Cheap 2000 Pontiac Sunfire Insurance Quotes

Feel like you’re a prisoner to an underperforming, overpriced car insurance policy? Trust us, you are not the only one feeling buyer’s remorse. Drivers have so many insurers to choose from, and though it is a good thing to have a selection, it can be more challenging to compare company pricing.

Consumers need to compare rates before your policy renews since insurance rates go up and down regularly. Just because you had the best price on Sunfire insurance last year you will most likely find a better rate today. Block out anything you think you know about car insurance because you’re about to find out how to use online quotes to find the best coverage while lowering your premiums.

Finding the best rates is easy if you know what you’re doing. If you currently have a car insurance policy, you should be able to cut costs considerably using these methods. Vehicle owners just need to understand the best way to compare rates online.

How to Compare Auto Insurance Costs

Finding cheaper 2000 Pontiac Sunfire auto insurance prices isn’t really that difficult. Just invest a little time getting comparison quotes online with multiple companies. This can be accomplished in several different ways.

  1. The most efficient way to find low rates would be an industry-wide quote request form (click to open form in new window). This type of form eliminates the need for separate quotation requests for each company. Taking the time to complete one form gets you price quotes from many national carriers.
  2. A harder way to get quotes online is to take the time to go to the website for every company you want to comare to request a price quote. For example, we’ll assume you want comparison quotes from Nationwide, Geico and Allstate. To get rate quotes you would need to go to every website and enter your information, which is why the first method is quicker.

    For a handy list of car insurance company links in your area, click here.

  3. The least efficient method to compare rates is driving to insurance agents’ offices. Buying insurance online makes this process obsolete unless you have a need for the trained guidance of a local agent. However, consumers can price shop online but buy from a local insurance agent and we’ll cover that in a bit.

It doesn’t matter which method you choose, just ensure you are comparing identical coverages and limits for each comparison quote. If you compare mixed coverages it’s impossible to find the best deal for your Pontiac Sunfire.

Do you really save 40% when you switch?

Consumers get pounded daily by advertisements for the lowest price auto insurance from companies such as State Farm and Allstate. All the ads have a common claim that you can save if you switch your policy.

But how can every company make almost identical claims? It’s all in the numbers.

Insurance companies can use profiling for the type of customer they prefer to insure. For instance, a profitable customer might be over the age of 40, has no driving citations, and chooses high deductibles. A driver who fits that profile gets the lowest rates and as a result will probably pay quite a bit less when switching companies.

Potential customers who are not a match for these standards will be charged higher rates which usually ends up with business going elsewhere. The ads say “people who switch” not “people who quote” save that much. This is how insurance companies can confidently make those claims. That is why drivers should get a wide range of price quotes. You cannot predict which insurance companies will fit your personal profile best.

Pieces of the Pontiac Sunfire insurance rate puzzle

Smart consumers have a good feel for some of the elements that go into determining your car insurance rates. Knowing what determines base rates enables informed choices that can help you get much lower annual insurance costs.

Listed below are a partial list of the pieces car insurance companies consider when setting your rates.

  • Where do you drive? – The more you drive in a year the higher your rate. Most insurance companies apply a rate based on how the vehicle is used. Vehicles used primarily for pleasure use qualify for better rates as compared to vehicles used primarily for driving to work. Double check that your car insurance policy is showing the correct driver usage. If your policy improperly rates your Sunfire can result in significantly higher rates.
  • Do you qualify for a multi-policy discount? – Some insurers provide better rates to insureds who consolidate policies with them such as combining an auto and homeowners policy. This can amount to five, ten or even twenty percent. If you currently are using one company, it’s in your best interest to compare rates to make sure you are getting the best deal.
  • Don’t buy coverages you don’t need – There are a ton of extra coverages that can waste your money on your car insurance policy. Insurance for rental car reimbursement, accident forgiveness and additional equipment coverage are some examples. These coverages may sound good when you first buy your policy, but now you might not need them so eliminate the coverages to reduce your premium.
  • Lower rates come with age – Mature drivers are more cautious drivers, tend to file fewer claims and are safer drivers. Teenage drivers tend to be less responsible in a vehicle and because of this, their car insurance rates are much higher.
  • Males pay more for insurance – Statistics show women are more cautious behind the wheel. However, don’t assume that men are WORSE drivers than women. Men and women are in accidents at about the same rate, but the men cause more damage and cost insurance companies more money. Men also statistically receive more costly citations such as DWI and reckless driving.
  • Careful drivers pay lower rates – Your driving citation history has a big impact on rates. Careful drivers get better rates than their less careful counterparts. Even one citation can boost insurance rates forty percent or more. Drivers who have dangerous citations like reckless driving, hit and run or driving under the influence may need to file a SR-22 with their state motor vehicle department in order to prevent a license revocation.
  • Never allow your policy to lapse – Driving your car without having proper coverage is illegal and your next policy will cost more because you let your insurance expire. And not only will insurance be more expensive, but not being able to provide proof of insurance can result in a revoked license or a big fine.

