Guide to Buying GMC Sierra 1500 Pickup Insurance for Less
If finding cheaper car insurance was fun, we'd make the time to do it regularly. But more than likely, it's challenging for most people and we always end up paying more than we want. Finding affordable insurance for your GMC Sierra 1500 Pickup is probably the same story.
Step One: Compare Apples-to-Apples Quotes
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. Not anymore!
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 begin, click on the link below and complete the short form. It only takes a few minutes and it's helpful to have your current policy handy if you have one.
Use the Same Coverages! It's really important that when doing multiple quotes for your Sierra 1500 Pickup that you use identical coverages for liability, comprehensive and collision. If you use different values, it's impossible to determine which company has the lower rates.
Step Two: How to Cut Costs on Sierra 1500 Pickup Insurance
There are many factors that actually determine what you will pay for insurance, and some are completely within your control.
- Vehicles that tend to get stolen or have high repair costs will cost you more to insure. If your Sierra 1500 Pickup falls into either category, it could cost you.
- 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.
- Filing too many claims with your company can end up either costing you more for insurance or having your policy cancelled. Insurance companies don't like paying any more than you do, but they have the option of whether to keep you as a policyholder or not.
- Owning a home takes financial responsibility, and car insurance companies will often give you a break just for being a homeowner.
- Most GMC vehicles come with standard safety features such as air bags and passive restraints, and those will help keep your insurance costs down.
- Allowing your insurance to lapse for any length of time will increase the cost of a new policy. Always keep coverage in force.
- If you have a speeding ticket or other moving violation, you could be charged more for insurance. If you get a ticket, find out if your county or state offers a defensive driving course that will void the ticket upon completion.
- Successfully completing a driver's training class can help lower your rates if your insurance company offers that discount.
- If you have any teenage drivers in your household, expect to fork out quite a bit more for insurance. Rating them on a low profile vehicle with liability only coverage is the best way to save money.
- How's your credit score? If it's good you will pay a lower rate than your poor credit counterparts. Work on improving weak credit and you will eventually see your car insurance bill go down.
- 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.
Step Three: Finalize your Car Insurance Policy
You've compared rates and hopefully looked over the coverages for each vehicle on your policy to make sure they're adequate. Now you can make the big decision on which company will best fulfill your needs.
An important thing to keep in mind when buying a new policy is you want the effective date of the new policy to be the exact same as the date you are cancelling your old policy.
If you are adding a vehicle to an existing policy and not buying a new one, just make sure to get the vehicle added as soon as possible. Every insurance company offers a grace period to add new vehicles, so make sure you get the GMC added prior to the expiration of this grace period. 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
The Insurance Information Institute website has a great library of car insurance topics that cover claims, replacement parts, rental cars and more.