View 2012 Nissan Leaf Car Insurance Rates

Nobody gets a kick out of paying for insurance, especially when they could find better rates elsewhere.

There is such a variety of insurance companies to insure vehicles with, and although it’s nice to be able to choose, too many choices makes it more difficult to find a good deal.

Finding the best rates is easy if you know what you’re doing. If you are paying for car insurance now, you stand a good chance to be able to save some money using these tips. But drivers must know how the larger insurance companies sell online and apply this information to your search.

The Nissan Leaf insurance premium equation

Lots of factors are considered when premium rates are determined. A few of the factors are predictable such as traffic violations, but some are not quite as obvious such as your marital status or how safe your car is.

The following are a few of the things insurance coverage companies consider when setting your prices.

• Proper usage rating affects prices – The higher the miles on your Nissan in a year’s time the more you’ll pay to insure it. A lot of companies apply a rate based on how the vehicle is used. Cars not used for work or commuting can get a lower rate than vehicles that have high annual mileage. An incorrectly rated Leaf can cost quite a bit. Ask your agent if your policy is showing the correct usage.
• Do you really need roadside assistance? – There are many extra coverages that you can get tricked into buying if you don’t pay attention. Insurance for rental car coverage, towing coverage, and extra equipment coverage may be wasting your money. They may seem like a good idea initially, but now you might not need them so remove them from your policy.
• Certain occupations pay higher rates – Do you work in a high-stress field? Occupational choices like doctorspolice officers and emergency personnel usually pay higher average rates due to high stress levels and lots of time spent away from family. On the flip side, careers such as professors, engineers and the unemployed have the lowest average rates for Leaf coverage.
• Big cities mean more claims – Residing in less populated areas of the country may provide you with better prices if you are looking for the lowest rates. Residents of big cities tend to have more road rage incidents and much longer commute distances. Fewer drivers translates into fewer accident claims and lower theft and vandalism rates.
• Five star IIHS safety rating saves money – Cars with five star safety ratings tend to have lower insurance rates. Highly rated vehicles protect occupants better and lower injury rates translates into savings for insurance companies and thus lower rates. If your Nissan scored at minimum four stars on Safercar.gov or an “acceptable” rating on iihs.org you may qualify for a discount.

Do you qualify for discounts?

Some insurance providers don’t list every disount available in a way that’s easy to find, so the following is a list of both well-publicized as well as some of the hidden discounts that you can inquire about if you buy car insurance online. If you check and find you aren’t receiving every discount you qualify for, you are not getting the best rate possible.

• Fewer Miles Equal More Savings – Driving less may enable drivers to earn better car insurancerates on cars that stay parked.
• Multi-car Discount – Insuring multiple cars or trucks with one company can reduce rates for all insured vehicles.
• Online Discount – A few insurance companies will give you a small discount for completing your application on the internet.
• Life Insurance – Not all companies offer life insurance, but some may give you a lower price if you buy auto and life insurance together.
• Service Members Pay Less – Having a family member in the military could be rewarded with lower premium rates.
• Student Discount for Driver Training – Cut your cost by having your teen driver take driver’s ed class in school or through a local driver safety program.
• Discounts for Government Workers – Active or retired federal employment may qualify for a discount when you quote car insurance for Leaf coverage with select insurance companies.
• ABS Brakes – Cars equipped with ABS or steering control are much safer to drive and earn discounts up to 10%.

A little disclaimer on discounts, some of the credits will not apply to your bottom line cost. Some only reduce individual premiums such as medical payments or collision. So even though they make it sound like all the discounts add up to a free policy, car insurance companies aren’t that generous.

To view insurers that offer the discounts shown above, click here to view.

Don’t assume everyone needs the same insurance coverage

When choosing the right insurance coverage, there isn’t really a best way to insure your cars. Everyone’s situation is a little different so this has to be addressed. For instance, these questions can aid in determining whether your personal situation could use an agent’s help.

• When should I buy a commercial auto policy?
• Can I make deliveries for my home business?
• Why do I need rental car insurance?
• Does liability extend to a camper or trailer?
• Is my vehicle covered by my employer’s policy when using it for work?
• When can my company non-renew my policy?
• Should I waive the damage coverage when renting a car?
• If my 2012 Nissan Leaf is totaled, can I afford another vehicle?
• Why does it cost so much to insure a teen driver?

If you’re not sure about those questions but one or more may apply to you, then you may want to think about talking to a licensed agent. To find an agent in your area, simply complete this short form or you can also visit this page to select a carrier

Specific coverages for a Nissan Leaf

Having a good grasp of insurance aids in choosing the best coverages and proper limits and deductibles. Policy terminology can be ambiguous and coverage can change by endorsement. Listed below are typical coverage types offered by insurance companies.

Liability coverages – Liability coverage provides protection from damage or injury you incur to other people or property in an accident. It protects you against claims from other people. It does not cover your own vehicle damage or injuries.

Split limit liability has three limits of coverage: bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident and property damage. You commonly see liability limits of 25/50/25 which stand for $25,000 in coverage for each person’s injuries, a total of $50,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and a limit of $25,000 paid for damaged property.

Liability insurance covers things such as attorney fees, structural damage and emergency aid. How much liability coverage do you need? That is up to you, but you should buy as high a limit as you can afford.

Comprehensive coverages – Comprehensive insurance coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage from a wide range of events other than collision. You need to pay your deductible first and the remainder of the damage will be paid by comprehensive coverage.

Comprehensive coverage protects against claims like vandalism, a tree branch falling on your vehicle, damage from flooding, falling objects and a broken windshield. The maximum amount you’ll receive from a claim is the ACV or actual cash value, so if the vehicle is not worth much consider removing comprehensive coverage.

Uninsured and underinsured coverage – Your UM/UIM coverage gives you protection when the “other guys” do not carry enough liability coverage. Covered losses include hospital bills for your injuries as well as your vehicle’s damage.

Since 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.

Collision – Collision insurance pays for damage to your Leaf caused by collision with another vehicle or an object, but not an animal. You will need to pay your deductible then your collision coverage will kick in.

Collision coverage protects against things like driving through your garage door, rolling your car and crashing into a building. Paying for collision coverage can be pricey, so consider removing coverage from vehicles that are older. Drivers also have the option to bump up the deductible to bring the cost down.

Coverage for medical payments – Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage pay for bills like chiropractic care, hospital visits, dental work and EMT expenses. The coverages can be utilized in addition to your health insurance program or if you lack health insurance entirely. Medical payments and PIP cover you and your occupants and also covers getting struck while a pedestrian. PIP is only offered in select states but can be used in place of medical payments coverage

Make a quick buck

Throughout this article, we presented some good ideas how to reduce 2012 Nissan Leaf insurance prices online. It’s most important to understand that the more quotes you get, the better your chances of lowering your rates. You may even find the lowest priced auto insurance comes from a small local company. These companies can often provide lower rates in certain areas than the large multi-state companies such as Allstate or State Farm.

Some insurance providers may not have the ability to get quotes online and usually these regional insurance providers work with independent agents. Discount 2012 Nissan Leaf insurance can be purchased from both online companies in addition to local insurance agencies, so you need to compare both in order to have the best price selection to choose from.

More information can be found at the links below

• Side Impact Crash Tests (iihs.org)
• Smart Auto Insurance Tips (Insurance Information Insitute)
• Uninsured Motorists: Threats on the Road (Insurance Information Insitute)
• Child Safety Seats (Insurance Information Insitute)
• Young Drivers: The High Risk Years Video (iihs.org)