Unbelievable but true according to a study a large majority of drivers kept their coverage with the same insurance company for over three years, and 38% of customers have never compared rates to find lower-cost insurance. Tampa drivers could cut their rates by 55% a year by just comparing rate quotes, but they assume it’s a waste of time to shop their coverage around.
If saving money is your primary concern, then the best way to find affordable quotes for BMW 328i insurance in Tampa is to compare quotes once a year from companies that insure vehicles in Florida.
First, it will benefit you to learn about the coverage provided by your policy and the changes you can make to lower rates. Many rating criteria that drive up the price like traffic citations, accidents, and a not-so-good credit rating can be eliminated by making minor changes in your lifestyle. This article gives additional ideas to get cheaper coverage and find additional discounts.
Second, request rate estimates from independent agents, exclusive agents, and direct companies. Exclusive agents and direct companies can only give rate quotes from a single company like GEICO or Allstate, while agents who are independent can provide price quotes from multiple sources.
Third, compare the new rates to your current policy premium to see if you can save by switching companies. If you find a better price and change companies, verify that coverage does not lapse between policies.
Fourth, tell your current company to cancel your current coverage. Submit a completed application and payment to the new company. As soon as you receive it, put the certificate verifying proof of insurance in an accessible location in your vehicle.
The most important part of this process is to make sure you enter similar coverage information on each price quote and and to get rates from as many carriers as you can. This guarantees a fair price comparison and a thorough price selection.
Getting cheap auto insurance pricing is not rocket science. All that’s required is to invest a little time to compare rates to see which company has inexpensive Tampa car insurance quotes.
The auto insurance companies shown below offer comparison quotes in Tampa, FL. If multiple companies are listed, we recommend you compare several of them to get the lowest price.
BMW 328i detailed coverage information
The rate table shown next showcases estimates of coverage prices for BMW 328i models. Having a good grasp of how auto insurance premiums are figured is important to be able to make decisions on the best policy to buy.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 328I 4-Dr Sedan | $204 | $370 | $430 | $26 | $128 | $1,158 | $97 |
| 328I 4-Dr Sedan | $204 | $370 | $430 | $26 | $128 | $1,158 | $97 |
| 328I Station Wagon | $228 | $426 | $366 | $22 | $110 | $1,152 | $96 |
| 328I 2-Dr Coupe | $228 | $426 | $366 | $22 | $110 | $1,152 | $96 |
| 328I 2-Dr Coupe | $228 | $426 | $366 | $22 | $110 | $1,152 | $96 |
| 328I xDrive 4-Dr Sedan | $228 | $426 | $430 | $26 | $128 | $1,238 | $103 |
| 328I xDrive 4-Dr Sedan | $228 | $426 | $430 | $26 | $128 | $1,238 | $103 |
| 328I 2-Dr Convertible | $228 | $426 | $430 | $26 | $128 | $1,238 | $103 |
| 328I 2-Dr Convertible | $228 | $426 | $430 | $26 | $128 | $1,238 | $103 |
| 328I 2-Dr Coupe | $228 | $426 | $366 | $22 | $110 | $1,152 | $96 |
| 328I xDrive 2-Dr Coupe | $228 | $426 | $366 | $22 | $110 | $1,152 | $96 |
| 328I xDrive Station Wagon | $228 | $426 | $366 | $22 | $110 | $1,152 | $96 |
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Table data represents married male driver age 40, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $1000 deductibles, and Florida minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include claim-free, safe-driver, multi-vehicle, multi-policy, and homeowner. Price information does not factor in Tampa location which can increase or decrease auto insurance rates considerably.
Rate difference between full and liability-only coverage
The diagram below visualizes the comparison of BMW 328i insurance costs with full physical damage coverage and with liability coverage only. The price estimates are based on no accidents or driving violations, $1,000 deductibles, drivers are not married, and no discounts are applied to the premium.
Guidelines for eliminating full coverage
There isn’t a written rule to exclude full coverage, but there is a general school of thought. If the yearly cost of comp and collision coverage is more than around 10% of any settlement you would receive from your insurance company, then you may want to consider only buying liability coverage.
For example, let’s pretend your BMW 328i replacement cost is $4,000 and you have $1,000 full coverage deductibles. If your vehicle is destroyed, you would only receive $3,000 after paying your policy deductible. If you are paying in excess of $300 a year for physical damage coverage, then you might want to consider buying only liability coverage.
There are some scenarios where eliminating full coverage is not financially feasible. If you still owe money on your vehicle, you have to maintain full coverage as part of the loan requirements. Also, if you don’t have enough money to buy a different vehicle in the event your current vehicle is totaled, you should not buy liability only.
