We don’t have to tell you that car insurance companies don’t want customers comparing rates. Insureds who shop around for the cheapest rate will presumably buy a new policy because there are good odds of finding more affordable rates. A recent auto insurance study revealed that consumers who regularly compared price quotes saved about $70 a month compared to other drivers who don’t regularly compare prices.
If finding budget-friendly auto insurance in Buffalo is your ultimate target, then knowing the best way to shop and compare insurance coverage can save time and money.
Really, the only way to find cheaper quotes for car insurance rates is to regularly compare quotes from different companies in Buffalo.
- Take a little time to learn about how your policy works and the changes you can make to prevent expensive coverage. Many factors that result in higher prices like at-fault accidents and your credit history can be improved by making lifestyle changes or driving safer.
- Request rate estimates from exclusive agents, independent agents, and direct providers. Direct and exclusive agents can only provide price estimates from a single company like Progressive or State Farm, while independent agencies can give you price quotes for many different companies. Get quotes now
- Compare the price quotes to your current policy and determine if cheaper TL coverage is available in Buffalo. If you can save some money, verify that coverage does not lapse between policies.
The critical component of shopping around is to make sure you enter the same liability limits and deductibles on every quote and and to get rate quotes from as many auto insurance providers as possible. Doing this provides a level playing field and a complete price analysis.
The quickest method to compare rates for Acura TL insurance in Buffalo is to know most of the larger companies actually pay money for the chance to give free rates quotes. The one thing you need to do is provide the companies a bit of rating information such as what you do for a living, daily mileage, if a SR-22 is needed, and the type of vehicles you drive. Your details is submitted instantly to multiple top-rated companies and you get price estimates with very little delay.
To compare rates for your Acura TL now, click here and see if a lower rate is available in Buffalo.
The companies shown below have been selected to offer comparison quotes in Buffalo, NY. If you want to find the best car insurance in New York, it’s a good idea that you visit two to three different companies to get a more complete price comparison.
These discounts can lower your car insurance rates
Some insurance providers do not list their entire list of discounts in a way that’s easy to find, so the next list breaks down some of the more common and also the more inconspicuous credits that may apply to you.
- Renewal Discounts – A few companies give discounts for buying a new policy prior to your current TL insurance policy expiring. You could save around 10% when you buy Buffalo car insurance online.
- ABS and Traction Control Discounts – Vehicles with anti-lock braking systems prevent accidents and the ABS can save up to 10%.
- Multi-line Discount – Select companies reward you with a break if you buy life insurance from them.
- Student Driver Training – Require your teen driver to successfully take a driver’s education course if it’s offered in school.
- Discount for Good Grades – This discount may save as much as 25% on a Buffalo car insurance quote. Earning this discount can benefit you up until you turn 25.
- Lower Rates for Military – Being deployed with a military unit could qualify you for better rates.
- Paperwork-free – A few larger companies may give you up to $50 for buying your policy on their website.
- Seat Belts Save more than Lives – Requiring all passengers to use a seat belt may be able to save a few bucks off PIP or medical payments premium.
- Early Payment Discounts – If you can afford to pay the entire bill as opposed to paying monthly you can avoid the installment charge.
- Telematics Data – Buffalo drivers who agree to allow data collection to study driving habits remotely such as Allstate’s Drivewise and State Farm’s In-Drive system might get better premium rates if they show good driving skills.
As is typical with insurance, many deductions do not apply to the entire policy premium. Most only apply to specific coverage prices like liability and collision coverage. So when the math indicates all the discounts add up to a free policy, it’s just not the way it works. But all discounts will lower your policy premium.
The chart below compares Acura TL annual premium costs with and without discounts being applied to the rates. The prices are based on a male driver, no claims or driving violations, New York state minimum liability limits, comprehensive and collision coverage, and $100 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with multi-policy, claim-free, safe-driver, homeowner, multi-car, and marriage discounts applied.
Companies that may include these discounts include:
When quoting, ask all companies you are considering which discounts you may be entitled to. Savings may not be available in Buffalo. If you would like to see a list of car insurance companies who offer car insurance discounts in New York, click here to view.
