Unfortunately, nearly 70% of customers kept their coverage with the same car insurance company for more than four years, and roughly 40% of drivers have never quoted rates to find lower-cost coverage. Drivers in Tampa can save nearly 55% each year, but they just feel it’s too hard to compare rates online.
The best way we recommend to find affordable quotes for car insurance rates in Tampa is to compare quotes annually from different companies who sell auto insurance in Florida. Price quotes can be compared by following these guidelines.
- Try to understand policy coverages and the things you can change to prevent expensive coverage. Many rating criteria that result in higher prices like accidents, careless driving, and a negative credit score can be eliminated by improving your driving habits or financial responsibility. This article provides additional tips to get lower rates and find discounts that may have been missed.
- Request rate estimates from independent agents, exclusive agents, and direct companies. Direct companies and exclusive agencies can only quote rates from one company like GEICO or Farmers Insurance, while independent agencies can give you price quotes for a wide range of companies.
- Compare the quotes to your existing coverage to see if a cheaper rate is available. If you can save some money and make a switch, ensure coverage does not lapse between policies.
- Provide proper notification to your current company to cancel your current policy. Submit the application along with any required down payment for your new policy. Once the paperwork is finalized, place your new certificate verifying coverage in your vehicle.
The most important part of shopping around is to make sure you’re comparing similar deductibles and liability limits on each quote request and and to analyze as many carriers as you can. Doing this enables an apples-to-apples comparison and a good representation of prices.
Lowering your Suzuki SX4 insurance rates is not rocket science. Consumers just need to invest a few minutes to get quotes from different insurance companies.
It’s so fast and easy to compare price quotes online that it makes it a waste of time to drive around to insurance agents’ offices. Doing it all online makes this process obsolete unless your situation requires the guidance that can only be provided by a licensed insurance agent. If you prefer, some companies allow you to price shop online but have a local agent actually write the policy.
The companies shown below are our best choices to provide comparison quotes in Florida. If your goal is to find cheap car insurance in Tampa, it’s highly recommended you get prices from several of them to get the best price comparison.
It may be expensive, but it’s not optional
Despite the potentially high cost of Suzuki SX4 insurance, insuring your vehicle serves a purpose in several ways.
- Most states have mandatory liability insurance requirements which means it is punishable by state law to not carry a specific level of liability insurance coverage 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.
- If you have a lien on your Suzuki, most lenders will force you to have physical damage coverage to ensure they get paid if you total the vehicle. If you default on your policy, the lender will be forced to insure your Suzuki at a significantly higher premium and make you pay much more than you were paying before.
- Insurance preserves not only your Suzuki but also your financial assets. It also can pay for medical bills for yourself as well as anyone injured by you. Liability insurance, one of your policy coverages, also covers legal expenses in the event you are sued. If your vehicle suffers damage from an accident or hail, comprehensive and collision coverage will pay all costs to repair after the deductible has been paid.
The benefits of buying enough insurance are without a doubt worth the cost, particularly when you have a large claim. According to a survey of 1,000 drivers, the average driver is currently overpaying as much as $800 each year so smart consumers compare quotes at every policy renewal to help ensure money is not being wasted.
Rates and data analysis
The coverage information displayed below highlights different insurance prices for Suzuki SX4 models. Having a better understanding of how auto insurance premiums are established can be of help when making decisions when choosing a new policy provider.
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SX4 LE | $268 | $668 | $472 | $28 | $142 | $1,578 | $132 |
SX4 2WD | $308 | $548 | $472 | $28 | $142 | $1,498 | $125 |
SX4 Sport S | $308 | $786 | $472 | $28 | $142 | $1,736 | $145 |
SX4 Sport SE | $308 | $786 | $472 | $28 | $142 | $1,736 | $145 |
SX4 Technology 2WD | $308 | $668 | $472 | $28 | $142 | $1,618 | $135 |
SX4 Sportback 2WD | $308 | $668 | $472 | $28 | $142 | $1,618 | $135 |
SX4 AWD AWD | $308 | $668 | $472 | $28 | $142 | $1,618 | $135 |
SX4 Sport GTS | $308 | $786 | $472 | $28 | $142 | $1,736 | $145 |
SX4 Technology AWD | $348 | $668 | $472 | $28 | $142 | $1,658 | $138 |
SX4 Touring AWD | $348 | $668 | $472 | $28 | $142 | $1,658 | $138 |
Get Your Own Custom Quote Go |
Data based on single male driver age 50, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $100 deductibles, and Florida minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-vehicle, safe-driver, claim-free, homeowner, and multi-policy. Information does not factor in your specific Tampa location which can impact prices greatly.
Higher deductibles lower rates
One of the hardest decisions when shopping for auto insurance is how high should the physical damage deductibles be. The rates shown below approximate the rate fluctuation of buying low and high policy deductibles. The first set of rates uses a $250 deductible for physical damage and the second rate table uses a $1,000 deductible.
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SX4 LE | $280 | $544 | $418 | $24 | $124 | $1,415 | $118 |
SX4 2WD | $322 | $446 | $418 | $24 | $124 | $1,359 | $113 |
SX4 Sport S | $322 | $640 | $418 | $24 | $124 | $1,553 | $129 |
SX4 Sport SE | $322 | $640 | $418 | $24 | $124 | $1,553 | $129 |
SX4 Technology 2WD | $322 | $544 | $418 | $24 | $124 | $1,457 | $121 |
SX4 Sportback 2WD | $322 | $544 | $418 | $24 | $124 | $1,457 | $121 |
SX4 AWD AWD | $322 | $544 | $418 | $24 | $124 | $1,457 | $121 |
SX4 Sport GTS | $322 | $640 | $418 | $24 | $124 | $1,553 | $129 |
SX4 Technology AWD | $364 | $544 | $418 | $24 | $124 | $1,499 | $125 |
SX4 Touring AWD | $364 | $544 | $418 | $24 | $124 | $1,499 | $125 |
Get Your Own Custom Quote Go |
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SX4 LE | $174 | $342 | $418 | $24 | $124 | $1,082 | $90 |
SX4 2WD | $200 | $280 | $418 | $24 | $124 | $1,046 | $87 |
SX4 Sport S | $200 | $402 | $418 | $24 | $124 | $1,168 | $97 |
SX4 Sport SE | $200 | $402 | $418 | $24 | $124 | $1,168 | $97 |
SX4 Technology 2WD | $200 | $342 | $418 | $24 | $124 | $1,108 | $92 |
SX4 Sportback 2WD | $200 | $342 | $418 | $24 | $124 | $1,108 | $92 |
SX4 AWD AWD | $200 | $342 | $418 | $24 | $124 | $1,108 | $92 |
SX4 Sport GTS | $200 | $402 | $418 | $24 | $124 | $1,168 | $97 |
SX4 Technology AWD | $224 | $342 | $418 | $24 | $124 | $1,132 | $94 |
SX4 Touring AWD | $224 | $342 | $418 | $24 | $124 | $1,132 | $94 |
Get Your Own Custom Quote Go |
Above prices assume married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and Florida minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include safe-driver, homeowner, multi-vehicle, multi-policy, and claim-free. Rate quotes do not factor in zip code location which can change prices substantially.
We can derive from the above data that using a $250 deductible would cost the average driver about $30 more each month or $360 every year averaged for all SX4 models than opting for the higher $1,000 deductible. Because you would pay $750 more to settle a claim with a $1,000 deductible as compared to a $250 deductible, if you usually have at a minimum 25 months between claim filings, you would most likely save money if you choose a higher deductible. Here’s an example of how this determination is made.
Average monthly premium for $250 deductibles: | $123 |
Average monthly premium for $1,000 deductibles (subtract): | – $93 |
Monthly savings from raising deductible: | $30 |
Difference between deductibles ($1,000 – $250): | $750 |
Divide difference by monthly savings: | $750 / $30 |
Number of months required between physical damage coverage claims in order to save money by choosing the higher deductible | 25 months |
One important note is that raising deductibles to get cheaper rates means you will have to pay more when you have a comprehensive or collision claim. You should have some funds available in the event you need to pay the higher deductible.
The diagram below illustrates how choosing a deductible and can impact Suzuki SX4 insurance costs for each age group. The premiums are based on a single male driver, comprehensive and collision coverage, and no policy discounts are applied.
Poor driving habits will raise your auto insurance rates
The diagram below illustrates how violations and accident claims drive up Suzuki SX4 yearly insurance costs for each age group. The information is based on a single female driver, full coverage, $1,000 deductibles, and no policy discounts are applied.
Cost of full coverage
The example below illustrates the difference between Suzuki SX4 car insurance rates with full coverage and liability only. The premiums assume no tickets, no at-fault accidents, $1,000 deductibles, drivers are not married, and no discounts are applied to the premium.
When to stop paying for full coverage
There is no clear-cut formula of when to phase out physical damage insurance, but there is a general guideline you can use. If the yearly cost of comp and collision coverage is more than about 10% of the replacement cost minus the deductible, then you may want to consider only buying liability coverage.
For example, let’s pretend your Suzuki SX4 replacement value is $8,000 and you have $1,000 physical damage deductibles. If your vehicle is severely damaged, the most you would receive is $7,000 after you pay the deductible. If it’s costing you more than $700 a year for comprehensive and collision coverage, then it may be the right time to buy liability only.
There are some situations where removing full coverage is not a good idea. If you haven’t paid off your loan, you have to maintain full coverage to satisfy the loan requirements. Also, if your finances do not allow you to purchase a different vehicle in the even your car is totaled, you should keep full coverage on your policy.
Score discounts on Tampa car insurance
Insuring your fleet can be pricey, but you may qualify for discounts that can drop the cost substantially. Certain discounts will be applied when you get a quote, but some need to be requested specifically before you will receive the discount.
- Military Rewards – Being deployed with a military unit could be rewarded with lower premium rates.
- Safety Restraint Discount – Using a seat belt and requiring all passengers to buckle up before driving can save up to 15% off PIP or medical payments premium.
- Anti-theft Discount – Vehicles that have factory alarm systems and tracking devices are stolen with less frequency and will save you 10% or more on SX4 insurance in Tampa.
- Driver Safety – Taking part in a defensive driver class is a good idea and can lower rates if your company offers it.
- Government Employees – Active or retired federal employment can earn a discount up to 10% with some car insurance companies.
- Telematics Data Discounts – Policyholders that allow driving data collection to monitor their driving habits through the use of a telematics system such as Progressive’s Snapshot and State Farm’s In-Drive might get better premium rates as long as they are good drivers.
- Claim Free – Insureds who avoid accidents and claims get the best car insurance rates when compared with frequent claim filers.
- Bundled Policy Discount – If you can bundle your auto and homeowners insurance with one company you will save 10% to 20% off each policy.
- Paperwork-free – Many larger companies give back up to $50 for buying your policy over the internet.
- Discount for Life Insurance – Select insurance companies reward you with a lower premium rate if you buy life insurance from them.
A quick disclaimer, most of the big mark downs will not be given to the whole policy. Some only apply to individual premiums such as comprehensive or collision. Even though it may seem like you would end up receiving a 100% discount, that’s just not realistic.
The illustration below illustrates the comparison of Suzuki SX4 car insurance costs with and without discounts applied to the rates. The information is based on a female driver, no claims or driving violations, Florida state minimum liability limits, comp and collision included, and $100 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with multi-car, safe-driver, claim-free, homeowner, marriage, and multi-policy discounts applied.
Car insurance companies who may offer many of the previously listed discounts are:
If you are trying to find affordable Tampa car insurance quotes, ask each company or agent which discounts can lower your rates. Some of the earlier mentioned discounts may not apply to policies in every state. To see a list of insurance companies who offer online Suzuki SX4 insurance quotes in Florida, click here.
