How to Get the Absolute Lowest Rates When Insuring a Dodge Stratus

I can’t think of a single person who likes having to buy auto insurance, in particular when the cost is too high. Companies like GEICO, 21st Century and Progressive constantly bombard you with TV and radio ads and it is challenging if not impossible to ignore the flying pigs and cute green geckos and do the work needed to find the best deal.

If you have a current auto insurance policy or are looking for a new policy, you can use this information to reduce the price you pay and possibly find even better coverage. Buying car insurance is not that difficult. Consumers only need to know the most effective way to shop their coverage around online.

Don’t miss out on these money-saving discounts

Insuring your vehicles can cost a lot, but there could be available discounts that can drop the cost substantially. Certain discounts will be applied at the time of quoting, but less common discounts must be asked about prior to getting the savings. If you aren’t receiving every discount available, you are paying more than you should be.

Bundle and Save – If you insure your home and vehicles with the same insurance company you may earn approximately 10% to 15%.
Organization Discounts – Belonging to certain professional organizations could qualify you for a break on auto insurance for Stratus insurance.
Anti-theft Discount – Vehicles with anti-theft systems prevent vehicle theft and earn discounts up to 10%.
Own a Home – Being a homeowner may earn you a small savings because of the fact that having a home demonstrates responsibility.
Accident Waiver – Some insurance companies will allow you to have one accident before raising your premiums if you are claim-free for a particular time prior to the accident.

It’s important to note that some credits don’t apply to all coverage premiums. The majority will only reduce the cost of specific coverages such as collision or personal injury protection. So even though it sounds like you could get a free auto insurance policy, auto insurance companies aren’t that generous. Any qualifying discounts will cut the amount you have to pay.

To choose providers with discount auto insurance rates, click here to view.

Fast and Easy Auto Insurance Quotes

Cutting your auto insurance rates isn’t really that difficult. Just take time to compare quotes online with multiple companies. It is quite easy and can be accomplished in several different ways.

The best way to compare a lot of rates at once would be an industry-wide quote request form like this one (opens in new window). This form eliminates the need for boring form submissions to each individual auto insurance company. A single, simple form will get you rate comparisons from auto insurance companies with the best prices.

A slightly less efficient method to compare prices consists of going to each company’s website and fill out their own quote form. For examples sake, we’ll pretend you want to compare rates from USAA, GEICO and Liberty Mutual. You would have to visit each site to input your insurance information, which is why most consumers use the first method. To view a list of companies in your area, click here.

The hardest way to get comparison rates is to spend time driving to different agent offices. Shopping for auto insurance online has reduced the need for local agents unless you prefer the personal advice of a licensed agent. However, consumers can get the lowest quotes online and get advice from an agent in your area. insurance cheap

Which method you use is up to you, but make darn sure you compare identical coverages and limits for every quote you compare. If you are comparing different limits and deductibles on each one you can’t possibly make a fair comparison for your Dodge Stratus.

These factors can influence Dodge Stratus insurance rates

Smart consumers have a good feel for the factors that go into determining your auto insurance rates. Knowing what determines base rates enables informed choices that will entitle you to much lower annual insurance costs.

Listed below are some of the factors auto insurance companies consider when setting prices.

Don’t buy coverages you don’t need – There are quite a few extra coverages that you can get tricked into buying when buying auto insurance. Coverages like rental car reimbursement, accidental death and motor club memberships are some examples. These may sound like a good investment at first, but if you don’t need them get rid of them and save.
Pleasure use saves money – Driving more miles in a year the higher your rate. Most insurance companies rate vehicles based on their usage. Cars and trucks left parked in the garage get more affordable rates than those used for commuting. Make sure your auto insurance coverage is showing the proper vehicle usage. If your policy improperly rates your Stratus may be costing you.
No coverage gaps is important – Letting your insurance expire is a guaranteed way to trigger a rate increase. Not only will rates go up, getting caught without coverage will get you a revoked license or a big fine.
The type of vehicle makes a difference – The type of vehicle you drive makes a significant difference in how high your rates are. The cheapest insurance rates are generally reserved for economy passenger cars, but the final cost of insurance is determined by many other factors. Since the Dodge Stratus is a passenger car, insuring your vehicle will cost similar in price or lower as compared to the average rate.
Do you know you’re credit rating? – Your credit history is a important factor in your rate calculation. Therefore, if your credit score is not that good, you could be paying less to insure your Dodge Stratus by repairing your credit. Consumers who have high credit scores tend to be less risk to insure than drivers who have lower credit scores.
Liability coverage protects you – Your policy’s liability coverage is the coverage that protects you in the event that you are found liable for causing damage or personal injury in an accident. It provides legal defense coverage starting from day one. Liability is cheap as compared to coverage for physical damage, so do not cut corners here.
Traffic violations increase rates – Drivers who don’t get tickets receive lower rates compared to drivers with tickets. Only having one ticket can bump up the cost twenty percent or more. If you have flagrant violations such as DUI or reckless driving may find they need to file a proof of financial responsibility form (SR-22) to the state department of motor vehicles in order to keep their license.

Quote online but work with a neighborhood agent

Certain consumers would prefer to talk to a local agent and that is just fine! Professional agents can point out coverage gaps and help submit paperwork. The biggest benefit of comparing insurance prices online is the fact that you can find lower rates and still choose a local agent. Buying from local insurance agencies is especially important in small towns and cities.

To help locate an agent, after submitting this quick form, the quote information is instantly submitted to participating agents who will compete for your coverage. You won’t need to drive around since price quotes are sent to your email. How’s that for easy!

Insurance agents come in two varieties

When looking for a local agent, you need to know there are two types of insurance agents from which to choose. Insurance agencies are categorized either independent or captive. While both can do a good job, but it’s worth learning the difference between them since it may influence your selection of an agent.

Independent Agents (or Brokers)

These agents are not required to write business for one company but instead can place your coverage amongst many companies enabling the ability to shop coverage around. To transfer your coverage to a different company, the business is moved internally and you won’t have to switch agencies.

When shopping rates, it’s a good idea to include at a minimum one independent agency for the best price selection.

Captive Insurance Agents

These agents are contracted to one company such as State Farm, AAA and Liberty Mutual. Captives cannot place coverage with different providers so they have no alternatives for high prices. Captive agencies are well schooled in insurance sales and that can be a competitive advantage.

To view a complete directory of insurance agencies, click here.

Deciding on a car insurance agent shouldn’t rely on just the premium amount. These are valid questions to ask:

Do they have advanced training designations such as CPCU, AAI, AIC, or CIC?
How often do they review policy coverages?
Do they specialize in personal lines coverage?
Does the company allow you to choose your own collision repair facility?
Do they make recommendations based only on price?
Can they give you a list of client referrals?

Once you have reasonable responses to any questions you have as well as a affordable price, you have narrowed it down to an auto insurance agent that will service your policy.

Compare but don’t skimp

Affordable Dodge Stratus insurance can be bought from both online companies as well as from independent agents, and you need to comparison shop both to have the best rate selection. Some auto insurance companies don’t offer online quoting and usually these small insurance companies provide coverage only through local independent agents.

While you’re price shopping online, don’t be tempted to buy less coverage just to save a little money. In too many instances, drivers have reduced full coverage only to regret that the few dollars in savings costed them thousands. The proper strategy is to buy enough coverage at the best price while not skimping on critical coverages.