Top 5 Methods to Save on Saturn SL1 Insurance

Scraping up a payment for overpriced Saturn SL1 insurance can overdraw your personal savings and put the squeeze on your family’s finances. Comparison shopping is free and is an excellent way to tighten up your finances. Companies like GEICO, Progressive and Allstate constantly bombard you with catchy ads and it is difficult to see through the deception and find the best price available.

It’s important to compare rates periodically since rates are rarely the same from one policy term to another. If you had the best deal for SL1 insurance a couple years back the chances are good that you can find a lower rate today. You can find a lot of wrong information about auto insurance on the internet, so by reading this article, you’re going to learn some proven techniques to slash your auto insurance rates.

Compare Auto Insurance Today

Performing a rate comparison can be a daunting task if you don’t understand the easiest way. You can waste a lot of time talking about coverages with insurance companies in your area, or you can utilize online quoting to get the quickest rates.

Many insurance companies belong to a marketplace where prospective buyers send in one quote, and every company then returns a price quote based on the submitted data. This prevents consumers from doing quotation requests to each company. To fill out one form to compare multiple rates now click here (opens in new window).

The single downside to using this type of form is you can’t choose which carriers to get pricing from. So if you prefer to pick individual companies to request quotes from, we have assembled a list of the cheapest auto insurance companies in your area. Click here for list of insurance companies.

Which method you use is up to you, but double check that you are using the exact same coverages and limits on every quote. If you are comparing differing limits you will not be able to find the best deal for your Saturn SL1.

Insurance agents can help

When it comes to choosing proper insurance coverage, there isn’t really a best way to insure your cars. Your needs are not the same as everyone else’s so your insurance needs to address that. Here are some questions about coverages that can aid in determining if your situation might need professional guidance.

• Why is insurance for a teen driver so high?
• Do I have any recourse if my insurance company denies a claim?
• Do I need added coverage for expensive stereo equipment?
• Do I get a pro-rated refund if I cancel my policy early?
• Am I covered when delivering products for my home-based business?
• Are rental cars covered under my policy?
• Does my personal auto insurance policy cover using my vehicle for business use?

If it’s difficult to answer those questions but one or more may apply to you, then you may want to think about talking to a licensed insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, fill out this quick form or you can go here for a list of companies in your area. It is quick, free and may give you better protection.

Your insurance agent down the street

Some people prefer to get advice from a local agent. Good agents are trained to spot inefficiencies and help in the event of a claim. The biggest benefit of comparing insurance prices online is you can get lower rates and still have an agent to talk to.

Upon completion of this form (opens in new window), the coverage information is sent to companies who will compete to get your business. You never need to drive around since price quotes are sent straight to your inbox.

Picking a company requires more thought than just the premium amount. Any agent should be forthright in answering these questions:

• Will your rates increase after a single accident?
• What insurance companies do they work with?
• Do you have coverage for a rental car if your vehicle is in the repair shop?
• If your car is totalled, how to they determine the replacement cost?
• Do they have adequate Errors and Ommissions coverage? This protects you if they make a mistake.

Captive agents vs. Independent agents

If you’re trying to find a good insurance agent, there are two different agency structures that you can select. Agencies are categorized either independent (non-captive) or captive. Both do a good job, but it’s important to know the differences since it can impact the selection process.

Captive Insurance Agents

Captive agents are contracted to one company and some examples include Liberty Mutual, State Farm, Allstate and AAA. These agents are unable to compare other company’s rates so they have no alternatives for high prices. Captive agents are very knowledgeable in insurance sales which helps them sell insurance even at higher premiums.

Independent Insurance Agents

Independent agencies are not employed by any specific company but instead can place your coverage with lots of companies depending on which coverage is best. If you are not satisfied with one company, an independent agent can move your coverage without you having to go to a different agency.

When shopping rates, it’s a good idea to include at a minimum one independent agency for maximum quote selection.

To view a complete directory of auto insurance agents, click here.

After getting reasonable responses to these questions and an affordable coverage quote, you’ve probably found a car insurance agent that is a good match to provide auto insurance coverage. But keep in mind you can always cancel your policy at any time so don’t feel you are locked into a specific agent for the full term.

Car insurance 101

Knowing the specifics of auto insurance aids in choosing the right coverages for your vehicles. The coverage terms in a policy can be difficult to understand and reading a policy is terribly boring. Below you’ll find typical coverages offered by auto insurance companies.

Coverage for uninsured or underinsured drivers – This coverage protects you and your vehicle from other motorists when they are uninsured or don’t have enough coverage. Covered losses include medical payments for you and your occupants and damage to your Saturn SL1.

Due to the fact that many drivers have only the minimum liability required by law, it only takes a small accident to exceed their coverage. So UM/UIM coverage is a good idea.

Coverage for medical expenses – Med pay and PIP coverage reimburse you for short-term medical expenses for things like ambulance fees, dental work, doctor visits, funeral costs and chiropractic care. They are used in conjunction with a health insurance policy or if there is no health insurance coverage. Medical payments and PIP cover not only the driver but also the vehicle 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

Auto liability insurance – Liability insurance can cover damages or injuries you inflict on other people or property by causing an accident. Split limit liability has three limits of coverage: per person bodily injury, per accident bodily injury, and a property damage limit. As an example, you may have limits of 50/100/50 that means you have a $50,000 limit per person for injuries, a per accident bodily injury limit of $100,000, and property damage coverage for $50,000.

Liability can pay for things such as bail bonds, repair bills for other people’s vehicles, funeral expenses and emergency aid. How much coverage you buy is up to you, but it’s cheap coverage so purchase higher limits if possible.

Comprehensive auto insurance – Comprehensive insurance pays for damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. You need to pay your deductible first then the remaining damage will be covered by your comprehensive coverage.

Comprehensive can pay for claims like damage from a tornado or hurricane, a tree branch falling on your vehicle and hail damage. The highest amount you can receive from a comprehensive claim is the market value of your vehicle, so if the vehicle’s value is low it’s probably time to drop comprehensive insurance.

Collision – This pays for damage to your SL1 caused by collision with another car or object. You have to pay a deductible and then insurance will cover the remainder.

Collision coverage pays for claims such as colliding with another moving vehicle, sustaining damage from a pot hole and sideswiping another vehicle. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so consider removing coverage from vehicles that are older. Another option is to raise the deductible to save money on collision insurance.