Compare 2002 Dodge Dakota Car Insurance Cost

Did a good deal turn out to be an expensive insurance policy? You’re in good company because there are lots of residents who feel the same. Online insurance companies like State Farm, Allstate, GEICO and Progressive all claim big savings with catchy ads and it is challenging if not impossible to see past the geckos and flying pigs and take the time to shop coverage around.

If you have insurance now or are just looking to switch companies, you can learn to reduce the price you pay and still get good coverage. Finding affordable coverage is not that difficult. Consumers just need to know the proper way to compare price quotes online.

First Step: Get free insurance coverage quotes

Finding a lower price on 2002 Dodge Dakota insurance is an easy way to save money. The only thing you need to do is invest a little time comparing rate quotes online with multiple companies. Price comparisons can be done using one of these methods.

  1. One of the simplest ways to compare a lot of rates at once is an all-inclusive rate comparison (click to open form in new window). This style of form saves time by eliminating separate quotes for every company. Completing one form compares rates from multiple companies.
  2. A more time consuming way to shop for insurance coverage online requires a visit to the website for each individual company and fill out their own quote form. For examples sake, we’ll assume you want rates from Nationwide, Allstate and GMAC. You would need to navigate to each company’s site to enter your coverage information, which can take a lot of time. For a handy list of car insurance company links in your area, click here.
  3. The hardest way to find cheaper rates is physically going to all the different insurance agencies. The ability to buy insurance online eliminates the need for an insurance agent unless you have a need for the trained guidance that can only be provided by a licensed insurance agent. It is possible with some companies comparison shop online but buy from a local insurance agent.

It’s up to you how you get prices quotes, just make sure you compare the exact same coverages and limits for every quote you compare. If you are comparing different liability limits it will be nearly impossible to determine the lowest rate for your Dodge Dakota.

Do drivers who switch really save?

Drivers can’t escape the ads for the lowest price insurance from companies such as 21st Century, Allstate and State Farm. They all seem to tend to make the same promise that you can save if you switch to them.

But how can every company save you money? This is how they do it.

Insurance companies provide the lowest rates for the type of driver that will not have excessive claims. A good example of a desirable insured could be over age 30, carries high limits, and chooses high deductibles. A propective insured who fits that profile gets the lowest prices and will probably cut their rates if they switch.

Insureds who do not fit those criteria must pay more expensive rates which leads to business not being written. Company advertisements say “customers who switch” not “all people who quote” can get the lowest rates when switching. That’s the way companies can make those claims.

Each company has different criteria, so drivers must do a rate comparison at every renewal. It’s impossible to know which company will provide the lowest car insurance rates.

Six things that influence your insurance prices

Many different elements are used in the calculation when you quote your car insurance policy. Most are fairly basic such as your driving history, although some other factors are more obscure such as your credit history or your financial responsibility.The best way to find cheaper insurance coverage is to take a look at a few of the rating criteria that go into determining insurance coverage rates. When you know what positively or negatively controls the rates you pay, this allows you to make good choices that can earn you lower rates.

The items below are some of the major factors insurance coverage companies consider when setting your rates.

  • Careless driving means higher costs – Good drivers tend to pay less for car insurance than their less careful counterparts. Getting just one ticket can bump up the cost substantially. People who have license-revoking tickets like DUI or willful reckless driving might be required by their state to file a SR-22 to the state department of motor vehicles in order to legally drive.
  • Keep the miles off and save – The higher the miles on your Dodge every year the higher your rate. The majority of insurers price each vehicle’s coverage determined by how the vehicle is used. Cars and trucks left parked in the garage receive lower rates than vehicles that are driven to work every day. It’s a good idea to make sure your insurance coverage policy properly reflects the right rating data. A policy that improperly rates your Dakota may be wasting your money.
  • Discounts for multiple policies – Many companies provide lower prices to people who consolidate policies with them in the form of a multi-policy discount. The discount can add up to anywhere from five to ten percent in most cases. Even if you already get this discount, drivers will still want to shop around to confirm you are receiving the best rates possible. You may still save even more than the discount by insuring with multiple companies.
  • Liability protection limits should be high – Liability insurance is the coverage that protects you in the event that you are determined to be liable for damages from an accident. It will provide legal defense which can be incredibly expensive. This coverage is relatively inexpensive when compared to the cost of physical damage coverage, so do not cut corners here.
  • Insurance coverage policy lapses increase prices – Driving any period of time without insurance is a misdemeanor and as a result your rates will increase for letting your insurance expire. And not only will your rates increase, the inability to provide proof of insurance could result in fines and jail time. You may then have to prove you have insurance by filing a SR-22 with your state DMV.
  • Only buy what you need – There are quite a few add-on coverages that you can buy if you don’t pay attention. Coverage for things like replacement cost coverage, towing coverage, and extra life insurance coverage are examples of these. These coverages may sound good when deciding what coverages you need, but if you’ve never needed them in the past get rid of them and save.

