2008 Cadillac STS Car Insurance Quotes

Want lower insurance coverage rates for your Cadillac STS? Are you baffled by the wide range of insurance coverage providers in your area? There are so many options that it is more work than you anticipated to find the perfect company for you.

Smart consumers take time to compare rates before your policy renews because rates fluctuate regularly. If you had the best rate on STS insurance on your last policy a different company probably has better prices today. There is too much inaccurate information about insurance coverage online but we’re going to give you some good information on how to stop overpaying for insurance.

If you are paying for car insurance now, you stand a good chance to be able to reduce your rates substantially using this information. This article will tell you how car insurance quotes work and some money-saving tips. But drivers can benefit by having an understanding of how the larger insurance companies price online insurance and use this information to your advantage.

How to compare free insurance quotes

To find low cost rates, there are a couple of ways to compare rate quotes from local insurance companies. The simplest method to comparison shop is to perform an online rate comparison. It is quite easy and can be accomplished in just a few minutes using one of these methods.

  • If you’re in a hurry, the quickest way to find low rates is to use a rate comparison form click to view form in new window. This form prevents you from having to do repetitive form submissions for every company. Taking the time to complete one form compares rates from insurance companies with the best prices. It’s definitely the quickest method.
  • Another way to compare prices is to manually visit the website for each individual company to complete their respective quote request forms. For examples sake, let’s assume you want to compare prices for USAA, State Farm and Farmers. In order to compare rates, you need to go to each individual site and repeatedly type in your coverage information, which is why first method is reommended. To view a list of companies in your area, click here.

How you compare quotes is your choice, just compare nearly identical coverages for each price quote. If your comparisons have higher or lower deductibles it’s not possible to determine the lowest rate for your Cadillac STS. Having just a slight variation in coverages may result in a large different in cost. And when comparing insurance rates, know that having more price comparisons gives you a better chance of getting more affordable insurance. Not every company allows you to get prices over the internet, so it’s important to also get prices from them, too.

Do you qualify for discounts?

Insurance can be prohibitively expensive, but there’s a good chance there are discounts to reduce the price significantly. Certain credits will be shown at the time of quoting, but occassionally some discounts must be manually applied prior to receiving the credit.

  • Accident Forgiveness Coverage – Not necessarily a discount, but companies like Progressive, State Farm and GEICO will let one accident slide without getting socked with a rate hike with the catch being you have to be claim-free prior to the accident.
  • Seat Belt Usage – Forcing all vehicle occupants to buckle their seat belts could cut 10% or more off the PIP or medical payment premium.
  • Federal Government Employee – Simply working for the federal government can save as much as 8% on STS insurance with some insurance coverage companies.
  • Air Bags and Passive Restraints – Vehicles equipped with air bags may earn rate discounts of 20 to 30 percent.
  • Claim-Free Discount – Drivers with accident-free driving histories pay much less as compared to bad drivers.
  • ABS Brakes – Cars and trucks equipped with ABS or steering control are much safer to drive and the ABS can save up to 10%.
  • Distant College Student Discount – Youth drivers who are enrolled in higher education away from home and do not have a car can be insured at a reduced rate.
  • Auto/Home Discount – When you combine your home and auto insurance with the same insurance company you may save nearly 15% which can help you find cheaper car insurance.
  • Discount for Good Grades – Being a good student can save 20 to 25%. You can use this discount normally up until you turn 25.
  • Early Renewal Discounts – Some companies provide a discount for buying a policy prior to the expiration date on your current policy. It can save you around 10%.

We need to note that some credits don’t apply the the whole policy. Most only reduce specific coverage prices like comp or med pay. So even though you would think you would end up receiving a 100% discount, insurance coverage companies aren’t that generous.

Companies and a partial list of their discounts can be found below.

  • The Hartford policyholders can earn discounts including good student, driver training, vehicle fuel type, defensive driver, anti-theft, air bag, and bundle.
  • American Family may have discounts that include defensive driver, accident-free, mySafetyValet, good driver, bundled insurance, early bird, and multi-vehicle.
  • Progressive may include discounts for good student, online quote discount, online signing, homeowner, and multi-vehicle.
  • Travelers discounts include continuous insurance, driver training, hybrid/electric vehicle, good student, and early quote.
  • Farmers Insurance offers premium reductions for bundle discounts, good student, electronic funds transfer, switch companies, alternative fuel, and business and professional.
  • USAA includes discounts for safe driver, defensive driver, multi-policy, military installation, and driver training.
  • Liberty Mutual has discounts for new move discount, teen driver discount, new vehicle discount, multi-car, multi-policy, newly retired, and new graduate.

Double check with every company to give you their best rates. Some discounts may not apply everywhere. If you would like to see a list of insurers that can offer you the previously mentioned discounts, follow this link.

Don’t assume everyone needs the same insurance coverage coverage

When it comes to choosing proper insurance coverage, there is no single plan that fits everyone. Everyone’s situation is a little different.

Here are some questions about coverages that might help in determining whether or not you might need an agent’s assistance.

  • Am I covered if I break a side mirror?
  • How much liability coverage do I need in my state?
  • Are my tools covered if they get stolen from my vehicle?
  • Will I lose any money if I cancel my policy before it expires?
  • Will my rates increase for filing one claim?
  • When should my teen driver be added to my policy?
  • If my 2008 Cadillac STS is totaled, can I afford another vehicle?
  • Is a blown tire covered by insurance?
  • What is UM/UIM insurance?
  • Is my Cadillac STS covered if I use it for business?

If it’s difficult to answer those questions but a few of them apply, you might consider talking to an agent. To find an agent in your area, take a second and complete this form.

Why your insurance premiums might be higher

Part of the car insurance buying process is learning some of the factors that help determine your car insurance rates. If you understand what determines base rates, this enables informed choices that can earn you lower premium levels.

Listed below are some of the factors used by insurance companies to determine your rates.

  • Know your vehicle’s IIHS safety rating – Vehicles with good safety scores are cheaper to insure. Highly rated vehicles reduce injuries and lower rates of occupant injuries translates into savings for insurance companies which can mean better rates for you.
  • Bundle policies and save – Lots of companies will give lower prices for people who carry more than one policy such as combining an auto and homeowners policy. The discount can add up to as much as ten percent or more If you currently are using one company, it’s in your best interest to get quotes from other companies to help guarantee you have the best rates. Drivers may still save even more than the discount even if you insure with multiple companies
  • Gender as a rate factor – Over the last 50 years, statistics have shown that women are safer drivers than men. That doesn’t necessarily mean that women are BETTER drivers than men. Both sexes get in at-fault accidents at about the same rate, but the male of the species cause more damage and cost insurance companies more money. Men also tend to receive more major tickets like reckless driving and DUI.
  • Pay more if you have a long commute – Residing in areas with lower population is a positive aspect when talking about car insurance. Fewer drivers on the road means reduced accidents in addition to lower liability claims Drivers in populated areas have to deal with congested traffic and more time behind the wheel. More time on the road statistically corresponds to a higher accident and claim rate.

Brand name doesn’t guarantee savings

Car insurance companies such as Progressive, GEICO, Allstate and State Farm regularly use ads on television and other media. All the ads have a common claim about saving some big amount after switching your car insurance coverage to their company. How is it possible that every company can give you a better price? It’s all in how they say it.

All the different companies offer their best rates for the type of customer that earns them the most money. A good example of a profitable risk profile might be a married female, has a clean driving record, and drives a vehicle with a low ISO rating. Anyone that meets those criteria will probably get the lowest auto insurance rates and will probably save quite a bit of money when switching.

Consumers who are not a match for the “perfect” profile will see higher premium rates and ends up with the customer not purchasing. The trick is to say “people who switch” but not “all drivers who get quotes” will save that much if they switch. That is how companies can truthfully make claims that they all have the best premium rates.

Because of this risk profiling, you absolutely need to compare price quotes frequently. Because you never know which company will have the best auto insurance rates for your profile.

Auto insurance coverage basics

Knowing the specifics of auto insurance helps when choosing the right coverages at the best deductibles and correct limits. Auto insurance terms can be ambiguous and even agents have difficulty translating policy wording.

Comprehensive auto coverage

Comprehensive insurance pays for damage from a wide range of events other than collision. You first have to pay a deductible and the remainder of the damage will be paid by comprehensive coverage.

Comprehensive insurance covers things such as rock chips in glass, vandalism, hail damage and falling objects. The highest amount you’ll receive from a claim is the market value of your vehicle, so if the vehicle is not worth much it’s not worth carrying full coverage.

Liability coverage

Liability coverage will cover damage that occurs to a person or their property by causing an accident. This insurance protects YOU against claims from other people, and does not provide coverage for damage to your own property or vehicle.

Liability coverage has three limits: per person bodily injury, per accident bodily injury, and a property damage limit. You might see limits of 25/50/25 that means you have $25,000 in coverage for each person’s injuries, a total of $50,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and a limit of $25,000 paid for damaged property. Another option is one number which is a combined single limit which provides one coverage limit without having the split limit caps.

Liability insurance covers claims such as legal defense fees, loss of income, pain and suffering and bail bonds. How much liability should you purchase? That is a personal decision, but buy higher limits if possible.

Auto collision coverage

This will pay to fix damage to your STS resulting from colliding with an object or car. You first must pay a deductible then your collision coverage will kick in.

Collision coverage pays for things like scraping a guard rail, hitting a parking meter, sideswiping another vehicle and hitting a mailbox. Collision is rather expensive coverage, so consider removing coverage from lower value vehicles. You can also increase the deductible to bring the cost down.

UM/UIM (Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist) coverage

This provides protection from other drivers when they are uninsured or don’t have enough coverage. Covered claims include injuries sustained by your vehicle’s occupants as well as damage to your Cadillac STS.

Since a lot of drivers have only the minimum liability required by law, their liability coverage can quickly be exhausted. For this reason, having high UM/UIM coverages is important protection for you and your family. Most of the time the UM/UIM limits are identical to your policy’s liability coverage.

Medical payments and PIP coverage

Med pay and PIP coverage provide coverage for short-term medical expenses for things like nursing services, funeral costs and surgery. They can be used in conjunction with a health insurance policy or if you do not have health coverage. Coverage applies to not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants and will also cover getting struck while a pedestrian. Personal Injury Protection is only offered in select states but it provides additional coverages not offered by medical payments coverage

Feed the piggy bank

Discount 2008 Cadillac STS insurance is attainable from both online companies and from local insurance agents, and you should compare price quotes from both to have the best chance of lowering rates. Some car insurance companies do not provide the ability to get a quote online and these small insurance companies prefer to sell through local independent agents.

Insureds switch companies for a variety of reasons including not issuing a premium refund, questionable increases in premium, high rates after DUI convictions or unfair underwriting practices. Whatever your reason, switching companies can be pretty painless.

When getting car insurance quotes online, it’s a bad idea to buy less coverage just to save a little money. There are too many instances where drivers have reduced full coverage only to discover later they didn’t have enough coverage. Your goal is to get the best coverage possible for the lowest price.

Much more information about car insurance is located at the links below