Lower Your 2005 Volkswagen Golf Insurance Rates

Did you fall for a flashy sales pitch and buy an overpriced insurance coverage policy? It’s quite common and there are lots of people in the same boat.

Big companies like State Farm, Progressive and Geico all claim big savings, bombarding you with ads and it is challenging if not impossible to see through the deception and do the work needed to find the best deal.

If you currently have car insurance, you stand a good chance to be able to lower your premiums substantially using these tips. Choosing the best insurance company for you is not that difficult. Nevertheless, consumers need to learn the way insurance companies compete online and apply this information to your search.

Smart buyers can lower their insurance premiums

One of the most helpful ways to save on insurance coverage is to to have a grasp of the factors that come into play when calculating the rates you pay for insurance coverage. If you understand what positively or negatively impacts your premiums, this helps enable you to make changes that may result in big savings.

• Keep premiums low by being claim-free – If you are a frequent claim filer, you should expect either a policy non-renewal or much higher rates. Auto insurance companies give the lowest premiums to policyholders that do not abuse their auto insurance. Insurance coverage is intended for larger claims.
• Teenagers vs. mature drivers – Beginning drivers have been known to be easily distracted when driving with friends therefore insurance coverage rates are much higher. Older insureds are more responsible, file fewer claims and are safer drivers.
• Drivers with responsible credit save on insurance coverage – A driver’s credit history factor in determining premium rates. Insureds that have excellent credit tend to be better drivers and file fewer claims than drivers who have poor credit. So if your credit score can use some improvement, you could save money insuring your 2005 Volkswagen Golf by repairing your credit.
• Never have insurance coverage lapses – Having a lapse in insurance coverage is a fast way to trigger a rate increase. In addition to paying higher rates, getting caught without coverage could earn you a steep fine or even jail time. Then you may be required to file a SR-22 with your state DMV.
• Remove unneeded extra coverages – Insurance companies have many additional extra coverages that you can get tricked into buying if you aren’t careful. Insurance for things like coverage for rental cars, accidental death, and Farm Bureau memberships may be costing you every month. They may seem like a good idea when you first buy your policy, but if you don’t need them eliminate the coverages to reduce your premium.
• Getting married reduces risk – Walking down the aisle helps lower the price when shopping for insurance coverage. Having a spouse may mean you are more responsible it has been statistically shown that being married results in fewer claims.

Insurance quotes comparison

All the larger insurance companies like Progressive, Allstate and Geico allow you to get price estimates direct online. Getting prices online is fairly straightforward as all you need to do is type in your coverage preferences as detailed in the form. After the form is submitted, the company’s rating system makes automated requests for your driving and credit reports and returns pricing information based on these factors. This helps simplify price comparisons, but the time it takes to visit different websites and type in your information is a big time waster. Unfortunately, it is important to do this if you want to get better insurance pricing.

A more efficient way to lower your insurance bill uses just one form that analyzes rates from several different companies. It saves time, helps eliminate reptitive entry, and makes rate comparisons much simpler. Once the form is submitted, it is rated and you are able to buy any one of the returned quotes. If you find a better price you can simply submit the application and buy the new coverage. It can be completed in less than 10 minutes and you will find out if you’re overpaying now.

To find out if lower rates are available, simply click here to open in new window and input your coverage information. If you have a policy now, it’s recommended you copy coverages and limits exactly as shown on your declarations page. This helps ensure you are getting an apples-to-apples comparison based on identical coverages.

Lower-cost insurance rates with discounts

Auto insurance companies don’t always advertise the complete list of policy discounts in a way that’s easy to find, so we took the time to find a few of the more common and the more hidden savings tricks you should be using when you buy auto insurance online.

• Discount for Multiple Policies – When you combine your homeowners and auto insurance and insure them both with the same insurance company they may give you a discount of nearly 15% which can help you find low cost auto insurance.
• Driver’s Ed – Require your teen driver to successfully complete driver’s ed class as it will make them better drivers and lower rates.
• Senior Citizens – Drivers over the age of 55 may receive reduced rates on Golf coverage.
• Own a Home – Owning a house may trigger a policy discount on insurance because of the fact that having a home is proof of financial responsibility.
• Data Collection Discounts – Drivers who elect to allow data collection to scrutinize their driving habits by using a telematics device in their vehicle such as Allstate’s Drivewise and State Farm’s In-Drive system could possibly reduce rates if they exhibit good driving behavior.
• Seat Belt Usage – Requiring all passengers to buckle their seat belts can save 10% or more off the PIP or medical payment premium.
• Safety Course Discount – Completing a class that teaches defensive driving techniques is a good idea and can lower rates and also improve your driving technique.
• Discount for Good Grades – Being a good student may save you up to 25%. The good student discount can last until age 25.
• Low Miles Discount – Driving less can earn cheaper prices.
• Switch and Save Discount – Some larger companies provide a discount for signing up prior to your current policy expiring. This discount can save up to 10%.

