2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser Insurance Rates

Feel like you’re a prisoner to an underperforming, overpriced auto insurance policy? Believe me when I say you’re not alone.

Multiple insurers compete for your business, so it can be very hard to choose a company to find the absolute lowest cost out there.

Finding Insurance Coverage Deals

There are a lot of ways to compare insurance coverage prices but one way is less time-consuming than others. You can waste a few hours (or days) talking to insurance agencies in your area, or you could save time and use online quoting for quick rates.

Most car insurance companies take part in a program that enables customers to send in one quote, and at least one company can provide price quotes determined by their information. This prevents consumers from doing form submissions for each company.

To submit your quote information now, click here to open in new window.

The one disadvantage to pricing coverage this way is you don’t know exactly the companies you want pricing from. If you prefer to choose from a list of companies to receive pricing from, we have a listing of insurance coverage companies in your area. Click to view list.

It’s your choice how you get your quotes, but make darn sure you compare the exact same coverage information on every quote you get. If each company quotes different deductibles you can’t possibly truly determine the lowest rate. Having just a slight variation in coverages may result in large price differences. And when quoting insurance coverage, remember that comparing more company’s prices helps locate a lower rate.

Cut your premium with discounts

Companies offering auto insurance don’t always list every discount in a way that’s easy to find, so we took the time to find both the well known and also the lesser-known discounts you could be receiving.

  • Early Signing – Some insurance companies reward drivers for switching to them before your current expiration date. This can save 10% or more.
  • Defensive Driving Course – Successfully completing a driver safety course can save you 5% or more if you qualify.
  • No Charge for an Accident – A few companies will forgive one accident without raising rates if you are claim-free prior to the accident.
  • Low Mileage Discounts – Driving fewer miles can qualify you for discounted rates on garaged vehicles.
  • Government Employees – Employees or retirees of the government may qualify you for a discount for PT Cruiser insurance depending on your company.
  • Good Student Discount – Performing well in school can get you a discount of up to 25%. This discount can apply until age 25.
  • Discount for Life Insurance – Some companies give a discount if you purchase auto and life insurance together.
  • Accident Free – Drivers who don’t have accidents can save substantially compared to accident-prone drivers.
  • Distant Student – Youth drivers who live away from home and don’t have a car can be insured at a reduced rate.

Consumers should know that some of the credits will not apply to your bottom line cost. Some only reduce specific coverage prices like medical payments or collision. So when the math indicates you would end up receiving a 100% discount, companies don’t profit that way.

For a list of insurance companies with discount car insurance rates, click here.

Why your Chrysler PT Cruiser insurance rates may be high

Smart consumers have a good feel for the rating factors that come into play when calculating the rates you pay for car insurance. Understanding what impacts premium levels allows you to make educated decisions that may reward you with much lower annual insurance costs.

The list below includes some of the factors companies use to determine rates.

  • Protect yourself with liability coverage – The liability section of your policy provides coverage when a court rules you are at fault for damages caused by your negligence. Liability provides for a legal defense which can cost thousands of dollars. Liability insurance is quite affordable compared to insuring for physical damage coverage, so buy as much as you can afford.
  • Older drivers pay less – Youthful drivers are statistically proven to be less responsible when driving so car insurance rates are higher. Adding a teenage driver onto your car insurance can be very expensive. More mature drivers tend to be more responsible, statistically cause fewer accidents and receive fewer citations.
  • Never allow your policy to lapse – Not having insurance is illegal and car insurance companies will penalize you for letting your coverage have a gap. And not only will your rates increase, getting caught without coverage might get you a hefty fine and possibly a revoked license.You may then be required to provide proof of insurance in the form of an SR-22 filing with your state department of motor vehicles.
  • More miles equals more premium – The higher the mileage driven in a year’s time the higher your rate. The majority of insurers price each vehicle’s coverage based on their usage. Cars and trucks left parked in the garage qualify for better rates than those used for commuting. Make sure your car insurance declarations sheet is showing the correct usage for each vehicle. If your policy improperly rates your PT Cruiser may be costing you.
  • Men pay higher rates – The statistics show women tend to be less risk to insure than men. That doesn’t necessarily mean that women are better drivers. They both cause accidents in similar numbers, but the males cause more damage. They also have more aggressive citations such as reckless driving. Youthful male drivers tend to get in the most accidents and therefore have the most expensive car insurance rates.
  • Careful drivers pay lower rates – Even one moving violation may increase your cost by as much as thirty percent. Drivers with clean records get better rates than bad drivers. If you have serious violations like hit and run, DWI or reckless driving convictions may find they need to file a SR-22 with their state DMV in order to continue driving.
  • Do you need those extra coverages? – There are a lot of extra coverages that you can get tricked into buying on your car insurance policy. Coverages for personal injury protection, accidental death and term life insurance are some examples. These coverages may sound good at first, but if they’re wasting money eliminate them to save money.

What is the best insurance coverage?

When it comes to choosing adequate coverage, there isn’t really a perfect coverage plan. Everyone’s situation is unique and a cookie cutter policy won’t apply. Here are some questions about coverages that may help highlight if your situation would benefit from professional advice.

  • Can I make deliveries for my home business?
  • Do I need PIP coverage since I have good health insurance?
  • Am I covered when driving on a suspended license?
  • Is borrowed equipment or tools covered if stolen or damaged?
  • Do I have coverage for damage caused while driving under the influence?
  • Can I drive in Mexico and have coverage?
  • Is my state a no-fault state?
  • Am I missing any policy discounts?
  • At what point should I drop full coverage?
  • Is my vehicle covered by my employer’s policy when using it for work?

If you’re not sure about those questions, then you may want to think about talking to an insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, complete this form or go to this page to view a list of companies.

Insurance coverage specifics

Knowing the specifics of your insurance policy can be of help when determining the right coverages for your vehicles. Policy terminology can be confusing and nobody wants to actually read their policy. Shown next are typical coverages offered by insurance companies.

Auto collision coverage

This covers damage to your PT Cruiser caused by collision with an object or car. You first must pay a deductible then your collision coverage will kick in.

Collision insurance covers things like hitting a mailbox, hitting a parking meter and sideswiping another vehicle. Collision is rather expensive coverage, so consider dropping it from vehicles that are 8 years or older. You can also choose a higher deductible to bring the cost down.

Auto liability insurance

Liability insurance provides protection from damages or injuries you inflict on other people or property by causing an accident. This insurance protects YOU from claims by other people, and doesn’t cover your injuries or vehicle damage.

Split limit liability has three limits of coverage: bodily injury for each person, bodily injury for the entire accident, and a limit for property damage. Your policy might show limits of 25/50/25 which means $25,000 in coverage for each person’s injuries, a limit of $50,000 in injury protection per accident, and property damage coverage for $25,000.

Liability coverage pays for things such as medical expenses, emergency aid, bail bonds, attorney fees and legal defense fees. How much coverage you buy is your choice, but you should buy as high a limit as you can afford.

Comprehensive coverages

This coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. You first have to pay a deductible then your comprehensive coverage will pay.

Comprehensive insurance covers claims like a tree branch falling on your vehicle, damage from flooding and a broken windshield. The maximum amount your insurance company will pay is the actual cash value, so if the vehicle’s value is low consider removing comprehensive coverage.

Uninsured and underinsured coverage

Your UM/UIM coverage protects you and your vehicle 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 Chrysler PT Cruiser.

Due to the fact that many drivers have only the minimum liability required by law, their limits can quickly be used up. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is important protection for you and your family.

Coverage for medical payments

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage kick in for short-term medical expenses such as chiropractic care, rehabilitation expenses and pain medications. The coverages can be used to fill the gap from your health insurance policy or if you are not covered by health insurance. It covers you and your occupants and will also cover being hit by a car walking across the street. PIP coverage is not available in all states but can be used in place of medical payments coverage

A penny earned…

We just presented a lot of techniques to get a better price on 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser insurance. The key concept to understand is the more price quotes you have, the better your comparison will be. You may be surprised to find that the best prices are with the smaller companies. These smaller insurers may only write in your state and offer lower rates than their larger competitors like Geico and State Farm.

When buying insurance coverage, it’s very important that you do not sacrifice coverage to reduce premiums. There are a lot of situations where someone dropped collision coverage and learned later that the savings was not a smart move. Your goal should be to buy the best coverage you can find for the lowest price while still protecting your assets.

Even more information can be found at these sites: