Compare 1999 Dodge Ram Van Insurance Quotes

Trying to find cheaper insurance rates for your Dodge Ram Van? Nobody I know anticipates paying for insurance, especially when they are aware that they could find better prices if they shop around.

You have so many car insurance companies to insure vehicles with, and even though it’s nice to have a selection, so many choices can make it hard to locate the cheapest rates.

It’s smart to quote other rates occasionally due to the fact that insurance prices are rarely the same from one policy term to another. Despite the fact that you may have had the best deal for Ram van coverage last year you can probably find a lower rate today. Block out anything you think you know about insurance because you’re going to get a crash course in how to use the internet to save on insurance.

Smart choices result in lower insurance premiums

Multiple criteria are considered when pricing auto insurance. Some of the criteria are obvious such as traffic violations, although some other factors are not quite as obvious like your vehicle usage or how safe your car is.One of the most helpful ways to save on insurance coverage is to to have a grasp of a few of the rating criteria that come into play when calculating your insurance coverage rates. When you understand what determines base rates, this allows you to make educated decisions that can help you get cheaper rates.

The list below includes some of the major factors used by insurance companies to determine your rates.

• High credit means lower prices – Your credit score will be a significant factor in determining what you pay. So if your credit rating leaves room for improvement, you could be paying less to insure your 1999 Dodge Ram Van by improving your credit score. People that have high credit scores tend to be more responsible than those with poor credit scores.
• Stress out and pay more – Did you know your career choice can influence rates? Jobs like doctors, executives and medical professionals tend to pay higher average rates in part from intense work requirements and long work hours. Conversely, occupations such as professors, athletes and retirees have the lowest average rates for Ram van coverage.
• Gals tend to take less risk – The statistics show that females tend to be a little less risky than males. However, don’t assume that men are WORSE drivers than women. Women and men tend to get into auto accidents in similar numbers, but the males cause more damage. Men also statistically get cited for more serious violations such as DWI and reckless driving. Teenage male drivers are most likely to cause an accident and therefore are the most expensive to insure.
• Policy lapses lead to higher rates – Not maintaining insurance is against the law and companies may charge more for letting your insurance coverage expire. In addition to paying higher rates, getting caught without coverage can result in a license revocation or jail time. You may have to submit proof of financial responsibility or a SR-22 with your state DMV.
• Stay claim-free and reduce prices – If you are the type of insured that files lots of claims don’t be surprised to see much higher rates or policy non-renewal. Insurance companies give cheaper rates to insureds who do not file claims often. Auto insurance is meant to be used in the event of the large, substantial claims.
• Your address can push rates up or down – Being located in a small town has it’s advantages when trying to find low car insurance rates. Drivers who live in large cities have to deal with congested traffic and more severe claims. Less people living in that area translates into fewer accidents in addition to lower liability claims
• Combine home and auto and save – Most larger insurers give lower prices for people who have multiple policies with them, otherwise known as a multi-policy discount. Even if you qualify for this discount already, it’s always a smart idea to get quotes from other companies to make sure you are getting the best deal.

Get affordable rates by taking advantage of discounts

Auto insurance companies don’t necessarily list their entire list of discounts very clearly, so we break down both the well known and also the more inconspicuous credits available to bring down your rates.

• No Charge for an Accident – This one is not really a discount per se, but certain companies may permit one accident before hitting you with a surcharge as long as you don’t have any claims for a certain period of time.
• Accident-Free Discounts – Drivers with accident-free driving histories are rewarded with significantly better rates on insurance quote as opposed to drivers who are more careless.
• Switch and Save Discount – A few companies allow discounts for switching policies before your current expiration date. This discount can save up to 10%.
• Telematics Data Discounts – Insureds who allow driving data submission to analyze when and where they use their vehicle by using a telematics device in their vehicle such as Progressive’s Snapshot could save a few bucks if they are good drivers.
• Driver’s Ed – Require your teen driver to enroll and complete driver’s education in school.
• Good Student Discount – Excelling in school can earn a discount of 20% or more. Earning this discount can benefit you well after school through age 25.
• Braking Control Discount – Cars and trucks equipped with ABS or steering control can avoid accidents and therefore earn up to a 10% discount.

Drivers should understand that most credits do not apply the the whole policy. Most only apply to the price of certain insurance coverages like comprehensive or collision. Even though it may seem like it’s possible to get free car insurance, nobody gets a free ride.

Some companies that may offer quotes with many of the previously listed discounts may include but are not limited to:

• State Farm
• Esurance
• Progressive
• Liberty Mutual
• Auto-Owners Insurance
• Geico

If you want cheaper insurance quotes, ask all the companies how you can save money. Depending on the company, some discounts might not be available to policyholders in your area. To locate insurance coverage companies that offer many of these discounts, click here to view.

