Do you want to save money by buying low-cost Dodge Stratus insurance in Buffalo? No normal person anticipates paying for insurance, especially when they could lower their rates if they shopped around.
Smart shoppers know that insurance companies don’t want you to look for a cheaper policy. Consumers who shop for lower prices will presumably buy a different policy because they stand a good chance of finding more affordable rates. A study discovered that people who routinely shopped for cheaper coverage saved on average $865 a year as compared to drivers who never shopped around for lower prices.
If saving money on auto insurance is your goal, then understanding the best way to compare auto insurance can help you succeed in saving money.
Steps to quoting cheaper Dodge Stratus insurance in Buffalo
If you want to find the absolute lowest rates, then the best way to find more affordable Dodge Stratus insurance is to compare prices at least once a year from providers in Buffalo.
- It will benefit you to learn about what is in your policy and the steps you can take to keep rates in check. Many factors that increase rates like accidents, traffic violations, and poor credit history can be eliminated by making minor driving habit or lifestyle changes. This article provides more ideas to prevent high prices and get bigger discounts that may have been overlooked.
- Request price quotes from direct, independent, and exclusive agents. Direct and exclusive agents can only give rate quotes from one company like Progressive or State Farm, while independent agencies can give you price quotes from multiple insurance companies. Compare rates
- Compare the quotes to your existing policy to see if a cheaper price is available. If you can save some money and buy the policy, make sure coverage does not lapse between policies.
- Notify your company or agent to cancel your current auto insurance policy and submit payment and a signed application to your new agent or company. When you receive it, put the proof of insurance paperwork along with the vehicle’s registration papers.
One key aspect when comparing rates is to use similar limits and deductibles on every quote and to quote with every company you can. Doing this ensures an apples-to-apples comparison and maximum price selection.
Multiple car insurance companies compete to insure your vehicles, so it’s not easy to compare every provider to find the absolute lowest rate on Dodge Stratus insurance in Buffalo.
Companies offer many discounts on Dodge Stratus insurance in Buffalo
Car insurance can cost a lot, but you might be missing out on some discounts that can dramatically reduce your bill. Most are applied when you purchase, but some discounts are required to be requested specifically prior to getting the savings.
- Defensive Driver Discounts – Taking part in a course teaching defensive driving skills may get you a small discount if your company offers it.
- Accident Waiver – Not necessarily a discount, but companies like GEICO, State Farm, and Progressive will turn a blind eye to one accident without the usual rate increase if you have no claims for a particular time prior to the accident.
- Switch and Save Discount – Select insurance companies give a discount for renewing your policy early. This discount can save up to 10%.
- Anti-theft System – Cars, trucks, and SUVs with anti-theft systems are stolen with less frequency and will qualify for a discount on a Buffalo auto insurance quote.
- Multiple Policy Discount – If you combine your auto and homeowners policies with one company you will save over 10 percent off each policy depending on the company.
- ABS Braking Discount – Cars, trucks, and SUVs with ABS and/or traction control prevent accidents and will save you 10% or more on Stratus insurance in Buffalo.
- Data Collection Discounts – People who choose to allow companies to scrutinize where and when they drive by using a small device installed in their vehicle such as Snapshot from Progressive or Drivewise from Allstate may get a rate reduction if they are good drivers.
- College Student Discount – Kids who are enrolled in a college that is more than 100 miles from Buffalo without a vehicle on campus could get you a discount.
- Responsible Driver Discount – Accident-free drivers can save as much as half off their rates than less cautious drivers.
- Own a Home and Save – Owning a home in Buffalo can earn you a little savings because maintaining a house is proof that your finances are in order.
Don’t be shocked that most discount credits are not given to the entire policy premium. The majority will only reduce individual premiums such as comp or med pay. So even though you would think adding up those discounts means a free policy, it’s just not the way it works.
Some of the larger companies that may offer these discounts may include but are not limited to:
Before you buy a policy, ask every insurance company how many discounts you can get. Depending on the company, some discounts may not apply to policyholders in your area. To find companies offering car insurance discounts in New York, click here to view.
