Affordable Nissan Sentra Insurance in Houston

If you’re shopping for more affordable insurance, do you get confused by the number of insurance providers in Houston? Many other drivers are too. People have such a vast assortment of providers available that it can easily become a difficult challenge to find the lowest price for Nissan Sentra insurance in Houston. Lots of people think Houston is an awesome place to live, but expensive insurance can make it nearly impossible to be able to afford adequate coverage.

Amazlingly, a recent NerdWallet.com study showed that over 70% of drivers kept their policy with the same company for over three years, and 38% of drivers have never quoted insurance rates at all. Most drivers in Houston could cut their rates by almost 70% a year just by shopping around, but they just feel it’s too hard to save money by comparing rate quotes.

You need to quote other rates as often as possible because insurance prices trend upward over time. Even if you think you had the lowest quotes on Nissan Sentra insurance in Houston a couple years back you can probably find a lower rate today. Forget all the misinformation about insurance because you’re going to get a crash course in the fastest way to properly buy coverages and cut your premium.

Cheap companies for Nissan Sentra insurance in Texas

The auto insurance companies shown below can provide free rate quotes in Texas. If more than one company is shown, we suggest you click on several of them in order to get a fair rate comparison.

Data assumes married female driver age 40, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $250 deductibles, and Texas minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-vehicle, safe-driver, claim-free, multi-policy, and homeowner. Table data does not factor in specific location information which can modify auto insurance rates significantly.

Where to set your deductibles

When buying auto insurance, a common question is where to set your physical damage deductibles. The comparisons below outline the difference in cost between low and high physical damage coverage deductibles. The first rate table uses a $250 comprehensive and collision deductible and the second data table uses a $500 deductible.

Data variables include married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and Texas minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include safe-driver, claim-free, multi-vehicle, homeowner, and multi-policy. Premium amounts do not factor in specific zip code location which can alter coverage rates significantly.

Using the data above, we can ascertain that using a $250 deductible will cost in the ballpark of $16 more each month or $192 for a full year than opting for the higher $500 deductible. Because you would be required to pay $250 more to settle a claim with a $500 deductible as compared to a $250 deductible, if you tend to go at least 16 months between claim filings, you would probably save some money going with the higher deductible. The numbers below show the way you can do this calculation yourself.

One important issue to know is that raising deductibles to save money means you will have to pay more of your own money at claim time. That will require some extra savings in the event you have to pay the deductible to have repairs made.

Where to set your deductibles

The chart below illustrates how your deductible choice and can raise or lower Nissan Sentra insurance costs for each different age category. The premiums are based on a married female driver, comprehensive and collision coverage, and no other discounts are factored in.

Discounts can help lower rates on Nissan Sentra insurance in Houston

Car insurance companies don’t always publicize every discount they offer in an easy-to-find place, so below is a list some of the best known and the harder-to-find credits that you can use to lower your rates.

• Safety Course Discount – Taking a defensive driving class could cut 5% off your bill if you qualify.
• Active Military Service – Having a deployed family member could be rewarded with lower rates.
• Professional Memberships – Having an affiliation with specific professional or occupational memberships or organizations could trigger savings on your policy.
• Payment Method – If you can afford to pay the entire bill instead of monthly or quarterly installments you could save 5% or more.
• Federal Government Employee – Active or former government employment can save as much as 8% but check with your company.
• E-sign – Certain insurance companies may give you up to $50 just for signing your application on your computer.
• Low Mileage Discounts – Low annual miles can qualify you for better premium rates on cars that stay parked.
• Claim Free – Insureds with no claims or accidents are rewarded with significantly better rates on Houston car insurance quote when compared to drivers who are more careless.

Keep in mind that some credits don’t apply to your bottom line cost. Most only reduce the price of certain insurance coverages like comp or med pay. Just because it seems like adding up those discounts means a free policy, companies wouldn’t make money that way.

Popular insurance companies and the discounts they provide can be read below.

• Farm Bureau has discounts for 55 and retired, youthful driver, renewal discount, multi-policy, and good student.
• State Farm offers discounts including good student, safe vehicle, defensive driving training, anti-theft, multiple policy, and multiple autos.
• Progressive may include discounts for online quote discount, multi-policy, continuous coverage, good student, multi-vehicle, online signing, and homeowner.
• Allstate includes discounts for premier plus, resident student, defensive driver, passive restraint, economy car, and eSmart discount.
• Nationwide has savings for easy pay, family plan, anti-theft, Farm Bureau membership, multi-policy, business or organization, and good student.
• MetLife discounts include multi-policy, good driver, good student, accident-free, and claim-free.

Check with each insurance company to give you their best rates. Some of the discounts discussed earlier may not apply to policies everywhere. For a list of insurance companies with discount rates in Houston, click here.

How You Can Control Nissan Sentra Insurance Costs

Multiple criteria are considered when you get your auto insurance bill. Some factors are common sense such as your driving record, although others are less obvious like your continuous coverage and annual miles driven.

Listed below are most of the major factors used by your company to calculate rates.

Your spouse saves you money – Having a spouse may earn you lower rates on auto insurance. It may mean you are more mature and responsible and insurance companies like that married couples file fewer claims.

Liability safeguards assets – Liability coverage provides coverage when you are found liable for causing damage or personal injury in an accident. Liability provides legal defense to defend your case. Carrying liability coverage is mandatory and cheap when compared to the cost of physical damage coverage, so drivers should buy more than the minimum limits required by law.

Raise your comp and collision deductibles for better costs – Protection for physical damage, also called comprehensive and collision insurance, is used to repair damage to your vehicle. A few examples of covered claims would be collision with another vehicle, hail damage, or theft. Your deductibles state the amount of money you are willing to pay if a covered claim is submitted. The more of the claim you have to pay, the bigger discount you will receive.

No policy gaps is important – Having a lapse in insurance coverage can be a quick way to pay more for auto insurance. And not only will insurance be more expensive, failure to provide proof of insurance can result in a steep fine or even jail time. You may then have to submit proof of financial responsibility or a SR-22 with the Texas motor vehicle department to get your license reinstated.

Nissan Sentra claim probability – Insurance companies factor in insurance loss information in order to profitably underwrite each model. Models that historically have higher losses will have higher rates. The table below illustrates the historical loss data for Nissan Sentra vehicles.

For each insurance policy coverage type, the claim probability for all vehicles, regardless of make, model or trim level, is equal to 100. Values that are 100 or less suggest a better than average loss history, while numbers that are greater than 100 indicate more frequent losses or a tendency for claims to be larger.

Do I need special coverages?

When quoting and choosing adequate coverage, there is no “perfect” insurance plan. Your needs are not the same as everyone else’s and your policy should reflect that.
For instance, these questions may help highlight if your situation may require specific advice.

• Do I benefit by insuring my home with the same company?
• Do I really need UM/UIM coverage?
• What does medical payments cover?
• Do I have coverage for damage caused while driving under the influence?
• Where can I get insurance after a DUI in Texas?
• Should I rate my Nissan Sentra as pleasure use or commute?

If you’re not sure about those questions but a few of them apply, then you may want to think about talking to a licensed insurance agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, fill out this quick form or you can go here for a list of companies in your area.

Local agents and insurance

Some people prefer to go talk to an agent and doing that can be a smart decision One of the best bonuses of comparing insurance prices online is you can get the best rates and still choose a local agent.

To make it easy to find an agent, after completing this form (opens in new window), your coverage information is transmitted to companies in Houston that provide free Houston car insurance quotes for your business. You don’t have to contact any agents due to the fact that quote results will go to the email address you provide. You can get cheaper insurance rates and a licensed agent to work with. If for some reason you want to get a comparison quote from one company in particular, you would need to go to their quote page and complete a quote there.

Finding the right insurance company shouldn’t rely on just the premium amount. These are some valid questions you should ask.

• Are they primarily personal or commercial lines agents in Houston?
• Which companies do they recommend if they are an independent agency?
• What will you get paid if your car is a total loss? How is that amount determined?
• Will the agent help in case of a claim?
• If your car is in the repair shop, do you have coverage for a rental car?
• Is insurance their full-time profession?
• How long has their agency been open in Houston?

If you’re trying to find a good insurance agency, it’s important to understand the types of insurance agents that differ in how they can insure your vehicles. Houston agents can be categorized as either independent agents or exclusive agents depending on their employer.

Exclusive Insurance Agents

Agents that choose to be exclusive can only place business with one company such as Allstate, Farmers Insurance, State Farm, and AAA. They are unable to give you multiple price quotes so it’s a take it or leave it situation. They receive extensive training on their company’s products and that allows them to sell at a higher price point. A lot of people buy from exclusive agents mostly because of the prominent brand name and the convenience of having a single billing for all their coverages.

Shown below is a short list of exclusive agencies in Houston who can help you get rate quotes.

• Armando Valdez – State Farm Insurance Agent
  12941 North Fwy #608 – Houston, TX 77060 – (281) 537-7890 – View Map
• Brandon Herndon – State Farm Insurance Agent
  10103 Fondren Rd #150 – Houston, TX 77096 – (832) 431-4222 – View Map
• Allstate Insurance: Harris County Insurance Agency
  13030 Woodforest Blvd b – Houston, TX 77015 – (713) 451-5716 – View Map

View more Houston agents

Independent Insurance Agents

These type of agents often have many company appointments so they have the ability to put coverage with a variety of different insurance companies and help determine which has the cheapest rates. If your agent finds better pricing, your policy is moved internally which requires no work on your part. When comparing insurance prices, it’s a good idea to get quotes from several independent insurance agents to ensure the widest selection of prices. Most also write with smaller regional carriers that many times have cheaper rates.

Below is a list of independent insurance agents in Houston that are able to give rate quotes.

• Jason Jimenez Insurance Agency
  8323 Southwest Fwy #390 – Houston, TX 77074 – (713) 270-0073 – View Map
• Craig Insurance Agency
  1020 Bay Area Blvd # 100 – Houston, TX 77058 – (281) 488-2733 – View Map
• AAIGOT Insurance Agency Inc.
  6633 Hillcroft St #101 – Houston, TX 77081 – (713) 270-9373 – View Map

View more Houston agents

Advertising and insurance

Well-known insurance companies like Progressive, Allstate and GEICO consistently run ads on TV and radio. They all make an identical promise that you can save after switching your coverage. That’s great but how can every company cost less than your current company? It’s all in the numbers.

All the different companies offer their best rates for the type of insured that earns them a profit. A good example of a desirable risk could be over the age of 50, has a clean driving record, and has a short commute. Any customer that matches those criteria is entitled to the best price and will most likely cut their Nissan Sentra insurance rates if they switch.

People who cannot meet these criteria will have to pay higher premiums which leads to the customer buying from a different company. The ads say “drivers that switch” but not “all drivers who get quotes” save the amount stated. That’s why insurance companies can confidently make the claims of big savings. Because each company has a different risk profile, you need to get price quotes at each policy renewal. It is impossible to predict which insurance companies will fit your personal profile best.

Smart consumers save more

The cheapest Nissan Sentra insurance in Houston can be sourced from both online companies as well as from independent agents in Houston, so you need to quote Houston car insurance with both in order to have the best chance of saving money. A few companies do not provide online rate quotes and many times these regional insurance providers provide coverage only through local independent agents.

You just learned a lot of techniques to compare Nissan Sentra insurance premium rates in Houston. The key concept to understand is the more providers you compare, the better likelihood of getting low cost Houston car insurance quotes. Consumers may even find the lowest premium rates come from an unexpected company. These companies may often insure only within specific states and give better rates than their larger competitors like State Farm, GEICO and Nationwide.

Much more information about insurance in Texas can be found below:

• Steps to Take After an Auto Accident (Insurance Information Institute)
• Who Has the Cheapest Houston Auto Insurance for a Nissan Altima? (FAQ)
• Five Mistakes to Avoid (Insurance Information Institute)
• Event Data Recorders FAQ (iihs.org)