People who are new to comparing insurance rates online may find finding the cheapest insurance nearly impossible.
It’s a good habit to check insurance prices on a regular basis because insurance rates fluctuate regularly. Just because you found the best price for Rio insurance six months ago you can probably find a better price now. Starting now, forget anything you know (or think you know) about insurance because it’s time to teach you the only way to save money, get proper coverage and the best rates.
An important part of buying insurance is that you know some of the elements that come into play when calculating the rates you pay for insurance. When you know what positively or negatively impacts premium levels enables informed choices that could result in better insurance rates.
The list below includes some of the factors insurance companies consider when setting premiums.
Insurance can cost an arm and a leg, but companies offer discounts to cut the cost considerably. Some discounts apply automatically when you complete an application, but some may not be applied and must be specially asked for prior to getting the savings.
Drivers should understand that most discounts do not apply to the overall cost of the policy. A few only apply to the price of certain insurance coverages like comp or med pay. So when it seems like you can get free auto insurance, you won’t be that lucky. But any discount will cut your premiums.
A partial list of companies who might offer these benefits include:
It’s a good idea to ask each company what discounts are available to you. Savings might not be offered everywhere.
Auto insurance providers like Geico, State Farm and Progressive continually stream ads in print and on television. They all make the same claim about savings after switching to them. But how can every company make almost identical claims? It’s all in the numbers.
Insurance companies have a preferred profile for the driver they prefer to insure. For instance, a preferred risk might be over the age of 50, insures multiple vehicles, and drives newer vehicles. A customer who meets those qualifications receives the best rates and therefore will save when switching.
Consumers who don’t meet this ideal profile must pay higher rates which usually ends up with the customer not buying. The ad wording is “customers who switch” not “everybody who quotes” save that much. That is how companies can truthfully make the claims of big savings.
This illustrates why drivers should get as many quotes as possible. It’s not possible to predict which insurance companies will have the lowest Kia Rio insurance rates.
When it comes to choosing the right insurance coverage, there really is not a perfect coverage plan. Everyone’s situation is a little different.
For instance, these questions can aid in determining whether or not you may require specific advice.
If you don’t know the answers to these questions but one or more may apply to you, you might consider talking to a licensed agent. If you don’t have a local agent, simply complete this short form.
Knowing the specifics of insurance can help you determine the right coverages for your vehicles. The coverage terms in a policy can be impossible to understand and nobody wants to actually read their policy.
Collision protection
This coverage pays for damage to your Rio resulting from colliding with another car or object. A deductible applies then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.
Collision coverage pays for claims such as sustaining damage from a pot hole, crashing into a ditch, hitting a parking meter and damaging your car on a curb. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so consider dropping it from vehicles that are older. Another option is to increase the deductible to bring the cost down.
Coverage for medical expenses
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage kick in for bills for X-ray expenses, rehabilitation expenses, nursing services, dental work and ambulance fees. They are used in conjunction with a health insurance policy or if you do not have health coverage. Coverage applies to not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants as well as being hit by a car walking across the street. PIP coverage is only offered in select states but it provides additional coverages not offered by medical payments coverage
Comprehensive insurance
This 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 pays for claims like damage from flooding, fire damage and a tree branch falling on your vehicle. The maximum amount your insurance company will pay is the ACV or actual cash value, so if the vehicle’s value is low consider removing comprehensive coverage.
Coverage for uninsured or underinsured drivers
Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage gives you protection when the “other guys” do not carry enough liability coverage. This coverage pays for medical payments for you and your occupants as well as damage to your Kia Rio.
Due to the fact that many drivers only purchase the least amount of liability that is required, it only takes a small accident to exceed their coverage. So UM/UIM coverage is important protection for you and your family. Usually these coverages are set the same as your liablity limits.
Liability auto insurance
This can cover damages or injuries you inflict on other’s property or people. It protects you from legal claims by others. Liability doesn’t cover damage to your own property or vehicle.
Liability coverage has three limits: bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident and property damage. You commonly see liability limits of 100/300/100 that means you have a limit of $100,000 per injured person, a per accident bodily injury limit of $300,000, and a total limit of $100,000 for damage to vehicles and property. Alternatively, you may have a combined limit which limits claims to one amount without having the split limit caps.
Liability coverage pays for things such as loss of income, bail bonds, attorney fees, emergency aid and repair costs for stationary objects. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is a decision to put some thought into, but consider buying as large an amount as possible.
Lower-priced 2008 Kia Rio insurance is definitely available on the web and with local insurance agents, and you need to price shop both to have the best rate selection. There are still a few companies who do not offer the ability to get a quote online and these smaller companies work with independent agents.
We just showed you a lot of ways to reduce insurance prices online. The key concept to understand is the more rate quotes you have, the higher the chance of saving money. You may even find the lowest rates come from a smaller regional carrier.
Consumers who switch companies do it for a variety of reasons including extreme rates for teen drivers, not issuing a premium refund, unfair underwriting practices or high rates after DUI convictions. Regardless of your reason, finding a new company is less work than it seems.