Want better insurance rates for your Dodge Caravan? Having to pay for pricey insurance can diminish your funds and put the squeeze on your family’s finances. Comparing rate quotes is free and is an excellent way to make ends meet.
Big companies like Progressive, GEICO and Farmers Insurance promote their brand names with catchy ads and it is difficult to see past the geckos and flying pigs and effectively compare rates to find the best deal.
If you currently have car insurance, you stand a good chance to be able to lower your premiums substantially using this information. Buying car insurance is not rocket science. But consumers should learn the way insurance companies sell online and use this information to your advantage.
When shopping for car insurance there are multiple ways to compare rate quotes from different companies. The best way to do a complete rate comparison consists of shopping online. This is quite simple and can be completed in several different ways.
One of the fastest ways consumers can make multiple comparisons would be an industry-wide quote request form click here to open form in new window. This type of form prevents you from having to do separate quote forms for every car insurance company. One form will get you price quotes from multiple companies.
A harder way to compare rate quotes requires a trip to each individual company website and repeat the quote process. For sake of this example, we’ll pretend you need rates from Allstate, 21st Century and GEICO. To get each rate you have to go to each individual site and type in your information over and over, which is why the first method is quicker. For a list of links to insurance companies in your area, click here.
Whichever way you use, do your best to use identical coverage limits and deductibles with each company. If you enter different deductibles you will not be able to find the best deal for your Dodge Caravan. Just slight variations in insurance coverages or limits can result in a big premium difference. Keep in mind that comparing more quotes increases the change that you will find more affordable insurance. Not every company does online rate quotes, so it’s necessary to compare price quotes from those companies as well.
Car insurance is not cheap, but discounts can save money and there are some available that you may not even be aware of. Larger premium reductions will be automatically applied when you quote, but some need to be manually applied before they will apply.
It’s important to note that many deductions do not apply to your bottom line cost. Some only apply to specific coverage prices like collision or personal injury protection. If you do the math and it seems like it’s possible to get free car insurance, it doesn’t quite work that way.
Auto insurance companies that have most of the discounts above include:
Before buying, ask each insurance company to give you their best rates. Depending on the company, some discounts might not be offered in your area. To see a list of companies that offer the discounts shown above, click this link.
When choosing coverage for your personal vehicles, there is no perfect coverage plan. Coverage needs to be tailored to your specific needs so your insurance needs to address that. For example, these questions may help you determine if you might need an agent’s assistance.
If you can’t answer these questions but a few of them apply then you might want to talk to a licensed insurance agent. If you don’t have a local agent, take a second and complete this form or you can go here for a list of companies in your area.
Knowing the specifics of your car insurance policy can help you determine which coverages you need and the correct deductibles and limits. The terms used in a policy can be confusing and even agents have difficulty translating policy wording. Below you’ll find the normal coverages offered by car insurance companies.
Liability coverage
This coverage will cover damage that occurs to other people or property by causing an accident. This insurance protects YOU against claims from other people. Liability doesn’t cover damage to your own property or vehicle.
Coverage consists of three different limits, bodily injury for each person injured, bodily injury for the entire accident and a property damage limit. As an example, you may have liability limits of 25/50/25 which means a limit of $25,000 per injured person, a limit of $50,000 in injury protection per accident, and a limit of $25,000 paid for damaged property. Alternatively, you may have a combined limit which provides one coverage limit with no separate limits for injury or property damage.
Liability insurance covers things like attorney fees, medical services and bail bonds. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is a decision to put some thought into, but consider buying as much as you can afford.
Collision protection
Collision insurance pays for damage to your Caravan caused by collision with a stationary object or other vehicle. You will need to pay your deductible then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.
Collision coverage pays for things such as sideswiping another vehicle, colliding with a tree, crashing into a building and hitting a parking meter. This coverage can be expensive, so analyze the benefit of dropping coverage from older vehicles. It’s also possible to choose a higher deductible to save money on collision insurance.
Comprehensive car insurance
Comprehensive insurance coverage covers damage from a wide range of events other than collision. You first have to pay a deductible then your comprehensive coverage will pay.
Comprehensive coverage pays for claims like theft, hitting a deer and damage from flooding. The maximum amount your car insurance company will pay is the actual cash value, so if the vehicle is not worth much consider removing comprehensive coverage.
Coverage for uninsured or underinsured drivers
This protects you and your vehicle from other drivers when they do not carry enough liability coverage. It can pay for medical payments for you and your occupants as well as your vehicle’s damage.
Due to the fact that many drivers have only the minimum liability required by law, it only takes a small accident to exceed their coverage. So UM/UIM coverage is important protection for you and your family. Usually these coverages do not exceed the liability coverage limits.
Coverage for medical expenses
Med pay and PIP coverage provide coverage for expenses like rehabilitation expenses, hospital visits, pain medications and surgery. The coverages can be used to cover expenses not covered by your health insurance policy or if you do not have health coverage. It covers you and your occupants and will also cover 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