Unbelievable but true, the vast majority of consumers in New York have remained with the same car insurance company for at least four years, and just under half have never compared car insurance rates at all. With the average car insurance premium being $1,847, American drivers could pocket nearly $850 a year just by shopping around, but most tend to underestimate the amount of savings they would get if they switched to a cheaper policy.
Really, the only way to get budget Dodge Ram 2500 insurance in Buffalo is to do an annual price comparison from companies who sell insurance in New York.
- First, get a basic knowledge of how insurance works and the things you can control to drop your rates. Many policy risk factors that result in higher rates such as accidents, traffic violations, and poor credit rating can be amended by paying attention to minor details. This article gives more information to get low prices and find additional discounts you may qualify for.
- Second, obtain price quotes from exclusive agents, independent agents, and direct providers. Direct and exclusive agents can only provide price estimates from a single company like GEICO and State Farm, while agents who are independent can provide prices from multiple insurance companies.
- Third, compare the new rates to the price on your current policy to see if a cheaper rate is available in Buffalo. If you can save some money, make sure there is no lapse in coverage.
- Fourth, provide written notification to your current company of your intent to cancel your existing policy and submit payment along with a signed and completed policy application to the new company. Immediately safely store the proof of insurance certificate in an easily accessible location in your vehicle.
An important note is that you use the same physical damage deductibles and liability limits on every quote and and to get rate quotes from as many different companies as possible. Doing this guarantees the most accurate price comparison and the best price selection.
Locating the best rates in Buffalo can be made easier if you know where to look. In essence, every person who is looking for cheaper car insurance most likely will be able to find better rates. But New York vehicle owners need to learn how the larger insurance companies determine what you pay and take advantage of how the system works.
Auto insurance providers offering low-cost price quotes in New York
The auto insurance companies shown below can provide price quotes in New York. If you want to find cheaper auto insurance in NY, it’s a good idea that you visit as many as you can to find the most affordable auto insurance rates.
Car insurance statistics and figures
The price information shown below outlines a range of policy rates for Dodge Ram 2500 models. Understanding how policy premiums are established can be useful when making smart buying decisions.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ram 2500 Crew Cab ST 2WD | $162 | $320 | $314 | $18 | $94 | $908 | $76 |
| Ram 2500 Crew Cab SLT 2WD | $162 | $370 | $314 | $18 | $94 | $958 | $80 |
| Ram 2500 Mega Cab SLT 2WD | $162 | $370 | $314 | $18 | $94 | $958 | $80 |
| Ram 2500 Crew Cab Laramie 2WD | $162 | $370 | $314 | $18 | $94 | $958 | $80 |
| Ram 2500 Crew Cab ST 2WD | $162 | $370 | $314 | $18 | $94 | $958 | $80 |
| Ram 2500 Mega Cab Laramie 2WD | $162 | $370 | $314 | $18 | $94 | $958 | $80 |
| Ram 2500 Crew Cab ST 4WD | $180 | $320 | $314 | $18 | $94 | $926 | $77 |
| Ram 2500 Crew Cab SLT 2WD | $180 | $370 | $314 | $18 | $94 | $976 | $81 |
| Ram 2500 Mega Cab SLT 2WD | $180 | $370 | $314 | $18 | $94 | $976 | $81 |
| Ram 2500 Mega Cab SLT 4WD | $180 | $320 | $314 | $18 | $94 | $926 | $77 |
| Ram 2500 Crew Cab SLT 4WD | $180 | $320 | $314 | $18 | $94 | $926 | $77 |
| Ram 2500 Crew Cab Laramie 2WD | $180 | $418 | $314 | $18 | $94 | $1,024 | $85 |
| Ram 2500 Mega Cab Laramie 2WD | $180 | $418 | $314 | $18 | $94 | $1,024 | $85 |
| Ram 2500 Crew Cab ST 4WD | $180 | $320 | $314 | $18 | $94 | $926 | $77 |
| Ram 2500 Mega Cab Laramie 4WD | $180 | $320 | $314 | $18 | $94 | $926 | $77 |
| Ram 2500 Crew Cab Laramie 4WD | $180 | $320 | $314 | $18 | $94 | $926 | $77 |
| Ram 2500 Mega Cab SLT 4WD | $198 | $370 | $314 | $18 | $94 | $994 | $83 |
| Ram 2500 Crew Cab SLT 4WD | $198 | $370 | $314 | $18 | $94 | $994 | $83 |
| Ram 2500 Crew Cab Laramie 4WD | $198 | $370 | $314 | $18 | $94 | $994 | $83 |
| Ram 2500 Mega Cab Laramie 4WD | $198 | $370 | $314 | $18 | $94 | $994 | $83 |
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Data based on married female driver age 40, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $500 deductibles, and New York minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include safe-driver, multi-policy, claim-free, multi-vehicle, and homeowner. Premium costs do not factor in garaging location in Buffalo which can lower or raise premiums significantly.
Full coverage rates compared to liability-only
The diagram below shows the difference between Dodge Ram 2500 car insurance rates with liability coverage only compared to full coverage. The costs are based on no claims or violations, $250 deductibles, marital status is single, and no discounts are applied to the premium.
Guidelines for dropping full coverage
There is no set rule to exclude physical damage insurance, but there is a broad guideline. If the annual cost of comprehensive and collision coverage is 10% or more of the replacement cost of your vehicle minus the policy deductible, then it might be time to buy liability only.
For example, let’s assume your Dodge Ram 2500 claim settlement value is $5,000 and you have $1,000 full coverage deductibles. If your vehicle is totaled, the most you would receive is $4,000 after paying your deductible. If premium cost is more than $400 annually for physical damage coverage, the it may be a good time to stop paying for full coverage.
There are some situations where only buying liability is not financially feasible. If you have an outstanding loan on your vehicle, you have to carry full coverage in order to keep the loan. Also, if you don’t have enough money to buy a different vehicle in the even your car is totaled, you should not consider dropping full coverage.
Score discounts to get cheaper Buffalo insurance rates
Companies offering auto insurance don’t always advertise every possible discount in an easy-to-find place, so the following is a list of some of the more common as well as some of the hidden credits that may apply to you. If you aren’t receiving every discount possible, you are just wasting money.
- Air Bags and Passive Restraints – Vehicles equipped with air bags or automatic seat belts may qualify for discounts of 20 to 30 percent.
- ABS and Traction Control Discounts – Anti-lock brake equipped vehicles prevent accidents and the ABS can save up to 10%.
- Buy New and Save – Insuring a vehicle that is new is cheaper since new model year vehicles have better safety ratings.
- Military Discounts – Being on active deployment in the military could mean lower rates.
- Theft Deterrent – Anti-theft and alarm system equipped vehicles help deter theft and will qualify for a discount on a Buffalo car insurance quote.
- Discount for Swiching Early – Some insurance companies provide a discount for buying a policy prior to the expiration date on your current Ram 2500 insurance policy. You may see this discount when you get Buffalo car insurance quotes online.
As a sidenote, many deductions do not apply to the overall cost of the policy. Some only reduce specific coverage prices like liability, collision or medical payments. Just because you may think you can get free auto insurance, that’s just not realistic.
The example below illustrates the difference between Dodge Ram 2500 insurance prices with and without discounts applied to the premium. The costs are based on a male driver, no claims or violations, New York state minimum liability limits, full coverage, and $1,000 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with multi-car, safe-driver, marriage, homeowner, claim-free, and multi-policy discounts applied.
A few companies that possibly offer these money-saving discounts possibly include:
If you need affordable Buffalo car insurance quotes, ask each company which discounts can lower your rates. Some of the discounts discussed earlier may not be available in Buffalo. If you would like to choose from a list of providers with the best Dodge Ram 2500 insurance discounts in Buffalo, click this link.
When to get professional advice
When selecting proper insurance coverage, there really isn’t a perfect coverage plan. Every insured’s situation is different.
Here are some questions about coverages that might point out if your situation might need professional guidance.
- Can I insure my car for more than it’s worth?
- How can I force my company to pay a claim?
- Am I covered if I hit my neighbor’s mailbox?
- What is the minimum liability in New York?
- What is PIP insurance?
- Should I drop comprehensive coverage on older vehicles?
- Should I waive the damage coverage when renting a car?
- Does my insurance cover a custom paint job?
- Does medical payments coverage apply to all occupants?
If you can’t answer these questions but you think they might apply to your situation then you might want to talk to a licensed insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, fill out this quick form.
Insurance agencies near you
Many drivers just want to go talk to an agent and we recommend doing that An additional benefit of getting online price quotes is the fact that you can find lower premium rates and also buy local.
After filling out this short form, the coverage information is instantly submitted to local insurance agents who will give competitive quotes for your coverage. You never need to leave your house due to the fact that quote results will go directly to your email. You can most likely find cheaper rates and a licensed agent to work with. If you want to quote rates from one company in particular, just search and find their rate quote page and fill out the quote form the provide.
Choosing the best insurer shouldn’t rely on just a low price. Any agent in Buffalo should have no problem answering these questions:
- Which insurance companies are they affiliated with?
- Are they in the agency full-time?
- Do they specialize in personal lines auto insurance in Buffalo?
- How long have they been in business?
- Are they involved in claim handling?
- Will they make sure you get an adequate claim settlement?
- Do they get paid more for recommending certain coverages?
- Where would your vehicle be repaired?
When researching a local Buffalo insurance agency, there are a couple of different agency structures and how they function. Agents are considered either independent (non-exclusive) or exclusive.
Exclusive Auto Insurance Agents
Exclusive agencies generally can only insure with one company and some examples include Allstate, Farmers Insurance, State Farm, and AAA. These agents are unable to shop your coverage around so you might not find the best rates. Exclusive agents receive extensive training on the products they sell which helps them compete with independent agents. Some insured continue to buy from the same agent for years mostly because of the prominence of the brand and strong financial ratings.
The following is a short list of exclusive agents in Buffalo who can help you get price quote information.
- Lou Santiago – State Farm Insurance Agent
557 Niagara St – Buffalo, NY 14201 – (716) 883-5500 – View Map - State Farm: Dan Hawrylczak
1335 Hertel Ave – Buffalo, NY 14216 – (716) 873-3771 – View Map - Dan Schmidt – State Farm Insurance Agent
615 Elmwood Ave – Buffalo, NY 14222 – (716) 783-9460 – View Map
Independent Insurance Agents
These agents are not limited to a single company and that allows them to write policies with multiple insurance companies and help determine which has the cheapest rates. If you want to switch companies, the agent simply finds a different carrier without you having to go to a different agency. If you are trying to find cheaper rates, it’s recommended you compare quotes from several independent insurance agents so that you have a good selection of quotes to compare. Most independent agents also contract with mutual insurance companies which can save you money.
The following is a list of independent insurance agencies in Buffalo that can give you rate quotes.
- Buffalo Queen City Insurance Agency
26 French Lea Rd – Buffalo, NY 14224 – (716) 608-6047 – View Map - TLC Brokerage
1660 Kensington Ave # 2 – Buffalo, NY 14215 – (716) 427-6922 – View Map - The Decker Agency, Inc.
37 Elmwood Ave – Buffalo, NY 14201 – (716) 883-1455 – View Map
New York car insurance companies
Buying coverage from the top car insurance company can be rather challenging considering how many different companies there are to choose from in New York. The company ratings shown below may help you choose which car insurance providers you want to consider when shopping around.
