If shopping for auto insurance online is new to you, you may be overwhelmed by the vast number of auto insurance companies offering coverage.
It’s smart to compare prices every six months due to the fact that insurance rates tend to go up over time. Just because you found the lowest price on Lumina Minivan coverage six months ago there is a good chance you can find better rates now. You’ll find quite a bit of inaccurate information about auto insurance online but by reading this article, you’re going to learn some good information on how to put money back in your pocket.
When shopping for insurance coverage there are multiple ways of comparing rates from insurance coverage companies in your area. The easiest way to find competitive 1995 Chevy Lumina Minivan insurance rates consists of shopping online. This can be accomplished in several different ways.
The recommended way consumers can analyze rates is an all-inclusive rate comparison (click to open form in new window). This method keeps you from doing repetitive form entry for each company. Just one form will return price quotes from several companies. This is by far the quickest method.
A slightly less efficient method to get quotes online requires you to visit each company’s website to request a price quote. For examples sake, we’ll assume you want comparison quotes from Auto-Owners, GEICO and Progressive. You would have to spend time on each company’s site to input your insurance information, which is why most consumers use the first method. For a list of links to companies insuring cars in your area, click here.
The hardest way to get comparison rates is driving to local insurance agencies. Buying insurance online can eliminate the need for a local agent unless you require the personal advice of a local agent. You can, however, price shop your coverage online and get advice from an agent in your area and you’ll learn how to do that later.
It’s your choice how you get your quotes, but double check that you are using apples-to-apples coverages and limits on every quote you get. If you enter differing limits it will be impossible to decipher which rate is best. Slightly different coverages may cause a big price difference. Just remember that obtaining a wide range of quotes helps you find a lower rate.
Insurance can be prohibitively expensive, but discounts can save money and there are some available that many people don’t even know exist. A few discounts will automatically apply when you quote, but some may not be applied and must be requested specifically before being credited.
Drivers should understand that most discount credits are not given the the whole policy. Some only apply to the price of certain insurance coverages like collision or personal injury protection. So when it seems like it’s possible to get free car insurance, it doesn’t quite work that way. Any qualifying discounts will bring down your overall premium however.
For a list of companies with the best insurance discounts, click here.
When it comes to buying the right insurance coverage, there isn’t really a “best” method to buy coverage. Everyone’s situation is a little different.
For instance, these questions could help you determine if you would benefit from an agent’s advice.
If it’s difficult to answer those questions, then you may want to think about talking to an insurance agent. If you don’t have a local agent, complete this form.
Having a good grasp of a car insurance policy aids in choosing which coverages you need and proper limits and deductibles. Car insurance terms can be confusing and coverage can change by endorsement.
Insurance for medical payments – Med pay and PIP coverage reimburse you for short-term medical expenses for dental work, prosthetic devices, hospital visits and X-ray expenses. They can be used to fill the gap from your health insurance policy or if you lack health insurance entirely. Coverage applies to 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 not available in all states and may carry a deductible
Uninsured Motorist or Underinsured Motorist insurance – Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage gives you protection from other motorists when they either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. This coverage pays for medical payments for you and your occupants as well as your vehicle’s damage.
Since a lot of drivers only purchase the least amount of liability that is required, their liability coverage can quickly be exhausted. So UM/UIM coverage is important protection for you and your family. Usually these coverages are identical to your policy’s liability coverage.
Auto liability insurance – Liability insurance will cover injuries or damage you cause to a person or their property in an accident. This coverage protects you from legal claims by others, 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. You commonly see limits of 50/100/50 which stand for a $50,000 limit per person for injuries, a total of $100,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and property damage coverage for $50,000. Occasionally you may see one number which is a combined single limit which combines the three limits into one amount without having the split limit caps.
Liability can pay for claims such as court costs, attorney fees and bail bonds. How much liability should you purchase? That is your choice, but consider buying higher limits if possible.
Collision – This coverage pays for damage to your Lumina Minivan caused by collision with another car or object. You first must pay a deductible and then insurance will cover the remainder.
Collision can pay for claims like hitting a mailbox, sideswiping another vehicle, backing into a parked car, rolling your car and hitting a parking meter. Paying for collision coverage can be pricey, so consider removing coverage from vehicles that are 8 years or older. It’s also possible to choose a higher deductible to save money on collision insurance.
Comprehensive coverage (or Other than Collision) – Comprehensive insurance pays for damage caused by mother nature, theft, vandalism and other events. You first have to pay a deductible and the remainder of the damage will be paid by comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive insurance covers things like hail damage, damage from flooding, theft and rock chips in glass. The highest amount you can receive from a comprehensive claim is the ACV or actual cash value, so if it’s not worth much more than your deductible it’s not worth carrying full coverage.