It’s an obvious conclusion that auto insurance companies don’t want policyholders to compare prices from other companies. Consumers who shop rates annually will presumably switch companies because they have good chances of finding a cheaper policy. A survey found that people who compared price quotes annually saved on average $3,400 over four years compared to policyholders who never shopped around for better prices.
If finding the cheapest price for Mitsubishi Lancer insurance in Tampa is your ultimate goal, then understanding how to get rate quotes and compare insurance coverage can make it easier for you to save money.
The best way we recommend to get affordable Mitsubishi Lancer insurance in Tampa is to compare prices annually from different companies in Florida. Rate comparisons can be done by following these steps.
- Step 1: Gain an understanding of how insurance works and the measures you can control to prevent rate increases. Many factors that cause high rates like traffic violations and an unacceptable credit rating can be controlled by paying attention to minor details.
- Step 2: Quote rates from exclusive agents, independent agents, and direct providers. Exclusive and direct companies can only provide price estimates from a single company like GEICO and State Farm, while independent agencies can provide rate quotes from multiple insurance companies. Find a Tampa insurance agent
- Step 3: Compare the price quotes to your current policy to see if a cheaper rate is available in Tampa. If you can save money, make sure there is no coverage gap between policies.
An important note is to use the same amount of coverage on each quote request and to quote with as many different insurance providers as possible. This guarantees a fair price comparison and a good representation of prices.
If you have a policy now or are just looking to switch companies, you can learn to shop for the lowest rates while maintaining coverages. Buying affordable auto insurance in Tampa is easy if you know what you’re doing. Shoppers just need to understand the tricks to get comparison rates on the web.
Most of the larger companies allow consumers to get prices direct online. Getting quotes for Mitsubishi Lancer insurance in Tampa is fairly simple as you just enter your coverage information into the form. When the form is submitted, their system will order credit information and your driving record and quotes a price based on these and other factors. This makes it simple to compare prices and it is important to perform this step if you want to find the most affordable premium possible.
To find out how much you’re overpaying now, take a look at the companies shown below. If you have your current policy handy, we recommend that you enter the coverage information identical to your current policy. This guarantees you will receive an apples-to-apples comparison based on the exact same insurance coverage.
The companies shown below have been selected to offer quotes in Tampa, FL. To locate cheap car insurance in Tampa, we suggest you click on several of them to get the best price comparison.
Tampa insurance discounts for a Mitsubishi Lancer
Some providers don’t necessarily list the entire discount list very well, so the below list has a few of the more common and also the lesser-known auto insurance savings.
- Renewal Discounts – A few insurance companies offer discounts for switching companies before your current expiration date. You may see this discount when you get Tampa auto insurance quotes online.
- Professional Memberships – Being a member of qualifying clubs or civic groups could qualify you for a break on your policy.
- Defensive Driver – Passing a defensive driver course could save 5% or more depending on where you live.
- Paperwork-free – A handful of larger companies will give you a small discount simply for signing on the web.
- Student in College – Kids who are attending college and don’t have a car could qualify for this discount.
- Driver’s Education for Students – Require your teen driver to participate in a local driver’s education class in school or through a local driver safety program.
- Active Military Service – Having an actively deployed family member can result in better auto insurance rates.
- Own a Home – Just being a homeowner can save you money because maintaining a house requires a higher level of personal finance.
- Theft Prevention Discount – Cars that have factory anti-theft systems are stolen less frequently and will save you 10% or more on Lancer insurance in Tampa.
Discounts lower rates, but most credits do not apply to the entire cost. Some only apply to individual premiums such as medical payments or collision. So even though you would think you can get free auto insurance, company stockholders wouldn’t be very happy. Any amount of discount should help lower the amount you pay for coverage.
The illustration below illustrates the comparison of Mitsubishi Lancer car insurance rates with and without policy discounts. The data assumes a male driver, no accidents or driving violations, Florida state minimum liability limits, full coverage, and $500 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with homeowner, multi-car, claim-free, safe-driver, marriage, and multi-policy discounts applied.
To view auto insurance companies who offer discounts in Tampa, click this link.
Analysis of Mitsubishi Lancer rates
The table shown next showcases estimates of insurance coverage prices for Mitsubishi Lancer models. Being more informed about how insurance premiums are established is important for drivers to make informed decisions when shopping around for a new policy.
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lancer DE | $312 | $628 | $438 | $26 | $132 | $1,536 | $128 |
Lancer ES | $312 | $628 | $438 | $26 | $132 | $1,536 | $128 |
Lancer GTS | $348 | $722 | $438 | $26 | $132 | $1,666 | $139 |
Lancer Sportback GTS | $348 | $722 | $438 | $26 | $132 | $1,666 | $139 |
Lancer RALLIART | $384 | $816 | $438 | $26 | $132 | $1,796 | $150 |
Lancer Sportback Ralliart | $384 | $816 | $438 | $26 | $132 | $1,796 | $150 |
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Table data represents married female driver age 40, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $250 deductibles, and Florida minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include safe-driver, claim-free, multi-policy, multi-vehicle, and homeowner. Estimates do not factor in your specific Tampa location which can modify premium rates greatly.
Analysis of deductible levels
When comparing car insurance rates, the most common question is at what level do you set your deductibles. The following tables show the differences in price when you select higher and lower coverage deductibles. The first set of rates uses a $100 comprehensive and collision deductible and the second data table uses a $500 deductible.
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lancer DE | $406 | $764 | $418 | $24 | $124 | $1,761 | $147 |
Lancer ES | $406 | $764 | $418 | $24 | $124 | $1,761 | $147 |
Lancer GTS | $452 | $880 | $418 | $24 | $124 | $1,923 | $160 |
Lancer Sportback GTS | $452 | $880 | $418 | $24 | $124 | $1,923 | $160 |
Lancer RALLIART | $498 | $994 | $418 | $24 | $124 | $2,083 | $174 |
Lancer Sportback Ralliart | $498 | $994 | $418 | $24 | $124 | $2,083 | $174 |
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Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lancer DE | $296 | $516 | $418 | $24 | $124 | $1,378 | $115 |
Lancer ES | $296 | $516 | $418 | $24 | $124 | $1,378 | $115 |
Lancer GTS | $330 | $594 | $418 | $24 | $124 | $1,490 | $124 |
Lancer Sportback GTS | $330 | $594 | $418 | $24 | $124 | $1,490 | $124 |
Lancer RALLIART | $364 | $672 | $418 | $24 | $124 | $1,602 | $134 |
Lancer Sportback Ralliart | $364 | $672 | $418 | $24 | $124 | $1,602 | $134 |
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Prices based on married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and Florida minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include homeowner, multi-policy, safe-driver, multi-vehicle, and claim-free. Prices do not factor in vehicle location which can modify coverage rates noticeably.
Based on this data, using a $100 deductible costs an average of $36 more each month or $432 a year than requesting the higher $500 deductible. Because you would pay $400 more if you file a claim with a $500 deductible as compared to a $100 deductible, if you usually have at a minimum 11 months between claim filings, you would probably be better off if you choose a higher deductible.
Full coverage versus liability-only
The information below illustrates the comparison of Mitsubishi Lancer insurance prices when comparing full coverage to liability only. The information is based on no claims or violations, $1,000 deductibles, drivers are not married, and no discounts are factored in.
When to buy liability coverage only
There is no clear-cut formula that is best for determining when to drop physical damage insurance, but there is a general convention. If the annual cost of your full coverage insurance is about 10% or more of the replacement cost of your vehicle minus the policy deductible, then it might be time to consider dropping full coverage.
For example, let’s assume your Mitsubishi Lancer book value is $3,000 and you have $1,000 policy deductibles. If your vehicle is damaged in an accident, the most you would get paid by your company is $2,000 after paying your policy deductible. If premiums are more than $200 a year to have full coverage, then you might want to consider buying only liability coverage.
There are a few cases where only buying liability is not recommended. If you haven’t satisfied your loan, you have to maintain full coverage in order to prevent the bank from purchasing higher-priced coverage. Also, if your emergency fund is not enough to purchase a different vehicle in the event your current vehicle is totaled, you should not remove full coverage.
When to have guidance from an agent
A small number of people just prefer to have an agent’s advice and there is nothing wrong with that. Insurance agents can help you choose the best coverages and help file insurance claims. One of the great benefits of comparing rate quotes online is the fact that drivers can get better rates but still work with a licensed agent. And buying from local agencies is important especially in Tampa.
Upon completion of this form (opens in new window), the quote information is submitted to agents in your area who can give free rate quotes for your coverage. You won’t even need to contact an agency due to the fact that quote results will go to you. If you want to get a price quote for a specific company, you just need to go to their quote page and submit a quote form there.
Choose an insurance agent wisely
When researching a reliable agent, it’s helpful to know the types of insurance agents and how they are slightly different. Agents in Tampa can be described as either independent agents or exclusive agents depending on their employer. Either type can do a good job, but it’s worth learning the differences because it may have an impact on the selection process.
Independent Agents
Independent agencies do not work for one specific company and that allows them to write policies with many different companies depending on which coverage is best. If they find a cheaper price, your agent can switch companies and you don’t have to do anything. When comparing rate quotes, it’s recommended you include price quotes from a few independent agents to get the best comparison.
Listed below is a short list of independent insurance agencies in Tampa who may provide free rate quotes.
Carron Insurance Agency, Inc
1010 W Cass St – Tampa, FL 33606 – (813) 926-0512 – View Map
Mesa Insurance Agent
Tampa, FL 33603 – Tampa, FL 33603 – (813) 442-4179 – View Map
Varcas Insurance Agency LLC
1721 W Hillsborough Ave – Tampa, FL 33603 – (813) 319-1940 – View Map
Exclusive Car Insurance Agents
Agents that elect to be exclusive can only quote rates from one company such as AAA, Allstate, and State Farm. Exclusive agents are unable to provide rate quotes from other companies so they have no alternatives for high prices. Exclusive agents are usually quite knowledgeable on what they offer and that allows them to sell at a higher price point.
Listed below is a list of exclusive insurance agencies in Tampa willing to provide comparison quotes.
John Lang – State Farm Insurance Agent
4023 W Waters Ave #5 – Tampa, FL 33614 – (813) 885-2748 – View Map
State Farm: Jimmy Fisher
6920 E Fowler Ave – Tampa, FL 33617 – (813) 989-2037 – View Map
State Farm: Jeff Ralph
11014 N Dale Mabry Hwy #501 – Tampa, FL 33618 – (813) 969-3331 – View Map
Finding the right car insurance agent should depend on more than just a low price. The questions below may impact your decision as well.
- Do they specialize in personal lines auto insurance in Tampa?
- Do they receive special compensation for putting your coverage with one company over another?
- Are they properly licensed to sell insurance in Florida?
- Are claims handled at the agent’s location?
- Are all drivers listed on the coverage quote?
After receiving satisfactory answers to all your questions and an affordable coverage quote, it’s a good possibility that you have found an insurance agency that meets your needs to properly insure your vehicles. Just be aware that it’s your policy and you can cancel coverage any time you want so don’t feel that you’re stuck with a specific agent with no way to switch.
Informed Decisions Result in Lower Insurance Costs
Many things are used when premium rates are determined. Some of the criteria are obvious such as traffic violations, but some are more transparent such as whether you are married or how safe your car is.
The items below are just a few of the factors used by your company to calculate your rates.
Careless driving leads to higher rates – Your driving citation history has a big impact on rates. Good drivers pay lower auto insurance prices compared to drivers with tickets. Having just one moving violation may increase your cost forty percent or more. Drivers who have serious citations like reckless driving, hit and run or driving under the influence may find they need to file a proof of financial responsibility form (SR-22) to the state department of motor vehicles in order to prevent their license from being revoked.
