Save on 1998 Dodge Dakota Car Insurance Rates

Consumers have a choice when looking for affordable Dodge Dakota insurance. You can either waste hours contacting agents to get rate comparisons or use the internet to get rate quotes.

There is a right way and a wrong way to shop for auto insurance so you’re going to learn the quickest way to price shop coverage for a Dodge and find the cheapest rates.

Insurance policy discounts you can’t miss

Insurance is not inexpensive, but there may be some discounts that could help you make your next renewal payment. Certain reductions will be credited when you get a quote, but some discounts are required to be asked about in order for you to get them. If you don’t get every credit available, you are just wasting money.

• Homeowners Discount – Just being a homeowner can save you money because maintaining a house requires a higher level of personal finance.
• Theft Prevention Discount – Vehicles with anti-theft systems have a lower chance of being stolen so companies will give you a small discount.
• Discount for Swiching Early – A few insurance companies allow discounts for buying a policy prior to your current policy expiration. This discount can save up to 10%.
• E-sign – Certain insurance companies provide a small discount simply for signing on their website.
• Good Students Pay Less – Maintaining excellent grades could provide a savings of up to 20% or more. The discount lasts until age 25.

Remember that most of the big mark downs will not be given to the entire cost. Most only reduce the cost of specific coverages such as physical damage coverage or medical payments. Despite the appearance that having all the discounts means you get insurance for free, it just doesn’t work that way.

To see insurance companies who offer insurance discounts, click here.

Insurance agents can help

When choosing adequate coverage, there really is no one size fits all plan. Every situation is different.

Here are some questions about coverages that can help discover whether or not you might need an agent’s assistance.

• Is my cargo covered for damage or theft?
• When should my teen driver be added to my policy?
• Is my dog or cat covered if injured in an accident?
• How can I get my company to pay me more for my totalled car?
• Am I covered when driving in Canada or Mexico?
• Is a new car covered when I drive it off the dealer lot?
• How high should deductibles be on a 1998 Dodge Dakota?
• Can I afford to buy a different vehicle if my 1998 Dodge Dakota is totaled?
• Am I covered if hit by an uninsured driver?
• Are my friends covered when driving my car?

If you can’t answer these questions but you know they apply to you, you may need to chat with a licensed insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, complete this form. It’s fast, free and can help protect your family.

Car insurance 101

Having a good grasp of your insurance policy can help you determine the best coverages and the correct deductibles and limits. The coverage terms in a policy can be confusing and nobody wants to actually read their policy.

Uninsured and underinsured coverage

This coverage protects you and your vehicle’s occupants from other motorists when they either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. Covered claims include injuries to you and your family and damage to your 1998 Dodge Dakota.

Since many drivers have only the minimum liability required by law, their liability coverage can quickly be exhausted. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage should not be overlooked. Normally these limits are identical to your policy’s liability coverage.

Coverage for medical payments

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage provide coverage for immediate expenses like ambulance fees, EMT expenses, pain medications and dental work. They can be used to fill the gap from your health insurance policy or if you do not have health coverage. It covers not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants in addition to being hit by a car walking across the street. PIP is not an option in every state and may carry a deductible

Comprehensive coverages

Comprehensive insurance coverage covers damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. You need to pay your deductible first then the remaining damage will be covered by your comprehensive coverage.

Comprehensive coverage protects against claims like hitting a bird, vandalism, hail damage and damage from a tornado or hurricane. The highest amount you’ll receive from a claim is the ACV or actual cash value, so if it’s not worth much more than your deductible consider removing comprehensive coverage.

Liability coverage

Liability insurance can cover damages or injuries you inflict on a person or their property that is your fault. It protects you against other people’s claims. Liability doesn’t cover damage to your own property or vehicle.

Liability coverage has three limits: bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident and property damage. You commonly see liability limits of 100/300/100 which stand for $100,000 bodily injury coverage, a per accident bodily injury limit of $300,000, and $100,000 of coverage for damaged propery. Occasionally you may see a combined limit which provides one coverage limit without having the split limit caps.

Liability coverage pays for claims like pain and suffering, court costs, medical services and emergency aid. How much liability coverage do you need? That is your choice, but you should buy as high a limit as you can afford.

Collision insurance

Collision coverage will pay to fix damage to your Dakota resulting from a collision with a stationary object or other vehicle. You have to pay a deductible then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.

Collision can pay for claims like driving through your garage door, backing into a parked car and damaging your car on a curb. Collision is rather expensive coverage, so consider dropping it from lower value vehicles. Drivers also have the option to choose a higher deductible to get cheaper collision coverage.

At the end of the day…

People switch companies for a number of reasons such as questionable increases in premium, policy cancellation, policy non-renewal and not issuing a premium refund. Whatever your reason, finding a great new company can be easier than you think.

There are still a few companies who may not have rates over the internet smaller providers only sell through independent agencies. Affordable 1998 Dodge Dakota insurance can be sourced online and from local agencies, and you should compare rates from both in order to have the best price selection to choose from.

When shopping online for insurance, don’t be tempted to sacrifice coverage to reduce premiums. There are a lot of situations where someone dropped collision coverage and found out when filing a claim that it was a big mistake. The ultimate goal is to buy enough coverage at a price you can afford while still protecting your assets.

Even more information is available in these articles:

• Child Safety Seats (Insurance Information Insitute)
• Uninsured Motorists: Threats on the Road (Insurance Information Insitute)
• Get the Right Protection (InsureUonline.org)
• Airbag FAQ (iihs.org)
• Can I Drive Legally without Insurance? (Insurance Information Insitute)