Wish you could get a refund on overpriced car insurance? Trust us, many consumers feel financially strained by their car insurance policy.
Having so many choices of insurance companies, it’s nearly impossible to locate a more affordable company.
It’s important that you understand the different types of things that go into determining your premiums. When you know what positively or negatively influences your rates, this empowers consumers to make smart changes that could help you find cheaper rates.
Listed below are most of the major factors companies use to determine premiums.
Companies that sell car insurance do not list all disounts in a way that’s easy to find, so the below list has a few of the more well known and the harder-to-find discounts that you can inquire about if you buy insurance online.
Don’t be surprised that many deductions do not apply to the overall cost of the policy. Most cut the cost of specific coverages such as physical damage coverage or medical payments. So when the math indicates you would end up receiving a 100% discount, companies don’t profit that way.
A partial list of companies that may offer policyholders these discounts may include but are not limited to:
When getting free insurance quotes, it’s a good idea to all companies you are considering which credits you are entitled to. Some of the discounts discussed earlier might not be offered on policies in your area. If you would like to view providers with discount rates, click here to view.
Well-known insurance coverage companies like State Farm and Allstate continually stream ads in print and on television. All the companies make the same claim that people will save just by switching your policy. Is it even possible that every company can say the same thing? It’s all in how they say it.
Different companies can use profiling for the type of customer that will generate a profit. A good example of a preferred risk might be described as over the age of 40, has few claims, and drives a car with an anti-theft system. A customer that meets those criteria will probably get the lowest prices as well as save some money.
Insureds who fall outside the ideal profile will get a more expensive rate which leads to business not being written. If you listen to the ad wording, they say “drivers who switch” not “everyone who quotes” save that much when switching. That’s the way companies can make claims like that. Each company has different criteria, so drivers should compare quotes as often as possible. Because without a comparison, you cannot know which company will be your best fit.
When choosing the right insurance coverage for your vehicles, there really is no “best” method to buy coverage. Your needs are not the same as everyone else’s and your policy should reflect that. These are some specific questions could help you determine whether your personal situation will benefit from professional help.
If you’re not sure about those questions but one or more may apply to you, then you may want to think about talking to a licensed insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, complete this form or you can go here for a list of companies in your area.
Knowing the specifics of your policy can help you determine which coverages you need and the correct deductibles and limits. Auto insurance terms can be difficult to understand and even agents have difficulty translating policy wording. These are typical coverages found on most auto insurance policies.
UM/UIM (Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist) coverage – This coverage provides protection when other motorists either have no liability insurance or not enough. Covered claims include injuries sustained by your vehicle’s occupants and also any damage incurred to your Nissan Sentra.
Since a lot of drivers only carry the minimum required liability limits, it doesn’t take a major accident to exceed their coverage limits. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage is very important.
Comprehensive auto coverage – Comprehensive insurance coverage will pay to fix damage from a wide range of events other than collision. A deductible will apply and the remainder of the damage will be paid by comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive coverage protects against claims such as a tree branch falling on your vehicle, hitting a deer, falling objects and rock chips in glass. The highest amount you can receive from a comprehensive claim is the ACV or actual cash value, so if the vehicle is not worth much it’s not worth carrying full coverage.
Collision coverages – This coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage caused by collision with another vehicle or an object, but not an animal. You will need to pay your deductible then your collision coverage will kick in.
Collision insurance covers claims like damaging your car on a curb, driving through your garage door, hitting a parking meter and backing into a parked car. This coverage can be expensive, so you might think about dropping it from vehicles that are 8 years or older. It’s also possible to bump up the deductible to save money on collision insurance.
Liability auto insurance – Liability coverage provides protection from damage that occurs to a person or their property. It protects you from legal claims by others, and doesn’t cover damage sustained by your vehicle in an accident.
Liability coverage has three limits: bodily injury for each person, bodily injury for the entire accident, and a limit for property damage. Your policy might show policy limits of 100/300/100 which stand for $100,000 bodily injury coverage, a limit of $300,000 in injury protection per accident, and property damage coverage for $100,000.
Liability can pay for claims like structural damage, repair bills for other people’s vehicles, medical services, funeral expenses and court costs. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is up to you, but buy higher limits if possible.
