How long has it been since you sat down and looked for low-cost Chevy Bolt insurance in Durham? Feel like you have overpriced Chevy Bolt insurance in Durham? It’s a common feeling and you are not the only one feeling buyer’s remorse.
Sad but true, nearly 70% of consumers kept their coverage with the same car insurance company for well over three years, and nearly the majority have never shopped around. With the average car insurance premium being $1,000, Durham drivers could save an average of about $100 each year by just shopping around, but they don’t invest the time required to do a rate comparison.
Steps to buying affordable Chevy Bolt insurance in Durham
If your goal is the lowest price, then the best way to get affordable Chevy Bolt insurance is to start doing an annual price comparison from insurers who provide auto insurance in Durham. Rates can be compared by following these steps.
Step 1: Get a basic knowledge of how companies price auto insurance and the modifications you can make to keep rates down. Many rating criteria that result in higher rates such as at-fault accidents, speeding tickets, and an imperfect credit score can be rectified by making minor changes to your lifestyle. This article provides information to help prevent high rates and get additional discounts.
Step 2: Obtain price quotes from direct, independent, and exclusive agents. Exclusive and direct companies can provide rates from a single company like Progressive or State Farm, while agents who are independent can quote rates from many different companies.
Step 3: Compare the new rates to the price on your current policy and see if you can save money. If you find a lower rate quote and make a switch, make sure coverage does not lapse between policies.
One bit of advice is to try to use the same coverage limits and deductibles on every quote request and and to get prices from as many different companies as possible. This enables a fair rate comparison and a good representation of prices.
Lots of insurance companies contend for your hard-earned dollar, so it can be very hard to choose a company to get the best rate on Chevy Bolt insurance in Durham.
It’s a great practice to do price comparisons quite often because prices are rarely the same from one policy term to another. Despite the fact that you may have had the lowest rates on Chevy Bolt insurance in Durham last year other companies may now be cheaper. Forget anything you know (or think you know) about car insurance because we’re going to show you the best way to reduce your cost while increasing coverage.
If you have insurance now, you will definitely be able to find the best rates using the ideas you’re about to read. Buying affordable car insurance in Durham is not that difficult. But North Carolina car owners should learn the methods companies use to price online insurance because rates fluctuate considerably.
Learn How to Lower Your Insurance Prices
Multiple criteria are used in the calculation when you quote your car insurance policy. Most are fairly basic like a motor vehicle report, but other criteria are not as apparent like where you live and annual miles driven.
Your address can modify price – Residing in areas with lower population is a good thing when talking about insurance. Less people means less chance of accidents and also fewer theft and vandalism claims. Drivers who live in large North Carolina cities have more auto accidents and a longer drive to work. More time on the road means higher likelihood of an accident.
Higher coverage deductibles are cheaper – Comprehensive and collision coverage deductibles are how much you are willing to pay in the event of a claim. Physical damage coverage, also called ‘full coverage’, is used to repair damage to your car. Some coverage claims are rear-ending another vehicle, vandalism, and damage caused by road hazards. The larger the amount the insured is willing to pay, the better rate you will receive.
Gaps in coverage mean higher prices – Driving any period of time without insurance can get your license suspended and insurance companies will penalize you for letting your coverage cancel without a new policy in place. In addition to paying higher rates, being ticketed for driving with no insurance might get you fines or a revoked license. Then you may be required to submit proof of financial responsibility or a SR-22 with the North Carolina motor vehicle department to get your license reinstated.
How old are your drivers? – Older, more experienced drivers have been proven to be more responsible, cost insurance companies less in claims, and receive fewer citations. Drivers with little experience are statistically shown to be easily distracted with other occupants in the car therefore insurance rates are much higher.
Save by driving less – The higher the mileage driven in a year the more it will cost to insure it. Many insurance companies rate vehicles determined by how the vehicle is used. Autos not used for work or commuting can get a lower rate as compared to vehicles used primarily for driving to work. Make sure your insurance declarations sheet reflects the correct driver usage, because it can save money. An improperly rated Bolt may be costing you higher rates.
Affordable Durham Chevy Bolt insurance price quotes
When comparison shopping, there are several ways to obtain and compare prices from lots of North Carolina car insurance companies. The easiest way by far to find cheaper Chevy Bolt rates is to use the internet to compare rates.
Doing price comparisons online is so simple that it takes the place of having to drive to insurance agents’ offices. Comparing Chevy Bolt insurance rate quotes online has made agencies unnecessary unless you prefer the trained advice of an agent trained in personal lines coverage. It is possible with some companies compare online quotes and get advice from an agent in your area. Keep in mind that comparing more quotes helps increase your odds of locating more affordable insurance.
