It’s safe to assume that auto insurance companies don’t want you to look for cheaper rates. People who shop around once a year are highly likely to switch car insurance companies because there are good odds of finding discount prices. A recent survey revealed that people who faithfully checked for cheaper rates saved on average $865 a year compared to drivers who never shopped for cheaper rates.
If finding discount rates on insurance is your ultimate objective, then learning a little about how to compare car insurance can help you be more efficient.
If saving the most money is your goal, then the best way to find discount auto insurance rates is to regularly compare quotes from insurance carriers in Buffalo.
- Gain an understanding of policy coverages and the steps you can take to prevent expensive coverage. Many things that increase rates like traffic violations and an unacceptable credit rating can be amended by making lifestyle changes or driving safer.
- Compare prices from direct carriers, independent agents, and exclusive agents. Direct companies and exclusive agencies can only quote rates from one company like GEICO or State Farm, while agents who are independent can give you price quotes from multiple insurance companies.
- Compare the quotes to your existing coverage and see if you can save money. If you find a lower rate quote, make sure coverage is continuous and does not lapse.
A key point to remember is to try to use the same coverage limits and deductibles on every quote and and to get rate quotes from as many companies as possible. Doing this ensures the most accurate price comparison and and a good selection of different prices.
Informed Drivers Know How to Get Insurance at a Discount
Many things are part of the calculation when you get a price on insurance. Some are pretty understandable like an MVR report, but some are more obscure such as your credit history or your financial responsibility.
Deter car thieves – Owning a car with an alarm system can help bring down rates. Anti-theft devices such as vehicle immobilizer systems, General Motors OnStar and LoJack tracking systems all hinder vehicle theft.
Responsible credit scores equal low costs – Credit score is a big factor in determining premium rates. People with very good credit scores tend to be better risks to insure than drivers who have lower credit ratings. If your credit history can be improved, you may save money insuring your Mazda RX-8 if you improve your credit rating.
Don’t skimp on liability protection – The liability section of your policy will afford coverage when you are responsible for physical damage or personal injury to other. It provides legal defense coverage which can cost thousands of dollars. It is affordable coverage when compared to the cost of physical damage coverage, so do not cut corners here.
Lower rates come with age – Teenage drivers in New York have a tendency to be easily distracted when behind the wheel so insurance rates are higher. Adding a beginning driver to your insurance policy can increase premiums substantially. Older people are more cautious drivers, tend to cause fewer accidents, and receive fewer citations.
The chart below is based on a single driver, full coverage with $500 deductibles, and no discounts or violations.
Cheaper premiums with safer cars – Vehicles with good safety scores tend to have lower insurance rates. Vehicles engineered for safety protect occupants better and reduced instances of injuries means less money paid by your insurance company and cheaper rates on your policy.
Get cheaper prices if you’re married – Being married can get you a discount on your insurance policy. Having a significant other means you’re more responsible and statistics show drivers who are married are more cautious.
Lower miles equals lower premium – The higher the mileage driven in a year’s time the more you’ll pay to insure your vehicle. A lot of insurance companies rate vehicles based on how the vehicle is used. Vehicles that do not get driven very much get more affordable rates than those used for commuting. It’s a smart idea to ensure your vehicle rating is rated on the proper vehicle usage. A policy that improperly rates your RX-8 may be costing you higher rates.
All the larger insurance companies such as State Farm, GEICO and Progressive allow you to get prices for coverage on the web. Obtaining pricing for Mazda RX-8 insurance in Buffalo is fairly straightforward as all you need to do is type in your coverage preferences into the quote form. Upon sending the form, their quoting system sends out for credit information and your driving record and gives you a price quote.
Using the web to get price quotes for Mazda RX-8 insurance in Buffalo streamlines rate comparisons, and it’s also necessary to have as many quotes as possible if you are searching for a better rate.
In order to get comparison pricing now, compare rates now from the companies shown below. If you have a policy now, it’s recommended that you enter the coverages identical to your current policy. This helps ensure you will get an apples-to-apples comparison for similar insurance coverage.
