Cheaper 1997 Acura TL Car Insurance Rates

Are you a victim of an overpriced auto insurance policy? Trust us when we tell you you’re not alone. Big-name insurance companies like Allstate, Liberty Mutual and State Farm continually hit you with catchy ads and it is challenging if not impossible to see through the cute green geckos and mayhem and find the best price available.

Factors determining your Acura TL insurance premium

Smart consumers have a good feel for some of the elements that help determine the rates you pay for car insurance. Understanding what determines base rates allows you to make educated decisions that could result in big savings.

Protect yourself with liability coverage – The liability section of your policy provides coverage when a court rules you are at fault for causing damage or personal injury in an accident. Liability insurance provides you with a defense in court which can be incredibly expensive. Liability insurance is quite affordable compared to insuring for physical damage coverage, so do not cut corners here.
Drive a safer car and pay less – Cars with high safety ratings are cheaper to insure. Safer cars result in less severe injuries and lower injury rates means lower claim amounts and more competitive rates for policyholders. If your Acura TL scored better than an “acceptable” rating on the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety website you are probably receiving a discount.
Poor driving leads to higher costs – Drivers with clean records tend to pay less for car insurance compared to drivers with tickets. Even a single ticket may increase your cost twenty percent or more. Drivers who get flagrant violations like hit and run, DWI or reckless driving convictions may be required to submit a SR-22 form with their state motor vehicle department in order to keep their license.
Where you reside plays a part – Living in a small town has it’s advantages when insuring your vehicles. Drivers who live in large cities regularly have congested traffic and longer commutes to work. Less people living in that area means fewer accidents.
Multi-policy discounts can save money – The majority of insurance companies will give a discount to customers who carry more than one policy, otherwise known as a multi-policy discount. Even though this discount sounds good, you still need to shop around to verify if the discount is saving money. Consumers may find a better deal by buying insurance from more than one company.
Too many car insurance claims drive up costs – Car insurance companies give discounts to drivers who do not rely on their insurance for small claims. If you tend to file frequent claims, you can pretty much guarantee either higher rates or even cancellation. Auto insurance is designed for the bigger claims that can’t be paid out-of-pocket.
Drive less and save money – Driving more miles every year the more you’ll pay to insure your vehicle. Most companies apply a rate determined by how the vehicle is used. Vehicles left parked in the garage can get a lower rate compared to those used for work or business. Make sure your car insurance coverage shows the proper vehicle usage, because it can save money. Incorrect usage on your TL can result in significantly higher rates.
Increase deductibles and save – The deductibles represent how much money you are required to spend out-of-pocket in the event of a claim. Coverage for physical damage, commonly called comprehensive (or other-than-collision) and collision coverage, insures against damage to your car. Some instances where coverage would apply are colliding with a building, vandalism, and windstorm damage. The higher the amount you are required to pay out-of-pocket, the bigger discount you will receive for TL insurance.

Pay less by taking advantage of discounts

Car insurance can cost a lot, but discounts can save money and there are some available to reduce the price significantly. Some discounts apply automatically at quote time, but less common discounts must be inquired about before being credited. If you don’t get every credit possible, you’re just leaving money on the table.

Pay Upfront and Save – If you pay your bill all at once rather than paying monthly you could save up to 5%.
Federal Employees – Active or retired federal employment can earn a discount up to 10% for TL insurance with certain companies.
Multiple Cars – Insuring all your vehicles on the same auto insurance policy can get a discount on all vehicles.
Low Mileage – Fewer annual miles on your Acura can earn discounted rates on garaged vehicles.
Early Switch Discount – A few companies offer discounts for signing up before your current policy expires. It’s a savings of about 10%.
Defensive Driving Course – Taking a driver safety course could possibly earn you a 5% discount depending on where you live.
One Accident Forgiven – A handful of insurance companies permit an accident before hitting you with a surcharge if your claims history is clear for a certain period of time.
Lower Rates for Military – Having a deployed family member could mean lower rates.
Seat Belts Save – Drivers who require all occupants to use a seat belt can save up to 15% off your PIP or medical payments premium.
Safe Drivers – Drivers who avoid accidents can get discounts for up to 45% lower rates for TL insurance than drivers with accident claims.

Consumers should know that most credits do not apply the the whole policy. A few only apply to specific coverage prices like liability, collision or medical payments. Just because you may think adding up those discounts means a free policy, auto insurance companies aren’t that generous. But all discounts will bring down the cost of coverage.

For a list of companies with discount auto insurance rates, click here.

