Sad but true, most insurance customers have stayed with the same insurance company for over three years, and virtually 40% of consumers have never compared rates with other companies. The average driver in Buffalo could save about 45% each year by just comparing quotes, but they just don’t understand the benefits if they moved their coverage to a different company.
Really, the only way to find cheaper Chevy Avalanche insurance is to compare prices at least once a year from companies that insure vehicles in Buffalo.
- Try to learn a little about coverages and the steps you can take to drop your rates. Many policy risk factors that cause rate increases such as careless driving and a bad credit score can be rectified by paying attention to minor details.
- Compare prices from independent agents, exclusive agents, and direct companies. Direct and exclusive agents can only give prices from a single company like GEICO or Farmers Insurance, while independent agents can give you price quotes from multiple sources.
- Compare the new rate quotes to your existing coverage to see if cheaper Avalanche coverage is available in Buffalo. If you find a lower rate and buy the policy, make sure there is no lapse between the expiration of your current policy and the new one.
- Provide notification to your current agent or company to cancel your current auto insurance policy and submit payment along with a signed and completed policy application to the new insurer. Once the paperwork is finalized, place your new proof of insurance certificate in an accessible location in your vehicle.
A good piece of advice is to compare identical deductibles and limits on every price quote and and to analyze all possible companies. This guarantees a level playing field and the best price quote selection.
The companies shown below provide free quotes in Buffalo, NY. If you want to find the cheapest car insurance in Buffalo, we recommend you visit two to three different companies to get a more complete price comparison.
Chevy Avalanche insurance rate analysis
The coverage table below showcases a range of insurance coverage prices for Chevy Avalanche models. Learning a little about how policy premiums are established can assist in making smart choices when buying a policy.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avalanche LS 2WD | $122 | $212 | $348 | $20 | $104 | $806 | $67 |
| Avalanche LT 2WD | $122 | $250 | $348 | $20 | $104 | $844 | $70 |
| Avalanche LS 4WD | $122 | $250 | $348 | $20 | $104 | $844 | $70 |
| Avalanche LT 4WD | $122 | $250 | $348 | $20 | $104 | $844 | $70 |
| Avalanche LTZ 2WD | $136 | $250 | $348 | $20 | $104 | $858 | $72 |
| Avalanche LTZ 4WD | $136 | $250 | $348 | $20 | $104 | $858 | $72 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
Table data assumes married female driver age 40, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $1000 deductibles, and New York minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-vehicle, homeowner, safe-driver, multi-policy, and claim-free. Rate quotes do not factor in specific zip code location which can lower or raise premiums greatly.
Physical damage deductibles: Should you raise them?
When shopping for auto insurance, a common question is how high should your deductibles be. The following insurance rates illustrate the rate fluctuation when you choose different physical damage deductibles. The first set of rates uses a $250 physical damage coverage deductible and the second set of prices uses a $500 deductible.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avalanche LS 2WD | $230 | $344 | $330 | $20 | $100 | $1,049 | $87 |
| Avalanche LT 2WD | $230 | $406 | $330 | $20 | $100 | $1,111 | $93 |
| Avalanche LS 4WD | $230 | $406 | $330 | $20 | $100 | $1,111 | $93 |
| Avalanche LT 4WD | $230 | $406 | $330 | $20 | $100 | $1,111 | $93 |
| Avalanche LTZ 2WD | $258 | $406 | $330 | $20 | $100 | $1,139 | $95 |
| Avalanche LTZ 4WD | $258 | $406 | $330 | $20 | $100 | $1,139 | $95 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avalanche LS 2WD | $188 | $278 | $330 | $20 | $100 | $916 | $76 |
| Avalanche LT 2WD | $188 | $328 | $330 | $20 | $100 | $966 | $81 |
| Avalanche LS 4WD | $188 | $328 | $330 | $20 | $100 | $966 | $81 |
| Avalanche LT 4WD | $188 | $328 | $330 | $20 | $100 | $966 | $81 |
| Avalanche LTZ 2WD | $210 | $328 | $330 | $20 | $100 | $988 | $82 |
| Avalanche LTZ 4WD | $210 | $328 | $330 | $20 | $100 | $988 | $82 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
Table data represents married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and New York minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include safe-driver, multi-vehicle, claim-free, homeowner, and multi-policy. Premium amounts do not factor in specific Buffalo garaging location which can influence insurance rates significantly.
We can estimate from the data above that using a $250 deductible will cost you about $12 more each month or $144 a year than selecting the higher $500 deductible. Since the policyholder would be required to pay $250 more if you turn in a claim with a $500 deductible as compared to a $250 deductible, if you tend to go at a minimum 21 months between claim filings, you would come out ahead if you elect the higher deductible.
The information below shows how choosing a deductible and can raise or lower Chevy Avalanche premium costs for different categories of driver ages. The costs are based on a single female driver, full coverage, and no policy discounts are applied.
Auto insurance premiums based on gender
The diagram below illustrates the difference between Chevy Avalanche insurance prices for male and female drivers. The premiums assume a clean driving record, no claims, comprehensive and collision coverage, $500 deductibles, marital status is single, and no policy discounts are applied.
Does it make sense to buy full coverage?
The example below shows the comparison of Chevy Avalanche insurance costs with full physical damage coverage compared to only buying liability only. The rates are based on no violations or claims, $500 deductibles, single marital status, and no discounts are applied.
When to stop buying full coverage
There is no clear-cut formula for dropping physical damage insurance, but there is a general guideline you can use. If the annual cost of your full coverage insurance is more than around 10% of replacement cost minus your deductible, then it may be the right time to buy liability only.
For example, let’s pretend your Chevy Avalanche claim settlement value is $7,000 and you have $1,000 full coverage deductibles. If your vehicle is totaled in an accident, the most your company will settle for is $6,000 after you pay the deductible. If you are paying more than $600 annually for full coverage, then it might be time to buy liability only.
There are a few cases where eliminating full coverage is not a good idea. If you have an outstanding loan on your vehicle, you must maintain physical damage coverage as part of the loan conditions. Also, if you cannot afford to purchase a different vehicle in case of an accident, you should not eliminate full coverage.
Three main reasons to buy insurance
Despite the high cost, insurance is required for several reasons.
- The majority of states have minimum liability requirements which means you are required to carry a specific level of liability coverage in order to drive the car legally. In New York these limits are 25/50/10 which means you must have $25,000 of bodily injury coverage per person, $50,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $10,000 of property damage coverage.
- If you have a loan on your vehicle, most banks will make it mandatory that you have physical damage coverage to protect their interest in the vehicle. If coverage lapses or is canceled, the bank will be required to insure your Chevy at a much higher rate and require you to reimburse them for the expensive policy.
- Insurance preserves your Chevy Avalanche and your assets. It also can pay for medical bills for you, your passengers, and anyone else injured in an accident. Liability coverage will also pay to defend you if you are sued as the result of your driving. If your vehicle suffers damage from an accident or hail, your insurance policy will pay to repair the damage minus the deductible amount.
The benefits of insuring your car definitely exceed the price paid, especially when you need to use it. An average driver in America is overpaying over $750 every year so compare rates once a year at a minimum to ensure rates are inline.
Chevy Avalanche Insurance Costs Can Be Reduced
Many factors are considered when premium rates are determined. Some are pretty understandable like a motor vehicle report, although others are less obvious like your vehicle usage or your financial responsibility. A large part of saving on car insurance is knowing some of the things that go into determining the level of your policy premiums. If you have a feel for what influences your rates, this helps enable you to make changes that could result in much lower annual insurance costs.
The items below are a few of the “ingredients” that factor into premiums.
Don’t get traffic citations – A bad driving record influences premium rates substantially. Good drivers get better prices than bad drivers. Just one moving violation can bump up the cost to the point where it’s not affordable. Drivers who have received serious tickets like DUI, reckless driving or excessive speeding may need to file a proof of financial responsibility form (SR-22) with their state’s licensing department in order to drive a vehicle legally.
The chart below illustrates how traffic citations and accident claims can increase Chevy Avalanche insurance rates for each different age category. The information is based on a married female driver, full physical damage coverage, $500 deductibles, and no discounts are factored in.
If you don’t need it don’t buy it – There are a ton of extra coverages that may not really be needed if you aren’t careful. Insurance for roadside assistance, towing, and term life insurance may be costing you every month. They may sound like good ideas when deciding what coverages you need, but if you have no use for them eliminate the coverages to reduce your premium.
More performance means more cost – The performance of the vehicle you are insuring makes a significant difference in your rates. The cheapest insurance rates are generally reserved for small economy passenger cars, but the cost you end up paying is determined by many additional factors.
The data below uses these assumptions: married male driver age 20, full coverage with $500 deductibles, and no discounts or violations. The chart compares Chevrolet Avalanche insurance rates compared to other vehicles that have a range of performance risks.
Where you live is a factor – Having an address in areas with lower population is a good thing when insuring your vehicles. Less people living in that area corresponds to lower accident rates and a lower car theft rate. People who live in big cities tend to have more traffic problems and higher rates of accident claims. Spending more time driving means more chances of being involved in an auto accident.
Always keep your coverage in force – Driving without insurance coverage in place is a misdemeanor and car insurance companies will penalize you for letting your insurance lapse for non-payment. And not only will insurance be more expensive, the inability to provide proof of insurance could result in a fine, jail time, or a revoked license. You may then have to file a SR-22 with the New York department of motor vehicles.
Get cheaper Chevy Avalanche insurance in Buffalo with discounts
Companies offering auto insurance do not advertise the complete list of policy discounts in an easy-to-find place, so the list below contains a few of the more well known and the more hidden discounts that may be available.
- Theft Deterrent – Cars with anti-theft systems can help prevent theft and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
- Low Mileage Discounts – Driving less could earn cheaper prices.
- Government Employee Discount – Simply working for the federal government can earn a discount up to 10% with certain companies.
- Discount for Swiching Early – Select larger companies give a discount for buying a policy before your current coverage expires. The savings is around 10%.
- Student in College – Children who are enrolled in a college that is more than 100 miles from Buffalo and leave their car at home may be insured at a cheaper rate.
- Safety Course Discount – Taking part in a defensive driver course could cut 5% off your bill if you qualify.
- Passive Restraints – Options like air bags and/or automatic seat belt systems may qualify for discounts of more than 20%.
Just know that most discounts do not apply to your bottom line cost. Some only apply to the cost of specific coverages such as physical damage coverage or medical payments. Just because you may think it’s possible to get free car insurance, you aren’t that lucky.
The chart below compares Chevy Avalanche insurance costs with and without discounts applied to the policy premium. The costs are based on a female driver, no claims, a clean driving record, New York state minimum liability limits, full coverage, and $250 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with multi-car, homeowner, claim-free, marriage, safe-driver, and multi-policy discounts applied.
If you would like to see a list of providers who offer cheap Chevy Avalanche insurance quotes in Buffalo in Buffalo, click here to view.
Insurance is available from agents near you
Some consumers prefer to talk to a local agent and that is not a bad decision Good agents can help determine the best coverages and will help you if you have claims. A good thing about getting free rate quotes online is the fact that drivers can get cheap insurance quotes and still have a local agent.
To find an agent, once you fill out this quick form, your insurance coverage information gets sent to agents in your area who can give free rate quotes for your coverage. There is no reason to contact any insurance agencies since price quotes are sent to your email. If you wish to compare prices from a specific company, you just need to jump over to their website and give them your coverage information.
Choosing an insurer should depend on more than just a cheap price. Any good agent in Buffalo should know the answers to these questions.
- Are they full-time agents?
- Which company do they place the most coverage with?
- Do they offer claims assistance after hours?
- If you have an accident, will your rates go up?
- Do they offer rental car reimbursement?
- Can glass repairs be made at your home?
- Are they able to provide referrals?
- Is there a local claims center in Buffalo?
If you are wanting to find a local agent, it helps to know the two different agency structures and how they are distinctly different. Agents in Buffalo can be classified as either independent (non-exclusive) or exclusive. Both properly insure your vehicles, but it’s worth learning the subtle differences because it can impact the type of agent you choose.
Exclusive Insurance Agents
Exclusive agencies can only provide pricing for a single company and some examples include State Farm, Allstate, or Farmers Insurance. Exclusive agents are unable to provide rate quotes from other companies so if the price isn’t competitive there isn’t much they can do. They are well trained on their company’s products which helps them sell insurance even at higher premiums. A lot of people purchase coverage from exclusives partially due to high brand loyalty rather than having low rates.
The following is a list of exclusive agents in Buffalo who can help you get comparison quotes.
- Dan Schmidt – State Farm Insurance Agent
615 Elmwood Ave – Buffalo, NY 14222 – (716) 783-9460 – View Map - Lou Santiago – State Farm Insurance Agent
557 Niagara St – Buffalo, NY 14201 – (716) 883-5500 – View Map - Joe Czaja – State Farm Insurance Agent
1021 Union Rd – Buffalo, NY 14224 – (716) 674-3654 – View Map
Independent Agencies or Brokers
These type of agents are not employed by any specific company so they can quote policies with lots of companies and potentially find a lower price. If you are not satisfied with one company, your policy is moved internally which requires no work on your part. When searching for an agent, we recommend you check rates from a couple of independent agencies in order to compare the most rates. Most also have access to different regional companies that can offer cheaper rates than bigger companies.
Below are Buffalo independent insurance agencies that are able to give comparison quotes.
- Consolidated Insurance Agents
3814 Seneca St – Buffalo, NY 14224 – (716) 674-1700 – View Map - MandT Insurance Agency Inc.
285 Delaware Ave – Buffalo, NY 14202 – (716) 853-7960 – View Map - TLC Brokerage
1660 Kensington Ave # 2 – Buffalo, NY 14215 – (716) 427-6922 – View Map
How much can you save?
The cheapest Chevy Avalanche insurance in Buffalo can be bought on the web in addition to many Buffalo insurance agents, so you need to shop Buffalo auto insurance with both in order to have the best chance of saving money. There are still a few companies who don’t offer internet price quotes and these smaller providers only sell coverage through independent insurance agencies.
When searching for low cost Buffalo auto insurance quotes, never buy poor coverage just to save money. There are many occasions where consumers will sacrifice comprehensive coverage or liability limits and discovered at claim time they didn’t have enough coverage. Your goal is to purchase plenty of coverage at the best cost, not the least amount of coverage.
Drivers leave their current company for a number of reasons such as being labeled a high risk driver, extreme rates for teen drivers, high prices or even poor customer service. No matter why you want to switch, finding a great new company is actually quite simple.
Additional information is available below:
- Alcohol Impaired Driving FAQ (iihs.org)
- Who Has Cheap Auto Insurance Rates for Ride Shares in Buffalo? (FAQ)
- Safe Vehicles for Teens (iihs.org)
- Car Insurance FAQ (Trusted Choice)