Save on Suzuki Equator Insurance in Tampa

A recent study showed that over 70% of consumers kept their policy with the same company for a minimum of four years, and almost 40% of drivers have never compared rates to find cheap insurance. Many drivers in Tampa could pocket $1,130 a year by just comparing rate quotes, but they don’t invest the time required to compare rates.

The preferred way to get the cheapest Suzuki Equator insurance in Tampa is to compare quotes once a year from insurance carriers who provide car insurance in Florida. You can shop around by following these steps.

• Step 1: Read about how auto insurance works and the modifications you can make to prevent expensive coverage. Many rating criteria that result in higher prices such as traffic violations, accidents, and a less-than-favorable credit history can be controlled by being financially responsible and driving safely.
• Step 2: Compare price quotes from exclusive agents, independent agents, and direct providers. Exclusive and direct companies can provide rates from one company like GEICO or Allstate, while independent agencies can quote prices from multiple sources.
• Step 3: Compare the new rate quotes to your existing rates to see if a cheaper price is available. If you can save some money and switch companies, make sure there is no lapse between the expiration of your current policy and the new one.

The critical component of shopping around is to use the same physical damage deductibles and liability limits on every price quote and and to get price estimates from as many different insurance providers as possible. Doing this ensures a fair price comparison and the best rate selection.

When comparison shopping, there are several ways of comparing rate quotes from lots of Florida car insurance companies. The easiest way to do a complete rate comparison is to perform an online rate comparison.

It’s so simple to compare car insurance rates online takes the place of having to waste gas driving to and from local Tampa insurance agencies. Comparing Suzuki Equator insurance rate quotes online eliminates the middleman unless you’re the type of person who wants the professional assistance of a licensed agent. Although, it is possible find lower rates online but still have the advice of a local agent.

When price shopping your coverage, more quotes increases the chance that you will find the best offered rates. Some smaller insurers do not give online price quotes, so you should also compare prices from them, too.

The auto insurance companies shown below can provide quotes in Florida. If multiple companies are listed, we recommend you get price quotes from several of them to get the best price comparison.

Do you qualify for discounts on Suzuki Equator insurance in Tampa?

Auto insurance companies don’t always advertise all their discounts very well, so the following list contains both the well known as well as some of the hidden savings tricks you should be using when you buy Tampa auto insurance online. If you do not check that you are getting every discount you deserve, you’re paying more than you need to.

• Telematics Devices – Drivers that enable driving data submission to scrutinize driving manner remotely such as Progressive’s Snapshot and State Farm’s In-Drive could possibly reduce rates if they are good drivers.
• Waiver for an Accident – Not a discount per se, but some companies like Liberty Mutual, GEICO and Allstate may permit one accident before they charge you more for coverage if you are claim-free before the accident.
• Student Driver Training – Reduce the cost of insurance for teen drivers by having them successfully take a driver’s education course as it will make them better drivers and lower rates.
• Own a Home – Simply owning a home can save you money due to the fact that maintaining a home demonstrates responsibility.
• Good Drivers – Accident-free drivers could pay up to 40% less compared to rates paid by drivers with frequent claims.
• College Student – Older children who attend college more than 100 miles from Tampa and do not have a car can be insured at a reduced rate.

One thing to note about discounts is that most of the big mark downs will not be given to the entire cost. Most only apply to the price of certain insurance coverages like liability and collision coverage. If you do the math and it seems like all the discounts add up to a free policy, you aren’t that lucky.

The example below shows the comparison of Suzuki Equator auto insurance costs with and without discounts applied to the premium. The data is based on a female driver, no claims or violations, Florida state minimum liability limits, full physical damage coverage, and $250 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with safe-driver, multi-policy, homeowner, marriage, claim-free, and multi-car discounts applied.

Auto insurance companies that may include some of the above discounts include:

• State Farm
• GEICO
• Allstate
• SAFECO
• Farm Bureau
• Progressive
• AAA

Double check with each company or agent which credits you are entitled to. Some of the earlier mentioned discounts might not be offered in Tampa. If you would like to view insurance companies with discount rates in Tampa, click here.

