Think you have an expensive auto insurance policy? Don’t feel bad because you are not the only one feeling buyer’s remorse. Numerous insurers battle for your business, so it’s not easy to compare every provider to discover the definitive best rates possible.
It’s smart to compare prices occasionally because auto insurance prices are rarely the same from one policy term to another. Just because you found the lowest rate for Challenger insurance on your last policy there is a good chance you can find better premium rates now. Forget anything you know (or think you know) about auto insurance because you’re going to learn the easiest way to find better rates and still maintain coverage.
The best way to compare insurance rates in your area is to know the trick all the major auto insurance companies participate in a system to give rate comparisons. All consumers are required to do is provide a small amount of information including driver ages, whether you are single or married, if it has an anti-theft system, and if the car is leased. That rating data is sent automatically to insurance carriers in your area and they return rate quotes within a short period of time.
Consumers can’t get away from all the ads that promise big savings for switching from the likes of State Farm, Geico and Progressive. They all advertise the message that drivers will save a bundle if you get a free insurance quote and switch your car insurance coverage to their company.
But how can every company offer you a better deal?
Insurance companies have a certain “appetite” for a prospective insured that will add to their bottom line. An example of a profitable risk profile might have to be a female over age 40, has a clear driving record, and drives less than 7,500 miles a year. A propective insured who matches that profile will probably get cheap prices as well as save if they switch.
Drivers who cannot meet these standards must pay higher prices and this can result in the customer buying from a different company. If you listen to the ad wording, they say “people who switch” but not “all drivers who get quotes” save that much money. That’s why companies can truthfully lure you into getting a quote. Because of these techniques, drivers should compare many company’s premium rates. You cannot predict which car insurance company will have the lowest rates.
Car insurance is not cheap, but you may qualify for discounts that you may not know about. Certain credits will be shown when you complete an application, but some need to be specifically requested before you will receive the discount.
Discounts reduce rates, but you should keep in mind that many deductions do not apply to the entire cost. Most only reduce individual premiums such as medical payments or collision. Even though it appears adding up those discounts means a free policy, it just doesn’t work that way. Any qualifying discounts will reduce your insurance coverage premiums.
A few of the larger companies and a partial list of their discounts are shown below.
When getting a coverage quote, ask all the companies how many discounts you can get. Discounts may not apply to policyholders in your state. For a list of insurers with the best insurance coverage discounts, click here to view.
When it comes to buying adequate coverage, there is no “best” method to buy coverage. Everyone’s needs are different and a cookie cutter policy won’t apply. For instance, these questions might point out whether you would benefit from an agent’s advice.
If you don’t know the answers to these questions but you think they might apply to your situation, you might consider talking to an insurance agent. If you don’t have a local agent, take a second and complete this form or go to this page to view a list of companies. It is quick, free and can help protect your family.
Knowing the specifics of a insurance policy can be of help when determining which coverages you need and proper limits and deductibles. Insurance terms can be ambiguous and nobody wants to actually read their policy. Listed below are typical coverage types offered by insurance companies.
Collision insurance
Collision coverage pays for damage to your Challenger resulting from colliding with an object or car. A deductible applies then your collision coverage will kick in.
Collision coverage protects against things like crashing into a building, rolling your car, damaging your car on a curb and backing into a parked car. Collision is rather expensive coverage, so consider dropping it from older vehicles. You can also increase the deductible to bring the cost down.
UM/UIM (Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist) coverage
Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage protects you and your vehicle from other drivers when they are uninsured or don’t have enough coverage. It can pay for injuries to you and your family as well as your vehicle’s damage.
Because many people only purchase the least amount of liability that is required, it only takes a small accident to exceed their coverage. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is very important.
Medical payments and PIP coverage
Med pay and PIP coverage provide coverage for bills such as ambulance fees, chiropractic care and prosthetic devices. They are often utilized in addition to your health insurance program or if you are not covered by health insurance. They cover you and your occupants and will also cover getting struck while a pedestrian. Personal Injury Protection is not universally available and may carry a deductible
Comprehensive auto coverage
Comprehensive insurance coverage pays for 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 insurance covers claims like damage from a tornado or hurricane, hail damage and vandalism. The most you can receive from a comprehensive claim is the actual cash value, so if it’s not worth much more than your deductible it’s probably time to drop comprehensive insurance.
Auto liability insurance
Liability coverage will cover damage or injury you incur to other people or property by causing an accident. It protects YOU against claims from other people. It does not cover your own vehicle damage or injuries.
It consists of three limits, per person bodily injury, per accident bodily injury, and a property damage limit. Your policy might show values of 100/300/100 that translate to a $100,000 limit per person for injuries, a limit of $300,000 in injury protection per accident, and a limit of $100,000 paid for damaged property.
Liability can pay for things like repair costs for stationary objects, court costs and pain and suffering. How much liability coverage do you need? That is a decision to put some thought into, but it’s cheap coverage so purchase as much as you can afford.
The cheapest 2008 Dodge Challenger insurance is attainable from both online companies in addition to local insurance agencies, and you need to price shop both to have the best chance of lowering rates. Some insurance providers may not provide online rate quotes and most of the time these regional insurance providers prefer to sell through independent insurance agencies.
When buying insurance coverage, never skimp on coverage in order to save money. There are a lot of situations where an insured cut collision coverage to discover at claim time that it was a big mistake. The goal is to buy the best coverage you can find at a price you can afford, but do not skimp to save money.
Emmy Harmon
Can you buy custom paint coverage for a 2008 Dodge Challenger?
Vella Vang
I live in Miami, FL. Got car insurance quotes with Mercury, Esurance, Progressive, and Amica for my Dodge and I’m now saving $32 a month. Left Liberty Mutual to switch. :)
Nelly Robertson
Does Progressive insure after a DUI?
Mitchell Hester
Live in the eastern part of Springfield, Massachusetts. Don’t remember every company but I ended up saving about $20 each month.
Shane Glover
For me, State Farm was by far the cheapest in Greensboro, North Carolina.
Ali Battle
I got a good deal I think. Found cheapest coverage with AAA for my Dodge and cut my rates about $150 a year. God forbid I actually have a claim.
Gregoria Lambert
Cheap is not always the best policy. From north side of Phoenix, AZ. Got rates from Progressive, Amica, Encompass, and GMAC for my 2008 Dodge Challenger and am saving around $290 a year.
Lou Franklin
It all costs too much. I live in Buffalo, New York. Don’t remember every company but I ended up saving about $70 each month. A clean driving record helps.
Gianna Wooten
I’m in Spokane, Washington. Quoted with Safeco, Eastwood, Progressive, and AAA for my Challenger and I think I saved around $60 each month. Just go online and compare their rates.
Willene Perez
State Farm has the cheapest rates in Alaska. No comparison.
Luise Hughes
Got pretty cheap 2008 Dodge Challenger insurance from Allstate in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Della Browning
This is too expensive. Lifelong resident of Nampa, ID. Checked online prices for a 2008 Dodge Challenger. Ended up at about $270 savings annually. Went with Progressive. Was with Western Auto Insurance. Teenage drivers are expensive! It never hurts to quote around.
Mindi Mcdaniel
Liked the article. Checking in from Tucson, AZ. Got free quotes online for a 2008 Dodge Challenger. Ended up at about $320 savings annually. Went with 21st Century. Was with Esurance.