5 Discounts Consumers Miss when Insurance Shopping Online for an Oldsmobile Toronado

Locating the cheapest insurance for a new or used Oldsmobile Toronado could be a painful process, but you can use a few tricks to save time.

There is a better way to shop for car insurance so you’re going to learn the best way to price shop coverage for a new or used Oldsmobile and locate the best price possible from local insurance agents and online providers.

It’s a good idea to shop coverage around at least once a year since rates change frequently. Despite the fact that you may have had the lowest rates for Toronado coverage two years ago there is a good chance you can find better rates now. Forget anything you know (or think you know) about car insurance because you’re about to learn one of the quickest ways to find better coverage at a better price.

How to Get Car Insurance

Shopping for lower car insurance rates is a ton of work if you don’t understand the most efficient way. You can spend countless hours discussing policy coverages with agents in your area, or you can stay home and use online quotes to achieve your goal.

Many of the larger companies are enrolled in a marketplace that enables customers to submit their information once, and at least one company returns a rated price. This system prevents you from having to do quote forms to each individual car insurance company.

To submit your quote information now, click here to open in new window.

The only downside to getting quotes like this is that consumers can’t choose which carriers you want to price. If you wish to select individual companies to compare prices, we have assembled a list of low cost car insurance companies in your area. Click here to view list.

It’s up to you which method you use, but make darn sure you compare exactly the same deductibles and coverage limits for each price quote. If you use differing limits it will be next to impossible to make an equal comparison.

Take advantage of discounts

Car insurance is not cheap, but you may find discounts to reduce the price significantly. Certain discounts will be triggered automatically when you purchase, but a few must be specifically requested prior to getting the savings. If you’re not getting every credit available, you’re just leaving money on the table.

Clubs and Organizations – Affiliation with a professional or civic organization could qualify you for a break when buying car insurance for Toronado coverage.
Homeowners Discount – Owning a home may trigger a car insurance policy discount because maintaining a house shows financial diligence.
Payment Method – If paying your policy premium upfront instead of paying each month you could save up to 5%.
College Student – Kids in college living away from home attending college and do not have a car can receive lower rates.
More Vehicles More Savings – Buying insurance for multiple cars or trucks on one policy can get a discount on all vehicles.

It’s important to understand that most discount credits are not given to your bottom line cost. Most only reduce the price of certain insurance coverages like comprehensive or collision. So when the math indicates you can get free auto insurance, companies don’t profit that way. Any qualifying discounts will reduce the amount you have to pay.

To see a list of providers with the best car insurance discounts, click this link.

But I don’t know anything about car insurance

When choosing adequate coverage for your vehicles, there isn’t really a single plan that fits everyone. Each situation is unique.

These are some specific questions could help you determine whether your personal situation will benefit from professional help.

Am I covered if I wreck a rental car?
Do I need added coverage for expensive stereo equipment?
Should I buy only the required minimum liability coverage?
How much liability do I need to cover my assets?
What can I do if my company won’t pay a claim?
Is business equipment covered while in my vehicle?

If it’s difficult to answer those questions but one or more may apply to you, you might consider talking to an agent. To find an agent in your area, simply complete this short form. It only takes a few minutes and may give you better protection.

Buying car insurance from a local agent

Some people would rather get advice from a local agent and that is a personal choice. Licensed agents can point out coverage gaps and give you someone to call. One of the great benefits of price shopping on the web is the fact that you can find the lowest rates and still choose a local agent. Buying from local insurance agencies is important particularly if you live in a smaller city or town.

To make it easy to find an agent, after completing this simple form, your insurance coverage information is emailed to participating agents who will compete for your coverage. You don’t have to drive around since price quotes are sent to the email address you provide.

Different types of insurance agencies

When finding an insurance agent, you must know there are a couple different types of agents to choose from. agents are classified as either independent or captive. Either one can write coverage properly, but it’s worth mentioning the difference between them since it may influence your agent selection.

Independent Agencies or Brokers

Independent agencies are not required to write business for one company but rather can write business amongst many companies and potentially find a lower price. To transfer your coverage to a different company, they simply move the coverage in-house and you won’t have to switch agencies.

