Compare 2004 Volkswagen Passat Insurance Rates

Feeling guilty for buying an underperforming, overpriced insurance policy? It’s quite common and you’re not alone.

Lots of insurance companies contend for your hard-earned dollar, so it’s not easy to compare every insurance company to discover the definitive lowest rate

You should make it a habit to check insurance prices as often as possible because insurance prices tend to go up over time. Just because you found the best rate for Passat insurance a few years ago you will most likely find a better premium rate today. You can find a lot of information about insurance on the web, but in this article, you’re going to get some excellent ideas to find cheap insurance.

If you currently have a car insurance policy, you will most likely be able to reduce your rates substantially using this information. Finding the best rates is not rocket science. Nevertheless, consumers do need to understand the methods companies use to sell online and use this information to your advantage.

Buy insurance coverage online

When shopping for insurance coverage there are multiple ways of comparing rates from different insurance companies. By far the easiest way to do a complete rate comparison is to use the internet to compare rates. This is very easy and can be done in a couple of different ways.

1. The fastest and easiest way to get the best comparison quotes would be an industry-wide quote request form like this one (opens in new window). This form keeps you from doing separate forms for each company you want a rate for. A single, simple form gets rate comparisons from several companies.
2. A different way to find lower rates is going to each company website to complete a price quote. For examples sake, let’s assume you want to see prices from Allstate, Safeco and Travelers. In order to get each rate, you would have to go to every website to enter your coverage information, which is why the first method is more popular.

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

3. The least efficient method to price shop rates is actually driving to all the different insurance agencies. The ability to quote online makes this unnecessary unless you have a need for the professional assistance of an agent trained in personal lines coverage. However, consumers can compare online quotes but purchase the actual policy in an agency.

It’s up to you how you get prices quotes, just ensure you’re using the exact same coverage information for each quote you get. If you are comparing different liability limits you will not be able to determine the best price for your Volkswagen Passat. Just slight variations in coverage limits could mean much higher rates. And when comparison shopping, getting more free quotes helps increase your odds of locating lower pricing.

Find discounts on insurance

Insurance is easily one of your largest bills, but you might already qualify for some discounts that you may not even know about. Many discounts should be triggered at the time of purchase, but occassionally some discounts must be asked about before they will apply.

• Multiple Policy Discount – If you combine your homeowners and auto policies and insure them both with the same insurance company you could earn a discount of nearly 15% which can help you find inexpensive insurance.
• Student Discount for Driver Training – Have your child take driver’s ed class as it can save substantially.
• Service Members Pay Less – Being deployed with a military unit can result in better rates.
• Discount for Home Ownership – Owning a home may earn you a small savings due to the fact that maintaining a home is proof of financial responsibility.
• Pay Early and Save – If you pay your bill all at once rather than spreading payments over time you can avoid monthly service charges.
• Theft Deterent – Vehicles that have factory alarm systems and tracking devices are stolen with less frequency and can earn a small discount on your policy.
• No Accidents – Drivers who don’t have accidents have much lower rates when compared with insureds who have frequent claims or accidents.

While discounts sound great, it’s important to understand that many deductions do not apply to the overall cost of the policy. Some only reduce the cost of specific coverages such as comprehensive or collision. If you do the math and it seems like you can get free auto insurance, companies wouldn’t make money that way. But all discounts will help lower the cost of coverage.

Some of the larger companies that may offer most of these discounts may include but are not limited to:

• Mercury Insurance
• Farmers Insurance
• Farm Bureau
• State Farm
• Allstate
• Geico

Before buying, ask each company or agent to give you their best rates. Some of the earlier mentioned discounts might not apply in your area.

Informed drivers know how to buy auto insurance more affordably

A large part of saving on auto insurance is knowing the factors that are used to determine the level of your policy premiums. If you have a feel for what influences your rates, this allows you to make educated decisions that may result in lower auto insurance prices.

• Marriage can lower premiums – Having a wife or husband helps lower the price when shopping for auto insurance. Marriage usually means you are more stable financially and insurance companies like that being married results in fewer claims.
• Extra coverages are wasting money – There are quite a few extra add-on coverages that may not really be needed on your auto insurance policy. Insurance for things like rental car reimbursement, towing coverage, and additional equipment coverage may be costing you every month. They may seem like a good idea when talking to your agent, but if you have no use for them eliminate the coverages to reduce your premium.
• Auto insurance rates and age – Teenage drivers have a tendency to be inattentive and easily distracted when behind the wheel so auto insurance rates are higher. Having to add a inexperienced driver onto your auto insurance can increase premiums substantially. Older drivers have been proven to be more responsible, tend to file fewer claims and receive fewer citations.
• Don’t get traffic citations – Just one speeding ticket may cause rates to rise substantially. Attentive drivers pay lower auto insurance prices than their less careful counterparts. Drivers who have flagrant tickets such as reckless driving or DUI may find they need to file a SR-22 with their state’s licensing department in order to prevent a license revocation.
• High physical damage deductibles reduce prices – Physical damage coverage, also known as collision and other-than-collision, is used to repair damage to your Volkswagen. Some examples of covered claims would be a broken windshield, flood damage, and damage from a fallen tree branch. Comprehensive and collision coverage deductibles represent how much money you are willing to pay out-of-pocket before your auto insurance pays a claim. The more money you have to pay, the less your company will charge you for insurance for Passat insurance.
• Insure your auto and home with one company – The majority of auto insurance companies apply a discount to people that purchase more than one policy, otherwise known as a multi-policy discount. This can amount to ten percent or more. Even though this discount sounds good, it’s in your best interest to check prices from other companies to ensure the best deal. You may still be able to save even more by buying auto insurance from a different company.
• Pleasure use saves money – Driving a lot of miles in a year’s time the more you will pay for auto insurance. The majority of insurers charge rates partially by how you use the vehicle. Cars left parked in the garage qualify for better rates than those used for commuting. A policy that improperly rates your Passat may be costing you higher rates. Verify your policy states the proper vehicle usage.

