Best Ways to Save on Raleigh Dodge Journey Insurance

It’s shocking but nearly 70% of consumers have been with the same company for at least four years, and just short of a majority have never compared rates from other carriers. Consumers in North Carolina could save an average of nearly 10% each year by just shopping around, but they don’t want to spend time to compare other rate quotes.

If saving the most money is your goal, then the best way to find discount car insurance rates is to start doing an annual price comparison from companies in Raleigh.

• First, get an understanding of how companies price auto insurance and the changes you can make to keep rates down. Many things that increase rates like high-risk driving behaviors and a substandard credit history can be remedied by making minor changes to your lifestyle. This article gives additional ideas to find cheap rates and get additional discounts.
• Second, quote rates from exclusive agents, independent agents, and direct providers. Exclusive and direct companies can only give rate quotes from a single company like Progressive and State Farm, while independent agents can quote prices for a wide range of insurance providers. Select a company
• Third, compare the price quotes to your current policy premium to see if a cheaper rate is available. If you find a lower rate, make sure there is no lapse in coverage.
• Fourth, tell your current agent or company to cancel your current policy. Submit the signed application along with the required initial payment to your new company or agent. As soon as you have the new policy, put the new certificate verifying proof of insurance in an accessible location in your vehicle.

A valuable tip to remember is to use identical coverages on each quote request and and to get price quotes from as many different insurance providers as possible. This provides a fair rate comparison and many rates to choose from.

The companies shown below offer free quotes in North Carolina. If multiple companies are listed, it’s highly recommended you visit several of them to get the best price comparison.

Discounts for cheap car insurance quotes

Some companies don’t list the complete list of policy discounts very clearly, so we break down some of the more common in addition to some of the lesser obvious credits that you can use to lower your rates.

• Anti-theft System – Cars, trucks, and SUVs that have factory anti-theft systems can help prevent theft and that can save you a little bit as well.
• Government Employees – Employees or retirees of the government could provide a small rate reduction but check with your company.
• Bundle and Save – If you can combine your homeowners and auto policy and place coverage with the same company you could earn a discount of as much as 10 to 15 percent.
• Life Insurance – Larger car insurance companies have a discounted car insurance rate on car insurance if you buy some life insurance in addition to your auto policy.
• Defensive Driver Discount – Taking part in a driver safety course could cut 5% off your bill and easily recoup the cost of the course.
• Drivers Ed for Students – Have your child successfully take a driver’s education course if it’s offered in school.
• Air Bags and Passive Restraints – Cars that have air bags and/or automatic seat belt systems can qualify for discounts of more than 20%.
• Discounts for Multiple Vehicles – Having multiple cars with the same company can get a discount on all vehicles.
• Smart Student Discounts – A discount for being a good student can be rewarded with saving of up to 25%. Many companies even apply the discount to college students until age 25.

Drivers should understand that most credits do not apply to all coverage premiums. Most only reduce specific coverage prices like collision or personal injury protection. So when the math indicates adding up those discounts means a free policy, car insurance companies aren’t that generous.

The chart below visualizes the comparison of Dodge Journey car insurance rates with and without discounts applied. The premium estimates are based on a male driver, no claims or driving violations, North Carolina state minimum liability limits, comprehensive and collision coverage, and $1,000 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with safe-driver, multi-car, multi-policy, claim-free, marriage, and homeowner discounts applied.

Companies and their possible discounts are:

• State Farm has savings for driver’s education, good driver, Steer Clear safe driver discount, multiple policy, anti-theft, accident-free, and student away at school.
• American Family offers premium reductions for TimeAway discount, Steer into Savings, air bags, good driver, bundled insurance, and accident-free.
• AAA includes discounts for multi-policy, good student, education and occupation, good driver, AAA membership discount, and pay-in-full.
• GEICO may have discounts that include air bags, seat belt use, emergency military deployment, federal employee, and five-year accident-free.
• Mercury Insurance offers discounts including multi-policy, annual mileage, low natural disaster claims, type of vehicle, age of vehicle, and anti-theft.
• Farmers Insurance may include discounts for early shopping, homeowner, good student, teen driver, bundle discounts, and distant student.
• Progressive may offer discounts for good student, homeowner, online signing, continuous coverage, online quote discount, and multi-vehicle.

If you are trying to find affordable Raleigh car insurance quotes, ask every insurance company which credits you are entitled to. A few discounts may not be offered in Raleigh. To view insurers that provide some of the discounts listed above in Raleigh, click here.

Dodge Journey insurance analysis

The information displayed below covers estimates of insurance coverage prices for Dodge Journey models. Having a good grasp of how auto insurance prices are figured can be valuable when making smart choices when purchasing an insurance policy.

Cost estimates assume single female driver age 40, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $500 deductibles, and North Carolina minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include claim-free, multi-vehicle, safe-driver, multi-policy, and homeowner. Premium amounts do not factor in zip code location which can raise or lower premium rates noticeably.