The providers in the list below are ready to provide comparison quotes in North Carolina. If your goal is to find cheaper auto insurance in North Carolina, we recommend you visit two to three different companies to get a more complete price comparison.
Why you need quality insurance for your Bolt
Despite the fact that insurance is not cheap in Durham, maintaining insurance may be mandatory for several reasons.
- Just about all states have minimum mandated liability insurance limits which means you are required to buy a specific level of liability insurance coverage if you drive a vehicle. In North Carolina these limits are 30/60/25 which means you must have $30,000 of bodily injury coverage per person, $60,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $25,000 of property damage coverage.
- If you took out a loan on your vehicle, almost all lenders will require you to have physical damage coverage to ensure the loan is repaid in case of a total loss. If you let the policy lapse, the lender may insure your Chevy at a much higher premium rate and force you to pay a much higher amount than you were paying before.
- Insurance protects both your assets and your Chevy Bolt. Insurance will pay for medical bills for not only you but also any passengers injured in an accident. Liability insurance, one of your policy coverages, also covers all legal expenses up to the policy limit if someone files suit against you as the result of an accident. If you receive damage to your vehicle caused by a storm or accident, comprehensive and/or collision insurance will pay to repair the damage.
The benefits of having insurance outweigh the cost, especially when you need to use it. The average driver in America is overpaying more than $750 every year so shop around at every renewal to save money.
Get discounts to get affordable Durham car insurance quotes
Companies that sell car insurance don’t always list every discount they offer in a way that’s easy to find, so the list below gives a summary of some of the best known and the more hidden credits available to lower your premiums when you buy Durham auto insurance online.
- Distant College Student Discount – College-age children who attend college more than 100 miles from Durham and do not take a car to college may be able to be covered for less.
- Military Rewards – Having a family member in the military could qualify you for better car insurance rates.
- Online Discount – Certain larger companies will give you a small discount for buying your policy digitally online.
- Mature Driver Discount – Drivers that qualify as senior citizens can possibly qualify for a slight reduction on a Durham auto insurance quote.
- Professional Organizations – Joining qualifying clubs or civic groups may earn a discount on your policy.
- Discount for Low Mileage – Low annual miles could qualify for discounted prices on garaged vehicles.
- Onboard Data Collection – Durham drivers who agree to allow driving data submission to study when and where they use their vehicle through the use of a telematics system like In-Drive from State Farm and Progressive’s Snapshot might get better premium rates if they have good driving habits.
Please keep in mind that many deductions do not apply to the entire cost. Some only reduce specific coverage prices like liability, collision or medical payments. If you do the math and it seems like all those discounts means the company will pay you, that’s just not realistic.
If you would like to view insurers that have a full spectrum of discounts in North Carolina, click here to view.
Compare rates but buy from a local Durham insurance agent
Some people prefer to get advice from a local agent and that is a smart decision One of the best bonuses of comparing rate quotes online is the fact that you can find the best rates but still work with a licensed agent.
After filling out this quick form, your insurance coverage information is instantly submitted to local insurance agents who will return price quotes and help you find cheaper coverage. It simplifies rate comparisons since you won’t have to search for an agent as quotes are delivered to you instantly. You can most likely find cheaper rates and an insurance agent to talk to. If for some reason you want to get a price quote from a specific insurance provider, you just need to jump over to their website and fill out the quote form the provide.
Choosing an company is decision based upon more than just the bottom line cost. Here are some questions to ask:
- Does the agent recommend any additional coverage?
- Who are their largest clients?
- Do they specialize in personal lines coverage in Durham?
- What will you get paid if your car is a total loss? How is that amount determined?
- When do they do policy reviews?
- Are they in the agency full-time?
- Can glass repairs be made at your home?
If you prefer to buy insurance from a local Durham insurance agency, you need to know there are two types of insurance agents and how they are distinctly different. Agencies in Durham are classified as either exclusive or independent agents depending on their company appointments.
Exclusive Agencies
Agents in the exclusive channel can only provide pricing for a single company and examples are Allstate, Farmers Insurance or State Farm. They are unable to provide other company’s prices so if the price isn’t competitive there isn’t much they can do. They are trained well on their products and sales techniques which helps them sell on service rather than price.
The following are Durham exclusive agents willing to provide rate quotes.
