Cheaper 2011 Volkswagen Routan Car Insurance Cost

Looking for better car insurance rates for your Volkswagen Routan? Being forced to pay for expensive car insurance premiums can overdraw your savings and possibly require postponing other expenditures. Comparing rate quotes is free, only takes a few minutes, and is a good way to ensure you are getting the best deal.

You have so many insurers to buy insurance from, and though it is a good thing to have a choice, having more insurance companies makes it harder to compare rates.

It’s a great practice to get comparison quotes quite often because car insurance rates are adjusted regularly by insurance companies. Even if you think you had the best premium rates on Routan insurance a couple years back the chances are good that you can find a lower price today. Ignore everything you know about car insurance because you’re about to find out the quickest way to buy cheaper car insurance.

The purpose of this post is to familiarize you with how to effectively get price quotes and some money-saving tips. If you have car insurance now, you should be able to reduce your rates substantially using this strategy. Drivers just need to know the proper way to shop for auto insurance online.

How much does insurance cost?

Cutting your insurance rates can be surprisingly simple. The only thing you need to do is invest a little time comparing free insurance quotes from online providers. This can easily be done by using one of the methods below.

If you are pressed for time, the simplest way to get the best comparison quotes is a comparison rater form like this one (opens in new window). This type of form keeps you from doing separate quotation requests for each company. One form gets insurance cost estimates from all major companies.

A more difficult way to get comparison quotes is to take the time to go to the website of each company and get a separate price quote. For sake of this example, let’s assume you want to view quotes from Farmers, Safeco and Liberty Mutual. In order to compare rates, you need to navigate to each company’s site to enter your coverage information, which is not fast way to get rate quotes. For a list of links to companies insuring cars in your area, click here.

Whichever way you use, make darn sure you compare apples-to-apples quote information with each company. If you compare different data it will be impossible to decipher which rate is best.

Discounts for affordable insurance coverage rates

Insurance coverage is not an enjoyable expense, but you might find some hidden discounts that could help you make your next renewal payment. A few discounts will be applied at the time you complete a quote, but less common discounts must be asked for before you will receive the discount.

• Discounts for Government Workers – Employees or retirees of the government could qualify for a slight premium decrease on Routan insurance with select insurance companies.
• Telematics Devices – People who choose to allow driving data collection to study driving patterns by using a telematics device such as State Farm’s In-Drive may see discounts if they have good driving habits.
• Own a Home – Being a homeowner may earn you a small savings because owning a home demonstrates responsibility.
• Defensive Driver – Taking part in a course in defensive driving is a good idea and can lower rates and also improve your driving technique.
• Passive Restraint Discount – Vehicles with factory air bags or automatic seat belts can get savings up to 30%.
• Save over 55 – Mature drivers could receive a slight reduction on a insurance quote on Routan insurance.
• Student Driver Training – Teen drivers should enroll in driver’s education in school or through a local driver safety program.
• No Charge for an Accident – Not really a discount, but a handful of insurance companies permit an accident before raising your premiums if you are claim-free for a specific time period.

One last thing about discounts, most discount credits are not given to all coverage premiums. Most only apply to individual premiums such as comprehensive or collision. Despite the fact that it seems like you can get free auto insurance, you aren’t that lucky.

Companies that possibly offer most of these discounts include:

• Geico
• Auto-Owners Insurance
• American Family
• Esurance
• Progressive
• State Farm
• AAA

It’s a good idea to ask every prospective company which credits you are entitled to. Depending on the company, some discounts may not be available in your area. To view companies who offer cheap insurance coverage quotes, click here to view.

How do insurance providers determine Volkswagen Routan insurance rates?

Consumers need to have an understanding of the factors that go into determining the level of your policy premiums. If you understand what influences your rates, this empowers consumers to make smart changes that may reward you with lower premium levels. Lots of factors are used in the calculation when you get a price on insurance. Some of the criteria are obvious such as your driving record, but others are not quite as obvious such as whether you are married or your vehicle rating.

The itemized list below are just a few of the factors used by insurance companies to determine premiums.

• Never let your coverage expire – Allowing your insurance coverage policy to lapse is a guaranteed way to increase your insurance coverage rates. Not only will you pay higher rates, being ticketed for driving with no insurance can result in a steep fine or even jail time. Then you may be required to submit proof of financial responsibility or a SR-22 with your state department of motor vehicles.
• Lower rates for vehicles with better crash test results – Cars with five star safety ratings tend to have lower insurance rates. These vehicles reduce the chance of injuries and lower injury rates translates into fewer and smaller insurance claims which can mean better rates for you. If the Volkswagen Routan is rated at a minimum an “acceptable” rating on the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety website or four stars on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website you may qualify for a discount.
• Alarm systems save money – Driving a car with a theft deterrent system can save you some money. Theft prevention devices such as GM’s OnStar, tamper alarm systems and vehicle immobilizers all help prevent your vehicle from being stolen.
• Do you really need the add-on coverages? – Insurance companies have many additional extra coverages that can waste your money if you aren’t careful. Add-on coverages like rental car coverage, towing coverage, and extra equipment coverage are examples of these. They may seem good at first, but your money might be better spent on other coverage so remove them from your policy.
• Companies want multiple policies – Lots of insurers afford better rates to customers who consolidate policies with them such as combining an auto and homeowners policy. Discounts can add up to five, ten or even twenty percent. Even if you’re getting this discount consumers should still compare rates to help ensure you have the lowest rates. Drivers may still find better rates by buying insurance from more than one company.
• Men pay higher costs – Over the last 50 years, statistics have shown women tend to be less risk to insure than men. It does not mean men are WORSE drivers than women. Men and women cause accidents at a similar rate, but guys cause more damage and cost insurance companies more money. Men also tend to receive more major tickets such as driving while intoxicated (DWI) or driving recklessly.
• Low stress job equals lower insurance coverage rates – Did you know your career choice can influence rates? Jobs such as real estate brokers, social workers and stock brokers are shown to have higher premium rates because of job stress and long work hours. Conversely, occupations like professors, athletes and retirees generally pay rates lower than average on Routan insurance.
• Drive fewer miles and save – The higher the miles on your Volkswagen each year the more you’ll pay to insure it. A lot of insurance companies rate vehicles based upon how the vehicle is primarily used. Vehicles used primarily for pleasure use cost less to insure than vehicles that are driven to work every day. A policy that improperly rates your Routan may be costing you. It’s always a good idea to double check that your insurance coverage declarations sheet properly reflects the right rating data.

Tailor your insurance coverage to you

When it comes to buying adequate coverage, there really is not a best way to insure your cars. Each situation is unique and a cookie cutter policy won’t apply. For instance, these questions can aid in determining if you may require specific advice.

• Should I get collision insurance on every vehicle?
• I have good health insurance, so how much medical payments coverage do I need?
• Do I need special endorsements for business use of my vehicle?
• Why do I only qualify for high-risk insurance?
• Am I covered if I crash into my own garage door?
• Can I get a multi-policy discount?
• Is motorclub coverage worth it?
• Should I buy more coverage than the required minimum liability coverage?
• Will my insurance pay for OEM parts?

If it’s difficult to answer those questions, then you may want to think about talking to a licensed insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, complete this form or you can go here for a list of companies in your area. It’s fast, free and can provide invaluable advice.

Slick advertising tricks that work

Consumers can’t avoid all the ads that claim the lowest car insurance rates by Allstate and Progressive. All the ads state the claim that you can save if you switch your insurance coverage to their company.

How does every insurance company charge less that you’re paying now? It’s all in the words they use.

Insurance providers provide the lowest rates for the right customer that makes them money. For instance, a driver they prefer could possibly be between the ages of 40 and 55, has a clean driving record, and does not commute to work. Someone who matches that profile will probably get cheap car insurance rates and will save a lot of money.

Drivers who cannot meet this ideal profile will probably have to pay higher premium rates which leads to the prospect going elsewhere. The trick is to say “customers who switch” not “all people who quote” save that kind of money. That is how insurance companies can confidently make those statements.

This really emphasizes why it is so important to get a wide range of price quotes. It is just not possible to predict the company that will have the best prices.

Coverage specifics

Having a good grasp of a car insurance policy can help you determine appropriate coverage for your vehicles. The terms used in a policy can be confusing and reading a policy is terribly boring. Below you’ll find typical coverage types available from car insurance companies.

Uninsured or underinsured coverage

Your UM/UIM coverage protects you and your vehicle’s occupants from other drivers when they either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. This coverage pays for hospital bills for your injuries as well as your vehicle’s damage.

Due to the fact that many drivers have only the minimum liability required by law, their liability coverage can quickly be exhausted. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is a good idea. Normally your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverages are set the same as your liablity limits.

Comprehensive protection

Comprehensive insurance coverage pays for damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. You first have to pay a deductible then your comprehensive coverage will pay.

Comprehensive coverage protects against claims like fire damage, hitting a bird and damage from flooding. The maximum payout you can receive from a comprehensive claim 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.

Liability coverages

Liability insurance will cover damages or injuries you inflict on other’s property or people by causing an accident. This coverage protects you against claims from other people. Liability doesn’t cover damage sustained by your vehicle in an accident.

It consists of three limits, bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident and property damage. You commonly see limits of 100/300/100 which means 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. Occasionally you may see a combined single limit or CSL which limits claims to one amount without having the split limit caps.

Liability insurance covers things like emergency aid, medical expenses, structural damage, medical services and pain and suffering. How much liability coverage do you need? That is a personal decision, but you should buy as high a limit as you can afford.

Collision coverage protection

Collision coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage from colliding with an object or car. You will need to pay your deductible then your collision coverage will kick in.

Collision insurance covers claims such as hitting a mailbox, colliding with a tree, backing into a parked car, crashing into a ditch and crashing into a building. Paying for collision coverage can be pricey, so you might think about dropping it from vehicles that are older. Drivers also have the option to raise the deductible to bring the cost down.

Medical expense coverage

Coverage for medical payments and/or PIP pay for expenses for pain medications, nursing services and surgery. They are often used in conjunction with a health insurance policy or if you do not have health coverage. Coverage applies to all vehicle occupants as well as getting struck while a pedestrian. PIP is only offered in select states but it provides additional coverages not offered by medical payments coverage

Don’t throw your cash in the trash

Cost effective 2011 Volkswagen Routan insurance can be purchased on the web as well as from insurance agents, so you should be comparing quotes from both to have the best selection. A few companies may not provide the ability to get quotes online and these smaller companies provide coverage only through independent insurance agencies.

We covered a lot of information how to save on 2011 Volkswagen Routan insurance. The key thing to remember is the more rate comparisons you have, the more likely it is that you will get a better rate. Consumers could even find that the best price on insurance coverage is with a lesser-known regional company. Regional companies can often insure niche markets at a lower cost than the large multi-state companies such as Allstate and Progressive.

More detailed insurance coverage information is available by following these links:

• Preventing Carjacking and Theft (Insurance Information Insitute)
• When is the Right Time to Switch Car Insurance Companies? (Allstate)
• State Car Insurance Guides (Geico)
• Auto Insurance FAQ (Farmers Insurance)
• How do I File a Claim? (Insurance Information Insitute)