No one cherishes buying car insurance, particularly when their premiums are through the roof. Big-name insurance companies like State Farm, Progressive and Geico continually hit you with catchy ads and it is challenging if not impossible to ignore the flashy ads and effectively compare rates to find the best deal.
It’s smart to compare rates quite often since insurance rates are variable and change quite frequently. If you had the best rates for Grand Am insurance a couple years back the chances are good that you can find a lower rate today. So forget anything you know (or think you know) about car insurance because you’re about to learn the fastest and easiest way to find lower rates on car insurance.
If you have a policy now or need a new policy, you can learn to find better prices and still get good coverage. Finding affordable coverage is easy if you know what you’re doing. Vehicle owners only need an understanding of the proper way to compare company rates online.
The cost of insuring your cars can be expensive, but there could be available discounts that you may not even be aware of. Certain discounts will be applied when you complete an application, but a few must be specially asked for before being credited. If you don’t get every credit you deserve, you’re paying more than you need to.
As a disclaimer on discounts, many deductions do not apply to the overall cost of the policy. Most only apply to specific coverage prices like liability, collision or medical payments. So despite the fact that it appears you can get free auto insurance, companies don’t profit that way. But all discounts will reduce your overall premium however.
For a list of providers with the best insurance discounts, click here to view.
When choosing proper insurance coverage, there isn’t really a cookie cutter policy. Everyone’s situation is unique so your insurance should reflect that Here are some questions about coverages that may help you determine whether you might need professional guidance.
If you can’t answer these questions but you think they might apply to your situation, then you may want to think about talking to an insurance agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, take a second and complete this form or go to this page to view a list of companies. It is quick, free and can provide invaluable advice.
Knowing the specifics of a insurance policy can help you determine which coverages you need and the correct deductibles and limits. The coverage terms in a policy can be impossible to understand and reading a policy is terribly boring. Below you’ll find typical coverages found on the average insurance policy.
Comprehensive insurance
Comprehensive insurance coverage pays for damage from a wide range of events other than collision. You first have to pay a deductible and the remainder of the damage will be paid by comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive insurance covers things such as rock chips in glass, vandalism and falling objects. The maximum amount you can receive from a comprehensive claim is the cash value of the vehicle, so if your deductible is as high as the vehicle’s value it’s not worth carrying full coverage.
Collision protection
Collision insurance will pay to fix damage to your Grand Am from colliding with another vehicle or an object, but not an animal. You have to pay a deductible and then insurance will cover the remainder.
Collision coverage protects against things such as crashing into a ditch, rolling your car, damaging your car on a curb and crashing into a building. This coverage can be expensive, so analyze the benefit of dropping coverage from vehicles that are 8 years or older. Drivers also have the option to raise the deductible in order to get cheaper collision rates.
Auto liability insurance
This coverage provides protection from damages or injuries you inflict on a person or their property. This coverage protects you against other people’s claims, and doesn’t cover your injuries or vehicle damage.
Liability coverage has three limits: bodily injury for each person, bodily injury for the entire accident, and a limit for property damage. You commonly see values of 100/300/100 which means $100,000 in coverage for each person’s injuries, a limit of $300,000 in injury protection per accident, and $100,000 of coverage for damaged propery. Occasionally you may see a combined single limit or CSL which limits claims to one amount and claims can be made without the split limit restrictions.
Liability insurance covers things such as structural damage, funeral expenses, pain and suffering, attorney fees and court costs. How much liability should you purchase? That is your choice, but consider buying as high a limit as you can afford.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM)
Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage protects you and your vehicle from other drivers when they are uninsured or don’t have enough coverage. It can pay for injuries to you and your family and damage to your Pontiac Grand Am.
Since a lot of drivers have only the minimum liability required by law, their liability coverage can quickly be exhausted. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is very important. Usually your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverages are similar to your liability insurance amounts.
Med pay and Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage pay for immediate expenses for things like X-ray expenses, prosthetic devices and funeral costs. The coverages can be used to fill the gap from your health insurance plan or if there is no health insurance coverage. Medical payments and PIP cover both the driver and occupants as well as being hit by a car walking across the street. Personal Injury Protection is not universally available but can be used in place of medical payments coverage
Low-cost 2000 Pontiac Grand Am insurance can be purchased online as well as from independent agents, so you should be comparing quotes from both in order to have the best chance of saving money. There are still a few companies who don’t offer online price quotes and these smaller companies work with independent agents.
When you buy insurance online, never skimp on coverage in order to save money. Too many times, someone dropped comprehensive coverage or liability limits and learned later that a couple dollars of savings turned into a financial nightmare. The ultimate goal is to buy the best coverage you can find at a price you can afford.
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