Did you fall for a flashy sales pitch and buy an underperforming, overpriced car insurance policy? Trust us when we tell you you’re not alone. Big-name insurance companies like Allstate, Liberty Mutual and State Farm continually hit you with TV and radio ads and it can be hard to not get sucked in by the cute commercials and find the best price available.
Companies offering auto insurance do not advertise every discount very well, so we took the time to find some of the best known and also the lesser-known discounts you could be receiving. If you don’t get every credit available, you are throwing money away.
Drivers should understand that most credits do not apply the the whole policy. Most cut the cost of specific coverages such as comp or med pay. So even though it sounds like it’s possible to get free car insurance, car insurance companies aren’t that generous.
A partial list of companies who might offer some of the above discounts are:
It’s a good idea to ask all companies you are considering which discounts they offer. Discounts may not be available in every state.
Finding a better price on auto insurance is not a difficult process. Just take a few minutes to compare quotes online with multiple companies. This can be accomplished in just a few minutes using one of these methods.
For a list of links to companies insuring cars in your area, click here.
It’s your choice how you get your quotes, but ensure you are comparing exactly the same quote information on every quote. If you are comparing different deductibles it’s impossible to find the best deal for your Dodge Stratus.
When buying adequate coverage, there is no cookie cutter policy. Everyone’s situation is unique so your insurance needs to address that. For instance, these questions might help in determining whether you might need professional guidance.
If you can’t answer these questions but one or more may apply to you, you may need to chat with a licensed insurance agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, take a second and 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.
Learning about specific coverages of your policy can be of help when determining the right coverages and the correct deductibles and limits. The terms used in a policy can be impossible to understand and even agents have difficulty translating policy wording. Listed below are the usual coverages found on most auto insurance policies.
Medical costs insurance
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage pay for bills such as rehabilitation expenses, dental work, surgery and nursing services. They are often used to fill the gap from your health insurance policy or if you lack health insurance entirely. It covers you and your occupants and will also cover being hit by a car walking across the street. Personal Injury Protection is only offered in select states and gives slightly broader coverage than med pay
UM/UIM Coverage
Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage provides protection from other motorists when they do not carry enough liability coverage. Covered claims include injuries to you and your family as well as damage to your 2001 Dodge Stratus.
Due to the fact that many drivers carry very low liability coverage limits, their limits can quickly be used up. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage should not be overlooked.
Collision insurance
This coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage caused by collision with a stationary object or other vehicle. You have to pay a deductible then your collision coverage will kick in.
Collision coverage pays for claims such as colliding with another moving vehicle, backing into a parked car, crashing into a ditch and hitting a parking meter. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so consider removing coverage from vehicles that are 8 years or older. Another option is to raise the deductible to save money on collision insurance.
Liability insurance
Liability insurance provides protection from damage or injury you incur to people or other property that is your fault. This insurance protects YOU against other people’s claims. It does not cover damage sustained by your vehicle in an accident.
Coverage consists of three different limits, per person bodily injury, per accident bodily injury, and a property damage limit. You commonly see limits of 100/300/100 which stand for $100,000 bodily injury coverage, a limit of $300,000 in injury protection per accident, and property damage coverage for $100,000.
Liability can pay for claims like structural damage, loss of income and repair bills for other people’s vehicles. How much coverage you buy is up to you, but consider buying as much as you can afford.
Comprehensive or Other Than Collision
Comprehensive insurance covers damage caused by mother nature, theft, vandalism and other events. You need to pay your deductible first then the remaining damage will be covered by your comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive coverage pays for things like hitting a deer, damage from getting keyed, vandalism and theft. The maximum amount a auto insurance company will pay at claim time is the ACV or actual cash value, so if it’s not worth much more than your deductible it’s probably time to drop comprehensive insurance.
As you go through the steps to switch your coverage, make sure you don’t skimp on critical coverages to save a buck or two. In many instances, an accident victim reduced comprehensive coverage or liability limits and found out when filing a claim that they should have had better coverage. The proper strategy is to buy the best coverage you can find at the best price while not skimping on critical coverages.
Cheaper 2001 Dodge Stratus insurance can be found on the web as well as from independent agents, so you should be comparing quotes from both in order to have the best chance of saving money. A few companies don’t offer online quoting and usually these smaller companies provide coverage only through local independent agents.
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