Lower Your 2012 Nissan Pathfinder Insurance Rates

Searching for the lowest cost insurance on the internet is rather challenging for consumers new to price shopping online. Since there are so many choices, how can you possibly compare them all to find the best available price?

You should make it a habit to compare rates yearly because prices change quite often. If you had the best rates for Pathfinder coverage six months ago you will most likely find a better rate today. There is a lot of bad advice regarding insurance online, so I’m going to show you some great ways to slash your insurance rates.

If you are paying for car insurance now, you will most likely be able to cut costs considerably using these tips. Shopping for the lowest cost auto insurance coverage is simple if you know the tricks. Nevertheless, drivers must comprehend how the larger insurance companies price insurance differently and use this information to your advantage.

Comprehensive Auto Insurance Comparison Quotes

To find the best auto insurance prices, there are several ways to compare rate quotes from local auto insurance companies. The recommended way to find competitive 2012 Nissan Pathfinder insurance rates is to get quotes online. This can be accomplished in just a few minutes using one of these methods.

The recommended way to compare a lot of rates at once is to use a rate comparison form (click to open form in new window). This type of form saves time by eliminating separate forms for every auto insurance company. A single form will get you rate comparisons from many national carriers. Just one form and you’re done.

A different way to obtain and compare quotes online is going to each company’s website and request a quote. For example, we’ll pretend you want to compare Auto-Owners, Farmers and American Family. To get rate quotes you would need to take the time to go to each site to enter your coverage information, which is why the first method is quicker. To view a list of companies in your area, click here.

The least efficient method of comparing rate quotes is to spend time driving to insurance agents’ offices. The ability to buy insurance online makes this process obsolete unless you require the trained guidance of a local agent. You can, however, get the lowest quotes online but buy from a local insurance agent and you’ll learn how to do that later.

It’s your choice how you get your quotes, but make absolute certain that you use apples-to-apples coverage limits and deductibles for every quote you compare. If you have higher or lower deductibles it will be very difficult to truly determine the lowest rate. Having just a slight variation in insurance coverages can result in a big premium difference. And when quoting auto insurance, remember that having more price comparisons gives you a better chance of getting a lower rate.

Don’t pay full price with these discounts

Properly insuring your vehicles can get expensive, but there are discounts available that you may not know about. A few discounts will automatically apply at the time of quoting, but lesser-known reductions have to be asked for in order for you to get them.

  • Good Student – A discount for being a good student can be rewarded with saving of up to 25%. This discount can apply up until you turn 25.
  • Discount for Swiching Early – Some insurance companies reward drivers for switching to them prior to your current policy expiration. The savings is around 10%.
  • No Claims – Claim-free drivers can save substantially as compared to drivers who are more careless.
  • New Car Discount – Adding a new car to your policy can cost up to 25% less since new cars are generally safer.
  • Drive Safe and Save – Safe drivers may save up to 50% more for Pathfinder coverage than drivers with accident claims.
  • Resident Student – Kids in college who live away from home without a vehicle on campus can be insured at a reduced rate.

A little note about advertised discounts, some credits don’t apply to the entire policy premium. Most cut the cost of specific coverages such as liability and collision coverage. Just because it seems like you can get free auto insurance, it doesn’t quite work that way. But all discounts will reduce the cost of coverage.

For a list of companies with discount insurance coverage rates, click this link.

Your personal situation dictates your coverage

When it comes to buying coverage, there really is no “perfect” insurance plan. Each situation is unique.

For instance, these questions can help discover if you might need professional guidance.

  • When should I drop full coverage on my 2012 Nissan Pathfinder?
  • Does coverage extend to a rental car in a foreign country?
  • Does insurance cover damages from a DUI accident?
  • Should I have a commercial auto policy?
  • How much liability insurance is required?
  • Am I covered when driving on a suspended license?
  • How much can I save by bundling my policies?

If you’re not sure about those questions, then you may want to think about talking to a licensed insurance agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, complete this form.

Lesser-known factors impacting Nissan Pathfinder insurance rates

It’s important that you understand the different types of things that play a part in calculating the rates you pay for car insurance. When you know what positively or negatively determines base rates empowers consumers to make smart changes that will entitle you to lower car insurance prices.

  • Choose a safe vehicle and save – Cars with high safety ratings are cheaper to insure. Safe vehicles result in less severe injuries and better occupant protection means less money paid by your insurance company passed on to you as lower rates. If your Nissan Pathfinder is rated at least four stars on Safercar.gov or an “acceptable” rating on iihs.org you are probably receiving a discount.
  • Your location is important – Choosing to live in less populated areas can save you money when buying car insurance. City drivers have to deal with traffic congestion and much longer commute distances. Fewer people means fewer accidents.
  • Don’t let your coverage lapse – Driving with no insurance is illegal and you will pay a penalty because you let your coverage have a gap. And not only will your rates increase, getting caught without coverage will get you a license revocation or jail time.
  • Credit scores impact car insurance rates – Credit rating is a important factor in determining your rates. Drivers with high credit ratings tend to file fewer claims and have better driving records as compared to drivers with lower credit ratings. So if your credit rating can use some improvement, you could potentially save money when insuring your 2012 Nissan Pathfinder by improving your rating.
  • Rate your vehicle for proper use – Driving more miles in a year the higher your rates will be. Almost all companies apply a rate determined by how the vehicle is used. Autos left parked in the garage can get a lower rate compared to those used for work or business. Having the wrong rating on your Pathfinder may be wasting your money. Make sure your car insurance coverage shows the proper vehicle usage, because it can save money.
  • Your stress level may be raising your rates – Did you know your job can affect your rates? Careers like lawyers, architects and accountants tend to have higher rates than average in part from job stress and long work hours. On the flip side, occupations such as actors, athletes and performers receive lower rates for Pathfinder coverage.
  • Your age impacts your rates – Youthful drivers are known to be more careless when behind the wheel so car insurance rates are higher. Older insureds are viewed as being more responsible, statistically cause fewer accidents and tend to be better behind the wheel.

Do insurance companies bend the truth?

Insurance companies such as 21st Century, Allstate and State Farm constantly bombard you with ads on TV and radio. They all seem to have a common claim about savings if you switch your coverage to them. How does each company claim to save you money? This is how they do it.

All the different companies have a certain “appetite” for the driver that earns them a profit. A good example of a desirable insured might be over the age of 40, a clean driving record, and has a high credit rating. A customer that hits that “sweet spot” will get the preferred rates and therefore will save when they switch companies.

Drivers who don’t meet this ideal profile will be quoted higher rates and ends up with the customer not buying. The ads state “people who switch” not “everybody who quotes” save that much money. That’s the way insurance companies can confidently state the savings.

This emphasizes why drivers must compare as many rates as you can. It is impossible to predict which insurance company will fit your personal profile best.

Auto insurance coverage options for a Nissan Pathfinder

Learning about specific coverages of auto insurance can help you determine the best coverages for your vehicles. The terms used in a policy can be confusing and even agents have difficulty translating policy wording.

UM/UIM Coverage

This provides protection from other motorists when they do not carry enough liability coverage. Covered claims include medical payments for you and your occupants as well as damage to your Nissan Pathfinder.

Since a lot of drivers carry very low liability coverage limits, it only takes a small accident to exceed their coverage. So UM/UIM coverage is a good idea. Frequently these limits are set the same as your liablity limits.

Medical costs insurance

Coverage for medical payments and/or PIP provide coverage for expenses such as chiropractic care, rehabilitation expenses, hospital visits and EMT expenses. They can be utilized in addition to your health insurance policy or if you do not have health coverage. It covers not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants and will also cover getting struck while a pedestrian. PIP is not an option in every state and may carry a deductible

Auto liability

This coverage can cover injuries or damage you cause to people or other property. This coverage protects you from legal claims by others. Liability doesn’t cover your injuries or vehicle damage.

Liability coverage has three limits: bodily injury for each person, bodily injury for the entire accident, and a limit for property damage. You commonly see values of 100/300/100 that translate to a limit of $100,000 per injured person, a per accident bodily injury limit of $300,000, and $100,000 of coverage for damaged propery. Occasionally you may see a combined limit which combines the three limits into one amount without having the split limit caps.

Liability insurance covers claims such as loss of income, bail bonds and medical services. How much liability should you purchase? That is your choice, but consider buying as large an amount as possible.

Collision protection

Collision insurance will pay to fix damage to your Pathfinder resulting from a collision with another vehicle or an object, but not an animal. You first must pay a deductible and the rest of the damage will be paid by collision coverage.

Collision coverage pays for things like crashing into a building, colliding with a tree, backing into a parked car, sustaining damage from a pot hole and hitting a mailbox. Collision is rather expensive coverage, so you might think about dropping it from vehicles that are older. Another option is to choose a higher deductible to get cheaper collision coverage.

Comprehensive or Other Than Collision

This coverage covers damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. You need to pay your deductible first then the remaining damage will be covered by your comprehensive coverage.

Comprehensive can pay for things such as damage from getting keyed, a tree branch falling on your vehicle, hitting a bird, damage from a tornado or hurricane and hitting a deer. The highest amount a auto insurance company will pay at claim time is the cash value of the vehicle, so if your deductible is as high as the vehicle’s value it’s probably time to drop comprehensive insurance.

A penny earned…

Low-cost 2012 Nissan Pathfinder insurance can be purchased from both online companies in addition to many insurance agents, so you should be comparing quotes from both to have the best chance of lowering rates. Some companies do not provide the ability to get a quote online and most of the time these regional insurance providers sell through independent agents.

As you prepare to switch companies, make sure you don’t skimp on coverage in order to save money. There have been many cases where consumers will sacrifice liability limits or collision coverage only to regret they didn’t purchase enough coverage. Your strategy should be to get the best coverage possible at an affordable rate while still protecting your assets.

Insureds leave their current company for many reasons like delays in paying claims, an unsatisfactory settlement offer, high rates after DUI convictions or even questionable increases in premium. It doesn’t matter why you want to switch finding a great new company is pretty easy and you might even save some money in the process.

Additional information is available at the links below