If you want to save the most money, the best way to quote cheaper auto insurance rates in San Jose is to make a habit of comparing prices annually from providers who provide car insurance in California. Rates can be compared by completing these steps.
- Read about how insurance works and the factors you can control to prevent expensive coverage. Many factors that cause high rates such as speeding tickets, careless driving and a not-so-good credit rating can be amended by making minor changes in your lifestyle. Continue reading for more ideas to prevent expensive rate increases and find missing discounts.
- Request rate estimates from independent agents, exclusive agents, and direct companies. Direct companies and exclusive agencies can give quotes from a single company like Progressive or State Farm, while agents who are independent can give you price quotes from multiple insurance companies.
- Compare the quotes to your current policy to determine if you can save on 124 Spider insurance. If you can save some money, ensure coverage does not lapse between policies.
- Give notification to your agent or company to cancel your current coverage. Submit the signed application along with the required initial payment to the newly selected company. Make sure you put the certificate of insurance in your vehicle.
A tip to remember is to use the same physical damage deductibles and liability limits on each quote request and and to look at as many companies as you can. Doing this helps ensure an accurate price comparison and the best price quote selection.
It’s hard to fathom, but the vast majority of consumers kept their policy with the same company for at least four years, and nearly 40% of drivers have never even shopped around for cheaper coverage. The average driver in San Jose could pocket as much as $469 a year by just comparing quotes, but they just don’t understand the actual amount they would save if they switch to a new company.
Cheaper rates with these ten discounts
Insurance can cost an arm and a leg, but you may be missing some discounts that may help make it more affordable. Certain reductions will be credited when you quote, but some need to be requested specifically before they will apply.
- Anti-lock Brake System – Cars and trucks equipped with ABS or steering control can avoid accidents and therefore earn up to a 10% discount.
- College Student Discount – Kids who live away from home to go to college and do not have access to a covered vehicle could qualify for this discount.
- Discounts for Federal Employees – Active or former government employment can save as much as 8% with a few car insurance companies.
- Bundle and Save – When you combine your auto and homeowners insurance and place coverage with the same company they may give you a discount of approximately 10% to 15%.
- Good Students Pay Less – Maintaining excellent grades can save 20 to 25%. Earning this discount can benefit you up until you turn 25.
- Pay Upfront and Save – If you can afford to pay the entire bill instead of monthly or quarterly installments you can actually save on your bill.
- Discount for Low Mileage – Maintaining low annual mileage may allow you to get cheaper car insurance rates.
- Driving Data Discount – Drivers who elect to allow companies to track driving manner through the use of a telematics system such as State Farm’s In-Drive could possibly reduce rates if they are good drivers.
- Clubs and Organizations – Being in a qualifying organization can get you a small discount on your policy.
- Theft Prevention Discount – Cars, trucks, and SUVs optioned with advanced anti-theft systems have a lower chance of being stolen and therefore earn up to a 10% discount.
Please keep in mind that most of the big mark downs will not be given to the entire cost. Some only apply to the cost of specific coverages such as comprehensive or collision. Despite the appearance that you can get free auto insurance, it just doesn’t work that way.
For a list of insurance companies that provide some of the discounts listed above in California, click this link.
What car insurance coverages do you need?
Having a good grasp of car insurance can be of help when determining appropriate coverage at the best deductibles and correct limits. Car insurance terms can be difficult to understand and reading a policy is terribly boring. These are typical coverage types found on the average car insurance policy.
Collision coverage
Collision coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage resulting from colliding with an object or car. You first must pay a deductible then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.
Collision coverage protects against things like rolling your car, sustaining damage from a pot hole and scraping a guard rail. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so consider dropping it from vehicles that are 8 years or older. Another option is to choose a higher deductible on your 124 Spider to save money on collision insurance.
Medical costs insurance
Medical payments and Personal Injury Protection insurance provide coverage for expenses for hospital visits, prosthetic devices, dental work, X-ray expenses and rehabilitation expenses. The coverages can be utilized in addition to your health insurance policy or if there is no health insurance coverage. Coverage applies to all vehicle occupants and will also cover being hit by a car walking across the street. Personal Injury Protection is not an option in every state and gives slightly broader coverage than med pay
Auto liability
This provides protection from damage that occurs to people or other property by causing an accident. This coverage protects you from claims by other people. It does not cover your own vehicle damage or injuries.
Liability coverage has three limits: bodily injury for each person, bodily injury for the entire accident, and a limit for property damage. You might see limits of 15/30/5 which means $15,000 in coverage for each person’s injuries, a total of $30,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and a total limit of $5,000 for damage to vehicles and property. Occasionally you may see one limit called combined single limit (CSL) which limits claims to one amount without having the split limit caps.
Liability coverage pays for claims such as emergency aid, funeral expenses, structural damage, attorney fees and bail bonds. How much liability should you purchase? That is your choice, but buy as much as you can afford. California requires minimum liability limits of 15/30/5 but you should consider buying more coverage.
The chart below demonstrates why buying the state minimum limits may not be enough coverage.
Comprehensive or Other Than Collision
Comprehensive insurance will pay to fix damage caused by mother nature, theft, vandalism and other events. You first must pay your deductible and then insurance will cover the rest of the damage.
Comprehensive coverage protects against claims like vandalism, hitting a deer and a tree branch falling on your vehicle. The maximum payout you can receive from a comprehensive claim is the actual cash value, so if the vehicle is not worth much consider dropping full coverage.
UM/UIM Coverage
Your UM/UIM coverage protects you and your vehicle’s occupants when other motorists are uninsured or don’t have enough coverage. It can pay for injuries to you and your family as well as damage to your Fiat 124 Spider.
Since a lot of drivers only purchase the least amount of liability that is required (15/30/5 in California), their limits can quickly be used up. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage is a good idea. Usually the UM/UIM limits are set the same as your liability limits.
Persistence will pay off
While you’re price shopping online, never skimp on critical coverages to save a buck or two. Too many times, an insured cut full coverage and discovered at claim time that the few dollars in savings costed them thousands. Your focus should be to purchase a proper amount of coverage at the best cost, but don’t skip important coverages to save money.
Some auto insurance companies don’t offer the ability to get quotes online and most of the time these regional carriers prefer to sell through independent insurance agents. Affordable Fiat 124 Spider insurance in San Jose can be sourced on the web and with local San Jose insurance agents, and you need to price shop both to get a complete price analysis.
Additional information is available at these links:
- Winter Driving (Insurance Information Institute)
- How Much are Car Insurance Quotes for a Nissan Versa in San Jose? (FAQ)
- Who Has Affordable Car Insurance for Drivers with Good Credit in San Jose? (FAQ)
- Who Has Affordable Auto Insurance for a Toyota Tacoma in San Jose? (FAQ)
- Who Has Cheap Auto Insurance Rates for Immigrants in San Jose? (FAQ)
- Who Has the Cheapest Car Insurance Rates for Nurses in San Jose? (FAQ)
- Rollover Crash FAQ (iihs.org)
- Self-driving cars won’t replace humans (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)
- Help Your Teen Be a Better Driver (State Farm)
- Alcohol Impaired Driving FAQ (iihs.org)