Save Money on GMC Sierra 3500HD Insurance in Los Angeles

Would you like to stop overpaying and find low-cost GMC Sierra 3500HD insurance in Los Angeles? Nobody I know anticipates paying for auto insurance, particularly when they could find better prices if they shop around.

It’s safe to conclude that car insurance companies don’t want you quoting rates from other companies. People who shop around once a year are highly likely to buy a new policy because of the high probability of finding a policy with more affordable rates. A recent survey discovered that people who compared prices once a year saved over $70 a month compared to other drivers who never shopped around.

If finding the cheapest rates on car insurance is your target objective, then having an understanding of how to find companies and compare coverages can make it easier to shop your coverage around. Many insurers compete for your hard-earned dollar, and because of this it can be hard to compare car insurance companies to find the lowest rate on GMC Sierra 3500HD insurance in Los Angeles.

It’s important to shop coverage around yearly because prices are rarely the same from one policy term to another. If you had the best rates on GMC Sierra 3500HD insurance in Los Angeles two years ago there is a good chance you can find better rate quotes now. Forget all the misinformation about auto insurance because you’re going to get a crash course in the best way to find better rates and still maintain coverage.

Finding cheap GMC Sierra 3500HD car insurance rates is pretty simple and can save money. You just need to invest a few minutes to get quotes online with multiple companies.

Doing price comparisons online is so simple that it replaces the need to drive to insurance agents’ offices. Comparing GMC Sierra 3500HD insurance rates online makes this unnecessary unless you prefer the extra assistance of a local agency. You can, however, obtain prices from the web but have your policy serviced through an agent.

The companies in the list below have been selected to offer comparison quotes in Los Angeles, CA. If the list has multiple companies, it’s a good idea that you visit two to three different companies in order to find the most affordable rates.

GMC Sierra 3500HD insurance coverage information

The information below showcases a range of insurance policy prices for GMC Sierra 3500HD models. Being aware of how insurance quotes are established can aid in making decisions when shopping around.

Table data assumes married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $500 deductibles, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-policy, multi-vehicle, claim-free, safe-driver, and homeowner. Rate quotes do not factor in your specific Los Angeles location which can influence auto insurance rates significantly.

An analysis of deductible level

When comparing auto insurance rates, the most common question is at what level do you set your deductibles. The following tables approximate the differences in price between high and low policy deductibles. The first set of rates uses a $250 deductible and the second rate table uses a $500 deductible.

Cost estimates assume married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include homeowner, multi-policy, claim-free, safe-driver, and multi-vehicle. Premium costs do not factor in specific zip code location which can affect insurance rates substantially.

Using the premium rates above, we can conclude that using a $250 deductible will cost in the ballpark of $20 more each month or $240 annually than selecting the higher $500 deductible. Because you would pay $250 more if you turn in a claim with a $500 deductible as compared to a $250 deductible, if you go more than 13 months between claims, you would most likely save money by selecting a higher deductible.

The diagram below shows how choosing a deductible and can affect GMC Sierra 3500HD premium costs for each different age category. The information is based on a single male driver, full coverage, and no policy discounts are applied.

Auto insurance rates based on gender

The diagram below visualizes the comparison of GMC Sierra 3500HD insurance costs for male and female drivers. The data assumes no driving violations, no at-fault accidents, comp and collision included, $100 deductibles, drivers are not married, and no policy discounts are applied.

Full coverage rates compared to liability-only

The illustration below compares GMC Sierra 3500HD insurance premiums with full physical damage coverage compared to only buying liability only. The costs are based on no driving violations, no at-fault accidents, $500 deductibles, single marital status, and no policy discounts are applied.

When to buy liability coverage only

There is no definitive rule that works best for making the decision to drop comp and collision coverage, but there is a guideline you can use. If the yearly cost for physical damage coverage is more than 10% of the vehicle’s replacement cost less your deductible, then you may need to consider dropping full coverage.

For example, let’s assume your GMC Sierra 3500HD replacement value is $7,000 and you have $1,000 policy deductibles. If your vehicle is damaged in an accident, the most your company would pay you is $6,000 after the policy deductible has been paid. If it’s costing you more than $600 a year for comprehensive and collision coverage, then you might consider buying liability only.

There are some conditions where eliminating full coverage is not recommended. If you haven’t satisfied your loan, you have to keep full coverage in order to keep the loan. Also, if you don’t have enough money to buy a different vehicle in the event your current vehicle is totaled, you should keep full coverage.

It may be expensive, but it’s not optional

Even though Los Angeles Sierra 3500HD insurance rates can get expensive, insurance may be required and benefits you in several ways.

• Just about all states have mandatory liability insurance requirements which means you are required to carry specific limits of liability coverage if you drive a vehicle. In California these limits are 15/30/5 which means you must have $15,000 of bodily injury coverage per person, $30,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $5,000 of property damage coverage.
• If you have a loan on your GMC, most banks will make it mandatory that you buy full coverage to protect their interest in the vehicle. If you do not pay your insurance premiums, the bank may insure your GMC at an extremely high rate and force you to pay for the expensive policy.
• Insurance safeguards your GMC and your assets. Insurance will also pay for hospital and medical expenses that are the result of an accident. As part of your policy, liability insurance also pays for attorney fees and expenses if anyone sues you for causing an accident. If you receive damage to your vehicle caused by a storm or accident, collision and comprehensive (also known as other-than-collision) coverage will pay to repair the damage.

The benefits of buying enough insurance are without a doubt worth the cost, particularly for liability claims. The average driver in California is currently overpaying as much as $865 each year so we recommend shopping around at every policy renewal to ensure rates are inline.

Lower Your Los Angeles Insurance Premiums

Lots of factors are used in the calculation when premium rates are determined. Some of the criteria are obvious like a motor vehicle report, although others are less apparent like your vehicle usage or your vehicle rating. When buying insurance it’s important to understand some of the factors that play a part in calculating insurance rates. If you understand what positively or negatively impacts your premiums, this empowers consumers to make smart changes that can earn you big savings.

The items below are a few of the “ingredients” used by companies to determine prices.

• Prices may be higher where you live – Residing in a rural area has it’s advantages when insuring your vehicles. Fewer drivers and short commutes translates into fewer accidents in addition to fewer liability claims. City drivers tend to have more traffic problems and more time behind the wheel. More time behind the wheel statistically corresponds to a higher accident and claim rate.
• Allowing your coverage to lapse raises prices – Driving without insurance is illegal and companies may charge more for letting your insurance coverage expire. And not only will insurance be more expensive, being ticketed for driving with no insurance will get you a fine, jail time, or a revoked license. You may then be required to file a SR-22 with the California motor vehicle department to get your license reinstated.

• Careless driving means higher rates – Even one speeding ticket can bump up the cost to the point where it’s not affordable. Drivers who don’t get tickets get better prices as compared to careless drivers. Drivers with careless tickets like DWI, reckless driving or hit and run convictions might be required by their state to file a proof of financial responsibility form (SR-22) with their state in order to prevent a license revocation.

  The diagram below illustrates how traffic citations and accident claims increase GMC Sierra 3500HD car insurance costs for different age groups. The rates are based on a married female driver, comprehensive and collision coverage, $1,000 deductibles, and no discounts are applied to the premium.

• Performance affects premiums – The performance of the vehicle you need to insure makes a significant difference in your car insurance bill. Lower cost passenger vehicles usually have the lowest premiums, but many other things help determine your insurance rates.

  The following chart assumes a single male driver age 20, full coverage with $500 deductibles, and no discounts or violations. It shows GMC Sierra 3500HD insurance rates compared to other makes and models that have different performance rating factors.

• Occupation can influence premiums – Occupations such as doctors, airline pilots, and emergency personnel generally pay higher rates than the rest of us in part from job stress and lots of time spent at work. On the other hand, careers such as actors, historians and the unemployed have lower than average premiums.
• A good credit score can save money – A driver’s credit rating is a big factor in your rate calculation. Drivers with very high credit ratings tend to be more responsible and file fewer claims than drivers with poor credit scores. Therefore, if your credit score can be improved, you could save money insuring your GMC Sierra 3500HD by spending a little time repairing your credit.
• Deter vehicle theft – Buying a car with a theft deterrent system can get you a discount on your insurance. Anti-theft devices like LoJack tracking devices, vehicle tamper alarm systems or GM’s OnStar system can thwart auto theft.

Insurance quotes and discounts

Companies offering auto insurance don’t always publicize all available discounts very well, so the list below contains a few of the more well known and also the lesser-known credits available to lower your premiums when you buy Los Angeles auto insurance online.

• Air Bag Discount – Vehicles with factory air bags can receive discounts as much as 30%.
• Pay Upfront and Save – If you pay your entire premium ahead of time rather than paying in monthly installments you may have a lower total premium amount.
• Sign Online – Many companies may give you up to $50 for signing up on the internet.
• Low Mileage – Fewer annual miles on your GMC could earn discounted prices on garaged vehicles.
• Multi-line Discount – If the company offers life insurance, you could get a discounted price on car insurance if you buy life insurance from them.
• Use Seat Belts – Drivers who require all vehicle occupants to buckle up before driving can save 10% or more on medical payment and PIP coverage.
• ABS Brakes – Anti-lock brake equipped vehicles can avoid accidents so you can save 10 percent or more.

Please keep in mind that most of the big mark downs will not be given to the entire cost. Some only reduce specific coverage prices like collision or personal injury protection. So even though they make it sound like having all the discounts means you get insurance for free, company stockholders wouldn’t be very happy.

The chart below visualizes the comparison of GMC Sierra 3500HD insurance costs with and without some available policy discounts. The premium estimates are based on a male driver, no tickets, no at-fault accidents, California state minimum liability limits, comp and collision included, and $1,000 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with multi-car, homeowner, claim-free, safe-driver, multi-policy, and marriage discounts applied.

To locate companies with discount insurance rates in Los Angeles, click this link.

Exclusive versus independent auto insurance agents

Some people prefer to go talk to an agent. Most agents can help determine the best coverages and help submit paperwork. A nice benefit of getting online price quotes is the fact that you can find the lowest rates and also buy local. Buying from local insurance agencies is important particularly in Los Angeles.

To help locate an agent, after submitting this quick form, your insurance coverage information is submitted to local insurance agents who will gladly provide quotes to get your business. You don’t have to leave your computer because quoted prices will be sent to you instantly. If you have a need to compare prices from a specific company, don’t hesitate to find their quoting web page and give them your coverage information.

Picking an insurance company should include more criteria than just a cheap quote. Any agent in Los Angeles should have no problem answering these questions:

• How much can you save by raising your physical damage deductibles?
• Will high miles depreciate repair valuations?
• Are glass claims handled on-site or do you have to take your vehicle to a repair shop?
• Do you work with a CSR or direct with the agent?
• When do they do a full risk review?
• Is the quote a firm price?
• If they are an independent agency in Los Angeles, which companies do they recommend?
• Does their agency support local causes in Los Angeles?

Persistence pays off

Some auto insurance companies do not offer online rate quotes and most of the time these regional carriers work with independent insurance agencies. Budget-friendly auto insurance in Los Angeles can be purchased both online and also from your neighborhood Los Angeles agents, so compare prices from both to have the best selection.

We covered many ideas to reduce GMC Sierra 3500HD insurance rates online in Los Angeles. The most important thing to understand is the more rate comparisons you have, the higher the chance of saving money. You may even be surprised to find that the biggest savings come from a company that doesn’t do a lot of advertising. These smaller insurers can often provide lower car insurance rates in certain areas as compared to the big name companies such as State Farm or Progressive.

More resources

• Safety Tips for Teen Drivers (Insurance Information Institute)
• Driving in Bad Weather (Insurance Information Institute)
• Neck Injury FAQ (iihs.org)
• Choosing an Insurance Company (Insurance Information Institute)