2011 Honda Pilot Insurance Cost

Looking for lower car insurance rates for your Honda Pilot? Do you get frustrated by the crazy number of car insurance providers in your area? Lot’s of other people are too. Drivers have so many options that it can really be a ton of work to find the perfect company for you.

If you currently have car insurance, you stand a good chance to be able to lower your premiums substantially using this strategy. Buying more affordable car insurance coverage is not that difficult. Nevertheless, drivers can benefit by having an understanding of how the larger insurance companies sell insurance online.

Honda Pilot insurance price factors

Consumers need to have an understanding of the factors that come into play when calculating insurance rates. When you know what positively or negatively positively or negatively impacts your premiums, this helps enable you to make changes that could help you find better insurance rates. Many different elements are part of the calculation when you get a price on insurance. Most are fairly basic such as your driving history, although some other factors are less apparent such as your marital status or how financially stable you are.

The following are some of the major factors that factor into prices.

  • Low physical damage deductibles mean high prices – The deductibles you choose define how much the insured will be required to pay before your insurance pays a claim. Physical damage coverage, otherwise known as comp (or other than collision) and collision, protects your car from damage. Examples of covered claims could be rearending another vehicle, fire damage, or theft of your vehicle. The more money you have to pay, the less your insurance will be on Pilot coverage.
  • Safer vehicles cost less to insure – Safe vehicles tend to have lower insurance rates. Vehicles engineered for safety reduce the chance of injuries and fewer injuries means less money paid by your insurance company and lower rates for you.
  • Don’t cut corners with liability protection – The liability section of your policy is the protection when a jury decides you are liable for damages from an accident. It will provide legal defense to defend your case. Liability insurance is quite affordable compared to physical damage coverage, so buy as much as you can afford.
  • Men pay higher premiums – Over time, data shows that females tend to be a little less risky than males. It does not mean women are BETTER drivers than men. Males and females are responsible for fender benders at about the same rate, but males have accidents that have higher claims. Men also get cited for more serious violations such as DWI and reckless driving. Males from age 16 to 21 are several times more likely to be in an accident and therefore pay the highest rates.
  • Infrequent drivers can save – Driving a lot of miles in a year the more it will cost to insure it. A lot of insurance companies charge rates based upon how much you drive. Vehicles left parked in the garage can be on a lower rate level as compared to vehicles used primarily for driving to work. It’s a good idea to make sure your insurance policy properly reflects the proper vehicle usage. Incorrect rating for your Pilot is just wasting money.
  • An active claims history can cost more – Auto insurance companies give the best rates to policyholders that do not abuse their auto insurance. If you frequently file small claims, you can look forward to higher premiums or even policy non-renewal. Insurance coverage is meant to be used in the event of claims that pose a financial burden.
  • Avoid tickets and save – Having a single chargable violation may increase your cost by as much as twenty percent. Drivers who don’t get tickets get better rates than people who have multiple driving citations. Drivers who get careless violations such as reckless driving or DUI are required to complete a SR-22 to the state department of motor vehicles in order to prevent their license from being revoked.
  • lapses raise prices – Having a lapse in insurance coverage is a sure-fire way to increase your insurance rates. Not only will you pay higher rates, being ticketed for driving with no insurance will get you a hefty fine and possibly a revoked license. Then you may be required to file a SR-22 with your state department of motor vehicles.

How to get insurance coverage quotes

There are several ways to compare rate quotes from many different insurance companies. The simplest method to find competitive 2011 Honda Pilot insurance rates consists of obtaining rate quotes online. This can be accomplished using a couple different methods.

  1. If you don’t have a lot of time, the easiest way to get quotes is an all-inclusive rate comparison click to view form in new window. This quick form eliminates the need for separate quote forms for every insurance coverage company. Taking the time to complete one form will get you price quotes from many national carriers. Recommended for those who want to invest the least amount of time.
  2. A slightly less efficient method to get quotes online requires a visit to the website for every company you want to comare and complete a new quote form. For example, we’ll assume you want to view quotes from USAA, 21st Century and State Farm. In order to compare rates, you need to go to every website and repeatedly type in your coverage information, which is why most consumers use the first method.

    To view a list of companies in your area, click here.

  3. Even if you have time, the least recommended way to comparison shop rate quotes is to waste gas driving to all the different insurance agencies. Shopping for insurance coverage online eliminates the need for an insurance agent unless you prefer the trained advice of a local agency. You can, however, comparison shop online but have a local agent actually write the policy.

You can choose any of those ways to find more affodable coverage, but try to keep exactly the same quote data on every price quote you get. If you compare different coverage information it’s not possible to make an equal comparison. Slightly different insurance coverages could throw off the whole comparison. And when comparing insurance coverage rates, know that comparing more quotes will improve the odds of getting better pricing. Not every company allows you to get prices over the internet, so you should also compare rates from them, too.

Auto insurance in the media

Respected companies like 21st Century, Allstate and State Farm regularly use ads in print and on television. All the companies tend to make the same promise that you can save if you just switch your policy. How can each company offer drivers better rates? You have to listen carefully.

Many companies have underwriting criteria for the type of customer that will be a good risk. One example of a profitable customer may be a female over age 40, has a clean driving record, and the vehicle is rated for pleasure use. A customer getting a price quote who fits that profile is entitled to the best price and will probably save if they switch.

Drivers who do not match those criteria may be required to pay a more expensive rate which results in business going elsewhere. If you pay attention, the ads say “customers who switch” not “everyone who quotes” save that much when switching. This is how companies can truthfully make it sound like they have such great car insurance rates. Because every company is different, you really need to compare as many free insurance coverage quotes as you can. Because you never know with any certainty which company will have the lowest rate quotes.

Cheaper rates with these insurance discounts

Insurance is expensive, but there’s a good chance there are discounts to cut the cost considerably. Many of these discounts will be applied automatically at quote time, but once in a while a discount must be requested specifically before being credited. If you don’t get every credit you qualify for, you’re just leaving money on the table.

  • New Vehicle Savings – Adding a new car to your policy can get you a discount because newer vehicles are generally safer.
  • Drive Safe and Save – Insureds who avoid accidents can save as much as half off their rates on Pilot coverage than drivers with accidents.
  • Professional Organizations – Being a member of qualifying clubs or civic groups could trigger savings when shopping for insurance.
  • Theft Deterent – Cars optioned with advanced anti-theft systems are stolen less frequently and that can save you a little bit as well.
  • Fewer Miles Equal More Savings – Low mileage vehicles could earn cheaper premium rates.
  • Active Service Discounts – Being deployed in the military could be rewarded with lower insurance rates.
  • Home Ownership Discount – Just owning your own home can save a few bucks because of the fact that having a home demonstrates responsibility.
  • Resident Student – who attend college more than 100 miles from home without a vehicle on campus could get you a discount.
  • Senior Citizens – Mature drivers are able to get reduced rates on Pilot coverage.

A quick disclaimer, some credits don’t apply to the entire cost. The majority will only reduce individual premiums such as medical payments or collision. If you do the math and it seems like you could get a free insurance policy, insurance companies aren’t that generous.

Popular insurance companies and a partial list of their discounts include:

  • State Farm offers discounts for safe vehicle, driver’s education, accident-free, good driver, and passive restraint.
  • Farmers Insurance policyholders can earn discounts including business and professional, switch companies, good student, mature driver, and bundle discounts.
  • Progressive offers discounts including continuous coverage, online quote discount, good student, multi-vehicle, multi-policy, homeowner, and online signing.
  • GEICO may have discounts that include anti-lock brakes, defensive driver, driver training, emergency military deployment, and military active duty.
  • Auto-Owners Insurance has discounts for good student, student away at school, multiple vehicles, safe vehicle, multi-policy, and anti-theft.
  • The Hartford discounts include air bag, driver training, bundle, anti-theft, and good student.
  • Farm Bureau may offer discounts for youthful driver, renewal discount, 55 and retired, safe driver, multi-vehicle, and multi-policy.
  • USAA may include discounts for multi-policy, multi-vehicle, military installation, new vehicle, vehicle storage, defensive driver, and driver training.

