners to switch. I even had a DUI years ago. Might find lower rates online.
Joel Glass
Cheaper car insurance is a myth. I’m from Portland, ME. Quoted with 21st Century, AAA, and Erie for my 350Z and saved just over $520 a year.