Did you fall for a flashy sales pitch and buy an underperforming, overpriced insurance coverage policy? Trust us when we tell you there are a lot of people just like you who feel imprisoned by their insurance coverage policy. Big companies like GEICO, 21st Century and Progressive persitently shower you with TV and radio ads and consumers find it hard to see past the corporate glitz and take the time to shop coverage around.
If you have insurance now or are looking for a new policy, you will benefit by learning to shop for the lowest rates while maintaining coverages. Buying car insurance is not that difficult. Consumers just need to understand the best way to get comparison rates on the web.
Companies offering auto insurance don’t always advertise every discount very well, so we break down both the well known and also the lesser-known discounts you could be receiving. If you don’t get every credit available, you are paying more than you should be.
It’s important to understand that most of the big mark downs will not be given to the overall cost of the policy. Most only apply to individual premiums such as comp or med pay. Just because you may think you can get free auto insurance, insurance companies aren’t that generous.
For a list of insurers who offer insurance discounts, click this link.
When buying adequate coverage, there isn’t really a “perfect” insurance plan. Every insured’s situation is different so your insurance needs to address that. Here are some questions about coverages that might help in determining whether your personal situation could use an agent’s help.
If you can’t answer these questions but one or more may apply to you then you might want to talk to an insurance agent. If you don’t have a local agent, fill out this quick form or go to this page to view a list of companies. It only takes a few minutes and can provide invaluable advice.
Consumers constantly see and hear ads for the lowest price auto insurance by Allstate and Progressive. All the companies make the same claim that you can save after switching to their company.
How does each company claim to save you money?
All companies have a certain “appetite” for the right customer that earns them a profit. A good example of a desirable insured might be profiled as between the ages of 40 and 55, owns a home, and has a high credit rating. Any driver who meets those qualifications will get the preferred rates and is almost guaranteed to cut their rates substantially.
Consumers who do not match these standards will be quoted more money which usually ends up with the customer not buying. Company advertisements say “people who switch” not “people who quote” save that kind of money. That is how companies can truthfully advertise the way they do. This emphasizes why drivers should get as many comparisons as possible. It’s not possible to predict the company that will fit your personal profile best.
Having a good grasp of your policy can be of help when determining which coverages you need and the correct deductibles and limits. The terms used in a policy can be confusing and nobody wants to actually read their policy. Listed below are typical coverage types offered by auto insurance companies.
Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage provides protection when other motorists are uninsured or don’t have enough coverage. It can pay for injuries sustained by your vehicle’s occupants and damage to your GMC Sierra 1500.
Because many people carry very low liability coverage limits, their limits can quickly be used up. For this reason, having high UM/UIM coverages should not be overlooked.
Liability insurance protects you from damages or injuries you inflict on other’s property or people. It protects YOU against other people’s claims, and does not provide coverage for damage sustained by your vehicle in an accident.
Liability coverage has three limits: per person bodily injury, per accident bodily injury, and a property damage limit. You might see limits of 25/50/25 which means a $25,000 limit per person for injuries, $50,000 for the entire accident, and property damage coverage for $25,000.
Liability coverage protects against things such as pain and suffering, funeral expenses, court costs, emergency aid and loss of income. How much liability coverage do you need? That is up to you, but buy higher limits if possible.
Comprehensive insurance coverage pays for damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. You first have to pay a deductible and the remainder of the damage will be paid by comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive coverage pays for things such as rock chips in glass, a broken windshield, a tree branch falling on your vehicle, theft and hitting a deer. 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 it’s not worth carrying full coverage.
This coverage covers damage to your Sierra 1500 from colliding with an object or car. You have to pay a deductible then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.
Collision coverage protects against things such as hitting a parking meter, colliding with a tree, rolling your car and crashing into a building. This coverage can be expensive, so you might think about dropping it from vehicles that are older. Drivers also have the option to raise the deductible to get cheaper collision coverage.
Medical payments and Personal Injury Protection insurance provide coverage for immediate expenses for pain medications, hospital visits and X-ray expenses. They can be used to cover expenses not covered by your health insurance program or if you do not have health coverage. Coverage applies to not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants and also covers any family member struck as a pedestrian. PIP is not universally available and may carry a deductible
When you buy insurance online, you should never buy less coverage just to save a little money. In many instances, someone dropped liability limits or collision coverage and learned later that it was a big mistake. Your focus should be to find the BEST coverage at an affordable rate.
Discount 2009 GMC Sierra 1500 insurance can be purchased from both online companies and also from your neighborhood agents, and you need to comparison shop both to have the best chance of lowering rates. There are still a few companies who may not provide online quoting and most of the time these small insurance companies sell through independent agents.
Additional detailed information can be found in the articles below: