If you’re new to shopping for auto insurance online, it’s easy to be confused by the vast number of companies competing for business.
The most recommended method to compare rate quotes is to know the trick most insurance companies participate in a system to quote your coverage. The only thing you need to do is provide a little information such as if you went to college, if your license is active, how much coverage you want, and whether or not you need a SR-22. Those rating factors is automatically sent to multiple car insurance providers and you will get price comparisons quickly.
Companies that sell car insurance don’t list all their discounts very well, so we break down some of the more common and the more hidden savings tricks you should be using.
It’s important to note that many deductions do not apply to all coverage premiums. Some only reduce specific coverage prices like medical payments or collision. Just because it seems like all the discounts add up to a free policy, companies wouldn’t make money that way.
A partial list of companies that may have some of the above discounts may include but are not limited to:
Check with every prospective company which discounts you may be entitled to. All car insurance discounts may not apply in your area.
Smart consumers have a good feel for the rating factors that play a part in calculating the rates you pay for insurance coverage. Knowing what controls the rates you pay enables informed choices that could result in lower insurance coverage prices.
Shown below are some of the factors insurance coverage companies consider when setting premiums.
When choosing adequate coverage, there is no single plan that fits everyone. Coverage needs to be tailored to your specific needs.
Here are some questions about coverages that may help highlight if you might need professional guidance.
If you don’t know the answers to these questions but one or more may apply to you, you might consider talking to a licensed insurance agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, take a second and complete this form.
Companies like 21st Century, Allstate and State Farm regularly use ads on TV and radio. All the ads make an identical promise that you’ll save big if you move your coverage to them. How can each company claim to save you money?
All the different companies have a preferred profile for the type of driver that earns them a profit. An example of a preferred risk could possibly be over the age of 40, has no tickets, and drives newer vehicles. A driver that hits that “sweet spot” will qualify for the lowest rates and as a result will probably save when switching.
Potential insureds who are not a match for these standards must pay higher prices which leads to the customer not buying. The ads state “people who switch” not “everybody who quotes” save that much. That’s why companies can state the savings. This illustrates why drivers must compare many company’s rates. It is impossible to predict which insurance companies will fit your personal profile best.
Learning about specific coverages of insurance can be of help when determining which coverages you need and the correct deductibles and limits. The terms used in a policy can be ambiguous and even agents have difficulty translating policy wording.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) – Your UM/UIM coverage protects you and your vehicle when the “other guys” either have no liability insurance or not enough. It can pay for hospital bills for your injuries and also any damage incurred to your Pontiac Le Mans.
Because many people have only the minimum liability required by law, it doesn’t take a major accident to exceed their coverage limits. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage is important protection for you and your family.
Comprehensive insurance – Comprehensive insurance coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. You first must pay your deductible and the remainder of the damage will be paid by comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive insurance covers claims such as hitting a deer, damage from flooding, fire damage and rock chips in glass. The maximum 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 not worth carrying full coverage.
Med pay and Personal Injury Protection (PIP) – Med pay and PIP coverage reimburse you for immediate expenses for things like doctor visits, ambulance fees, funeral costs and EMT expenses. They can be used to cover expenses not covered by your health insurance policy or if you do not have health coverage. Medical payments and PIP cover both the driver and occupants as well as if you are hit as a while walking down the street. Personal injury protection coverage is not universally available and may carry a deductible
Collision coverage – Collision insurance pays for damage to your Le Mans from colliding with another car or object. You first must pay a deductible and then insurance will cover the remainder.
Collision coverage protects against claims like rolling your car, driving through your garage door, sideswiping another vehicle and colliding with a tree. Paying for collision coverage can be pricey, so consider removing coverage from older vehicles. Drivers also have the option to choose a higher deductible to save money on collision insurance.
Liability auto insurance – Liability coverage will cover injuries or damage you cause to other people or property in an accident. This insurance protects YOU from claims by other people. Liability doesn’t cover your injuries or vehicle damage.
It consists of three limits, bodily injury for each person, bodily injury for the entire accident, and a limit for property damage. As an example, you may have policy limits of 50/100/50 that translate to a limit of $50,000 per injured person, a total of $100,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and a limit of $50,000 paid for damaged property.
Liability can pay for claims such as funeral expenses, loss of income, medical services and legal defense fees. How much coverage you buy is your choice, but it’s cheap coverage so purchase as large an amount as possible.
Insureds change insurance companies for a number of reasons such as high rates after DUI convictions, policy non-renewal, extreme rates for teen drivers or policy cancellation. Regardless of your reason, choosing a new company is pretty easy and you might even save some money in the process.
When buying insurance coverage, do not reduce coverage to reduce premium. There are too many instances where drivers have reduced physical damage coverage and discovered at claim time that it was a big mistake. Your goal should be to purchase a proper amount of coverage at an affordable rate while not skimping on critical coverages.
In this article, we presented quite a bit of information on how to get a better price on 1990 Pontiac Le Mans insurance. It’s most important to understand that the more rate comparisons you have, the higher the chance of saving money. Consumers may even find the most savings is with a small mutual company.
Additional insurance coverage information can be read at these links: