Lower Your 2003 Kia Sorento Car Insurance Rates

Looking for cheaper insurance rates for your Kia Sorento? There isn’t anyone who likes having to buy insurance, in particular when the cost is too high. There is such a variety of insurance companies to insure vehicles with, and although it’s a good thing to be able to choose, more options can take longer to get the best deal.

It’s a great practice to compare premium rates once or twice a year since insurance rates trend upward over time. Even if you got the lowest premium rates for Sorento coverage on your last policy you may be paying too much now. Forget anything you know (or think you know) about insurance because you’re going to get a crash course in how to use online quotes to properly buy coverages and cut your premium.

You may qualify for discounts

Insuring your fleet can be pricey, but there’s a good chance there are discounts that many people don’t even know exist. Most are applied when you complete an application, but some need to be specifically requested prior to receiving the credit.

  • Early Signing – Some companies give discounts for buying a policy before your current expiration date. This discount can save up to 10%.
  • ABS Brakes – Cars that have steering control and anti-lock brakes have fewer accidents and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
  • Bundled Policy Discount – If you can combine your auto and home policy with one insurance company you may save up to 20% and get you affordable insurance.
  • Organization Discounts – Having an affiliation with a professional or civic organization could qualify you for a break when getting a insurance quote.
  • Discount for Home Ownership – Just owning your own home can save you money since home ownership shows financial diligence.
  • Pay Now and Pay Less – If you pay your entire premium ahead of time instead of monthly or quarterly installments you may reduce your total bill.
  • Telematics Data – Policyholders that allow data collection to track their driving habits by using a small device installed in their vehicle like Allstate’s Drivewise could see a rate decrease if their driving habits are good.
  • 55 and Retired – Older drivers can get lower premium rates for Sorento coverage.
  • Discounts for Safe Drivers – Insureds who avoid accidents may save up to 50% more for Sorento coverage than drivers with accident claims.

As a footnote on discounts, some of the credits will not apply to your bottom line cost. Some only apply to individual premiums such as comp or med pay. So when the math indicates all those discounts means the company will pay you, nobody gets a free ride.

Large car insurance companies and their possible discounts are included below.

  • GEICO has discounts for good student, air bags, multi-vehicle, multi-policy, defensive driver, and daytime running lights.
  • USAA discounts include loyalty savings, vehicle storage, new vehicle, multi-vehicle, and defensive driver.
  • Progressive has savings for online quote discount, multi-policy, online signing, homeowner, multi-vehicle, and good student.
  • American Family may have discounts that include air bags, early bird, good student, Steer into Savings, TimeAway discount, multi-vehicle, and defensive driver.
  • Esurance may offer discounts for Switch & Save, defensive driver, Pac-12 alumni, safety device, and multi-car.
  • Farmers Insurance may include discounts for alternative fuel, homeowner, pay in full, early shopping, business and professional, and youthful driver.
  • State Farm offers discounts for Steer Clear safe driver discount, passive restraint, anti-theft, safe vehicle, and Drive Safe & Save.

When quoting, ask each insurance company how you can save money. A few discounts may not be offered everywhere.

Why your insurance prices might be higher

A large part of saving on car insurance is knowing a few of the rating criteria that come into play when calculating car insurance rates. If you have a feel for what controls the rates you pay, this allows you to make educated decisions that will entitle you to lower rates. Lots of things are used in the calculation when quoting car insurance. Some factors are common sense such as traffic violations, although some other factors are less obvious like your continuous coverage or your financial responsibility.

  • Always keep your policy in place – Allowing your car insurance policy to lapse is a quick way to trigger a rate increase. In addition to paying higher rates, being ticketed for driving with no insurance will get you a license revocation or jail time. You may have to file a SR-22 with your state motor vehicle department to get your license reinstated.
  • Pay more of a claim out-of-pocket – Physical damage deductibles define the amount you are willing to pay out-of-pocket if you file a covered claim. Physical damage insurance, also called comprehensive and collision insurance, is used to repair damage to your car. Some coverage claims could be colliding with a stationary object, collision with a deer, and damage from wind. The higher the amount you pay before a claim is paid (deductible), the lower your rates will be for Sorento coverage.
  • Alarms and GPS tracking lower rates – Buying a car that has an advanced theft prevention system can earn a premium discount. Theft prevention features like OnStar, LoJack tracking, and tamper alarms can thwart auto theft and help lower rates.
  • Don’t skimp on liability insurance – The liability section of your policy will protect you if ever a jury decides you are liable for causing damage or personal injury in an accident. Your policy’s liability insurance provides legal defense starting from day one. This coverage is relatively inexpensive compared to physical damage coverage, so drivers should carry high limits.
  • Marriage can lower costs – Your spouse may save some money on your car insurance policy. Marriage generally demonstrates drivers are more financially stable and statistics prove drivers who are married are more cautious.
  • Employer stress can make you pay more – Jobs such as lawyers, social workers and dentists tend to have higher rates than average because of intense work requirements and lots of time spent at work. Other occupations such as farmers, engineers and the unemployed generally pay rates lower than average for Sorento coverage.
  • Car and home together may be cheaper – Many car insurance companies apply better rates to policyholders who carry more than one policy such as combining an auto and homeowners policy. The discount can be anywhere from five to ten percent in most cases. Even if you already get this discount, you may still want to compare other company rates to confirm you are receiving the best rates possible.
  • How credit score affects car insurance premiums – Credit rating factor in determining your rates. Insureds that have excellent credit tend to be more responsible and file fewer claims as compared to drivers with poor credit. So if your credit can be improved, you could pay less to insure your 2003 Kia Sorento if you improve your credit rating.

There’s no such thing as the perfect insurance coverage policy

When choosing proper insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there really is no one size fits all plan. Everyone’s situation is unique so your insurance needs to address that. For example, these questions might point out whether or not you might need an agent’s assistance.

  • Do I need PIP (personal injury protection) coverage in my state?
  • Do I really need UM/UIM coverage?
  • Does my liability insurance cover pulling a trailer or camper?
  • Should I carry comprehensive and collision coverage?
  • Are there companies who specialize in insuring high-risk drivers?
  • I have health insurance so do I need medical payments coverage?
  • Do I benefit by insuring my home with the same company?
  • How can I find cheaper teen driver insurance?
  • Does my policy cover my teen driver if they drive my company car?
  • Is there coverage for injuries to my pets?

If you can’t answer these questions, you may need to chat with an insurance agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, take a second and complete this form or go to this page to view a list of companies. It only takes a few minutes and can provide invaluable advice.

Switch companies and save? Really?

Drivers get pounded daily by advertisements that claim the cheapest premium rates from the likes of Progressive, GEICO, Allstate and State Farm. All the companies try to convey promises of big savings just by moving your car insurance policy to them.

How do they all offer you a better deal? This is the trick they use.

Different companies have a preferred profile for the type of customer that will most likely be profitable. For example, a profitable risk profile might be between 25 and 40, has few claims, and does not commute to work. Someone who matches those parameters will probably get cheap premium rates and will cut their rates if they switch.

Consumers who don’t measure up to these stringent criteria may be forced to pay more expensive rates with the end result being the customer not purchasing. The ads state “people who switch” but not “all drivers who get quotes” save money. That is how companies can advertise the savings. Because of the profiling, drivers must compare price quotes frequently. It’s just too difficult to predict the company that will be your best fit.

Auto insurance coverage options for a 2003 Kia Sorento

Having a good grasp of a auto insurance policy helps when choosing which coverages you need at the best deductibles and correct limits. Auto insurance terms can be confusing and even agents have difficulty translating policy wording. Below you’ll find the usual coverages found on the average auto insurance policy.

Coverage for medical payments – Coverage for medical payments and/or PIP reimburse you for immediate expenses such as rehabilitation expenses, nursing services, dental work, prosthetic devices and EMT expenses. The coverages can be utilized in addition to your health insurance policy or if there is no health insurance coverage. They cover all vehicle occupants as well as getting struck while a pedestrian. PIP coverage is not an option in every state and gives slightly broader coverage than med pay

Collision coverage – Collision coverage covers damage to your Sorento resulting from a collision with an object or car. A deductible applies then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.

Collision insurance covers claims such as backing into a parked car, crashing into a building, sideswiping another vehicle, sustaining damage from a pot hole and hitting a mailbox. Paying for collision coverage can be pricey, so consider removing coverage from lower value vehicles. Drivers also have the option to choose a higher deductible to save money on collision insurance.

Uninsured and underinsured coverage – This gives you protection when the “other guys” are uninsured or don’t have enough coverage. This coverage pays for injuries to you and your family as well as your vehicle’s damage.

Because many people only purchase the least amount of liability that is required, it doesn’t take a major accident to exceed their coverage limits. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is important protection for you and your family.

Comprehensive coverages – This coverage pays for damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. You first have to pay a deductible and the remainder of the damage will be paid by comprehensive coverage.

Comprehensive can pay for claims like a tree branch falling on your vehicle, vandalism, damage from a tornado or hurricane, damage from getting keyed and hitting a deer. The maximum amount you’ll receive from a claim is the cash value of the vehicle, so if the vehicle is not worth much it’s probably time to drop comprehensive insurance.

Liability coverages – Liability insurance protects you from damage that occurs to a person or their property in an accident. It protects YOU from claims by other people, and doesn’t cover your injuries or vehicle damage.

Liability coverage has three limits: per person bodily injury, per accident bodily injury, and a property damage limit. Your policy might show limits of 50/100/50 which stand for $50,000 in coverage for each person’s injuries, $100,000 for the entire accident, and $50,000 of coverage for damaged propery.

Liability coverage pays for claims like bail bonds, legal defense fees and medical expenses. How much liability coverage do you need? That is a personal decision, but it’s cheap coverage so purchase as high a limit as you can afford.

Find Good Coverage for Less

More affordable insurance coverage is available both online as well as from independent agents, and you need to comparison shop both to have the best rate selection. Some insurance companies may not have online rate quotes and these small, regional companies only sell coverage through independent agents.

In this article, we covered a lot of tips how to reduce 2003 Kia Sorento insurance rates online. The most important thing to understand is the more rate quotes you have, the more likely it is that you will get a better rate. Drivers may discover the most savings is with a lesser-known regional company. Regional companies can often insure niche markets at a lower cost than their larger competitors like GEICO and State Farm.

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