How Much Does 1998 Subaru Forester Car Insurance Cost?

Are you tired of not being able to afford to buy car insurance? You are in the same boat as millions of other consumers.

Lots of car insurance companies contend for your hard-earned dollar, and because of this it can be hard to compare car insurance companies to get the best rate

If you have car insurance now, you will most likely be able to cut costs considerably using these methods. Choosing the best insurance company for you is not that difficult. But vehicle owners benefit from understanding how big insurance companies sell insurance online and use this information to your advantage.

Lesser-known factors impacting Subaru Forester insurance rates

An important part of buying insurance is that you know the rating factors that come into play when calculating the price you pay for car insurance. Having a good understanding of what determines base rates enables informed choices that will entitle you to better car insurance rates.

The list below includes some of the items car insurance companies consider when setting prices.

  • Men are more aggressive – Statistics demonstrate that women are safer drivers than men. However, don’t assume that women are better drivers. Women and men tend to get into accidents in similar numbers, but the male of the species cause more damage and cost insurance companies more money. Men also tend to get cited for more serious violations like reckless driving and DUI.
  • Your car insurance rates can be influenced by your job – Did you know your occupation can influence how much you pay for car insurance? Occupations such as real estate brokers, architects and stock brokers have the highest rates in part from job stress and long work hours. On the other hand, professions such as scientists, students and performers get better rates for Forester coverage.
  • Optional equipment can affect rates – Owning a car with a theft deterrent system can get you a discount on your car insurance. Theft prevention devices like LoJack tracking devices, vehicle tamper alarm systems or GM’s OnStar system can help prevent your car from being stolen.
  • Discounts for multiple policies – Most companies will award you with lower prices to insureds who have multiple policies with them. It’s known as a multi-policy discount. Discounts can amount to anywhere from five to ten percent in most cases. Even if you’re getting this discount you may still want to compare other company rates to make sure you are getting the best deal.
  • Allowing your policy to lapse raises rates – Driving your car without having proper coverage is against the law and your next policy will cost more because you let your coverage lapse. And not only will your rates increase, but being ticketed for driving with no insurance might get you a hefty fine and possibly a revoked license.
  • Too many car insurance claims drive up costs – If you frequently file small claims, you can expect higher rates. Car insurance companies award discounts to drivers who are claim-free. Insurance coverage is intended for the bigger claims that can’t be paid out-of-pocket.
  • Pleasure use saves money – The more you drive in a year the more you’ll pay to insure your vehicle. Most insurance companies apply a rate based on their usage. Cars and trucks not used for work or commuting qualify for better rates as compared to vehicles used primarily for driving to work. Ask your agent if your car insurance policy is showing the correct driver usage. Incorrect usage on your Forester may be costing you.

You probably qualify for some discounts

Car insurance companies don’t always publicize all their discounts in a way that’s easy to find, so we researched both well-publicized and the harder-to-find savings tricks you should be using.

  • Clubs and Organizations – Participating in a professional or civic organization may earn a discount on auto insurance for Forester coverage.
  • E-sign – Certain companies give back up to $50 just for signing your application digitally online.
  • Pay Now and Pay Less – If you pay your bill all at once instead of paying each month you can actually save on your bill.
  • Low Mileage Discounts – Low mileage vehicles could qualify for a substantially lower rate.
  • Use Seat Belts – Using a seat belt and requiring all passengers to wear their seat belts can save up to 15% off your PIP or medical payments premium.
  • Military Discounts – Being on active duty in the military could be rewarded with lower premiums.
  • Drive Safe and Save – Drivers who avoid accidents may save up to 50% more for Forester coverage than their less cautious counterparts.
  • Save over 55 – If you’re over the age of 55, you can possibly qualify for reduced rates for Forester coverage.
  • Federal Employees – Active or retired federal employment could cut as much as 10% off for Forester coverage with certain companies.
  • Sign Early and Save – Some companies give discounts for switching policies before your current policy expires. It can save you around 10%.

Consumers should know that some credits don’t apply to the entire cost. Most only cut specific coverage prices like physical damage coverage or medical payments. So even though they make it sound like it’s possible to get free car insurance, you won’t be that lucky.

Insurance companies that may have these benefits include:

Before buying, ask all companies you are considering which discounts you may be entitled to. Discounts might not apply in every state.

Can switching companies really save?