Tailor your insurance coverage coverage to you

When it comes to choosing adequate coverage, there really is not a “best” method to buy coverage. Every situation is different and a cookie cutter policy won’t apply. For instance, these questions may help highlight if your insurance needs would benefit from professional advice.

• I have health insurance so do I need medical payments coverage?
• Why am I required to buy liability insurance?
• Why is insurance for a teen driver so high?
• Am I covered when using my vehicle for business?
• Should I carry comprehensive and collision coverage?
• Does my insurance cover a custom paint job?
• Is extra glass coverage worth it?
• Can I afford to pay high deductible claims out of pocket?
• Does my liability insurance cover pulling a trailer or camper?

If it’s difficult to answer those questions but a few of them apply, you might consider talking to an agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, fill out this quick form or click here for a list of insurance coverage companies in your area.

Car insurance coverage specifics

Knowing the specifics of your policy aids in choosing the best coverages for your vehicles. Car insurance terms can be impossible to understand and nobody wants to actually read their policy. Below you’ll find typical coverages offered by car insurance companies.

Comprehensive coverage

Comprehensive insurance coverage covers damage from a wide range of events other than collision. A deductible will apply then the remaining damage will be covered by your comprehensive coverage.

Comprehensive insurance covers claims like damage from a tornado or hurricane, a tree branch falling on your vehicle, a broken windshield, hitting a deer and fire damage. The most your car insurance company will pay is the cash value of the vehicle, so if your deductible is as high as the vehicle’s value consider dropping full coverage.

Collision coverage

This pays to fix your vehicle from damage resulting from a collision with another vehicle or an object, but not an animal. A deductible applies and the rest of the damage will be paid by collision coverage.

Collision coverage pays for claims like colliding with a tree, sideswiping another vehicle, sustaining damage from a pot hole and rolling your car. Paying for collision coverage can be pricey, so you might think about dropping it from vehicles that are older. It’s also possible to increase the deductible in order to get cheaper collision rates.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage

This protects you and your vehicle’s occupants from other motorists when they either have no liability insurance or not enough. This coverage pays for injuries sustained by your vehicle’s occupants as well as damage to your Volkswagen Passat.

Since many drivers have only the minimum liability required by law, their limits can quickly be used up. So UM/UIM coverage is a good idea.

Medical payments coverage and PIP

Med pay and PIP coverage provide coverage for bills like dental work, EMT expenses and pain medications. They are used to fill the gap from your health insurance policy or if you lack health insurance entirely. Coverage applies to not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants and will also cover getting struck while a pedestrian. Personal injury protection coverage is not available in all states and may carry a deductible

Liability auto insurance

Liability coverage provides protection from damages or injuries you inflict on a person or their property. This coverage protects you against other people’s claims, and doesn’t cover your injuries or vehicle damage.

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 25/50/25 which stand for a limit of $25,000 per injured person, a total of $50,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and a total limit of $25,000 for damage to vehicles and property.

Liability insurance covers claims such as loss of income, medical services and attorney fees. How much coverage you buy is your choice, but buy as large an amount as possible.

Best coverage at the best price

As you go through the steps to switch your coverage, it’s very important that you do not sacrifice coverage to reduce premiums. There have been many situations where an accident victim reduced comprehensive coverage or liability limits and discovered at claim time that they should have had better coverage. Your focus should be to purchase a proper amount of coverage for the lowest price, but do not sacrifice coverage to save money.

More affordable insurance can be found on the web and from local insurance agents, and you should compare rates from both to have the best chance of lowering rates. Some insurance providers may not offer price quotes online and most of the time these regional carriers only sell coverage through independent insurance agencies.

Even more information is located by following these links:

• Drunk Driving Statistics (Insurance Information Insitute)
• Learn About Car Insurance (Geico)
• What Does No-Fault Insurance Cover? (Allstate)
• Vehicle Safety Ratings (iihs.org)
• All About Airbag Safety (State Farm)