Nobody I know is fond of buying auto insurance, particularly when the price is too high.
There are many insurance companies to purchase coverage from, and though it is a good thing to have a selection, too many choices makes it more difficult to find the lowest rates.
Finding the lowest cost coverage is quite easy. Just about every driver who is shopping for insurance coverage will be able to find better rates. But drivers must know the way insurance companies market on the web because it can help you find the best coverage.
Some providers don’t always publicize all disounts very well, so the list below details both well-publicized as well as some of the hidden credits available to lower your premiums when you buy insurance coverage online.
As a disclaimer on discounts, some of the credits will not apply the the whole policy. Some only reduce the price of certain insurance coverages like medical payments or collision. So when it seems like having all the discounts means you get insurance for free, it doesn’t quite work that way.
To view insurers who offer discounts, click here to view.
Lots of factors are used when quoting car insurance. Some are pretty understandable like your driving record, but other factors are not as apparent like where you live or your vehicle rating.A large part of saving on insurance is knowing the different types of things that play a part in calculating your policy premiums. When you know what positively or negatively influences your rates, this allows you to make educated decisions that could result in lower premium levels.
The following are most of the major factors insurance companies consider when setting prices.
When buying the best auto insurance coverage, there isn’t really a “perfect” insurance plan. Everyone’s situation is a little different so your insurance should reflect that Here are some questions about coverages that may help you determine if your situation might need professional guidance.
If you’re not sure about those questions, you might consider talking to an insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, complete this form or go to this page to view a list of companies.
Companies like 21st Century, Allstate and State Farm constantly bombard you with ads on TV and radio. They all make an identical promise of big savings if you just switch your car insurance coverage to their company. How do they all charge you less for auto insurance? Here is the trick they use.
Different companies offer their best rates for the type of driver that earns them the highest profit. One example of a desirable risk could be over the age of 50, has few claims, and chooses high deductibles. Any new insured who fits those characteristics gets the lowest prices and as a result will probably save a lot if they switch.
Drivers who do not fit the requirements will get higher prices and this results in the customer buying from someone else. If you pay close attention to the ads, they say “people who switch” but not “all drivers who get quotes” can save as much as they claim. That is how insurance companies can make it sound like they have such great auto insurance rates.
Different companies use different criteria so it’s extremely important to compare price quotes frequently. It is impossible to guess with any certainty which company will give you lower rates than your current company.
Knowing the specifics of your insurance policy can be of help when determining the right coverages and proper limits and deductibles. Policy terminology can be difficult to understand and even agents have difficulty translating policy wording. These are typical coverages available from insurance companies.
Liability car insurance
This coverage can cover injuries or damage you cause to a person or their property in an accident. This coverage protects you from claims by other people. It does not cover your injuries or vehicle damage.
Coverage consists of three different limits, bodily injury for each person injured, bodily injury for the entire accident and a property damage limit. Your policy might show limits of 25/50/25 which stand for $25,000 bodily injury coverage, $50,000 for the entire accident, and a limit of $25,000 paid for damaged property. Some companies may use a combined single limit or CSL which combines the three limits into one amount and claims can be made without the split limit restrictions.
Liability insurance covers things such as pain and suffering, structural damage and court costs. How much liability coverage do you need? That is a decision to put some thought into, but consider buying higher limits if possible.
Collision insurance
This coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage caused by collision with another car or object. You first must pay a deductible then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.
Collision insurance covers claims like colliding with a tree, rolling your car and crashing into a building. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so analyze the benefit of dropping coverage from vehicles that are older. Drivers also have the option to choose a higher deductible to get cheaper collision coverage.
Comprehensive (Other than Collision)
This pays to fix your vehicle from damage caused by mother nature, theft, vandalism and other events. You first must pay your deductible then the remaining damage will be covered by your comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive insurance covers things like hitting a bird, damage from a tornado or hurricane, theft, fire damage and hail damage. The maximum payout you can receive from a comprehensive claim is the cash value of the vehicle, so if the vehicle is not worth much consider dropping full coverage.
