Nobody I know likes paying for car insurance, in particular when the cost is too high.
Many auto insurance companies vie for your insurance dollar, and because of this it can be hard to compare car insurance companies and get the best coverage at the best price available.
If you have car insurance now, you will most likely be able to save some money using these techniques. Finding affordable coverage is not rocket science. Nevertheless, drivers can benefit by having an understanding of how big insurance companies price insurance differently and use this information to your advantage.
The quickest method to compare car insurance rates takes advantage of the fact most insurance companies actually pay money for the chance to compare rate quotes. All consumers are required to do is provide the companies a bit of rating information including how much education you have, whether you drive to work or school, if you are currently licensed, and whether you have decent credit. That rating data is instantly submitted to multiple insurance coverage providers and you should receive rate quotes immediately.
Insurance can cost an arm and a leg, but you can get discounts to help offset the cost. Certain discounts will be applied at the time of quoting, but some must be specially asked for before they will apply.
Keep in mind that most discounts do not apply to your bottom line cost. Some only reduce the cost of specific coverages such as liability and collision coverage. So despite the fact that it appears you would end up receiving a 100% discount, companies don’t profit that way. Any qualifying discounts will bring down your premiums.
To see a list of insurers with the best car insurance discounts, click here.
An important part of buying insurance is that you know the factors that play a part in calculating the price you pay for insurance. Understanding what impacts premium levels helps enable you to make changes that will entitle you to big savings.
Shown below are a partial list of the pieces that factor into prices.
When it comes to buying adequate coverage for your personal vehicles, there isn’t really a one size fits all plan. Everyone’s needs are different and a cookie cutter policy won’t apply. For example, these questions may help you determine if you will benefit from professional help.
If you’re not sure about those questions but you know they apply to you, 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 insurance coverage companies in your area.
Understanding the coverages of your policy helps when choosing appropriate coverage at the best deductibles and correct limits. The coverage terms in a policy can be impossible to understand and nobody wants to actually read their policy. These are the normal coverages available from insurance companies.
Collision coverage protection
This pays for damage to your Toronado resulting from colliding with another car or object. You will need to pay your deductible and the rest of the damage will be paid by collision coverage.
Collision coverage pays for claims like hitting a mailbox, sustaining damage from a pot hole, crashing into a ditch, crashing into a building and colliding with another moving vehicle. Paying for collision coverage can be pricey, so consider dropping it from older vehicles. Another option is to bump up the deductible to bring the cost down.
Auto liability
Liability coverage will cover injuries or damage you cause to a person or their property that is your fault. It protects you from claims by other people. Liability doesn’t cover damage to your own property or vehicle.
Coverage consists of three different limits, bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident and property damage. You commonly see policy limits of 100/300/100 which means a limit of $100,000 per injured person, a total of $300,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and a limit of $100,000 paid for damaged property. Alternatively, you may have one number which is a combined single limit which combines the three limits into one amount rather than limiting it on a per person basis.
Liability coverage pays for claims such as court costs, funeral expenses and medical expenses. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is a decision to put some thought into, but consider buying as large an amount as possible.
Comprehensive coverages
This coverage pays for damage from a wide range of events other than collision. You first must pay your deductible and then insurance will cover the rest of the damage.
Comprehensive can pay for things such as a tree branch falling on your vehicle, damage from a tornado or hurricane, damage from flooding, hail damage and vandalism. 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 consider dropping full coverage.
Uninsured and underinsured coverage
This coverage protects you and your vehicle’s occupants from other motorists when they do not carry enough liability coverage. Covered claims include injuries to you and your family as well as damage to your Oldsmobile Toronado.
Since many drivers only carry the minimum required liability limits, their limits can quickly be used up. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage should not be overlooked. Normally the UM/UIM limits are set the same as your liablity limits.
Coverage for medical payments
Med pay and PIP coverage provide coverage for short-term medical expenses for nursing services, pain medications and ambulance fees. They are often used to cover expenses not covered by your health insurance plan or if you are not covered by health insurance. Coverage applies to not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants as well as if you are hit as a while walking down the street. PIP is not available in all states and gives slightly broader coverage than med pay
As you go through the steps to switch your coverage, it’s not a good idea to skimp on critical coverages to save a buck or two. There have been many cases where an insured dropped liability coverage limits only to find out that it was a big error on their part. Your strategy should be to purchase plenty of coverage at the best price, not the least amount of coverage.
We just covered a lot of techniques to lower your 1992 Oldsmobile Toronado insurance rates. It’s most important to understand that the more price quotes you have, the more likely it is that you will get a better rate. You may even discover the best prices are with a small local company. Regional companies may often insure only within specific states and give getter rates as compared to the big name companies such as Allstate, Geico and Progressive.
More detailed car insurance information is located by following these links: