Finding the cheapest insurance for a Pontiac Vibe can turn out to be difficult, but you can learn the following methods to make it easier. There are both good and bad ways to find car insurance online and we’ll show you the absolute fastest way to price shop coverage on a Pontiac and get the lowest possible price either online or from local insurance agents.
Car Insurance Prices
Effectively comparing car insurance prices can be a lot of work if you don’t understand the easiest way. You could waste a few hours driving to insurance agencies in your area, or you could use online quotes to get rate comparisons in just a few minutes.
The majority of car insurance companies belong to a marketplace where prospective buyers complete one form, and at least one company can give them a price based on that information. This system prevents you from having to do quote forms for each company.
To find out how much you’re overpaying now click here (opens in new window).
The only drawback to comparing rates this way is you can’t choose the insurers to get pricing from. If you would rather choose from a list of companies for rate comparison, we have a page of low cost car insurance companies in your area. Click to view list.
Whichever way you use, compare exactly the same coverage information for each comparison quote. If each company quotes mixed coverages it will be impossible to determine the lowest rate for your Pontiac Vibe.
Neighborhood agents for car insurance
Some consumers just want to buy from a licensed agent and that is OK! Professional agents are trained to spot inefficiencies and help submit paperwork. One of the great benefits of comparing insurance prices online is you can get lower rates but also keep your business local.
After completing this short form, the coverage information is immediately sent to agents in your area who will return price quotes for your coverage. You never need to leave your computer as quotes are delivered to your email.
Choosing an insurance company shouldn’t rely on just a cheap price. These questions are important to ask:
- Are claims handled at the agent’s location?
- Who are their largest clients?
- Who is covered by the car insurance policy?
- What is the agency’s Better Business Bureau rating?
- Is assistance available after office hours?
- How long have they worked with personal auto insurance coverage?
- Do they regularly work with personal auto policies?
Is a captive or independent insurance agency right for you?
When finding a reputable insurance agent or broker, there are a couple of types of insurance agents that you can select. Agencies can either be independent (non-captive) or captive. Either one can properly insure your vehicles, but it’s worth learning the differences because it can impact buying decisions.
Captive Insurance Agents
Captive agencies write business for a single company and examples are Farmers Insurance or State Farm. They generally cannot shop your coverage around so they have no alternatives for high prices. Captive agencies are very knowledgeable on their products and sales techniques which can be an advantage. Consumers often choose to use a captive agent mostly because of the brand legacy and solid financial strength.
Independent Agents
Independent agents are not locked into one company but rather can write business with many different companies and potentially find a lower price. If you are not satisfied with one company, they simply move the coverage in-house and you don’t have to find a new agent. When comparison shopping, it’s a good idea to include several independent insurance agents to have the most options to choose from. They also have the ability to place coverage with lesser-known insurance companies which may provide better rates.
For a full directory of agents, click here.
Upon getting satisfactory answers to all your questions and an acceptable price quote, most likely you have located an insurance agent that meets your needs to adequately provide car insurance. Just keep in mind consumers can cancel your policy at any point so don’t assume you’re contractually obligated to your new company for the entire policy term.
Car insurance coverages explained
Knowing the specifics of a car insurance policy can help you determine which coverages you need and the correct deductibles and limits. The terms used in a policy can be difficult to understand and reading a policy is terribly boring.
Insurance for medical payments
Medical payments and Personal Injury Protection insurance reimburse you for expenses for things like ambulance fees, prosthetic devices and EMT expenses. They can be used to cover expenses not covered by your health insurance plan or if you lack health insurance entirely. Medical payments and PIP cover both the driver and occupants as well as any family member struck as a pedestrian. Personal injury protection coverage is not an option in every state and may carry a deductible
Collision insurance
Collision coverage will pay to fix damage to your Vibe caused by collision with another vehicle or an object, but not an animal. A deductible applies then your collision coverage will kick in.
Collision coverage protects against claims such as sustaining damage from a pot hole, driving through your garage door and hitting a parking meter. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so you might think about dropping it from lower value vehicles. Drivers also have the option to increase the deductible to get cheaper collision coverage.
Comprehensive coverage (or Other than Collision)
Comprehensive insurance pays for 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 coverage pays for claims like hail damage, damage from getting keyed, theft, damage from flooding and a broken windshield. The maximum amount you’ll receive from a claim is the market value of your vehicle, so if the vehicle’s value is low consider dropping full coverage.
Liability insurance
This coverage will cover damage that occurs to a person or their property by causing an accident. Split limit liability has three limits of coverage: per person bodily injury, per accident bodily injury, and a property damage limit. You might see values of 100/300/100 which stand for a $100,000 limit per person for injuries, a total of $300,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $100,000 of coverage for damaged propery.
Liability can pay for things like legal defense fees, bail bonds, funeral expenses and repair costs for stationary objects. How much liability coverage do you need? That is up to you, but buy higher limits if possible.
Uninsured Motorist or Underinsured Motorist insurance
This protects you and your vehicle when other motorists either have no liability insurance or not enough. Covered claims include hospital bills for your injuries and also any damage incurred to your Pontiac Vibe.
Due to the fact that many drivers have only the minimum liability required by law, their liability coverage can quickly be exhausted. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage is important protection for you and your family.
