Insure a Pontiac Firefly like a Penny Pincher
If finding affordable car insurance was easy, most of us would take the time to do it. But we always seem to pay too much for coverage and most people would rather go to the dentist. Insuring your Pontiac Firefly is probably no exception.
Step One: Shop Around
The antiquated method of shopping for car insurance included a high pressure visit to the office of your local insurance agent. But you can now comparison shop and buy direct online!
Almost every car insurance company now offers online quotes, and you can actually get insurance quotes for a Pontiac Firefly without even visiting their websites!
To compare rates now, have your current policy handy (if you have one) and click the link below. Complete the short form and move on to step two.
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 Firefly.
Step Two: Techniques to Lower your Firefly Insurance Rates
After step one is complete, it's now time to analyze some of the other factors that can negatively impact car insurance rates for a Firefly.
- Driver's safety courses will often get you a discount off your rates. Check to see if your company offers the discount and find a qualifying class in your area.
- If you are a senior citizen or belong to a particular professional organization, you may qualify for a break on insurance.
- Teenage drivers can be very expensive to insure on newer vehicles will full coverage. You may be better off purchasing an older vehicle for your teenager and only insure it for liability.
- Small claims that may only exceed your physical damage deductibles by a small amount are better off not being submitted to your company. Just pay the extra hundred dollars or two and keep a claim-free discount on your policy.
- How is your credit rating? The better credit you have, the less insurance will cost for your Firefly. If you have bad credit, work on improving your credit score and repair past credit problems.
- Homeowners often see a break on their car insurance rates because there is a correlation between owning a home and being a responsible driver.
- Comprehensive and collision coverages make up the majority of your car insurance bill. If you raise your deductibles, you can will see significant savings with every policy renewal.
- If your vehicle comes with safety features such as electronic stability control, head restraints, all-wheel drive or air bags, these all help keep insurance costs down by helping reduce accident injuries.
- 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.
- If you have a period where you don't have any insurance coverage, that's called a lapse. The longer the lapse, the more you'll pay to reinstate coverage.
- Particular years and models of cars tend to be frequently stolen, and if your Firefly is on that list, chances are your insurance company knows it and will ding you a little extra because of it.
Step Three: Choose a Company and Bind Coverage
Car insurance is pretty easy to buy online, but you do need to be aware that it is a legally binding contract. You need to have funds available for a down payment as well as review your coverages for any insufficiencies.
The key thing to keep in mind when buying a new policy is you do not want your old policy to lapse. Make sure the effective date of the new policy is on or before the expiration date of your current policy.
Before you drive your Pontiac Firefly home, make sure you have a current car insurance policy in force. Coverage will extend to the new purchase from your policy, but if you don't have a policy then you have no protection. Be sure to have a new policy ready to go if you are buying a new Firefly. If you've never had car insurance or don't have a policy now, you won't have any protection on the vehicle until you add it to your policy.
Your insurance company will provide you with proof-of-insurance forms to keep in your vehicle. It's required by state law to carry at least the state minimum liability limits. An SR-22 filing may be required by your state's DMV if you've been convicted of a serious driving offense such as DUI, DWI or reckless driving. If this applies to you, make sure the car insurance company complies with the SR-22 requirement.
Car Insurance 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.