Cheaper 1997 Volvo 960 Insurance Rates

Searching for cheaper auto insurance rates for your Volvo 960? I can’t think of a single person who looks forward to buying auto insurance, in particular when they are paying too much.

Multiple auto insurance companies compete to insure your vehicles, and because of this it can be hard to compare auto insurance companies to get the lowest rate

It’s a great practice to take a look at other company’s rates on a regular basis due to the fact that insurance rates fluctuate regularly. Even if you think you had the lowest price on 960 coverage two years ago you will most likely find a better rate today. So just block out anything you think you know about auto insurance because you’re about to learn the best methods to reduce your cost while increasing coverage.

Factors that can influence Volvo 960 insurance rates

It’s important that you understand some of the elements that play a part in calculating the rates you pay for insurance coverage. Understanding what controls the rates you pay empowers consumers to make smart changes that could result in much lower annual insurance costs.

  • You might want pay the small claims yourself – Insurance companies award better rates to people who do not file claims often. If you frequently file small claims, you can definitely plan on either higher rates or even cancellation. Auto insurance is designed for the bigger claims that can’t be paid out-of-pocket.
  • Liability coverage is peace of mind – Liability insurance is the coverage that protects you in the event that a jury decides you are liable for personal injury or accident damage. It will provide legal defense coverage up to the limits shown on your policy. Liability is cheap compared to physical damage coverage, so buy as much as you can afford.
  • Credit scores impact insurance coverage rates – Having a bad credit score is a important factor in determining what you pay for insurance coverage. Drivers with excellent credit tend to file fewer claims and have better driving records than drivers who have lower credit ratings. So if your credit history is low, you could save money insuring your 1997 Volvo 960 by repairing your credit.
  • Car features impact rates – Choosing a vehicle that has an advanced theft prevention system can help bring down rates. Anti-theft features such as vehicle immobilizer systems, General Motors OnStar and LoJack tracking systems can thwart car theft.

Pay less by taking advantage of discounts

Auto insurance companies don’t always publicize all their discounts very clearly, so the following is a list of both the well known and the harder-to-find car insurance savings.

  • No Charge for an Accident – A handful of insurance companies allow you one accident before hitting you with a surcharge if you are claim-free for a set time period.
  • Bundle and Save – When you combine your home and auto insurance with one insurance company you may save 10% to 20% off each policy.
  • Low Mileage Discounts – Driving fewer miles could qualify for lower rates on the low mileage vehicles.
  • Payment Method – If paying your policy premium upfront instead of paying each month you can actually save on your bill.
  • Anti-lock Brake Discount – Vehicles equipped with ABS or steering control can reduce accidents and therefore earn up to a 10% discount.

A little note about advertised discounts, most credits do not apply to the entire cost. Most only reduce individual premiums such as liability, collision or medical payments. So despite the fact that it appears you can get free auto insurance, it doesn’t quite work that way.

Companies that possibly offer these discounts include:

Check with each company which discounts they offer. Savings may not apply in your area.

Is there deception in advertising?

Companies like State Farm, Geico and Progressive constantly bombard you with television and radio advertisements. All the ads make an identical promise that you can save if you switch your policy. How does each company claim to save you money?

All companies have a preferred profile for the driver that makes them money. An example of a profitable customer might be profiled as over the age of 50, owns a home, and drives less than 10,000 miles a year. Any new insured who meets those qualifications will get the preferred rates and is almost guaranteed to save a lot of money.

Drivers who are not a match for the “perfect” profile must pay a more expensive rate which usually ends up with the customer not buying. The ads state “customers who switch” but not “drivers who get quotes” save that much money. That’s the way companies can advertise the savings. This illustrates why you need to quote coverage with many companies. It’s not possible to predict which insurance company will have the lowest Volvo 960 insurance rates.

Your coverage should be tailored to you

When it comes to buying the best auto insurance coverage for your vehicles, there isn’t really a perfect coverage plan. Everyone’s situation is unique so this has to be addressed. These are some specific questions may help you determine if your situation might need an agent’s assistance.

  • Should I waive the damage coverage when renting a car?
  • Does coverage extend to my business vehicle?
  • Can I make deliveries for my home business?
  • Does my policy cover my teen driver if they drive my company car?
  • Can I afford to buy a different vehicle if my 1997 Volvo 960 is totaled?
  • How much liability coverage do I need in my state?
  • What is covered by UM/UIM coverage?
  • Should I buy additional glass protection?
  • Will my vehicle be repaired with OEM or aftermarket parts?
  • Is my Volvo 960 covered if I use it for business?

If it’s difficult to answer those questions but you think they might apply to your situation then you might want to talk to an insurance agent. If you don’t have a local agent, fill out this quick form or go to this page to view a list of companies.

Auto insurance 101

Learning about specific coverages of insurance can be of help when determining which coverages you need and proper limits and deductibles. Insurance terms can be ambiguous and even agents have difficulty translating policy wording. Below you’ll find the usual coverages found on most insurance policies.

Comprehensive or Other Than Collision

Comprehensive insurance pays to fix your vehicle from damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. You first must pay your deductible and then insurance will cover the rest of the damage.

Comprehensive insurance covers things such as hitting a deer, hail damage and vandalism. The highest amount your insurance company will pay is the market value of your vehicle, so if your deductible is as high as the vehicle’s value consider dropping full coverage.

Collision coverage

This coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage caused by collision with a stationary object or other vehicle. You have to pay a deductible then your collision coverage will kick in.

Collision can pay for claims such as colliding with another moving vehicle, backing into a parked car and sustaining damage from a pot hole. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so consider removing coverage from vehicles that are older. It’s also possible to raise the deductible to save money on collision insurance.

Medical costs insurance

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage reimburse you for short-term medical expenses for things like nursing services, pain medications, chiropractic care and EMT expenses. They can be used in conjunction with a health insurance policy or if you do not have health coverage. Medical payments and PIP cover both the driver and occupants as well as being hit by a car walking across the street. Personal injury protection coverage is not available in all states and may carry a deductible

Coverage for liability

This can cover damage that occurs to people or other property by causing an accident. It protects you against claims from other people, and does not provide coverage for damage sustained by your vehicle in 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 liability limits of 100/300/100 that translate to a $100,000 limit per person for injuries, a per accident bodily injury limit of $300,000, and a total limit of $100,000 for damage to vehicles and property.

Liability coverage pays for things like pain and suffering, court costs, legal defense fees and repair bills for other people’s vehicles. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is up to you, but it’s cheap coverage so purchase higher limits if possible.

UM/UIM Coverage

This coverage gives you protection from other drivers when they do not carry enough liability coverage. It can pay for hospital bills for your injuries as well as damage to your 1997 Volvo 960.

Due to the fact that 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.

Coverage on a shoestring budget

When you buy insurance online, make sure you don’t buy lower coverage limits just to save a few bucks. In many cases, drivers have reduced liability coverage limits and discovered at claim time that the small savings ended up costing them much more. Your focus should be to purchase a proper amount of coverage at a price you can afford.

Lower-priced 1997 Volvo 960 insurance is possible on the web in addition to many insurance agents, so you should compare both to have the best chance of lowering rates. There are still a few companies who do not provide you the ability to get quotes online and many times these smaller companies only sell through independent insurance agents.

Helpful learning opportunities