Insurance coverage analysis

The table shown next highlights different coverage prices for Suzuki Equator models. Having knowledge of how insurance policy premiums are calculated is important for drivers to make decisions on which coverage to buy.

Data rating is based on married male driver age 50, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $1000 deductibles, and Florida minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include homeowner, safe-driver, multi-vehicle, claim-free, and multi-policy. Rate quotes do not factor in zip code location which can affect insurance rates significantly.

Illustration showing the impact of accidents and violations

The information below shows how traffic citations and at-fault fender-benders impact Suzuki Equator insurance prices for each age group. The data is based on a single male driver, comprehensive and collision coverage, $250 deductibles, and no discounts are applied.

Do I need an agent?

Many drivers would rather visit with an insurance agent and that is a personal choice. One of the best bonuses of comparing rate quotes online is that you can obtain the best rates and still buy from a local agent.

For easy comparison, once you complete this form (opens in new window), the quote information is immediately sent to companies in Tampa who will give you quotes for your coverage. It simplifies rate comparisons since you won’t have to find an agent on your own because quoted prices will be sent directly to you. You can find lower rates and an insurance agent to talk to. If you wish to get a price quote from one company in particular, just visit that company’s website to submit a rate quote request.

Picking the best company is decision based upon more than just a cheap price quote. Any agent in Tampa should be forthright in answering these questions:

• Will the company cover a rental car if your car is getting fixed?
• Does the agency support the community they serve?
• Is every driver in your family covered?
• How many companies do they write for?
• Does the agent help file claims?
• Are claim adjusters local or do you have to take your car somewhere else?
• Can you use your own choice of collision repair facility?

If you are wanting to find local Tampa agents, it’s important to understand the different agency structures and how they work. Agents are either exclusive agents or independent agents.

Exclusive Agencies

Agents that elect to be exclusive can usually just insure with one company and examples are AAA, State Farm, Farmers Insurance, and Allstate. Exclusive agents cannot compare other company’s rates so keep that in mind. Exclusive insurance agents are trained well on their company’s products which helps them compete with independent agents.

Below are Tampa exclusive insurance agents who can help you get comparison quotes.

More Tampa agents

Independent Insurance Agents

Agents in the independent channel can quote rates with many companies and that enables them to quote your coverage through lots of different companies depending on which coverage is best. To move your coverage to a new company, your agent can switch companies which requires no work on your part. When comparing rate quotes, you need to include independent agents for maximum quote selection.

Shown below are independent insurance agencies in Tampa willing to provide price quotes.

More Tampa agents

How to know if you need help

When quoting and choosing coverage for your personal vehicles, there is no “best” method to buy coverage. Every situation is different and your policy should reflect that.
Here are some questions about coverages that might point out whether or not you will benefit from professional help.

• Is motorclub coverage worth it?
• When would I need additional glass coverage?
• Can I get by with minimal medical coverage if I have good health insurance?
• Does my car insurance cover rental cars?
• Can my teen drive my company car?
• When can I cancel my policy?
• Do I benefit by insuring my home with the same company?

If you can’t answer these questions but you know they apply to you then you might want to talk to an insurance agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, take a second and complete this form or go to this page to view a list of companies.

Why you need Suzuki vehicle insurance in Florida

Despite the high insurance cost for a Suzuki Equator in Tampa, insuring your vehicle serves an important purpose.

First, most states have mandatory insurance requirements which means the state requires a specific level of liability in order to drive the car. 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 you took out a loan on your Suzuki Equator, most banks will have a requirement that you buy insurance to guarantee payment of the loan. If you cancel or allow the policy to lapse, the lender may insure your Suzuki at a more expensive rate and force you to pay for the expensive policy.

