1996 GMC Sierra 1500 Insurance Cost – 8 Tips to Save

Looking for the cheapest car insurance rates for your GMC Sierra 1500? Finding the cheapest insurance for a new or used GMC Sierra 1500 can be a painful process, but you can learn a few tricks to save time.

There are both good and bad ways to shop for car insurance and we’ll show you the proper way to price shop coverage for a new or used GMC and locate the best price possible either online or from local insurance agents.

It’s a good idea to price shop coverage every six months because insurance rates change frequently. Just because you had the lowest rate on Sierra insurance a few years ago you may be paying too much now. Ignore everything you know about car insurance because we’re going to show you how to quote online to save on car insurance.

Shopping for cheaper coverage is quite easy. If you have a policy now or are just looking to switch companies, you can learn to find better prices while maintaining coverages. Vehicle owners only need to know the most efficient way to shop online.

Buy insurance coverage online

All major insurance coverage companies such as State Farm and Allstate provide pricing online. Getting online quotes can be done by anyone as you simply type in your personal and coverage information as detailed in the form. After you complete the form, their system sends out for your driving record and credit report and returns a price quote based on these factors.

This simplifies rate comparisons, but the time required to go to a lot of sites and complete many quote forms is a waste of time. Unfortunately, it is important to have as many quotes as possible in order to find a better rate.

Online rates the easy way

The easiest way to find lower prices requires only one form that obtains quotes from several companies at one time. The form is fast, requires less work, and makes price shopping online much more enjoyable. Immediately after you send the form, it is quoted and you can choose any of the price quotes you receive.

If a lower price is quoted, it’s easy to complete the application and buy the new coverage. The entire process only takes a few minutes and you will know how your current rates stack up.

To use this form to compare rates, click here to open in new window and submit the form. If you have a policy now, it’s recommended you input the insurance coverages as shown on your current policy. Doing this assures you will have comparison quotes for similar coverage.

Auto insurance companies offer money-saving discounts

Car insurance companies don’t always publicize every policy discount very clearly, so we researched some of the more common and also the lesser-known credits available to lower your premiums when you buy insurance coverage online. If you check and find you aren’t receiving every discount you qualify for, you may be paying too high a price.

  • Student Driver Training – Make teen driver coverage more affordable by requiring them to enroll and complete driver’s education in school or through a local driver safety program.
  • Buy New and Save – Buying auto insurance coverage on a new vehicle is cheaper due to better safety requirements for newer models.
  • Early Signing – A few larger companies give discounts for buying a new policy prior to your current policy expiration. You could save around 10% when you buy insurance coverage online.
  • Accident Waiver – Not a discount per se, but some companies like GEICO and Liberty Mutual will allow you to have one accident before your rates go up with the catch being you have to be claim-free for a specific time period.
  • Homeowners Discount – Just being a homeowner may earn you a small savings since home ownership requires personal responsibility.
  • Professional Memberships – Participating in a professional or civic organization could trigger savings when getting a insurance coverage quote.
  • Passive Restraints and Air Bags – Factory options such as air bags may get savings of 20% or more.
  • Distant Student – Older children who live away from home to go to college and do not have access to a covered vehicle can be insured at a reduced rate.

As a footnote on discounts, many deductions do not apply to your bottom line cost. Some only apply to specific coverage prices like collision or personal injury protection. Even though the math looks like adding up those discounts means a free policy, you aren’t that lucky. But all discounts will reduce the amount you pay for coverage.

The best auto insurance companies and a partial list of their discounts can be found below.

  • State Farm discounts include multiple autos, Steer Clear safe driver discount, safe vehicle, anti-theft, defensive driving training, and student away at school.
  • Farmers Insurance policyholders can earn discounts including electronic funds transfer, switch companies, bundle discounts, mature driver, and pay in full.
  • GEICO has discounts for defensive driver, driver training, multi-policy, emergency military deployment, daytime running lights, and multi-vehicle.
  • American Family may offer discounts for Steer into Savings, accident-free, good driver, early bird, air bags, and TimeAway discount.
  • Nationwide has savings for family plan, defensive driving, anti-theft, easy pay, multi-policy, and good student.
  • Progressive offers discounts for multi-policy, online quote discount, online signing, good student, and multi-vehicle.

Before buying, ask each company or agent to give you their best rates. Some of the earlier mentioned discounts might not be available to policyholders in your area. To view insurers that offer the discounts shown above, click here to view.

Do I just need basic coverages?

When it comes to choosing coverage, there isn’t really a one size fits all plan. Everyone’s situation is unique.

Here are some questions about coverages that might help in determining if your insurance needs will benefit from professional help.

  • Am I getting all the discounts available?
  • Do I need replacement cost coverage?
  • What is an SR-22 filing?
  • Do I need added coverage for expensive stereo equipment?
  • How much liability coverage do I need in my state?
  • Does my car insurance cover rental cars?
  • What is no-fault insurance?
  • Does coverage extend to my business vehicle?
  • What is covered by UM/UIM coverage?

If you’re not sure about those questions but one or more may apply to you, you may need to chat with an insurance agent. If you don’t have a local agent, fill out this quick form. It is quick, free and may give you better protection.

Information about specific coverages

Having a good grasp of a insurance policy helps when choosing appropriate coverage at the best deductibles and correct limits. Policy terminology can be impossible to understand and reading a policy is terribly boring.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM)

Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage provides protection when the “other guys” either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. It can pay for injuries sustained by your vehicle’s occupants and also any damage incurred to your GMC Sierra 1500.

Because many people have only the minimum liability required by law, it doesn’t take a major accident to exceed their coverage limits. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage should not be overlooked. Normally the UM/UIM limits are identical to your policy’s liability coverage.

Comprehensive insurance

Comprehensive insurance coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. You first must pay your deductible and then insurance will cover the rest of the damage.

Comprehensive insurance covers claims such as damage from flooding, hitting a bird and a broken windshield. The maximum amount your insurance company will pay is the cash value of the vehicle, so if the vehicle is not worth much it’s probably time to drop comprehensive insurance.

Med pay and Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage pay for expenses such as nursing services, hospital visits and pain medications. They are often used in conjunction with a health insurance program or if there is no health insurance coverage. They cover all vehicle occupants and also covers if you are hit as a while walking down the street. Personal injury protection coverage is not universally available but can be used in place of medical payments coverage

Liability auto insurance

This protects you from damage or injury you incur to people or other property. Split limit liability has three limits of coverage: bodily injury for each person, bodily injury for the entire accident, and a limit for property damage. Your policy might show policy limits of 100/300/100 that translate to a limit of $100,000 per injured person, $300,000 for the entire accident, and a limit of $100,000 paid for damaged property. Some companies may use one limit called combined single limit (CSL) which provides one coverage limit and claims can be made without the split limit restrictions.

Liability can pay for things such as structural damage, attorney fees and emergency aid. How much liability coverage do you need? That is your choice, but it’s cheap coverage so purchase as high a limit as you can afford.

Coverage for collisions

Collision coverage will pay to fix damage to your Sierra 1500 resulting from colliding with an object or car. You have to pay a deductible and then insurance will cover the remainder.

Collision coverage protects against things like crashing into a ditch, backing into a parked car, colliding with another moving vehicle, driving through your garage door and sideswiping another vehicle. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so consider dropping it from vehicles that are older. Drivers also have the option to choose a higher deductible to bring the cost down.