Discounts are available to cut your rates

Companies don’t necessarily list all available discounts in a way that’s easy to find, so the following is a list of both the well known as well as the least known insurance coverage savings. If you aren’t receiving every discount possible, you are throwing money away.

  • Multiple Policy Discount – If you insure your home and vehicles with the same insurance company you will save up to 20% off your total premium.
  • Accident Forgiveness – Certain companies permit an accident without raising rates if your claims history is clear for a particular time prior to the accident.
  • Safety Course Discount – Taking a defensive driving course can save you 5% or more if you qualify.
  • New Car Discount – Buying coverage on a new vehicle is cheaper due to better safety requirements for new cars.
  • Memberships – Participating in a professional or civic organization could trigger savings when buying insurance coverage on Sunfire insurance.

As a disclaimer on discounts, most discounts do not apply to all coverage premiums. Most only apply to individual premiums such as physical damage coverage or medical payments. Just because it seems like all the discounts add up to a free policy, it doesn’t quite work that way.

Car insurance companies who might offer these benefits may include but are not limited to:

Double check with each company which discounts you may be entitled to. Discounts might not apply in your state.

Everyone needs different coverages

When choosing the right insurance coverage, there is no “best” method to buy coverage. Everyone’s situation is a little different and a cookie cutter policy won’t apply. Here are some questions about coverages that can help discover if you might need professional guidance.

  • Can I afford to buy a different vehicle if my 2000 Pontiac Sunfire is totaled?
  • Why am I be forced to buy a membership to get insurance from some companies?
  • What is high-risk coverage and where do I buy it?
  • Am I covered by my spouse’s policy after a separation?
  • Am I covered if I wreck a rental car?
  • Do I need higher collision deductibles?
  • Will I lose any money if I cancel my policy before it expires?
  • Am I covered when driving on a suspended license?

If you don’t know the answers to these questions, you might consider talking to a licensed insurance agent. If you don’t have a local agent, take a second and complete this form or you can go here for a list of companies in your area. It is quick, free and can provide invaluable advice.

Insurance coverages 101

Having a good grasp of your policy aids in choosing appropriate coverage and proper limits and deductibles. The terms used in a policy can be confusing and reading a policy is terribly boring. Listed below are typical coverage types offered by insurance companies.

Collision coverages – This coverage pays for damage to your Sunfire caused by collision with another car or object. You first must pay a deductible and then insurance will cover the remainder.

Collision coverage pays for claims like colliding with a tree, crashing into a building, sideswiping another vehicle, rolling your car and crashing into a ditch. Paying for collision coverage can be pricey, so you might think about dropping it from vehicles that are older. Another option is to choose a higher deductible to get cheaper collision coverage.

UM/UIM (Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist) coverage – This coverage gives you protection when other motorists either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. This coverage pays for injuries to you and your family as well as your vehicle’s damage.

Because many people only purchase the least amount of liability that is required, it doesn’t take a major accident to exceed their coverage limits. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage should not be overlooked.

Liability car insurance – This can cover damage or injury you incur to other people or property in an accident. It protects you from legal claims by others, and does not provide coverage for damage sustained by your vehicle in an accident.

It consists of three limits, per person bodily injury, per accident bodily injury, and a property damage limit. Your policy might show liability limits of 50/100/50 which stand for a $50,000 limit per person for injuries, a per accident bodily injury limit of $100,000, and a total limit of $50,000 for damage to vehicles and property.

Liability coverage protects against claims like legal defense fees, attorney fees and emergency aid. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is up to you, but you should buy higher limits if possible.

Comprehensive auto coverage – This coverage pays for damage that is not covered by collision coverage. A deductible will apply and then insurance will cover the rest of the damage.

Comprehensive can pay for claims like damage from getting keyed, vandalism and fire damage. The maximum payout you’ll receive from a claim is the market value of your vehicle, so if the vehicle’s value is low consider dropping full coverage.

Medical payments and PIP coverage – Coverage for medical payments and/or PIP kick in for expenses for nursing services, dental work and hospital visits. They can be utilized in addition to your health insurance plan or if you lack health insurance entirely. Coverage applies to you and your occupants and also covers getting struck while a pedestrian. PIP coverage is not an option in every state and may carry a deductible

Buy online or local, you save

We just presented a lot of ways to shop for 2000 Pontiac Sunfire insurance online. The most important thing to understand is the more you quote, the better your comparison will be. You may even find the best price on car insurance is with a smaller regional carrier. These companies may often insure only within specific states and give getter rates than the large multi-state companies such as Progressive or Geico.

Cost effective insurance can be sourced from both online companies and also from your neighborhood agents, so you should compare both to get a complete price analysis. Some companies may not provide online price quotes and these small, regional companies work with independent agents.

While you’re price shopping online, it’s very important that you do not reduce coverage to reduce premium. In many cases, someone dropped liability coverage limits and learned later they didn’t have enough coverage. The aim is to buy a smart amount of coverage for the lowest price while not skimping on critical coverages.

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