If your goal is the lowest price, then the best way to get the cheapest Chrysler PT Cruiser insurance in Durham is to compare prices at least once a year from insurance carriers in North Carolina. You can shop around by following these guidelines.
Step 1: Read and learn about how car insurance works and the steps you can take to keep rates down. Many risk factors that result in higher prices such as inattentive driving and an imperfect credit score can be controlled by making minor driving habit or lifestyle changes. This article gives more details to help keep prices low and find overlooked discounts.
Step 2: Request price quotes from direct carriers, independent agents, and exclusive agents. Direct and exclusive agents can give quotes from one company like GEICO or Allstate, while independent agencies can quote rates for many different companies.
Step 3: Compare the quotes to your existing policy to see if you can save by switching companies. If you find a lower rate, verify that coverage does not lapse between policies.
Step 4: Notify your company or agent of your intention to cancel the current policy. Submit a signed application and payment to your new insurance company. When you receive it, keep your new proof of insurance paperwork along with your vehicle registration.
A good tip to remember is to make sure you’re comparing the same physical damage deductibles and liability limits on every quote and and to look at all possible companies. Doing this guarantees a fair price comparison and a good representation of prices.
Smart shoppers know that auto insurance companies don’t want you to look for a cheaper policy. People who shop around annually are very likely to switch companies because there is a high probability of finding a lower-cost company. A recent auto insurance study revealed that people who regularly compared rates saved $860 a year compared to other drivers who don’t make a habit of comparing rates.
If finding the lowest price on insurance is your ultimate goal, then learning about the best way to compare insurance coverage can make it simple to find affordable coverage.
Shopping for the best policy in Durham is not as hard as you think. Nearly everyone who is looking for a better price on auto insurance most likely will be able to reduce their rates. But North Carolina drivers do need to know how insurance companies calculate their prices and apply this information to your search.
When comparison shopping, there are several ways of comparing rate quotes from insurance companies in your area. The easiest way by far to find the cheapest Chrysler PT Cruiser insurance rates is to jump online and get quotes.
It’s so simple to compare insurance rates online takes the place of having to spend time driving to local Durham insurance agencies. The fact that you can get quotes online has reduced the need for local agents unless you have a need for the guidance that only a licensed agent can provide. Drivers can get prices online but buy from a local insurance agent.
When price shopping your coverage, comparing more quotes increases your odds of finding the best price. Some smaller insurers do not give online Durham PT Cruiser insurance quotes, so it’s important to compare rates on coverage from those companies, too.
The car insurance companies shown below can provide comparison quotes in North Carolina. To find the best cheap car insurance in Durham, NC, it’s a good idea that you visit two to three different companies to get the lowest price.
Verify you’re earning every discount
Some insurers do not list every available discount very well, so the next list breaks down a few of the more common as well as some of the hidden discounts that you can inquire about if you buy Durham auto insurance online.
- Drivers Ed for Students – Teen drivers should enroll and complete driver’s education in high school.
- Service Members Pay Less – Having a family member in the military could mean lower rates.
- Telematics Data Discounts – Policyholders that allow their car insurance company to analyze where and when they drive by using a telematics device like In-Drive from State Farm and Progressive’s Snapshot might see lower rates if they are good drivers.
- First Accident Forgiveness – This isn’t a discount exactly, but a handful of insurance companies will turn a blind eye to one accident before hitting you with a surcharge if you are claim-free for a set time period.
- Seat Belt Usage – Drivers who require all vehicle occupants to wear their seat belts could cut 10% or more off the PIP or medical payment premium.
- Safe Drivers – Drivers who don’t get into accidents can save as much as half off their rates than drivers with accidents.
- Homeowners Savings – Just being a homeowner can earn you a little savings because it means you have a higher level of financial diligence.
As is typical with insurance, most of the big mark downs will not be given to the overall cost of the policy. Most only cut specific coverage prices like medical payments or collision. Despite the appearance that all the discounts add up to a free policy, it’s just not the way it works.
The chart below shows the difference between Chrysler PT Cruiser insurance rates with and without policy discounts. The costs are based on a male driver, a clean driving record, no at-fault accidents, North Carolina state minimum liability limits, comp and collision included, and $250 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with safe-driver, multi-policy, marriage, claim-free, homeowner, and multi-car discounts applied.
A list of car insurance companies and a selection of discounts are:
- GEICO has discounts for anti-theft, multi-vehicle, air bags, driver training, federal employee, daytime running lights, and membership and employees.
- Mercury Insurance offers discounts for low natural disaster claims, good driver, good student, annual mileage, multi-car, professional/association, and multi-policy.
- Farmers Insurance may offer discounts for homeowner, switch companies, mature driver, early shopping, and business and professional.
- Auto-Owners Insurance includes discounts for mature driver, safe driver, teen driver, paid in full, and safe vehicle.
