I can’t think of anyone who likes paying for auto insurance, especially knowing the cost is way too high.
Companies like Allstate and Progressive persitently shower you with ad campaigns and it can be hard to see past the corporate glitz and do the work needed to find the best deal.
It’s important to do rate comparisons at least once a year because insurance rates are rarely the same from one policy term to another. Just because you found the lowest price for Maxima coverage six months ago you can probably find a better price now. Block out anything you think you know about auto insurance because I’m going to let you in on the secrets to the right way to eliminate unnecessary coverages and save money.
Most major insurance companies such as Allstate and Progressive provide pricing on their websites. Obtaining pricing doesn’t take much effort as you just type in your required coverages into a form. Upon sending the form, the system makes automated requests for your driving record and credit report and gives you a price quote based on many factors. Online price quotes streamlines rate comparisons, but the time required to go to a lot of sites and type in the same information is not the best way to spend an afternoon. But it’s absolutely necessary to do this in order to find the lowest price.
Isn’t there an easier way to compare rates?
A more efficient way to compare insurance coverage pricing is to use a quote form that analyzes rates from multiple companies. It saves time, reduces the work, and makes comparison shopping much easier. Immediately after you send the form, it is rated and you are able to buy any one of the price quotes you receive.
If a lower price is quoted, you can simply submit the application and buy the policy. This process just takes a couple of minutes and can result in significant savings.
If you want to compare pricing, click here to open in new window and submit the form. If you currently have coverage, we recommend you duplicate the coverage information identical to your current policy. This guarantees you will have a price comparison for similar coverage.
Insurance companies such as Allstate and Progressive regularly use ads on TV and radio. They all seem to make the same claim that you’ll save big if you move your policy. But how can every company make the same claim? It’s all in the numbers.
Insurance companies have a certain “appetite” for the driver that is profitable for them. An example of a desirable insured might be profiled as over the age of 50, owns a home, and drives less than 7,500 miles a year. A driver who meets those qualifications will get the preferred rates and is almost guaranteed to save when they switch companies.
Drivers who don’t meet the “perfect” profile will be quoted higher premiums which usually ends up with business going elsewhere. Company advertisements say “customers who switch” not “people who quote” save money. That’s the way insurance companies can make the claims of big savings.
This emphasizes why it is so important to compare many company’s rates. You cannot predict which company will have the lowest Nissan Maxima insurance rates.
Insurance can cost an arm and a leg, but you may find discounts to help bring down the price. Larger premium reductions will be automatically applied when you quote, but less common discounts must be specifically requested prior to getting the savings.
Drivers should understand that some credits don’t apply to all coverage premiums. Most only apply to the price of certain insurance coverages like collision or personal injury protection. So even though it sounds like it’s possible to get free car insurance, it doesn’t quite work that way. But any discount will cut the amount you have to pay.
To see a list of insurers with discount car insurance rates, click here.
When it comes to choosing coverage, there isn’t really a single plan that fits everyone. Everyone’s needs are different and a cookie cutter policy won’t apply. Here are some questions about coverages that can aid in determining if your insurance needs could use an agent’s help.
If it’s difficult to answer those questions, you might consider talking to an agent. If you don’t have a local agent, simply complete this short form or click here for a list of car insurance companies in your area.
Knowing the specifics of a insurance policy can help you determine the best coverages and the correct deductibles and limits. The coverage terms in a policy can be difficult to understand and nobody wants to actually read their policy. Shown next are typical coverages offered by insurance companies.
Auto liability
Liability insurance provides protection from damage that occurs to other people or property in an accident. It protects YOU against claims from other people, and does not provide coverage for 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 limits of 50/100/50 that translate to a $50,000 limit per person for injuries, a limit of $100,000 in injury protection per accident, and property damage coverage for $50,000. Some companies may use a combined single limit or CSL which provides one coverage limit with no separate limits for injury or property damage.
Liability coverage pays for things like medical services, court costs and loss of income. How much liability coverage do you need? That is your choice, but it’s cheap coverage so purchase higher limits if possible.
Collision coverage protection
This coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage from colliding with a stationary object or other vehicle. You have to pay a deductible and then insurance will cover the remainder.
Collision coverage protects against things like colliding with another moving vehicle, crashing into a ditch, crashing into a building, backing into a parked car and rolling your car. Collision is rather expensive coverage, so you might think about dropping it from vehicles that are 8 years or older. Drivers also have the option to raise the deductible to get cheaper collision coverage.
Coverage for uninsured or underinsured drivers
Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage protects you and your vehicle when the “other guys” either have no liability insurance or not enough. This coverage pays for injuries to you and your family and also any damage incurred to your Nissan Maxima.
Since many drivers have only the minimum liability required by law, it doesn’t take a major accident to exceed their coverage limits. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is very important. Usually your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverages do not exceed the liability coverage limits.
Coverage for medical expenses
Coverage for medical payments and/or PIP pay for bills for things like surgery, ambulance fees and doctor visits. They can be utilized in addition to your health insurance plan or if you lack health insurance entirely. Medical payments and PIP cover all vehicle occupants as well as getting struck while a pedestrian. Personal Injury Protection is only offered in select states and may carry a deductible
Comprehensive insurance
Comprehensive insurance coverage will pay to fix damage from a wide range of events other than collision. A deductible will apply then your comprehensive coverage will pay.
Comprehensive coverage pays for claims like damage from flooding, a broken windshield and hitting a bird. The maximum amount you’ll receive from a claim is the ACV or actual cash value, so if the vehicle’s value is low consider removing comprehensive coverage.
Affordable 2004 Nissan Maxima insurance can be bought both online as well as from independent agents, and you need to price shop both to have the best selection. There are still a few companies who don’t offer the ability to get a quote online and most of the time these small insurance companies sell through independent agents.
While you’re price shopping online, never buy poor coverage just to save money. In too many instances, someone dropped liability limits or collision coverage and learned later that it was a big mistake. The proper strategy is to buy a smart amount of coverage for the lowest price.