1998 GMC Sonoma Insurance Cost – 8 Savings Tips

Looking for lower auto insurance rates for your GMC Sonoma? Are you overwhelmed by the dozens of auto insurance companies? You’re not alone. People have so many companies to choose from that it can turn into a lot of work to locate the lowest price.

It’s important to compare rates yearly because prices are rarely the same from one policy term to another. Even if you think you had the best rates for Sonoma insurance last year you may be paying too much now. Starting right now, forget anything you know (or think you know) about auto insurance because you’re going to get a crash course in the things you must know in order to save money, get proper coverage and the best rates.

If you have car insurance now, you should be able to cut costs considerably using this information. Shopping for the cheapest insurance coverage coverage can be fairly easy. But drivers do need to learn how companies market insurance on the web because it can help you find the best coverage.

How to Compare Car Insurance Rates

There are several ways to compare rate quotes from different insurance companies. The fastest way to find the lowest 1998 GMC Sonoma rates consists of obtaining rate quotes online. This is very easy and can be done in several different ways.

  1. The best way to get quotes for comparison is to use a rate comparison form (click to open form in new window). This form saves time by eliminating separate quotation requests to each individual car insurance company. A single form gets rate comparisons instantly. This is by far the quickest method.
  2. A slightly less efficient method to analyze rates requires you to visit each company website and complete a new quote form. For instance, let’s say you want rates from Farmers, Liberty Mutual and GMAC. You would have to visit each site and enter your policy data, which is why the first method is more popular.

    To view a list of companies in your area, click here.

It doesn’t matter which method you choose, just ensure you are comparing the exact same coverage limits for each comparison quote. If each company quotes unequal deductibles or liability limits it’s not possible to make an equal comparison. Quoting even small variations in coverage limits can mean a large discrepancy in price. And when comparison shopping, getting more free quotes will improve the odds of getting a lower rate.

How much can you save with these eight discounts?

Companies do not advertise all available discounts very clearly, so we break down both well-publicized and also the lesser-known discounts you could be receiving.

  • Discount for Swiching Early – Select companies give a discount for buying a policy before your current expiration date. The savings is around 10%.
  • Low Mileage Discounts – Fewer annual miles on your GMC can qualify you for lower rates on the low mileage vehicles.
  • Auto/Life Discount – Some companies give lower rates if you buy a life insurance policy as well.
  • Multi-policy Discount – When you have multiple policies with one company you could get a discount of up to 20% off your total premium.
  • Paperwork-free – A few companies will give a small break for buying a policy and signing up on their website.
  • Seat Belt Usage – Requiring all passengers to buckle their seat belts can save 10% or more off your PIP or medical payments premium.
  • Federal Employees – Simply working for the federal government can save as much as 8% for Sonoma insurance with a few insurance coverage companies.
  • Discount for New Cars – Insuring a new car can save up to 30% because new vehicles have to meet stringent safety requirements.

It’s important to note that most discount credits are not given to the entire policy premium. Most only reduce the price of certain insurance coverages like comp or med pay. So even though it sounds like you would end up receiving a 100% discount, you won’t be that lucky.

For a list of providers who offer insurance coverage discounts, click this link.

How much car insurance do I need?

When choosing coverage, there really is no perfect coverage plan. Everyone’s situation is a little different.

For instance, these questions may help you determine if your situation would benefit from an agent’s advice.

  • How can I get my company to pay me more for my totalled car?
  • How high should my medical payments coverage be?
  • Will my vehicle be repaired with OEM or aftermarket parts?
  • Should I sign the liability waiver when renting a car?
  • Should I get collision insurance on every vehicle?
  • Do I pay less if my vehicle is kept in my garage?
  • Can I drive in Mexico and have coverage?

If you’re not sure about those questions, you might consider talking to a licensed insurance agent. If you don’t have a local agent, complete this form.

The coverage is in the details

Knowing the specifics of auto insurance aids in choosing the right coverages and proper limits and deductibles. The coverage terms in a policy can be ambiguous and reading a policy is terribly boring.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM)

Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage protects you and your vehicle’s occupants from other motorists when they either have no liability insurance or not enough. Covered losses include injuries to you and your family and also any damage incurred to your GMC Sonoma.

Since many drivers only carry the minimum required liability limits, it doesn’t take a major accident to exceed their coverage limits. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage should not be overlooked.

Comprehensive insurance

This coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage that is not covered by collision coverage. You first have to pay a deductible then the remaining damage will be covered by your comprehensive coverage.

Comprehensive coverage pays for claims such as a broken windshield, hitting a deer, theft, rock chips in glass and vandalism. The highest amount you can receive from a comprehensive claim is the cash value of the vehicle, so if the vehicle is not worth much it’s probably time to drop comprehensive insurance.

Liability car insurance

Liability coverage provides protection from injuries or damage you cause to other’s property or people that is your fault. Coverage consists of three different limits, per person bodily injury, per accident bodily injury, and a property damage limit. As an example, you may have policy limits of 100/300/100 which means $100,000 in coverage for each person’s injuries, a limit of $300,000 in injury protection per accident, and a limit of $100,000 paid for damaged property.

Liability insurance covers claims such as structural damage, medical expenses, bail bonds, medical services and legal defense fees. How much coverage you buy is up to you, but it’s cheap coverage so purchase as high a limit as you can afford.

Med pay and Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

Medical payments and Personal Injury Protection insurance kick in for bills for dental work, pain medications and ambulance fees. They are used to cover expenses not covered by your health insurance policy or if you do not have health coverage. Coverage applies to both the driver and occupants and will also cover any family member struck as a pedestrian. PIP coverage is only offered in select states but it provides additional coverages not offered by medical payments coverage

Collision protection

Collision insurance pays for damage to your Sonoma resulting from colliding with another car or object. You first must pay a deductible then your collision coverage will kick in.

Collision insurance covers things like sustaining damage from a pot hole, scraping a guard rail, hitting a mailbox and driving through your garage door. Collision is rather expensive coverage, so analyze the benefit of dropping coverage from vehicles that are older. You can also choose a higher deductible in order to get cheaper collision rates.