2010 BMW 1 Series Car Insurance Rates – 9 Discounts for Best Quotes

Having to pay for overpriced car insurance can empty your checking account, especially in this economy. Comparing price quotes is a great way to slash your bill and have more diposable income.

Numerous car insurance companies battle to insure your vehicles, and it can be difficult to compare rates to discover the definitive lowest cost out there.

Which Car Insurance is Cheapest?

There are several ways to compare rate quotes from car insurance companies in your area. The simplest method to find competitive 2010 BMW 1 Series insurance rates consists of shopping online. This can be done using a couple different methods.

  1. The most efficient way to get quotes for comparison is an all-inclusive rate comparison (click to open form in new window). This easy form saves time by eliminating a different quote to each individual car insurance company. One form submission gets you price quotes from several companies.
  2. A more difficult way to obtain and compare quotes online consists of going to the website of each company to complete a price quote. For example, we’ll assume you want rates from Progressive, State Farm and GMAC. To get rate quotes you would need to go to every website to enter your coverage information, which is why the first method is quicker.

    For a list of links to insurance companies in your area, click here.

  3. The least recommended way of comparing rate quotes is to spend your day driving to and from local insurance agencies. Shopping for car insurance online can eliminate the need for a local agent unless you require the personal advice only provided by licensed agents. You can, however, comparison shop your insurance online but still have the advice of a local agent and we’ll touch on that later.

It doesn’t matter which method you choose, just make absolute certain that you use the exact same quote information for each comparison quote. If each company quotes unequal deductibles or liability limits it will be very difficult to make a fair comparison for your BMW 1 Series. Slightly different coverage limits may cause a big price difference. And when quoting car insurance, remember that getting more free quotes will improve the odds of getting the best price.

Companies offer discounts so take them!

Companies offering auto insurance don’t always list every discount in an easy-to-find place, so the following is a list of some of the best known and the more hidden discounts you could be receiving.

  • Payment Method – If paying your policy premium upfront instead of monthly or quarterly installments you can actually save on your bill.
  • Federal Government Employee – Simply working for the federal government can earn a discount up to 10% on 1 Series insurance with a few auto insurance companies.
  • Passive Restraint Discount – Cars that have air bags or motorized seat belts can qualify for discounts of 20% or more.
  • Anti-lock Brakes – Vehicles equipped with ABS or steering control can avoid accidents and will save you 10% or more.
  • Service Members Pay Less – Being deployed with a military unit may qualify for rate reductions.
  • Memberships – Belonging to certain professional organizations is a good way to get lower rates when buying auto insurance on 1 Series insurance.
  • College Student – Children living away from home attending college without a vehicle on campus can receive lower rates.
  • Low Mileage Discounts – Fewer annual miles on your BMW can earn better rates on cars that stay parked.
  • Early Signing – Some companies give discounts for switching policies prior to your current policy expiring. This can save 10% or more.

It’s important to understand that some credits don’t apply to the entire cost. Most only apply to the cost of specific coverages such as physical damage coverage or medical payments. So even though it sounds like you could get a free auto insurance policy, companies don’t profit that way.

Car insurance companies who might offer some of the above discounts include:

Double check with every prospective company what discounts are available to you. All car insurance discounts may not be available in your area.

Do I just need basic coverages?

When choosing coverage, there is no “best” method to buy coverage. Everyone’s situation is a little different so this has to be addressed. Here are some questions about coverages that may help highlight whether you would benefit from an agent’s advice.

  • Should I buy additional glass protection?
  • How high should my uninsured/underinsured coverage be in my state?
  • What is an SR-22 filing?
  • Can I get a multi-policy discount for packaging my home and auto coverage?
  • Should I buy only the required minimum liability coverage?
  • Is there coverage for injuries to my pets?
  • Do I get a pro-rated refund if I cancel my policy early?
  • Am I better off with higher deductibles on my 2010 BMW 1 Series?
  • What if I owe more than I can insure my car for?
  • Do I need higher collision deductibles?

If you don’t know the answers to these questions but one or more may apply to you, then you may want to think about talking to an insurance agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, complete this form or go to this page to view a list of companies.

Car insurance 101

Learning about specific coverages of auto insurance aids in choosing the right coverages and proper limits and deductibles. Auto insurance terms can be ambiguous and coverage can change by endorsement. Below you’ll find the usual coverages offered by auto insurance companies.

Medical costs insurance – Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage pay for bills such as pain medications, rehabilitation expenses, surgery, ambulance fees and doctor visits. They are often used to fill the gap from your health insurance plan or if you lack health insurance entirely. It covers you and your occupants and also covers 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 protects you and your vehicle’s occupants from other drivers when they either have no liability insurance or not enough. Covered losses include medical payments for you and your occupants and also any damage incurred to your BMW 1 Series.

Since a lot of drivers only carry the minimum required liability limits, their liability coverage can quickly be exhausted. So UM/UIM coverage should not be overlooked.

Comprehensive or Other Than Collision – Comprehensive insurance will pay to fix damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. You first must pay your deductible and the remainder of the damage will be paid by comprehensive coverage.

Comprehensive coverage protects against claims like falling objects, vandalism, hail damage, a tree branch falling on your vehicle and rock chips in glass. The highest amount a auto insurance company will pay at claim time is the actual cash value, so if the vehicle’s value is low it’s not worth carrying full coverage.

Collision coverages – This coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage resulting from a collision with a stationary object or other vehicle. A deductible applies and then insurance will cover the remainder.

Collision coverage protects against claims such as backing into a parked car, sustaining damage from a pot hole and damaging your car on a curb. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so analyze the benefit of dropping coverage from lower value vehicles. Drivers also have the option to increase the deductible in order to get cheaper collision rates.

Liability coverages – Liability coverage provides protection from damage or injury you incur to a person or their property that is your fault. This insurance protects YOU against other people’s claims. It does not cover damage to your own property or vehicle.

Coverage consists of three different limits, bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident and property damage. Your policy might show policy limits of 100/300/100 which means $100,000 bodily injury coverage, a limit of $300,000 in injury protection per accident, and a limit of $100,000 paid for damaged property.

Liability coverage protects against claims like repair costs for stationary objects, legal defense fees, structural damage, repair bills for other people’s vehicles and attorney fees. How much coverage you buy is a decision to put some thought into, but you should buy as much as you can afford.