Expensive car insurance can take a big chunk out of your personal savings and make it impossible to make ends meet. Comparison shopping is a great way to tighten up your finances. Online insurance companies like Allstate and Progressive persitently shower you with ad campaigns and it is challenging if not impossible to sift through the bull and take the time to shop coverage around.
You need to get comparison quotes occasionally since rates are usually higher with each renewal. Despite the fact that you may have had the lowest price for Altima insurance on your last policy you can probably find a lower rate today. Starting now, forget all the misinformation about car insurance because you’re going to learn the only way to remove unneeded coverages and save money.
If you have a policy now or are just looking to switch companies, you can use these tips to cut your premiums while maintaining coverages. Finding the best rates is easy if you know what you’re doing. Drivers only need an understanding of the best way to get comparison quotes online.
Getting a cheaper price on 2003 Nissan Altima insurance can be quick and easy. All you need to do is spend a few minutes on the computer to get quotes online with multiple companies. It is quite easy and can be accomplished using a couple different methods.
The fastest way consumers can analyze rates is to use a rate comparison form (click to open form in new window). This type of form keeps you from doing separate quote forms for every auto insurance company. A single form gets rate comparisons from all major companies.
A harder way to get comparison quotes is going to each company website to complete their respective quote request forms. For examples sake, we’ll assume you want to compare Farmers, 21st Century and GEICO. To find out each rate you need to visit each site to enter your coverage information, which is why most consumers use the first method. To view a list of companies in your area, click here.
The most time-consuming method to get comparison rates is to spend your day driving to insurance agents’ offices. Shopping for auto insurance online has reduced the need for local agents unless you want the trained guidance of a licensed agent. Drivers can get the lowest quotes online and still use a local agent.
It’s up to you which method you use, but make sure you use apples-to-apples quote information for each price quote. If each company quotes mixed coverages it will be impossible to determine which rate is truly the best.
Insuring your vehicles can cost a lot, buy you may qualify for discounts to cut the cost considerably. Certain discounts will be triggered automatically when you purchase, but some may not be applied and must be asked about before they will apply. If you don’t get every credit you qualify for, you are throwing money away.
Consumers should know that most of the big mark downs will not be given to your bottom line cost. The majority will only reduce the cost of specific coverages such as physical damage coverage or medical payments. Just because you may think you could get a free auto insurance policy, you’re out of luck. Any qualifying discounts will reduce the amount you have to pay.
Car insurance companies that possibly offer these benefits include:
It’s a good idea to ask each company how you can save money. All car insurance discounts may not apply in your area.
When choosing adequate coverage, there is no one size fits all plan. Every situation is different and a cookie cutter policy won’t apply. Here are some questions about coverages that may help you determine whether or not you might need professional guidance.
If it’s difficult to answer those questions, you may need to chat with an insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, complete this form or go to this page to view a list of companies. It only takes a few minutes and can help protect your family.
Learning about specific coverages of your policy can help you determine the best coverages and the correct deductibles and limits. The terms used in a policy can be ambiguous and coverage can change by endorsement. Shown next are the usual coverages available from car insurance companies.
Liability coverages
Liability insurance protects you from injuries or damage you cause to other’s property or people. It protects you from legal claims by others. It does not cover your injuries or vehicle damage.
Liability coverage has 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 that means you have $50,000 bodily injury coverage, $100,000 for the entire accident, and property damage coverage for $50,000. Alternatively, you may have one limit called combined single limit (CSL) which combines the three limits into one amount without having the split limit caps.
Liability can pay for claims such as legal defense fees, medical expenses and loss of income. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is your choice, but consider buying as much as you can afford.
Comprehensive car insurance
This pays to fix your vehicle from damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. You first must pay your deductible then your comprehensive coverage will pay.
Comprehensive can pay for claims like falling objects, a broken windshield, damage from flooding, hitting a bird and hail damage. The most a car insurance company will pay at claim time is the market value of your vehicle, so if the vehicle’s value is low consider removing comprehensive coverage.
Coverage for medical expenses
Med pay and PIP coverage kick in for bills for things like doctor visits, ambulance fees, X-ray expenses, nursing services and hospital visits. They are often utilized in addition to your health insurance policy or if you lack health insurance entirely. Medical payments and PIP cover all vehicle occupants in addition to if you are hit as a while walking down the street. PIP coverage is only offered in select states and gives slightly broader coverage than med pay
Coverage for uninsured or underinsured drivers
Your UM/UIM coverage protects you and your vehicle from other motorists when they either have no liability insurance or not enough. Covered claims include injuries to you and your family and also any damage incurred to your Nissan Altima.
Due to the fact that 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 important protection for you and your family. Most of the time your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverages do not exceed the liability coverage limits.
Collision protection
Collision coverage will pay to fix damage to your Altima from colliding with another vehicle or an object, but not an animal. You have to pay a deductible and the rest of the damage will be paid by collision coverage.
Collision coverage pays for things such as crashing into a building, sideswiping another vehicle and driving through your garage door. This coverage can be expensive, so consider dropping it from vehicles that are older. Another option is to raise the deductible to bring the cost down.