Are you tired of scraping the payment together to buy car insurance? You are in the same boat as most other car owners.
Drivers have multiple insurers to buy insurance from, and though it is a good thing to be able to choose, it can be more difficult to adequately compare rates.
Finding the best rates is quite easy. If you currently have a car insurance policy, you will be able to lower your premiums substantially using these methods. Nevertheless, drivers must understand how the larger insurance companies price insurance differently because it can help you find the best coverage.
How to Compare Auto Insurance Costs
When shopping for auto insurance there are multiple ways of comparing price quotes from auto insurance companies in your area. One of the best ways to find the cheapest Kia Sportage insurance rates consists of obtaining rate quotes online. It is quite easy and can be accomplished using a couple different methods.
- The most efficient way consumers can make multiple comparisons is an all-inclusive rate comparison click to view form in new window. This type of form keeps you from doing multiple quote forms for each company you want a rate for. One simple form will get you price quotes from multiple low-cost companies.
- A harder way to compare prices requires a visit to the website of each company and complete a new quote form. For example, let’s assume you want rates from Liberty Mutual, State Farm and Progressive. To get rate quotes you would need to go to every website and enter your policy data, which is why the first method is quicker.
For a handy list of car insurance company links in your area, click here.
It’s your choice how you get your quotes, but ensure you are comparing the exact same coverages for every quote you compare. If you have mixed coverages it’s impossible to determine which rate is truly the best. Quoting even small variations in coverages can make a big difference in price. And when quoting auto insurance, remember that more quotes provides better odds of finding lower pricing.
Don’t miss out on these ten money-saving discounts
Companies don’t always publicize all their discounts in a way that’s easy to find, so we took the time to find some of the more common as well as the least known ways to save on auto insurance.
- Seat Belts Save – Using a seat belt and requiring all passengers to use their safety belts can save 10% or more off your medical payments premium.
- Low Mileage – Keeping the miles down on your Kia can qualify you for lower rates on the low mileage vehicles.
- Discount for New Cars – Adding a new car to your policy can cost up to 25% less compared to insuring an older model.
- Bundle and Save – When you combine your home and auto insurance with the same insurance company you could get a discount of approximately 10% to 15%.
- No Charge for an Accident – Certain companies will allow you to have one accident before hitting you with a surcharge if you are claim-free for a particular time prior to the accident.
- Safe Driver Discount – Drivers who don’t get into accidents can get discounts for up to 45% lower rates for Sportage coverage than drivers with accidents.
- Student in College – Kids in college living away from home attending college and do not have a car can be insured at a reduced rate.
- Air Bag Discount – Factory air bags and/or automatic seat belt systems can qualify for discounts up to 30%.
- Federal Government Employee – Employees or retirees of the government may qualify you for a discount for Sportage coverage with select insurance companies.
- Braking Control Discount – Vehicles with anti-lock braking systems prevent accidents and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
A little note about advertised discounts, most discounts do not apply to the entire cost. Some only reduce specific coverage prices like physical damage coverage or medical payments. So even though they make it sound like you could get a free auto insurance policy, auto insurance companies aren’t that generous.
For a list of companies with discount auto insurance rates, click this link.
Car insurance coverages for a Kia Sportage
Learning about specific coverages of your policy aids in choosing appropriate coverage for your vehicles. Auto insurance terms can be ambiguous and coverage can change by endorsement. Below you’ll find the usual coverages found on the average auto insurance policy.
Medical expense insurance
Med pay and PIP coverage pay for immediate expenses such as prosthetic devices, surgery, EMT expenses and ambulance fees. They are often used in conjunction with a health insurance program or if there is no health insurance coverage. It covers you and your occupants as well as if you are hit as a while walking down the street. Personal Injury Protection is not universally available and gives slightly broader coverage than med pay
Protection from uninsured/underinsured drivers
Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage provides protection when the “other guys” either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. This coverage pays for hospital bills for your injuries as well as your vehicle’s damage.
Because many people carry very low liability coverage 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.
Comprehensive (Other than Collision)
This coverage covers damage caused by mother nature, theft, vandalism and other events. You first have to pay a deductible then your comprehensive coverage will pay.
Comprehensive insurance covers claims such as hail damage, a broken windshield and theft. The maximum amount a auto insurance company will pay at claim time is the market value of your vehicle, so if the vehicle is not worth much consider removing comprehensive coverage.
Collision protection
This covers damage to your Sportage from colliding with an object or car. A deductible applies and the rest of the damage will be paid by collision coverage.
Collision can pay for claims such as driving through your garage door, sustaining damage from a pot hole, crashing into a ditch, hitting a parking meter and hitting a mailbox. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so consider dropping it from vehicles that are older. It’s also possible to increase the deductible to bring the cost down.
Liability coverages
This will cover damage or injury you incur to other people or property that is your fault. It protects you from legal claims by others, and does not provide coverage for damage to your own property or vehicle.
Coverage consists of three different limits, bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident and property damage. You commonly see liability limits of 25/50/25 which stand for a $25,000 limit per person for injuries, a total of $50,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and a total limit of $25,000 for damage to vehicles and property.
Liability can pay for claims like structural damage, pain and suffering, medical services and repair costs for stationary objects. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is a decision to put some thought into, but consider buying higher limits if possible.