When getting free insurance coverage quotes, it’s a good idea to every prospective company to give you their best rates. Some of the earlier mentioned discounts might not be available to policyholders in every state. To see a list of insurance companies that offer discounts, click here to view.

Car insurance can get complicated

When it comes to choosing the right insurance coverage, there really is not a perfect coverage plan. Every insured’s situation is different.

Here are some questions about coverages that can aid in determining whether or not you might need professional guidance.

  • Are rock chip repairs covered?
  • How much liability coverage do I need in my state?
  • Should I waive the damage coverage when renting a car?
  • Do all my vehicles need collision coverage?
  • Is my camper covered by my car insurance policy?
  • Do I need an umbrella policy?
  • Do I need to file an SR-22 for a DUI in my state?

If you can’t answer these questions, then you may want to think about talking to a licensed insurance agent. If you don’t have a local agent, simply complete this short form.

Auto insurance 101

Knowing the specifics of your car insurance policy aids in choosing the right coverages for your vehicles. Car insurance terms can be impossible to understand and coverage can change by endorsement.

Auto liability

Liability insurance protects you from damages or injuries you inflict on a person or their property that is your fault. This coverage protects you from claims by other people, and doesn’t cover damage sustained by your vehicle in an accident.

Coverage consists of three different limits, per person bodily injury, per accident bodily injury, and a property damage limit. As an example, you may have policy limits of 100/300/100 which means $100,000 bodily injury coverage, a limit of $300,000 in injury protection per accident, and a limit of $100,000 paid for damaged property.

Liability can pay for things such as structural damage, emergency aid, bail bonds, medical services and loss of income. How much coverage you buy is a personal decision, but you should buy as high a limit as you can afford.

Collision insurance

This coverage will pay to fix damage to your Pilot from colliding with another vehicle or an object, but not an animal. A deductible applies and then insurance will cover the remainder.

Collision coverage protects against things such as sideswiping another vehicle, backing into a parked car, driving through your garage door and rolling your car. Paying for collision coverage can be pricey, so analyze the benefit of dropping coverage from vehicles that are 8 years or older. Another option is to increase the deductible to bring the cost down.

Comprehensive protection

Comprehensive insurance pays for damage from a wide range of events other than collision. You need to pay your deductible first then the remaining damage will be covered by your comprehensive coverage.

Comprehensive insurance covers things like rock chips in glass, theft and a tree branch falling on your vehicle. The maximum amount you’ll receive from a claim is the market value of your vehicle, so if it’s not worth much more than your deductible it’s probably time to drop comprehensive insurance.

Uninsured or underinsured coverage

This gives you protection from other motorists when they either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. This coverage pays for medical payments for you and your occupants and damage to your Honda Pilot.

Since many drivers only carry the minimum required liability limits, it doesn’t take a major accident to exceed their coverage limits. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage is a good idea.

Medical expense coverage

Coverage for medical payments and/or PIP reimburse you for immediate expenses for nursing services, dental work, pain medications and EMT expenses. They are used to cover expenses not covered by your health insurance policy or if you lack health insurance entirely. Coverage applies to not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants as well as getting struck while a pedestrian. PIP coverage is only offered in select states but it provides additional coverages not offered by medical payments coverage

Final considerations

Budget-conscious 2011 Honda Pilot insurance can be sourced both online and from local agencies, and you should compare rates from both to get a complete price analysis. There are still a few companies who don’t offer rate quotes online and many times these small, regional companies sell through independent insurance agencies.

You just read quite a bit of information on how to get a better price on 2011 Honda Pilot insurance. The key concept to understand is the more rate quotes you have, the higher your chance of finding cheap insurance coverage. Consumers could even find that the most savings is with a smaller regional carrier.

When searching for inexpensive insurance coverage quotes, never buy less coverage just to save a little money. There are a lot of situations where drivers have reduced liability coverage limits only to discover later that it was a big error on their part. Your strategy should be to find the BEST coverage at the lowest possible cost, not the least amount of coverage.

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