Compare 1997 Pontiac Grand Am Insurance Cost

If you’ve never shopped for auto insurance quotes online, you can easily be overwhelmed by the vast number of online car insurance companies and websites who all claim to have the lowest rates.

Finding the best rates is not rocket science. Basically, every vehicle owner who buys auto insurance will more than likely be able to lower their premiums. But vehicle owners should learn the methods companies use to sell online and use this information to your advantage.

Do you qualify for discounts?

Buying car insurance is not cheap, but you might already qualify for some discounts that can drop the cost substantially. Certain reductions will be credited when you complete an application, but some need to be specially asked for before they will apply.

• Theft Deterent – Vehicles equipped with tracking devices and advanced anti-theft systems help deter theft and that can save you a little bit as well.
• ABS Brakes – Vehicles with ABS braking systems or traction control are safer to drive and the ABS can save up to 10%.
• Discount for Life Insurance – Insurance companies who offer life insurance give better prices if you take out life insurance from them.
• Passenger Safety Discount – Cars that have air bags or motorized seat belts may get savings of 20 to 30 percent.
• Active Military Service – Being on active duty in the military may qualify for rate reductions.
• Clubs and Organizations – Joining a civic or occupational organization could earn you a nice discount when shopping for car insurance.
• Low Mileage – Fewer annual miles on your Pontiac may allow you to get cheaper prices.
• Early Payment Discounts – If you pay your entire premium ahead of time instead of making monthly payments you may have a lower total premium amount.
• Multiple Policy Discount – If you can combine your homeowners and auto policy with the same company you could save as much as 10 to 15 percent.

Keep in mind that some credits don’t apply to the entire policy premium. Most only apply to specific coverage prices like physical damage coverage or medical payments. So when it seems like you would end up receiving a 100% discount, it doesn’t quite work that way.

Insurance companies that may offer quotes with some of the above discounts possibly include:

• Geico
• SAFECO
• State Farm
• MetLife
• 21st Century
• Progressive

Double check with every insurance company how you can save money. Discounts might not be offered in your area. To see a list of providers that offer many of these discounts, click here.

How do insurance providers determine Pontiac Grand Am insurance rates?

Lots of factors are considered when quoting car insurance. Most are fairly basic such as traffic violations, but other criteria are more transparent like your continuous coverage or your financial responsibility.

• Use credit responsibly and save – Having a bad credit rating is a large factor in determining what you pay for insurance. So if your credit history is lower than you’d like, you could be paying less to insure your 1997 Pontiac Grand Am by repairing your credit. Insureds that have excellent credit tend to file fewer claims than drivers who have lower ratings.
• Prices for males may be higher – Over time, data shows women tend to be less risk to insure than men. However, don’t assume that women are better drivers. Men and women are responsible for at-fault accidents in similar numbers, but guys have accidents that have higher claims. Men also get higher numbers of serious violations such as reckless driving.
• Consider raising physical damage deductibles – Insurance for physical damage, termed comprehensive and collision coverage on your policy, covers damage that occurs to your Pontiac. Some coverage claims are a broken side mirror, collision with an animal, or theft. Physical damage deductibles are how much you are required to pay if a covered claim is submitted. The more money you’re willing to pay, the better rate you will receive on Grand Am insurance.
• You may save more by bundling policies – Many insurance companies provide a discount to policyholders who buy several policies from them in the form of a multi-policy discount. The discount can be anywhere from five to ten percent in most cases. Even though this discount sounds good, drivers will still want to shop around to help guarantee you have the best rates.
• How do annual miles impact costs? – The more miles you rack up on your Pontiac in a year the more you’ll pay to insure it. Almost all companies price each vehicle’s coverage based on their usage. Vehicles that are left in the garage cost less to insure than cars that get driven a lot. It’s always a good idea to double check that your insurance policy is showing the correct usage for each vehicle, because it can save money. Having the wrong rating on your Grand Am may be costing you higher rates.
• Where you live – Living in less populated areas is a positive aspect when talking about insurance. Residents of big cities have traffic congestion and more severe claims. Less people means fewer accidents and a lower car theft rate.

