Best Ways to Save on San Francisco Buick LaCrosse Insurance

If saving money is your primary concern, then the best way to get affordable Buick LaCrosse insurance in San Francisco is to start comparing prices yearly from different companies who sell insurance in California.

1. Read and learn about how insurance companies determine prices and the measures you can control to keep rates in check. Many risk factors that cause high rates such as inattentive driving and a low credit score can be improved by making minor changes to your lifestyle.
2. Compare prices from direct carriers, independent agents, and exclusive agents. Direct companies and exclusive agencies can only provide price estimates from one company like GEICO or State Farm, while agents who are independent can provide rate quotes for a wide range of companies.
3. Compare the new rates to your existing coverage to determine if you can save on LaCrosse insurance in San Francisco. If you can save some money, make sure coverage is continuous and does not lapse.
4. Give proper notification to your current agent or company of your decision to cancel your existing policy. Submit a down payment along with a completed application to your new insurance company. Don’t forget to put the certificate verifying proof of insurance in an easily accessible location in your vehicle.

The most important part of shopping around is to use identical coverage information on every quote and and to get rates from as many auto insurance providers as possible. This helps ensure an apples-to-apples comparison and the most accurate and complete price analysis.

Remarkably, a study showed that most drivers have bought car insurance from the same company for at least the last four years, and almost 40% of drivers have never shopped around. With the average car insurance premium being $1,390, California drivers could save 35% each year by just comparing rate quotes, but they don’t invest the time required to compare rate quotes.

If you are paying for car insurance now, you will definitely be able to cut your premiums using the concepts covered in this article. Quoting and comparing more affordable auto insurance policy in San Francisco is easy if you know what you’re doing. Nevertheless, California car owners must comprehend how the larger insurance companies market insurance on the web and use this information to your advantage.

When comparing car insurance rates, know that comparing more rates from different companies gives you a better chance of getting the best rates. Not every company allows you to get San Francisco LaCrosse insurance quotes online, so you also need to get prices from the smaller companies as well.

The car insurance companies shown below provide quotes in San Francisco, CA. If the list has multiple companies, it’s highly recommended you compare several of them to find the most affordable car insurance rates.

Buick LaCrosse insurance rates and statistics

The premium table shown next outlines a range of coverage costs for Buick LaCrosse models. Having a better understanding of how car insurance premiums are calculated can help drivers make smart choices when purchasing an insurance policy.

Data rating is based on single female driver age 40, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $250 deductibles, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include homeowner, multi-vehicle, multi-policy, safe-driver, and claim-free. Price information does not factor in the specific area where the vehicle is garaged which can lower or raise price quotes noticeably.

Physical damage deductibles

A question often asked by San Francisco drivers is which comprehensive and collision deductibles to buy. The following tables lay out the premium difference when you choose different physical damage coverage deductibles. The first data set uses a $100 comprehensive and collision deductible and the second pricing table uses a $500 deductible.

Data variables include married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-policy, multi-vehicle, homeowner, claim-free, and safe-driver. Rates do not factor in specific zip code location which can influence premiums noticeably.

Based on the data above, we can derive that using a $100 deductible will cost you roughly $34 more each month or $408 each year across all Buick LaCrosse models than selecting the higher $500 deductible. Since you would have to pay $400 more out of your own pocket with a $500 deductible as compared to a $100 deductible, if you tend to go at a minimum 12 months between claim filings, you would probably be better off if you choose a higher deductible. The table below shows an example of how this determination is made.

How accidents and tickets impact rates in San Francisco

The diagram below highlights how speeding tickets and at-fault accidents can increase Buick LaCrosse car insurance costs for different age groups of insureds. The premiums assume a married female driver, comp and collision included, $100 deductibles, and no discounts are applied to the premium.

Does full coverage make sense?

The illustration below compares Buick LaCrosse annual premium costs when comparing full coverage to liability only. The premium estimates are based on no violations or claims, $500 deductibles, single marital status, and no discounts are taken into consideration.

Should you pay for full coverage or liability only?

There is no clear-cut rule to eliminate physical damage insurance, but there is a guideline you can use. If the yearly cost for physical damage coverage is more than around 10% of the settlement you would receive from your company, then you might want to think about dropping full coverage.

For example, let’s say your Buick LaCrosse replacement cost is $4,000 and you have $1,000 deductibles. If your vehicle is totaled, the most you would receive is $3,000 after paying the physical damage deductible. If it’s costing in excess of $300 annually for your policy with full coverage, then you might want to consider buying only liability coverage.

There are a few situations where eliminating full coverage is not a good idea. If you still have a loan on your vehicle, you have to carry full coverage as part of the loan conditions. Also, if you cannot afford to purchase a different vehicle if your current one is in an accident, you should not opt for liability only.

Three reasons to insure your Buick vehicle

Even though San Francisco LaCrosse insurance rates can get expensive, maintaining insurance may be required and benefits you in several ways.

First, most states have minimum liability requirements which means state laws require a minimum amount of liability in order to get the vehicle licensed. 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.

Second, if your vehicle has a lienholder, more than likely the lender will require you to have comprehensive coverage to ensure they get paid if you total the vehicle. If you do not keep the policy in force, the bank or lender will purchase a policy for your Buick for a much higher rate and force you to reimburse them the higher price.

Third, insurance protects both your Buick LaCrosse and your personal assets. It will also pay for medical bills that are the result of an accident. Liability insurance will also pay to defend you if you are named as a defendant in an auto accident. If your Buick gets damaged, collision and comprehensive coverages will pay all costs to repair after the deductible has been paid.

The benefits of having insurance are without a doubt worth the cost, particularly if you ever have a claim. As of last year, the average driver in California overpays more than $865 each year so compare rates every year to ensure rates are competitive.

Don’t overlook these ten Buick LaCrosse insurance discounts

Car insurance is not cheap, but there may be some discounts that can dramatically reduce your bill. Some discounts apply automatically at the time of quoting, but some must be asked for in order for you to get them.

• No Claim Discounts – Drivers who don’t have accidents pay much less compared to drivers who are more careless.
• ABS Brakes – Anti-lock brake equipped vehicles can avoid accidents and the ABS can save up to 10%.
• Use Seat Belts – Requiring all passengers to buckle their seat belts can save up to 10 percent (depending on the company) on medical payment and PIP coverage.
• Discounts for Cautious Drivers – Insureds without accidents can get discounts for up to 45% lower rates compared to rates paid by drivers with frequent claims.
• Own a Home – Being a homeowner can save a few bucks since home ownership demonstrates responsibility.
• Service Members Pay Less – Being on active deployment in the military could qualify you for better auto insurance rates.
• Sign Early and Save – Some companies provide a discount for renewing your policy before your current LaCrosse insurance policy expires. It could save around 10% when you buy San Francisco car insurance online.
• Online Discount – Some insurance companies provide a small discount shop San Francisco car insurance on your computer.
• Save with More Vehicles Insured – Having multiple cars on one policy can reduce rates for all insured vehicles.
• Student Discount for Driver Training – It’s a good idea to have your young drivers successfully take a driver’s education course in high school.

As a footnote on discounts, most credits do not apply to the whole policy. Most cut the cost of specific coverages such as comprehensive or collision. Even though it appears you could get a free auto insurance policy, companies don’t profit that way.

The chart below illustrates the difference between Buick LaCrosse insurance prices with and without discounts applied. The premium estimates are based on a female driver, no claims, a clean driving record, California state minimum liability limits, full coverage, and $1,000 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with multi-car, multi-policy, safe-driver, claim-free, homeowner, and marriage discounts applied.

A list of auto insurance companies and a selection of discounts are outlined below.

• State Farm policyholders can earn discounts including good driver, student away at school, driver’s education, defensive driving training, and anti-theft.
• Liberty Mutual has discounts for preferred payment discount, new vehicle discount, multi-car, hybrid vehicle, new move discount, and multi-policy.
• American Family has savings for defensive driver, good driver, good student, accident-free, and mySafetyValet.
• Progressive includes discounts for online quote discount, multi-policy, continuous coverage, good student, online signing, and multi-vehicle.
• Farmers Insurance may include discounts for alternative fuel, pay in full, youthful driver, early shopping, mature driver, multi-car, and distant student.
• Auto-Owners Insurance offers discounts including air bags, anti-theft, anti-lock brakes, safe vehicle, and safe driver.
• SAFECO offers premium reductions for homeowner, bundle discounts, anti-lock brakes, accident prevention training, multi-car, safe driver, and anti-theft.

If you need the cheapest Buick LaCrosse rate quotes, ask every insurance company the best way to save money. Some discounts might not apply in your state. If you would like to view companies that can offer you the previously mentioned discounts in San Francisco, follow this link.

Local San Francisco insurance agents and auto insurance

Many people just prefer to talk to a local agent and that is just fine! One of the benefits of comparing rates online is the fact that drivers can get the lowest rates and still choose a local agent. And supporting small agencies is important particularly in San Francisco.

After completing this form (opens in new window), your insurance coverage information is instantly submitted to local insurance agents in San Francisco who will return price quotes to get your business. There is no reason to contact any insurance agencies because prices are sent to your email. You can most likely find cheaper rates without the usual hassles of price shopping. If for some reason you want to get a price quote from one company in particular, don’t hesitate to visit that company’s website and fill out the quote form the provide.

Finding a good provider should include more criteria than just the price. Any good agent in San Francisco should know the answers to these questions.

• Will high miles depreciate repair valuations?
• Where would glass claims be handled in San Francisco?
• Will you work with the agent or an assistant?
• Do they review policy coverages at every renewal?
• Will the quote change when the policy is issued?
• What insurance companies do they recommend if they are an independent agent?
• Is the agency active in community causes in San Francisco?

What insurance coverages do I need?

When it comes to choosing your policy for your personal vehicles, there really isn’t a one-size-fits-all type of policy. Every insured’s situation is different.

Here are some questions about coverages that might point out whether you would benefit from professional advice.

• Is there coverage for injuries to my pets?
• Am I covered if I have no license?
• Why am I required to buy liability insurance?
• Do I get a pro-rated refund if I cancel my policy early?
• What policy terms are available?
• When would I need additional glass coverage?

If you’re not sure about those questions but you know they apply to you, you might consider talking to a licensed agent. If you don’t have a local agent, fill out this quick form.

Insurance coverage considerations

Knowing the specifics of insurance 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.

Protection from uninsured/underinsured drivers

This coverage gives you protection when other motorists are uninsured or don’t have enough coverage. It can pay for medical payments for you and your occupants and damage to your Buick LaCrosse.

Due to the fact that many California drivers only carry the minimum required liability limits (which is 15/30/5), it only takes a small accident to exceed their coverage. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage should not be overlooked. Usually these coverages are set the same as your liability limits.

Collision coverage protection

This coverage pays for damage to your LaCrosse resulting from colliding with an object or car. You first must pay a deductible then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.

Collision can pay for things like backing into a parked car, rolling your car and scraping a guard rail. This coverage can be expensive, so consider removing coverage from lower value vehicles. Drivers also have the option to raise the deductible on your LaCrosse to get cheaper collision coverage.

Auto liability insurance

Liability insurance can cover injuries or damage you cause to other’s property or people. Coverage consists of three different limits, bodily injury for each person injured, bodily injury for the entire accident and a property damage limit. You commonly see values of 15/30/5 that means you have $15,000 in coverage for each person’s injuries, a limit of $30,000 in injury protection per accident, and $5,000 of coverage for damaged property. Another option is a combined limit that pays claims from the same limit with no separate limits for injury or property damage.

Liability coverage protects against things like loss of income, medical expenses, funeral expenses, medical services and court costs. How much liability should you purchase? That is up to you, but consider buying as large an amount as possible. California state minimum liability requirements are 15/30/5 but it’s recommended drivers buy better liability coverage.

The next chart demonstrates why buying the state minimum limits may not be adequate coverage.

Comprehensive (Other than Collision)

Comprehensive insurance coverage pays for damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. A deductible will apply then your comprehensive coverage will pay.

Comprehensive insurance covers claims such as damage from getting keyed, rock chips in glass, falling objects and hitting a deer. The maximum payout you’ll receive from a claim is the actual cash value, so if your deductible is as high as the vehicle’s value it’s not worth carrying full coverage.

Medical expense insurance

Med pay and PIP coverage kick in for immediate expenses for things like hospital visits, chiropractic care, X-ray expenses and ambulance fees. The coverages can be used to fill the gap from your health insurance policy or if you are not covered by health insurance. Coverage applies to you and your occupants and also covers if you are hit as a while walking down the street. Personal Injury Protection is not an option in every state and gives slightly broader coverage than med pay

Auto insurance savings summarized

As you prepare to switch companies, it’s very important that you do not buy less coverage just to save a little money. In many instances, consumers will sacrifice liability coverage limits and learned later that saving that couple of dollars actually costed them tens of thousands. The ultimate goal is to buy a smart amount of coverage at the lowest possible cost, but do not skimp to save money.

People change insurance companies for a variety of reasons including delays in paying claims, extreme rates for teen drivers, high prices and even policy non-renewal. It doesn’t matter what your reason, switching auto insurance companies can be less work than you think.

We just covered many ideas to find lower-cost Buick LaCrosse insurance in San Francisco. The key thing to remember is the more price quotes you have, the better chance you’ll have of finding low cost San Francisco car insurance quotes. Drivers may even discover the best price on auto insurance is with an unexpected company.

Helpful information

• Higher speed limits cause more fatalities (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)
• Who Has Cheap San Francisco Auto Insurance for High Mileage Drivers? (FAQ)
• How Much are Auto Insurance Rates for Drivers with Bad Credit in San Francisco? (FAQ)
• What Insurance is Cheapest for Single Moms in San Francisco? (FAQ)
• Who Has Affordable San Francisco Auto Insurance for a Ford F-150? (FAQ)
• Who Has Cheap Auto Insurance for a GMC Sierra in San Francisco? (FAQ)
• Who Has the Cheapest Car Insurance Quotes for a Learners Permit in San Francisco? (FAQ)
• Teen Driver Licensing Information (iihs.org)
• Distracted Driving (Insurance Information Institute)