One last thing about discounts, some credits don’t apply to your bottom line cost. Some only apply to the price of certain insurance coverages like medical payments or collision. Even though the math looks like all those discounts means the company will pay you, it doesn’t quite work that way.

The best insurance companies and a summarized list of policyholder discounts are detailed below.

• Geico may include discounts for five-year accident-free, federal employee, anti-theft, membership and employees, anti-lock brakes, driver training, and defensive driver.
• Auto-Owners Insurance policyholders can earn discounts including multi-policy, paperless, safe driver, anti-theft, student away at school, company car, and safe vehicle.
• American Family has discounts for air bags, mySafetyValet, early bird, accident-free, multi-vehicle, Steer into Savings, and good student.
• Esurance may offer discounts for good student, Switch & Save, online shopper, good driver, Pac-12 alumni, DriveSense, and anti-lock brakes.
• Progressive has savings for multi-policy, online signing, good student, continuous coverage, homeowner, multi-vehicle, and online quote discount.
• State Farm includes discounts for good driver, anti-theft, driver’s education, accident-free, defensive driving training, Drive Safe & Save, and multiple autos.
• AAA offers premium reductions for anti-theft, multi-policy, good student, pay-in-full, and education and occupation.

When getting free auto insurance quotes, it’s a good idea to all companies you are considering how many discounts you can get. A few discounts may not be offered in your area. To choose providers that offer some of these discounts, click this link.

Tailor your car insurance coverage to you

When it comes to buying proper insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there isn’t really a “perfect” insurance plan. Your needs are not the same as everyone else’s and a cookie cutter policy won’t apply. For example, these questions might point out whether or not you would benefit from professional advice.

• Is there coverage for injuries to my pets?
• Do I need roadside assistance coverage?
• Do I get a pro-rated refund if I cancel my policy early?
• When does my teenage driver need to be added to my policy?
• Should I bundle my homeowners policy with my auto?
• Is my business laptop covered if it gets stolen from my vehicle?

If you’re not sure about those questions, you might consider talking to a licensed insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, fill out this quick form or you can go here for a list of companies in your area.

Auto insurance coverages and their meanings

Knowing the specifics of your policy can help you determine the right coverages and the correct deductibles and limits. The terms used in a policy can be impossible to understand and even agents have difficulty translating policy wording. Listed below are the usual coverages found on most auto insurance policies.

Uninsured and underinsured coverage

Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage protects you and your vehicle when other motorists either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. Covered claims include medical payments for you and your occupants and also any damage incurred to your 2005 Volkswagen Golf.

Since many drivers have only the minimum liability required by law, their limits can quickly be used up. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage should not be overlooked.

Liability insurance

Liability coverage will cover injuries or damage you cause to other’s property or people that is your fault. This insurance protects YOU against other people’s claims, and doesn’t cover your injuries or vehicle damage.

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

Liability insurance covers claims such as court costs, structural damage, bail bonds and loss of income. How much coverage you buy is your choice, but you should buy as much as you can afford.

Collision coverage

Collision coverage covers damage to your Golf resulting from a collision with a stationary object or other vehicle. A deductible applies then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.

Collision coverage protects against things such as sustaining damage from a pot hole, colliding with a tree, scraping a guard rail, rolling your car and driving through your garage door. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so you might think about dropping it from vehicles that are older. It’s also possible to choose a higher deductible to bring the cost down.

Coverage for medical payments

Coverage for medical payments and/or PIP kick in for immediate expenses like pain medications, X-ray expenses and dental work. They are used in conjunction with a health insurance policy or if you lack health insurance entirely. Coverage applies to both the driver and occupants and will also cover being hit by a car walking across the street. PIP is not available in all states but it provides additional coverages not offered by medical payments coverage

Comprehensive coverages

Comprehensive insurance coverage will pay to fix damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. You first have to pay a deductible and the remainder of the damage will be paid by comprehensive coverage.

Comprehensive coverage pays for things such as hitting a deer, hail damage, theft, a tree branch falling on your vehicle and damage from flooding. The maximum amount a auto insurance company will pay at claim time is the ACV or actual cash value, so if it’s not worth much more than your deductible it’s probably time to drop comprehensive insurance.

Get your money’s worth

Some car insurance companies do not provide online quoting and usually these regional carriers prefer to sell through independent agencies. Budget-conscious 2005 Volkswagen Golf insurance can be sourced from both online companies in addition to many insurance agents, so compare prices from both to have the best selection.

As you quote auto insurance, you should never skimp on coverage in order to save money. There are a lot of situations where an accident victim reduced liability limits or collision coverage only to regret that they should have had better coverage. The aim is to find the BEST coverage at the best possible price, not the least amount of coverage.

To learn more, link through to the resources below:

• How Does Hitting a Deer Impact Insurance Rates? (Allstate)
• Side Impact Crash Tests (iihs.org)
• What are my Rights when Filing a Claim? (Insurance Information Insitute)
• Insuring a Leased Car (Insurance Information Insitute)