- Liberty Mutual policyholders can earn discounts including multi-car, new move discount, good student, newly married, multi-policy, and hybrid vehicle.
- SAFECO has savings for anti-lock brakes, safe driver, multi-car, anti-theft, teen safe driver, and homeowner.
- Progressive discounts include good student, homeowner, multi-policy, continuous coverage, online quote discount, online signing, and multi-vehicle.
- USAA offers premium reductions for family discount, new vehicle, driver training, vehicle storage, loyalty savings, defensive driver, and multi-vehicle.
When comparing rates, check with all the companies how you can save money. Discounts might not be offered in Durham. To locate car insurance companies with discount rates in North Carolina, click here to view.
Auto insurance analysis for a Chrysler PT Cruiser
The coverage information below covers different insurance coverage prices for Chrysler PT Cruiser models. Having a better understanding of how insurance premiums are formulated can assist in making smart choices when buying a policy.
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PT Cruiser 2WD 4-Dr | $144 | $264 | $198 | $12 | $60 | $678 | $57 |
PT Cruiser 2WD 4-Dr | $144 | $264 | $198 | $12 | $60 | $678 | $57 |
Get Your Own Custom Quote Go |
Table data assumes married female driver age 50, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $100 deductibles, and North Carolina minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include safe-driver, claim-free, multi-vehicle, multi-policy, and homeowner. Estimates do not factor in zip code location which can raise or lower prices noticeably.
Driving violations and accidents
The example below illustrates how traffic citations and accident claims can increase Chrysler PT Cruiser yearly insurance costs for different age categories. The costs are based on a single female driver, comprehensive and collision coverage, $250 deductibles, and no discounts are applied to the premium.
Chrysler PT Cruiser insurance rates by age and gender
The diagram below visualizes the comparison of Chrysler PT Cruiser auto insurance rates for male and female drivers. The data is based on no violations or claims, full coverage, $250 deductibles, single status, and no discounts are applied.
Full coverage versus liability only rates
The information below shows the difference between Chrysler PT Cruiser insurance costs when comparing full coverage to state minimum liability only. The price estimates are based on no violations or claims, $100 deductibles, drivers are single, and no policy discounts are applied.
Should you be buying full coverage?
There is no definitive rule that is best for determining when to drop physical damage coverage on your policy, but there is a guideline you can use. If the yearly cost of full coverage is more than around 10% of the replacement cost of your vehicle minus the policy deductible, then it’s probably a good time to buy liability coverage only.
For example, let’s assume your Chrysler PT Cruiser settlement value is $5,000 and you have $1,000 full coverage deductibles. If your vehicle is totaled in an accident, the most your company will settle for is $4,000 after paying your deductible. If you are paying over $400 annually to have full coverage, then it might be time to buy liability only.
There are some cases where dropping full coverage is not in your best interest. If you still owe money on your vehicle, you are required to maintain full coverage in order to keep the loan. Also, if you can’t afford to buy a different vehicle in the even your car is totaled, you should not opt for liability only.
How Insurance Companies Determine Chrysler PT Cruiser Insurance Prices
Many things are part of the equation when pricing auto insurance. Some are pretty understandable such as your driving record, although others are more obscure like your continuous coverage or your commute time. Consumers need to have an understanding of the rating factors that come into play when calculating the level of your policy premiums. When you understand what determines base rates, this enables you to make decisions that can earn you lower car insurance prices.
Listed below are some of the major factors used by insurance companies to determine your prices.
Multi-policy discounts can save money – Most larger insurance companies will award lower prices to customers that purchase more than one policy in the form of a multi-policy discount. Even with this discount, consumers should still get quotes from other companies to confirm you are receiving the best rates possible.
Older drivers are lower risk – Inexperience drivers are known to get distracted easily when at the wheel of a vehicle and because of this, their car insurance rates are much higher. Having to add a teen driver onto a policy can be very expensive. More mature drivers have been proven to be more responsible, cost insurance companies less in claims, and are generally more financially stable.
The chart below is based on a single driver, full coverage with $1000 deductibles, and no discounts or violations.
Protect yourself with liability – The liability coverage on your policy will protect you when you are found liable for damages from an accident. This coverage provides legal defense to attempt to prove you were not liable. Carrying liability coverage is mandatory and cheap when compared with rates for comp and collision, so insureds should have plenty of protection for their assets.
Lower premiums for safer cars – Safe vehicles tend to have lower insurance rates. Vehicles engineered for safety protect occupants better and lower rates of occupant injuries translates into savings for insurance companies and more competitive rates for policyholders. If your Chrysler PT Cruiser earned at least four stars on Safercar.gov or an “acceptable” rating on iihs.org you may qualify for a discount.
You might pay higher prices if you are single – Having a significant other can actually save you money on car insurance. It translates into being more responsible and insurance companies like that married drivers get in fewer accidents.