Shawn Cockerham – State Farm Insurance Agent
5518 NC-55 – Durham, NC 27713 – (919) 316-3276 – View Map
Allstate Insurance Agent: Michelle Riley
6015 Fayetteville Rd Ste 115 – Durham, NC 27713 – (919) 544-2155 – View Map
Nationwide Insurance: M A Mansour
1209 University Dr – Durham, NC 27705 – (919) 797-0135 – View Map
Independent Agencies or Brokers
Agents in the independent channel do not work for one specific company so they can write business with many different companies and possibly get better coverage at lower prices. To transfer your coverage to a different company, they simply switch companies in-house and the insured can keep the same agent. When comparison shopping, you should always contact a few independent agents to have the best price comparison.
Below are independent insurance agents in Durham that can give you rate quotes.
The Sorgi Insurance Agency
16 Consultant Pl Suite 102 – Durham, NC 27707 – (919) 682-4814 – View Map
George Stevens Insurance Inc
1320 Hill St – Durham, NC 27707 – (919) 403-3611 – View Map
Joshua E. Matthews Insurance Agency, Inc.
2144 Page Rd Suite 106 – Durham, NC 27703 – (919) 598-6800 – View Map
How to find a good North Carolina auto insurance company
Buying coverage from a good quality car insurance company can be a challenge considering how many companies sell coverage in North Carolina. The company information in the next section can help you pick which auto insurers you want to consider purchasing a policy from.
Top 10 Durham Car Insurance Companies Overall
- Travelers
- USAA
- AAA Insurance
- Nationwide
- Allstate
- State Farm
- The Hartford
- Safeco Insurance
- Progressive
- American Family
Top 10 Durham Car Insurance Companies Ranked by Claims Service
- Travelers
- Nationwide
- Allstate
- State Farm
- Liberty Mutual
- GEICO
- American Family
- Esurance
- Titan Insurance
- AAA Insurance
Persistence pays off
When getting Durham auto insurance quotes online, it’s very important that you do not buy lower coverage limits just to save a few bucks. There have been many cases where an insured dropped liability limits or collision coverage only to regret at claim time that it was a big mistake. The proper strategy is to purchase plenty of coverage at the best price while still protecting your assets.
Some companies may not have the ability to get quotes online and many times these smaller providers work with local independent agents. Cheaper car insurance in Durham can be sourced on the web and from local agencies, and you need to comparison shop both to have the best chance of lowering rates.
In this article, we covered many tips how you can find affordable Chevy Bolt insurance in Durham. The key concept to understand is the more providers you compare, the better your comparison will be. You may even find the lowest rates come from some of the lesser-known companies. These smaller insurers may cover specific market segments cheaper as compared to the big name companies such as Allstate, GEICO and Progressive.
How to find more affordable Chevy Bolt insurance in Durham
Truthfully, the best way to get low-cost Chevy Bolt insurance is to start comparing prices regularly from providers in Durham.
- First, try to comprehend policy coverages and the steps you can take to prevent expensive coverage. Many rating criteria that result in higher rates such as traffic citations, accidents, and a not-so-good credit rating can be eliminated by making minor changes to your lifestyle.
- Second, quote rates from exclusive agents, independent agents, and direct providers. Direct and exclusive agents can only give prices from a single company like GEICO and State Farm, while agents who are independent can provide price quotes for many different companies.
- Third, compare the new rate quotes to your existing rates to determine if switching companies saves money. If you can save some money and change companies, make sure coverage is continuous and does not lapse.
- Fourth, tell your current agent or company of your intent to cancel your current policy. Submit any necessary down payment along with the completed application to the new company. As soon as you can, put the new proof of insurance paperwork in an accessible location in your vehicle.
A valuable tip to remember is to use similar limits and deductibles on every quote request and and to get price quotes from as many car insurance companies as possible. This ensures a fair price comparison and a complete price analysis.
More detailed car insurance information can be read in these articles:
- Five Mistakes to Avoid (Insurance Information Institute)
- What Car Insurance is Cheapest for Drivers Requiring a SR22 in Durham? (FAQ)
- How Much is Auto Insurance for Drivers with Good Credit in Durham? (FAQ)
- Who Has the Cheapest Car Insurance Rates for Teenage Males in Durham? (FAQ)
- Who Has Cheap Car Insurance Rates for a Nissan Sentra in Durham? (FAQ)
- Who Has Cheap Car Insurance Quotes for a Hyundai Elantra in Durham? (FAQ)
- Side airbags reduce rollover fatalities (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)
- Teen Driving and Texting (State Farm)
- Vehicle Insurance in the U.S. (Wikipedia)