The car insurance companies shown below can provide free quotes in Buffalo, NY. If multiple companies are listed, we recommend you visit several of them in order to find the most competitive rates.
Mazda RX-8 insurance statistics and information
The coverage table shown below outlines a range of insurance rates for Mazda RX-8 models. Having a better understanding of how insurance policy premiums are established is important for making decisions when choosing a new policy provider.
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
RX-8 Sport 4-Dr Coupe | $180 | $320 | $278 | $16 | $84 | $878 | $73 |
RX-8 Grand Touring 4-Dr Coupe | $180 | $370 | $278 | $16 | $84 | $928 | $77 |
RX-8 R3 4-Dr Coupe | $180 | $370 | $278 | $16 | $84 | $928 | $77 |
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Table data assumes married female driver age 40, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $500 deductibles, and New York minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include claim-free, safe-driver, multi-policy, homeowner, and multi-vehicle. Rates do not factor in vehicle garaging location which can influence premium rates greatly.
Should you raise deductibles?
When shopping for auto insurance, a common question is how high should the physical damage deductibles be. The following insurance rates lay out the price difference between high and low coverage deductibles. The first set of rates uses a $100 physical damage coverage deductible and the second price chart uses a $500 deductible.
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
RX-8 Sport 4-Dr Coupe | $286 | $484 | $264 | $16 | $80 | $1,155 | $96 |
RX-8 Grand Touring 4-Dr Coupe | $286 | $558 | $264 | $16 | $80 | $1,229 | $102 |
RX-8 R3 4-Dr Coupe | $286 | $558 | $264 | $16 | $80 | $1,229 | $102 |
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Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
RX-8 Sport 4-Dr Coupe | $210 | $328 | $264 | $16 | $80 | $898 | $75 |
RX-8 Grand Touring 4-Dr Coupe | $210 | $378 | $264 | $16 | $80 | $948 | $79 |
RX-8 R3 4-Dr Coupe | $210 | $378 | $264 | $16 | $80 | $948 | $79 |
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Price data assumes married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and New York minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include claim-free, multi-vehicle, homeowner, safe-driver, and multi-policy. Estimates do not factor in specific location which can decrease or increase coverage rates significantly.
We can estimate from the data above that using a $100 deductible would cost the average driver about $22 more each month or $264 each year averaged for all RX-8 models than opting for the higher $500 deductible. Since you would pay $400 more if you file a claim with a $500 deductible as compared to a $100 deductible, if you normally go more than 18 months between claim filings, you would probably be better off if you elect the higher deductible.
Full coverage versus liability only rates
The illustration below compares Mazda RX-8 insurance premiums with and without physical damage coverage. The price estimates are based on a clean driving record, no claims, $100 deductibles, marital status is single, and no policy discounts are applied.
Should you be buying full coverage?
There is no exact formula of when to exclude physical damage coverage, but there is a guideline you can consider. If the annual cost of coverage is more than around 10% of any settlement you would receive from your insurance company, then it’s probably a good time to buy liability coverage only.
For example, let’s pretend your Mazda RX-8 book value is $3,000 and you have $1,000 physical damage deductibles. If your vehicle is damaged in an accident, you would only receive $2,000 after you pay the deductible. If you are paying in excess of $200 a year to have full coverage, then it may be the right time to buy liability only.
There are a few cases where removing full coverage is not advised. If you still have a lienholder on your title, you are required to maintain full coverage to protect the lienholder’s interest. Also, if you don’t have enough money to buy a different vehicle if your current one is damaged, you should keep full coverage in place.
Why you need vehicle insurance in New York
Even though it can be expensive, insuring your vehicle is required in New York but also provides important benefits.
- The majority of states have mandatory liability insurance requirements which means state laws require a minimum amount of liability protection in order to drive the car. 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 Mazda RX-8 with a loan, most lenders will make it mandatory that you have physical damage coverage to ensure loan repayment if the vehicle is totaled. If you cancel or allow the policy to lapse, the lender may insure your Mazda at an extremely high rate and require you to reimburse them much more than you were paying before.
- Auto insurance preserves both your car and your assets. Insurance will pay for medical transport and hospital expenses for you, any passengers, and anyone injured in an accident. One of the most valuable coverages, liability insurance, will also pay attorney fees in the event you are sued. If you have damage to your Mazda as the result of the weather or an accident, your auto insurance policy will pay to repair the damage minus the deductible amount.
The benefits of insuring your RX-8 are without a doubt worth the cost, especially when you need to use it. As of last year, the average driver in New York is wasting up to $830 a year so we recommend shopping around at every renewal to ensure rates are competitive.
Affordable Mazda RX-8 insurance quotes in Buffalo
Insurance is easily one of your largest bills, but there could be available discounts to reduce the price significantly. Some discounts will apply at quote time, but a few must be manually applied in order for you to get them. If you’re not getting every credit possible, you are paying more than you should be.
- Low Mileage Discounts – Low annual miles can earn discounted rates on garaged vehicles.
- Defensive Driving Course – Passing a class that teaches driver safety techniques could save 5% or more if your company offers it.
- Anti-theft System – Cars equipped with anti-theft or alarm systems prevent vehicle theft and can earn a small discount on your policy.
- Seat Belt Discounts – Drivers who always wear seat belts and also require passengers to use a seat belt can save a little on the premium charged for medical payments and/or PIP.
- Telematics Devices – Buffalo drivers who agree to allow data collection to analyze driving habits by using a small device installed in their vehicle such as Snapshot from Progressive or Drivewise from Allstate may see discounts as long as the data is positive.
- One Accident Forgiven – Not a discount per se, but a few companies such as Allstate, Progressive, and GEICO will let one accident slide without raising rates if you are claim-free before the accident.
Just know that some of the credits will not apply to the entire policy premium. Some only apply to the price of certain insurance coverages like collision or personal injury protection. Despite the appearance that you can get free auto insurance, companies don’t profit that way.
The chart below illustrates the comparison of Mazda RX-8 annual premium costs with and without discounts applied to the policy rates. The prices are based on a male driver, no violations or claims, New York state minimum liability limits, full coverage, and $250 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with claim-free, safe-driver, multi-car, marriage, homeowner, and multi-policy discounts applied.
A few companies that may offer most of the discounts above include:
When getting a coverage quote, ask every company which credits you are entitled to. Savings might not be available to policyholders in every state.
Local Buffalo car insurance agents and insurance
A lot of people would prefer to get advice from a local agent and often times that is recommended A good thing about getting online price quotes is that you can find cheap insurance rates and also buy local. Buying from neighborhood insurance agencies is important especially in Buffalo.
After completing this short form, the quote information is emailed to insurance agents in Buffalo who can give free rate quotes for your insurance coverage. You won’t need to search for an agent because prices are sent to the email address you provide. You can find the lowest rates without the usual hassles of price shopping. In the event you want to compare prices from a specific insurance company, don’t hesitate to go to their quote page and fill out their quote form.
Different types of Buffalo car insurance agents
If you’re trying to find a good Buffalo insurance agent, it’s helpful to know the different agency structures from which to choose. Agents are either independent (non-exclusive) or exclusive.
Independent Insurance Agents
Agents that elect to be independent do not work for one specific company so they can write business with multiple insurance companies and potentially find a lower price. If they quote lower rates, an independent agent can move your coverage and you can keep the same agent. If you are comparing insurance prices, you will definitely want to include rate quotes from at a minimum one independent agency so that you can do a thorough price comparison. Many can place coverage with smaller mutual companies which could offer lower prices.
Below is a partial list of independent agencies in Buffalo who can help you get pricing information.