Why you need auto insurance
Even though it’s not necessarily cheap to insure a BMW in Tampa, maintaining insurance is required in Florida but also provides important benefits.
- The majority of states have mandatory liability insurance requirements which means you are required to carry a specific level of liability insurance 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.
- If you bought your vehicle with a loan, almost every bank will require that you have full coverage to ensure loan repayment if the vehicle is totaled. If you do not pay your insurance premiums, the lender will be forced to insure your BMW for a much higher rate and make you pay for the much more expensive policy.
- Insurance safeguards not only your car but also your financial assets. It will also pay for many types of medical costs for you, any passengers, and anyone injured in an accident. Liability coverage also covers legal expenses in the event you are sued. If your car is damaged in a storm or accident, collision and comprehensive coverages will pay to repair the damage minus the deductible amount.
The benefits of having auto insurance definitely exceed the cost, particularly when you have a large claim. According to a recent study, the average American driver overpays as much as $850 per year so it’s very important to do a rate comparison at every policy renewal to help ensure money is not being wasted.
Components of Your BMW 328i Insurance Prices
The best way to find cheaper auto insurance is to take a look at the rating factors that come into play when calculating auto insurance rates. If you have a feel for what determines base rates, this empowers consumers to make smart changes that may result in lower rates.
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Good drivers pay less – Being a careful driver has a big impact on rates. Careful drivers tend to pay less for car insurance as compared to those with violations. Having a single speeding ticket can boost insurance rates substantially. Drivers who have license-revoking violations like reckless driving or DUI may find they need to file a SR-22 with their state’s licensing department in order to keep their license.
The chart below highlights how traffic violations and accident claims increase BMW 328i insurance rates for different age groups. The costs are based on a married male driver, comprehensive and collision coverage, $100 deductibles, and no additional discounts are factored in.
- Your credit rating is important – Credit score will be a significant factor in determining premium rates. If your credit score is low, you may save money insuring your BMW 328i by improving your credit score. Insureds with excellent credit scores tend to file fewer claims as compared to drivers with lower credit scores.
- Proper usage rating affects premiums – Driving a lot of miles each year the higher your rate. Almost all companies apply a rate based on their usage. Vehicles used primarily for pleasure use get more affordable rates compared to those used for work or business. It’s a good idea to make sure your auto insurance policy properly reflects the correct driver usage. A policy that improperly rates your 328i is just wasting money.
- Too many auto insurance claims and you’ll pay more – Auto insurance companies in Florida give better rates to people who do not file claims often. If you are a frequent claim filer, you can definitely plan on either a policy non-renewal or much higher rates. Auto insurance is designed for claims that pose a financial burden.
You may need specialized auto insurance coverage
When buying insurance from an agent or online, there is no “best” method to buy coverage. Every situation is different.
These are some specific questions can aid in determining whether or not you could use an agent’s help.
- Should I file a claim if it’s only slightly more than my deductible?
- What does roadside assistance cover?
- How do I file an SR-22 for a DUI in Florida?
- Can I rent a car in Mexico?
- How can I get the company to pay a claim?
- Is pet coverage available?
- What is the premium to book value ratio for dropping full coverage?
If you don’t know the answers to these questions but a few of them apply then you might want to talk to an agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, complete this form. It’s fast, doesn’t cost anything and can help protect your family.
Cheaper insurance premiums are out there
Drivers change insurance companies for a variety of reasons including delays in responding to claim requests, high prices, lack of trust in their agent or even extreme rates for teen drivers. Whatever your reason, switching companies is not as difficult as it may seem.
We’ve covered a lot of information how to lower your BMW 328i insurance prices in Tampa. The key thing to remember is the more companies you get rates for, the better chance you’ll have of finding the cheapest BMW 328i rate quotes. Drivers may even discover the lowest prices are with a smaller regional carrier.
As you prepare to switch companies, do not skimp on coverage in order to save money. There are too many instances where drivers have reduced liability coverage limits only to regret at claim time that a couple dollars of savings turned into a financial nightmare. Your strategy should be to get the best coverage possible at the lowest possible cost, not the least amount of coverage.
More learning opportunities
- Steps to Take After an Auto Accident (Insurance Information Institute)
- Who Has Cheap Auto Insurance Rates After a Speeding Ticket in Tampa? (FAQ)
- How Much is Tampa Car Insurance for a Nissan Versa? (FAQ)
- Who Has Affordable Car Insurance for Drivers Requiring a SR22 in Tampa? (FAQ)
- Who Has the Cheapest Tampa Auto Insurance for Drivers with Good Credit? (FAQ)
- Understanding Car Crashes Video (iihs.org)
- Understanding Your Insurance Deductible (Insurance Information Institute)
- Event Data Recorders FAQ (iihs.org)