How Much Does 1998 Pontiac Grand Am Insurance Cost?

There isn’t a single person who likes buying car insurance, especially when they are aware that they are paying too much.

Having so many companies and agents to choose from, it’s difficult to pick the most cost effective car insurance provider.

It’s important to price shop coverage once or twice a year because car insurance prices are rarely the same from one policy term to another. Despite the fact that you may have had the lowest rates on Grand Am coverage two years ago the chances are good that you can find a lower premium rate today. Block out anything you think you know about car insurance because we’re going to show you the fastest way to properly buy coverages and cut your premium.

The most recommended method to compare rate quotes is to take advantage of the fact auto insurance companies actually pay money for the chance to give you rate quotes. To start a quote, the only thing you need to do is give the companies some data including how much you drive, if you went to college, any included safety features, and driver ages. That information is sent automatically to multiple auto insurance providers and they respond with quotes immediately.

Insurance in the media

Insurance companies such as Progressive, Allstate and Geico continually stream ads in print and on television. They all convey the message that drivers will save a bundle if you get a free car insurance quote and switch your insurance coverage to their company. How can each company charge you a lower premium? This is the way they can do it.

Different companies have a certain “appetite” for the type of insured that will generate a profit. For instance, a desirable risk could be a mature driver, has no prior claims, and chooses high deductibles. A driver who fits that profile is entitled to the best price as well as save when they switch companies.

Potential customers who fall outside these criteria will probably have to pay higher prices which leads to the driver buying from a lower-cost company. If you pay attention, the ads say “customers that switch” not “everyone who quotes” save that kind of money. That is how insurance companies can advertise the savings. Because of these techniques, you absolutely need to get as many free car insurance quotes as possible. You cannot predict the company that will fit your personal profile best.

How to lower your insurance rates

Lots of things are taken into consideration when quoting car insurance. Some of the criteria are obvious like an MVR report, although some other factors are not as apparent like your continuous coverage or your commute time.A large part of saving on insurance coverage is knowing the rating factors that come into play when calculating the rates you pay for insurance coverage. When consumers understand what determines base rates, this enables you to make decisions that could help you find lower premium levels.

  • See if your company offers a multi-policy discount – Most major insurers will award a discount to policyholders who consolidate policies with them such as combining an auto and homeowners policy. Even if you qualify for this discount already, it’s still a good idea to check prices from other companies to guarantee you are still saving the most.There is a chance you can find lower rates by buying insurance from more than one company.
  • Single drivers may pay higher prices – Having a spouse may save some money compared to being single. Marriage demonstrates that you tend to be more stable financially and insurance companies like that married drivers tend to file fewer claims.
  • Low stress vocation equals lower rates – Did you know your career choice can influence rates? Occupations such as lawyersair traffic controllers and emergency personnel are shown to have the highest rates in part from intense work-related stress and lengthy work days. Other careers like farmers, engineers and homemakers generally pay rates lower than average on Grand Am coverage.
  • Better rates for uninterrupted coverage – Driving your car without having proper coverage can get your license suspended and insurance coverage companies will penalize you for letting your insurance lapse. And not only will your rates increase, the inability to provide proof of insurance will get you a license revocation or jail time. You may need to prove you have insurance by filing a SR-22 with your state department of motor vehicles.
  • High physical damage deductibles cost less – Insurance for physical damage to your car, termed comprehensive and collision coverage on your policy, is used to repair damage to your Pontiac. Some examples of covered claims are a dented fender, hitting a deer, and damage from a fallen tree branch. The deductibles you choose define how much you are willing to pay out-of-pocket in the event of a claim. The more you are required to pay out-of-pocket, the lower your rates will be on Grand Am coverage.
  • High credit means lower costs – Credit rating factor in calculating your premium rate. People with excellent credit scores tend to be better risks to insure than drivers who have lower ratings. So if your credit rating is lower than you’d like, you could pay less to insure your 1998 Pontiac Grand Am if you improve your credit rating.
  • Lower premiums for safer cars – Cars with high safety ratings tend to be cheaper to insure. These vehicles have better occupant injury protection and any reduction in injury severity means lower claim amounts and thus lower rates. If your Pontiac is rated at least four stars on Safercar.gov or an “acceptable” rating on iihs.org it may be receiving lower rates.
  • Cheaper to insure gals? – Over time, data shows women are more cautious behind the wheel. The data does not necessarily mean that men are WORSE drivers than women. Females and males cause at-fault accidents at about the same rate, but men have accidents that have higher claims. Men also statistically receive more costly citations like DWI (DUI) or reckless driving. Youthful male drivers cause the most accidents and thus pay the highest rates.

Verify you’re receiving every discount

Insurance coverage can be pricey, but there are discounts available to reduce the price significantly. Certain discounts will be triggered automatically when you complete an application, but less common discounts must be requested specifically prior to getting the savings.

