We don’t have to point out that fact that insurance companies don’t want you to compare rates. Insureds who get price quotes annually are likely to move their business because of the good chance of finding coverage at a more affordable price. A recent study showed that consumers who compared prices regularly saved as much as $860 a year compared to those who never shopped around for lower prices.
If finding discount rates on insurance in Fort Wayne is the reason for your visit, then having a grasp of the best ways to shop for car insurance can make it easier to find better rates.
Really, the only way to save on car insurance rates in Fort Wayne is to make a habit of comparing prices annually from insurers who can sell car insurance in Indiana.
- First, get an understanding of policy coverages and the steps you can take to prevent expensive coverage. Many rating factors that increase rates such as high-risk driving behaviors and bad credit can be improved by making minor changes in your lifestyle. Continue reading for the details to find cheap rates and get bigger discounts that may have been overlooked.
- Second, compare price quotes from independent agents, exclusive agents, and direct companies. Exclusive agents and direct companies can provide rates from one company like GEICO or State Farm, while independent agencies can provide rate quotes for many different companies. View a list of agents
- Third, compare the new rates to the price on your current policy to see if cheaper HHR coverage is available in Fort Wayne. If you find a lower rate quote and buy the policy, make sure there is no lapse in coverage.
- Fourth, give notification to your agent or company to cancel your existing policy and submit a signed application and payment for the new policy. As soon as you have the new policy, put the proof of insurance paperwork along with your vehicle registration.
One thing to remember is that you’ll want to compare similar deductibles and liability limits on every quote and and to get rates from as many carriers as you can. Doing this enables a fair rate comparison and the best price quote selection.
The following companies can provide comparison quotes in Indiana. If you want to find the best auto insurance in Indiana, we suggest you visit two to three different companies to find the lowest auto insurance rates.
Coverage information
The price information shown below highlights a range of insurance coverage prices for Chevy HHR models. Having insight into how insurance policy rates are established helps drivers make smart choices when buying a car insurance policy.
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HHR LS | $130 | $226 | $318 | $18 | $94 | $786 | $66 |
HHR LT | $130 | $226 | $318 | $18 | $94 | $786 | $66 |
HHR SS | $144 | $306 | $318 | $18 | $94 | $880 | $73 |
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Data based on single female driver age 50, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $1000 deductibles, and Indiana minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include safe-driver, claim-free, multi-vehicle, homeowner, and multi-policy. Information does not factor in specific Fort Wayne garaging location which can decrease or increase coverage rates substantially.
Deductible analysis
When buying car insurance, a common question is at what level do you set your deductibles. The following insurance rates summarize the price difference between high and low physical damage coverage deductibles. The first set of prices uses a $250 deductible for physical damage and the second data table uses a $1,000 deductible.
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HHR LS | $244 | $366 | $280 | $16 | $84 | $1,015 | $85 |
HHR LT | $244 | $366 | $280 | $16 | $84 | $1,015 | $85 |
HHR SS | $272 | $496 | $280 | $16 | $84 | $1,173 | $98 |
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Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HHR LS | $152 | $230 | $280 | $16 | $84 | $762 | $64 |
HHR LT | $152 | $230 | $280 | $16 | $84 | $762 | $64 |
HHR SS | $168 | $312 | $280 | $16 | $84 | $860 | $72 |
Get Your Own Custom Quote Go |
Cost estimates assume married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and Indiana minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-vehicle, safe-driver, multi-policy, claim-free, and homeowner. Price estimates do not factor in specific location which can affect premium rates significantly.
We can estimate from the data above that using a $250 deductible would cost the average driver about $22 more each month or $264 a year than quoting the higher $1,000 deductible. Because you would pay $750 more out-of-pocket with a $1,000 deductible as compared to a $250 deductible, if you go at least 34 months between claims, you would probably be better off if you choose a higher deductible.
Do you need full coverage?
The example below illustrates the comparison of Chevy HHR insurance costs with and without full coverage. The premiums are based on a clean driving record, no claims, $500 deductibles, drivers are not married, and no policy discounts are applied.
When to drop full coverage
There is no exact formula that is best for determining when to drop physical damage coverage on your policy, but there is a general school of thought. If the yearly cost of comp and collision coverage is more than 10% of the settlement you would receive from your company, then you may need to consider dropping full coverage.
For example, let’s assume your Chevy HHR replacement cost is $8,000 and you have $1,000 deductibles. If your vehicle is totaled, the most you would get paid by your company is $7,000 after paying your policy deductible. If you are paying in excess of $700 annually for physical damage coverage, then it could be time to drop full coverage.
There are some circumstances where dropping physical damage coverage is not a good idea. If you still owe a portion of the original loan, you must maintain physical damage coverage in order to satisfy the requirements of the loan. Also, if your finances do not allow you to purchase a different vehicle if your current one is totaled, you should not buy liability only.
