Having to pay for high-priced car insurance can diminish your monthly budget and make it hard to pay other bills. Doing a rate analysis is free and is an excellent way to ensure you are getting the best deal.
Big-name insurance companies like State Farm, Allstate, Geico and Progressive increase brand awareness with fancy advertisements and it is challenging if not impossible to see through the deception and effectively compare rates to find the best deal.
You should make it a habit to shop coverage around yearly because prices are usually higher with each renewal. Even if you got the best deal on Maxima coverage two years ago a different company probably has better rate quotes today. Ignore everything you know about car insurance because I’m going to teach you the right way to find lower rates on car insurance.
Lots of things are considered when quoting car insurance. A few of the factors are predictable like a motor vehicle report, but others are less apparent such as your marital status or how safe your car is.
The factors shown below are some of the things companies use to determine premiums.
Insurance is expensive, but there’s a good chance there are discounts that could help you make your next renewal payment. Many of these discounts will be applied automatically at quote time, but lesser-known reductions have to be specially asked for before you get the savings.
As a footnote on discounts, some credits don’t apply to the entire policy premium. A few only apply to the cost of specific coverages such as comprehensive or collision. Despite the fact that it seems like it’s possible to get free car insurance, you aren’t that lucky.
If you would like to see a list of companies with the best insurance discounts, click here to view.
When buying coverage for your vehicles, there is no cookie cutter policy. Everyone’s needs are different and a cookie cutter policy won’t apply. These are some specific questions may help highlight whether your personal situation will benefit from professional help.
If you’re not sure about those questions but you know they apply to you, you may need to chat with an insurance agent. If you don’t have a local agent, simply complete this short form or go to this page to view a list of companies.
Learning about specific coverages of a insurance policy helps when choosing the best coverages and proper limits and deductibles. The terms used in a policy can be confusing and even agents have difficulty translating policy wording. These are the normal coverages available from insurance companies.
Auto liability – Liability insurance provides protection from injuries or damage you cause to other’s property or people by causing an accident. This insurance protects YOU against claims from other people. Liability doesn’t cover your own vehicle damage or injuries.
It consists of three limits, per person bodily injury, per accident bodily injury, and a property damage limit. As an example, you may have policy limits of 25/50/25 which means $25,000 in coverage for each person’s injuries, $50,000 for the entire accident, and a total limit of $25,000 for damage to vehicles and property. Alternatively, you may have one number which is a combined single limit that pays claims from the same limit rather than limiting it on a per person basis.
Liability coverage protects against things like bail bonds, repair costs for stationary objects, repair bills for other people’s vehicles, medical services and pain and suffering. How much coverage you buy is your choice, but buy as high a limit as you can afford.
Comprehensive protection – Comprehensive insurance coverage covers damage caused by mother nature, theft, vandalism and other events. A deductible will apply and the remainder of the damage will be paid by comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive coverage protects against things such as theft, rock chips in glass and a tree branch falling on your vehicle. The highest amount you’ll receive from a claim is the cash value of the vehicle, so if the vehicle’s value is low consider dropping full coverage.
Collision coverages – This coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage caused by collision with a stationary object or other vehicle. A deductible applies then your collision coverage will kick in.
Collision insurance covers things such as colliding with a tree, rolling your car and hitting a mailbox. Collision is rather expensive coverage, so consider dropping it from lower value vehicles. Drivers also have the option to choose a higher deductible to get cheaper collision coverage.
Medical expense coverage – Coverage for medical payments and/or PIP kick in for bills like EMT expenses, prosthetic devices, pain medications and hospital visits. The coverages can be used to cover expenses not covered by your health insurance program or if you are not covered by health insurance. They cover all vehicle occupants and will also cover if you are hit as a while walking down the street. Personal injury protection coverage is not available in all states but it provides additional coverages not offered by medical payments coverage
Uninsured or underinsured coverage – Your UM/UIM coverage protects you and your vehicle’s occupants when the “other guys” either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. Covered losses include injuries sustained by your vehicle’s occupants as well as damage to your Nissan Maxima.
Since a lot of drivers carry very low liability coverage limits, it only takes a small accident to exceed their coverage. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage is very important. Normally these limits are set the same as your liablity limits.
As you restructure your insurance plan, it’s very important that you do not sacrifice coverage to reduce premiums. In many instances, consumers will sacrifice liability coverage limits and found out when filing a claim they didn’t purchase enough coverage. Your strategy should be to get the best coverage possible at an affordable rate.
We just showed you a lot of information how to compare 2008 Nissan Maxima insurance prices online. The most important thing to understand is the more rate comparisons you have, the better likelihood of getting affordable auto insurance. You may even discover the best price on insurance coverage is with a lesser-known regional company. These smaller insurers can often provide lower rates in certain areas as compared to the big name companies such as Allstate and Progressive.
More information can be found at these links:
Trudi Terry
In Aurora, Colorado, 21st Century auto insurance rates for my 2008 Nissan Maxima were good. Did it all online.
Leda Stephens
Progressive is decent in Raleigh, NC.
Ken Holland
Lots of good stuff here. From east side of Grand Rapids, MI. Quoted rates from Allstate, Amica, and Esurance for my Nissan and am saving around $540 a year.
Karena Morales
What is comprehensive coverage?
Trina Burton
Great info, thanks for posting. From northwest of Gulfport, MS. Quoted with Allstate, AIG Insurance, and Eastwood for my 2008 Nissan Maxima and saved $481 a year. Not sure if rates are cheaper online or through an agent.
Sheba Valencia
If you have a good history and live around Los Angeles, CA, check out GEICO. They seem to be cheaper.
Artie Hines
I went with State Farm at renewal. Best rates in Milwaukee, WI. Have an at-fault accident tho.
Kenya Cantu
If you have a good history and live in the vicinity of Cincinnati, OH, check out GEICO. They seem to be cheaper. It was easy to get rates.
Trinity Jefferson
I’m looking for cheaper coverage. I’m in the east part of Tacoma, WA. Got car insurance rates from State Farm, American Family, and Farmers for my Maxima and I’m now saving $42 a month. Have an at-fault accident tho.
Cindie Stephens
Cheaper car insurance is a myth. I live just outside Eugene, OR. Quoted prices from State Farm, Erie, and Liberty Mutual for my Maxima and I think I am saving around $30 each month. Left AIG Insurance to switch. I think they have home insurance too. You can get a rate quote online.
Jeanne Sweeney
What are minimum liability limits required in Utah?
Branden Keith
I live in Eugene, OR. I got free quotes with Amica, Safeco, and a few others for my 2008 Nissan Maxima and I’m now saving $22 a month. Insured with GMAC before. I have a teen driver too.
Cami Mcintyre
I’m in the west part of Bellevue, NE. I compared lots of rates. Saved roughly $30 a month. Progressive was the best choice for me. Was with 21st Century.