Proper usage rating affects premiums – Driving more miles annually the higher your rates will be. Most companies calculate rates based upon how you use the vehicle. Cars that sit idle most of the time receive better premium rates than cars that get driven a lot. It’s a good idea to make sure your car insurance policy properly reflects the correct driver usage, because it can save money. Having the wrong rating on your PT Cruiser may be costing you higher rates.
Do you need those add-on coverages? – There are a lot of extra coverages you can purchase on your car insurance policy. Coverage for things like coverage for rental cars, better glass coverage, and term life insurance may be wasting your money. You may think they are a good idea when buying your policy, but now you might not need them so eliminate them to save money.
Don’t I need to have guidance from an agent?
Many people would prefer to sit down and talk to an agent and that is a smart decision The best thing about getting free rate quotes online is that you can obtain cheaper auto insurance rates and still buy from a local agent. Buying insurance from local agents is important particularly in Durham.
To make it easy to find an agent, after completing this short form, the quote information is immediately sent to insurance agents in Durham who will return price quotes for your coverage. You never need to do any legwork since price quotes are sent to you instantly. You can find better rates and an insurance agent to talk to. If you want to get a price quote from a specific car insurance provider, you can always search and find their rate quote page to submit a rate quote request.
Listed below is a list of insurance companies in Durham that may be able to provide rate quotes for Chrysler PT Cruiser insurance in Durham.
The Insurance Pros, Inc.
1210 Cole Mill Rd Suite 101 – Durham, NC 27705 – (919) 294-6613 – View Map
Allstate Insurance Agent: Ella Latreille
2005 N Pointe Dr Ste 3 – Durham, NC 27705 – (919) 479-2077 – View Map
Tracey Stidham – State Farm Insurance Agent
3622 Shannon Rd #102 – Durham, NC 27707 – (919) 401-6147 – View Map
Chuck Barham State FarmĀ®
3823 Guess Rd – Durham, NC 27705 – (919) 477-7300 – View Map
Selecting an insurer is decision based upon more than just the quoted price. Any agent in Durham should be forthright in answering these questions:
- How often do they review policy coverages?
- Can they give you a list of client referrals?
- Will the agent help in case of a claim?
- Will high miles depreciate repair valuations?
- Do they have any clout with companies to ensure a fair claim settlement?
North Carolina auto insurance companies
Selecting the best insurance company can be rather challenging considering how many different companies insure vehicles in North Carolina. The ranking data in the next section could help you choose which insurers you want to consider purchasing coverage from.
Top 10 Durham Car Insurance Companies Ranked by Customer Satisfaction
- USAA – 91%
- AAA Insurance – 90%
- Esurance – 90%
- Nationwide – 89%
- Travelers – 88%
- Progressive – 88%
- Safeco Insurance – 88%
- State Farm – 88%
- Allstate – 88%
- The Hartford – 87%
Top 10 Durham Car Insurance Companies by A.M. Best Rank
- Travelers – A++
- USAA – A++
- GEICO – A++
- State Farm – A++
- Titan Insurance – A+
- Esurance – A+
- Progressive – A+
- Nationwide – A+
- The Hartford – A+
- Allstate – A+
Quote often and quote early
Cheaper insurance in Durham can be purchased on the web and from local agencies, so you should compare both so you have a total pricing picture. A few companies may not offer the ability to get quotes online and many times these smaller companies sell through independent insurance agents.
We’ve covered a lot of ways to reduce Chrysler PT Cruiser insurance car insurance rates online in Durham. The most important thing to understand is the more companies you get premium rates for, the better your comparison will be. You may even find the best price on insurance is with a small local company. Some small companies may cover specific market segments cheaper as compared to the big name companies such as Allstate, GEICO and Progressive.
Additional insurance information can be read at the links below
- Choosing an Insurance Company (Insurance Information Institute)
- Who Has Cheap Auto Insurance for Uber Drivers in Durham? (FAQ)
- Who Has Cheap Car Insurance for Inexperienced Drivers in Durham? (FAQ)
- How Much are Auto Insurance Quotes for Good Drivers in Durham? (FAQ)
- Who Has Affordable Durham Auto Insurance Rates for Electric Cars? (FAQ)
- Who Has Affordable Car Insurance for a Mazda CX-7 in Durham? (FAQ)
- How Much are Durham Car Insurance Quotes for Immigrants? (FAQ)
- How Much are Durham Auto Insurance Quotes for 17 Year Olds? (FAQ)
- Who Has Affordable Auto Insurance Rates for a Hyundai Santa Fe in Durham? (FAQ)
- What Car Insurance is Cheapest for a Honda Civic in Durham? (FAQ)
- Who Has Cheap Car Insurance Rates for a Nissan Sentra in Durham? (FAQ)
- Bodily Injury Coverage (Liberty Mutual)
- Comprehensive Coverage (Liberty Mutual)
- Air Bags: Potential Dangers to Your Children (Insurance Information Institute)
- Things to Know Before you Cancel Insurance (Allstate)