When shopping rates, it’s recommended you get quotes from multiple independent agents for the best price selection. Many write coverage with different regional companies which can save you money.

Captive Insurance Agents

Captive insurance agents have only one company to place business with such as Liberty Mutual, State Farm, Allstate and AAA. They are unable to shop your coverage around so it’s a take it or leave it situation. Captives are well schooled in insurance sales which helps them sell insurance even at higher premiums. Consumers sometimes buy from captive agents mainly due to high brand loyalty and strong financial ratings.

For a complete listing of insurance agencies, click here.

Picking an auto insurance agent should depend on more than just a cheap price. Agents should be asked these questions:

Did they already check your driving record and credit reports?
How long have they worked with personal auto insurance coverage?
What insurance companies do they work with?
Are you getting all the discounts the company offers?
If you have an accident, are you able to get your vehicle repaired at the shop of your choice?
Are claim adjusters local or do you have to take your car somewhere else?

Once you have received reasonable responses to any questions you have in addition to an acceptable price estimate, most likely you have located an auto insurance agent that can insure your vehicles. Just keep in mind consumers can terminate coverage at any time so never feel you are locked into a specific agent for any length of time.

Car insurance coverages and their meanings

Understanding the coverages of a car insurance policy aids in choosing which coverages you need and proper limits and deductibles. Policy terminology can be confusing and reading a policy is terribly boring.

Auto liability

This will cover injuries or damage you cause to people or other property by causing an accident. Split limit liability has three limits of coverage: bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident and property damage. You might see liability limits of 25/50/25 that means you have a $25,000 limit per person for injuries, a total of $50,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and a total limit of $25,000 for damage to vehicles and property. Another option is one number which is a combined single limit which combines the three limits into one amount rather than limiting it on a per person basis.

Liability insurance covers claims such as loss of income, pain and suffering, court costs, bail bonds and medical expenses. How much coverage you buy is a decision to put some thought into, but buy higher limits if possible.

Comprehensive insurance

Comprehensive insurance coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage that is not covered by collision coverage. You first must pay your deductible and then insurance will cover the rest of the damage.

Comprehensive can pay for claims such as hail damage, hitting a deer and hitting a bird. The maximum amount you can receive from a comprehensive claim is the actual cash value, so if the vehicle is not worth much consider dropping full coverage.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM)

This protects you and your vehicle when other motorists do not carry enough liability coverage. Covered claims include injuries to you and your family as well as damage to your Oldsmobile Toronado.

Since many drivers have only the minimum liability required by law, their liability coverage can quickly be exhausted. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is very important. Frequently your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverages are set the same as your liablity limits.

Med pay and Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

Medical payments and Personal Injury Protection insurance provide coverage for short-term medical expenses for things like ambulance fees, pain medications, doctor visits, X-ray expenses and prosthetic devices. They are utilized in addition to your health insurance policy or if you are not covered by health insurance. Medical payments and PIP cover you and your occupants and will also cover any family member struck as a pedestrian. PIP is not available in all states but it provides additional coverages not offered by medical payments coverage

Coverage for collisions

Collision insurance pays to fix your vehicle from damage caused by collision with a stationary object or other vehicle. You have to pay a deductible and the rest of the damage will be paid by collision coverage.

Collision coverage pays for claims such as crashing into a ditch, crashing into a building, driving through your garage door, scraping a guard rail and sideswiping another vehicle. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so analyze the benefit of dropping coverage from lower value vehicles. Another option is to raise the deductible in order to get cheaper collision rates.

What is YOUR best insurance company?

We just presented many ideas to lower your Oldsmobile Toronado insurance rates. The key concept to understand is the more quotes you get, the higher your chance of finding lower rates. Consumers may even find the best price on car insurance is with the least-expected company.

People who switch companies do it for any number of reasons including policy non-renewal, poor customer service, policy cancellation and lack of trust in their agent. It doesn’t matter what your reason, finding a great new company can be pretty painless.

The cheapest Oldsmobile Toronado insurance can be sourced online and also from your neighborhood agents, and you should be comparing both in order to have the best chance of saving money. A few companies may not provide online quoting and usually these smaller companies provide coverage only through local independent agents.