Lower Your 1998 Nissan Altima Insurance Cost

Searching for cheaper insurance coverage rates for your Nissan Altima? Consumers who are new to the process of comparing rates online will discover finding low-cost insurance coverage quite challenging.

Consumers should take time to compare prices yearly since rates are usually higher with each renewal. Even if you think you had the best deal on Altima insurance a few years ago other companies may now be cheaper. So ignore everything you know about insurance coverage because we’re going to show you the fastest way to lower your annual insurance bill.

If you are paying for car insurance now, you should be able to cut costs considerably using these tips. Finding more affordable protection can be fairly easy. Nevertheless, drivers benefit from understanding how insurance companies sell insurance online and take advantage of how the system works.

Compare the Market for Car Insurance

When shopping for car insurance there are multiple ways of comparing price quotes and find the best price. The simplest method to find the cheapest 1998 Nissan Altima insurance rates is to use the internet to compare rates. This is very easy and can be done in just a few minutes using one of these methods.

  1. The single most time-saving way consumers can analyze rates is to use a rate comparison form like this one (opens in new window). This method prevents you from having to do separate quote forms for each company you want a rate for. Filling out one form compares rates from multiple low-cost companies. Just one form and you’re done.
  2. A different way to find lower rates is spending the time to visit each company’s website and request a quote. For example, we’ll assume you want to compare GEICO, Farmers and Liberty Mutual. To get rate quotes you would need to take the time to go to each site to input your insurance information, which is why the first method is quicker. For a list of links to companies insuring cars in your area, click here.
  3. The hardest way of comparing rate quotes is to spend time driving to insurance agents’ offices. Shopping for car insurance online has reduced the need for local agents unless you prefer the professional guidance only provided by licensed agents. It is possible to compare online quotes and get advice from an agent in your area and we’ll talk about that later.

It’s your choice how you get your quotes, but make absolute certain that you use identical coverage information for each price quote. If you use higher or lower deductibles it’s impossible to determine the lowest rate for your Nissan Altima. Having just a slight variation in coverage limits can make a big difference in price. And when comparison shopping, more quotes provides better odds of finding better pricing.

Companies offer discounts so take them!

The cost of insuring your cars can be expensive, but there are discounts available that can drop the cost substantially. Most are applied at quote time, but a few must be requested specifically prior to getting the savings.

  • Passive Restraints and Air Bags – Factory air bags and/or automatic seat belt systems can get savings of up to 25% or more.
  • Multiple Policy Discount – When you combine your home and auto insurance with one insurance company you will save up to 20% off your total premium.
  • Student in College – Children who attend school more than 100 miles from home and do not have access to a covered vehicle can receive lower rates.
  • Student Driver Training – Make teen driver coverage more affordable by requiring them to take driver’s ed class if offered at their school.
  • Payment Discounts – If paying your policy premium upfront instead of making monthly payments you could save up to 5%.
  • Memberships – Affiliation with a qualifying organization could trigger savings when buying auto insurance on Altima insurance.
  • Anti-lock Brake System – Vehicles equipped with ABS or steering control can avoid accidents and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
  • No Accidents – Drivers who don’t have accidents pay less as compared to drivers who are more careless.
  • Low Mileage – Driving fewer miles could qualify for lower rates on the low mileage vehicles.
  • Seat Belts Save more than Lives – Drivers who require all occupants to wear their seat belts could cut 10% or more off your medical payments premium.

Drivers should understand that most discount credits are not given to the entire policy premium. Most cut the cost of specific coverages such as medical payments or collision. So despite the fact that it appears having all the discounts means you get insurance for free, companies wouldn’t make money that way. Any qualifying discounts will cut the amount you have to pay.

For a list of providers with the best auto insurance discounts, click here.

Do I just need basic coverages?

When choosing adequate coverage for your personal vehicles, there really is not a best way to insure your cars. Every insured’s situation is different.

For example, these questions might point out whether your personal situation would benefit from an agent’s advice.

  • What is the difference between comprehensive and collision coverage?
  • Is business property covered if stolen from my car?
  • Am I covered if my car is in a flood?
  • Should I buy only the required minimum liability coverage?
  • Are rock chip repairs covered?
  • Do I have newly-aquired coverage?
  • What is UM/UIM insurance?
  • What discounts do I qualify for?

If you can’t answer these questions but you think they might apply to your situation, you might consider talking to an agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, take a second and complete this form.

Impacting insurance rates for a Nissan Altima

An important part of buying insurance is that you know the different types of things that help determine car insurance rates. Having a good understanding of what determines base rates allows you to make educated decisions that may reward you with better car insurance rates.

