Cheapest Insurance for a Dodge Stratus in Santa Ana

If you want to find the absolute lowest rates, then the best way to get more affordable auto insurance rates is to regularly compare prices from insurers that sell auto insurance in Santa Ana.

Step 1: Take a little time to learn about how companies price auto insurance and the measures you can take to prevent rate increases. Many risk factors that result in higher prices like at-fault accidents, careless driving, and poor credit rating can be eliminated by paying attention to minor details. Read the full article for more ideas to help keep prices low and find discounts that may have been missed.

Step 2: Quote rates from independent agents, exclusive agents, and direct companies. Direct and exclusive agents can provide rates from one company like Progressive or Farmers Insurance, while independent agents can give you price quotes from multiple insurance companies.

Step 3: Compare the new rate quotes to your current policy premium and determine if cheaper Stratus coverage is available. If you can save some money, ensure coverage does not lapse between policies.

The most important part of shopping around is that you'll want to make sure you compare the same amount of coverage on every price quote and and to get rates from all possible companies. Doing this enables a level playing field and the best price quote selection.

It's safe to assume that car insurance companies don't want customers comparing rates. Insureds who shop rates annually will probably switch to a new company because there is a high probability of finding a more affordable policy premium. A recent survey found that drivers who routinely compared rates saved $865 annually compared to policyholders who never compared rates.

If finding the best price on auto insurance in Santa Ana is the reason you're reading this, understanding how to get rate quotes and compare insurance premiums can make shopping around easier.

Quoting and comparing affordable coverage in Santa Ana is easy to do. Nearly anyone who has to purchase insurance will get a lower-priced policy. Nevertheless, California drivers do need to learn the way companies set your policy premium and apply this information to your search.

Affordable Dodge insurance rates in Santa Ana

The companies shown below offer price quotes in California. If several companies are displayed, we recommend you get rates from several of them in order to find the lowest rates.

Auto insurance discounts help lower rates for Dodge Stratus insurance in Santa Ana

Companies that sell car insurance don't always list all discounts in a way that's easy to find, so we researched both the well known and the harder-to-find credits available to lower your premiums when you buy Santa Ana car insurance online.

• Discounts for Government Workers - Simply working for the federal government could cut as much as 10% off depending on your auto insurance provider.
• College Student - Children who are enrolled in a college that is more than 100 miles from Santa Ana and don't have a car may be able to be covered for less.
• Driving Data Discount - Policyholders that allow their company to monitor driving manner by using a telematics device in their vehicle such as Drivewise from Allstate or Snapshot from Progressive could save a few bucks as long as they are good drivers.
• Discount for Life Insurance - Not all auto insurance companies offer life insurance, but some may give you lower prices if you buy some life insurance in addition to your auto policy.
• Discount for Multiple Policies - When you have multiple policies and insure them with the same company you may earn at least 10 to 15 percent or more.
• Paperwork-free - Many companies may give you up to $50 get Santa Ana car insurance digitally online.
• Defensive Driving Course - Successfully completing a course in defensive driving is a good idea and can lower rates and make you a better driver.
• Anti-lock Brakes - Vehicles with ABS braking systems or traction control have fewer accidents and therefore earn up to a 10% discount.
• Safety Restraint Discount - Drivers who require all vehicle occupants to use a seat belt could save 15% on medical payment and PIP coverage.

A little note about advertised discounts, many deductions do not apply to the entire cost. A few only apply to the price of certain insurance coverages like medical payments or collision. Even though the math looks like all those discounts means the company will pay you, companies don't profit that way.

A few popular companies and a summarized list of policyholder discounts include:

• American Family offers premium reductions for accident-free, TimeAway discount, bundled insurance, defensive driver, good student, early bird, and Steer into Savings.
• State Farm offers discounts including good driver, accident-free, student away at school, multiple autos, and multiple policy.
• 21st Century has savings for 55 and older, driver training, student driver, anti-lock brakes, and air bags.
• Travelers offers discounts for save driver, hybrid/electric vehicle, home ownership, continuous insurance, IntelliDrive, and payment discounts.
• GEICO discounts include daytime running lights, five-year accident-free, seat belt use, good student, anti-lock brakes, and federal employee.

It's a good idea to ask each insurance company which discounts you qualify for. Some of the earlier mentioned discounts may not apply in your state. To choose insurers that offer the discounts shown above in California, click here.

How do Insurers Determine Dodge Stratus Insurance Prices?

Many factors are taken into consideration when you quote your car insurance policy. Some are pretty understandable such as traffic violations, but some are more obscure such as your marital status or your financial responsibility.

The itemized list below are some of the factors used by companies to determine your premiums.

