How Much Does 1997 Oldsmobile Achieva Insurance Cost?

Looking for the cheapest auto insurance rates for your Oldsmobile Achieva? Are you drained from being strong-armed to keep your car insured? You’re in the same situation as most other consumers. Due to the large number of choices of insurance companies, it can be diffult for drivers to choose the right company.

Consumers need to do rate comparisons every six months because auto insurance rates are usually higher with each renewal. Even if you got the best premium rates on Achieva coverage a year ago there may be better deals available now. There is a lot of bad advice regarding auto insurance out there, but I’m going to show you some proven techniques to put money back in your pocket.

Components of your Oldsmobile Achieva insurance costs

Multiple criteria are used when you quote your car insurance policy. Some factors are common sense such as your driving record, but some are not as apparent such as your credit history or your vehicle rating.The best way to find cheaper auto insurance is to take a look at the different types of things that go into determining your policy premiums. When you know what positively or negatively determines premiums, this allows you to make educated decisions that can earn you cheaper rates.

Shown below are some of the major factors used by your company to calculate your rate level.

  • Claim-free discounts can add up – Insurance companies provide cheaper rates to insureds who do not rely on their insurance for small claims. If you file claims often, you can look forward to much higher rates or policy non-renewal. Insurance coverage is designed for larger claims.
  • Accidents can increase premiums – Attentive drivers get better prices compared to drivers with tickets. Just one speeding ticket or other violation may increase your cost by as much as twenty percent. Drivers who have received severe violations like DUI, reckless driving or excessive speeding may find that they have to to submit a SR-22 or proof of financial responsibility with their state’s department of motor vehicles in order to keep their license.
  • More traffic means higher claims – Having an address in small towns and rural areas is a positive aspect if you are looking for the lowest rates. Urban drivers tend to have traffic congestion and higher rates of accident claims. Less people living in that area means less chance of accidents in addition to fewer liability claims.
  • Car insurance liability insurance limits – Liability coverage kicks in when a jury decides you are liable for causing personal injury or damage in an accident. It will provide legal defense which can be incredibly expensive. Liability insurance is pretty cheap when compared with rates for comp and collision, so do not skimp.
  • With age comes responsibility – Older people are more cautious drivers, tend to file fewer claims and receive fewer citations.Teen drivers are known to be inattentive and easily distracted in a vehicle so they pay higher auto insurance rates.
  • Credit score impacts premium costs – Having a bad credit score will be a significant factor in your rate calculation. If your credit history can use some improvement, you could save money insuring your 1997 Oldsmobile Achieva by taking the time to improve your credit score. People with excellent credit tend to be better risks to insure than drivers with lower credit ratings.

Car insurance policy discounts

Auto insurance companies do not list every discount very clearly, so the next list breaks down some of the more common and the more hidden car insurance savings.

  • Anti-theft System – Cars equipped with anti-theft or alarm systems are less likely to be stolen so companies will give you a small discount.
  • Multiple Policy Discount – If you can combine your auto and homeowners policy and insure them both with the same insurance company you could get a discount of at least 10% off all policies.
  • Home Ownership Discount – Being a homeowner can earn you a little savings because owning a home means you have a higher level of financial diligence.
  • Good Students Pay Less – Performing well in school may save as much as 25% on a car insurance quote. The discount lasts up to age 25.
  • Early Switch Discount – Some companies provide a discount for switching to them prior to your current policy expiring. It could save around 10% when you buy car insurance online.
  • Telematics Data – Drivers who agree to allow driving data collection to study their driving habits through the use of a telematics system such as State Farm’s In-Drive may get a rate reduction if they are good drivers.
  • New Vehicle Savings – Buying a new car instead of a used car can save up to 30% compared to insuring an older model.
  • Save over 55 – Drivers that qualify as senior citizens can possibly qualify for lower premium rates on Achieva coverage.

We need to note that some of the credits will not apply to the overall cost of the policy. Most cut the price of certain insurance coverages like physical damage coverage or medical payments. So when it seems like having all the discounts means you get insurance for free, you aren’t that lucky.

Larger car insurance companies and their offered discounts can be read below.

  • State Farm offers discounts for Steer Clear safe driver discount, defensive driving training, good student, anti-theft, multiple autos, Drive Safe & Save, and passive restraint.
  • Farmers Insurance may include discounts for homeowner, business and professional, alternative fuel, multi-car, switch companies, and early shopping.
  • Progressive may offer discounts for good student, online quote discount, online signing, homeowner, and multi-vehicle.
  • GEICO includes discounts for multi-policy, anti-theft, membership and employees, seat belt use, daytime running lights, good student, and military active duty.
  • Auto-Owners Insurance discounts include safe driver, multi-policy, paid in full, good student, paperless, multiple vehicles, and anti-theft.
  • The Hartford offers premium reductions for vehicle fuel type, good student, driver training, defensive driver, bundle, air bag, and anti-theft.
  • Farm Bureau offers discounts including 55 and retired, driver training, renewal discount, multi-policy, safe driver, and youthful driver.
  • USAA has discounts for annual mileage, vehicle storage, multi-policy, new vehicle, multi-vehicle, military installation, and family discount.

When getting free car insurance quotes, it’s a good idea to every prospective company which credits you are entitled to. A few discounts may not be offered in your area. If you would like to see a list of providers with the best car insurance discounts, click this link.

How do I know if I need professional advice?

When buying the best insurance coverage, there really is not a one size fits all plan. Coverage needs to be tailored to your specific needs so your insurance should reflect that For instance, these questions may help highlight if you could use an agent’s help.

  • Am I covered if my car is in a flood?
  • Can I get a multi-policy discount?
  • Should I drop comprehensive coverage on older vehicles?
  • What if I owe more than I can insure my car for?
  • Who is covered by my policy?
  • What is no-fault insurance?
  • What if I don’t agree with a claim settlement offer?
  • Does liability extend to a camper or trailer?
  • Am I covered if I crash into my own garage door?

If it’s difficult to answer those questions but a few of them apply, you might consider talking to an insurance agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, take a second and complete this form or go to this page to view a list of companies. It’s fast, free and can help protect your family.

Detailed coverages of your car insurance policy

Understanding the coverages of your car insurance policy helps when choosing the right coverages and the correct deductibles and limits. The terms used in a policy can be impossible to understand and reading a policy is terribly boring. Below you’ll find typical coverages found on the average car insurance policy.

Comprehensive coverage

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

Comprehensive coverage pays for claims such as rock chips in glass, theft, hail damage, fire damage and falling objects. The most you can receive from a comprehensive claim is the actual cash value, so if the vehicle’s value is low it’s not worth carrying full coverage.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage

This protects you and your vehicle from other drivers when they either have no liability insurance or not enough. This coverage pays for injuries sustained by your vehicle’s occupants as well as your vehicle’s damage.

Because many people have only the minimum liability required by law, their liability coverage can quickly be exhausted. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage should not be overlooked. Frequently the UM/UIM limits are identical to your policy’s liability coverage.

Medical payments coverage and PIP

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage provide coverage for immediate expenses such as EMT expenses, nursing services, pain medications and surgery. They are used to cover expenses not covered by your health insurance program or if you lack health insurance entirely. They cover all vehicle occupants and also covers being hit by a car walking across the street. PIP coverage is only offered in select states but it provides additional coverages not offered by medical payments coverage

Auto liability insurance

Liability coverage provides protection from damage or injury you incur to other people or property. This coverage protects you from claims by other people. Liability doesn’t cover your own vehicle damage or injuries.

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 values of 50/100/50 which stand for $50,000 bodily injury coverage, a total of $100,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and a total limit of $50,000 for damage to vehicles and property. Some companies may use one number which is a combined single limit which provides one coverage limit rather than limiting it on a per person basis.

Liability insurance covers things like repair costs for stationary objects, medical expenses and legal defense fees. How much liability should you purchase? That is a decision to put some thought into, but buy as large an amount as possible.

Collision insurance

Collision coverage pays for damage to your Achieva resulting from a collision with an object or car. You have to pay a deductible and the rest of the damage will be paid by collision coverage.

Collision can pay for things like hitting a mailbox, colliding with another moving vehicle and crashing into a ditch. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so analyze the benefit of dropping coverage from lower value vehicles. It’s also possible to increase the deductible to bring the cost down.

In Summary

As you quote car insurance, make sure you don’t buy lower coverage limits just to save a few bucks. There are a lot of situations where an insured cut physical damage coverage and learned later that it was a big error on their part. Your objective should be to get the best coverage possible at the lowest possible cost.

In this article, we presented many ways to reduce 1997 Oldsmobile Achieva insurance prices online. The key concept to understand is the more rate quotes you have, the more likely it is that you will get a better rate. Consumers could even find that the lowest priced insurance comes from a small local company. Regional companies may only write in your state and offer lower rates compared to the large companies like Allstate and Progressive.

Other learning opportunities