Free Buffalo Dodge Stratus insurance rate quotes
Many insurance companies give prices from their websites. Comparing Dodge Stratus insurance rates online is very simple as you just type in your coverage information as requested by the quote form. When the form is submitted, the quote system will order information on your driving record and credit history and provides a quote based on the data you entered. This makes it a lot easier to compare rates and it is important to compare as many rates as possible if you want to get cheap insurance pricing.
To compare pricing, check out the insurance providers below. To compare your current rates, we recommend you duplicate your coverages as close as possible to your current policy. This way, you’re receiving an apples-to-apples comparison for similar coverage.
The following companies offer free quotes in Buffalo, NY. If you want the best cheap car insurance in Buffalo, NY, we recommend you compare several of them to get a more complete price comparison.
Components of Your Dodge Stratus Insurance Costs
Part of the auto insurance buying process is learning some of the factors that help determine auto insurance rates. If you understand what positively or negatively impacts your premiums, this helps enable you to make changes that may reward you with big savings.
The list below includes just a few of the factors used by companies to determine your prices.
- Lower performance equals lower insurance prices – The performance level of the car you are insuring makes a big difference in your premium level. Lower performance four cylinder passenger cars generally have the cheapest insurance rates, but other factors influence the final cost greatly.
- Cars with good safety ratings save money – Safer cars cost less to insure. Safer cars have better occupant injury protection and lower injury rates translates into fewer and smaller insurance claims and thus lower rates. If your Dodge Stratus has at least four stars on Safercar.gov it is probably cheaper to insure.
- Drivers with high credit save – Having a bad credit score will be a significant factor in determining your rates. Insureds that have high credit scores tend to be more responsible and file fewer claims as compared to drivers with poor credit scores. So if your credit score can be improved, you may save money insuring your Dodge Stratus by spending a little time repairing your credit.
- Cheaper prices for prior coverage – Allowing your coverage to lapse will be a fast way to trigger a rate increase. In addition to paying higher rates, getting caught without coverage can result in a fine, jail time, or a revoked license. You could then be forced to prove you have insurance by filing a SR-22 with the New York department of motor vehicles.
How do I know if I need professional advice?
When it comes to choosing a policy, there really is not a “best” method to buy coverage. Every insured’s situation is different and a cookie cutter policy won’t apply. For instance, these questions may help highlight if your situation would benefit from professional advice.
- Does car insurance cover theft of personal property?
- Why am I required to get a high-risk car insurance policy?
- Am I covered if I hit someone who is not insured?
- I have a DUI can I still get coverage?
- Should I buy full coverage?
- Is my nanny covered when transporting my kids?
- Will damage be repaired with OEM parts?
- What are the financial responsibility laws in my state?
- Do I need higher collision deductibles?
- Am I covered if I hit my neighbor’s mailbox?
If you’re not sure about those questions then you might want to talk to an agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, fill out this quick form or click here for a list of insurance companies in your area. It only takes a few minutes and can provide invaluable advice.
What if I want to buy from local Buffalo auto insurance agents?
A small number of people prefer to talk to a local agent and that is recommended in a lot of cases Insurance agents can help you choose the best coverages and help file insurance claims. One of the benefits of price shopping on the web is the fact that you can find cheap insurance quotes and still choose a local agent. Supporting small agencies is definitely important in Buffalo.
Upon completion of this simple form, your insurance data is sent to agents in your area who will gladly provide quotes for your insurance coverage. It’s much easier because you don’t need to even leave your home due to the fact that quote results will go to you directly. If for some reason you want to compare prices from a particular provider, you just need to find their quoting web page and submit a quote form there.
Types of car insurance agents in Buffalo
When researching an insurance agent, it helps to know the two different agency structures and how they can write your policy. Agencies in Buffalo can be described as either independent agents or exclusive agents. Either type can properly insure your vehicles, but it’s worth learning the difference between them since it may influence which type of agent you select.
