Sick and tired of trying to scrape together enough money each month for car insurance? You have the same problem as many other California drivers.
It's easy to assume that auto insurance companies want to prevent you from shopping around. Insureds who shop around are likely to move their business because they have good chances of getting low-cost coverage. A recent car insurance study discovered that people who made a habit of comparing rates saved about $70 a month compared to those who don't make a habit of comparing rates.
If finding the cheapest price for insurance is why you're reading this, learning how to choose a company and compare coverage rates can help simplify the process.
How to find more affordable Dodge Nitro insurance in Santa Ana
The best way to save money on auto insurance rates in Santa Ana is to make a habit of regularly comparing prices from insurance carriers who provide auto insurance in California.
First, it will benefit you to learn about what coverages are included in your policy and the changes you can make to drop your rates. Many things that are responsible for high rates such as high-risk driving behaviors and your credit history can be amended by making minor changes in your lifestyle. This article gives ideas to help reduce premium rates and find more discounts that you may not know about.
Second, obtain price quotes from direct, independent, and exclusive agents. Exclusive agents and direct companies can give quotes from a single company like Progressive or Allstate, while independent agents can quote prices from multiple sources. View a list of agents
Third, compare the new rates to your current policy to see if a cheaper rate is available. If you can save money, ensure there is no coverage lapse between policies.
Fourth, give proper notification to your current agent or company of your intent to cancel your current auto insurance policy. Submit payment and a signed application to the new company. Once the paperwork is finalized, keep your new certificate of insurance with your vehicle's registration.
The most important part of this process is to use similar coverage information on every price quote and and to get rates from as many different companies as possible. This provides an accurate price comparison and many rates to choose from.
Due to the increasing number of car insurance companies to choose from, it is hard for the average consumer to pick the lowest cost insurance company.
You should take the time to shop coverage around yearly because car insurance prices are variable and change quite frequently. If you had the best rates on Dodge Nitro insurance in Santa Ana two years ago there may be better deals available now. Block out anything you think you know about car insurance because we're going to demonstrate how to quote online to buy cheaper Dodge Nitro insurance in Santa Ana.
This article's goal is to teach you the best way to quote coverages and some money-saving tips. If you already have coverage, you will be able to shop for the lowest rates using the ideas covered in this article. But California vehicle owners can benefit by having an understanding of the way companies set your policy premium because it varies considerably.
Just keep in mind that comparing all the rates in your area helps you find better pricing. Some smaller insurers do not give online price quotes, so it's necessary to compare quotes from those companies as well.
The providers in the list below offer free quotes in California. If several companies are displayed, it's highly recommended you visit several of them in order to find the lowest rates.
Facts and figures for Dodge Nitro insurance
The table displayed next outlines a range of prices for Dodge Nitro models. Understanding how auto insurance prices are formulated can be valuable when making smart choices when choosing a car insurance company.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nitro Heat 2WD | $210 | $298 | $654 | $38 | $196 | $1,396 | $116 |
| Nitro SE 2WD | $210 | $298 | $654 | $38 | $196 | $1,396 | $116 |
| Nitro SE 4WD | $240 | $298 | $654 | $38 | $196 | $1,426 | $119 |
| Nitro SXT 2WD | $240 | $298 | $654 | $38 | $196 | $1,426 | $119 |
| Nitro Heat 4WD | $240 | $298 | $654 | $38 | $196 | $1,426 | $119 |
| Nitro Detonator 2WD | $240 | $362 | $654 | $38 | $196 | $1,490 | $124 |
| Nitro SXT 4WD | $240 | $362 | $654 | $38 | $196 | $1,490 | $124 |
| Nitro Shock 2WD | $240 | $362 | $654 | $38 | $196 | $1,490 | $124 |
| Nitro Detonator 4WD | $240 | $362 | $654 | $38 | $196 | $1,490 | $124 |
| Nitro Shock 4WD | $272 | $362 | $654 | $38 | $196 | $1,522 | $127 |
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Above prices assume single male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $1000 deductibles, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-vehicle, claim-free, multi-policy, safe-driver, and homeowner. Rate information does not factor in garaging location in Santa Ana which can lower or raise prices significantly.