Rates and data analysis
The rate information below outlines a range of insurance premium costs for Acura TL models. Being aware of how insurance prices are established can aid in making smart choices when selecting a policy.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TL 3.5 | $258 | $484 | $264 | $16 | $80 | $1,102 | $92 |
| TL 3.5 W/Technology Package | $258 | $484 | $264 | $16 | $80 | $1,102 | $92 |
| TL 3.7 SH AWD | $258 | $484 | $264 | $16 | $80 | $1,102 | $92 |
| TL 3.7 SH W/Technology Package AWD | $258 | $558 | $264 | $16 | $80 | $1,176 | $98 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
Prices based on married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $100 deductibles, and New York minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-policy, multi-vehicle, safe-driver, homeowner, and claim-free. Table data does not factor in zip code location which can decrease or increase coverage rates substantially.
Analysis of deductible levels
One of the most common auto insurance questions is which deductible level should you buy. The following insurance rates outline the price difference when you buy lower versus higher physical damage deductibles. The first pricing table uses a $100 deductible and the second price grid uses a $1,000 deductible.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TL 3.5 | $258 | $484 | $264 | $16 | $80 | $1,127 | $94 |
| TL 3.5 W/Technology Package | $258 | $484 | $264 | $16 | $80 | $1,127 | $94 |
| TL 3.7 SH AWD | $258 | $484 | $264 | $16 | $80 | $1,127 | $94 |
| TL 3.7 SH W/Technology Package AWD | $258 | $558 | $264 | $16 | $80 | $1,201 | $100 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TL 3.5 | $142 | $256 | $264 | $16 | $80 | $758 | $63 |
| TL 3.5 W/Technology Package | $142 | $256 | $264 | $16 | $80 | $758 | $63 |
| TL 3.7 SH AWD | $142 | $256 | $264 | $16 | $80 | $758 | $63 |
| TL 3.7 SH W/Technology Package AWD | $142 | $294 | $264 | $16 | $80 | $796 | $66 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
Table data assumes married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and New York minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include safe-driver, multi-vehicle, multi-policy, homeowner, and claim-free. Rate information does not factor in garaging location in Buffalo which can raise or lower rates noticeably.
Based on the data above, we can derive that using a $100 deductible costs approximately $32 more each month or $384 annually across all Acura TL models than quoting the higher $1,000 deductible. Because you would pay $900 more to settle a claim with a $1,000 deductible as compared to a $100 deductible, if you tend to go more than 28 months between claims, you would probably save some money if you opt for a higher deductible. The numbers below show how we made this calculation.
| Average monthly premium for $100 deductibles: | $96 |
| Average monthly premium for $1,000 deductibles (subtract): | – $64 |
| Monthly savings from raising deductible: | $32 |
| Difference between deductibles ($1,000 – $100): | $900 |
| Divide difference by monthly savings: | $900 / $32 |
| Number of months required between physical damage coverage claims in order to save money by choosing the higher deductible | 28 months |
The chart below illustrates how your deductible choice and can raise or lower Acura TL insurance premiums for each age group. The prices are based on a married female driver, comprehensive and collision coverage, and no discounts are factored in.
What if I want to buy from local Buffalo insurance agents?
A lot of people just want to get professional advice from a licensed agent and doing so can bring peace of mind Agents will help you protect your assets and help file insurance claims. One of the great benefits of getting online price quotes is that drivers can save money and get cheap auto insurance rates and still have a local agent.
By using this quick form, the quote information is instantly submitted to participating agents in Buffalo that provide free Buffalo car insurance quotes and help you find cheaper coverage. There is no need to find an agent since price quotes are sent straight to your inbox. If for some reason you want to compare prices from a particular provider, feel free to navigate to their website and fill out the quote form the provide.
Finding a good provider should depend on more than just a low price. Get answers to these questions too.
- If you are a high risk driver, do they have special markets for your coverage?
- Will your rates increase after a single accident?
- How are claims handled?
- Is the agency involved in supporting local community causes?
- Are there any extra charges for paying monthly?
- Is vehicle mileage a factor when determining depreciation for repairs?
Not all car insurance agents are the same
If you prefer to buy auto insurance from a reputable insurance agent or broker, you should know the types of insurance agents to choose from. Agents are considered either independent (non-exclusive) or exclusive. Both can insure your vehicles, but it’s a good idea to understand the differences because it can influence your agent selection.
Exclusive Insurance Agencies
Agents that elect to be exclusive can usually just insure with one company such as American Family, State Farm, and Allstate. Exclusive agents cannot place coverage with different providers so if the price isn’t competitive there isn’t much they can do. They receive a lot of sales training on their company’s products which helps offset the inability to provide other markets.
Below is a list of exclusive agencies in Buffalo that can give you price quotes.
Dan Schmidt – State Farm Insurance Agent
615 Elmwood Ave – Buffalo, NY 14222 – (716) 783-9460 – View Map
George Ihle III – State Farm Insurance Agent
7718 Buffalo Ave – Niagara Falls, NY 14304 – (716) 283-9100 – View Map
Joe Czaja – State Farm Insurance Agent
1021 Union Rd – Buffalo, NY 14224 – (716) 674-3654 – View Map
Independent Auto Insurance Agents
Agents that elect to be independent do not write with just one company and that is an advantage because they can write policies with an assortment of companies and find you the best rates. To transfer your coverage to a different company, they can switch companies in-house and you can keep the same agent.
If you need lower rates, you will want to check rates from several independent insurance agents to have the best price comparison.
The following is a short list of independent agencies in Buffalo that can give you rate quotes.
La Penna Insur Agency Inc
3835 Harlem Rd – Buffalo, NY 14215 – (716) 838-1880 – View Map
Nationwide Insurance: Kevin K Conley
2521 Niagara Falls Blvd – Buffalo, NY 14228 – (716) 691-4000 – View Map
The Decker Agency, Inc.
37 Elmwood Ave – Buffalo, NY 14201 – (716) 883-1455 – View Map
Eight Tips to Get Cheap Buffalo Insurance Prices
Lots of factors are taken into consideration when premium rates are determined. A few of the factors are predictable like a motor vehicle report, although some other factors are less obvious such as your credit history or your financial responsibility. It’s important that you understand some of the elements that go into determining your premiums. If you know what impacts premium levels, this helps enable you to make changes that may reward you with big savings.
Your address can impact price – Choosing to live in areas with lower population can save you money when trying to find low car insurance rates. Fewer drivers on the road means a lower chance of having an accident in addition to lower liability claims. City drivers tend to have traffic congestion and more severe claims. Higher commute times means more chances of being involved in an auto accident.
Liability insurance is cheap – The liability coverage on your policy is the coverage that protects you if you are found to be at fault for damages from an accident. Liability provides legal defense coverage which can cost a lot. This coverage is relatively inexpensive as compared to coverage for physical damage, so do not skimp.
Your occupation and auto insurance rates – Occupations like real estate brokers, police officers, and medical professionals usually pay higher average rates in part from high stress levels and lots of time spent away from family. Conversely, careers like professors, engineers and homemakers have the lowest average rates.
The more you drive the more you pay – The higher the mileage driven every year the more you’ll pay to insure it. A lot of companies charge to insure your cars partially by how you use the vehicle. Cars that do not get driven very much cost less to insure compared to those used for work or business. Verify your auto insurance policy is showing the correct usage for each vehicle, because it can save money. An improperly rated TL is throwing money out the window.
Never have policy lapses – Allowing your auto insurance policy to lapse is a guaranteed way to pay more for auto insurance. In addition to paying higher rates, getting caught without coverage may result in fines and jail time. You could then be forced to provide proof of insurance in the form of an SR-22 filing with the New York department of motor vehicles.
Car and home together may be cheaper – Most larger insurers apply lower prices to people that purchase more than one policy such as combining an auto and homeowners policy. Even if you qualify for this discount already, you may still want to shop around to ensure the best deal.There is a chance you can find better rates by splitting coverages up.
Battle of the sexes – Over the last 30 years, statistics show that females take fewer risks when driving. That doesn’t necessarily mean that women are BETTER drivers than men. Both sexes cause accidents in similar percentages, but males have accidents that have higher claims. In addition to higher claims, males also receive more major tickets like DWI (DUI) or reckless driving.
The example below shows the difference between Acura TL auto insurance costs for male and female drivers. The premiums assume no violations or claims, full coverage, $250 deductibles, single marital status, and no discounts are factored in.
Insurance prices and vehicle performance – The make and model of the vehicle you own makes a significant difference in determining your rates. Smaller low performance passenger models generally have the cheapest insurance rates, but your final cost has many other factors.
The following chart is based on a married male driver age 20, full coverage with $500 deductibles, and no discounts or violations. It shows Acura TL rates compared to other vehicles that have a range of performances.
Acura TL insurance loss probability – Car insurance companies use historical loss data when determining insurance prices. Vehicles that the data shows to have higher frequency or amount of claims will have higher rates for specific coverages. The next table shows the insurance loss data for Acura TL vehicles.
For each insurance policy coverage type, the loss probability for all vehicles, regardless of manufacturer or model, is considered to be 100. Values under 100 represent a good loss history, while numbers above 100 point to more claims or statistically larger claims.
| Vehicle Make and Model | Collision | Property Damage | Comp | Personal Injury | Medical Payment | Bodily Injury |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acura TLX 4dr 2WD | 90 | 75 | 97 | 93 | 74 | 77 |
| Acura TLX 4dr 4WD | 120 | 75 |
Empty fields indicate not enough data collected
Statistics from IIHS.org for 2013-2015 Model Years
Why you need to buy car insurance
Even though it can be expensive, buying car insurance is most likely required but also gives you several important benefits.
- Just about all states have compulsory liability insurance requirements which means the state requires a specific level of liability protection if you drive a vehicle. In New York these limits are 25/50/10 which means you must have $25,000 of bodily injury coverage per person, $50,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $10,000 of property damage coverage.
- If you bought your TL with a loan, it’s guaranteed your bank will force you to carry insurance to ensure loan repayment if the vehicle is totaled. If you let the policy lapse, the lender may have to buy a policy to insure your Acura at an extremely high rate and require you to reimburse them much more than you were paying before.
- Insurance protects both your Acura TL and your personal assets. It will also reimburse you for most medical and hospital costs for not only you but also any passengers injured in an accident. Liability coverage will also pay for a defense attorney if you are sued as the result of your driving. If mother nature or an accident damages your car, collision and comprehensive coverages will cover the repair costs.
The benefits of buying enough insurance definitely exceed the price paid, especially for larger claims. According to a 2015 survey, the average American driver is wasting up to $830 a year so it’s important to compare rates every year to save money.
Lower rates by being persistent
Cheaper auto insurance in Buffalo is possible online as well as from independent agents in Buffalo, and you should compare rates from both to get a complete price analysis. Some auto insurance companies may not provide internet price quotes and usually these smaller providers sell through independent insurance agencies.
We just covered some good ideas how you can reduce Acura TL insurance prices online in Buffalo. The key thing to remember is the more price quotes you have, the better chance you’ll have of finding low cost Buffalo car insurance quotes. Drivers may even discover the lowest prices come from some of the smallest insurance companies. Regional companies can often insure niche markets at a lower cost than their larger competitors like State Farm, GEICO and Nationwide.
Much more information about auto insurance in New York is located at the links below
- Warning systems don’t curb driver distraction (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)
- Who Has Affordable Buffalo Car Insurance for Drivers with a Bad Driving Record? (FAQ)
- How Much is Car Insurance for a Ford Explorer in Buffalo? (FAQ)
- How Much is Buffalo Car Insurance for a GMC Sierra? (FAQ)
- Young Drivers: The High Risk Years Video (iihs.org)
- State Car Insurance Guides (GEICO)