Lower Your 2011 Dodge Durango Car Insurance Quotes

Want cheaper car insurance rates for your Dodge Durango? Trying to find cheaper insurance for your Dodge Durango can normally be a painful process, but you can follow a few tricks to make it easier.

There is a right way and a wrong way to compare car insurance rates and you need to know the proper way to quote coverages for a new or used Dodge and find the best price possible.

Consumers should take time to take a look at other company’s rates periodically because prices fluctuate regularly. Just because you had the best rates for Durango insurance six months ago the chances are good that you can find a lower rate today. There is a lot of bad advice regarding car insurance on the web, but we’re going to give you some great ideas on how to find affordable car insurance.

Comprehensive Insurance Comparison Quotes

Finding a lower price on 2011 Dodge Durango insurance doesn’t have to be difficult. Drivers just need to spend a little time comparing price quotes provided by online insurance companies. This is very easy and can be done using a couple different methods.

  • The fastest way consumers can analyze rates is an all-inclusive rate comparison like this one (opens in new window). This easy form eliminates the need for a different quote for each company. One form submission will get you price quotes instantly. This is by far the quickest method.
  • A more difficult way to find lower rates is to manually visit each company’s website and fill out their own quote form. For examples sake, let’s say you want comparison quotes from Farmers, Liberty Mutual and Allstate. To find out each rate you need to spend time on each company’s site to input your insurance information, which is why most consumers use the first method. For a list of links to companies insuring cars in your area, click here.
  • The hardest method of comparing rate quotes is to drive around to local insurance agencies. The ability to buy insurance online eliminates the need for an insurance agent unless you prefer the trained guidance only provided by licensed agents. Drivers can price shop your coverage online and get advice from an agent in your area and we’ll touch on that later.

Whichever way you use, compare the exact same coverages and limits with each company. If you use different limits and deductibles on each one then you won’t be able to determine which rate is truly the best.

Factors influencing Dodge Durango insurance rates

It’s important that you understand the rating factors that help determine car insurance rates. Understanding what influences your rates empowers consumers to make smart changes that can help you get better car insurance rates.

  • The more you drive the more you pay – Driving more miles every year the higher your rates will be. The majority of insurers apply a rate based on how the vehicle is used. Autos not used for work or commuting get more affordable rates than those used for commuting. An improperly rated Durango may be costing you. Ask your agent if your car insurance coverage shows the proper vehicle usage.
  • Liability insurance protects assets – The liability section of your policy will protect you if a jury decides you are liable for damages from an accident. Liability insurance provides you with a defense in court which can cost thousands of dollars. Carrying liability coverage is mandatory and cheap compared to insuring for physical damage coverage, so do not skimp.
  • Safer cars cost less to insure – Vehicles with good safety scores get lower rates. The safest vehicles reduce injuries and any reduction in injury severity means lower claim amounts and thus lower rates. If your Dodge Durango scored better than an “acceptable” rating on the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety website or four stars on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website it may be receiving lower rates.
  • Do you work long hours in a high stress job? – Did you know your occupation can influence how much you pay for car insurance? Jobs such as judges, business owners and stock brokers are shown to have the highest rates due to job stress and long work hours. On the other hand, professions such as scientists, students and performers pay the least for Durango insurance.
  • Lower rates with optional equipment – Choosing a vehicle with an alarm system can save you a little every year. Theft prevention devices like vehicle immobilizer systems, General Motors OnStar and LoJack tracking systems can thwart auto theft.
  • Bump up deductibles to save – Deductibles for physical damage define the amount you are required to spend in the event of a claim. Coverage for physical damage, commonly called comprehensive (or other-than-collision) and collision coverage, covers damage that occurs to your car. Some examples of claims that would be covered are running into the backend of another car, damage caused by hail, and windstorm damage. The higher the amount the insured has to pay upfront, the bigger discount you will receive for Durango insurance.
  • Having a spouse can save you money – Having a wife or husband actually saves money when buying car insurance. Having a significant other translates into being more mature and statistics show married couples file fewer claims.

How much can you save with discounts?

The price of auto insurance can be rather high, but you can get discounts to help offset the cost. Most are applied when you quote, but less common discounts must be asked for before you get the savings. If you don’t get every credit you deserve, you’re paying more than you need to.

  • E-sign – A few companies will discount your bill up to fifty bucks simply for signing digitally online.
  • Early Signing – Some companies give discounts for buying a policy prior to your current policy expiration. This can save 10% or more.
  • Resident Student – Any of your kids living away from home attending college and don’t have a car may qualify for this discount.
  • Senior Citizens – Mature drivers may receive reduced rates for Durango insurance.
  • Discount for Life Insurance – Companies who offer life insurance give a discount if you purchase auto and life insurance together.
  • Good Students Pay Less – Performing well in school can save 20 to 25%. Earning this discount can benefit you up until you turn 25.
  • Bundle and Save – When you combine your home and auto insurance with the same company you could get a discount of up to 20% off your total premium.
  • Multi-car Discount – Buying insurance for more than one vehicle on one policy could earn a price break for each car.
  • Homeowners Pay Less – Owning a house may earn you a small savings because maintaining a house demonstrates responsibility.

It’s important to understand that some credits don’t apply to your bottom line cost. Most only cut the cost of specific coverages such as physical damage coverage or medical payments. So even though it sounds like all those discounts means the company will pay you, it doesn’t quite work that way. Any qualifying discounts will bring down your premiums.

For a list of insurance companies with discount insurance coverage rates, follow this link.

How much car insurance do I need?

When it comes to choosing coverage, there isn’t really a “best” method to buy coverage. Every situation is different.

For instance, these questions can help discover whether your personal situation will benefit from professional help.

  • Do I have any recourse if my insurance company denies a claim?
  • Should I buy only the required minimum liability coverage?
  • Do I get a pro-rated refund if I cancel my policy early?
  • Does coverage extend to Mexico or Canada?
  • Am I covered if I break a side mirror?
  • Are there companies who specialize in insuring high-risk drivers?
  • Does my insurance cover damage caused when ticketed for reckless driving?
  • Do I have coverage when pulling a U-Haul trailer?

If you’re not sure about those questions but you think they might apply to your situation, you may need to chat with an agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, simply complete this short form. It’s fast, free and may give you better protection.

Car insurance coverage specifics

Having a good grasp of your car insurance policy can be of help when determining appropriate coverage and the correct deductibles and limits. The terms used in a policy can be impossible to understand and coverage can change by endorsement.

Liability

Liability insurance can cover damage that occurs to other people or property by causing an accident. This insurance protects YOU against claims from other people, and does not provide coverage for 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. You commonly see limits of 100/300/100 which means a $100,000 limit per person for injuries, a per accident bodily injury limit of $300,000, and property damage coverage for $100,000. Another option is a combined limit which provides one coverage limit with no separate limits for injury or property damage.

Liability coverage pays for things like repair costs for stationary objects, emergency aid, pain and suffering, attorney fees and loss of income. How much coverage you buy is your choice, but consider buying higher limits if possible.

Insurance for medical payments

Medical payments and Personal Injury Protection insurance kick in for expenses like chiropractic care, rehabilitation expenses and nursing services. They are used to fill the gap from your health insurance program or if there is no health insurance coverage. They cover all vehicle occupants as well as any family member struck as a pedestrian. PIP coverage is not an option in every state but it provides additional coverages not offered by medical payments coverage

Uninsured Motorist or Underinsured Motorist insurance

Your UM/UIM coverage protects you and your vehicle when other motorists do not carry enough liability coverage. It can pay for injuries to you and your family as well as damage to your Dodge Durango.

Because many people have only the minimum liability required by law, their liability coverage can quickly be exhausted. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is important protection for you and your family. Most of the time your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverages are set the same as your liablity limits.

Coverage for collisions

This coverage covers damage to your Durango resulting from a collision with an object or car. You have to pay a deductible then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.

Collision insurance covers claims such as crashing into a ditch, rolling your car and crashing into a building. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so you might think about dropping it from lower value vehicles. You can also raise the deductible to get cheaper collision coverage.

Comprehensive coverage (or Other than Collision)

This pays to fix your vehicle from damage from a wide range of events other than collision. A deductible will apply and the remainder of the damage will be paid by comprehensive coverage.

Comprehensive insurance covers things such as fire damage, theft, hitting a bird, damage from flooding and rock chips in glass. The most you can receive from a comprehensive claim is the market value of your vehicle, so if your deductible is as high as the vehicle’s value it’s not worth carrying full coverage.

Saving money is sweet as honey

You just read a lot of ways to compare 2011 Dodge Durango insurance prices online. It’s most important to understand that the more quotes you get, the more likely it is that you will get a better rate. You may even find the lowest rates come from the least-expected company.

People leave their current company for a number of reasons such as high prices, policy cancellation, high rates after DUI convictions and even not issuing a premium refund. Whatever your reason, choosing a new insurance company is not as difficult as it may seem.

When shopping online for car insurance, do not sacrifice coverage to reduce premiums. There are many occasions where someone dropped physical damage coverage only to regret at claim time that it was a big error on their part. The ultimate goal is to buy a smart amount of coverage at an affordable rate, not the least amount of coverage.

Additional car insurance information can be found at the links below