Nobody I know looks forward to paying premiums for insurance coverage, in particular when the cost is too high. Big-name insurance companies like Progressive, State Farm and Geico all promote huge savings with ad campaigns and it is difficult to see past the geckos and flying pigs and take the time to shop coverage around.
If you have a policy now or are just looking to switch companies, you can use this information to get lower rates while maximizing coverage. Buying car insurance is easy if you know what you’re doing. Consumers only need an understanding of the proper way to find the lowest price online.
An important part of buying insurance is that you know some of the elements that are used to determine the level of your policy premiums. When you understand what positively or negatively impacts your premiums, this enables informed choices that may reward you with lower rates. Lots of factors are taken into consideration when you get a price on insurance. Some are pretty understandable like an MVR report, but other factors are more obscure like where you live or your financial responsibility.
The list below includes a partial list of the pieces used by companies to determine premiums.
Some insurance providers don’t always list every discount they offer in a way that’s easy to find, so the next list breaks down some of the more common as well as some of the hidden credits that may apply to you.
One thing to note about discounts is that some of the credits will not apply to all coverage premiums. Some only apply to specific coverage prices like physical damage coverage or medical payments. Just because you may think all the discounts add up to a free policy, it doesn’t quite work that way.
Larger auto insurance companies and a partial list of their discounts are shown below.
When quoting, ask every company what discounts are available to you. Some of the discounts discussed earlier might not be offered in your area. For a list of auto insurance companies that offer many of these discounts, click here to view.
When choosing the best insurance coverage, there isn’t really a “best” method to buy coverage. Coverage needs to be tailored to your specific needs so your insurance needs to address that. For instance, these questions may help highlight whether you could use an agent’s help.
If you’re not sure about those questions then you might want to talk to an insurance agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, take a second and complete this form or go to this page to view a list of companies. It’s fast, free and may give you better protection.
Understanding the coverages of your car insurance policy helps when choosing the right coverages for your vehicles. The coverage terms in a policy can be difficult to understand and even agents have difficulty translating policy wording. Below you’ll find typical coverages found on most car insurance policies.
This will pay to fix damage to your Durango caused by collision with another vehicle or an object, but not an animal. A deductible applies then your collision coverage will kick in.
Collision coverage protects against things such as crashing into a ditch, damaging your car on a curb and colliding with a tree. This coverage can be expensive, so analyze the benefit of dropping coverage from vehicles that are older. Drivers also have the option to bump up the deductible to get cheaper collision coverage.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage provide coverage for short-term medical expenses for rehabilitation expenses, pain medications and ambulance fees. They are often used in conjunction with a health insurance plan or if you are not covered by health insurance. Medical payments and PIP cover both the driver and occupants as well as being hit by a car walking across the street. Personal injury protection coverage is not available in all states but can be used in place of medical payments coverage
Liability insurance provides protection from damages or injuries you inflict on other’s property or people. It protects you from legal claims by others. Liability doesn’t cover your injuries or vehicle damage.
Liability coverage has three limits: bodily injury for each person, bodily injury for the entire accident, and a limit for property damage. You commonly see liability limits of 50/100/50 that means you have $50,000 bodily injury coverage, $100,000 for the entire accident, and a total limit of $50,000 for damage to vehicles and property. Alternatively, you may have one number which is a combined single limit which combines the three limits into one amount and claims can be made without the split limit restrictions.
Liability coverage protects against things such as emergency aid, structural damage, funeral expenses, repair costs for stationary objects and legal defense fees. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is a decision to put some thought into, but you should buy as much as you can afford.
Comprehensive insurance coverage pays for damage that is not covered by collision coverage. You first must pay your deductible then the remaining damage will be covered by your comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive coverage pays for things like hail damage, falling objects, damage from flooding and theft. The most a car insurance company will pay at claim time 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.
Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage provides protection from other drivers when they either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. This coverage pays for medical payments for you and your occupants and damage to your 2006 Dodge Durango.
Due to the fact that many drivers only carry the minimum required liability limits, it doesn’t take a major accident to exceed their coverage limits. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is a good idea. Most of the time the UM/UIM limits are identical to your policy’s liability coverage.
We just showed you many ways to get a better price on 2006 Dodge Durango insurance. It’s most important to understand that the more rate quotes you have, the higher your chance of finding cheaper insurance. You may even find the most savings is with some of the smallest insurance companies. Smaller companies may only write in your state and offer lower car insurance rates than the large multi-state companies such as Progressive or Geico.
As you prepare to switch companies, you should never sacrifice coverage to reduce premiums. There have been many cases where an insured cut collision coverage and found out when filing a claim that a couple dollars of savings turned into a financial nightmare. The aim is to find the BEST coverage at the best price, but do not sacrifice coverage to save money.
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Donetta Daugherty
Thanks for putting this site together. Proud to be from Denver, CO. Received quotes from AIG Insurance, MetLife, and USAA for my 2006 Dodge Durango and I’m now saving $35 a month. Was with Farmers. I increased coverages a little too. Highly recommended.
Windy Justice
If you have a good history and live in the vicinity of Bellevue, NE, check out 21st Century. You might get cheaper rates.
Moon Freeman
I’m from Los Angeles, CA. I got free quotes with MetLife, Eastwood, State Farm, and AAA for my Dodge and saved $211 a year.
Brinda Patterson
Will State Farm raise rates after an accident?
Saul Cantu
If you’re around Overland Park, Kansas try Allstate and GEICO and see which is cheaper.
Tonia Hutchinson
I live in a small town just outside of Kansas City, KS. Received prices from State Farm, GMAC, and Encompass for my 2006 Dodge Durango and saved just over $510 a year.
Isabel Schneider
Too expensive. I ride a bike.
Londa Cleveland
If you have a good history and are close to Concord, New Hampshire, check out 21st Century. They seem to be cheaper. Left Travelers to switch.
Leeanne Rollins
Will 21st Century raise rates for a windshield claim?