  • Optional equipment can affect rates – Driving a car with a theft deterrent system can help lower your rates. Anti-theft devices such as vehicle immobilizer systems, General Motors OnStar and LoJack tracking systems all hinder car theft.
  • High numbers of claims are not good – If you tend to file frequent claims, you can look forward to either policy cancellation or increased premiums. Companies award cheaper rates to insureds who do not rely on their insurance for small claims. Your insurance policy is intended for larger claims.
  • Where you live can impact rates – Being located in a small town is a positive aspect when talking about car insurance. Fewer people means fewer accidents and a lower car theft rate. Drivers who live in large cities have more traffic problems and much longer commute distances. More time commuting translates into higher accident risk.
  • Credit scores impact car insurance rates – Credit score is a huge factor in your rate calculation. If your credit history is lower than you’d like, you could save money insuring your 1998 Nissan Altima by spending a little time repairing your credit. Drivers with high credit ratings tend to file fewer claims and have better driving records than those with poor credit.

Don’t listen to company ads

Insurance companies such as Allstate, GEICO and Progressive regularly use television and radio advertisements. They all seem to make an identical promise that you’ll save big if you move your coverage to them. How can each company make almost identical claims?

Different companies can use profiling for the driver that makes them money. For instance, a driver they prefer could possibly be over the age of 40, is a homeowner, and has great credit. A propective insured who fits that profile will qualify for the lowest rates and as a result will probably save when switching.

Potential insureds who don’t measure up to the requirements will have to pay higher rates and ends up with business not being written. Company advertisements say “people who switch” not “everybody who quotes” save money. That’s why insurance companies can confidently advertise the savings.

Because of the profiling, you need to quote coverage with many companies. You cannot predict which company will fit your personal profile best.

Auto insurance 101

Understanding the coverages of insurance helps when choosing the right coverages and the correct deductibles and limits. The terms used in a policy can be difficult to understand and coverage can change by endorsement.

Uninsured or underinsured coverage

This provides protection from other motorists when they either have no liability insurance or not enough. Covered losses include injuries to you and your family and also any damage incurred to your Nissan Altima.

Due to the fact that many drivers carry very low liability coverage limits, their limits can quickly be used up. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is very important. Frequently these limits do not exceed the liability coverage limits.

Medical expense coverage

Medical payments and Personal Injury Protection insurance provide coverage for expenses like pain medications, dental work and funeral costs. They are utilized in addition to your health insurance program or if you do not have health coverage. They cover all vehicle occupants as well as any family member struck as a pedestrian. PIP is not an option in every state but it provides additional coverages not offered by medical payments coverage

Liability insurance

This can cover injuries or damage you cause to people or other property that is your fault. This coverage protects you against other people’s claims. Liability doesn’t cover your own vehicle damage or injuries.

Coverage consists of three different limits, bodily injury for each person injured, bodily injury for the entire accident and a property damage limit. Your policy might show liability limits of 25/50/25 which stand for a limit of $25,000 per injured person, a per accident bodily injury limit of $50,000, and a total limit of $25,000 for damage to vehicles and property. Occasionally you may see a combined limit which combines the three limits into one amount and claims can be made without the split limit restrictions.

Liability can pay for claims such as medical expenses, loss of income, medical services and emergency aid. How much liability should you purchase? That is a personal decision, but you should buy as large an amount as possible.

Collision insurance

Collision coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage resulting from a collision with a stationary object or other vehicle. You have to pay a deductible and the rest of the damage will be paid by collision coverage.

Collision can pay for claims like sustaining damage from a pot hole, driving through your garage door, backing into a parked car and damaging your car on a curb. Paying for collision coverage can be pricey, so consider removing coverage from lower value vehicles. It’s also possible to raise the deductible to save money on collision insurance.

Comprehensive protection

Comprehensive insurance covers damage from a wide range of events other than collision. You need to pay your deductible first then the remaining damage will be covered by your comprehensive coverage.

Comprehensive coverage pays for claims such as rock chips in glass, theft, damage from getting keyed, damage from a tornado or hurricane and a broken windshield. The maximum payout your insurance company will pay is the market value of your vehicle, so if the vehicle is not worth much it’s probably time to drop comprehensive insurance.

Quote often and quote early

Consumers switch companies for a number of reasons such as questionable increases in premium, high prices, high rates after DUI convictions and poor customer service. No matter why you want to switch, switching companies can be less work than you think.

Cheap 1998 Nissan Altima insurance can be purchased both online as well as from independent agents, and you should compare price quotes from both to have the best chance of lowering rates. Some insurance companies don’t offer online quoting and usually these smaller companies provide coverage only through local independent agents.

We covered some good ideas how you can shop for insurance online. The key thing to remember is the more companies you get rates for, the better your comparison will be. Consumers could even find that the most savings is with the least-expected company.

More information can be found at the links below