Get cheaper rates with discounts

Car insurance is not an enjoyable expense, but you may find discounts that you may not even know about. Many of these discounts will be applied automatically at quote time, but some may not be applied and must be asked about in order for you to get them.

  • Accident Forgiveness – This one isn’t a discount, but certain companies may permit one accident without getting socked with a rate hike if your claims history is clear prior to the accident.
  • Defensive Driver – Taking part in a course in safe driver is a good idea and can lower rates depending on where you live.
  • Policy Bundle Discount – When you have multiple policies with the same company you could get a discount of 10% to 20% off each policy.
  • Discounts for Federal Employees – Employees or retirees of the government may reduce rates when you quote insurance coverage on Dakota coverage depending on your car insurance provider.
  • Passenger Safety Discount – Vehicles equipped with air bags or automatic seat belts may qualify for discounts of 20 to 30 percent.
  • Home Ownership Discount – Just being a homeowner can get you a discount because owning a home shows financial diligence.

We need to note that some credits don’t apply to the overall cost of the policy. Most only cut the cost of specific coverages such as physical damage coverage or medical payments. So when it seems like all those discounts means the company will pay you, it’s just not the way it works.

Insurance companies that may have most of the discounts above include:

When quoting, ask each company which discounts you qualify for. Depending on the company, some discounts may not be available in your area.

What is the best insurance coverage?

When it comes to buying proper insurance coverage, there really is no cookie cutter policy. Every insured’s situation is different so your insurance should reflect that Here are some questions about coverages that can aid in determining if you might need an agent’s assistance.

  • Can I get a multi-policy discount for packaging my home and auto coverage?
  • Can I still get insurance after a DUI?
  • What is the minimum liability in my state?
  • Will my vehicle be repaired with OEM or aftermarket parts?
  • Is my Dodge Dakota covered if I use it for business?
  • What is an SR-22 filing?
  • Is my babysitter covered when using my vehicle?

If you can’t answer these questions but one or more may apply to you, then you may want to think about talking to a licensed agent. If you don’t have a local agent, simply complete this short form or you can also visit this page to select a carrier It’s fast, free and can provide invaluable advice.

Car insurance coverage information

Having a good grasp of your policy can help you determine which coverages you need at the best deductibles and correct limits. The terms used in a policy can be confusing and even agents have difficulty translating policy wording. These are typical coverage types available from insurance companies.

Uninsured or underinsured coverage

This gives you protection when other motorists either have no liability insurance or not enough. This coverage pays for injuries sustained by your vehicle’s occupants as well as your vehicle’s damage.

Since many drivers only carry the minimum required liability limits, their liability coverage can quickly be exhausted. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is important protection for you and your family. Usually these limits are identical to your policy’s liability coverage.

Liability coverage

This coverage protects you from damages or injuries you inflict on people or other property that is your fault. This insurance protects YOU against other people’s claims. It does not cover damage sustained by your vehicle in an accident.

Liability coverage has three limits: bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident and property damage. You might see limits of 100/300/100 that translate to $100,000 bodily injury coverage, $300,000 for the entire accident, and a total limit of $100,000 for damage to vehicles and property. Alternatively, you may have a combined single limit or CSL which combines the three limits into one amount without having the split limit caps.

Liability coverage pays for claims like bail bonds, medical expenses, emergency aid, attorney fees and structural damage. How much liability should you purchase? That is a decision to put some thought into, but consider buying higher limits if possible.

Medical expense coverage

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage provide coverage for short-term medical expenses such as ambulance fees, chiropractic care, dental work and funeral costs. They can be used to fill the gap from your health insurance policy or if you are not covered by health insurance. Coverage applies to not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants in addition to any family member struck as a pedestrian. PIP coverage is not universally available but can be used in place of medical payments coverage

Comprehensive protection

Comprehensive insurance coverage will pay to fix damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. A deductible will apply then the remaining damage will be covered by your comprehensive coverage.

Comprehensive insurance covers claims such as a broken windshield, theft and vandalism. The highest amount a insurance company will pay at claim time is the ACV or actual cash value, so if it’s not worth much more than your deductible it’s probably time to drop comprehensive insurance.

Coverage for collisions

This pays for damage to your Dakota resulting from colliding with a stationary object or other vehicle. You have to pay a deductible then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.

Collision insurance covers claims such as colliding with a tree, sustaining damage from a pot hole, hitting a mailbox and rolling your car. This coverage can be expensive, so consider dropping it from vehicles that are older. Drivers also have the option to bump up the deductible to save money on collision insurance.

More choices the merrier

While you’re price shopping online, never skimp on critical coverages to save a buck or two. In many cases, someone dropped comprehensive coverage or liability limits and learned later that it was a big mistake. Your objective should be to buy a smart amount of coverage at an affordable rate, but don’t skip important coverages to save money.

Low-cost 2002 Dodge Dakota insurance can be found online in addition to local insurance agencies, so you need to quote insurance coverage with both to get a complete price analysis. There are still a few companies who do not offer online rate quotes and many times these small insurance companies only sell through independent agents.

Even more information can be found in the articles below: