1997 Pontiac Sunfire Insurance Rates – 9 Tips for Cheaper Quotes

Buyers have many options when searching for the best price on Pontiac Sunfire insurance. They can either spend hours driving around getting price quotes or utilize the internet to compare rates.

There are more efficient ways to shop for insurance coverage so we’re going to tell you the absolute fastest way to compare rates on a Pontiac and obtain the lowest price from both online companies and local agents.

The purpose of this post is to introduce you to how to get online quotes and some tricks to saving. If you are paying for car insurance now, you will most likely be able to reduce your rates substantially using these techniques. Vehicle owners only need to know the proper methods to compare company rates online.

Which Insurance Coverage is Cheapest?

Cutting your insurance coverage rates is not rocket science. Consumers just need to spend a few minutes to compare quotes from different insurance companies. This can be done in a couple of different ways.

The best way to find low rates is a comparison rater form like this one (opens in new window). This form keeps you from doing repetitive form entry for every insurance coverage company. Completing one form compares rates instantly. This is by far the quickest method.
A less efficient way to get quotes online requires visiting each company website to complete their respective quote request forms. For sake of this example, let’s say you want comparison quotes from Farmers, Liberty Mutual and Geico. To get each rate you have to visit each site and enter your policy data, and that’s why the first method is more popular. For a handy list of car insurance company links in your area, click here.
The hardest way to get comparison rates is to drive around to and from local insurance agencies. Shopping for insurance coverage online makes this process obsolete unless you want the professional advice only provided by licensed agents. It is possible to comparison shop your insurance online and get advice from an agent in your area.

Which method you use is up to you, but make absolute certain that you use the exact same coverage limits with every price quote. If you have different liability limits you will not be able to find the best deal for your Pontiac Sunfire.

These nine discounts can slash car insurance rates

The cost of insuring your cars can be expensive, but there could be available discounts that can drop the cost substantially. Some trigger automatically when you complete an application, but some must be requested specifically before they will apply. If they aren’t giving you every credit you qualify for, you’re paying more than you need to.

Military Rewards – Being on active duty in the military could mean lower rates.
Sign Early and Save – Some insurance companies reward drivers for switching to them prior to your current policy expiring. It can save you around 10%.
Seat Belt Usage – Drivers who require all occupants to use a seat belt can save up to 15% on the medical payments or PIP coverage costs.
Air Bag Discount – Vehicles equipped with air bags or motorized seat belts can qualify for discounts of 20% or more.
Anti-theft System – Anti-theft and alarm systems prevent vehicle theft and therefore earn up to a 10% discount.
Resident Student – Youth drivers who are attending college and do not have a car may be able to be covered for less.
Auto/Home Discount – If you have multiple policies with the same insurance company you may earn up to 20% off your total premium.
Organization Discounts – Participating in a professional or civic organization may earn a discount on your policy for Sunfire coverage.
No Accidents – Claim-free drivers can earn big discounts as compared to bad drivers.

It’s important to understand that most of the big mark downs will not be given to the entire policy premium. A few only apply to specific coverage prices like comp or med pay. So despite the fact that it appears you would end up receiving a 100% discount, you’re out of luck. Any qualifying discounts will help reduce your premiums.

For a list of insurance companies who offer car insurance discounts, follow this link.

When might I need the advice of an agent?

When buying adequate coverage, there isn’t really a “best” method to buy coverage. Your needs are not the same as everyone else’s.

For instance, these questions might help in determining whether or not you could use an agent’s help.

Is a fancy paint job covered?
Am I covered when using my vehicle for business?
Am I getting all the discounts available?
Is my state a no-fault state?
What is the difference between comprehensive and collision coverage?
Can I rent a car in Mexico?
Is upholstery damage covered by car insurance?
Does my policy cover my teen driver if they drive my company car?
I have good health insurance, so how much medical payments coverage do I need?

If you don’t know the answers to these questions but a few of them apply, you might consider talking to an agent. To find an agent in your area, take a second and complete this form. It is quick, free and may give you better protection.

Specifics of your auto insurance policy

Understanding the coverages of your policy can be of help when determining the right coverages at the best deductibles and correct limits. Auto insurance terms can be impossible to understand and reading a policy is terribly boring.

Comprehensive coverage

This coverage pays for 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 can pay for things such as damage from getting keyed, fire damage, rock chips in glass, hitting a bird and falling objects. The highest amount a auto insurance company will pay at claim time is the ACV or actual cash value, so if your deductible is as high as the vehicle’s value it’s probably time to drop comprehensive insurance.

Collision coverage

Collision coverage pays for damage to your Sunfire caused by collision with another car or object. A deductible applies then your collision coverage will kick in.

Collision coverage protects against claims like driving through your garage door, scraping a guard rail, backing into a parked car and sideswiping another vehicle. Paying for collision coverage can be pricey, so analyze the benefit of dropping coverage from older vehicles. Drivers also have the option to increase the deductible in order to get cheaper collision rates.

Medical payments coverage and PIP

Med pay and PIP coverage provide coverage for immediate expenses like funeral costs, surgery and hospital visits. They can be utilized in addition to your health insurance program or if there is no health insurance coverage. They cover not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants and will also cover if you are hit as a while walking down the street. PIP is not universally available and may carry a deductible

Auto liability insurance

Liability insurance protects you from damage that occurs to people or other property by causing an accident. This coverage protects you from legal claims by others, and doesn’t cover damage to your own property or vehicle.

Split limit liability has three limits of coverage: bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident and property damage. You commonly see limits of 50/100/50 which means $50,000 in coverage for each person’s injuries, $100,000 for the entire accident, and property damage coverage for $50,000. Occasionally you may see one limit called combined single limit (CSL) which provides one coverage limit without having the split limit caps.

Liability coverage pays for things like repair bills for other people’s vehicles, pain and suffering and medical expenses. How much liability should you purchase? That is a decision to put some thought into, but consider buying as high a limit as you can afford.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage

Your UM/UIM coverage provides protection from other motorists when they either have no liability insurance or not enough. It can pay for injuries sustained by your vehicle’s occupants and also any damage incurred to your Pontiac Sunfire.

Because many people carry very low liability coverage limits, their liability coverage can quickly be exhausted. For this reason, having high UM/UIM coverages is important protection for you and your family. Most of the time these limits do not exceed the liability coverage limits.