- Cannizzaro Insurance Agency, Inc
432 Amherst St – Buffalo, NY 14207 – (716) 235-8882 – View Map - Jacob Hauck Agency Inc
801 Main St – Buffalo, NY 14203 – (716) 853-3820 – View Map - The Byrne Insurance Agency Inc
480 Abbott Rd – Buffalo, NY 14220 – (716) 825-4100 – View Map
Exclusive Insurance Agencies
Agents that choose to be exclusive can only place business with one company and examples are State Farm or Allstate. Exclusive agents are unable to give you multiple price quotes so keep that in mind. They are trained well on their products and sales techniques which helps them sell insurance even at higher premiums. Consumers sometimes use the same exclusive agent partially due to high brand loyalty rather than low rates.
Below are Buffalo exclusive agents who can help you get rate quotes.
- Farmers Insurance – Toni Du Bois
2460 Main St – Buffalo, NY 14214 – (716) 931-5200 – View Map - Lou Santiago – State Farm Insurance Agent
557 Niagara St – Buffalo, NY 14201 – (716) 883-5500 – View Map - Dan Schmidt – State Farm Insurance Agent
615 Elmwood Ave – Buffalo, NY 14222 – (716) 783-9460 – View Map
Choosing an insurance agent should include more criteria than just the quoted price. Any agent in Buffalo should have no problem answering these questions:
- Does the agency have a current Errors and Omissions policy?
- Which company do they place the most coverage with?
- Can you get a list of referrals?
- Is there any savings for paying the full premium?
- Is every driver in your family covered?
- How is replacement cost determined on your vehicle?
Best car insurance in New York
Buying coverage from a high-quality car insurance company can be a challenge considering how many companies are available to choose from in New York. The company rank data shown next could help you decide which providers to look at when comparing rate quotes.
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 |
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Data Source: Insure.com Best Car Insurance Companies
What insurance coverages do I need?
Always keep in mind that when comparing insurance from an agent or online, there is no perfect coverage plan. Everyone’s needs are different.
These are some specific questions might point out if your situation might need professional guidance.
- Do I need replacement cost coverage on my Mazda RX-8?
- How high should deductibles be on a Mazda RX-8?
- Do I need rental car coverage?
- Is pleasure use cheaper than using my Mazda RX-8 to commute?
- Is my Mazda RX-8 covered if I use it for business?
- Am I covered if I hit my neighbor’s mailbox?
- Are my tools covered if they get stolen from my vehicle?
If you’re not sure about those questions, then you may want to think about talking to a licensed insurance agent. If you don’t have a local agent, fill out this quick form.
Persistent drivers can save
Some insurance companies may not have online quoting and many times these small insurance companies provide coverage only through independent agencies. Cost effective Mazda RX-8 insurance can be found from both online companies and from local agencies, and you should compare price quotes from both to have the best rate selection.
When you buy Buffalo car insurance online, it’s not a good idea to buy poor coverage just to save money. There are many occasions where an accident victim reduced liability coverage limits and found out when filing a claim that a couple dollars of savings turned into a financial nightmare. The aim is to buy the best coverage you can find at an affordable rate, but do not skimp to save money.
Insureds switch companies for many reasons like poor customer service, unfair underwriting practices, high rates after DUI convictions or denial of a claim. Regardless of your reason for switching companies, choosing a new company is not as hard as you think.
To learn more, take a look at the articles below:
- Side Impact Crash Tests (iihs.org)
- Who Has Affordable Car Insurance for a Toyota 4Runner in Buffalo? (FAQ)
- Who Has the Cheapest Auto Insurance Quotes for a Toyota Highlander in Buffalo? (FAQ)
- Who Has Cheap Car Insurance for a Dodge Ram in Buffalo? (FAQ)
- Who Has Affordable Buffalo Auto Insurance for Nurses? (FAQ)
- Who Has Cheap Buffalo Auto Insurance Rates for Handicapped Drivers? (FAQ)
- What Insurance is Cheapest for Police Officers in Buffalo? (FAQ)
- Child Safety Seats (Insurance Information Institute)
- Young Drivers: The High Risk Years Video (iihs.org)