Top 10 Buffalo Car Insurance Companies Overall
- The General
- Mercury Insurance
- The Hartford
- Progressive
- Travelers
- State Farm
- Farmers Insurance
- Erie Insurance
- Safeco Insurance
- USAA
The coverage is in the details
Knowing the specifics of a insurance policy helps when choosing the best coverages and the correct deductibles and limits. The terms used in a policy can be ambiguous and even agents have difficulty translating policy wording.
Coverage for liability – This coverage will cover damage or injury you incur to other’s property or people that is your fault. It consists of three limits, bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident and property damage. As an example, you may have values of 25/50/10 which means $25,000 in coverage for each person’s injuries, $50,000 for the entire accident, and a total limit of $10,000 for damage to vehicles and property.
Liability insurance covers things such as medical expenses, funeral expenses, bail bonds and structural damage. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is up to you, but you should buy as high a limit as you can afford. New York requires minimum liability limits of 25/50/10 but you should think about purchasing better liability coverage.
The next chart shows why buying low liability limits may not provide you with enough coverage.
Medical payments coverage and PIP – Coverage for medical payments and/or PIP pay for immediate expenses for things like hospital visits, rehabilitation expenses, prosthetic devices and EMT expenses. They are used to fill the gap from your health insurance policy or if you are not covered by health insurance. They cover not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants as well as any family member struck as a pedestrian. Personal Injury Protection is not an option in every state but can be used in place of medical payments coverage
Collision – Collision insurance pays for damage to your Ram 2500 from colliding with a stationary object or other vehicle. You have to pay a deductible and then insurance will cover the remainder.
Collision insurance covers claims such as driving through your garage door, colliding with another moving vehicle, rolling your car, crashing into a ditch and sustaining damage from a pot hole. This coverage can be expensive, so consider removing coverage from vehicles that are 8 years or older. You can also increase the deductible on your Ram 2500 in order to get cheaper collision rates.
Comprehensive coverage – This pays to fix your vehicle from damage that is not covered by collision coverage. You need to pay your deductible first then your comprehensive coverage will pay.
Comprehensive coverage protects against things like damage from a tornado or hurricane, damage from getting keyed, falling objects, hail damage and hitting a bird. The maximum amount you’ll receive from a claim is the cash value of the vehicle, so if it’s not worth much more than your deductible consider removing comprehensive coverage.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage – This coverage provides protection when other motorists either have no liability insurance or not enough. This coverage pays for hospital bills for your injuries and also any damage incurred to your Dodge Ram 2500.
Since many New York drivers carry very low liability coverage limits (25/50/10 in New York), it only takes a small accident to exceed their coverage. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is very important.
Quote more to save more
You just read some good ideas how to reduce Dodge Ram 2500 insurance prices online in Buffalo. It’s most important to understand that the more quotes you get, the better chance you’ll have of finding the cheapest Dodge Ram 2500 rate quotes. Drivers may even discover the lowest prices are with the smaller companies.
Cost effective Dodge Ram 2500 insurance can be purchased both online in addition to many Buffalo insurance agents, so you need to quote Buffalo car insurance with both in order to have the best price selection to choose from. There are still a few companies who do not provide rates over the internet and most of the time these regional carriers provide coverage only through independent insurance agencies.
When shopping online for auto insurance, you should never skimp on critical coverages to save a buck or two. There are many occasions where someone sacrificed physical damage coverage only to regret that the few dollars in savings costed them thousands. The aim is to purchase plenty of coverage at a price you can afford.
Additional resources
- Bodily Injury Coverage (Liberty Mutual)
- How Much is Auto Insurance for a Ford Edge in Buffalo? (FAQ)
- How Much is Car Insurance for Drivers with a DUI in Buffalo? (FAQ)
- Vehicle Size and Weight FAQ (iihs.org)
- Information for Teen Drivers (GEICO)
- Senior Drivers (Insurance Information Institute)