Cheap 2012 BMW 1 Series Insurance Quotes

Looking for the cheapest auto insurance rates? Shoppers have options when shopping for affordable BMW 1 Series insurance. You can either spend your time calling around to compare prices or leverage the internet to get rate quotes.

There is a right way and a wrong way to shop for auto insurance and we’ll show you the proper way to price shop coverage for a BMW and get the lowest possible price.

Comprehensive Auto Insurance Comparison

Finding a better price on auto insurance can be relatively painless. All that’s required is to take a couple of minutes to compare rate quotes online with multiple companies. This is very easy and can be done in a couple of different ways.

  1. The most efficient way consumers can analyze rates is to use a rate comparison form like this one (opens in new window). This type of form keeps you from doing multiple quote forms for every auto insurance company. Completing one form will return quotes instantly. It’s the fastest way to compare.
  2. A slightly less efficient method to get quotes online requires you to visit each individual company website to complete a price quote. For example, let’s assume you want rates from Farmers, 21st Century and Progressive. To find out each rate you need to go to every website to enter your coverage information, which is why the first method is quicker. For a list of links to companies insuring cars in your area, click here.
  3. The hardest way of getting rate comparisons is driving to insurance agents’ offices. The internet has reduced the need for local agents unless you have a need for the personal advice only provided by licensed agents. It is possible to compare the best prices online and get advice from an agent in your area and we’ll touch on that later.

It’s your choice how you get your quotes, but be sure to compare the exact same information for every quote you compare. If you compare different limits and deductibles on each one it’s impossible to truly determine the lowest rate.

Misconceptions in car insurance advertisements

Consumers can’t get away from ads for car insurance savings from the likes of Allstate, Geico and Progressive. All the ads have a common claim that you’ll save big if you move your coverage to them.

How do they all make almost identical claims? It’s all in the numbers.

Different companies have a preferred profile for the driver that earns them a profit. For instance, a profitable customer might be profiled as a mature driver, has no tickets, and has excellent credit. A driver who matches those parameters gets the lowest rates and as a result will probably save quite a bit of money when switching.

Drivers who fall outside the requirements must pay higher rates which leads to the driver buying from a lower-cost company. The ad wording is “people who switch” not “people who quote” save that much. That’s the way companies can advertise the savings.

This illustrates why it is so important to quote coverage with many companies. You cannot predict which insurance companies will fit your personal profile best.

Factors influencing BMW 1 Series insurance rates

An important part of buying insurance is that you know the rating factors that come into play when calculating the price you pay for car insurance. Having a good understanding of what controls the rates you pay enables informed choices that could result in big savings.

The list below includes some of the items car insurance companies consider when setting premiums.

  • Drive less and save money – The higher the mileage driven in a year the higher your rates will be. Almost all companies apply a rate determined by how the vehicle is used. Autos not used for work or commuting can get a lower rate than those used for commuting. If your policy improperly rates your 1 Series may be wasting your money. Ask your agent if your car insurance declarations sheet shows the correct usage for each vehicle, because it can save money.
  • Bundling policies can get discounts – Many insurers will give a discount to policyholders who carry more than one policy. It’s known as a multi-policy discount. Discounts can be five, ten or even twenty percent. If you currently are using one company, it’s in your best interest to compare rates to verify if the discount is saving money.
  • Don’t buy coverages you don’t need – There are many additional coverages that you can buy if you aren’t careful. Insurance for rental car reimbursement, towing coverage and term life insurance are some examples. They may seem like a good idea when you first buy your policy, but if they’re wasting money eliminate the coverages to reduce your premium.
  • Lower rates come with age – Mature drivers are more cautious drivers, file fewer claims and tend to be better behind the wheel. Teenage drivers are known to get distracted easily in a vehicle and because of this, their car insurance rates are much higher.

You probably qualify for some discounts

The cost of insuring your cars can be expensive, but discounts can save money and there are some available to reduce the price significantly. Most are applied when you quote, but lesser-known reductions have to be inquired about before you will receive the discount. If you aren’t receiving every discount possible, you are paying more than you should be.

  • Multiple Policy Discount – If you insure your home and vehicles with the same company you may earn at least 10% off all policies.
  • Theft Prevention System – Anti-theft and alarm systems help deter theft and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
  • Anti-lock Brake System – Anti-lock brake equipped vehicles prevent accidents and therefore earn up to a 10% discount.
  • Resident Student – Any of your kids who are attending college and do not have access to a covered vehicle may be able to be covered for less.
  • Sign Early and Save – Some companies give discounts for switching to them prior to your current policy expiration. It can save you around 10%.
  • Good Student Discount – Getting good grades can save 20 to 25%. Earning this discount can benefit you up until you turn 25.
  • Save over 55 – Older drivers may be able to get a discount up to 10% for 1 Series insurance.
  • Multi-car Discount – Buying coverage for more than one vehicle on one policy could earn a price break for each car.

Keep in mind that most discount credits are not given to the entire cost. Most only reduce individual premiums such as comp or med pay. So despite the fact that it appears you could get a free insurance coverage policy, it just doesn’t work that way. But any discount will bring down your overall premium however.

A partial list of companies that may have some of the above discounts include:

Before buying, ask each company which discounts they offer. Savings might not be offered in your area.

There’s no such thing as the perfect policy

When buying proper insurance coverage, there is no single plan that fits everyone. Everyone’s needs are different.

Here are some questions about coverages that may help highlight whether your personal situation will benefit from professional help.

  • Is my vehicle covered by my employer’s policy when using it for work?
  • When can my company non-renew my policy?
  • Do I benefit by insuring my home with the same company?
  • Is my babysitter covered when using my vehicle?
  • Is my business laptop covered if it gets stolen from my vehicle?
  • What is UM/UIM insurance?
  • When would I need additional glass coverage?
  • Does my policy cover me when driving someone else’s vehicle?

If you can’t answer these questions, then you may want to think about talking to a licensed insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, complete this form. It only takes a few minutes and can provide invaluable advice.

Car insurance coverage information

Learning about specific coverages of your policy aids in choosing appropriate coverage and the correct deductibles and limits. The terms used in a policy can be ambiguous and even agents have difficulty translating policy wording.

Uninsured Motorist or Underinsured Motorist insurance – This protects you and your vehicle when the “other guys” do not carry enough liability coverage. It can pay for hospital bills for your injuries as well as damage to your BMW 1 Series.

Because many people have only the minimum liability required by law, their liability coverage can quickly be exhausted. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage is very important. Frequently your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverages are set the same as your liablity limits.

Liability insurance – This will cover injuries or damage you cause to people or other property by causing an accident. It protects you against other people’s claims. It does not cover your own vehicle damage or injuries.

Split limit liability has three limits of coverage: bodily injury for each person injured, bodily injury for the entire accident and a property damage limit. You might see liability limits of 100/300/100 that means you have $100,000 bodily injury coverage, a total of $300,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and a total limit of $100,000 for damage to vehicles and property. Alternatively, you may have one number which is a combined single limit which combines the three limits into one amount and claims can be made without the split limit restrictions.

Liability insurance covers claims such as loss of income, repair costs for stationary objects, medical services, funeral expenses and attorney fees. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is a personal decision, but buy as much as you can afford.

Insurance for medical payments – Med pay and PIP coverage kick in for short-term medical expenses for things like nursing services, pain medications, prosthetic devices and dental work. The coverages can be used to fill the gap from your health insurance plan or if you do not have health coverage. Medical payments and PIP cover not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants in addition to if you are hit as a while walking down the street. PIP coverage is not available in all states but can be used in place of medical payments coverage

Collision coverages – This coverage covers damage to your 1 Series resulting from a collision with an object or car. A deductible applies then your collision coverage will kick in.

Collision coverage protects against claims such as backing into a parked car, colliding with a tree, crashing into a ditch and hitting a parking meter. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so consider removing coverage from lower value vehicles. Drivers also have the option to increase the deductible to save money on collision insurance.

Comprehensive coverage (or Other than Collision) – This will pay to fix damage from a wide range of events other than collision. You first must pay your deductible then your comprehensive coverage will pay.

Comprehensive insurance covers claims like falling objects, vandalism and damage from flooding. The highest amount you’ll receive from a claim is the cash value of the vehicle, so if the vehicle’s value is low consider removing comprehensive coverage.

Saving money is sweet as honey

Lower-priced 2012 BMW 1 Series insurance can be sourced from both online companies and also from your neighborhood agents, and you should compare price quotes from both in order to have the best price selection to choose from. Some companies may not provide the ability to get a quote online and usually these smaller companies provide coverage only through local independent agents.

We’ve covered many tips how you can reduce insurance prices online. The key concept to understand is the more price quotes you have, the better your comparison will be. You may even find the lowest premiums are with the least-expected company.

Drivers who switch companies do it for a variety of reasons including being labeled a high risk driver, not issuing a premium refund, high rates after DUI convictions or even an unsatisfactory settlement offer. No matter why you want to switch, finding a new insurance company is less work than it seems.

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