Sick and tired of trying to scrape together enough money to buy car insurance? Your situation is no different than many other drivers.
Big-name insurance companies like State Farm, Farmers Insurance, Geico and Allstate constantly blast consumers with TV and radio ads and it can be hard to avoid their marketing magic and take the time to shop coverage around.
It’s a good idea to price shop coverage before your policy renews since rates are adjusted regularly by insurance companies. Despite the fact that you may have had the lowest price on Lumina Minivan coverage a few years ago you may be paying too much now. Block out anything you think you know about auto insurance because you’re about to find out the fastest way to get good coverage at a lower rate.
Consumers need to have an understanding of the rating factors that come into play when calculating auto insurance rates. Understanding what determines base rates allows you to make educated decisions that could result in much lower annual insurance costs.
The list below includes some of the factors companies use to determine premiums.
Companies don’t always publicize every discount in a way that’s easy to find, so here is a list both well-publicized and also the lesser-known savings tricks you should be using.
Consumers should know that some credits don’t apply to your bottom line cost. Most only cut individual premiums such as liability, collision or medical payments. So despite the fact that it appears you can get free auto insurance, it doesn’t quite work that way.
To see a list of insurers with the best insurance discounts, click here to view.
Insurance providers like Progressive, Allstate and Geico constantly bombard you with television and radio advertisements. They all make the same claim that you’ll save big if you switch to them. But how can every company claim to save you money? It’s all in the numbers.
All the different companies have a preferred profile for the right customer they prefer to insure. An example of a preferred risk could be over the age of 40, a clean driving record, and has a high credit rating. Any driver who matches those parameters will qualify for the lowest rates and most likely will cut their rates substantially.
Consumers who don’t qualify for the “perfect” profile must pay more money which leads to business not being written. The ad wording is “customers who switch” not “everyone that quotes” save money. That is how insurance companies can confidently advertise the savings. This illustrates why drivers should compare as many rates as you can. It’s just too difficult to predict which company will have the lowest Chevy Lumina Minivan insurance rates.
When it comes to choosing coverage, there isn’t really a single plan that fits everyone. Everyone’s needs are different so your insurance needs to address that. For instance, these questions can help discover if you will benefit from professional help.
If you can’t answer these questions but you know they apply to you, you might consider 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
Having a good grasp of your policy can help you determine appropriate coverage at the best deductibles and correct limits. Insurance terms can be impossible to understand and even agents have difficulty translating policy wording. Listed below are typical coverage types found on most insurance policies.
Coverage for uninsured or underinsured drivers
Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage provides protection when the “other guys” either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. Covered claims include hospital bills for your injuries as well as your vehicle’s damage.
Since many drivers carry very low liability coverage limits, it only takes a small accident to exceed their coverage. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage should not be overlooked.
Comprehensive insurance
This covers damage that is not covered by collision coverage. You need to pay your deductible first and then insurance will cover the rest of the damage.
Comprehensive insurance covers claims such as falling objects, hitting a bird, hail damage, a broken windshield and a tree branch falling on your vehicle. The maximum payout a insurance company will pay at claim time is the ACV or actual cash value, so if the vehicle is not worth much consider dropping full coverage.
Liability coverages
Liability insurance will cover damage or injury you incur to people or other property that is your fault. This insurance protects YOU from legal claims by others, and does not provide coverage for your injuries or vehicle damage.
Coverage consists of three different limits, bodily injury for each person, bodily injury for the entire accident, and a limit for property damage. As an example, you may have limits of 100/300/100 that translate to a $100,000 limit per person for injuries, a total of $300,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and property damage coverage for $100,000.
Liability coverage protects against claims like legal defense fees, structural damage, attorney fees, loss of income and emergency aid. How much coverage you buy is your choice, but it’s cheap coverage so purchase higher limits if possible.
Coverage for medical expenses
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage provide coverage for expenses like nursing services, X-ray expenses, surgery, EMT expenses and prosthetic devices. They are often utilized in addition to your health insurance plan or if you do not have health coverage. They cover both the driver and occupants and also covers being hit by a car walking across the street. PIP is not an option in every state and gives slightly broader coverage than med pay
Collision coverage protection
This pays to fix your vehicle from damage resulting from a collision with a stationary object or other vehicle. You first must pay a deductible then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.
Collision coverage protects against things such as rolling your car, damaging your car on a curb, hitting a parking meter and driving through your garage door. This coverage can be expensive, so consider dropping it from vehicles that are 8 years or older. Drivers also have the option to choose a higher deductible to bring the cost down.
Cost effective 1996 Chevy Lumina Minivan insurance can be purchased both online as well as from independent agents, and you should be comparing both so you have a total pricing picture. There are still a few companies who don’t offer you the ability to get quotes online and most of the time these small, regional companies sell through independent agents.
As you go through the steps to switch your coverage, never buy poor coverage just to save money. There are a lot of situations where someone sacrificed full coverage and discovered at claim time they didn’t have enough coverage. Your goal should be to purchase plenty of coverage at an affordable rate while still protecting your assets.
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