How high should deductibles be?
When shopping for insurance, a common question is what deductibles to buy. The data tables below determine the cost difference when you buy lower versus higher policy deductibles. The first set of prices uses a $250 deductible and the second price grid uses a $500 deductible.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nitro Heat 2WD | $298 | $472 | $500 | $30 | $150 | $1,475 | $123 |
| Nitro SE 2WD | $298 | $472 | $500 | $30 | $150 | $1,475 | $123 |
| Nitro SE 4WD | $342 | $472 | $500 | $30 | $150 | $1,519 | $127 |
| Nitro SXT 2WD | $342 | $472 | $500 | $30 | $150 | $1,519 | $127 |
| Nitro Heat 4WD | $342 | $472 | $500 | $30 | $150 | $1,519 | $127 |
| Nitro Detonator 2WD | $342 | $576 | $500 | $30 | $150 | $1,623 | $135 |
| Nitro SXT 4WD | $342 | $576 | $500 | $30 | $150 | $1,623 | $135 |
| Nitro Shock 2WD | $342 | $576 | $500 | $30 | $150 | $1,623 | $135 |
| Nitro Detonator 4WD | $342 | $576 | $500 | $30 | $150 | $1,623 | $135 |
| Nitro Shock 4WD | $386 | $576 | $500 | $30 | $150 | $1,667 | $139 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nitro Heat 2WD | $242 | $382 | $500 | $30 | $150 | $1,304 | $109 |
| Nitro SE 2WD | $242 | $382 | $500 | $30 | $150 | $1,304 | $109 |
| Nitro SE 4WD | $278 | $382 | $500 | $30 | $150 | $1,340 | $112 |
| Nitro SXT 2WD | $278 | $382 | $500 | $30 | $150 | $1,340 | $112 |
| Nitro Heat 4WD | $278 | $382 | $500 | $30 | $150 | $1,340 | $112 |
| Nitro Detonator 2WD | $278 | $464 | $500 | $30 | $150 | $1,422 | $119 |
| Nitro SXT 4WD | $278 | $464 | $500 | $30 | $150 | $1,422 | $119 |
| Nitro Shock 2WD | $278 | $464 | $500 | $30 | $150 | $1,422 | $119 |
| Nitro Detonator 4WD | $278 | $464 | $500 | $30 | $150 | $1,422 | $119 |
| Nitro Shock 4WD | $314 | $464 | $500 | $30 | $150 | $1,458 | $122 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
Data variables include married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include safe-driver, claim-free, multi-vehicle, multi-policy, and homeowner. Price estimates do not factor in specific zip code location which can revise auto insurance rates considerably.
Based on this data, using a $250 deductible will cost in the ballpark of $16 more each month or $192 for a full year across all Dodge Nitro models than quoting the higher $500 deductible. Because you would pay $250 more out-of-pocket with a $500 deductible as compared to a $250 deductible, if you usually have at least 16 months between claims, you would probably be better off going with the higher deductible. The table below illustrates an example of how you can come to your own conclusion.
| Average monthly premium for $250 deductibles: | $131 |
| Average monthly premium for $500 deductibles (subtract): | - $115 |
| Monthly savings from raising deductible: | $16 |
| Difference between deductibles ($500 - $250): | $250 |
| Divide difference by monthly savings: | $250 / $16 |
| Number of months required between physical damage coverage claims in order to save money by choosing the higher deductible | 16 months |
The information below illustrates how choosing a deductible and can change Dodge Nitro insurance costs for different age groups of insureds. The costs are based on a married male driver, comprehensive and collision coverage, and no other discounts are factored in.
How careless driving impacts insurance rates
The example below demonstrates how citations and accidents impact Dodge Nitro auto insurance rates for different age groups of insureds. The prices are based on a single female driver, comp and collision included, $250 deductibles, and no discounts are factored in.
