Lower Your 2005 Chevrolet Astro Cargo Insurance Quotes

Trying to find lower insurance rates for your Chevrolet Astro Cargo? Searching for low-cost insurance for a Chevy Astro Cargo can be a painful process, but you can learn a few tricks and make it easy. There are more efficient ways to compare insurance rates so we’re going to tell you the proper way to compare rates for a new or used Chevy and obtain the lowest possible price from both online companies and local agents.

It’s a great practice to do rate comparisons at least once a year because insurance prices are variable and change quite frequently. Even if you think you had the best quotes on Astro Cargo coverage last year you may be paying too much now. Block out anything you think you know about insurance because we’re going to demonstrate the best methods to buy cheaper insurance.

Where can I get affordable insurance coverage?

Cutting your insurance coverage rates is a great way to save money. All you need to do is spend a few minutes on the computer to get quotes online from several insurance companies. This is very easy and can be done using a couple different methods.

The most efficient method consumers can make multiple comparisons is to use a rate comparison form like this one (opens in new window). This style of form saves time by eliminating separate quotation requests for each company. One form submission will return price quotes from all major companies. This is perfect if you don’t have a lot of time.

A more difficult way to find lower rates requires you to visit the website for each individual company to complete a price quote. For example, let’s assume you need rates from State Farm, 21st Century and Liberty Mutual. To get each rate you have to navigate to each company’s site and repeatedly type in your coverage information, which can be really labor intensive.

For a handy list of car insurance company links in your area, click here.

The least efficient and most time consuming method to compare rates is driving around to local insurance agencies. Comparing rates online eliminates this option unless you require the guidance that only an agent can give. Drivers can comparison shop online but still have the advice of a local agent.

How you compare quotes is your choice, just make sure you compare nearly identical deductibles and coverage limits for every company. If your comparisons have mixed coverages it will be next to impossible to make a fair rate comparison.

Discounts for cheap insurance coverage quotes

Some companies don’t always publicize every policy discount in a way that’s easy to find, so below is a list both well-publicized and the more hidden credits available to lower your premiums when you buy insurance online.

  • Bundled Policy Discount – If you insure your home and vehicles and insure them both with the same insurance company you will save approximately 10% to 15%.
  • Fewer Miles Equal More Savings – Driving fewer miles could earn better rates on cars that stay parked.
  • Own a Home and Save – Just owning your own home can help you save on insurance coverage due to the fact that maintaining a home shows financial diligence.
  • Resident Student – Youth drivers who attend college more than 100 miles from home and don’t have a car may be able to be covered for less.
  • Passive Restraints and Air Bags – Vehicles equipped with air bags may get savings of up to 25% or more.
  • Theft Prevention System – Cars equipped with tracking devices and advanced anti-theft systems are less likely to be stolen and earn discounts up to 10% off your insurance quote.

One thing to note about discounts is that some of the credits will not apply to your bottom line cost. Most only apply to the price of certain insurance coverages like comp or med pay. So even though it sounds like having all the discounts means you get insurance for free, companies wouldn’t make money that way.

To see a list of companies that offer many of these discounts, click here.

What determines Chevy Astro Cargo insurance premiums?

Lots of factors are taken into consideration when you quote your car insurance policy. Some factors are common sense such as your driving record, but other criteria are more obscure like where you live or your vehicle rating.Smart consumers have a good feel for the factors that aid in calculating your policy premiums. If you understand what impacts premium levels, this helps enable you to make changes that will entitle you to cheaper rates.

The items below are most of the major factors used by insurance companies to determine your premiums.

  • Only buy incidental coverages you need – Insurance companies have many extra coverages that can add up if you aren’t careful. Coverage for things like rental car coverage, better glass coverage, and extra equipment coverage are probably not needed. These may sound like a good investment when discussing your needs, but if you don’t need them eliminate the coverages to reduce your premium.
  • Men pay more for car insurance – Over the last 50 years, statistics have shown women tend to be less risk to insure than men. The data does not necessarily mean that males are worse at driving than females. Men and women cause accidents in similar percentages, but the male of the species tend to have higher claims. Men also statistically receive more major tickets like driving under the influence (DUI). Males from age 16 to 21 are several times more likely to be in an accident and thus pay the highest rates.
  • The more you drive the more you pay – The higher the miles on your Chevy in a year the higher your rate. The majority of insurers rate vehicles based on how the vehicle is used. Vehicles left parked in the garage qualify for better rates than vehicles that are driven to work every day. A policy that improperly rates your Astro Cargo may be wasting your money. It’s a good idea to make sure your insurance coverage is showing annual mileage, because improper ratings can cost you money.
  • Tickets hurt – Having a single ticket may cause rates to rise to the point where it’s not affordable. Drivers who don’t get tickets pay less for auto insurance than people who have multiple driving citations. Drivers who have received flagrant violations like DUI, reckless driving or excessive speeding may be required to submit a SR-22 or proof of financial responsibility with their state’s department of motor vehicles in order to keep their license.
  • Small claims can cost you – Insurance companies generally give the best rates to drivers who do not file claims often. If you frequently file small claims, you can expect higher rates. Insurance coverage is intended to be relied upon for the bigger claims that can’t be paid out-of-pocket.
  • Gaps in coverage mean higher rates – Driving your car without having proper coverage can get your license suspended and you will pay a penalty because you let your coverage lapse. In addition to paying higher premiums, the inability to provide proof of insurance could earn you fines and jail time. You could then be forced to file a SR-22 with your state motor vehicle department to get your license reinstated.

You may need specialized auto insurance coverage

When it comes to buying the best auto insurance coverage, there is no “perfect” insurance plan. Every situation is different.

Here are some questions about coverages that can help discover if your insurance needs may require specific advice.

  • Is upholstery damage covered by car insurance?
  • Does my liability insurance cover pulling a trailer or camper?
  • What discounts do I qualify for?
  • Are my friends covered when driving my car?
  • Is business equipment covered while in my vehicle?
  • How much can I save by bundling my policies?
  • How many claims can I have before being cancelled?

If you’re not sure about those questions but one or more may apply to you then you might want to talk to a licensed agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, take a second and complete this form. It is quick, free and you can get the answers you need.

Insurance coverage ads are enticing

Consumers can’t escape the ads for cheaper insurance coverage from companies such as State Farm, GEICO and Progressive. They all seem to advertise claims about savings just by moving your insurance coverage policy to them.

Is it even possible that every company can save you money? It’s all in the numbers.

Different companies quote their cheapest rates for the driver they prefer to insure. A good example of a desirable risk may need to be a mature driver, carries full coverage, and has great credit. Any person that meets those criteria will get very good car insurance rates and will cut their rates if they switch.

Drivers who do not match those criteria will have to pay a more expensive rate and this results in the customer buying from someone else. The ads state “customers who switch” not “everyone who quotes” save that much when switching. That’s why companies can make the claims of big savings. This emphasizes why you should get price quotes at each policy renewal. It is impossible to guess the company that will be your best fit.

Insurance coverage breakdown

Learning about specific coverages of a insurance policy can be of help when determining the right coverages and proper limits and deductibles. Policy terminology can be difficult to understand and nobody wants to actually read their policy.

Collision coverages – Collision insurance covers damage to your Astro Cargo resulting from colliding with an object or car. You have to pay a deductible then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.

Collision can pay for claims like colliding with a tree, colliding with another moving vehicle, crashing into a ditch, sideswiping another vehicle and hitting a parking meter. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so consider dropping it from older vehicles. Drivers also have the option to raise the deductible to save money on collision insurance.

Liability auto insurance – This coverage can cover damage that occurs to a person or their property by causing an accident. It protects you against other people’s claims, and doesn’t cover your injuries or vehicle damage.

Liability coverage has three limits: bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident and property damage. As an example, you may have limits of 25/50/25 which means $25,000 in coverage for each person’s injuries, a per accident bodily injury limit of $50,000, and property damage coverage for $25,000.

Liability coverage pays for claims like medical expenses, loss of income, attorney fees, repair costs for stationary objects and bail bonds. How much coverage you buy is your choice, but you should buy as much as you can afford.

UM/UIM (Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist) coverage – This protects you and your vehicle’s occupants from other motorists when they either have no liability insurance or not enough. This coverage pays for injuries sustained by your vehicle’s occupants as well as damage to your Chevy Astro Cargo.

Since many drivers only carry the minimum required liability limits, it doesn’t take a major accident to exceed their coverage limits. So UM/UIM coverage is a good idea.

Comprehensive auto coverage – Comprehensive insurance coverage pays for damage caused by mother nature, theft, vandalism and other events. You first have to pay a deductible and the remainder of the damage will be paid by comprehensive coverage.

Comprehensive coverage pays for things like hitting a deer, damage from a tornado or hurricane, theft and fire damage. The maximum payout you’ll receive from a claim is the cash value of the vehicle, so if the vehicle is not worth much consider removing comprehensive coverage.

Medical payments and PIP coverage – Medical payments and Personal Injury Protection insurance pay for expenses for things like funeral costs, hospital visits, rehabilitation expenses, doctor visits and X-ray expenses. They can be utilized in addition to your health insurance policy or if you are not covered by health insurance. It covers not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants in addition to getting struck while a pedestrian. PIP coverage is not an option in every state and gives slightly broader coverage than med pay

The best insurance company isn’t always the cheapest

As you quote insurance, you should never buy poor coverage just to save money. There are too many instances where someone dropped liability limits or collision coverage and discovered at claim time that it was a big mistake. Your goal is to purchase plenty of coverage at a price you can afford, not the least amount of coverage.

Cheaper 2005 Chevy Astro Cargo insurance is definitely available from both online companies and also from your neighborhood agents, so you need to quote insurance with both so you have a total pricing picture. A few companies do not provide online rate quotes and these smaller companies work with local independent agencies.

Drivers switch companies for any number of reasons including delays in responding to claim requests, unfair underwriting practices, high prices and poor customer service. It doesn’t matter what your reason, finding the right insurance coverage provider is not as difficult as it may seem.

More detailed insurance coverage information is available at these sites: