Finding affordable auto insurance is always a challenge for consumers not familiar with comparison shopping online. Drivers have so many options available that it can turn into a challenge to locate the lowest price.
Comparing insurance coverage rates can be challenging if you don’t know the fastest way to get free quotes. You can spend your afternoon talking to local insurance agents in your area, or you can utilize the internet to get prices fast.
Many companies participate in an industry program where prospective buyers only type in their quote data once, and each participating company then returns a price quote based on that information. This saves time by eliminating form submissions for every insurance coverage company. To enter your information into the quoting system, click here (opens in new window).
One minor caviat to pricing coverage this way is you are unable to specify which insurance companies to receive prices from. If you wish to select specific providers to compare prices, we have a page of companies who write insurance coverage in your area. Click here for list of insurance companies.
Whichever way you use, double check that you are using identical coverage limits and deductibles for each comparison quote. If the quotes have higher or lower deductibles you can’t possibly truly determine the lowest rate. Quoting even small variations in limits could mean much higher rates. Keep in mind that obtaining a wide range of quotes helps locate the best price.
Insuring your fleet can be pricey, but you can get discounts to cut the cost considerably. Most are applied at the time of purchase, but lesser-known reductions have to be specifically requested before you get the savings.
A little note about advertised discounts, many deductions do not apply the the whole policy. Most cut individual premiums such as collision or personal injury protection. So even though it sounds like it’s possible to get free car insurance, you won’t be that lucky. Any qualifying discounts will cut the amount you have to pay.
To see a list of insurance companies who offer auto insurance discounts, click here.
When choosing coverage, there really is not a “perfect” insurance plan. Every situation is different.
Here are some questions about coverages that might point out whether you would benefit from an agent’s advice.
If you’re not sure about those questions but a few of them apply then you might want to talk to a licensed agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, simply complete this short form.
Understanding the coverages of insurance can help you determine the right coverages and the correct deductibles and limits. Policy terminology can be confusing and even agents have difficulty translating policy wording.
Collision – Collision coverage covers damage to your Sierra 3500 resulting from colliding with an object or car. You first must pay a deductible and then insurance will cover the remainder.
Collision insurance covers claims such as hitting a mailbox, sustaining damage from a pot hole and damaging your car on a curb. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so analyze the benefit of dropping coverage from lower value vehicles. You can also choose a higher deductible in order to get cheaper collision rates.
Protection from uninsured/underinsured drivers – Your UM/UIM coverage gives you protection from other motorists when they do not carry enough liability coverage. Covered claims include medical payments for you and your occupants as well as damage to your GMC Sierra 3500.
Because many people only purchase the least amount of liability that is required, their limits can quickly be used up. So UM/UIM coverage is important protection for you and your family. Most of the time these coverages are set the same as your liablity limits.
Medical expense insurance – Med pay and PIP coverage provide coverage for short-term medical expenses such as EMT expenses, surgery, rehabilitation expenses and nursing services. They are utilized in addition to your health insurance program or if you are not covered by health insurance. It covers all vehicle occupants and will also cover if you are hit as a while walking down the street. PIP is not available in all states but it provides additional coverages not offered by medical payments coverage
Liability coverage – Liability insurance can cover damage or injury you incur to other’s property or people by causing an accident. It protects you from legal claims by others. It does not cover damage sustained by your vehicle in an accident.
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 50/100/50 which means $50,000 bodily injury coverage, a per accident bodily injury limit of $100,000, and property damage coverage for $50,000. Alternatively, you may have a combined limit that pays claims from the same limit without having the split limit caps.
Liability insurance covers claims like loss of income, repair costs for stationary objects, repair bills for other people’s vehicles, structural damage and pain and suffering. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is up to you, but it’s cheap coverage so purchase as much as you can afford.
Comprehensive (Other than Collision) – Comprehensive insurance pays for damage from a wide range of events other than collision. You first must pay your deductible then your comprehensive coverage will pay.
Comprehensive insurance covers claims such as fire damage, falling objects, hitting a bird, damage from flooding and hitting a deer. The maximum amount a insurance company will pay at claim time is the cash value of the vehicle, so if the vehicle is not worth much consider removing comprehensive coverage.