Compare 2003 MINI Cooper Insurance Rates

Do you get exhausted from sacrificing to buy insurance? You are no different than many other consumers. Insurance companies such as State Farm, Geico and Farmers Insurance continually hit you with catchy ads and it is difficult to separate fact from fiction and effectively compare rates to find the best deal.

It’s a good idea to check insurance prices every six months because prices trend upward over time. If you had the best rates for Cooper insurance a year ago a different company probably has better rate quotes today. Block out anything you think you know about insurance because you’re about to learn how to use online quotes to save money, get proper coverage and the best rates.

How to compare free insurance rate quotes

Lowering your 2003 MINI Cooper insurance rates is not rocket science. All that’s required is to spend a few minutes on the computer comparing rates provided by online insurance companies. This can be accomplished using a couple different methods.

1. The best way to find low rates is a comparison rater form like this one (opens in new window). This method eliminates the need for repetitive form entry for every insurance company. Taking the time to complete one form gets prices estimates direct from many companies.
2. Another way to analyze rates is to manually visit the website for every company you want to comare and get a separate price quote. For example, let’s say you want to view quotes from USAA, State Farm and Farmers. You would be required to go to each individual site to input your insurance information, which can get rather old.

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

Whichever way you choose to compare rates, be certain you are entering equivalent coverages and limits for each comparison quote. If you use mixed coverages it will be impossible to determine the lowest rate for your MINI Cooper.

Car insurance policy discounts

Car insurance is expensive, but there may be some discounts that you may not even know about. Certain reductions will be credited at the time you complete a quote, but some discounts are required to be asked for in order for you to get them.

• Bundle and Save – If you can bundle your homeowners and auto insurance with the same insurance company they may give you a discount of up to 20% and get you cheap auto insurance.
• Low Miles Discount – Driving fewer miles can qualify you for lower rates on the low mileage vehicles.
• Discount for Life Insurance – Select insurance carriers reward you with a break if you buy a life insurance policy as well.
• Pay Now and Pay Less – By paying your entire bill at once instead of paying each month you could save up to 5%.
• College Student Discount – Older children who live away from home at college and do not have access to a covered vehicle could qualify for this discount.

As a footnote on discounts, most discounts do not apply to all coverage premiums. Some only reduce the price of certain insurance coverages like physical damage coverage or medical payments. Just because it seems like having all the discounts means you get insurance for free, it doesn’t quite work that way.

A few of the larger companies and some of the discounts are shown below.

• Esurance discounts include good student, multi-policy, anti-lock brakes, online quote, and multi-car.
• The Hartford offers discounts for driver training, vehicle fuel type, anti-theft, air bag, good student, and bundle.
• AAA has savings for multi-policy, good driver, pay-in-full, education and occupation, good student, and AAA membership discount.
• Geico may offer discounts for emergency military deployment, multi-policy, defensive driver, anti-lock brakes, membership and employees, and multi-vehicle.
• State Farm offers premium reductions for multiple policy, defensive driving training, good driver, safe vehicle, and Steer Clear safe driver discount.

Check with every prospective company to give you their best rates. Some of the earlier mentioned discounts may not be available in every state. To choose insurers with the best discounts, follow this link.

How do I know if I need professional advice?

When buying adequate coverage, there isn’t really a “perfect” insurance plan. Everyone’s situation is a little different so your insurance needs to address that. Here are some questions about coverages that might help in determining whether your personal situation may require specific advice.

• Do I need PIP coverage since I have good health insurance?
• Does my insurance cover damage caused when ticketed for reckless driving?
• Am I covered if I crash into my own garage door?
• Am I covered when pulling a rental trailer?
• Do I really need UM/UIM coverage?
• Which companies will insure high-risk drivers?

If you don’t know the answers to these questions but a few of them apply, you might consider talking to a licensed agent. To find an agent in your area, simply complete this short form or you can also visit this page to select a carrier It’s fast, free and may give you better protection.

The coverage is in the details

Learning about specific coverages of a insurance policy helps when choosing the best coverages and proper limits and deductibles. Policy terminology can be confusing and coverage can change by endorsement. Shown next are the normal coverages found on most insurance policies.

Auto collision coverage

This covers damage to your Cooper resulting from a collision with an object or car. A deductible applies and the rest of the damage will be paid by collision coverage.

Collision can pay for claims such as hitting a parking meter, damaging your car on a curb, scraping a guard rail and colliding with a tree. Collision is rather expensive coverage, so consider dropping it from vehicles that are 8 years or older. You can also raise the deductible to save money on collision insurance.

Comprehensive coverages

This coverage will pay to fix damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. You first have to pay a deductible then your comprehensive coverage will pay.

Comprehensive insurance covers claims such as hail damage, theft, vandalism, damage from a tornado or hurricane and a broken windshield. The most your insurance company will pay is the actual cash value, so if your deductible is as high as the vehicle’s value it’s probably time to drop comprehensive insurance.

Liability car insurance

Liability coverage protects you from damage or injury you incur to people or other property. This coverage protects you against other people’s claims, and does not provide coverage for damage to your own property or vehicle.

Coverage consists of three different limits, per person bodily injury, per accident bodily injury, and a property damage limit. You commonly see liability limits of 100/300/100 that means you have $100,000 in coverage for each person’s injuries, a total of $300,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and property damage coverage for $100,000.

Liability coverage protects against claims like attorney fees, loss of income, emergency aid and repair costs for stationary objects. How much coverage you buy is a decision to put some thought into, but consider buying as large an amount as possible.

Coverage for medical payments

Coverage for medical payments and/or PIP pay for expenses such as dental work, ambulance fees and surgery. They are often used to fill the gap from your health insurance policy or if you do not have health coverage. Coverage applies to both the driver and occupants as well as getting struck while a pedestrian. Personal Injury Protection is not universally available and gives slightly broader coverage than med pay

Uninsured and underinsured coverage

Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage provides protection when the “other guys” either have no liability insurance or not enough. It can pay for injuries to you and your family and damage to your MINI Cooper.

Because many people carry very low liability coverage limits, their limits can quickly be used up. For this reason, having high UM/UIM coverages is important protection for you and your family.