Car insurance companies such as Allstate and Progressive consistently run ads on television and other media. They all seem to make an identical promise of big savings if you change to their company. How do they all make the same claim? This is how they do it.

All the different companies have a certain “appetite” for the driver that earns them a profit. For example, a preferred risk could be between the ages of 40 and 55, insures multiple vehicles, and has a short commute. A customer getting a price quote who fits that profile gets the lowest rates and therefore will save when switching.

Potential customers who don’t measure up to the requirements will be quoted a higher premium which leads to the driver buying from a lower-cost company. The ad wording is “customers who switch” not “everyone that quotes” save that much. This is how insurance companies can confidently make those claims. This emphasizes why it’s extremely important to compare as many rates as you can. It’s impossible to know which insurance companies will have the lowest Subaru Forester insurance rates.

There’s no such thing as the perfect policy

When it comes to choosing proper insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there isn’t really a single plan that fits everyone. Coverage needs to be tailored to your specific needs and your policy should reflect that. For example, these questions might point out whether your personal situation might need professional guidance.

  • Why does it cost so much to insure a teen driver?
  • Is my teen driver covered when they drive my company car?
  • Should I have a commercial auto policy?
  • Does my insurance cover my expensive audio equipment?
  • Can I afford to buy a different vehicle if my 1998 Subaru Forester is totaled?
  • Is a fancy paint job covered?
  • Do I need an umbrella policy?

If it’s difficult to answer those questions but one or more may apply to you, then you may want to think about talking to an agent. To find an agent in your area, take a second and complete this form or click here for a list of auto insurance companies in your area.

Auto insurance coverages explained

Learning about specific coverages of a auto insurance policy aids in choosing which coverages you need for your vehicles. Policy terminology can be ambiguous and reading a policy is terribly boring. Shown next are the usual coverages found on most auto insurance policies.

Insurance for medical payments – Coverage for medical payments and/or PIP provide coverage for bills such as chiropractic care, nursing services and ambulance fees. They are often used to cover expenses not covered by your health insurance policy or if there is no health insurance coverage. It covers you and your occupants and will also cover getting struck while a pedestrian. PIP is only offered in select states and gives slightly broader coverage than med pay

Liability – This coverage protects you from damage or injury you incur to people or other property in an accident. It protects you from legal claims by others. Liability doesn’t cover your injuries or vehicle damage.

It consists of three limits, bodily injury for each person, bodily injury for the entire accident, and a limit for property damage. As an example, you may have values of 50/100/50 which means a limit of $50,000 per injured person, $100,000 for the entire accident, and $50,000 of coverage for damaged propery.

Liability insurance covers claims like bail bonds, court costs, attorney fees and funeral expenses. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is your choice, but it’s cheap coverage so purchase as large an amount as possible.

Uninsured Motorist or Underinsured Motorist insurance – This coverage protects you and your vehicle when other motorists do not carry enough liability coverage. Covered losses include injuries to you and your family as well as damage to your Subaru Forester.

Because many people have only the minimum liability required by law, 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.

Comprehensive coverage (or Other than Collision) – This pays to fix your vehicle from damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. You first have to pay a deductible then your comprehensive coverage will pay.

Comprehensive insurance covers things like fire damage, damage from getting keyed, falling objects and a tree branch falling on your vehicle. The highest amount a auto insurance company will pay at claim time is the actual cash value, so if it’s not worth much more than your deductible consider removing comprehensive coverage.

Collision coverages – Collision insurance pays to fix your vehicle from damage resulting from colliding with a stationary object or other vehicle. You have to pay a deductible and then insurance will cover the remainder.

Collision insurance covers claims like sideswiping another vehicle, damaging your car on a curb, rolling your car and sustaining damage from a pot hole. Paying for collision coverage can be pricey, so consider dropping it from older vehicles. You can also raise the deductible to bring the cost down.

The bottom line

In this article, we covered some good ideas how you can shop for 1998 Subaru Forester insurance online. It’s most important to understand that the more times you quote, the better your comparison will be. Consumers may even find the lowest premiums are with a small mutual company. Some small companies may have significantly lower rates on certain market segments compared to the large companies like Progressive or Geico.

While you’re price shopping online, do not buy less coverage just to save a little money. There are a lot of situations where an insured cut comprehensive coverage or liability limits only to find out that it was a big mistake. Your focus should be to buy enough coverage at an affordable rate while not skimping on critical coverages.

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