The example below illustrates how traffic citations and accidents increase Mitsubishi Lancer auto insurance costs for different age categories. The data assumes a single male driver, full coverage, $1,000 deductibles, and no discounts are applied to the premium.
Lower performance equals lower insurance rates – The performance level of the car, truck or SUV you drive makes a substantial difference in your car insurance bill. Small economy passenger cars usually are quite affordable to insure, but many other things help determine your insurance rates.
The chart below is based on a married male driver age 40, full coverage with $1000 deductibles, and no discounts or violations. It compares Mitsubishi Lancer car insurance rates compared to other makes and models that have different risk factors.
The higher your credit history the lower your costs – Your credit rating is a large factor in calculating your premium rate. Insureds with excellent credit scores tend to be more responsible as compared to drivers with poor credit. If your credit can use some improvement, you could save money insuring your Mitsubishi Lancer by taking the time to improve your credit score.
More traffic means higher claims – Residing in a rural area has definite advantages when talking about insurance. Less people corresponds to lower accident rates in addition to fewer liability claims. Residents of big cities tend to have more road rage incidents and longer commutes to work. Longer commute distances means a statistically higher chance of an accident.
Save money by having multiple policies – Lots of insurance companies provide discounts to policyholders that have more than one policy. It’s known as a multi-policy discount. The discount can add up to anywhere from five to ten percent in most cases. Even if you’re getting this discount you still need to comparison shop to help guarantee you have the best rates. Drivers may still find lower rates even if you have your coverage with different companies
Men drivers tend to cost more – Over time, data shows women are more cautious behind the wheel. That doesn’t necessarily mean that women are better drivers. They both get in auto accidents at about the same rate, but men tend to have higher claims. Men also tend to have more aggressive citations such as reckless driving. Male teenagers have the highest risk to insure so it costs more to insure them.
The example below shows the difference between Mitsubishi Lancer auto insurance costs for male and female drivers. The rates are based on no violations or accidents, comprehensive and collision coverage, $500 deductibles, drivers are not married, and no policy discounts are applied.
Stay claim-free and save – If you file claims often, you can look forward to higher premiums or even policy non-renewal. Car insurance companies in Florida generally give cheaper rates to people that do not abuse their auto insurance. Your insurance policy is intended for the large, substantial claims.
Your employer can affect premiums – Occupational choices like military generals, executives, and medical professionals have the highest rates in part from intense work requirements and extremely grueling work hours. On the flip side, careers like scientists, engineers and performers receive lower rates.
Mitsubishi Lancer insurance loss data – Companies factor in insurance loss information when they file their rates in each state. Models that tend to have increased claim numbers or amounts will be charged more to insure.
The table below demonstrates the insurance loss data used by companies for Mitsubishi Lancer vehicles. For each type of coverage, the statistical loss for all vehicles, regardless of make or model, equals 100. Values under 100 imply a favorable loss record, while values that are above 100 indicate a higher chance of having a claim or statistically larger losses.
Specific Mitsubishi Model | Collision | Property Damage | Comp | Personal Injury | Medical Payment | Bodily Injury |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mitsubishi Lancer 2WD | 153 | 146 | 127 | 192 | 218 | 172 |
Mitsubishi Lancer 4WD | 149 | 131 | 148 | 135 | ||
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 4WD | 225 | 123 | 221 |
Empty fields indicate not enough data collected
Data Source: iihs.org (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) for 2013-2015 Model Years
Insurance does more than just repair your car
Even though it can be expensive, insurance is mandatory in Florida but it also protects more than you think.
First, the majority of states have minimum liability requirements which means you are required to carry specific limits of liability insurance if you drive a vehicle. In Florida these limits are 10/20/10 which means you must have $10,000 of bodily injury coverage per person, $20,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $10,000 of property damage coverage.
Second, if your Mitsubishi Lancer has a loan, almost all lenders will require you to buy insurance to ensure the loan is repaid in case of a total loss. If you cancel or allow the policy to lapse, the bank may buy a policy for your Mitsubishi for a much higher rate and require you to reimburse them the higher price.
Third, insurance preserves not only your Mitsubishi Lancer but also your assets. It will also cover all forms of medical expenses for you, any passengers, and anyone injured in an accident. One policy coverage, liability insurance, will also pay for a defense attorney if you are sued as the result of your driving. If your car is damaged in a storm or accident, comprehensive (other-than-collision) and collision coverage will pay all costs to repair after the deductible has been paid.
The benefits of having insurance more than offset the price you pay, particularly when you have a large claim. Unknowingly, the average driver overpays more than $865 each year so shop around every year to be sure current rates are still competitive.
Best car insurance in Tampa
Insuring your vehicle with a high-quality auto insurance provider can be a challenge considering how many companies provide coverage in Tampa. The ranking information shown next could help you choose which auto insurers you want to consider when comparing rate quotes.
Company | Value | Customer Service | Claims | Customer Satisfaction | A.M Best Rating | Overall Score |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Travelers | 93 | 98 | 99 | 88% | A++ | 95.1 |
USAA | 83 | 99 | 100 | 91% | A++ | 94.1 |
Mercury Insurance | 97 | 96 | 88 | 89% | A+ | 93.4 |
AAA Insurance | 91 | 95 | 92 | 90% | A | 93.3 |
Nationwide | 85 | 95 | 97 | 89% | A+ | 92.4 |
Allstate | 77 | 100 | 97 | 88% | A+ | 90.7 |
State Farm | 80 | 94 | 96 | 88% | A++ | 90.6 |
The Hartford | 88 | 93 | 91 | 87% | A+ | 90.4 |
Safeco Insurance | 91 | 95 | 85 | 88% | A | 90.2 |
Progressive | 88 | 94 | 83 | 88% | A+ | 90.1 |
American Family | 91 | 86 | 95 | 83% | A | 89.7 |
Esurance | 86 | 90 | 94 | 90% | A+ | 89.5 |
The General | 86 | 93 | 89 | 84% | A- | 88.2 |
GEICO | 79 | 89 | 95 | 87% | A++ | 87.8 |
Titan Insurance | 86 | 82 | 92 | 86% | A+ | 86.5 |
21st Century | 86 | 82 | 90 | 84% | A | 86.4 |
Liberty Mutual | 79 | 87 | 95 | 78% | A | 85.3 |
Farmers Insurance | 77 | 80 | 80 | 84% | A | 80.3 |
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Data Source: Insure.com Best Car Insurance Companies
One last note
We’ve covered a lot of techniques to get a better price on Mitsubishi Lancer insurance in Tampa. The most important thing to understand is the more companies you get prices for, the better your comparison will be. Drivers may even discover the best price on car insurance is with the least-expected company. They may have significantly lower prices on certain market segments than their larger competitors like Progressive and GEICO.
When shopping online for car insurance, you should never sacrifice coverage to reduce premiums. In many cases, drivers have reduced liability coverage limits only to find out that saving that couple of dollars actually costed them tens of thousands. The ultimate goal is to purchase a proper amount of coverage at an affordable rate, but do not skimp to save money.
Some insurance providers do not provide internet price quotes and many times these smaller companies only sell through local independent agents. Cheap Mitsubishi Lancer insurance in Tampa can be found from both online companies in addition to many Tampa insurance agents, so you need to compare both to have the best rate selection.
Much more information about car insurance in Florida is available on the following sites:
- Coverage Information (Progressive Insurance)
- How Much is Tampa Auto Insurance for Drivers Over Age 50? (FAQ)
- Who Has Cheap Auto Insurance for a Nissan Rogue in Tampa? (FAQ)
- Who Has Cheap Auto Insurance for a Jeep Grand Cherokee in Tampa? (FAQ)
- What Car Insurance is Cheapest for Good Drivers in Tampa? (FAQ)
- How Much is Car Insurance for a Hyundai Sonata in Tampa? (FAQ)
- Insuring a Leased Car (Insurance Information Institute)
- How to Avoid Staged Accidents (State Farm)
- Honda warning system reduces insurance claims (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)