Higher deductibles lower rates

When shopping for auto insurance, a common question is how high should the physical damage deductibles be. The tables below may aid in understanding the difference in cost between high and low comp and collision deductibles. The first set of rates uses a $250 physical damage coverage deductible and the second rate table uses a $1,000 deductible.

Data based on married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and North Carolina minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-vehicle, multi-policy, homeowner, claim-free, and safe-driver. Rate information does not factor in specific location which can alter coverage rates noticeably.

Based on the figures above, using a $250 deductible will cost in the ballpark of $19 more each month or $228 a year averaged for all Journey models than requesting the higher $1,000 deductible. Due to the fact that you would have to pay $750 more out of your own pocket with a $1,000 deductible as compared to a $250 deductible, if you tend to average at least 39 months between claim filings, you would save more money if you elect the higher deductible. The table below shows an example of how you can make this decision for your own policy.

One thing to note is that a higher deductible means you will have to pay more out-of-pocket if you have a claim. That will require enough disposable income in the event you have to pay the higher deductible.

The chart below demonstrates how deductibles and can affect Dodge Journey insurance rates for each age group. The rates are based on a married male driver, full coverage, and no discounts are applied.

Safe drivers pay cheaper rates

The information below shows how violations and at-fault claims impact Dodge Journey insurance prices for different age groups. The rates are based on a single female driver, comprehensive and collision coverage, $500 deductibles, and no discounts are taken into consideration.

Lower Your Raleigh Insurance Costs

Consumers need to have an understanding of the different types of things that help calculate insurance rates. If you understand what positively or negatively impacts your premiums, this allows you to make good choices that can earn you lower insurance prices. Multiple criteria are part of the equation when premium rates are determined. Some of the criteria are obvious like an MVR report, although some other factors are less apparent like your vehicle usage or how financially stable you are.

Prevent your car from being stolen – Buying a car that has a built-in theft deterrent system can get you a discount on your insurance. Theft deterrent systems like OnStar found on GM vehicles, advanced tracking like LoJack, and vehicle immobilization systems all hinder your car from being stolen.

Pleasure use or commuting – The more miles you rack up on your Dodge every year the more you’ll pay to insure it. Almost all companies price each vehicle’s coverage based upon how much you drive. Vehicles that do not get driven very much receive better premium rates than cars that get driven a lot. Having the wrong rating on your Journey is just wasting money. It’s a good idea to make sure your insurance policy states annual mileage.

Too many insurance claims drive up premiums – Insurance companies in North Carolina provide discounts to policyholders who are not frequent claim filers. If you file claims often, you can definitely plan on much higher rates or policy non-renewal. Insurance coverage is designed for major claims that would cause financial hardship.

How much liability coverage – A critical coverage on your policy, liability insurance is the protection if ever you are ruled to be at fault for damages from an accident. Your policy’s liability insurance provides legal defense coverage to defend your case. Liability insurance is pretty cheap compared to physical damage coverage, so insureds should have plenty of protection for their assets.

Avoid coverage lapses – Driving with no insurance can get you a ticket and companies may charge more for letting your insurance coverage expire. Not only will rates go up, not being able to provide proof of insurance may result in a fine, jail time, or a revoked license. You may need to prove you have insurance by filing a SR-22 with the North Carolina motor vehicle department.

Women tend to cost less – Statistics have proven that females take fewer risks when driving. However, this does not mean women are BETTER drivers than men. Both sexes cause fender benders in similar percentages, but the men cause more damage and cost insurance companies more money. Not only are claims higher, but men get cited for more serious violations such as DWI and reckless driving.

The illustration below shows the difference between Dodge Journey auto insurance rates for male and female drivers. The data is based on no claims or driving violations, comp and collision included, $100 deductibles, single status, and no discounts are applied.

The type of car you drive affects your rates – The type of vehicle you are insuring makes a substantial difference in your auto insurance rates. The lowest premiums are for lower cost passenger vehicles, but that’s not the only thing that factors into the final price.

The chart below uses these assumptions: married female driver age 50, full coverage with $500 deductibles, and no discounts or violations. The chart compares Dodge Journey insurance rates compared to other models of vehicles that have different performance risks.

How old are your drivers? – Inexperience drivers have been known to be easily distracted when behind the wheel so they pay higher insurance rates. Older people are more cautious drivers, tend to file fewer claims, and are generally more financially stable.

The following data assumes a single driver, full coverage with $1000 deductibles, and no discounts or violations.

Insurance loss data for a Dodge Journey – Insurance companies factor in historical loss data as a tool for profitable underwriting. Vehicles that the data shows to have increased losses will have increased rates.

The next table illustrates the collected loss data for Dodge Journey vehicles. For each coverage type, the claim probability for all vehicles, as an average, is equal to 100. Percentage numbers below 100 mean the vehicle has better than average losses, while values over 100 point to more losses or tendency to have higher losses.

Insurance agencies are professional risk managers

Certain consumers would prefer to talk to a local agent and that can be a smart move Good insurance agents are very good at helping people manage risk and help file insurance claims. One of the best bonuses of getting free rate quotes online is you may find better rates and still buy from a local agent. And providing support for local agencies is still important in Raleigh.

