How to Find Affordable Insurance for your Chrysler PT Cruiser
If finding the lowest rate on car insurance was easy, most people would have no trouble paying less. Unfortunately, it's not always as easy as it sounds to get the best rate. Finding insurance for your Chrysler PT Cruiser that you can actually afford is probably no different.
Step One: Compare Online Rate Quotes
Years ago, your local insurance agent was the only way to quote a buy a car insurance policy. But now you can eliminate that hassle and buy online!
The best car insurance companies offer online quoting for a Chrysler PT Cruiser and it's very easy to compare different rates by only using one form.
Compare rates now by clicking the link below. In just a few minutes you'll have a good idea of what insurance will cost for your Chrysler PT Cruiser.
Quote Tip! In order to accurately compare rates for your PT Cruiser, it's critical that you use the same limits and deductibles for liability and physical damage coverages like comprehensive and collision. If you use different limits, you will not be able to accurately compare rates between carriers.
Step Two: Tricks to Saving Money on PT Cruiser Insurance
How much impact insuring your Chrysler has on your wallet is controlled by many different factors. Here are some ways to reduce the negatives and improve the positives.
- Being a senior citizen can qualify you for a small discount on your insurance rates. Older drivers are generally more cautious so they get a lower rate.
- One of the easiest ways to cut your rates is to increase your comprehensive and collision deductibles. By having a higher deductible like $500 or even $1,000, you can save 30% or more on physical damage coverage.
- Teen drivers are expensive to insure and the only way to lower your rates is to rate them on an older vehicle with basic liability coverage.
- Speeding tickets and other violations can negatively impact your insurance rates for up to three years. Get too many tickets and you'll be shopping for a new car insurance company.
- Air bags, antilock brakes, traction control, and stability control all help lower the cost of insurance due to reducing the risk of injury in an accident.
- Try to maintain a claim-free discount on your car insurance policy. Obviously you can't prevent large claims, but if they are smaller and you can afford to pay them out-of-pocket, do so.
- If you car makes the top ten list of most stolen cars, you might be paying a little extra to insure it.
- Do you keep your credit rating in good shape? If you do, you will get a better rate than if you let your credit score slide. Check your credit score regularly to make sure there are few blemishes on your record.
- If your city or county offers a driver's safety course, find out if your insurance company will give you a discount to complete it. It could save you up to 10%.
- Letting your car insurance expire without having new coverage in place is called a "lapse" and will cause your next policy premiums to be higher.
- Most insurance companies will give you a discount on your car insurance if you also own a home. Some go even farther and give you discounts if you package your homeowners and auto insurance with them.
Step Three: Bind Coverage and Cancel your Old Policy
It's time to make a purchase decision based on your rate comparisions and and any policy coverage changes you wish to make. Once you are comfortable with the cost and coverages, you can finalize your purchase by paying your premium down payment.
If you didn't have a prior policy, then you can make the new policy effective any time. But if you're moving bewteen companies and don't want a lapse in coverage, make sure the effective date of the new policy is exactly the same as the cancellation date of the old policy.
Any time you buy a new vehicle, make sure you have car insurance in place, either from an existing policy or a new policy that you purchase from the dealership floor. Comprehensive (or Other than Collision) and collision coverage will extend to your new PT Cruiser if you current have a vehicle insured with those coverages. If you aren't insured or only carry basic liability coverage, then you will be inadequately insured until you add the vehicle to your policy with full coverage.
Once your new policy has been purchased, you are required to keep the proof-of-insurance card in your vehicle at all times. This is required by state law and you can receive a citation if you cannot provide it. If you're considered a high-risk driver, having been convicted of a DUI, DWI, reckless driving or had your license suspended, you may need to file a SR-22. Be sure your new company files this form with your state DMV. Failure to do so can result in losing your right to drive.
Consumer Insurance Information
To do more research on car insurance, visit the Insurance Information Institute website.