Affordable Rates for Pontiac Vibe Insurance in Tampa

The preferred way to save on car insurance rates in Tampa is to annually compare prices from companies in Florida. Rate comparisons can be done by following these guidelines.

1. Spend a few minutes and learn about how your policy works and the things you can control to keep rates down. Many risk factors that drive up the price such as inattentive driving and a poor credit score can be controlled by making minor changes in your lifestyle.
2. Request price quotes from direct, independent, and exclusive agents. Direct and exclusive agents can only quote rates from a single company like Progressive or Farmers Insurance, while agents who are independent can quote prices from many different companies.
3. Compare the new rate quotes to your current policy to see if a cheaper rate is available in Tampa. If you can save money and switch companies, verify that coverage does not lapse between policies.
4. Provide proper notification to your current company to cancel your current car insurance policy and submit payment along with a signed and completed policy application to your new insurance company. Immediately upon receiving it, put the certificate verifying coverage in an easily accessible location in your vehicle.

One tip to remember is that you use the same level of coverage on every quote request and and to compare as many companies as feasibly possible. Doing this enables an apples-to-apples comparison and the most accurate and complete price analysis.

A recent study showed that most consumers have bought auto insurance from the same company for more than four years, and practically 40% of auto insurance customers have never compared rates from other carriers. Florida drivers could save an average of as much as $1,126 each year, but they don’t know the big savings they would realize if they swap their current policy for a cheaper one.

Finding and comparing affordable policy in Tampa is not as hard as you may think. In a nutshell, every person who shops for insurance should be able to find lower rates. Although Florida consumers do need to understand the way companies determine how much to charge because rates are impacted by many factors.

Pontiac Vibe detailed coverage information

The rate table displayed below covers detailed analysis of insurance premium costs for Pontiac Vibe models. Being more informed about how prices are determined can help drivers make decisions when choosing a new policy provider.

Prices above based on single male driver age 50, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $1000 deductibles, and Florida minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-vehicle, claim-free, multi-policy, homeowner, and safe-driver. Estimates do not factor in specific zip code location which can revise auto insurance rates greatly.

Physical damage deductibles

One of the most common car insurance questions is at what level do you set your deductibles. The tables below show the rate fluctuation of buying low and high deductibles. The first set of rates uses a $100 comprehensive and collision deductible and the second price table uses a $500 deductible.

Cost estimates assume married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and Florida minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include homeowner, safe-driver, multi-vehicle, claim-free, and multi-policy. Rates do not factor in specific location which can influence rates substantially.

Using the data above, we can ascertain that using a $100 deductible will cost you about $30 more each month or $360 for a full year than choosing the higher $500 deductible. Since you would pay $400 more to settle a claim with a $500 deductible as compared to a $100 deductible, if you have more than 13 months between claims, you would probably come out ahead if you choose a higher deductible.

The information below shows how choosing a deductible and can change Pontiac Vibe annual premium costs for different age groups. The premiums assume a single male driver, full physical damage coverage, and no discounts are applied.

Pontiac Vibe liability rates compared to full coverage

The chart below compares Pontiac Vibe insurance rates with and without physical damage coverage, medical payments, and uninsured/under-insured motorist coverage. The premiums assume a clean driving record, no claims, $250 deductibles, marital status is single, and no other discounts are factored in.

Guidelines for eliminating full coverage

There is no exact formula of when to stop paying for comprehensive and collision coverage on your policy, but there is a guideline you can consider. If the yearly cost of full coverage is more than 10% of the vehicle’s replacement cost less your deductible, then you may need to consider dropping full coverage.

For example, let’s pretend your Pontiac Vibe book value is $3,000 and you have $1,000 deductibles. If your vehicle is damaged in an accident, you would only receive $2,000 after paying the physical damage deductible. If it’s costing in excess of $200 annually for physical damage coverage, then it could be time to drop full coverage.

There are some circumstances where removing full coverage is not advised. If you still have a loan on your vehicle, you have to maintain full coverage as part of the loan conditions. Also, if you can’t afford to buy a different vehicle in case of an accident, you should not consider dropping full coverage.

Auto insurance discounts are available to cut your rates

Not many people think insurance is cheap, but there could be significant discounts that you may not even know about. Many of these discounts will be applied automatically at the time of purchase, but lesser-known reductions have to be specifically requested prior to getting the savings.

• Fewer Miles Equal More Savings – Keeping the miles down on your Pontiac may enable drivers to earn better premium rates on cars that stay parked.
• Safe Drivers – Insureds without accidents may save up to 50% more as compared to drivers with claims.
• Drivers Education – Reduce the cost of insurance for teen drivers by having them successfully take a driver’s education course in school.
• Braking Control Discount – Cars that have anti-lock braking systems are much safer to drive so companies give up to a 10% discount.
• Life Insurance – Larger auto insurance companies have lower auto insurance rates if you buy some life insurance too.
• Paperless Signup – A few insurance companies may give you up to $50 shop Tampa car insurance on your computer.
• Seat Belts Save more than Lives – Drivers who always wear seat belts and also require passengers to buckle up may be able to save a few bucks off the PIP or medical payment premium.
• No Claim Discounts – Claim-free drivers pay much less in comparison with accident-prone drivers.

