How Much Does 2003 Dodge Sprinter Insurance Cost?

Want better car insurance rates for your Dodge Sprinter? Trying to find better insurance prices for a Dodge Sprinter can turn out to be a painful process, but you can learn a few tricks to save time. There are both good and bad ways to shop for car insurance and you need to know the proper way to get price quotes for a new or used Dodge and get the cheapest rates either online or from local insurance agents.

You should make it a habit to get comparison quotes quite often because insurance prices change regularly. Just because you found the best rates for Sprinter insurance two years ago the chances are good that you can find a lower premium rate today. Forget anything you know (or think you know) about car insurance because I’m going to let you in on the secrets to the best way to lower your rates without sacrificing coverage.

How to lower your insurance cost

Finding low cost 2003 Dodge Sprinter insurance prices is pretty simple and can save money. Consumers just need to spend a little time comparing rates from online providers. This can be accomplished using one of these methods.

• If you’re in a hurry, the quickest way consumers can make multiple comparisons is to use a rate comparison form (click to open form in new window). This form saves time by eliminating multiple quote forms for each company you want a rate for. One form gets you coverage quotes instantly. It’s definitely the quickest method.
• A different way to get comparison quotes consists of going to each company’s website to complete their respective quote request forms. For examples sake, let’s assume you want comparison quotes from Auto-Owners, Farmers and GMAC. To get each rate you have to spend time on each company’s site and enter your policy data, and that explains why we recommend the first method.

  To view a list of companies in your area, click here.

• The last way to comparison shop is making phone calls or going to insurance agents’ offices. Comparing rate quotes online makes this process obsolete unless you want the advice and guidance of a local agent. It is possible to comparison shop online but purchase the actual policy in an agency.

How you compare quotes is your choice, just make sure you use the exact same coverages and limits for each comparison quote. If the quotes have different coverage information then you won’t be able to make a fair rate comparison.

Take advantage of these premium-slashing discounts

Auto insurance is neither fun to buy or cheap, but there’s a good chance there are discounts that you may not even know about. Some discounts apply automatically at quote time, but a few need to be specially asked for prior to getting the savings.

• Accident Forgiveness Coverage – This isn’t a discount exactly, but a handful of insurance companies permit an accident without raising rates as long as you don’t have any claims for a specific time period.
• Professional Memberships – Joining qualifying clubs or civic groups is a simple method to lower premiums on your policy.
• Defensive Driver – Successfully completing a driver safety class may get you a small discount and easily recoup the cost of the course.
• Sign Early and Save – Some companies provide a discount for signing up prior to your current policy expiring. It could save around 10% when you buy car insurance online.
• E-sign – A handful of larger companies provide a small discount shop car insurance online.
• Discount for Multiple Policies – If you combine your homeowners and auto policies and insure them with the same company they may give you a discount of at least 10 to 15 percent or more.
• Theft Deterent – Cars optioned with advanced anti-theft systems help deter theft and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
• Smart Student Discounts – Performing well in school could provide a savings of up to 20% or more. You can use this discount normally up to age 25.

Discounts save money, but please remember that many deductions do not apply to your bottom line cost. A few only apply to the cost of specific coverages such as liability, collision or medical payments. If you do the math and it seems like all those discounts means the company will pay you, you’re out of luck. Any amount of discount will bring down your overall premium however.

For a list of providers that can offer you the previously mentioned discounts, click here.

How do insurance companies determine Dodge Sprinter insurance rates?

Consumers need to have an understanding of some of the elements that go into determining your policy premiums. If you have some idea of what determines premiums, this helps enable you to make changes that will entitle you to lower insurance prices. Many different elements are used in the calculation when premium rates are determined. A few of the factors are predictable like your driving record, although others are more obscure such as whether you are married and annual miles driven.

• Always keep your coverage in place – Allowing your coverage to lapse is a guaranteed way to pay more for insurance. In addition to paying higher rates, failure to provide proof of insurance may earn you a revoked license or a big fine. You may need to provide proof of insurance in the form of an SR-22 filing with your state motor vehicle department to get your license reinstated.
• How credit history affects insurance prices – Credit score can be a huge factor in your rate calculation. If your credit rating can use some improvement, you could pay less to insure your 2003 Dodge Sprinter by spending a little time repairing your credit. People that have very good credit scores tend to be less risk to insure as compared to drivers with poor credit scores.
• Gender matters – Statistics show women tend to be less risk to insure than men. However, this does not mean men are worse drivers. They both are in fender benders in similar numbers, but the males have costlier accidents. Men also get ticketed for serious violations such as reckless driving. Males from age 16 to 21 are several times more likely to be in an accident and therefore pay the highest rates.
• Is your vehicle theft-ready? – Driving a car that has a built-in theft deterrent system can earn a premium discount. Theft deterrent systems like LoJack tracking devices, vehicle tamper alarm systems or GM’s OnStar system can help prevent your car from being stolen.
• Save annual miles and save money – The more you drive in a year’s time the more you’ll pay to insure it. Most companies calculate rates based upon how much you drive. Cars used primarily for pleasure use qualify for better rates than vehicles that are driven to work every day. Ask your agent if your insurance declarations sheet states the correct driver usage, because it can save money. A policy that improperly rates your Sprinter may be costing you higher rates.