By using this quick form, your insurance coverage information is instantly submitted to local insurance agents who will gladly provide quotes for your coverage. It simplifies rate comparisons since you won’t have to leave your house since rate quotes are delivered to your email. If you want to get a rate quote from a specific company, you just need to find their quoting web page and fill out the quote form the provide.

Best car insurance agent in Raleigh

If you want to use a reliable agent, it’s helpful to know the different types of agencies that you can choose from. Car insurance policy providers can be classified as either independent agents or exclusive agents depending on their employer. Either one can sell and service car insurance coverage, but it is important to understand the subtle differences because it may have an impact on the selection process.

Independent Car Insurance Agents (or Brokers)

These agents are not locked into one company and that allows them to write policies with an assortment of companies and possibly get better coverage at lower prices. To transfer your coverage to a different company, the agent simply finds a different carrier and that require little work on your part. When comparing rate quotes, you definitely need to compare prices from a few independent agents in order to compare the most rates. Most can insure with small mutual carriers which may have better rates.

Shown below is a small list of independent insurance agencies in Raleigh that may be able to provide rate quotes.

• Bagwell and Bagwell Insurance
  2626 Glenwood Ave #300 – Raleigh, NC 27608 – (919) 832-6667 – View Map
• Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina Inc
  101 Weston Oaks Ct – Cary, NC 27513 – (919) 828-4371 – View Map
• AssuredPartners NL
  4505 Falls of Neuse Rd Suite 350 – Raleigh, NC 27609 – (919) 781-0200 – View Map

More insurance agents

Exclusive Agents

Agents of this type can only quote rates from one company and some examples include Allstate, State Farm and Farmers Insurance. They usually cannot place coverage with different providers so if the price isn’t competitive there isn’t much they can do. Exclusive agents are trained well on their products and sales techniques which helps overcome the inability to quote other rates. A lot of people buy from the same agent for years mainly due to the brand name and solid financial strength.

Shown below are exclusive insurance agents in Raleigh willing to provide price quote information.

• Doug Wingate – State Farm Insurance Agent
  2414 Wycliff Rd #110 – Raleigh, NC 27607 – (919) 787-0888 – View Map
• Myron Jarman – State Farm Insurance Agent
  2869 Jones Franklin Rd – Raleigh, NC 27606 – (919) 859-5261 – View Map
• State Farm: Lisa Davis
  8201 Rowlock Way Suite 112 – Raleigh, NC 27613 – (919) 782-3333 – View Map

More insurance agents

Choosing the best auto insurance agent requires you to look at more than just the price. Here are some questions you might want to ask.

• What company do they have the most business with?
• How are claims handled?
• Do they carry Errors and Omissions coverage?
• Are they actively involved in the community?
• Is there a local claims center in Raleigh?
• When do they do policy reviews?
• Do they prorate repair cost based on vehicle mileage?
• Has the agent ever had any license suspensions?

Which is the best car insurance?

When quoting and comparing coverage online or from an agent for your personal vehicles, there really isn’t a cookie cutter policy. Every situation is different.

These are some specific questions can aid in determining if you will benefit from professional help.

• How can I force my company to pay a claim?
• Is my Dodge Journey covered for flood damage?
• Is there coverage for my trailer?
• Is my custom stereo system covered?
• Is my son or daughter covered when driving my car?
• Should I rate my vehicle as business use?
• Will my rates increase for filing one claim?
• When does my teenage driver need to be added to my policy?
• Does my insurance cover a custom paint job?
• Is my Dodge Journey covered if I use it for business?

If it’s difficult to answer those questions but you think they might apply to your situation, then you may want to think about talking to an agent. To find an agent in your area, simply complete this short form. It’s fast, free and may give you better protection.

Affordable car insurance prices are available

In this article, we covered a lot of techniques to save on Dodge Journey insurance in Raleigh. It’s most important to understand that the more rate quotes you have, the better your chances of lowering your rates. Consumers could even find that the best prices are with a smaller regional carrier.

As you prepare to switch companies, it’s a bad idea to skimp on coverage in order to save money. Too many times, someone dropped physical damage coverage only to regret at claim time that saving that couple of dollars actually costed them tens of thousands. The proper strategy is to buy a smart amount of coverage at a price you can afford, not the least amount of coverage.

Lower-priced car insurance in Raleigh is attainable from both online companies in addition to many Raleigh insurance agents, so you should compare both to have the best rate selection. There are still a few companies who don’t offer rates over the internet and these regional carriers sell through independent agents.

More tips and info about car insurance can be found by following these links:

• Keeping Children Safe in Crashes Video (iihs.org)
• Who Has Cheap Raleigh Car Insurance for a Company Car? (FAQ)
• Who Has Cheap Raleigh Auto Insurance for High School Students? (FAQ)
• Who Has Affordable Auto Insurance for Drivers Over Age 50 in Raleigh? (FAQ)
• What if I Can’t Find Coverage? (Insurance Information Institute)
• Electronic Stability Control FAQ (iihs.org)