Medical expense insurance
Med pay and PIP coverage provide coverage for immediate expenses such as nursing services, doctor visits, dental work, surgery and ambulance fees. They can be utilized in addition to your health insurance policy or if you are not covered by health insurance. Coverage applies to all vehicle occupants and will also cover if you are hit as a while walking down the street. Personal Injury Protection is not universally available but can be used in place of medical payments coverage
Protection from uninsured/underinsured drivers
This coverage gives you protection from other motorists when they are uninsured or don’t have enough coverage. This coverage pays for medical payments for you and your occupants and also any damage incurred to your Mazda CX-7.
Since a lot of drivers carry very low liability coverage limits, it only takes a small accident to exceed their coverage. For this reason, having high UM/UIM coverages is very important. Frequently your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverages do not exceed the liability coverage limits.
You just learned many tips how you can lower your 2010 Mazda CX-7 insurance car insurance rates. The key thing to remember is the more times you quote, the better your comparison will be. Consumers may even find the lowest priced insurance comes from a small mutual company. Regional companies may have significantly lower premium rates on certain market segments compared to the large companies like Progressive and Geico.
When getting insurance coverage quotes online, make sure you don’t buy lower coverage limits just to save a few bucks. There have been many cases where someone dropped uninsured motorist or liability limits and discovered at claim time that it was a big mistake. Your goal is to buy enough coverage for the lowest cost while still protecting your assets.
Kesha Christensen
I found pretty cheap rate quotes for a 2010 Mazda CX-7 in Denver, Colorado. Ended up at roughly $510 every six months with Auto-Owners. Was with Farmers. I even had a DUI years ago. I quoted rates online then called them.
Alia Keith
If you have a clean record and live in the vicinity of San Diego, California, check out GEICO. They seem to be cheaper. I recommend comparing lots of rates.
Aracelis Bridges
Lots of useful info here. Got a quote with Farmers for my Mazda and am saving around $220 a year.
Amberly Washington
I’m looking for cheaper coverage. Found cheapest coverage with Erie for my 2010 Mazda CX-7 and saved around $280 a year. Thankfully I’m not a high risk driver. I used their online quote form to compare rates.
Dino Bray
I’m in the suburbs of Springfield, MO. I quoted with GEICO, Auto-Owners, Encompass, and Hanover for my CX-7 and I’m now saving $44 a month. Was with Erie. Have an at-fault accident tho.
Thaddeus Craig
If you have a good history and live near Henderson, NV, check out State Farm. I saved quite a bit. I have a couple other vehicles on the policy.
Mariann Atkinson
Will 21st Century raise rates for a windshield claim?
Yon Ruiz
I’m in the suburbs of Columbus, GA. I compared lots of rates. Saved right around $30 a month. Allstate was the best choice for me. LOL
Isiah Stout
Cheap is relative. I’m just south of Memphis, TN. Compared quite a few companies. Saved right around $20 a month. 21st Century was the best choice for me. Was with AIG Insurance. I’m a pretty low risk driver. I used their online quote form to compare rates.
Sabra Richards
I live on the west side of Spokane, Washington. Quoted with Hanover, Amica, Safeco, and a couple others for my 2010 Mazda CX-7 and saved $492 a year. I used their online quote form to compare rates.
Virgil Drake
Cheap car insurance? What’s that? I live north of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Don’t remember every company but I ended up saving about $60 each month. Have a couple speeding tickets too. You can get a rate quote online.
Man Mccarthy
I’m looking for cheaper coverage. Lifelong resident of Fort Smith, Arkansas. Received quotes with American Family, MetLife, and Western Auto Insurance for my CX-7 and I’m now saving $54 a month.
Misti Galloway
Good site, thanks. I’m in West Valley City, UT. Got rates from GEICO, Esurance, and The General for my 2010 Mazda CX-7 and saved about $250 a year.
Dianne Foreman
When should I drop comp and collision?
King Mccall
If you have a good history and live around Shreveport, LA, check out State Farm. You might get cheaper rates. Insured with The General before. Get lots of quotes to find the best rate.
Shenita Lancaster
In Los Angeles, California, Allstate auto insurance rates for my 2010 Mazda CX-7 were good. Just waiting to see how claims go.
Benito Delgado
I got quite a few price quotes for a 2010 Mazda CX-7 in Manchester, New Hampshire. Ended up at right around $240 every six months with American Family. Insured with Western Auto Insurance before. Got better coverage too. Hardly afford to drive anymore.