But the ad said I’d save 15% in 15 minutes!

Popular car insurance providers such as State Farm, Allstate and Geico regularly use television, radio, and online ads. All the ads convey the message about saving some big amount just by moving to them. That’s great but how can every company give you a better price? It’s all in the wording.

All the different companies have a preferred profile for the driver that will be a good risk. For example, a desirable insured might be described as a mature driver, carries high limits, and drives a vehicle with a low ISO rating. A customer getting a price quote who fits that profile will get the preferred premium rates and will cut their rates substantially.

Drivers who do not fit these criteria will be quoted higher rates with the end result being the customer buying from a different company. The ads state “drivers who switch” not “all people who quote” save that kind of money. That’s the way companies can make claims like that. Because every company is different, it is so important to compare many company’s rates. It’s impossible to know which company will be your best fit.

How much insurance coverage do I need?

When it comes to choosing coverage for your vehicles, there really is not a “best” method to buy coverage. Coverage needs to be tailored to your specific needs and your policy should reflect that. These are some specific questions can help discover whether or not you will benefit from professional help.

• Do I need motorclub coverage?
• Do all my vehicles need collision coverage?
• Where can I get insurance after a DUI in my state?
• What vehicles should carry emergency assistance coverage?
• Is my vehicle covered by my employer’s policy when using it for work?
• At what point should I drop full coverage?
• What is high-risk coverage and where do I buy it?
• Am I covered if I wreck a rental car?

If you’re not sure about those questions, you may need to chat with a licensed insurance agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, take a second and complete this form or you can go here for a list of companies in your area.

Car insurance coverage basics

Having a good grasp of your car insurance policy aids in choosing the best coverages and proper limits and deductibles. Car insurance terms can be confusing and nobody wants to actually read their policy. Listed below are typical coverages offered by car insurance companies.

Liability insurance – This coverage can cover damage or injury you incur to other’s property or people. This coverage protects you from legal claims by others, and doesn’t cover your own vehicle damage or injuries.

Split limit liability has three limits of coverage: bodily injury for each person injured, bodily injury for the entire accident and a property damage limit. You commonly see values of 100/300/100 which stand for a limit of $100,000 per injured person, a per accident bodily injury limit of $300,000, and $100,000 of coverage for damaged propery.

Liability can pay for things such as medical expenses, attorney fees, funeral expenses, structural damage and emergency aid. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is up to you, but it’s cheap coverage so purchase as much as you can afford.

Comprehensive (Other than Collision) – This covers damage that is not covered by collision coverage. You first have to pay a deductible and the remainder of the damage will be paid by comprehensive coverage.

Comprehensive coverage pays for claims like damage from a tornado or hurricane, falling objects, hail damage and hitting a bird. The maximum amount a car insurance company will pay at claim time is the cash value of the vehicle, so if your deductible is as high as the vehicle’s value it’s probably time to drop comprehensive insurance.

Collision – Collision insurance pays for damage to your Ram Van caused by collision with another vehicle or an object, but not an animal. You have to pay a deductible then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.

Collision coverage protects against things like driving through your garage door, crashing into a building, colliding with another moving vehicle, damaging your car on a curb and backing into a parked car. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so analyze the benefit of dropping coverage from lower value vehicles. You can also increase the deductible to save money on collision insurance.

Protection from uninsured/underinsured drivers – Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage gives you protection from other drivers when they do not carry enough liability coverage. It can pay for hospital bills for your injuries as well as damage to your Dodge Ram Van.

Because many people only carry the minimum required liability limits, it only takes a small accident to exceed their coverage. So UM/UIM coverage should not be overlooked.

Medical expense insurance – Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage reimburse you for bills such as nursing services, chiropractic care, EMT expenses, surgery and prosthetic devices. They are often used in conjunction with a health insurance plan or if you do not have health coverage. They cover both the driver and occupants and will also cover being hit by a car walking across the street. Personal Injury Protection is not an option in every state but can be used in place of medical payments coverage

Final thoughts

Cheaper auto insurance can be sourced on the web and with local insurance agents, so you need to quote insurance with both to have the best selection. Some insurance providers may not offer rate quotes online and many times these regional carriers prefer to sell through independent agents.

When getting insurance quotes online, it’s not a good idea to buy poor coverage just to save money. In many instances, someone dropped collision coverage to discover at claim time that the small savings ended up costing them much more. Your objective should be to buy enough coverage at a price you can afford, not the least amount of coverage.

More learning opportunities

• Think You’re a Safe Driver? (State Farm)
• Understanding Your Insurance Deductible (Insurance Information Insitute)
• Determing Auto Insurance Rates (Geico)
• What is Covered by GAP Insurance? (Allstate)
• Rental Car Insurance Tips (Insurance Information Insitute)