2004 Dodge Stratus Insurance Cost

Searching for better insurance prices for a Dodge Stratus could be a lot of work, but you can learn these tips to make it easier.

There are both good and bad ways to compare insurance rates so we’re going to tell you the absolute fastest way to get price quotes for a Dodge and get the lowest possible price either online or from local insurance agents.

If you have insurance now or are just looking to switch companies, you can use these techniques to reduce the price you pay and still get good coverage. Shopping for the best insurance coverage is easy if you know what you’re doing. Drivers just need to learn the proper way to get comparison rates on the web.

The Dodge Stratus insurance premium equation

Many factors are used when pricing auto insurance. Some are obvious such as your driving history, but others are not as apparent like your vehicle usage or your financial responsibility.

• Reserve auto insurance claims for larger damages – Insurance companies award cheaper rates to insureds who are not frequent claim filers. If you file claims often, you can pretty much guarantee either policy cancellation or increased premiums. Insurance coverage is intended to be relied upon for the large, substantial claims.
• Good drivers have lower costs – Having just one moving violation could increase your next policy renewal twenty percent or more. Drivers with clean records get better rates compared to bad drivers. Drivers who have received license-revoking citations like reckless driving, hit and run or driving under the influence may find that they have to to complete a SR-22 with their state DMV in order to legally drive.
• Drive less and get lower rates – Driving more miles every year the more you’ll pay to insure your vehicle. The majority of insurers calculate rates partially by how you use the vehicle. Vehicles that do not get driven very much cost less to insure than vehicles that have high annual mileage. Having an incorrect usage rating on your Stratus may be wasting your money. It’s a smart idea to ensure your auto insurance declarations sheet states the right rating data.
• Do you have enough liability insurance? – The liability coverage on your policy kicks in when you are found liable for causing damage or personal injury in an accident. Your liability coverage provides legal defense to defend your case. This coverage is relatively inexpensive as compared to coverage for physical damage, so insureds should have plenty of protection for their assets.
• Teenage drivers pay more – Mature drivers tend to be more responsible, cost insurance companies less in claims , and are generally more financially stable.Young drivers have a tendency to be careless and easily distracted when driving so auto insurance rates are higher.
• Save money with higher deductibles – Comprehensive and collision coverage deductibles tell how much you are willing to pay if a claim is determined to be covered. Physical damage insurance, otherwise known as comp (or other than collision) and collision, insures against damage to your car. Some examples of claims that would be covered could be collision with another vehicle, vandalism, and damage from wind. The more expense you pay before a claim is paid (deductible), the lower your rates will be on Stratus coverage.
• Poor credit decisions can cost you – Your credit history is likely to be a major factor in your rate calculation. Therefore, if your credit rating is lower than you’d like, you could save money insuring your 2004 Dodge Stratus by repairing your credit. People with very high credit ratings tend to be better risks to insure than drivers who have lower credit scores.

The best way we recommend to compare car insurance company rates is to take advantage of the fact most of the bigger providers allow for online access to quote your coverage. To get started, all you need to do is provide a small amount of information such as if a SR-22 is required, whether you are single or married, if you went to college, and how you use your vehicles. The data is instantly sent to multiple top-rated companies and you should receive rate quotes with very little delay.

Do you qualify for discounts?

Auto insurance companies don’t always publicize every policy discount in an easy-to-find place, so the next list breaks down both the well known as well as some of the hidden insurance savings. If you check and find you aren’t receiving every discount you deserve, you’re just leaving money on the table.

• Low Miles Discount – Driving less can qualify you for lower insurancerates due to less chance of an accident.
• Discounts for Federal Employees – Being employed by or retired from a federal job can earn a discount up to 10% on Stratus coverage with certain companies.
• ABS and Traction Control Discounts – Vehicles equipped with ABS or steering control have fewer accidents and will save you 10% or more.
• Club Memberships – Having an affiliation with qualifying clubs or civic groups could trigger savings when getting a insurance quote.
• Theft Deterent – Vehicles that have factory alarm systems and tracking devices can help prevent theft and will qualify for a discount on a insurance quote.
• Multi-line Discount – Not every insurance company offers life insurance, but if they do you may earn lower insurancerates if you buy a life insurance policy as well.

A little disclaimer on discounts, most discounts do not apply to the overall cost of the policy. Most only apply to specific coverage prices like medical payments or collision. Even though it may seem like you would end up receiving a 100% discount, that’s just not realistic.