Independent Insurance Agents
Independent insurance agents are not employed by any specific company so they can write business through lots of different companies and possibly get better coverage at lower prices. If they quote lower rates, the agent simply finds a different carrier and the insured can keep the same agent.
If you need lower rates, you need to contact a few independent agents to get the best comparison.
Below are independent insurance agents in Buffalo that may be able to provide free insurance rate quotes.
La Penna Insur Agency Inc
3835 Harlem Rd – Buffalo, NY 14215 – (716) 838-1880 – View Map
Senior American Insurance Agency Inc
2001 Niagara Falls Blvd # 10 – Buffalo, NY 14228 – (800) 332-7557 – View Map
Petrella Agency Inc
3411 Delaware Ave # 7 – Buffalo, NY 14217 – (716) 874-1400 – View Map
Exclusive Insurance Agents
Agents that elect to be exclusive are contracted to one company such as State Farm, Allstate and AAA. They usually cannot place coverage with different providers so they are skilled at selling on more than just price. They are well trained on their company’s products which helps them sell insurance even at higher premiums.
Below are exclusive insurance agencies in Buffalo that are able to give comparison quotes.
GEICO Insurance Agent
3835 McKinley Pkwy #2 – Buffalo, NY 14219 – (716) 604-0345 – View Map
Lou Santiago – State Farm Insurance Agent
557 Niagara St – Buffalo, NY 14201 – (716) 883-5500 – View Map
Marc Scherrer – State Farm Insurance Agent
2165 Sheridan Dr – Buffalo, NY 14223 – (716) 875-0524 – View Map
Choosing an insurance agency requires you to look at more than just a low price. Below are some questions you should ask.
- Where would glass claims be handled in Buffalo?
- Do they carry Errors and Omissions coverage?
- How much training do they have in personal risk management?
- Do they reduce claim amounts on high mileage vehicles?
- Are aftermarket or OEM parts used to repair vehicles?
- What kind of financial rating does the company have?
Here’s why auto insurance is not optional
Despite the fact that auto insurance is not cheap in Buffalo, maintaining insurance is a good idea for several reasons.
- The majority of states have mandatory insurance requirements which means you are required to carry a minimum amount of liability insurance coverage if you don’t want to risk a ticket. 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 took out a loan on your Dodge Stratus, almost every bank will have a requirement that you buy full coverage to guarantee payment of the loan. If you let the policy lapse, the bank will be required to insure your Dodge at an extremely high rate and make you pay much more than you were paying before.
- Auto insurance preserves not only your vehicle but also your financial assets. It will also reimburse you for all forms of medical expenses for yourself as well as anyone injured by you. As part of your policy, liability insurance also pays for attorney fees and expenses if you are sued as the result of your driving. If your vehicle suffers damage from an accident or hail, comprehensive and collision coverage will pay to repair the damage.
The benefits of carrying adequate insurance are without a doubt worth the cost, especially if you ever need it. According to a recent study, the average American driver is overpaying over $850 per year so compare quotes from several companies at every renewal to make sure the price is not too high.
What is the best auto insurance company in Buffalo?
Choosing a highly-rated insurer can be difficult considering how many different companies sell coverage in Buffalo. The company ratings displayed below may help you choose which providers you want to consider shopping prices with.