  • Government Employees – Being employed by or retired from a federal job may reduce rates when you quote car insurance on Grand Am coverage depending on your insurance coverage provider.
  • Homeowners Discount – Just owning your own home may earn you a small savings due to the fact that maintaining a home shows financial diligence.
  • Seat Belt Discounts – Drivers who require all occupants to wear their seat belts can save 10% or more on the medical payments or PIP coverage costs.
  • Theft Deterent System – Cars equipped with tracking devices and advanced anti-theft systems have a lower chance of being stolen and will qualify for a discount on a car insurance quote.
  • Passenger Safety Discount – Vehicles equipped with air bags and/or automatic seat belt systems can receive discounts as much as 30%.
  • Policy Bundle Discount – When you have multiple policies with the same company they may give you a discount of approximately 10% to 15%.
  • Low Mileage – Keeping the miles down on your Pontiac can qualify you for slightly better insurance coveragerates than normal.

A little disclaimer on discounts, some credits don’t apply to the overall cost of the policy. Most only cut specific coverage prices like comp or med pay. Just because you may think all the discounts add up to a free policy, it just doesn’t work that way.

For a list of insurance coverage companies with significant discounts, click here.

When should I discuss my situation with an agent?

When it comes to buying coverage, there is no single plan that fits everyone. Every insured’s situation is different and your policy should reflect that. Here are some questions about coverages that might help in determining if your situation may require specific advice.

  • Do I need medical payments coverage since I have good health insurance?
  • Can I afford to buy a different vehicle if my 1998 Pontiac Grand Am is totaled?
  • How can I get my company to pay me more for my totalled car?
  • What is UM/UIM insurance?
  • Is my dog or cat covered if injured in an accident?
  • Do I need replacement cost coverage?
  • Does car insurance cover theft of personal property?
  • Should I have combined single limit or split liability limits?
  • Who is covered by my policy?
  • Am I covered when driving a rental car?

If it’s difficult to answer those questions but one or more may apply to you, you might consider talking to a licensed insurance agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, fill out this quick form or you can go here for a list of companies in your area.

Insurance coverages 101

Understanding the coverages of your insurance policy can be of help when determining the right coverages at the best deductibles and correct limits. Policy terminology can be ambiguous and coverage can change by endorsement. These are typical coverage types found on the average insurance policy.

Liability insurance

Liability insurance can cover damage that occurs to other’s property or people in an accident. It protects YOU against other people’s claims. Liability doesn’t cover your injuries or vehicle damage.

Liability coverage has three limits: bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident and property damage. Your policy might show values of 100/300/100 that means you have a $100,000 limit per person for injuries, $300,000 for the entire accident, and $100,000 of coverage for damaged propery.

Liability coverage pays for claims such as bail bonds, pain and suffering and attorney fees. How much liability should you purchase? That is a personal decision, but consider buying higher limits if possible.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM)

This provides protection from other motorists when they do not carry enough liability coverage. Covered losses include hospital bills for your injuries as well as damage to your Pontiac Grand Am.

Since a lot of drivers have only the minimum liability required by law, their limits can quickly be used up. So UM/UIM coverage should not be overlooked.

Comprehensive insurance

Comprehensive insurance covers 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 insurance covers claims like falling objects, hitting a deer, a broken windshield, damage from flooding and damage from getting keyed. The maximum amount you can receive from a comprehensive claim is the actual cash value, so if the vehicle’s value is low it’s probably time to drop comprehensive insurance.

Med pay and Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

Medical payments and Personal Injury Protection insurance reimburse you for bills for pain medications, ambulance fees, X-ray expenses and chiropractic care. The coverages can be utilized in addition to your health insurance policy or if there is no health insurance coverage. Coverage applies to not only the driver but also the 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 and gives slightly broader coverage than med pay

Auto collision coverage

This coverage covers damage to your Grand Am resulting from colliding with a stationary object or other vehicle. 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, crashing into a ditch, backing into a parked car and crashing into a building. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so analyze the benefit of dropping coverage from vehicles that are older. You can also raise the deductible to save money on collision insurance.

Knowledge is power

You just learned a lot of techniques to reduce 1998 Pontiac Grand Am insurance car insurance rates online. It’s most important to understand that the more price quotes you have, the higher your chance of finding low cost car insurance. Drivers may discover the lowest car insurance rates are with some of the lesser-known companies. Regional companies may cover specific market segments cheaper than the large multi-state companies such as Geico and State Farm.

Affordable 1998 Pontiac Grand Am insurance can be purchased both online and from local insurance agents, and you should compare price quotes from both to have the best selection. Some insurance companies don’t offer rates over the internet and most of the time these smaller companies provide coverage only through local independent agents.

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