It’s amazing but most insurance policyholders have bought insurance from the same company for well over three years, and approximately 40% of consumers have never quoted insurance rates at all. Raleigh drivers could pocket nearly 10% a year, but most just don’t grasp how much savings they would realize if they moved their coverage to a different company.
It takes a little time, but the best way to find the cheapest price for car insurance rates in Raleigh is to compare prices at least once a year from providers in North Carolina.
- Read and learn about how car insurance works and the changes you can make to prevent rate increases. Many risk factors that are responsible for high rates like speeding tickets, careless driving and a not-so-good credit rating can be remedied by improving your driving habits or financial responsibility.
- Obtain price quotes from direct carriers, independent agents, and exclusive agents. Exclusive and direct companies can give quotes from one company like GEICO and Allstate, while independent agencies can provide price quotes from multiple sources.
- Compare the new rates to your existing policy to see if a cheaper price is available. If you find better rates, ensure there is no coverage lapse between policies.
- Provide written notification to your current company of your intention to cancel your current car insurance policy. Submit a down payment and signed policy application to the new company. Don’t forget to place the new certificate verifying coverage with the vehicle registration.
One important bit of advice is to use similar deductibles and liability limits on each quote request and and to get price quotes from as many auto insurance providers as possible. Doing this ensures an accurate price comparison and a complete rate analysis.
Choosing the most cost-effective auto insurance policy in Raleigh is not that difficult as long as you know where to start. If you have auto insurance now, you stand a good chance to be able to cut your premiums using the ideas presented in this article. But North Carolina car owners must understand the way insurance companies calculate your auto insurance rates and use it to find better rates.
Do you qualify for discounts on Suzuki SX4 insurance in Raleigh?
Car insurance is not an enjoyable expense, but there may be some discounts that many consumers don’t even know exist. Many of these discounts will be applied automatically when you purchase, but less common discounts must be asked about before being credited.
- Club Memberships – Belonging to a qualifying organization is a good way to get lower rates on car insurance.
- Student Driver Training – Require your teen driver to complete a driver education course as it can save substantially.
- Military Rewards – Having a deployed family member could trigger a small discount.
- Auto/Life Discount – Insurance carriers who offer life insurance give lower premium rates if you buy some life insurance too.
- Paperwork-free – A few larger online companies will give a small break simply for signing on the internet.
We need to note that some of the credits will not apply to the entire policy premium. Some only apply to individual premiums such as physical damage coverage or medical payments. So when it seems like all the discounts add up to a free policy, it doesn’t quite work that way.
The diagram below illustrates the comparison of Suzuki SX4 insurance premiums with and without discounts. The premiums are based on a male driver, a clean driving record, no at-fault accidents, North Carolina state minimum liability limits, full physical damage coverage, and $500 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with homeowner, multi-car, claim-free, safe-driver, multi-policy, and marriage discounts applied.
A partial list of companies that may offer policyholders these discounts include:
If you are trying to find affordable Raleigh auto insurance quotes, ask every company how you can save money. All car insurance discounts might not be offered on policies in Raleigh. To choose car insurance companies that have a full spectrum of discounts in North Carolina, click here.
How to compare free Raleigh Suzuki SX4 insurance price quotes
To find cheaper Raleigh auto insurance quotes, there are several ways to compare rate quotes from lots of North Carolina insurance companies. The quickest method to find affordable Suzuki SX4 insurance rates involves getting comparison quotes online.
Online shopping is fast and free, and it makes it obsolete to drive around to different Raleigh agent offices. Comparing Suzuki SX4 insurance rate quotes online makes this unnecessary unless you have a complicated situation and need the extra assistance that only an agent can give. Some companies do allow you to compare the best prices online and get advice from an agent in your area.
When comparison shopping, comparing all the rates in your area increases your odds of finding better pricing. Some companies don’t provide price estimates online, so it’s important to also get price estimates from those companies as well.
The companies shown below offer comparison quotes in Raleigh, NC. If multiple companies are listed, we recommend you visit as many as you can to get the lowest price.