Company | Value | Customer Service | Claims | Customer Satisfaction | A.M Best Rating | Overall Score |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
The General | 96 | 100 | 92 | 91% | A- | 95 |
Mercury Insurance | 87 | 96 | 100 | 87% | A+ | 93.4 |
The Hartford | 88 | 96 | 91 | 93% | A+ | 92.6 |
Progressive | 84 | 94 | 99 | 90% | A+ | 92.4 |
Travelers | 84 | 93 | 100 | 87% | A++ | 92.3 |
State Farm | 84 | 93 | 95 | 87% | A++ | 91 |
Farmers Insurance | 87 | 92 | 90 | 85% | A | 90.6 |
Erie Insurance | 92 | 90 | 82 | 88% | A+ | 88.5 |
Safeco Insurance | 85 | 91 | 87 | 86% | A | 88.4 |
USAA | 71 | 93 | 98 | 87% | A++ | 88 |
GEICO | 73 | 93 | 95 | 85% | A++ | 87.1 |
21st Century | 85 | 85 | 91 | 89% | A | 86.9 |
Liberty Mutual | 72 | 91 | 97 | 83% | A | 86.4 |
AAA Insurance | 85 | 85 | 88 | 86% | A | 85.8 |
Nationwide | 71 | 90 | 93 | 83% | A+ | 84.9 |
Allstate | 69 | 92 | 92 | 83% | A+ | 84.4 |
American Family | 77 | 96 | 80 | 85% | A | 83.8 |
Esurance | 70 | 80 | 89 | 77% | A+ | 79.2 |
Compare Rates Now Go |
Data Source: Insure.com Best Car Insurance Companies
Lower rates by being persistent
Cheaper Dodge Stratus insurance in Buffalo can be bought online and from local agencies, so get free Buffalo auto insurance quotes from both of them so you have a total pricing picture. Some insurance companies may not offer price quotes online and these regional insurance providers provide coverage only through independent insurance agencies.
When searching for inexpensive Buffalo auto insurance quotes, it’s a bad idea to skimp on coverage in order to save money. There have been many situations where someone dropped uninsured motorist or liability limits only to regret that the small savings ended up costing them much more. Your goal is to get the best coverage possible at the best possible price while not skimping on critical coverages.
We covered some good ideas how to compare Dodge Stratus insurance premium rates in Buffalo. The key concept to understand is the more providers you compare, the better chance you’ll have of finding low cost Buffalo auto insurance quotes. Drivers may even discover the most savings is with a small local company. Some small companies can often insure niche markets at a lower cost than their larger competitors like GEICO and State Farm.
Steps to saving on Dodge Stratus insurance in Buffalo
Truthfully, the best way to get budget auto insurance rates in Buffalo is to do an annual price comparison from insurers who can sell car insurance in New York. Prices can be compared by following these guidelines.
Step 1: Spend a few minutes and learn about policy coverages and the changes you can make to keep rates in check. Many rating criteria that are responsible for high rates such as traffic citations and an unacceptable credit score can be remedied by being financially responsible and driving safely.
Step 2: Request price quotes from independent agents, exclusive agents, and direct companies. Exclusive agents and direct companies can only give prices from a single company like GEICO or Allstate, while agents who are independent can provide rate quotes from multiple insurance companies.
Step 3: Compare the price quotes to your existing rates and see if there is a cheaper rate in Buffalo. If you find a lower rate and change companies, make sure coverage does not lapse between policies.
Step 4: Provide adequate notice to your current company of your intent to cancel your current auto insurance policy and submit any necessary down payment along with the completed application to your new insurance company. Make sure you store the proof of insurance paperwork with the vehicle registration.
An essential thing to point out is to try to use the same liability limits and deductibles on each price quote and and to look at all possible companies. This ensures an apples-to-apples comparison and a complete price analysis.
For more information, feel free to visit the resources below:
- Medical Payments Coverage (Liberty Mutual)
- How Much are Car Insurance Quotes for College Graduates in Buffalo? (FAQ)
- How Much are Buffalo Car Insurance Rates for a Ford F-150? (FAQ)
- Who Has Cheap Buffalo Car Insurance Quotes for Uber Drivers? (FAQ)
- Who Has Cheap Buffalo Car Insurance Rates for Young Drivers? (FAQ)
- Who Has the Cheapest Buffalo Auto Insurance for a 20 Year Old Female? (FAQ)
- Who Has the Cheapest Buffalo Car Insurance Rates for Low Income Drivers? (FAQ)
- What Insurance is Cheapest for Low Credit Scores in Buffalo? (FAQ)
- What is the Best Cheap Auto Insurance in Buffalo, NY? (FAQ)
- Five Mistakes to Avoid (Insurance Information Institute)
- Automakers compete to add autobraking (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)