Medical payments and PIP coverage – Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage reimburse you for immediate expenses such as ambulance fees, surgery, X-ray expenses and funeral costs. They are often used to cover expenses not covered by your health insurance plan or if you are not covered by health insurance. It covers all vehicle occupants as well as if you are hit as a while walking down the street. PIP coverage is not universally available and gives slightly broader coverage than med pay
While you’re price shopping online, it’s very important that you do not reduce needed coverages to save money. There have been many situations where an accident victim reduced uninsured motorist or liability limits and found out when filing a claim that the few dollars in savings costed them thousands. The aim is to buy the best coverage you can find at the best price while not skimping on critical coverages.
We just presented some good ideas how to get a better price on 1990 Nissan Sentra insurance. The key concept to understand is the more you quote insurance, the better chance you’ll have of finding cheaper insurance. You may be surprised to find that the lowest prices come from a smaller regional carrier. These companies may have significantly lower rates on certain market segments as compared to the big name companies such as Allstate or State Farm.
Additional information is available at the links below
Kacy Boyle
Do I have to carry car insurance in Georgia?
Yaeko Ayala
Good site, thanks. I’m in the west part of Aurora, CO. Got rates from GEICO, Auto-Owners, and some I forget for my 1990 Nissan Sentra and saved $72 a year. When should I drop full coverage?
Joella Hunter
I can’t pay high rates. I’m just south of Rochester, New York. Quoted with Western Auto Insurance, American Family, GMAC, and Nationwide for my Nissan and saved just over $80 a year. Left Western Auto Insurance to switch. It’s easy to compare rates online now.
Porter Gutierrez
Will State Farm give a discount for driver training?
Polly Everett
I’m in the suburbs of Rochester, Minnesota. Received prices from American Family, Sentry, and USAA for my Sentra and saved $81 a year. Insured with Farmers before. Have an at-fault accident tho. Hardly afford to drive anymore.
Maybell Berg
Live in the eastern part of Detroit, MI. Quoted quotes with AIG Insurance, Sentry, and a few others for my Nissan and I think I am saving around $20 each month. Good savings if you bundle. I got prices on the web. Liability only on my Sentra.
Leta Swanson
I got quite a few price quotes for a 1990 Nissan Sentra in Chesapeake, Virginia. Ended up at about $70 every six months with Auto-Owners. Ask about discounts.
Catarina Park
Mine is so expensive. From Norfolk, VA. I quoted with American Family, Nationwide, and a few others for my Sentra and saved just over $100 a year. Hardly afford to drive anymore.
Roslyn Sargent
Proud to be from Mobile, AL. Don’t remember every company but I ended up saving about $20 each month. Insured with Auto-Owners before. They have a lot of discounts available.
Elise Cruz
Where is cheaper car insurance? I’m in the north part of Bismarck, North Dakota. Got car insurance quotes with Allstate, Farmers, and The General for my Nissan and I’m now saving $19 a month. Insured with The General before. Thankfully I have a good driving record. I don’t have comp or collision coverage.
Lori Kline
Nice info. I live in Mesa, AZ. Checked online prices for a 1990 Nissan Sentra. Ended up at about $70 savings annually. Went with State Farm. Was with Auto-Owners. Liability only on my Sentra.
Cecelia Reyes
Just my two cents. From a town just southwest of Little Rock, Arkansas. Compared quite a few companies. Saved about $20 a month. Progressive was the cheapest option for me. It’s too old for full coverage.
Hilton Vasquez
I live just to the east of Charleston, SC. Quoted with AIG Insurance, MetLife, and some smaller one I can’t remember the name of for my 1990 Nissan Sentra and saved just over $80 a year. Got better coverage too. Full coverage costs too much.
Ayesha Moreno
I got decent rates for a 1990 Nissan Sentra in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Ended up at right around $120 every six months with Amica. Left Esurance to switch. I get a discount for insuring multiple vehicles. Just waiting to see how claims go.
Lore Mccoy
I’ve bought from State Farm forever. Cheapest rates in Bangor, Maine.
Aurora Dejesus
Live in the northern part of Cincinnati, OH. Checked online prices for a 1990 Nissan Sentra. Ended up at about $70 savings annually. Went with State Farm. Insured with Amica before. I’m a pretty good driver though. Not sure if rates are cheaper online or through an agent. Book value doesn’t justify full coverage anymore.
Nada Combs
If you don’t have tickets and live around Paterson, New Jersey, check out 21st Century. They seem to be cheaper. Left Erie to switch. I have a couple other vehicles on the policy. Highly recommended.