Analysis of Suzuki SX4 rates
The coverage table displayed next outlines a range of rate quotes for Suzuki SX4 models. Learning a little about how premiums are calculated can help customers make decisions when shopping your coverage around.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SX4 LE | $130 | $276 | $240 | $14 | $72 | $732 | $61 |
| SX4 2WD | $150 | $226 | $240 | $14 | $72 | $702 | $59 |
| SX4 Sport S | $150 | $324 | $240 | $14 | $72 | $800 | $67 |
| SX4 Sport SE | $150 | $324 | $240 | $14 | $72 | $800 | $67 |
| SX4 Technology 2WD | $150 | $276 | $240 | $14 | $72 | $752 | $63 |
| SX4 Sportback 2WD | $150 | $276 | $240 | $14 | $72 | $752 | $63 |
| SX4 AWD AWD | $150 | $276 | $240 | $14 | $72 | $752 | $63 |
| SX4 Sport GTS | $150 | $324 | $240 | $14 | $72 | $800 | $67 |
| SX4 Technology AWD | $170 | $276 | $240 | $14 | $72 | $772 | $64 |
| SX4 Touring AWD | $170 | $276 | $240 | $14 | $72 | $772 | $64 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
Prices based on married male driver age 50, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $250 deductibles, and North Carolina minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include safe-driver, multi-vehicle, claim-free, multi-policy, and homeowner. Estimates do not factor in vehicle location which can lower or raise coverage prices noticeably.
Auto insurance deductibles
One common question asked by Raleigh drivers is how high should the deductibles for physical damage be. The comparison tables below summarize the price difference when you select higher and lower physical damage deductibles. The first set of prices uses a $100 physical damage deductible and the second price grid uses a $500 deductible.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SX4 LE | $186 | $386 | $250 | $14 | $74 | $935 | $78 |
| SX4 2WD | $214 | $318 | $250 | $14 | $74 | $895 | $75 |
| SX4 Sport S | $214 | $456 | $250 | $14 | $74 | $1,033 | $86 |
| SX4 Sport SE | $214 | $456 | $250 | $14 | $74 | $1,033 | $86 |
| SX4 Technology 2WD | $214 | $386 | $250 | $14 | $74 | $963 | $80 |
| SX4 Sportback 2WD | $214 | $386 | $250 | $14 | $74 | $963 | $80 |
| SX4 AWD AWD | $214 | $386 | $250 | $14 | $74 | $963 | $80 |
| SX4 Sport GTS | $214 | $456 | $250 | $14 | $74 | $1,033 | $86 |
| SX4 Technology AWD | $242 | $386 | $250 | $14 | $74 | $991 | $83 |
| SX4 Touring AWD | $242 | $386 | $250 | $14 | $74 | $991 | $83 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SX4 LE | $136 | $262 | $250 | $14 | $74 | $736 | $61 |
| SX4 2WD | $156 | $214 | $250 | $14 | $74 | $708 | $59 |
| SX4 Sport S | $156 | $308 | $250 | $14 | $74 | $802 | $67 |
| SX4 Sport SE | $156 | $308 | $250 | $14 | $74 | $802 | $67 |
| SX4 Technology 2WD | $156 | $262 | $250 | $14 | $74 | $756 | $63 |
| SX4 Sportback 2WD | $156 | $262 | $250 | $14 | $74 | $756 | $63 |
| SX4 AWD AWD | $156 | $262 | $250 | $14 | $74 | $756 | $63 |
| SX4 Sport GTS | $156 | $308 | $250 | $14 | $74 | $802 | $67 |
| SX4 Technology AWD | $176 | $262 | $250 | $14 | $74 | $776 | $65 |
| SX4 Touring AWD | $176 | $262 | $250 | $14 | $74 | $776 | $65 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
Table data represents married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and North Carolina minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-policy, claim-free, multi-vehicle, safe-driver, and homeowner. Premium costs do not factor in specific location information which can increase or decrease rates considerably.
We can estimate from the data above that using a $100 deductible would cost the average driver about $18 more each month or $216 for a full year across all Suzuki SX4 models than selecting the higher $500 deductible. Since you would have to pay $400 more if you file a claim with a $500 deductible as compared to a $100 deductible, if you have at a minimum 22 months between claims, you would probably save some money by going with a higher deductible.
How to determine when to raise your deductibles
| Average monthly premium for $100 deductibles: | $82 |
| Average monthly premium for $500 deductibles (subtract): | – $64 |
| Monthly savings from raising deductible: | $18 |
| Difference between deductibles ($500 – $100): | $400 |
| Divide difference by monthly savings: | $400 / $18 |
| Number of months required between physical damage coverage claims in order to save money by choosing the higher deductible | 22 months |
One thing to be aware of is that increasing deductibles to lower your rates means you will have to pay more of your own money when you have a claim. It will be required that you have enough money stashed away in the event you have to pay the deductible for vehicle repair.
Annual premiums for males compared to females
The example below shows the difference between Suzuki SX4 insurance costs for male and female drivers. The rate quotes are based on no violations or accidents, full physical damage coverage, $1,000 deductibles, drivers are single, and no discounts are factored in.
Does full coverage make sense?
The example below visualizes the comparison of Suzuki SX4 insurance costs with full physical damage coverage compared to only buying the minimum liability limits required in North Carolina. The rates are based on no claims or driving violations, $100 deductibles, marital status is single, and no discounts are taken into consideration.
Guidelines for eliminating full coverage
There is no set rule of when to phase out comprehensive and collision coverage on your policy, but there is a general guideline. If the yearly cost of comp and collision coverage is 10% or more of the replacement cost minus the deductible, then you might consider buying liability only.
For example, let’s assume your Suzuki SX4 claim settlement value is $8,000 and you have $1,000 full coverage deductibles. If your vehicle is totaled in an accident, the most you would receive is $7,000 after the policy deductible has been paid. If you are paying over $700 annually for comprehensive and collision coverage, then it could be time to drop full coverage.
There are a few cases where eliminating full coverage is not advised. If you still owe a portion of the original loan, you have to keep full coverage as part of the loan conditions. Also, if your savings is not enough to buy a different vehicle in the event your current vehicle is totaled, you should not opt for liability only.
Shop online but buy locally
Some people would rather talk to an insurance agent and that is a personal choice. The biggest benefit of comparing rates online is that drivers can save money and get the best rates but also keep your business local.
By using this form (opens in new window), the coverage information gets sent to companies in Raleigh who can give free rate quotes for your coverage. You won’t even need to search for an agent since price quotes are sent instantly to you. You can find the lowest rates and work with a local agent. If you wish to compare prices from a specific insurance company, don’t hesitate to visit that company’s website and fill out their quote form.
Finding a good insurance company should depend on more than just the quoted price. Here are some questions you might want to ask.
- How is replacement cost determined on your vehicle?
- If you are a high risk driver, do they have special markets for your coverage?
- Does the agency have a positive business rating?
- Do they see any coverage gaps in your plan?
- Is assistance available after office hours?
- Where would your vehicle be repaired?
Listed below is a list of insurers in Raleigh that can give you comparison quotes for Suzuki SX4 insurance in Raleigh.
Lee Winters Insurance Agency
1330 St Marys St Suite 250 – Raleigh, NC 27605 – (919) 828-7130 – View Map
Allstate Insurance: Lauri W. Fair
9101 Leesville Rd Ste 111 – Raleigh, NC 27613 – (919) 846-3901 – View Map
Matt Roberts Agency, Inc.
1151 Falls River Avenue, Suite 105-A – Raleigh, NC 27614 – (919) 845-2999 – View Map
G. Suggs Insurance Agency, Inc.
1025 Bullard Ct – Raleigh, NC 27615 – (919) 875-8889 – View Map
Once you have good feedback to any questions you may have in addition to an acceptable price estimate, you may have just found an insurer that can be trusted to provide auto insurance coverage.
Best reasons to buy car insurance in North Carolina
Despite the high cost of buying insurance for a Suzuki SX4 in Raleigh, car insurance may not be optional for several reasons.
- The majority of states have mandatory insurance requirements which means state laws require specific minimum amounts of liability insurance if you drive a vehicle. In North Carolina 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 you have a lien on your vehicle, almost all lenders will make it mandatory that you have full coverage to guarantee loan repayment. If coverage lapses or is canceled, the bank may buy a policy for your Suzuki for a much higher rate and force you to reimburse them for the much more expensive policy.
- Insurance safeguards not only your vehicle but also your financial assets. It also can pay for most medical and hospital costs for yourself as well as anyone injured by you. Liability insurance also pays for attorney fees and expenses in the event you are sued. If mother nature or an accident damages your car, your car insurance policy will pay to repair the damage minus the deductible amount.
The benefits of carrying adequate insurance are definitely more than the cost, especially for larger claims. In a recent study of 1,000 drivers, the average customer is currently overpaying as much as $850 per year so shop around each time the policy renews to ensure rates are inline.
Learn about insurance coverages for a Suzuki SX4
Knowing the specifics of your insurance policy helps when choosing the right coverages and the correct deductibles and limits. The coverage terms in a policy can be difficult to understand and coverage can change by endorsement. Listed below are typical coverage types found on the average insurance policy.
Comprehensive insurance – Comprehensive insurance will pay to fix damage that is not covered by collision coverage. A deductible will apply and then insurance will cover the rest of the damage.
Comprehensive coverage pays for things such as vandalism, hail damage and fire damage. The maximum payout you can receive from a comprehensive claim is the actual cash value, so if the vehicle’s value is low it’s probably time to drop comprehensive insurance.
Collision coverage – Collision insurance 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 insurance covers claims like colliding with a tree, hitting a parking meter, sideswiping another vehicle and crashing into a ditch. Paying for collision coverage can be pricey, so consider removing coverage from older vehicles. It’s also possible to increase the deductible on your SX4 to bring the cost down.
Liability insurance – This coverage will cover damage that occurs to other’s property or people. It protects YOU from claims by other people, and does not provide coverage for your own vehicle damage or injuries.
Coverage consists of three different limits, bodily injury for each person, bodily injury for the entire accident, and a limit for property damage. You commonly see limits of 30/60/25 that means you have $30,000 in coverage for each person’s injuries, a limit of $60,000 in injury protection per accident, and a limit of $25,000 paid for damaged property.
Liability coverage protects against claims like repair costs for stationary objects, loss of income, repair bills for other people’s vehicles, court costs and structural damage. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is up to you, but consider buying as high a limit as you can afford. North Carolina requires minimum liability limits of 30/60/25 but you should think about purchasing more coverage.
The illustration below demonstrates why buying the state minimum limits may not be high enough to cover claims.
Med pay and Personal Injury Protection (PIP) – Med pay and PIP coverage pay for bills like X-ray expenses, ambulance fees, surgery, nursing services and EMT expenses. They are used in conjunction with a health insurance policy or if you are not covered by health insurance. Medical payments and PIP cover not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants and also covers getting struck while a pedestrian. PIP is not universally available but can be used in place of medical payments coverage
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) – This coverage provides protection from other drivers when they either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. This coverage pays for injuries to you and your family as well as your vehicle’s damage.
Since a lot of drivers only carry the minimum required liability limits (30/60/25 in North Carolina), their limits can quickly be used up. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is very important.
Cheap insurance prices are available
A few companies don’t offer online rate quotes and many times these smaller companies only sell through local independent agents. More affordable insurance in Raleigh can be purchased from both online companies in addition to local insurance agencies, so compare prices from both so you have a total pricing picture.
Throughout this article, we presented many ideas to get a better price on Suzuki SX4 insurance in Raleigh. The key thing to remember is the more rate comparisons you have, the better your comparison will be. Consumers could even find that the best price on insurance is with an unexpected company. Some small companies may have significantly lower rates on certain market segments as compared to the big name companies such as State Farm and Allstate.
When you buy Raleigh auto insurance online, do not sacrifice coverage to reduce premiums. There are a lot of situations where an insured cut comprehensive coverage or liability limits to discover at claim time that the savings was not a smart move. The ultimate goal is to find the BEST coverage at the best price, but don’t skip important coverages to save money.
More tips and info about insurance can be read at these sites:
- Parking Tips to Reduce Door Dings (State Farm)
- What Car Insurance is Cheapest for Inexperienced Drivers in Raleigh? (FAQ)
- How Much is Raleigh Auto Insurance with Multiple Speeding Tickets? (FAQ)
- Teen Driving and Texting (State Farm)
- A Tree Fell on Your Car: Now What? (Allstate)
- Safety Belts FAQ (iihs.org)
- Rental Car Insurance Tips (Insurance Information Institute)