Are you drained from robbing Peter to pay Paul to buy auto insurance? You have the same problem as many other Texas consumers.
Statistics show that 70% of consumers have purchased from the same company for well over three years, and nearly the majority have never shopped around. Texas drivers can cut their rates by $1,766 a year just by comparing rates, but they just feel it’s too hard to shop around. Insurance companies such as State Farm, Allstate, GEICO and Progressive promote their brand names with catchy ads and it is difficult to see past the geckos and flying pigs and take the time to shop coverage around.
It’s a good habit to compare rates periodically because auto insurance prices are usually higher with each renewal. Despite the fact that you may have had the best deal on Kia Optima Hybrid insurance in San Antonio a year ago you can probably find a lower rate today. You can search a lot of Optima Hybrid insurance online but in this article, you’re going to get some guaranteed methods to stop overpaying for insurance in San Antonio.
If you have a policy now or just want cheaper coverage, use these techniques to save money without reducing coverage. Finding the cheapest coverage in San Antonio can initially seem challenging. Smart shoppers just have to learn the fastest way to shop their coverage around online from multiple companies.
The following companies can provide free rate quotes in San Antonio, TX. If more than one company is shown, it’s a good idea that you get price quotes from several of them to get a more complete price comparison.
Car insurance is an important decision
Despite the high cost, buying car insurance is required by state law in Texas and it also provides benefits you may not be aware of.
- The majority of states have minimum mandated liability insurance limits which means the state requires a specific level of liability protection if you want to drive legally. In Texas these limits are 30/60/25 which means you must have $30,000 of bodily injury coverage per person, $60,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $25,000 of property damage coverage.
- If your Kia has a lienholder, almost all lenders will make it mandatory that you have comprehensive coverage to guarantee their interest in the vehicle. If you do not pay your insurance premiums, the bank may insure your Kia at a more expensive rate and force you to pay for the much more expensive policy.
- Car insurance preserves both your assets and your vehicle. It will also cover medical expenses for not only you but also any passengers injured in an accident. One of the most valuable coverages, liability insurance, also pays for attorney fees and expenses if you cause an accident and are sued. If mother nature or an accident damages your car, comprehensive and/or collision insurance will pay to restore your vehicle to like-new condition.
The benefits of insuring your Optima Hybrid definitely exceed the price paid, particularly for liability claims. As of last year, the average driver in Texas is currently overpaying as much as $850 per year so smart consumers compare quotes once a year at a minimum to help ensure money is not being wasted.
Learn How to Buy Insurance Cheaper
An important part of buying insurance is that you know the rating factors that play a part in calculating the rates you pay for insurance. If you have a feel for what determines base rates, this enables you to make decisions that may result in better insurance rates.
Listed below are some of the most common factors used by companies to determine premiums.
Rate your vehicle for proper use – The more miles you rack up on your Kia in a year’s time the more you’ll pay to insure it. Many insurance companies apply a rate based on how the vehicle is used. Vehicles left parked in the garage can get a lower rate as compared to vehicles used primarily for driving to work. Make sure your policy reflects the correct usage. Incorrect rating for your Optima Hybrid can cost quite a bit.
Performance impacts insurance premiums – The make and model of the vehicle you need insurance for makes a huge difference in determining your rates. Economy passenger models receive the most favorable rates, but the cost you end up paying is determined by many additional factors.
Increase comp and collision deductibles to save – Insurance for physical damage, also called comprehensive and collision insurance, covers damage that occurs to your Kia. Some examples of covered claims could be a windshield shattered by a rock, collision with an animal, and damage from a fallen tree branch. Deductibles for physical damage are the amount of money the insured will be required to pay if you file a covered claim. The more the insured has to pay upfront, the lower your rates will be.
How much liability – Liability coverage is the coverage that protects you if ever you are determined to be liable for damages caused by your negligence. It will provide for a legal defense up to the limits shown on your policy. Liability is cheap compared to other policy coverages, so insureds should have plenty of protection for their assets.
Poor driving habits leads to higher costs – Being a careful driver can have a huge impact on auto insurance premiums. Having a single chargeable violation may increase your cost to the point where it’s not affordable. Careful drivers pay lower auto insurance prices than bad drivers. Drivers who get careless citations such as reckless driving or DUI may find they need to prove financial responsibility with their state’s licensing department in order to prevent a license revocation.
Mature drivers save more – Drivers with little experience are statistically proven to be inattentive with other occupants in the car therefore insurance rates are much higher. More mature drivers are viewed as being more responsible, statistically cause fewer accidents, and receive fewer citations.
Insurance loss data for Kia Optima Hybrid vehicles – Auto insurance companies use statistical claims data to help calculate premium rates. Models that are shown to have high amounts or severity of claims will be charged more to insure. The data below shows the insurance loss data for Kia Optima Hybrid vehicles.
For each policy coverage type, the statistical loss for all vehicles, regardless of manufacturer or model, is considered to be 100. Numbers under 100 represent a good loss history, while numbers above 100 indicate higher probability of having a loss or an increased likelihood of larger losses.
| Vehicle Make and Model | Collision | Property Damage | Comp | Personal Injury | Medical Payment | Bodily Injury |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kia Optima Hybrid | 143 | 115 | 116 | 139 | 158 | 151 |
Statistics Source: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for 2013-2015 Model Years
In conclusion
In this article, we covered some good ideas how to shop for Kia Optima Hybrid insurance online. The key concept to understand is the more rate comparisons you have, the better chance you’ll have of finding low cost San Antonio auto insurance quotes. You may even find the biggest savings come from a company that doesn’t do a lot of advertising. Some small companies often have lower premium rates on specific markets compared to the large companies like Allstate or State Farm.
Some insurance companies don’t offer rates over the internet and most of the time these smaller companies work with independent agents. More affordable car insurance in San Antonio can be bought online and from local insurance agents, and you should compare rates from both to have the best chance of lowering rates.
Additional information is located on the following sites:
- Think You’re a Safe Driver? (State Farm)
- Who Has the Cheapest Auto Insurance Rates for State Employees in San Antonio? (FAQ)
- How Much are Auto Insurance Rates for Real Estate Agents in San Antonio? (FAQ)
- How Much is San Antonio Car Insurance for a Company Car? (FAQ)
- How Much are Auto Insurance Quotes for a Toyota Corolla in San Antonio? (FAQ)
- Five Tips to Save on Auto Insurance (Insurance Information Institute)
- Tread Depth and Tire Safety (State Farm)