Third, auto insurance protects not only your Suzuki but also your financial assets. It will also provide coverage for hospital and medical expenses for yourself as well as anyone injured by you. As part of your policy, liability insurance also covers all legal expenses up to the policy limit if anyone sues you for causing an accident. If your vehicle suffers damage from an accident or hail, comprehensive and collision coverage will pay to repair the damage minus the deductible amount.

The benefits of insuring your Equator outweigh the cost, particularly when you have a large claim. On average, a vehicle owner in Tampa is overpaying over $800 each year so it’s very important to do a rate comparison every year to ensure rates are inline.

Educate yourself about insurance coverages

Having a good grasp of your insurance policy helps when choosing which coverages you need and the correct deductibles and limits. The terms used in a policy can be ambiguous and nobody wants to actually read their policy. Shown next are the normal coverages found on the average insurance policy.

Uninsured or underinsured coverage

Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage protects you and your vehicle when the “other guys” either have no liability insurance or not enough. Covered claims include medical payments for you and your occupants and damage to your Suzuki Equator.

Because many people only carry the minimum required liability limits (which is 10/20/10), it doesn’t take a major accident to exceed their coverage limits. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is very important.

Medical expense coverage

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage reimburse you for short-term medical expenses for chiropractic care, EMT expenses, hospital visits and prosthetic devices. They are used to cover expenses not covered by your health insurance program or if there is no health insurance coverage. Medical payments and PIP cover not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants and also covers getting struck while a pedestrian. Personal injury protection coverage is not universally available but it provides additional coverages not offered by medical payments coverage

Coverage for liability

This coverage protects you from damage or injury you incur to a person or their property that is your fault. It protects YOU from legal claims by others. It does not cover damage to your own property or vehicle.

It consists of three limits, bodily injury for each person injured, bodily injury for the entire accident and a property damage limit. Your policy might show limits of 10/20/10 that translate to a limit of $10,000 per injured person, a total of $20,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and a total limit of $10,000 for damage to vehicles and property.

Liability coverage pays for claims like structural damage, court costs, emergency aid and funeral expenses. How much liability coverage do you need? That is a personal decision, but consider buying as high a limit as you can afford. Florida state minimum liability requirements are 10/20/10 but you should consider buying better liability coverage.

The chart below shows why the minimum limit may not provide adequate coverage.

Comprehensive protection

This coverage covers damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. A deductible will apply and then insurance will cover the rest of the damage.

Comprehensive coverage protects against claims such as theft, falling objects, a broken windshield and damage from getting keyed. The highest amount a insurance company will pay at claim time is the ACV or actual cash value, so if the vehicle is not worth much consider removing comprehensive coverage.

Coverage for collisions

Collision coverage pays for damage to your Equator resulting from a collision with another vehicle or an object, but not an animal. You have to pay a deductible and then insurance will cover the remainder.

Collision can pay for things such as colliding with a tree, crashing into a ditch, crashing into a building, sustaining damage from a pot hole and hitting a mailbox. This coverage can be expensive, so analyze the benefit of dropping coverage from vehicles that are older. Another option is to bump up the deductible on your Equator to save money on collision insurance.

You can find cheaper coverage

When buying insurance coverage, it’s a bad idea to skimp on critical coverages to save a buck or two. There have been many situations where an insured dropped uninsured motorist or liability limits to discover at claim time that their decision to reduce coverage ended up costing them more. The goal is to purchase a proper amount of coverage for the lowest price and still be able to protect your assets.

Some insurance providers may not offer price quotes online and these regional carriers provide coverage only through independent agents. Cheaper Suzuki Equator insurance in Tampa can be sourced on the web in addition to local insurance agencies, and you need to comparison shop both to have the best chance of lowering rates.

Additional auto insurance information can be read at the links below

• Keeping Children Safe in Crashes Video (iihs.org)
• Who Has the Cheapest Auto Insurance Quotes for Immigrants in Tampa? (FAQ)
• Credit and Insurance Scores (Insurance Information Institute)
• Electronic Stability Control FAQ (iihs.org)
• Bodily Injury Coverage (Liberty Mutual)
• Comprehensive Coverage (Liberty Mutual)