It’s easy to assume that auto insurance companies don’t want their policyholders to compare prices. People who compare other prices are inclined to switch auto insurance companies because there are good odds of finding a policy with more affordable rates. A recent survey revealed that consumers who routinely shopped for cheaper coverage saved approximately $3,450 over four years compared to policyholders who never shopped around for cheaper prices.
If finding the best price on insurance is your goal, then having a good understanding how to get rate quotes and compare insurance can help make the process easier.
To save the most money, the best way to get low-cost BMW M3 insurance in Durham is to regularly compare quotes from companies in North Carolina.
- Step 1: Take a few minutes and learn about coverages and the measures you can take to drop your rates. Many rating criteria that result in higher rates like tickets, at-fault accidents, and bad credit can be remedied by improving your driving habits or financial responsibility.
- Step 2: Request price quotes from independent agents, exclusive agents, and direct companies. Exclusive agents and direct companies can give quotes from a single company like Progressive or Farmers Insurance, while independent agents can give you price quotes from multiple insurance companies.
- Step 3: Compare the new quotes to the price on your current policy to see if cheaper M3 coverage is available. If you find better rates and switch companies, make sure there is no lapse between the expiration of your current policy and the new one.
- Step 4: Provide adequate notice to your current company of your intent to cancel your current car insurance policy. Submit payment and a completed application for the new coverage. As soon as you have the new policy, keep the new certificate verifying proof of insurance in an easily accessible location in your vehicle.
An essential thing to point out is that you’ll want to compare similar deductibles and liability limits on each quote and and to look at as many companies as you can. This guarantees the most accurate price comparison and a complete rate analysis.
Low Cost companies for BMW M3 insurance
The providers in the list below are our best choices to provide comparison quotes in North Carolina. To buy the best auto insurance in Durham, we suggest you get rates from several of them in order to find the most competitive rates.
Coverage statistics and figures
The rate information shown next highlights different coverage prices for BMW M3 models. Having insight into how rates are figured can help drivers make smart choices when buying a policy.
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
M3 4-Dr Sedan | $242 | $458 | $256 | $16 | $76 | $1,048 | $87 |
M3 CI 2-Dr Coupe | $266 | $510 | $256 | $16 | $76 | $1,124 | $94 |
M3 2-Dr Convertible | $266 | $510 | $256 | $16 | $76 | $1,124 | $94 |
Get Your Own Custom Quote Go |
Data variables include married male driver age 40, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $250 deductibles, and North Carolina minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-vehicle, safe-driver, claim-free, homeowner, and multi-policy. Rate information does not factor in vehicle garaging location which can alter rates greatly.
An analysis of deductible level
When shopping for auto insurance, a common question is which deductibles should you choose. The comparisons below can help show the differences in price when you choose different insurance deductibles. The first set of rates uses a $100 physical damage coverage deductible and the second rate chart uses a $500 deductible.
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
M3 4-Dr Sedan | $298 | $594 | $250 | $14 | $74 | $1,255 | $105 |
M3 CI 2-Dr Coupe | $324 | $662 | $250 | $14 | $74 | $1,349 | $112 |
M3 2-Dr Convertible | $324 | $662 | $250 | $14 | $74 | $1,349 | $112 |
Get Your Own Custom Quote Go |
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
M3 4-Dr Sedan | $216 | $402 | $250 | $14 | $74 | $956 | $80 |
M3 CI 2-Dr Coupe | $236 | $448 | $250 | $14 | $74 | $1,022 | $85 |
M3 2-Dr Convertible | $236 | $448 | $250 | $14 | $74 | $1,022 | $85 |
Get Your Own Custom Quote Go |
Data based on married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and North Carolina minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include safe-driver, homeowner, multi-policy, claim-free, and multi-vehicle. Rate information does not factor in zip code location which can lower or raise premium rates greatly.
Based on the data above, we can derive that using a $100 deductible costs an average of $27 more each month or $324 annually across all BMW M3 models than selecting the higher $500 deductible. Since the policyholder would be required to pay $400 more out-of-pocket with a $500 deductible as compared to a $100 deductible, if you normally average at least 15 months between claim filings, you would more than likely save some money if you opt for a higher deductible.
How to calculate when to raise deductibles
Average monthly premium for $100 deductibles: | $110 |
Average monthly premium for $500 deductibles (subtract): | – $83 |
Monthly savings from raising deductible: | $27 |
Difference between deductibles ($500 – $100): | $400 |
Divide difference by monthly savings: | $400 / $27 |
Number of months required between physical damage coverage claims in order to save money by choosing the higher deductible | 15 months |
The information below demonstrates how deductible levels and can impact BMW M3 annual premium costs for different age groups of insureds. The premiums assume a married female driver, full physical damage coverage, and no discounts are taken into consideration.
