Do you want to learn to get low-cost GMC Terrain insurance in San Francisco? I can’t think of a single person who loves paying for insurance, especially when they could find better prices if they shop around.
Sadly, the vast majority of consumers in California kept buying from the same company for well over three years, and nearly half have never even compared rates from other companies. Many drivers in the U.S. could save themselves almost $860 a year just by getting comparison quotes, but they just don’t understand how much money they would save if they switched to a cheaper policy.
How to find cheaper rates for GMC Terrain insurance in San Francisco
It takes a few minutes, but the best way to save money on GMC Terrain insurance is to compare prices once a year from insurance carriers that insure vehicles in San Francisco. You can compare prices by following these guidelines.
First, spend a few minutes and learn about auto insurance and the modifications you can make to lower rates. Many policy risk factors that drive up the price such as multiple speeding tickets and a not-so-good credit rating can be amended by making small lifestyle or driving habit changes.
Second, compare prices from independent agents, exclusive agents, and direct companies. Exclusive agents and direct companies can only give rate quotes from a single company like GEICO or Allstate, while agents who are independent can provide price quotes from multiple sources.
Third, compare the price quotes to your current policy to see if switching to a new carrier will save money. If you can save some money and decide to switch, make sure there is no coverage gap between policies.
A good piece of advice is to compare identical limits and deductibles on each quote and and to get rate quotes from all possible companies. Doing this provides an accurate price comparison and a thorough price selection.
You have so many auto insurance companies to purchase coverage from, and though it is a good thing to have a choice, lots of choices makes it harder to compare rates for GMC Terrain insurance in San Francisco.
How to buy GMC Terrain insurance in San Francisco
The auto insurance companies shown below have been selected to offer comparison quotes in California. If several companies are displayed, it’s highly recommended you visit two to three different companies to get the best price comparison.
Get cheaper GMC Terrain insurance in San Francisco with discounts
Car insurance companies do not advertise every possible discount very clearly, so the list below contains both well-publicized and the more hidden credits that may apply to you. If you don’t get every credit you deserve, you could be getting lower rates.
- Low Mileage Discounts – Maintaining low annual mileage can earn better insurance rates on cars that stay parked.
- Theft Prevention Discount – Vehicles equipped with tracking devices and advanced anti-theft systems can help prevent theft and that can save you a little bit as well.
- Discount for Life Insurance – Not all insurance carriers offer life insurance, but some may give you a discount if you purchase some life insurance too.
- Paperless Signup – Some larger companies will give you a small discount for buying a policy and signing up on your computer.
- San Francisco Homeowners Discount – Owning your own home or condo may earn you a small savings since home ownership demonstrates responsibility.
- Telematics Devices – Drivers that enable driving data submission to track driving habits by using a small device installed in their vehicle such as Progressive’s Snapshot and State Farm’s In-Drive could save a few bucks if they show good driving skills.
- Driver’s Education for Students – Cut your cost by having your teen driver enroll and complete driver’s education in high school.
- No Accidents – Insureds who avoid accidents and claims can earn big discounts in comparison to drivers who are more careless.
You should keep in mind that many deductions do not apply to your bottom line cost. Some only reduce the cost of specific coverages such as physical damage coverage or medical payments. Despite the appearance that all the discounts add up to a free policy, company stockholders wouldn’t be very happy. But any discount will bring down the premium cost.
The example below shows the comparison of GMC Terrain premium costs with and without discounts applied. The prices are based on a male driver, a clean driving record, no claims, California state minimum liability limits, comprehensive and collision coverage, and $1,000 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with homeowner, safe-driver, marriage, claim-free, multi-policy, and multi-car discounts applied.
Some companies who might offer many of the previously listed discounts include:
If you are trying to find inexpensive San Francisco auto insurance quotes, ask every company which discounts can lower your rates. Savings might not be available to policyholders in San Francisco. To see a list of insurance companies that offer multiple discounts in San Francisco, follow this link.
Premium rates and analysis
The coverage table below covers estimates of insurance policy prices for GMC Terrain models. Being aware of how insurance premiums are formulated can assist in making smart choices when choosing a car insurance company.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terrain SLE 2WD | $326 | $672 | $394 | $24 | $118 | $1,534 | $128 |
| Terrain SLE AWD | $326 | $672 | $394 | $24 | $118 | $1,534 | $128 |
| Terrain SLT 2WD | $370 | $792 | $394 | $24 | $118 | $1,698 | $142 |
| Terrain SLT AWD | $370 | $792 | $394 | $24 | $118 | $1,698 | $142 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
Cost estimates assume married female driver age 40, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $100 deductibles, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include claim-free, homeowner, safe-driver, multi-vehicle, and multi-policy. Information does not factor in specific San Francisco garaging location which can lower or raise insurance rates substantially.
Should you raise deductibles?
A question often asked by San Francisco drivers is what deductibles to buy. The premium rates below lay out the price difference when you select higher and lower physical damage deductibles. The first rate estimation uses a $250 deductible for comp and collision and the second price table uses a $1,000 deductible.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terrain SLE 2WD | $342 | $576 | $376 | $22 | $112 | $1,453 | $121 |
| Terrain SLE AWD | $342 | $576 | $376 | $22 | $112 | $1,453 | $121 |
| Terrain SLT 2WD | $386 | $678 | $376 | $22 | $112 | $1,599 | $133 |
| Terrain SLT AWD | $386 | $678 | $376 | $22 | $112 | $1,599 | $133 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terrain SLE 2WD | $210 | $362 | $376 | $22 | $112 | $1,082 | $90 |
| Terrain SLE AWD | $210 | $362 | $376 | $22 | $112 | $1,082 | $90 |
| Terrain SLT 2WD | $238 | $426 | $376 | $22 | $112 | $1,174 | $98 |
| Terrain SLT AWD | $238 | $426 | $376 | $22 | $112 | $1,174 | $98 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
Data rating is based on married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include claim-free, multi-policy, safe-driver, homeowner, and multi-vehicle. Estimates do not factor in vehicle location which can alter price quotes significantly.
Using the premium rates above, we can conclude that using a $250 deductible costs roughly $33 more each month or $396 annually than quoting the higher $1,000 deductible. Since the policyholder would be required to pay $750 more if you turn in a claim with a $1,000 deductible as compared to a $250 deductible, if you normally average at a minimum 23 months between claim filings, you would save more money if you choose a higher deductible.
How to determine when to raise deductibles
| Average monthly premium for $250 deductibles: | $127 |
| Average monthly premium for $1,000 deductibles (subtract): | – $94 |
| Monthly savings from raising deductible: | $33 |
| Difference between deductibles ($1,000 – $250): | $750 |
| Divide difference by monthly savings: | $750 / $33 |
| Number of months required between physical damage coverage claims in order to save money by choosing the higher deductible | 23 months |
The information below illustrates how choosing a deductible and can affect GMC Terrain yearly insurance costs for each different age category. The information is based on a single female driver, full coverage, and no discounts are applied to the premium.
Bad driving habits will cost you more
The information below highlights how speeding tickets and at-fault fender-benders can increase GMC Terrain car insurance costs for each age group. The data assumes a single female driver, comp and collision included, $250 deductibles, and no discounts are applied.
Cost difference between full coverage and liability
The information below visualizes the comparison of GMC Terrain insurance rates with full physical damage coverage compared to only buying liability only. The rates are based on no accidents, no driving violations, $100 deductibles, single status, and no policy discounts are applied.
Guidelines for eliminating full coverage
There is no definitive guideline of when to eliminate physical damage insurance, but there is a general guideline. If the yearly cost of comp and collision coverage is more than about 10% of the vehicle’s replacement cost less your deductible, then it might be time to consider dropping full coverage.
For example, let’s pretend your GMC Terrain claim settlement value is $8,000 and you have $1,000 full coverage deductibles. If your vehicle is destroyed, the most you would receive is $7,000 after paying your deductible. If it’s costing in excess of $700 a year for your policy with full coverage, then you may want to consider only buying liability coverage.
There are some situations where eliminating full coverage is not in your best interest. If you still have a lienholder on your title, you are required to maintain full coverage in order to satisfy the requirements of the loan. Also, if your emergency fund is not enough to purchase a different vehicle if your current one is in an accident, you should not drop full coverage.
How Insurers Calculate GMC Terrain Insurance Premiums
Many things are part of the calculation when you quote your car insurance policy. Some factors are common sense such as your driving record, but some are not quite as obvious such as your credit history or your vehicle rating. Part of the insurance buying process is learning some of the factors that come into play when calculating the level of your policy premiums. If you know what influences your rates, this enables you to make decisions that can help you get cheaper rates.
Listed below are some of the most rate-impacting factors used by companies to determine prices.
Only buy extra coverages you need – There are a lot of additional extra coverages that can waste your money if you don’t pay attention. Things like rental car coverage, towing, and extra equipment coverage may be wasting your money. They may seem good initially, but your money might be better spent on other coverage so think about removing them and cutting costs.
Limits of liability protection – Your policy’s liability coverage will protect you if ever you are determined to be liable for an accident. This coverage provides legal defense coverage which can be incredibly expensive. It is affordable coverage compared to comp and collision, so drivers should buy more than the minimum limits required by law.
Better credit means lower costs – Credit rating is a large factor in determining premium rates. So if your credit history can be improved, you could potentially save money when insuring your GMC Terrain by taking the time to improve your credit score. Consumers who have excellent credit scores tend to be better risks to insure as compared to drivers with poor credit.
Vehicles with better crash test results means cheaper insurance – Safer cars get lower rates. These vehicles have better occupant injury protection and fewer serious injuries means your insurance company pays less and more competitive rates for policyholders.
Insurance claims cost money – If you are a frequent claim filer, you can look forward to either policy cancellation or increased premiums. Car insurance companies in California provide lower rates to drivers who do not rely on their insurance for small claims. Your insurance policy is meant to be used in the event of larger claims.
Age of drivers impacts costs – Older, more experienced drivers are shown to be more cautious, file fewer claims, and are safer drivers. Inexperience drivers are proven to be less responsible behind the wheel so insurance rates are higher.
The next chart is based on a single driver, full coverage with $1000 deductibles, and no discounts or violations.
Deter theft and pay less – Driving a car with a theft deterrent system can help bring down rates. Advanced theft deterrents like tamper alarm systems, vehicle immobilizer technology and General Motors OnStar can help prevent vehicle theft.
Single vs. married – Walking down the aisle actually saves money when shopping for insurance. It usually means you are more mature and it’s proven that married drivers tend to have fewer serious accidents.
GMC Terrain insurance loss data – Car insurance companies analyze claim trends for every vehicle when setting rates for each model. Models that the statistics show to have a trend towards higher claims will have a higher premium rate.
The table below shows the actual insurance loss data for GMC Terrain vehicles. For each coverage type, the claim amount for all vehicles compiled together is represented as 100. Numbers under 100 imply a favorable loss record, while numbers shown that are more than 100 indicate frequent claims or an increased chance of larger losses than average.
| Vehicle Make and Model | Collision | Property Damage | Comp | Personal Injury | Medical Payment | Bodily Injury |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GMC Terrain 4dr 2WD | 89 | 83 | 81 | 96 | 92 | 86 |
| GMC Terrain 4dr 4WD | 89 | 86 | 85 | 83 | 82 | 74 |
Data Source: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for 2013-2015 Model Years
Compare rate quotes but work with a local neighborhood San Francisco car insurance agent
Some people still like to sit down and talk to an agent and that can be a smart move Good agents will help you protect your assets and help in the event of a claim. An additional benefit of price shopping on the web is you can get cheaper car insurance rates but still work with a licensed agent. Buying insurance from neighborhood agents is definitely important in San Francisco.
For easy comparison, once you complete this form (opens in new window), the coverage information is sent to local insurance agents who will gladly provide quotes for your coverage. You won’t need to search for any insurance agencies because prices are sent to you. If you need to get a price quote from a specific company, you can always jump over to their website and submit a quote form there.
If you are wanting to purchase insurance from a local San Francisco insurance agent, it’s important to understand the different types of agencies and how they function. Agents in San Francisco can be categorized as either independent agents or exclusive agents depending on their employer. Either one can insure your vehicles, but it is important to understand the differences because it can impact the kind of agent you use.
Independent Agencies or Brokers
Independent agents are not employed by any specific company and that allows them to write policies amongst many companies and find the cheapest rate. To move your coverage to a new company, the agent simply finds a different carrier and you don’t have to switch agencies. When shopping rates, we recommend you get several quotes from at a minimum one independent agency for maximum quote selection.
Featured below is a partial list of independent insurance agencies in San Francisco that can possibly get you free price quotes.
Nationwide Insurance: Nathan Douglas Gleason Agency
101 California St #2710 – San Francisco, CA 94111 – (415) 870-6999 – View Map
Wang Insurance
2620 Judah St – San Francisco, CA 94122 – (415) 731-7062 – View Map
Barulich Insurance Agency
San Francisco Pier 33 – Alcatraz Island #203 – San Francisco, CA 94111 – (415) 616-5911 – View Map
Exclusive Insurance Agencies
Agents that elect to be exclusive can only place business with one company and some examples include American Family, State Farm, and Allstate. They generally cannot compare other company’s rates so keep that in mind. Exclusive agents are usually well trained on sales techniques which helps them sell on service rather than price.
Shown below is a short list of exclusive insurance agents in San Francisco that can give you price quote information.
Rebekah Shapiro – State Farm Insurance Agent
1736 Stockton St #9 – San Francisco, CA 94133 – (415) 525-3344 – View Map
Angela Chan – State Farm Insurance Agent
756 Sacramento St – San Francisco, CA 94108 – (415) 956-4888 – View Map
Joshin Bruguera – State Farm Insurance Agent
399 Cortland Ave – San Francisco, CA 94110 – (415) 821-3600 – View Map
Choosing the best car insurance agent should include more criteria than just the premium amount. The questions below may impact your decision as well.
- Will the agent or a CSR service your policy?
- What is the financial rating for the quoted company?
- Are there any extra charges for paying monthly?
- If you are a high risk driver, do they have special markets for your coverage?
- How are they compensated?
- Is every driver in your family covered?
Different people need different insurance coverages
When choosing your policy for your vehicles, there really is no “perfect” insurance plan. Each situation is unique.
These are some specific questions might help in determining whether or not you may require specific advice.
- Am I covered when driving someone else’s vehicle?
- Is pleasure use cheaper than using my GMC Terrain to commute?
- Should I rate my vehicle as business use?
- Can my teen drive my company car?
- Where can I find high-risk insurance?
- Can my babysitter drive my car?
If it’s difficult to answer those questions but a few of them apply, you might consider talking to an agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, simply complete this short form. It’s fast, doesn’t cost anything and can provide invaluable advice.
More comparisons equals affordable rates
Consumers leave their current company for a number of reasons such as extreme rates for teen drivers, denial of a claim, delays in responding to claim requests or even high rates after DUI convictions. Whatever your reason, choosing a new insurance company can be less work than you think.
When searching for affordable GMC Terrain insurance quotes, it’s a bad idea to skimp on critical coverages to save a buck or two. In many cases, drivers have reduced physical damage coverage to discover at claim time that a couple dollars of savings turned into a financial nightmare. Your strategy should be to get the best coverage possible at a price you can afford, but do not sacrifice coverage to save money.
We just showed you a lot of techniques to reduce GMC Terrain insurance premium rates online in San Francisco. The most important thing to understand is the more rate quotes you have, the better your chances of lowering your prices. Consumers could even find that the best premium rates are with some of the smallest insurance companies.
Steps to finding better rates for GMC Terrain insurance in San Francisco
The most effective way to find affordable GMC Terrain insurance in San Francisco is to begin comparing prices regularly from providers that insure vehicles in California. Drivers can shop around by following these guidelines.
- Take a little time to learn about car insurance and the things you can change to keep rates down. Many rating factors that cause rate increases such as careless driving and a bad credit rating can be rectified by making minor changes in your lifestyle.
- Get rate quotes from independent agents, exclusive agents, and direct companies. Direct and exclusive agents can only quote rates from one company like GEICO or Farmers Insurance, while independent agencies can provide prices for a wide range of companies.
- Compare the price quotes to your existing coverage to see if cheaper Terrain coverage is available in San Francisco. If you find better rates and decide to switch, make sure coverage is continuous and does not lapse.
- Give proper notification to your current agent or company of your intention to cancel your current car insurance policy and submit a completed application and payment for the new coverage. When you receive it, place your new certificate verifying coverage along with your vehicle registration.
A good tip to remember is to make sure you’re comparing the same amount of coverage on each quote and and to get quotes from as many companies as possible. Doing this enables a level playing field and a complete price analysis.
Even more information can be found in these articles:
- What if I Can’t Find Coverage? (Insurance Information Institute)
- What Insurance is Cheapest for Young Drivers in San Francisco? (FAQ)
- Who Has Cheap San Francisco Car Insurance for Good Drivers? (FAQ)
- What Car Insurance is Cheapest for a Honda Pilot in San Francisco? (FAQ)
- Who Has the Cheapest San Francisco Car Insurance Quotes for a Toyota Camry? (FAQ)
- Distracted Driving Statistics (Insurance Information Institute)
- Side Impact Crash Tests (iihs.org)