Lower performance equals lower insurance rates - The performance level of the car you drive makes a huge difference in determining your rates. The best insurance prices are usually for lower performance four cylinder passenger cars, but there are many factors that impact the final cost.

Getting married can lower prices - Having a spouse can get you a discount compared to being single. Having a spouse demonstrates that you tend to be more mature and it's proven that married drivers tend to file fewer claims.

Safeguard your assets with liability - Your policy's liability coverage is the coverage that protects you if you are found to be at fault for damages from an accident. Your policy's liability insurance provides legal defense which can cost a lot. This coverage is very inexpensive compared to comp and collision, so buy as much as you can afford.

Increase coverage deductibles to save - Physical damage deductibles define the amount the insured will be required to pay before your insurance pays a claim. Insurance for physical damage to your car, aka comp and collision, covers damage that occurs to your car. Some examples of claims that would be covered are a windshield broken by a bird, fire damage, and damage from wind. The higher the amount the insured is willing to pay, the lower your rates will be.

Infrequent drivers can save - Driving a lot of miles every year the more you'll pay to insure your vehicle. Most companies rate vehicles determined by how the vehicle is used. Autos used primarily for pleasure use receive better premium rates as compared to vehicles used primarily for driving to work. An improperly rated Stratus is just wasting money. It's a good idea to make sure your vehicle rating reflects annual mileage.

Independent versus exclusive insurance agencies

Many drivers just prefer to sit down with an agent and that is OK! An additional benefit of comparing auto insurance online is you may find lower prices and still choose a local agent. Buying insurance from small agencies is especially important in Santa Ana.

By using this form (opens in new window), your coverage information is immediately sent to agents in your area who will return price quotes and help you find cheaper coverage. It's much easier because you don't need to leave your computer since price quotes are sent to you instantly. You can find better rates without having to waste a lot of time. If for some reason you want to quote rates from a specific company, feel free to jump over to their website and complete a quote there.

If you are wanting to purchase auto insurance from a good Santa Ana insurance agent, you should know the types of insurance agents and how they are slightly different. Auto insurance agents in Santa Ana are either exclusive agents or independent agents.

Independent Auto Insurance Agents

Agents that elect to be independent often have many company appointments and that gives them the ability to insure through many companies and help determine which has the cheapest rates. If your premiums go up, an independent agent can move your coverage and you don't have to switch agencies. If you are comparing auto insurance prices, you will want to include at least one independent agent for maximum quote selection.

Listed below is a list of independent insurance agents in Santa Ana that may be able to provide comparison quotes.

View more Santa Ana agents

Exclusive Agencies

Exclusive agents can usually just insure with one company and examples are AAA, State Farm, Farmers Insurance, and Allstate. Exclusive agents are unable to provide rate quotes from other companies so they have no alternatives for high prices. Exclusive agencies are usually quite knowledgeable on sales techniques which helps them sell insurance even at higher premiums.

The following are exclusive agents in Santa Ana willing to provide comparison quotes.

View more Santa Ana agents

Choosing the best auto insurance agent shouldn't rely on just the price. The questions below may impact your decision as well.

• How long has their agency been in business in Santa Ana?
• Does the agent have professional designations like CIC, CPCU or AIC?
• By raising physical damage deductibles, how much would you save?
• Are all drivers listed on the coverage quote?
• Will they take your side in the event of a claim?
• What discounts might you be missing?

Once you have received good feedback to any questions you have as well as a price you're happy with, it's a good possibility that you have found a car insurance agent that meets the requirements to service your policy. Just remember it's your policy and you can cancel your policy whenever you want so don't feel that you are obligated to any specific company with no way out.

Lower rates by being persistent

When shopping online for car insurance, it's not a good idea to sacrifice coverage to reduce premiums. In too many instances, an insured dropped physical damage coverage only to regret that a couple dollars of savings turned into a financial nightmare. Your goal should be to purchase plenty of coverage at the lowest possible cost, not the least amount of coverage.

We just presented many tips how you can lower your Dodge Stratus insurance prices in Santa Ana. It's most important to understand that the more you quote Santa Ana car insurance, the better your comparison will be. Drivers may even discover the lowest prices come from an unexpected company. Smaller companies often have lower rates on specific markets than the large multi-state companies such as GEICO and State Farm.

Lower-priced Dodge Stratus insurance in Santa Ana is available from both online companies in addition to local insurance agencies, so you should compare both in order to have the best chance of saving money. A few companies may not offer the ability to get quotes online and usually these smaller companies work with independent agents.

More tips and info about car insurance is available at these sites:

• Prom Night Tips for Teen Drivers (State Farm)
• Anti-Lock Brake FAQ (iihs.org)
• How do I File a Claim? (Insurance Information Institute)
• Older Drivers FAQ (iihs.org)
• Distracted Driving (Insurance Information Institute)