Do I need special coverages?

When it comes to choosing the right insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there really is no “perfect” insurance plan. Everyone’s situation is a little different.

For example, these questions might point out whether or not you would benefit from professional advice.

• Should I waive the damage coverage when renting a car?
• Is upholstery damage covered by car insurance?
• Is my custom paint covered by insurance?
• Where can I find high-risk insurance?
• Why do I only qualify for high-risk insurance?
• What is PIP insurance?
• What happens if I owe more than my 2003 Dodge Sprinter is worth?
• Does medical payments coverage apply to all occupants?
• Where can I find DUI or SR-22 insurance?
• Why is insurance for a teen driver so high?

If you’re not sure about those questions but you think they might apply to your situation then you might want to talk to a licensed insurance agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, fill out this quick form. It only takes a few minutes and may give you better protection.

The ad said I’d save $381 a year!

Consumers can’t ignore all the ads that promise big savings for switching by State Farm, Geico and Progressive. They all make an identical promise of big savings if you switch your coverage.

How does every company sell you cheaper insurance coverage? You have to listen carefully.

Most companies have a certain “appetite” for the driver that will not have excessive claims. For example, a profitable customer might be a married male, has few claims, and has excellent credit. Someone who meets those qualifications will get the preferred premium rates and most likely will cut their rates substantially.

Consumers who do not match this ideal profile may be required to pay more expensive rates and ends up with the prospect going elsewhere. The wording the ads use say “customers that switch” not “everyone who quotes” can get the lowest rates when switching. That’s why insurance companies can advertise the way they do. This really emphasizes why you really should compare quotes as often as possible. It’s just too difficult to predict which insurance companies will have the lowest rate quotes.

Specific coverage details

Understanding the coverages of your policy aids in choosing the right coverages and the correct deductibles and limits. Policy terminology can be confusing and coverage can change by endorsement.

Comprehensive (Other than Collision) – Comprehensive insurance covers damage that is not covered by collision coverage. A deductible will apply then your comprehensive coverage will pay.

Comprehensive can pay for claims like vandalism, damage from getting keyed, theft and falling objects. The maximum amount your car insurance company will pay is the market value of your vehicle, so if the vehicle’s value is low consider dropping full coverage.

Protection from uninsured/underinsured drivers – This coverage provides protection when other motorists either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. Covered claims include medical payments for you and your occupants as well as your vehicle’s damage.

Since a lot of drivers only carry the minimum required liability limits, their liability coverage can quickly be exhausted. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage is very important.

Medical expense insurance – Medical payments and Personal Injury Protection insurance kick in for bills like chiropractic care, dental work and funeral costs. They are used to fill the gap from your health insurance program or if you do not have health coverage. They cover all vehicle occupants in addition to being hit by a car walking across the street. PIP coverage is not an option in every state and gives slightly broader coverage than med pay

Collision – Collision coverage pays for damage to your Sprinter resulting from a collision with an object or car. You will need to pay your deductible then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.

Collision coverage protects against things such as crashing into a building, damaging your car on a curb, backing into a parked car and crashing into a ditch. This coverage can be expensive, so analyze the benefit of dropping coverage from lower value vehicles. Another option is to raise the deductible to bring the cost down.

Auto liability – This coverage protects you from injuries or damage you cause to other’s property or people in an accident. This coverage protects you from legal claims by others. Liability doesn’t cover your own vehicle damage or injuries.

Liability coverage has three limits: per person bodily injury, per accident bodily injury, and a property damage limit. You commonly see limits of 50/100/50 that means you have $50,000 in coverage for each person’s injuries, a limit of $100,000 in injury protection per accident, and $50,000 of coverage for damaged propery.

Liability coverage protects against things such as loss of income, legal defense fees and repair bills for other people’s vehicles. How much coverage you buy is up to you, but buy higher limits if possible.

Spend less. Save more.

Budget-friendly auto insurance can be sourced online and from local insurance agents, so you should be comparing quotes from both in order to have the best chance of saving money. Some insurance companies do not provide rates over the internet and usually these regional carriers only sell through local independent agencies.

As you restructure your insurance plan, it’s not a good idea to buy poor coverage just to save money. There have been many situations where someone dropped physical damage coverage to discover at claim time that it was a big error on their part. Your goal should be to get the best coverage possible for the lowest price while not skimping on critical coverages.

Insureds switch companies for many reasons like denial of a claim, extreme rates for teen drivers, lack of trust in their agent and being labeled a high risk driver. Regardless of your reason for switching companies, finding a new company can be easy and end up saving you some money.

Additional auto insurance information can be found below:

• Uninsured Motorists: Threats on the Road (Insurance Information Insitute)
• Rental Reimbursement Coverage (Allstate)
• How to Avoid Common Accidents (State Farm)
• Auto Insurance Basics (Insurance Information Insitute)
• Speed and Speed Limit FAQ (iihs.org)