The easiest way to get more affordable car insurance rates is to do a yearly price comparison from insurers that insure vehicles in Durham. Rates can be compared by completing these steps.
- Get an understanding of the different coverages in a policy and the steps you can take to keep rates down. Many factors that increase rates like traffic violations, accidents, and poor credit history can be amended by making minor driving habit or lifestyle changes. Later in this article we will cover additional ideas to keep prices down and earn larger discounts.
- Request price quotes from direct carriers, independent agents, and exclusive agents. Exclusive and direct companies can give quotes from a single company like GEICO or State Farm, while independent agents can provide price quotes from multiple companies.
- Compare the new rate quotes to your current policy premium and see if you can save money. If you can save money and make a switch, make sure coverage does not lapse between policies.
The key aspect of shopping around is to compare the same coverage limits and deductibles on every price quote and and to get rate quotes from as many companies as you can. This helps ensure the most accurate price comparison and maximum price selection.
We don’t have to tell you that insurance companies don’t want you to look for a cheaper policy. Drivers who shop around for the cheapest rate are inclined to switch to a new company because there is a good chance of finding a cheaper policy. A recent car insurance study discovered that consumers who made a habit of comparing rate quotes saved approximately $865 a year compared to drivers who never compared other company’s rates.
If finding the best rates on insurance in Durham is your ultimate objective, knowing how to find and compare car insurance can save time, money, and frustration.
Finding the cheapest insurance coverage in Durham is actually very simple if you learn how to start. If you already have coverage, you stand a good chance to be able to reduce the price you pay using these tips. Shoppers just have to learn the best way to shop their coverage around using one simple form.
How You Can Control Volkswagen Golf SportWagen Insurance Prices
Lots of things are used in the calculation when you get your auto insurance bill. Some factors are common sense like your driving record, although some other factors are more transparent such as whether you are married or your vehicle rating. One of the most helpful ways to save on car insurance is to to have a grasp of the rating factors that help calculate the price you pay for car insurance. When you know what positively or negatively impacts premium levels, this helps enable you to make changes that could result in lower premium levels.
Shown below are some of the things companies use to determine your rate level.
- Drive a fast car and pay more – The make and model of the vehicle you own makes a significant difference in your premium level. Economy passenger models usually have the lowest premiums, but the final cost of insurance is determined by many other factors.
- Lower rates come with age – Older people are more responsible, are lower risk to insure, and get fewer tickets. Beginning drivers are statistically proven to be inattentive and easily distracted when behind the wheel so they pay higher car insurance rates.
- Big cities mean more claims – Being located in less populated areas of the country has definite advantages when it comes to car insurance. Lower population corresponds to lower accident rates and lower theft and vandalism rates. Drivers in populated North Carolina areas regularly have much more traffic and much longer commute distances. Higher commute times translates into higher accident risk.
- Lower rates by increasing comp and collision deductibles – Deductibles for physical damage represent how much money you are required to pay before a claim is paid by your company. Insurance for physical damage, also called comprehensive and collision insurance, is used to repair damage to your car. Some coverage claims are rear-ending another vehicle, collision with a deer, and damage caused by road hazards. The more expense you are required to pay out-of-pocket, the less your car insurance will be.
- Keep policy claims to a minimum – If you are the type of insured that files lots of claims you can look forward to either higher rates or even cancellation. Insurance companies in North Carolina generally give better rates to people that do not abuse their auto insurance. Auto insurance is intended for the large, substantial claims.
- Your career may increase prices – Occupations such as doctors, social workers, and medical professionals tend to pay higher rates than average because of intense work requirements and lengthy work days. On the flip side, occupations like actors, historians and retirees have lower than average premiums.
- Traffic violations are costly – Getting just one citation can increase rates to the point where it’s not affordable. Drivers with clean records get better prices compared to drivers with tickets. Drivers unfortunate enough to have careless violations like DUI or willful reckless driving might be required by their state to prove financial responsibility with their state’s department of motor vehicles in order to keep their license.
- How credit rating affects car insurance costs – Having a bad credit score is a big factor in calculating your premium rate. So if your credit rating can be improved, you may save money insuring your Volkswagen Golf SportWagen if you improve your credit rating. Insureds that have good credit tend to be more responsible than drivers who have lower credit scores.
Affordable rates by taking advantage of discounts
Companies don’t always advertise every available discount very clearly, so the following is a list of some of the best known as well as some of the hidden credits available to you.
- Pay Early and Save – By making one initial payment rather than spreading payments over time you can avoid the installment charge.
- Telematics Data Discounts – Durham drivers who agree to allow driving data collection to scrutinize driving patterns by using a small device installed in their vehicle such as Allstate’s Drivewise and State Farm’s In-Drive system may get a rate reduction if they are good drivers.
- New Car Discount – Insuring a new Golf SportWagen can save you some money since new model year vehicles are generally safer.
- ABS Brakes – Cars that have anti-lock braking systems are much safer to drive and earn discounts up to 10%.
- Good Driver Discount – Insureds who avoid accidents can get discounts for up to 45% lower rates compared to rates paid by drivers with frequent claims.
As a sidenote, many deductions do not apply to all coverage premiums. Some only reduce the cost of specific coverages such as physical damage coverage or medical payments. Even though the math looks like you could get a free insurance policy, company stockholders wouldn’t be very happy.
A partial list of companies who might offer some of the above discounts include:
When getting a coverage quote, ask each company or agent the best way to save money. Discounts may not apply to policies in your area. To locate companies that can offer you the previously mentioned discounts in North Carolina, follow this link.
Shop smart and save
Affordable Volkswagen Golf SportWagen insurance in Durham is attainable on the web as well as from insurance agents, so you need to shop Durham auto insurance with both in order to have the best price selection to choose from. Some insurance companies do not provide online quoting and usually these regional carriers sell through local independent agencies.
Throughout this article, we presented quite a bit of information on how to compare Volkswagen Golf SportWagen insurance prices in Durham. The key thing to remember is the more times you quote, the higher your chance of finding low cost Durham auto insurance quotes. Consumers could even find that the best price on insurance is with a lesser-known regional company.
As you prepare to switch companies, it’s a bad idea to buy less coverage just to save a little money. Too many times, an insured cut liability limits or collision coverage and found out when filing a claim that saving that couple of dollars actually costed them tens of thousands. Your objective should be to purchase a proper amount of coverage at the lowest possible cost.
Additional articles
- Safe Vehicles for Teens (iihs.org)
- How Much are Auto Insurance Quotes for Good Drivers in Durham? (FAQ)
- Who Has Affordable Durham Car Insurance Rates for a Ford F-150? (FAQ)
- Who Has Cheap Durham Auto Insurance Rates for a Chevrolet Silverado? (FAQ)
- Should I Purchase an Umbrella Liability Policy? (Insurance Information Institute)
- Insurance Losses by Make and Model (iihs.org)
- Where can I buy Insurance? (Insurance Information Institute)
- All About Airbag Safety (State Farm)