Companies that may have some of the above discounts possibly include:

• The Hartford
• American Family
• Progressive
• Travelers
• Farmers Insurance
• USAA
• Liberty Mutual

When getting a coverage quote, ask all companies you are considering the best way to save money. Some credits might not be offered in your area. To locate insurers that offer many of these discounts, follow this link.

Don’t assume everyone needs the same auto insurance coverage

When it comes to buying coverage for your vehicles, there really is not a “perfect” insurance plan. Every situation is different.

These are some specific questions might point out if your insurance needs would benefit from an agent’s advice.

• How much liability do I need to cover my assets?
• I have a DUI can I still get coverage?
• Can I get a multi-policy discount for packaging my home and auto coverage?
• What is high-risk coverage and where do I buy it?
• Does my policy cover my teen driver if they drive my company car?
• Do I have coverage for damage caused while driving under the influence?
• Is my nanny covered when driving my vehicle?
• Am I covered when pulling a rental trailer?

If you don’t know the answers to these questions but you think they might apply to your situation then you might want to talk to a licensed insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, fill out this quick form. It only takes a few minutes and you can get the answers you need.

Insurance policy specifics

Understanding the coverages of a insurance policy aids in choosing which coverages you need and proper limits and deductibles. Insurance terms can be impossible to understand and coverage can change by endorsement.

Med pay and Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

Coverage for medical payments and/or PIP provide coverage for immediate expenses like nursing services, doctor visits, rehabilitation expenses and ambulance fees. They can be used in conjunction with a health insurance plan or if there is no health insurance coverage. Medical payments and PIP cover all vehicle occupants as well as any family member struck as a pedestrian. Personal injury protection coverage is only offered in select states but it provides additional coverages not offered by medical payments coverage

Comprehensive insurance

Comprehensive insurance will pay to fix damage that is not covered by collision coverage. You first have to pay a deductible and then insurance will cover the rest of the damage.

Comprehensive coverage protects against claims such as damage from flooding, vandalism, falling objects, hail damage and damage from a tornado or hurricane. The maximum amount a insurance company will pay at claim time is the actual cash value, so if the vehicle is not worth much consider dropping full coverage.

Collision coverage protection

Collision coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage caused by collision with a stationary object or other vehicle. You first must pay a deductible then your collision coverage will kick in.

Collision coverage protects against claims such as rolling your car, crashing into a building, sustaining damage from a pot hole and hitting a parking meter. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so consider removing coverage from older vehicles. It’s also possible to bump up the deductible to get cheaper collision coverage.

Auto liability

Liability insurance provides protection from damage or injury you incur to a person or their property by causing an accident. It protects YOU from claims by other people, and doesn’t cover your own vehicle damage or injuries.

Split limit liability has three limits of coverage: bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident and property damage. Your policy might show liability limits of 100/300/100 which stand for a $100,000 limit per person for injuries, a per accident bodily injury limit of $300,000, and $100,000 of coverage for damaged propery. Alternatively, you may have one number which is a combined single limit which limits claims to one amount without having the split limit caps.

Liability can pay for claims like loss of income, pain and suffering and attorney fees. How much liability coverage do you need? That is your choice, but consider buying as much as you can afford.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM)

This coverage protects you and your vehicle’s occupants when the “other guys” either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. This coverage pays for injuries to you and your family as well as your vehicle’s damage.

Since many drivers only purchase the least amount of liability that is required, it only takes a small accident to exceed their coverage. For this reason, having high UM/UIM coverages is a good idea. Frequently the UM/UIM limits are identical to your policy’s liability coverage.

Better coverage you can count on

We’ve covered many ideas to reduce 2004 Dodge Stratus insurance car insurance rates online. The key thing to remember is the more rate quotes you have, the better likelihood of getting inexpensive insurance. Consumers may even find the best price on insurance is with the least-expected company.

Insureds switch companies for a number of reasons such as questionable increases in premium, not issuing a premium refund, lack of trust in their agent and denial of a claim. It doesn’t matter why you want to switch finding a new insurance company can be pretty painless.

When buying insurance coverage, do not skimp on coverage in order to save money. There have been many cases where an accident victim reduced liability coverage limits only to regret at claim time they didn’t purchase enough coverage. Your focus should be to purchase a proper amount of coverage at the best cost while not skimping on critical coverages.

More resources

• Things to Know Before you Cancel Insurance (Allstate)
• Electronic Stability Control FAQ (iihs.org)
• How to Avoid Staged Accidents (State Farm)
• How Does Hitting a Deer Impact Insurance Rates? (Allstate)
• Neck Injury FAQ (iihs.org)
• Vehicle Size and Weight FAQ (iihs.org)