Tightwads Guide to Insuring a GMC Sierra 1500 Pickup
If comparing car insurance was easy, most of us would do it more often. But most likely we pay more than we want to and don't really enjoy the buying process. You probably feel the same way when trying to find cheaper coverage for your GMC Sierra 1500 Pickup.
Step One: Compare Multiple Rates
If you haven't priced insurance for awhile, you may still think that the only way to compare rates is to drive around town to multiple insurance offices and meet with an agent. Now that we have the internet, shopping for car insurance online is a snap!
All the major car insurance companies sell insurance for a GMC Sierra 1500 Pickup and you don't even have to visit each individual website!
To start, click the link below to begin entering your information. After you complete the form, you will receive comparison rates from different companies so you easily determine if you can save money.
Quoting Tip! The only way to compare rates from multiple companies is to use identical coverage amounts and deductibles on each quote. If you use different limits on quotes, you cannot accurately determine which company has the best rates for your Sierra 1500 Pickup.
Step Two: How to Lower your Sierra 1500 Pickup Insurance Premium
After completing step one above, you can now learn some of the other ways to slash your Sierra 1500 Pickup insurance costs.
- The time it takes to complete a driver's safety training course could be time well spent. It could save you up to 10% off your car insurance rates.
- With age comes cheaper rates! If you're a senior citizen, many car insurance companies will give you a discount. Also, if you belong to a professional organization, check to see if your company gives discounts to members.
- Every parent dreads the day when their teenager gets added to their policy. If you are a teenager, or if you have one on your policy, expect to pay significantly more each year.
- To keep your rates low, don't file excessive claims on your policy. Insurance is meant to cover large losses, not small damage that you can pay for out-of-pocket.
- Good credit will get you lower car insurance rates. Evidence correlates good credit with low claims, so the better you maintain your credit level, the less risk you are to your company.
- Most insurance companies will give you a discount on your car insurance if you also own a home. Some go even farther and give you discounts if you package your homeowners and auto insurance with them.
- If you're willing to shoulder more of the cost at claim time, consider raising your comprehensive and collision deductibles. This can easily cut 30% or more from your policy premium.
- Air bags, antilock brakes, traction control, and stability control all help lower the cost of insurance due to reducing the risk of injury in an accident.
- Speeding tickets and other violations can negatively impact your insurance rates for up to three years. Get too many tickets and you'll be shopping for a new car insurance company.
- Gaps in insurance coverage will cause problems for your insurance rates. Don't let your policy expire without having new coverage in place.
- Particular years and models of cars tend to be frequently stolen, and if your Sierra 1500 Pickup is on that list, chances are your insurance company knows it and will ding you a little extra because of it.
Step Three: Purchase a New Policy
Choosing a new car insurance company is not easy. But hopefully you have a handful of quotes for your Sierra 1500 Pickup that will give you a good idea of how much it will cost, as well as some idea of any coverage changes you may want to make.
You can cancel a policy at any time, but just remember to make the effective date of the replacement policy the exact same as the date you cancel your old policy. You do not want any gaps in coverage between policies.
Coverage will extend from your current policy if you're buying a GMC Sierra 1500 Pickup, but if you don't have a policy, you will need to make sure you have coverage in place before you drive it off the dealership lot. Most car insurance companies will extend coverage to newly purchased vehicles, but only up to the limits of the best insured vehicle. So if you only carry liability insurance and no physical damage coverage, your new purchase will be inadequately insured until you specifically add it to the policy with full coverage.
Be sure to replace any old proof-of-insurance cards in your car. You must always have the current card in your vehicle as required by state law. If you qualilfy as a high-risk driver after being convicted of a DUI, reckless driving or driving on a suspended license, you may be required to file an SR-22 with your state's DMV. Be sure your new car insurance company is aware of this filing requirement.
Additional Learning Resources
To read more about topics such as how to file a claim, replacement auto parts and mistakes to avoid, visit the Insurance Information Institute website.
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