Dodge Nitro liability-only versus full coverage
The chart below shows the comparison of Dodge Nitro annual premium costs with full coverage compared to only the California minimum liability coverage. The costs are based on no claims, a clean driving record, $100 deductibles, drivers are single, and no discounts are taken into consideration.
Guidelines for dropping full coverage
There is no set guideline to exclude physical damage coverage, but there is a broad guideline. If the annual cost of comprehensive and collision coverage is about 10% or more of the replacement cost minus the deductible, then it's probably a good time to buy liability coverage only.
For example, let's pretend your Dodge Nitro claim settlement value is $3,000 and you have $1,000 policy deductibles. If your vehicle is damaged in an accident, the most your company will settle for is $2,000 after paying your deductible. If you are paying more than $200 annually for physical damage coverage, then you might want to consider buying only liability coverage.
There are some cases where buying only liability insurance is not recommended. If you still have a loan on your vehicle, you are required to maintain full coverage as part of the loan conditions. Also, if your finances do not allow you to purchase a different vehicle in case of an accident, you should not eliminate full coverage.
Auto insurance protects more than just your car
Despite the fact that auto insurance is not cheap in Santa Ana, paying for auto insurance is required for several reasons.
- Just about all states have minimum liability requirements which means you are required to carry a specific level of liability insurance if you don't want to risk a ticket. In California these limits are 15/30/5 which means you must have $15,000 of bodily injury coverage per person, $30,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $5,000 of property damage coverage.
- If your vehicle has a loan, it's guaranteed your bank will force you to have full coverage to guarantee loan repayment. If you do not pay your insurance premiums, the bank or lender will purchase a policy for your Dodge at a more expensive rate and require you to reimburse them for the expensive policy.
- Auto insurance preserves not only your car but also your financial assets. It will also reimburse you for medical transport and hospital expenses incurred in an accident. Liability insurance will also pay to defend you if you are sued as the result of an accident. If you have damage to your Dodge as the result of the weather or an accident, comprehensive (other-than-collision) and collision coverage will pay to repair the damage.
The benefits of having auto insurance are definitely more than the cost, particularly for liability claims. But the average American driver is overpaying more than $865 each year so it's important to compare rates at least once a year to be sure current rates are still competitive.
When should I discuss my situation with an agent?
When quoting and comparing coverage, there isn't really a one-size-fits-all type of policy. Everyone's situation is unique.
Here are some questions about coverages that may help you determine if your insurance needs may require specific advice.
- How high should my medical payments coverage be?
- Is motorclub coverage worth it?
- Am I covered if hit by an uninsured driver?
- Why do I need rental car insurance?
- How much liability do I need to cover my assets?
- Does car insurance cover theft of personal property?
- Are there any extra discounts I can get?
- Is my nanny covered when transporting my kids?
- Can I insure my car for more than it's worth?
If you don't know the answers to these questions, you may need to chat with an agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, complete this form.
Auto insurance policy specifics
Knowing the specifics of your policy helps when choosing which coverages you need and the correct deductibles and limits. The terms used in a policy can be ambiguous and nobody wants to actually read their policy.
Liability car insurance
Liability coverage protects you from damage that occurs to other people or property in an accident. This insurance protects YOU against claims from other people. Liability doesn't cover damage sustained by your vehicle in an accident.
Coverage consists of three different limits, bodily injury for each person injured, bodily injury for the entire accident and a property damage limit. You commonly see policy limits of 15/30/5 that translate to a limit of $15,000 per injured person, a limit of $30,000 in injury protection per accident, and a total limit of $5,000 for damage to vehicles and property. Another option is one limit called combined single limit (CSL) which limits claims to one amount and claims can be made without the split limit restrictions.
Liability coverage pays for things like medical services, structural damage, court costs and bail bonds. How much liability coverage do you need? That is a decision to put some thought into, but it's cheap coverage so purchase as much as you can afford. California requires minimum liability limits of 15/30/5 but it's recommended drivers buy better liability coverage.
The chart below demonstrates why buying low liability limits may not provide you with enough coverage.
Medical payments and PIP coverage
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage reimburse you for short-term medical expenses like ambulance fees, rehabilitation expenses, X-ray expenses and funeral costs. They can be used in conjunction with a 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 only offered in select states but it provides additional coverages not offered by medical payments coverage
Comprehensive auto coverage
This coverage covers damage from a wide range of events other than collision. You need to pay your deductible first and the remainder of the damage will be paid by comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive can pay for things like damage from getting keyed, hitting a bird and rock chips in glass. The most your auto insurance company will pay is the actual cash value, so if the vehicle is not worth much it's not worth carrying full coverage.
Collision protection
This will pay to fix damage to your Nitro from colliding with another vehicle or an object, but not an animal. A deductible applies and then insurance will cover the remainder.
Collision coverage protects against claims such as damaging your car on a curb, driving through your garage door, hitting a parking meter and rolling your car. Paying for collision coverage can be pricey, so consider dropping it from vehicles that are older. You can also choose a higher deductible on your Nitro to get cheaper collision coverage.
UM/UIM (Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist) coverage
This protects you and your vehicle's occupants when other motorists either have no liability insurance or not enough. Covered claims include injuries sustained by your vehicle's occupants as well as your vehicle's damage.
Because many people only carry the minimum required liability limits (15/30/5 in California), their limits can quickly be used up. So UM/UIM coverage is important protection for you and your family. Most of the time the UM/UIM limits do not exceed the liability coverage limits.
Do the work, save more money
As you go through the steps to switch your coverage, it's not a good idea to skimp on coverage in order to save money. There have been many cases where someone sacrificed uninsured motorist or liability limits and discovered at claim time that the small savings ended up costing them much more. Your focus should be to purchase plenty of coverage at an affordable rate, but do not skimp to save money.
A few companies do not offer the ability to get quotes online and usually these regional insurance providers sell through independent insurance agencies. Budget-friendly auto insurance in Santa Ana is available both online and from local agencies, so you should compare both to have the best selection.
We just showed you a lot of techniques to compare Dodge Nitro insurance car insurance rates in Santa Ana. The key thing to remember is the more rate quotes you have, the better your comparison will be. Consumers could even find that the biggest savings come from some of the smallest insurance companies.
How to buy discount Dodge Nitro insurance in Santa Ana
To save the most money, the best way to get more affordable Dodge Nitro insurance in Santa Ana is to start doing an annual price comparison from providers in California. Prices can be compared by following these steps.
- Take a few minutes and learn about how companies set rates and the measures you can take to prevent expensive coverage. Many risk factors that drive up the price such as accidents, careless driving, and a bad credit score can be amended by making lifestyle changes or driving safer.
- Compare rates from exclusive agents, independent agents, and direct providers. Exclusive and direct companies can only provide price estimates from one company like GEICO or Farmers Insurance, while independent agencies can provide prices for a wide range of insurance providers.
- Compare the new quotes to the price on your current policy to determine if switching companies saves money. If you can save some money and switch companies, make sure there is no coverage gap between policies.
The key thing to remember is to make sure you're comparing identical coverage information on every price quote and and to get prices from all possible companies. Doing this helps ensure a fair price comparison and a good representation of prices.
Other information
- Uninsured Motorists: Threats on the Road (Insurance Information Institute)
- What Insurance is Cheapest for a Learners Permit in Santa Ana? (FAQ)
- Who Has Cheap Santa Ana Car Insurance Quotes for Teenage Females? (FAQ)
- How Much are Santa Ana Car Insurance Quotes for a Ford Escape? (FAQ)
- How do I File a Claim? (Insurance Information Institute)
- Auto Insurance FAQ (Farmers Insurance)
- State Car Insurance Guides (GEICO)
- Choosing a Car for Your Teen (State Farm)