Advertising myths

Consumers constantly see and hear ads that promise big savings from the likes of State Farm and Allstate. All the companies have a common claim of big savings if you move your coverage to them.

How does each company claim to save you money?

Different companies can use profiling for the driver that is profitable for them. A good example of a desirable insured could possibly be between 25 and 40, owns a home, and has great credit. Any new insured that hits that “sweet spot” is entitled to the best price and therefore will save when switching.

Drivers who are not a match for the “perfect” profile must pay a more expensive rate which usually ends up with the customer not buying. Company advertisements say “people who switch” not “everybody who quotes” save money. That’s the way insurance companies can confidently state the savings.

This illustrates why you need to quote coverage with many companies. Because you never know which company will fit your personal profile best.

Your coverage should be tailored to you

When choosing proper insurance coverage, there is no single plan that fits everyone. Each situation is unique and a cookie cutter policy won’t apply. For instance, these questions can help discover if you may require specific advice.

Does coverage extend to my business vehicle?
Do all my vehicles need collision coverage?
Am I covered if I break a side mirror?
Do I need added coverage for expensive stereo equipment?
Does my liability insurance cover pulling a trailer or camper?
Do I need more liability coverage?
Am I getting all the discounts available?
Does my 1997 Acura TL need full coverage?
Am I covered when driving a rental car?
Do I really need UM/UIM coverage?

If you’re not sure about those questions but you know they apply to you, then you may want to think about talking to an agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, simply complete this short form or click here for a list of insurance companies in your area. It only takes a few minutes and may give you better protection.

Auto insurance policy specifics

Learning about specific coverages of a auto insurance policy can be of help when determining appropriate coverage and proper limits and deductibles. The terms used in a policy can be impossible to understand and reading a policy is terribly boring. These are the usual coverages available from auto insurance companies.

Auto collision coverage

This coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage resulting from a collision with a stationary object or other vehicle. You have to pay a deductible and the rest of the damage will be paid by collision coverage.

Collision can pay for claims like backing into a parked car, sideswiping another vehicle, damaging your car on a curb, hitting a parking meter and colliding with another moving vehicle. Paying for collision coverage can be pricey, so consider removing coverage from lower value vehicles. It’s also possible to raise the deductible to save money on collision insurance.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage

Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage protects you and your vehicle’s occupants when the “other guys” either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. This coverage pays for hospital bills for your injuries as well as your vehicle’s damage.

Because many people only carry the minimum required liability limits, their limits can quickly be used up. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage is very important. Usually the UM/UIM limits are identical to your policy’s liability coverage.

Liability coverages

This protects you from damage or injury you incur to people or other property in an accident. This coverage protects you against claims from other people, and does not provide coverage for your own vehicle damage or injuries.

It consists of three limits, bodily injury for each person injured, bodily injury for the entire accident and a property damage limit. Your policy might show liability limits of 25/50/25 which stand for a $25,000 limit per person for injuries, $50,000 for the entire accident, and a total limit of $25,000 for damage to vehicles and property. Occasionally you may see one limit called combined single limit (CSL) that pays claims from the same limit with no separate limits for injury or property damage.

Liability coverage protects against claims like repair costs for stationary objects, pain and suffering, structural damage, attorney fees and bail bonds. How much liability should you purchase? That is a personal decision, but you should buy higher limits if possible.

Comprehensive coverage

This coverage pays for damage that is not covered by collision coverage. A deductible will apply then your comprehensive coverage will pay.

Comprehensive coverage protects against claims such as falling objects, vandalism, fire damage, rock chips in glass and damage from flooding. The maximum amount you can receive from a comprehensive claim is the cash value of the vehicle, so if the vehicle is not worth much consider removing comprehensive coverage.

Medical payments coverage and PIP

Med pay and PIP coverage reimburse you for bills for things like hospital visits, X-ray expenses, dental work and pain medications. They are often used to cover expenses not covered by your health insurance policy or if there is no health insurance coverage. Medical payments and PIP cover not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants and also covers if you are hit as a while walking down the street. Personal injury protection coverage is only offered in select states and gives slightly broader coverage than med pay

In the end, you save

Low-cost 1997 Acura TL insurance is attainable on the web as well as from independent agents, and you need to comparison shop both to have the best chance of lowering rates. A few companies don’t offer the ability to get a quote online and usually these small insurance companies provide coverage only through local independent agents.

As you prepare to switch companies, you should never skimp on coverage in order to save money. There are too many instances where someone sacrificed liability coverage limits only to regret that the few dollars in savings costed them thousands. Your focus should be to find the BEST coverage at the best price.