Cheaper 2008 Dodge Dakota Insurance Quotes

Nobody I know looks forward to paying for insurance, especially knowing their premiums are through the roof. Drivers have so many insurance companies to insure vehicles with, and though it is a good thing to have multiple companies, too many choices makes it more difficult to adequately compare rates.

It is always a good idea to compare prices before your policy renews because insurance rates fluctuate regularly. If you had the lowest rates on Dakota coverage a couple years back there is a good chance you can find better rates now. Starting now, block out anything you think you know about insurance because you’re going to get a crash course in the easiest way to find better rates and still maintain coverage.

These factors can influence Dodge Dakota insurance rates

An important part of buying insurance is that you know the different types of things that come into play when calculating your auto insurance rates. Knowing what controls the rates you pay empowers consumers to make smart changes that will entitle you to better auto insurance rates.

  • More claims means more premium – If you are a frequent claim filer, you can pretty much guarantee either a policy non-renewal or much higher rates. Auto insurance companies generally give discounts to insureds who file claims infrequently. Auto insurance is meant to be used in the event of the large, substantial claims.
  • Protect your assets with liability insurance – Liability coverage is the coverage that protects you if a court rules you are at fault for damages caused by your negligence. Liability provides legal defense coverage which can be incredibly expensive. Carrying liability coverage is mandatory and cheap when compared with rates for comp and collision, so drivers should carry high limits.
  • Discounts for married couples – Being married can actually save you money on your policy. Having a spouse translates into being more mature it has been statistically shown that married drivers get in fewer accidents.
  • Poor driving leads to higher costs – Your driving record has a big impact on rates. Even a single speeding ticket can bump up the cost by as much as thirty percent. Drivers who don’t get tickets tend to pay less for car insurance than people who have multiple driving citations. Drivers who get severe violations such as DUI or reckless driving may be required to file a SR-22 with the DMV in their state in order to drive a vehicle legally.
  • Men fork out a little more – The statistics show women are more cautious behind the wheel. That doesn’t necessarily mean that women are better drivers. Both sexes tend to get into accidents at a similar rate, but the male of the species cause more damage. Men also tend to receive more costly citations such as reckless driving. Young males are the most expensive to insure and thus pay the highest rates.
  • Better crash test results mean better rates – Vehicles with high crash test scores get lower rates. Safer cars have better occupant injury protection and better occupant protection means less money paid by your insurance company passed on to you as lower rates. If your Dodge is rated at least four stars on Safercar.gov or an “acceptable” rating on iihs.org it may be receiving lower rates.
  • Do you know your deductibles? – Insurance for physical damage to your car, otherwise known as comp (or other than collision) and collision, is used to repair damage to your Dodge. Examples of covered claims would be a windshield shattered by a rock, collision with an animal, and windstorm damage. Deductibles for physical damage are how much you are willing to pay before your auto insurance pays a claim. The higher the amount you’re willing to pay, the less your auto insurance will be on Dakota coverage.
  • Policy add-ons can waste money – There are a lot of extra bells and whistles that can waste your money on your auto insurance policy. Things like personal injury protection, accident forgiveness and membership fees may be wasting your money. These coverages may sound good when you first buy your policy, but your needs may have changed so remove them from your policy.

Cheap Insurance Comparisons

Effectively comparing insurance prices can be challenging if you don’t know the easiest way. You can spend countless hours talking about coverages with insurance agencies in your area, or you could use the web to get rate comparisons in just a few minutes.

Many insurance companies participate in an industry program that allows shoppers to enter their coverage request one time, and at least one company then returns a price quote. This eliminates the need for repetitive form submissions for every insurance company.

To compare 2008 Dodge Dakota rates now click to open in new window.

The single downside to comparing rates this way is that you can’t choose the providers you want pricing from. So if you want to select individual companies to compare prices, we have assembled a list of the cheapest insurance companies in your area. Click to view list.

It doesn’t matter which method you choose, just make absolute certain that you use the exact same deductibles and coverage limits on every quote. If your comparisons have different deductibles it will be next to impossible to decipher which rate is best.

Save $438 a year? Really?

Consumers get pounded daily by advertisements for the lowest price auto insurance by companies like State Farm and Allstate. All the ads have a common claim that you’ll save big if you change to them.

How do they all make almost identical claims?

Different companies have a certain “appetite” for the type of customer that makes them money. An example of a profitable customer could be over the age of 40, has no prior claims, and has a short commute. A customer getting a price quote who fits that profile will qualify for the lowest rates and as a result will probably save a lot of money.

Consumers who don’t meet these standards will be quoted a higher premium and ends up with business going elsewhere. The ad wording is “customers who switch” not “everybody who quotes” save that much money. That is how companies can state the savings.

This emphasizes why you should get a wide range of price quotes. It’s impossible to know which car insurance company will have the lowest Dodge Dakota insurance rates.

Are you getting all your discounts?

Car insurance is not cheap, but companies offer discounts to cut the cost considerably. Some discounts apply automatically when you get a quote, but lesser-known reductions have to be inquired about prior to receiving the credit. If you aren’t receiving every discount you deserve, you’re paying more than you need to.

  • Homeowners Pay Less – Owning a house may trigger a car insurance policy discount due to the fact that maintaining a home shows financial diligence.
  • Life Insurance Discount – Some companies give lower rates if you buy life insurance from them.
  • Government Employees – Employees or retirees of the government may qualify you for a discount on Dakota coverage with certain companies.
  • One Accident Forgiven – Some insurance companies permit an accident without raising rates if you are claim-free for a particular time prior to the accident.
  • Memberships – Participating in a professional or civic organization could qualify you for a break on car insurance on Dakota coverage.
  • Seat Belts Save – Drivers who require all occupants to wear their seat belts can save 10% or more off your medical payments premium.
  • Defensive Driving Course – Taking a defensive driving course could save 5% or more and easily recoup the cost of the course.
  • Student in College – Any of your kids who live away from home and don’t have a car may be able to be covered for less.
  • Air Bag Discount – Vehicles with factory air bags or motorized seat belts can qualify for discounts of up to 25% or more.
  • Drivers Ed for Students – Make teen driver coverage more affordable by requiring them to enroll in driver’s education if it’s offered in school.

It’s important to understand that some of the credits will not apply to your bottom line cost. Most only reduce individual premiums such as physical damage coverage or medical payments. Just because you may think it’s possible to get free car insurance, you’re out of luck. Any amount of discount will help reduce your overall premium however.

To see a list of companies with discount car insurance rates, click this link.

When might I need an agent?

When choosing the right insurance coverage, there really is not a single plan that fits everyone. Your needs are not the same as everyone else’s so your insurance should reflect that Here are some questions about coverages that could help you determine whether your personal situation could use an agent’s help.

  • Can I pay claims out-of-pocket if I buy high deductibles?
  • Am I covered if my car is in a flood?
  • Is rental equipment covered for theft or damage?
  • Is my 2008 Dodge Dakota covered for smoke damage?
  • I have a DUI can I still get coverage?
  • Will my vehicle be repaired with OEM or aftermarket parts?
  • Is pleasure use cheaper than using my 2008 Dodge Dakota to commute?

If you don’t know the answers to these questions but you think they might apply to your situation then you might want to talk to an insurance agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, take a second and complete this form or go to this page to view a list of companies. It is quick, free and can provide invaluable advice.

Insurance policy specifics

Learning about specific coverages of your insurance policy can be of help when determining the right coverages for your vehicles. Insurance terms can be impossible to understand and even agents have difficulty translating policy wording. Shown next are the usual coverages found on most insurance policies.

Liability auto insurance

This protects you from damage that occurs to other’s property or people by causing an accident. This insurance protects YOU against other people’s claims. It does not cover damage to your own property or vehicle.

Split limit liability has three limits of coverage: bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident and property damage. As an example, you may have liability limits of 50/100/50 which means $50,000 bodily injury coverage, $100,000 for the entire accident, and a total limit of $50,000 for damage to vehicles and property. Another option is one limit called combined single limit (CSL) which provides one coverage limit and claims can be made without the split limit restrictions.

Liability coverage pays for things like repair costs for stationary objects, medical services, loss of income, structural damage and legal defense fees. How much coverage you buy is a decision to put some thought into, but it’s cheap coverage so purchase as much as you can afford.

Comprehensive (Other than Collision)

Comprehensive insurance covers damage that is not covered by collision coverage. You first must pay your deductible then the remaining damage will be covered by your comprehensive coverage.

Comprehensive coverage protects against claims such as theft, vandalism and damage from getting keyed. The maximum payout your insurance company will pay is the actual cash value, so if the vehicle is not worth much it’s probably time to drop comprehensive insurance.

Protection from uninsured/underinsured drivers

Your UM/UIM coverage gives you protection from other drivers when they either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. This coverage pays for medical payments for you and your occupants as well as your vehicle’s damage.

Since many drivers only purchase the least amount of liability that is required, their limits can quickly be used up. So UM/UIM coverage is a good idea. Most of the time these coverages are identical to your policy’s liability coverage.

Collision insurance

This coverage will pay to fix damage to your Dakota from colliding with another vehicle or an object, but not an animal. You first must pay a deductible and then insurance will cover the remainder.

Collision can pay for claims like crashing into a ditch, hitting a parking meter and sideswiping another vehicle. Paying for collision coverage can be pricey, so you might think about dropping it from lower value vehicles. It’s also possible to choose a higher deductible to get cheaper collision coverage.

Medical expense insurance

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage kick in for expenses for EMT expenses, dental work, rehabilitation expenses, X-ray expenses and prosthetic devices. They are utilized in addition to your health insurance policy or if you do not have health coverage. Coverage applies to you and your occupants in addition to being hit by a car walking across the street. PIP coverage is not an option in every state but it provides additional coverages not offered by medical payments coverage

Be a smart shopper

Low-cost 2008 Dodge Dakota insurance is definitely available both online and with local insurance agents, so you should be comparing quotes from both in order to have the best chance of saving money. There are still a few companies who do not offer online quoting and these small insurance companies work with independent agents.

When you buy insurance online, never skimp on coverage in order to save money. There have been many situations where an insured cut physical damage coverage and learned later that it was a big error on their part. Your focus should be to find the BEST coverage at the best price while still protecting your assets.

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