Being forced to pay for expensive auto insurance premiums can deplete your funds and make it impossible to make ends meet. Multiple car insurance companies compete to insure your vehicles, so it can be very hard to choose a company and uncover the absolute cheapest price
Smart consumers take time to do rate comparisons once or twice a year since prices change frequently. Just because you had the best deal for XLR-V insurance at your last renewal you may be paying too much now. Block out anything you think you know about auto insurance because we’re going to show you the proper way to save on auto insurance.
If you have insurance now or need a new policy, you can use these tips to reduce the price you pay and possibly find even better coverage. Buying car insurance is not that difficult. Consumers just need to learn the best way to shop online.
Many insurance companies such as State Farm and Allstate provide coverage prices online. Doing online quotes is quite easy as you simply type in the coverage amounts you desire as requested by the quote form. Upon sending the form, their system makes automated requests for information on your driving record and credit history and provides a quote. Being able to quote online helps simplify price comparisons, but the process of having to visit different websites and type in the same information is not the best way to spend an afternoon. But it’s also necessary to do this in order to find the lowest possible prices on auto insurance.
A more efficient way to find better auto insurance pricing requires only one form that gets prices from many companies. It’s a real time-saver, helps eliminate reptitive entry, and makes rate comparisons much more enjoyable. Immediately after you send the form, it is quoted and you are able to buy your choice of the quotes that you receive.
If one or more price quotes are lower than your current rates, you can simply submit the application and purchase the new policy. It takes just a few minutes to complete and may result in a nice savings.
To find out what other companies charge, click here and begin entering your coverage information. If you currently have coverage, we recommend you duplicate your coverages identical to your current policy. This way, you are getting a price comparison using the exact same coverages.
Consumers get pounded daily by advertisements that promise big savings for switching from the likes of State Farm and Allstate. They all have a common claim about savings after switching your coverage to them.
How do they all lower your prices? This is the trick they use.
Many companies quote their best rates for the type of driver that makes them money. For example, a driver they prefer might be between the ages of 30 and 45, has had continuous coverage, and the vehicle is rated for pleasure use. Any person that fits those parameters is entitled to the best price and will also cut their rates substantially.
Potential insureds who are not a match for those criteria will probably have to pay higher premiums which translates to the customer not purchasing. The wording the ads use say “customers who switch” but not “everyone who gets a quote” will save that much if they switch. That’s why insurance companies can make the claims of big savings.
This really emphasizes why you really need to compare quotes as often as possible. It is impossible to guess the company that will fit you best based on your risk profile.
Car insurance companies do not list all disounts very well, so the next list breaks down both the well known and the more hidden ways to save on insurance coverage.
Keep in mind that most discount credits are not given to the entire cost. Some only reduce individual premiums such as liability, collision or medical payments. Just because it seems like you could get a free insurance coverage policy, insurance companies wouldn’t stay in business. Any qualifying discounts will lower your overall premium however.
A few companies who may offer some of the discounts shown above include:
When quoting, ask each company or agent to give you their best rates. Depending on the company, some discounts might not be offered on policies in your state. For a list of insurers with discount rates, click here to view.
When it comes to choosing the right insurance coverage, there isn’t really a one size fits all plan. Each situation is unique so your insurance should reflect that For instance, these questions might point out if you might need an agent’s assistance.
If you don’t know the answers to these questions, you might consider talking to a licensed agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, simply complete this short form or you can also visit this page to select a carrier It’s fast, doesn’t cost anything and may give you better protection.
Knowing the specifics of your policy aids in choosing the right coverages and the correct deductibles and limits. Policy terminology can be difficult to understand and coverage can change by endorsement. Shown next are the normal coverages found on the average insurance policy.
Comprehensive coverage (or Other than Collision)
Comprehensive insurance coverage pays for damage from a wide range of events other than collision. You first must pay your deductible then the remaining damage will be covered by your comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive insurance covers things like a tree branch falling on your vehicle, hail damage, rock chips in glass and damage from flooding. The highest amount a insurance company will pay at claim time is the market value of your vehicle, so if the vehicle is not worth much it’s probably time to drop comprehensive insurance.
Coverage for liability
This coverage provides protection from damages or injuries you inflict on other’s property or people. It protects YOU against other people’s claims, and does not provide coverage for your own vehicle damage or injuries.
Coverage consists of three different limits, bodily injury for each person injured, bodily injury for the entire accident and a property damage limit. As an example, you may have liability limits of 100/300/100 that translate to $100,000 in coverage for each person’s injuries, $300,000 for the entire accident, and property damage coverage for $100,000. Some companies may use one limit called combined single limit (CSL) which combines the three limits into one amount rather than limiting it on a per person basis.
Liability coverage pays for claims like medical expenses, bail bonds, funeral expenses, attorney fees and structural damage. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is up to you, but you should buy higher limits if possible.
Uninsured Motorist or Underinsured Motorist insurance
Your UM/UIM coverage protects you and your vehicle when the “other guys” are uninsured or don’t have enough coverage. Covered losses include injuries to you and your family and also any damage incurred to your Cadillac XLR-V.
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. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage is a good idea. Normally these limits are similar to your liability insurance amounts.
Insurance for medical payments
Med pay and PIP coverage provide coverage for expenses for EMT expenses, X-ray expenses, pain medications and chiropractic care. They are used to fill the gap from your health insurance program or if you lack health insurance entirely. Coverage applies to all vehicle occupants in addition to any family member struck as a pedestrian. PIP coverage is not available in all states and may carry a deductible
Collision protection
This coverage will pay to fix damage to your XLR-V from colliding with an object or car. You first must pay a deductible and the rest of the damage will be paid by collision coverage.
Collision insurance covers things like driving through your garage door, colliding with another moving vehicle, hitting a mailbox and sustaining damage from a pot hole. This coverage can be expensive, so analyze the benefit of dropping coverage from vehicles that are older. It’s also possible to choose a higher deductible to save money on collision insurance.
Lower-priced insurance is possible on the web as well as from independent agents, so you should compare both so you have a total pricing picture. There are still a few companies who do not provide the ability to get a quote online and these smaller companies prefer to sell through local independent agencies.
When you buy insurance online, it’s not a good idea to buy lower coverage limits just to save a few bucks. Too many times, an accident victim reduced liability coverage limits only to regret that they should have had better coverage. The aim is to purchase plenty of coverage at an affordable rate, not the least amount of coverage.
Ivelisse Riddle
I got decent rates for a 2009 Cadillac XLR-V in Wilmington, DE. Ended up at right around $520 every six months with AAA. Hopefully won’t need it.
Verlie Meadows
Does State Farm offer multi-policy discounts?
Arthur Blankenship
Went with GEICO for my Cadillac and am saving around $310 a year. Insured with Amica before.
Jaqueline Mathews
Here’s what I found out. Checking in from Boise, ID. I quoted with GEICO, Esurance, and The General for my Cadillac and I think I am saving around $70 each month. Left American Family to switch. Teenage drivers are expensive!
Josefina Ruiz
I live in a small town just outside of Columbus, Georgia. I quoted with Auto-Owners, Esurance, and MetLife for my XLR-V and saved $185 a year. It was easy to get rates.
Kip Curry
Lots of useful info here. I’m in the north part of Rutland, VT. Got car insurance prices from AAA, Safeco, and a few others for my 2009 Cadillac XLR-V and saved about $310 a year. They have a lot of discounts available.
Leigh Donovan
I live just outside Cranston, RI. Got free quotes online for a 2009 Cadillac XLR-V. Ended up at about $420 savings annually. Went with Progressive. Have an at-fault accident tho. You can get a rate quote online.
Keeley Odom
FYI in Boise, ID try GEICO. I got a good deal.
Myrtle Harrison
Affordable car insurance is a myth. Lifelong resident of Chesapeake, VA. Quoted prices online for a 2009 Cadillac XLR-V. Ended up at about $170 savings annually. Went with Progressive. Left The General to switch. Got better coverage too.
Danika George
It all costs too much. I’m just west of Portland, Oregon. I got free quotes from American Family, Safeco, and a few others for my Cadillac and saved $98 a year.
Gregg Dean
I’m from Biloxi, MS. Got quotes from American Family, Encompass, and Mercury for my XLR-V and saved just over $490 a year. I get a discount for insuring multiple vehicles. It’s easy to compare rates online now.
Emeline Valdez
I got decent rates for a 2009 Cadillac XLR-V in Hilo, HI. Ended up at darn near $480 every six months with American Family. Moved home policy as well. Still almost need a second mortgage.
Marivel Valenzuela
Just my two cents. I’m from Tampa, FL. Quoted rates from Auto-Owners, Erie, and Nationwide for my XLR-V and saved about $300 a year. Left Erie to switch. I used their website to get prices.
Vinnie Walsh
Cheaper car insurance is a myth. I live in a small town just outside of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. I quoted with AAA, Erie, and Sentry for my 2009 Cadillac XLR-V and I think I cut my rates about $30 each month. Was with Nationwide. I’m a pretty good driver though. They offer free online rate quotes.