Cheap BMW M3 insurance rates in Durham
Companies do not advertise every policy discount in an easy-to-find place, so the next list breaks down both the well known and also the more inconspicuous credits that may apply to you. If you do not double check each discount you deserve, you could be getting lower rates.
- Professional Memberships – Joining specific professional or occupational memberships or organizations can get you a small discount on your next auto insurance statement.
- No Claim Discounts – Claim-free drivers can earn big discounts in comparison with policyholders that have many claims.
- Discount for Life Insurance – Not all companies offer life insurance, but some may give you a break if you buy some life insurance too.
- Drivers Education – Require your teen driver to successfully complete driver’s ed class if offered at their school.
- E-sign Discounts – A few larger online companies will give a small break shop Durham auto insurance on the web.
- Sign Early and Save – Some auto insurance companies give discounts for renewing your policy before your current M3 insurance policy expires. The savings is around 10%.
- Multi-car Discount – Having several vehicles with one company could earn a price break for each car.
- Own a Home and Save – Just owning your own home can get you a discount due to the fact that maintaining a home shows financial diligence.
- Military Deployment Discount – Being deployed in the military may qualify for rate reductions.
- Driver Safety – Taking part in a course that instructs on driving safety can save you 5% or more if you qualify.
Keep in mind that some credits don’t apply to the entire cost. Most only reduce individual premiums such as physical damage coverage or medical payments. Even though the math looks like all the discounts add up to a free policy, it doesn’t quite work that way.
The diagram below visualizes the comparison of BMW M3 car insurance rates with and without discounts being applied to the rates. Data assumes a female driver, no accidents, no driving violations, North Carolina state minimum liability limits, comprehensive and collision coverage, and $500 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with safe-driver, homeowner, multi-car, marriage, claim-free, and multi-policy discounts applied.
To see companies with the best BMW M3 insurance discounts in Durham in North Carolina, follow this link.
Compare rate quotes but buy from a neighborhood Durham auto insurance agent
Some people prefer to visit with an insurance agent and there is nothing wrong with that. Good agents can answer important questions and help in the event of a claim. One of the great benefits of comparing rates online is that you can find the lowest rates but also keep your business local. Putting coverage with small agencies is important particularly in Durham.
Upon completion of this quick form, the quote information gets sent to agents in your area who can give free rate quotes and help you find cheaper coverage. You won’t need to search for any insurance agencies because prices are sent immediately to you. If you need to compare prices from a specific company, you just need to jump over to their website and submit a quote form there.
If you are searching for a local insurance agency, you should know the types of agencies and how they are slightly different. Car insurance agents in Durham can either be exclusive or independent. Either type can sell and service car insurance coverage, but it’s good to learn how they are different because it can factor into your selection of an agent.
Independent Car Insurance Agents
Independent agencies often have affiliation with several companies so they can quote policies amongst many companies and potentially find a lower price. If they quote lower rates, your agent can switch companies and the insured can keep the same agent. If you are comparing car insurance prices, we highly recommend that you get quotes from several independent agencies for the best price selection.
Shown below is a partial list of independent agents in Durham that can possibly get you rate quotes.
Bull City Insurance
121 Sherron Rd #302 – Durham, NC 27703 – (919) 596-0671 – View Map
Protective Agency
4215 University Dr #1 – Durham, NC 27707 – (919) 416-4900 – View Map
Herring and Bickers Insurance
2344 Operations Dr Suite 101 – Durham, NC 27705 – (919) 479-9900 – View Map
Exclusive Car Insurance Agents
Agents that choose to be exclusive are contracted to one company like Farmers Insurance or State Farm. These agents are not able to compare other company’s rates so they have to upsell other benefits. They are usually quite knowledgeable on their company’s products which helps offset the inability to provide other markets.
Shown below are exclusive insurance agencies in Durham that are able to give rate quotes.
Farm Bureau Insurance
4021 Stirrup Creek Dr #220a – Durham, NC 27703 – (919) 469-3191 – View Map
Allstate Insurance Agent: Cody Holliday
4324 S Alston Ave – Durham, NC 27713 – (919) 249-7291 – View Map
Zonya Autmon – State Farm Insurance Agent
2402 S Miami Blvd #103 – Durham, NC 27703 – (919) 993-3555 – View Map
Picking the best insurance agent requires you to look at more than just a cheap price quote. Before buying a policy in Durham, get answers to these questions.
- Are there any extra charges for paying monthly?
- Is the agency active in community causes in Durham?
- If you have an accident, are you able to get your vehicle repaired at the shop of your choice?