Auto insurance protects more than just your car
Despite the potentially high cost of Chevy HHR insurance, paying for auto insurance is required in Indiana but it also protects you in many ways.
- Just about all states have compulsory liability insurance requirements which means the state requires specific minimum amounts of liability protection in order to drive the car legally. In Indiana 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 Chevy, it’s guaranteed your bank will make it mandatory that you carry insurance to protect their interest in the vehicle. If the policy lapses, the bank may buy a policy for your Chevy at a more expensive rate and require you to reimburse them much more than you were paying before.
- Auto insurance protects not only your car but also your financial assets. Insurance will also pay for all forms of medical expenses for you, your passengers, and anyone else injured in an accident. Liability insurance also pays expenses related to your legal defense if anyone sues you for causing an accident. If damage is caused by hail or an accident, your auto insurance policy will cover the repair costs.
The benefits of buying auto insurance more than cancel out the cost, especially with large liability claims. According to a survey of 1,000 drivers, the average driver is currently overpaying as much as $820 a year so compare rates at every policy renewal to be sure current rates are still competitive.
How Your HHR Insurance Prices are Determined
Many things are considered when you quote your car insurance policy. Some of the criteria are obvious like an MVR report, although others are less obvious like your continuous coverage or your vehicle rating. Part of the car insurance buying process is learning the factors that help determine your premiums. If you have a feel for what controls the rates you pay, this allows you to make educated decisions that could result in lower premium levels.
- Your address can modify price – Living in less populated areas of the country has definite advantages when insuring your vehicles. Less people living in that area means reduced accidents in addition to fewer liability claims. Drivers in populated Indiana areas regularly have more aggressive driving styles and more time behind the wheel. The longer drive time means a statistically higher chance of an accident.
- Certain occupations raise rates – Careers like fire fighters, architects, and medical professionals tend to pay higher premium rates due to intense work-related stress and long work days. Conversely, careers such as professors, athletes and performers pay lower than average rates.
- Excellent credit scores equal low prices – Having a bad credit score is likely to be a major factor in determining what you pay for car insurance. Insureds with good credit tend to be less risk to insure than drivers with poor credit. If your credit history leaves room for improvement, you could potentially save money when insuring your Chevrolet HHR if you improve your credit rating.
- Cars with good safety ratings lower rates – Vehicles with good safety scores tend to have lower insurance rates. Vehicles built for safety help reduce the chance of injuries in an accident and fewer injuries means your insurance company pays less and lower rates for you.
- Never let your car insurance policy expire – Having an insurance coverage lapse can be a fast way to increase your rates. And not only will your rates increase, failure to provide proof of insurance can result in a fine, jail time, or a revoked license.
How do I know if I need professional advice?
When quoting and choosing coverage online or from an agent, there is no “best” method to buy coverage. Every situation is different.
For example, these questions could help you determine if your situation would benefit from professional advice.
- Why am I required to get a high-risk car insurance policy?
- When should my teen driver be added to my policy?
- Will I lose any money if I cancel my policy before it expires?
- Are combined or split liability limits better?
- Is my custom paint covered by insurance?
- Can I afford to pay high deductible claims out of pocket?
If you can’t answer these questions but you think they might apply to your situation, then you may want to think about talking to an insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, simply complete this short form. It only takes a few minutes and may give you better protection.
Quote more and you will save more
There are still a few companies who may not provide the ability to get a quote online and many times these regional carriers provide coverage only through independent insurance agencies. Cost effective Chevy HHR insurance is possible on the web in addition to many Fort Wayne insurance agents, and you should compare rates from both so you have a total pricing picture.
We’ve covered many tips how you can get a better price on Chevy HHR insurance in Fort Wayne. It’s most important to understand that the more rate quotes you have, the higher the chance of saving money. You may even be surprised to find that the best prices are with a small mutual company.
While you’re price shopping online, it’s not a good idea to reduce needed coverages to save money. Too many times, someone sacrificed collision coverage only to regret at claim time that their decision to reduce coverage ended up costing them more. The goal is to buy a smart amount of coverage at an affordable rate and still be able to protect your assets.
Helpful information
- Collision Insurance Coverage (Nationwide)
- Who Has Cheap Auto Insurance for Teenage Females in Fort Wayne? (FAQ)
- Who Has the Cheapest Auto Insurance for 18 Year Olds in Fort Wayne? (FAQ)
- Who Has Cheap Car Insurance for Ride Shares in Fort Wayne? (FAQ)
- Auto Theft Statistics (Insurance Information Institute)
- Speed and Speed Limit FAQ (iihs.org)
- When is the Right Time to Switch Car Insurance Companies? (Allstate)
- Should I Buy a New or Used Car? (Allstate)