Don’t assume everyone needs the same auto insurance coverage

When it comes to choosing adequate coverage for your personal vehicles, there really is no “best” method to buy coverage. Everyone’s situation is a little different.

For example, these questions might help in determining whether your personal situation would benefit from an agent’s advice.

• Does my liability insurance cover pulling a trailer or camper?
• Am I missing any policy discounts?
• Which is better, split liability limits or combined limits?
• How much liability do I need to cover my assets?
• Where can I get insurance after a DUI in my state?
• How can I get high-risk coverage after a DUI?
• Am I better off with higher deductibles on my 1997 Pontiac Grand Am?
• Am I covered if I wreck a rental car?

If it’s difficult to answer those questions but you think they might apply to your situation then you might want to talk to an insurance agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, simply complete this short form.

Car insurance coverages for a 1997 Pontiac Grand Am

Knowing the specifics of your policy helps when choosing the best coverages at the best deductibles and correct limits. The terms used in a policy can be ambiguous and even agents have difficulty translating policy wording.

Coverage for collisions

Collision insurance pays to fix your vehicle from damage from colliding with another car or object. A deductible applies then your collision coverage will kick in.

Collision can pay for claims like hitting a parking meter, colliding with another moving vehicle, sideswiping another vehicle and backing into a parked car. Collision is rather expensive coverage, so consider dropping it from lower value vehicles. It’s also possible to raise the deductible to bring the cost down.

Liability car insurance

This can cover damages or injuries you inflict on other people or property by causing an accident. It protects you against claims from other people. It does not cover your own vehicle damage or injuries.

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 100/300/100 that translate to $100,000 in coverage for each person’s injuries, $300,000 for the entire accident, and a limit of $100,000 paid for damaged property.

Liability coverage pays for things like repair costs for stationary objects, bail bonds, attorney fees and medical services. How much liability coverage do you need? That is a decision to put some thought into, but it’s cheap coverage so purchase higher limits if possible.

Uninsured or underinsured coverage

Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage provides 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.

Because many people have only the minimum liability required by law, their liability coverage can quickly be exhausted. So UM/UIM coverage is a good idea.

Medical expense coverage

Med pay and PIP coverage provide coverage for short-term medical expenses like X-ray expenses, rehabilitation expenses and chiropractic care. They can be used to cover expenses not covered by your health insurance plan or if you lack health insurance entirely. They cover not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants and also covers any family member struck as a pedestrian. Personal Injury Protection is not available in all states and may carry a deductible

Comprehensive protection

Comprehensive insurance covers damage caused by mother nature, theft, vandalism and other events. A deductible will apply then the remaining damage will be covered by your comprehensive coverage.

Comprehensive insurance covers claims like hitting a deer, fire damage, rock chips in glass, hail damage and theft. The highest amount you can receive from a comprehensive claim is the actual cash value, so if the vehicle is not worth much consider removing comprehensive coverage.

Make an honest buck

As you quote auto insurance, make sure you don’t buy less coverage just to save a little money. In many instances, an insured cut physical damage coverage only to regret at claim time that it was a big mistake. The goal is to buy a smart amount of coverage for the lowest cost while still protecting your assets.

Affordable 1997 Pontiac Grand Am insurance can be sourced on the web and with local insurance agents, and you should compare price quotes from both so you have a total pricing picture. Some insurance providers don’t offer online quoting and many times these smaller providers work with independent agents.

People change insurance companies for any number of reasons including delays in responding to claim requests, being labeled a high risk driver, delays in paying claims or high prices. Regardless of your reason for switching companies, choosing a new company can be pretty painless.

For more information, link through to the articles below:

• Air Bags: Potential Dangers to Your Children (Insurance Information Insitute)
• Credit Impacts Car Insurance Rates (State Farm)
• Safety Tips for Teen Drivers (Insurance Information Insitute)
• Bodily Injury Coverage (Liberty Mutual)