Compare 2004 BMW 3 Series Car Insurance Quotes

I can’t think of a single person who likes having to buy car insurance, especially when the cost is too high.

Because there are so many choices of insurance companies, it is hard for the average consumer to find the lowest price insurer.

Free Quotes for Auto Insurance

The are a couple different ways to compare rate quotes and find the best price. The easiest way by far to compare 2004 BMW 3 Series insurance prices involves getting comparison quotes online. This is very easy and can be done in a couple of different ways.

  • One of the simplest ways to get the best comparison quotes is to use a rate comparison form (click to open form in new window). This method eliminates the need for separate quote forms to each individual auto insurance company. A single form will return price quotes from many national carriers.
  • A different way to get comparison quotes requires a trip to each company’s website and request a quote. For sake of this example, let’s assume you want to compare rates from Nationwide, GEICO and Travelers. To find out each rate you need to spend time on each company’s site to enter your coverage information, and that’s why the first method is more popular.

    For a list of links to companies insuring cars in your area, click here.

  • The least recommended method of comparing rate quotes is to spend your day driving to and from local insurance agencies. The internet has reduced the need for local agents unless you require the professional guidance only provided by licensed agents. It is possible to get prices online but still have the advice of a local agent. We’ll cover that shortly.

It doesn’t matter which method you choose, just make absolute certain that you use exactly the same coverage limits and deductibles for every quote you compare. If your comparisons have higher or lower deductibles it’s impossible to decipher which rate is best. Having just a slight variation in insurance coverages can mean a large discrepancy in price. Keep in mind that comparing a large number of companies will improve the odds of getting the best offered rates.

Don’t be fooled by advertising claims

Companies like State Farm, Allstate and GEICO regularly use television and radio advertisements. All the ads make an identical promise that you can save if you move to them. How do they all make the same claim?

Insurance companies are able to cherry pick for the driver that earns them a profit. An example of a driver they prefer might be between the ages of 40 and 55, owns a home, and drives less than 10,000 miles a year. A customer getting a price quote who matches those parameters will qualify for the lowest rates and is almost guaranteed to save when switching.

Potential customers who don’t qualify for the “perfect” profile must pay higher prices and ends up with the driver buying from a lower-cost company. Company advertisements say “customers who switch” not “people who quote” save that much money. This is how companies can truthfully advertise the way they do. This illustrates why it is so important to quote coverage with many companies. It’s impossible to know which insurance company will have the lowest BMW 3 Series insurance rates.

Complexity of BMW 3 Series insurance rates

An important part of buying insurance is that you know the different types of things that help determine the price you pay for insurance coverage. Understanding what impacts premium levels empowers consumers to make smart changes that could result in lower insurance coverage prices.

The following are some of the items used by your company to calculate premiums.

  • More claims means more premium – If you frequently file small claims, you can expect either a policy non-renewal or much higher rates. Car insurance companies generally give discounts to policyholders who do not rely on their insurance for small claims. Auto insurance is intended for the bigger claims that can’t be paid out-of-pocket.
  • Do you work long hours in a high stress job? – Occupations like doctors, executives and stock brokers tend to pay the highest rates because of high stress and lots of time spent at work. On the other hand, occupations such as scientists, students and the unemployed have the lowest average rates for 3 Series coverage.
  • Do you know you’re credit rating? – Having a bad credit rating is a large factor in your rate calculation. Drivers who have high credit ratings tend to be better drivers and file fewer claims than drivers with lower credit scores. Therefore, if your credit rating can use some improvement, you could save money insuring your 2004 BMW 3 Series by spending a little time repairing your credit.
  • Pleasure use or commuting – The higher the mileage driven each year the higher your rate. Most insurance companies charge to insure your cars based upon how you use the vehicle. Cars and trucks left parked in the garage get more affordable rates than those used for commuting. Make sure your insurance coverage declarations sheet is rated on the correct usage for each vehicle. If your policy improperly rates your 3 Series may be costing you.
  • Increase deductibles and save – Physical damage coverage, termed comprehensive and collision coverage on your policy, is used to repair damage to your BMW. Examples of covered claims would be colliding with a building, damage from fire, and windstorm damage. Physical damage deductibles are how much you are willing to pay out-of-pocket in the event of a claim. The more money you’re willing to pay, the less your company will charge you for insurance for 3 Series coverage.
  • Extra coverages can waste money – There are a lot of additional coverages you can purchase if you aren’t careful. Coverages like roadside assistance, better glass coverage and additional equipment coverage are some examples. They may seem good when you first buy your policy, but now you might not need them so get rid of them and save.
  • Theft deterrents lower rates – Owning a car with an alarm system can get you a discount on your insurance coverage. Anti-theft devices such as GM’s OnStar, tamper alarm systems and vehicle immobilizers can help prevent your vehicle from being stolen.

Cut your insurance coverage rates with discounts

Companies don’t always advertise every available discount very well, so the following is a list of some of the more common and the more hidden insurance coverage savings.

  • Use Seat Belts – Buckling up and requiring all passengers to buckle their seat belts could save 15% off the personal injury premium cost.
  • Early Switch Discount – A few companies offer discounts for signing up prior to your current policy expiration. It’s a savings of about 10%.
  • Theft Prevention System – Vehicles with anti-theft systems help deter theft and therefore earn up to a 10% discount.
  • Braking Control Discount – Anti-lock brake equipped vehicles can reduce accidents and therefore earn up to a 10% discount.
  • Life Insurance Discount – Companies who offer life insurance give a break if you buy life insurance.
  • Memberships – Affiliation with a qualifying organization is a good way to get lower rates on your policy for 3 Series coverage.
  • Passive Restraints and Air Bags – Cars that have air bags can qualify for discounts up to 30%.
  • Drive Less and Save – Low mileage vehicles could be rewarded with discounted rates on garaged vehicles.
  • New Vehicle Savings – Putting insurance coverage on a new car can save up to 30% since new cars are generally safer.
  • Government Employees – Employees or retirees of the government can save as much as 8% for 3 Series coverage with select insurance companies.

Drivers should understand that most discounts do not apply to the overall cost of the policy. Most only apply to individual premiums such as liability and collision coverage. So when it seems like adding up those discounts means a free policy, it just doesn’t work that way.

To see a list of insurance companies offering insurance coverage discounts, click here to view.

You are unique and your insurance should be too

When choosing coverage, there isn’t really a “best” method to buy coverage. Everyone’s needs are different so this has to be addressed. Here are some questions about coverages that may help highlight whether or not you might need professional guidance.

  • Is my teen driver covered when they drive my company car?
  • Why am I required to buy liability insurance?
  • I have good health insurance, so how much medical payments coverage do I need?
  • How does medical payments coverage work?
  • What if I don’t agree with a claim settlement offer?
  • How can I force my company to pay a claim?
  • Should I drop comprehensive coverage on older vehicles?

If you don’t know the answers to these questions but you know they apply to you, you might consider talking to a licensed insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, take a second and complete this form or you can go here for a list of companies in your area.

Insurance coverage breakdown

Learning about specific coverages of your policy can help you determine the right coverages and the correct deductibles and limits. Insurance terms can be impossible to understand and reading a policy is terribly boring. Below you’ll find the usual coverages found on the average insurance policy.

Liability – This coverage can cover damages or injuries you inflict on a person or their property that is your fault. It protects you against other people’s claims. It does not cover your injuries or vehicle damage.

Coverage consists of three different limits, bodily injury for each person, bodily injury for the entire accident, and a limit for property damage. Your policy might show values of 100/300/100 that translate to $100,000 bodily injury coverage, a per accident bodily injury limit of $300,000, and $100,000 of coverage for damaged propery.

Liability coverage protects against things such as legal defense fees, funeral expenses and loss of income. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is your choice, but you should buy as much as you can afford.

Comprehensive auto coverage – Comprehensive insurance coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage from a wide range of events other than collision. You first must pay your deductible and the remainder of the damage will be paid by comprehensive coverage.

Comprehensive coverage protects against claims such as theft, hail damage and fire damage. The maximum payout your insurance company will pay is the actual cash value, so if the vehicle is not worth much it’s not worth carrying full coverage.

Collision coverage – This coverage will pay to fix damage to your 3 Series resulting from colliding with another vehicle or an object, but not an animal. You have to pay a deductible then your collision coverage will kick in.

Collision can pay for things such as sustaining damage from a pot hole, colliding with another moving vehicle, colliding with a tree and hitting a mailbox. This coverage can be expensive, so consider dropping it from lower value vehicles. It’s also possible to raise the deductible to bring the cost down.

UM/UIM (Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist) coverage – This protects you and your vehicle when the “other guys” either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. This coverage pays for hospital bills for your injuries as well as your vehicle’s damage.

Since many drivers have only the minimum liability required by law, it only takes a small accident to exceed their coverage. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage should not be overlooked.

Medical payments and PIP coverage – Medical payments and Personal Injury Protection insurance reimburse you for bills for hospital visits, EMT expenses, surgery and funeral costs. They are often used to cover expenses not covered by your health insurance policy or if you lack health insurance entirely. Coverage applies to not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants and will also cover any family member struck as a pedestrian. Personal injury protection coverage is only offered in select states and gives slightly broader coverage than med pay

More quotes. Lower rates.

When buying insurance coverage, it’s a bad idea to buy poor coverage just to save money. Too many times, an accident victim reduced comprehensive coverage or liability limits only to find out that the savings was not a smart move. The aim is to buy enough coverage for the lowest price, not the least amount of coverage.

We covered many tips how you can save on 2004 BMW 3 Series insurance. The key thing to remember is the more rate quotes you have, the better your comparison will be. You may be surprised to find that the most savings is with an unexpected company. These companies may only write in your state and offer lower rates as compared to the big name companies such as Allstate, GEICO and Progressive.

Much more information about insurance is available below: