Lower Your 2002 Subaru Forester Insurance Rates

Did you fall for a flashy sales pitch and buy an overpriced auto insurance policy? Believe me, you’re not the only one.

Having so many auto insurance companies to choose from, it is very difficult to find the lowest cost company.

You should make it a habit to get comparison quotes periodically because insurance rates are variable and change quite frequently. Just because you had the best deal for Forester coverage a few years ago there is a good chance you can find better rates now. You’ll find quite a bit of inaccurate information about auto insurance online, so we’re going to give you a lot of great tips on how to quit paying high auto insurance rates.

Pricing cheaper insurance is easy if you know what you’re doing. In a nutshell, anyone who shops for insurance should be able to cut their insurance bill. But drivers must know how companies price insurance differently and take advantage of how the system works.

Comprehensive Insurance Coverage Comparison Quotes

Effectively comparing insurance coverage prices can be a lot of work if you aren’t aware of the most efficient way. You can waste a lot of time talking to insurance agencies in your area, or you could use online quoting to get pricing more quickly.

Most car insurance companies belong to a marketplace where insurance shoppers complete one form, and at least one company can give them a price based on the submitted data. This eliminates the need for quote requests for each company you want a rate for.

To find out how much you’re overpaying now click here to start a free quote.

The single downside to using this type of system is you are unable to specify which carriers to get pricing from. If you would rather choose specific providers to compare prices, we have a listing of companies who write insurance coverage in your area. Click here for list of insurance companies.

Whichever method you choose, ensure you’re using identical coverages and limits for each price quote. If each company quotes different values for each quote you will not be able to find the best deal for your Subaru Forester. Slightly different insurance coverages can make a big difference in price. Keep in mind that comparing more company’s prices gives you a better chance of getting a lower rate.

Discounts can save BIG

Car insurance can cost a lot, but you may find discounts to reduce the price significantly. Some discounts apply automatically at the time you complete a quote, but some must be asked for prior to receiving the credit.

  • Seat Belts Save – Buckling up and requiring all passengers to wear their seat belts could cut 10% or more on the medical payments or PIP coverage costs.
  • Passive Restraints and Air Bags – Cars that have air bags or automatic seat belts can qualify for discounts of more than 20%.
  • Discounts for Safe Drivers – Drivers who avoid accidents may receive a discount up to 45% less for Forester coverage than their less cautious counterparts.
  • New Vehicle Savings – Insuring a new car can save up to 30% since new cars are generally safer.
  • Theft Prevention Discount – Anti-theft and alarm systems prevent vehicle theft and therefore earn up to a 10% discount.

Drivers should understand that most discount credits are not given to all coverage premiums. Most only apply to specific coverage prices like medical payments or collision. So even though it sounds like you would end up receiving a 100% discount, you’re out of luck. Any amount of discount will reduce your overall premium however.

To see a list of insurers with the best insurance discounts, click here.

Will just any policy work for me?

When choosing the right insurance coverage, there really is not a “perfect” insurance plan. Everyone’s situation is unique so your insurance should reflect that Here are some questions about coverages that can help discover whether you could use an agent’s help.

  • Should I drop comprehensive coverage on older vehicles?
  • Can I get a multi-policy discount for packaging my home and auto coverage?
  • Does insurance cover damages from a DUI accident?
  • Who is covered by my policy?
  • Do I need an umbrella policy?
  • Does my liability insurance cover pulling a trailer or camper?
  • Can my babysitter drive my car?

If you’re not sure about those questions but you know they apply to you then you might want to talk to a licensed insurance agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, fill out this quick form or you can go here for a list of companies in your area.

Factors that can influence insurance rates for a Subaru Forester

It’s important that you understand the rating factors that go into determining your insurance rates. Having a good understanding of what determines base rates enables informed choices that can help you get big savings.

  • Traffic violations increase rates – Careful drivers tend to pay less for car insurance than bad drivers. Even a single ticket can boost insurance rates twenty percent or more. Drivers who have serious citations like reckless driving, hit and run or driving under the influence may need to submit a SR-22 or proof of financial responsibility to the state department of motor vehicles in order to continue driving.
  • Liability coverage is cheap – The liability section of your policy is the coverage that protects you if ever you are found to be at fault for personal injury or accident damage. It provides for a legal defense which can cost thousands of dollars. This coverage is very inexpensive compared to insuring for physical damage coverage, so buy as much as you can afford.
  • Rate your vehicle for proper use – Driving more miles each year the more you’ll pay to insure your vehicle. Most insurance companies apply a rate based on their usage. Cars not used for work or commuting receive lower rates as compared to vehicles used primarily for driving to work. Ask your agent if your insurance coverage shows the proper vehicle usage, because improper ratings can cost you money. Incorrect usage on your Forester can cost quite a bit.
  • Big city or small town – Choosing to live in small towns and rural areas can save you money when buying insurance. Drivers in populated areas regularly have traffic congestion and much longer commute distances. Lower population means reduced accidents and a lower car theft rate.
  • How your age affects price – Youthful drivers are statistically proven to be careless and easily distracted when driving so insurance rates are higher. Having to add a teen driver to your insurance policy can be quite pricey. More mature drivers are more cautious drivers, file fewer claims and get fewer tickets.
  • Men fork out a little more – Statistics show that men are more aggressive behind the wheel. That doesn’t necessarily mean that men are worse drivers. They both cause accidents in similar percentages, but the males cause more damage. They also have more aggressive citations like reckless driving and DUI. Male drivers age 16 to 19 are most likely to cause an accident and are penalized with high insurance rates.

Is there deception in advertising?

Progressive, Allstate and Geico regularly use ads on television and other media. All the companies say the same thing that you can save if you move your coverage to them. How do they all make almost identical claims?

Insurance companies can use profiling for the driver they prefer to insure. A good example of a driver they prefer could possibly be between the ages of 40 and 55, has no tickets, and chooses high deductibles. A propective insured who fits that profile will get the preferred rates and as a result will probably cut their rates substantially.

Drivers who fall outside the requirements will be charged a higher premium which leads to business going elsewhere. The ads say “customers that switch” not “everyone that quotes” save that much. That’s the way insurance companies can confidently claim big savings.

That is why drivers must get quotes from several different companies. Because you never know which insurance companies will give you the biggest savings on Subaru Forester insurance.

Parts of your auto insurance policy

Having a good grasp of auto insurance aids in choosing the right coverages and proper limits and deductibles. Policy terminology can be impossible to understand and even agents have difficulty translating policy wording. Below you’ll find typical coverage types found on the average auto insurance policy.

Comprehensive or Other Than Collision

This coverage pays for damage from a wide range of events other than collision. You first must pay your deductible then your comprehensive coverage will pay.

Comprehensive coverage pays for claims such as rock chips in glass, hitting a deer, damage from a tornado or hurricane and falling objects. The highest amount you can receive from a comprehensive claim is the cash value of the vehicle, so if the vehicle is not worth much consider removing comprehensive coverage.

Coverage for liability

This protects you from damages or injuries you inflict on people or other property in an accident. It protects YOU from legal claims by others, and does not provide coverage for damage to your own property or vehicle.

It consists of three limits, bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident and property damage. You commonly see liability limits of 100/300/100 that means you have a $100,000 limit per person for injuries, $300,000 for the entire accident, and a total limit of $100,000 for damage to vehicles and property. Some companies may use one limit called combined single limit (CSL) which limits claims to one amount without having the split limit caps.

Liability insurance covers things such as legal defense fees, emergency aid, loss of income and court costs. How much liability coverage do you need? That is a decision to put some thought into, but consider buying higher limits if possible.

Coverage for collisions

Collision coverage covers damage to your Forester caused by collision with an object or car. You have to pay a deductible then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.

Collision coverage pays for things such as hitting a mailbox, hitting a parking meter, scraping a guard rail, colliding with a tree and driving through your garage door. This coverage can be expensive, so consider dropping it from vehicles that are 8 years or older. Another option is to raise the deductible to bring the cost down.

Medical costs insurance

Med pay and PIP coverage reimburse you for immediate expenses for doctor visits, prosthetic devices and pain medications. They are often used in conjunction with a health insurance program or if you do not have health coverage. Coverage applies to you and your occupants in addition to if you are hit as a while walking down the street. Personal injury protection coverage is not universally available and gives slightly broader coverage than med pay

UM/UIM Coverage

Your UM/UIM coverage gives you protection from other drivers when they either have no liability insurance or not enough. It can pay for injuries to you and your family and also any damage incurred to your Subaru Forester.

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 should not be overlooked. Most of the time these coverages do not exceed the liability coverage limits.

A little work can save a LOT of money

We just showed you many ways to compare 2002 Subaru Forester insurance prices online. It’s most important to understand that the more rate comparisons you have, the better your chances of lowering your rates. Consumers may even find the biggest savings come from some of the lesser-known companies. Some small companies may cover specific market segments cheaper as compared to the big name companies such as Progressive and Geico.

As you go through the steps to switch your coverage, it’s not a good idea to reduce coverage to reduce premium. Too many times, someone dropped comprehensive coverage or liability limits only to regret that the savings was not a smart move. Your goal should be to buy a smart amount of coverage at an affordable rate while still protecting your assets.

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