The preferred way to save money on car insurance rates is to start comparing rates regularly from providers who sell auto insurance in Indianapolis. Prices can be compared by following these steps.
- First, spend a few minutes and learn about the different coverages in a policy and the measures you can take to drop your rates. Many things that cause rate increases like tickets, at-fault accidents, and a substandard credit score can be remedied by improving your driving habits or financial responsibility.
- Second, get rate quotes from exclusive agents, independent agents, and direct providers. Direct and exclusive agents can only give prices from a single company like GEICO or Farmers Insurance, while independent agents can quote prices for a wide range of companies. Begin your rate comparison
- Third, compare the new quotes to your current policy to see if you can save by switching companies. If you can save some money and make a switch, make sure coverage does not lapse between policies.
A crucial key to this process is to use identical limits and deductibles on every quote request and and to get prices from as many different companies as possible. Doing this helps ensure a level playing field and plenty of rates choose from.
Shocking but true, a large majority of auto insurance policyholders have remained with the same auto insurance company for more than four years, and just under half have never even compared rates from other companies. Most drivers in Indiana could cut their rates by nearly $700 a year just by comparing rates, but most tend to underestimate the rate savings if they switched to a more affordable policy.
Auto insurance policy discounts you can’t miss
Some providers do not advertise all discounts very well, so the list below contains a few of the more common in addition to some of the lesser obvious discounts that may be available.
- Theft Prevention Discount – Vehicles that have factory alarm systems and tracking devices are stolen less frequently and will save you 10% or more on Solstice insurance in Indianapolis.
- Discounts for Responsible Drivers – Accident-free drivers may receive a discount up to 45% than drivers with accidents.
- Discounts for Government Workers – Being employed by or retired from a federal job could provide a small rate reduction with select insurance companies.
- Anti-lock Brakes – Vehicles that have anti-lock braking systems prevent accidents and the ABS can save up to 10%.
- Multiple Vehicles – Buying a policy with more than one vehicle with the same company can get a discount on all vehicles.
- Switch and Save Discount – A few larger companies offer discounts for switching companies prior to the expiration date on your current Solstice insurance policy. The savings is around 10%.
A little disclaimer on discounts, many deductions do not apply to the overall cost of the policy. Most only cut the price of certain insurance coverages like comp or med pay. Even though the math looks like having all the discounts means you get insurance for free, nobody gets a free ride.
To see companies who offer cheap Pontiac Solstice insurance quotes in Indianapolis in Indianapolis, click this link.
Auto insurance 101
Learning about specific coverages of your policy can help you determine the right coverages and proper limits and deductibles. Auto insurance terms can be difficult to understand and nobody wants to actually read their policy. Below you’ll find the normal coverages found on the average auto insurance policy.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) – This protects you and your vehicle when the “other guys” either have no liability insurance or not enough. It can pay for injuries to you and your family and also any damage incurred to your Pontiac Solstice.
Because many people carry very low liability coverage limits (25/50/10 in Indiana), their limits can quickly be used up. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage should not be overlooked.
Comprehensive insurance – This pays to fix your vehicle from damage from a wide range of events other than collision. You need to pay your deductible first then the remaining damage will be covered by your comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive insurance covers things like hitting a bird, damage from a tornado or hurricane, rock chips in glass, a broken windshield and damage from getting keyed. The most your auto insurance company will pay is the actual cash value, so if it’s not worth much more than your deductible it’s not worth carrying full coverage.
Collision coverage – This coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage from colliding with a stationary object or other vehicle. You will need to pay your deductible and then insurance will cover the remainder.
Collision can pay for claims such as hitting a parking meter, hitting a mailbox and rolling your car. Paying for collision coverage can be pricey, so consider removing coverage from vehicles that are 8 years or older. Drivers also have the option to increase the deductible on your Solstice to save money on collision insurance.
Med pay and Personal Injury Protection (PIP) – Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage kick in for short-term medical expenses for funeral costs, EMT expenses, dental work, surgery and ambulance fees. They can be utilized in addition to your health insurance program or if you lack health insurance entirely. Medical payments and PIP cover both the driver and occupants and also covers 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
Liability insurance – This will cover damage or injury you incur to people or other property that is your fault. It protects you from claims by other people. Liability doesn’t cover your own vehicle damage or injuries.
Coverage consists of three different limits, bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident and property damage. You commonly see liability limits of 25/50/10 which means $25,000 bodily injury coverage, a per accident bodily injury limit of $50,000, and $10,000 of coverage for damaged property.
Liability coverage protects against things such as medical services, repair costs for stationary objects, legal defense fees, funeral expenses and pain and suffering. How much coverage you buy is your choice, but consider buying as much as you can afford. Indiana requires minimum liability limits of 25/50/10 but it’s recommended drivers buy better liability coverage.
The illustration below shows why buying the state minimum limits may not be adequate coverage.
Smart consumers save more
When searching for the cheapest Pontiac Solstice rate quotes, don’t be tempted to skimp on coverage in order to save money. There are too many instances where an insured cut full coverage only to discover later that the small savings ended up costing them much more. The proper strategy is to find the BEST coverage for the lowest cost but still have enough coverage for asset protection.
We just presented many tips how you can shop for Pontiac Solstice insurance online. The key thing to remember is the more price quotes you have, the higher the chance of saving money. You may even find the most savings is with an unexpected company. They may only write in your state and offer lower auto insurance rates compared to the large companies like Allstate or State Farm.
For more information, take a look at the resources below:
- Speed and Speed Limit FAQ (iihs.org)
- Who Has Cheap Auto Insurance for Uninsured Drivers in Indianapolis? (FAQ)
- Who Has Affordable Indianapolis Auto Insurance for a Learners Permit? (FAQ)
- How Much is Indianapolis Auto Insurance for College Students? (FAQ)
- Can I Drive Legally without Insurance? (Insurance Information Institute)
- Airbag FAQ (iihs.org)