Lower Your 1997 Buick Riviera Car Insurance Rates

No normal person rejoices having to buy insurance coverage, especially when they are aware that the cost is too high.

There are many car insurance companies to purchase coverage from, and although it’s nice to have a selection, too many choices makes it more difficult to compare rates.

Compare insurance coverage quotes online

To find the best insurance coverage prices, there are several ways to obtain and compare prices from many insurance coverage companies in your state. The simplest method to do a complete rate comparison involves getting comparison quotes online. This can be done using a couple different methods.

  • The single most time-saving way to get quotes is a comparison rater form like this one (opens in new window). This type of form keeps you from doing separate quote forms for each company you want a rate for. One form will return price quotes instantly.
  • A more time consuming way to find lower rates is spending the time to visit each company’s website and repeat the quote process again and again. For sake of this example, let’s assume you want comparison quotes from Nationwide, Liberty Mutual and State Farm. To find out each rate you need to navigate to each company’s site and repeatedly enter your information, which can get rather old. For a handy list of car insurance company links in your area, click here.

It’s your choice how you get your quotes, but make sure you use exactly the same quote data with each company. If your comparisons have different limits and deductibles on each one it will be next to impossible to determine which company has the best rates. Even a minor difference in coverages can make a big difference in price. And when comparison shopping, comparing all the rates in your area helps increase your odds of locating more affordable rates.

Earn discounts on insurance

Buying insurance is not cheap, but there may be some discounts to help bring down the price. Many discounts should be triggered when you get a quote, but less common discounts must be specially asked for before you get the savings.

  • Student Discount for Driver Training – It’s a good idea to have your young drivers successfully complete driver’s ed class as it can save substantially.
  • Student Discounts – This discount could provide a savings of up to 20% or more. You can use this discount normally until age 25.
  • Senior Citizen Rates – Older drivers can get reduced rates for Riviera insurance.
  • Seat Belt Usage – Forcing all vehicle occupants to wear their seat belts could save 15% on medical payment and PIP coverage.
  • Memberships – Being in a civic or occupational organization may earn a discount when getting a insurance quote.

Discounts lower rates, but most of the big mark downs will not be given to all coverage premiums. Most cut the cost of specific coverages such as physical damage coverage or medical payments. Despite the appearance that you would end up receiving a 100% discount, you won’t be that lucky. Any amount of discount will cut the cost of coverage.

Car insurance companies who may offer these benefits possibly include:

Before purchasing a policy, check with every company which discounts they offer. All car insurance discounts may not be offered in your area. If you would like to see a list of insurers with the best discounts, follow this link.

Tailor your insurance coverage coverage to you

When it comes to choosing the best insurance coverage coverage, there really is no best way to insure your cars. Everyone’s situation is unique so your insurance needs to address that. Here are some questions about coverages that may help you determine if your situation would benefit from professional advice.

  • Why am I required to get a high-risk car insurance policy?
  • Is my custom paint covered by insurance?
  • Are rental cars covered under my policy?
  • Is there coverage for injuries to my pets?
  • What is the difference between comprehensive and collision coverage?
  • What should my uninsured motorist coverage limits be in my state?
  • What is the ISO rating for a 1997 Buick Riviera?
  • When can my company non-renew my policy?

If it’s difficult to answer those questions, you might consider 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.

Insurance coverages 101

Understanding the coverages of a insurance policy can be of help when determining the right coverages and proper limits and deductibles. The coverage terms in a policy can be difficult to understand and even agents have difficulty translating policy wording. Listed below are typical coverages available from insurance companies.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage

This coverage provides protection when the “other guys” either have no liability insurance or not enough. This coverage pays for injuries sustained by your vehicle’s occupants as well as your vehicle’s damage.

Since many drivers only purchase the least amount of liability that is required, it doesn’t take a major accident to exceed their coverage limits. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage is important protection for you and your family. Normally these coverages are similar to your liability insurance amounts.

Auto collision coverage

Collision insurance pays for damage to your Riviera caused by collision with another vehicle or an object, but not an animal. A deductible applies then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.

Collision coverage protects against claims like hitting a parking meter, rolling your car, sideswiping another vehicle, sustaining damage from a pot hole and backing into a parked car. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so consider removing coverage from vehicles that are 8 years or older. You can also raise the deductible to get cheaper collision coverage.

Medical payments coverage and PIP

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage reimburse you for expenses like X-ray expenses, funeral costs, rehabilitation expenses and pain medications. They can be used in conjunction with a health insurance policy or if you lack health insurance entirely. It covers not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants as well as getting struck while a pedestrian. PIP coverage is not universally available and gives slightly broader coverage than med pay

Comprehensive coverage

Comprehensive insurance coverage pays for damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. You need to pay your deductible first then your comprehensive coverage will pay.

Comprehensive coverage pays for claims like damage from a tornado or hurricane, a tree branch falling on your vehicle, a broken windshield, fire damage and hitting a bird. The most you’ll receive from a claim is the cash value of the vehicle, so if it’s not worth much more than your deductible it’s not worth carrying full coverage.

Liability

This coverage can cover damages or injuries you inflict on a person or their property that is your fault. This coverage protects you against other people’s claims. It does not cover damage to your own property or vehicle.

Liability coverage has three limits: bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident and property damage. As an example, you may have limits of 100/300/100 that means you have a limit of $100,000 per injured person, a per accident bodily injury limit of $300,000, and a limit of $100,000 paid for damaged property. Alternatively, you may have a combined single limit or CSL which combines the three limits into one amount with no separate limits for injury or property damage.

Liability can pay for things like pain and suffering, emergency aid and repair costs for stationary objects. How much coverage you buy is a personal decision, but buy as large an amount as possible.

Shop around and save

Cheaper car insurance is available both online and with local insurance agents, so you need to quote insurance with both to have the best chance of lowering rates. Some insurance companies don’t offer the ability to get a quote online and most of the time these small, regional companies only sell coverage through local independent agencies.

As you quote insurance, do not reduce coverage to reduce premium. In many cases, someone dropped collision coverage and found out when filing a claim that a couple dollars of savings turned into a financial nightmare. Your aim should be to purchase a proper amount of coverage for the lowest cost.

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