Exclusive and independent insurance agents
A small number of people would rather visit with an insurance agent and that is a smart decision Insurance agents can answer important questions and help you file claims. The biggest benefit of price shopping on the web is you can get cheaper premium rates but still work with a licensed agent.
To make it easy to find an agent, after completing this short form, your coverage information is instantly submitted to local insurance agents who want to provide quotes for your business. You never need to drive around due to the fact that quote results will go to you instantly. If you want to quote rates from a specific auto insurance provider, you can always navigate to their website and give them your coverage information.
Finding the right insurer should depend on more than just the bottom line cost. Below are some questions you should ask.
- How are claims handled?
- Do you need full coverage on every vehicle?
- Do they specialize in personal lines coverage in Tampa?
- Do they have adequate Errors and Omissions coverage? This protects you if they make a mistake.
- Does the company allow you to choose your own collision repair facility?
- Will the company cover a rental car if your car is getting fixed?
If you want to buy auto insurance from a reputable insurance agent or broker, you should know the types of insurance agents from which to choose. Agents are classified as either independent or exclusive depending on the company they work for. Both types of agents can handle auto insurance, but it’s worth learning how they differ since it can impact which agent you choose.
Exclusive Agencies
Agents in the exclusive channel generally can only insure with one company like AAA, Allstate, State Farm, or Farmers Insurance. Exclusive agents cannot provide other company’s prices so always compare other rates. Exclusive agencies are well schooled on their company’s products which helps overcome the inability to quote other rates.
The following are Tampa exclusive insurance agents that can give you price quotes.
American Family Agencies
8501 N Florida Ave – Tampa, FL 33604 – (813) 930-0400 – View Map
Allstate Insurance: Dave Sangar
208 E Bearss Ave – Tampa, FL 33613 – (813) 877-5506 – View Map
Ray Mathews – State Farm Insurance Agent
15271 Amberly Dr – Tampa, FL 33647 – (813) 978-1898 – View Map
Independent Agencies or Brokers
Agents that choose to be independent do not work for one specific company so they can quote policies through lots of different companies and find you cheaper rates. If premiums increase, they simply move the coverage in-house and you don’t have to find a new agent. When comparing auto insurance rates, you need to include several independent insurance agents to ensure the widest selection of prices.
Listed below is a short list of independent insurance agencies in Tampa who can help you get price quote information.
Varcas Insurance Agency LLC
1721 W Hillsborough Ave – Tampa, FL 33603 – (813) 319-1940 – View Map
Ken Anthony Insurance Agency – Affinity Insurance
8010 N 56th St – Tampa, FL 33617 – (813) 251-8685 – View Map
Mynatt Insurance Agency
1316 W Busch Blvd – Tampa, FL 33612 – (813) 932-5511 – View Map
Lower rates by being persistent
As you prepare to switch companies, do not buy less coverage just to save a little money. There have been many cases where drivers have reduced physical damage coverage to discover at claim time that the savings was not a smart move. The goal is to find the BEST coverage for the lowest price but still have enough coverage for asset protection.
You just learned some good ideas how you can lower your Suzuki SX4 insurance premium rates in Tampa. The key concept to understand is the more rate quotes you have, the better your chances of lowering your prices. You may even find the best premium rates are with the least-expected company. Smaller companies may cover specific market segments cheaper compared to the large companies like Allstate or State Farm.
Budget-conscious Suzuki SX4 insurance can be purchased both online and also from your neighborhood Tampa agents, and you should compare rates from both so you have a total pricing picture. A few companies do not offer the ability to get quotes online and most of the time these regional carriers only sell through independent agencies.
To read more, take a look at the resources below:
- Prom Night Tips for Teen Drivers (State Farm)
- Who Has Affordable Tampa Auto Insurance Quotes for Government Employees? (FAQ)
- Warning systems don’t curb driver distraction (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)
- Young Drivers: The High Risk Years Video (iihs.org)
- Should I Buy a New or Used Car? (Allstate)
- Smart Auto Insurance Tips (Insurance Information Institute)