Remember that some credits don’t apply to the entire policy premium. A few only apply to the cost of specific coverages such as liability, collision or medical payments. Just because you may think all the discounts add up to a free policy, companies wouldn’t make money that way.

The information below shows the difference between Pontiac Vibe premium costs with and without discounts being applied to the rates. The prices are based on a male driver, no claims or driving violations, Florida state minimum liability limits, full coverage, and $100 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with safe-driver, claim-free, multi-car, marriage, multi-policy, and homeowner discounts applied.

Companies and some of the discounts can be found below.

• Farm Bureau policyholders can earn discounts including youthful driver, driver training, renewal discount, safe driver, 55 and retired, multi-policy, and multi-vehicle.
• State Farm offers discounts for good driver, Steer Clear safe driver discount, good student, student away at school, safe vehicle, and multiple policy.
• Progressive has savings for multi-policy, good student, online quote discount, continuous coverage, and homeowner.
• Allstate discounts include defensive driver, good payer, premier plus, auto/life discount, good student, 55 and retired, and early signing.
• Nationwide may include discounts for defensive driving, accident-free, family plan, good student, Farm Bureau membership, easy pay, and business or organization.
• MetLife may offer discounts for claim-free, good driver, good student, defensive driver, and multi-policy.

Double check with each company or agent which discounts you may be entitled to. Discounts might not be offered on policies in your state. If you would like to see a list of auto insurance companies that offer the discounts shown above in Florida, follow this link.

Specific coverages for a Pontiac Vibe

Knowing the specifics of your auto insurance policy aids in choosing the right coverages and proper limits and deductibles. The coverage terms in a policy can be confusing and reading a policy is terribly boring. Below you’ll find the normal coverages available from auto insurance companies.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM)

Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage gives you protection when other motorists either have no liability insurance or not enough. Covered claims include injuries sustained by your vehicle’s occupants and also any damage incurred to your Pontiac Vibe.

Since many Florida drivers have only the minimum liability required by law (10/20/10), their liability coverage can quickly be exhausted. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is a good idea. Usually the UM/UIM limits are identical to your policy’s liability coverage.

Collision protection

Collision insurance pays to fix your vehicle from damage resulting from colliding with another vehicle or an object, but not an animal. A deductible applies then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.

Collision coverage pays for things such as driving through your garage door, backing into a parked car, rolling your car and hitting a mailbox. Paying for collision coverage can be pricey, so analyze the benefit of dropping coverage from lower value vehicles. You can also bump up the deductible on your Vibe to save money on collision insurance.

Med pay and Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

Coverage for medical payments and/or PIP kick in for immediate expenses such as dental work, funeral costs, X-ray expenses and hospital visits. The coverages can be used in conjunction with a health insurance program or if you do not have health coverage. They cover not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants and will also cover any family member struck as a pedestrian. PIP coverage is not universally available and may carry a deductible

Coverage for liability

This coverage will cover damage or injury you incur to other’s property or people in an accident. Liability coverage has three limits: bodily injury for each person injured, bodily injury for the entire accident and a property damage limit. You might see liability limits of 10/20/10 which stand for $10,000 bodily injury coverage, a total of $20,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and property damage coverage for $10,000. Some companies may use one limit called combined single limit (CSL) that pays claims from the same limit without having the split limit caps.

Liability insurance covers claims such as bail bonds, repair bills for other people’s vehicles and medical services. How much liability should you purchase? That is up to you, but you should buy as much as you can afford. Florida requires drivers to carry at least 10/20/10 but you should consider buying better liability coverage.

The illustration below demonstrates why buying the state minimum limits may not provide adequate coverage.

Comprehensive insurance

Comprehensive insurance covers damage caused by mother nature, theft, vandalism and other events. You first must pay your deductible then the remaining damage will be covered by your comprehensive coverage.

Comprehensive can pay for things such as damage from getting keyed, hail damage and vandalism. The maximum amount your auto insurance company will pay is the market value of your vehicle, so if the vehicle’s value is low consider dropping full coverage.

Persistence is the key to cheap rates

Affordable Pontiac Vibe insurance in Tampa is available on the web as well as from independent agents in Tampa, and you need to price shop both to have the best chance of lowering rates. Some insurance companies may not offer the ability to get a quote online and these small insurance companies provide coverage only through independent agents.

We just covered quite a bit of information on how to shop for Pontiac Vibe insurance online. The key concept to understand is the more quotes you get, the better your comparison will be. You may even find the most savings is with an unexpected company. Regional companies may have significantly lower car insurance rates on certain market segments as compared to the big name companies such as Allstate, GEICO and Progressive.

Additional learning opportunities

• What is Covered by GAP Insurance? (Allstate)
• Who Has Cheap Tampa Auto Insurance for a Toyota Tacoma? (FAQ)
• Who Has Affordable Auto Insurance for a GMC Acadia in Tampa? (FAQ)
• Prepare your Teens for Safe Driving (InsureUonline.org)
• Automakers compete to add autobraking (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)
• Tread Depth and Tire Safety (State Farm)
• Liability Insurance Coverage (Nationwide)