- If independent agents, which companies do they recommend?
- How would your car be valued if totaled?
Once you have positive feedback to your questions as well as a affordable price, it’s possible that you found an insurance agency that will properly insure your vehicles. But keep in mind you have the power to terminate coverage at any point so don’t think that you’re stuck with a specific agent for a certain time period.
Car insurance coverage information
Learning about specific coverages of your policy can be of help when determining the best coverages for your vehicles. The terms used in a policy can be ambiguous and reading a policy is terribly boring. Listed below are typical coverages found on the average insurance policy.
Comprehensive protection
Comprehensive insurance coverage covers damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. You first must pay your deductible then the remaining damage will be covered by your comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive can pay for things like hitting a deer, vandalism, hitting a bird, theft and damage from getting keyed. The maximum payout your insurance company will pay is the cash value of the vehicle, so if the vehicle is not worth much consider removing comprehensive coverage.
Collision insurance
This coverage pays for damage to your M3 from colliding with a stationary object or other vehicle. You first must pay a deductible then your collision coverage will kick in.
Collision can pay for claims such as sustaining damage from a pot hole, backing into a parked car, hitting a mailbox, crashing into a ditch and colliding with a tree. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so consider dropping it from lower value vehicles. You can also choose a higher deductible on your M3 to save money on collision insurance.
Liability insurance
This coverage protects you from damage or injury you incur to other’s property or people by causing an accident. Split limit liability has three limits of coverage: per person bodily injury, per accident bodily injury, and a property damage limit. Your policy might show liability limits of 30/60/25 that translate to $30,000 bodily injury coverage, a per accident bodily injury limit of $60,000, and a total limit of $25,000 for damage to vehicles and property. Another option is one limit called combined single limit (CSL) which limits claims to one amount with no separate limits for injury or property damage.
Liability coverage protects against claims such as court costs, medical services, loss of income, legal defense fees and emergency aid. How much liability coverage do you need? That is up to you, but it’s cheap coverage so purchase as much as you can afford. North Carolina requires minimum liability limits of 30/60/25 but you should consider buying better liability coverage.
The chart below shows why buying low liability limits may not be adequate coverage.
Uninsured or underinsured coverage
This provides protection from other drivers when they do not carry enough liability coverage. It can pay for injuries to you and your family and damage to your BMW M3.
Due to the fact that many North Carolina drivers only purchase the least amount of liability that is required (30/60/25 in North Carolina), their liability coverage can quickly be exhausted. So UM/UIM coverage is a good idea. Usually these coverages are identical to your policy’s liability coverage.
Medical expense coverage
Coverage for medical payments and/or PIP pay for bills for doctor visits, funeral costs and prosthetic devices. They are often used to cover expenses not covered by your health insurance program or if you do not have health coverage. It covers all vehicle occupants and will also cover if you are hit as a while walking down the street. PIP is not an option in every state and gives slightly broader coverage than med pay
Durham car insurance companies
Selecting a highly-rated car insurance provider can be a challenge considering how many companies provide coverage in Durham. The company information shown next could help you pick which car insurance companies to look at comparing price quotes from.
Top 10 Durham Car Insurance Companies Overall
- Travelers
- USAA
- AAA Insurance
- Nationwide
- Allstate
- State Farm
- The Hartford
- Safeco Insurance
- Progressive
- American Family
A conclusion for your car insurance search
We just covered some good ideas how you can find cheaper BMW M3 insurance in Durham. The key thing to remember is the more rate comparisons you have, the higher your chance of finding inexpensive Durham auto insurance quotes. You may even be surprised to find that the best auto insurance rates are with a small mutual company. Smaller companies may have significantly lower premium rates on certain market segments than the large multi-state companies such as Allstate or State Farm.
When buying insurance coverage, it’s a bad idea to reduce needed coverages to save money. There are a lot of situations where drivers have reduced physical damage coverage and found out when filing a claim they didn’t have enough coverage. The proper strategy is to buy a smart amount of coverage at a price you can afford.
For more information, take a look at these articles:
- Uninsured Motorists: Threats on the Road (Insurance Information Institute)
- What Auto Insurance is Cheapest in Durham, North Carolina? (FAQ)
- Who Has Affordable Auto Insurance for a Toyota Highlander in Durham? (FAQ)
- Who Has Affordable Durham Car Insurance Quotes for a Subaru Impreza? (FAQ)
- Who Has Cheap Auto Insurance Rates for Used Cars in Durham? (FAQ)
- Who Has the Cheapest Car Insurance Rates for Teenage Males in Durham? (FAQ)
- New vehicle ratings focus on headlights (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)
- Smart Auto Insurance Tips (Insurance Information Institute)