It’s a known fact that insurance companies want to keep you from shopping around. Insureds who compare other prices are likely to switch auto insurance companies because there is a good chance of finding a lower-priced policy. A recent auto insurance study revealed that consumers who shopped around saved on average $72 a month as compared to drivers who never compared prices.
If finding the cheapest rates on Buick Lucerne insurance in Fort Wayne is the reason you’re reading this, then knowing how to find companies and compare auto insurance can make it easier to find better rates.
The preferred way to get discount Buick Lucerne insurance in Fort Wayne is to start doing a yearly price comparison from insurers in Indiana. You can shop around by following these steps.
- Try to learn a little about what coverages are included in your policy and the steps you can take to prevent expensive coverage. Many factors that result in higher prices like accidents, traffic violations, and your credit history can be eliminated by making small lifestyle or driving habit changes.
- Request price quotes from direct carriers, independent agents, and exclusive agents. Direct and exclusive agents can only quote rates from one company like Progressive or Farmers Insurance, while independent agents can quote rates from multiple insurance companies. View prices
- Compare the quotes to your existing policy and see if you can save money. If you find a better price and buy the policy, make sure coverage does not lapse between policies.
A good piece of advice is to try to compare identical limits and deductibles on each quote and to quote with as many auto insurance providers as possible. Doing this provides the most accurate price comparison and maximum price selection.
If you currently have auto insurance, you will most likely be able to save money using these tips. These tips will instruct you on how insurance works and also save some money in the process Although Indiana consumers must comprehend how companies determine premium rates and use it to find better rates.
Buick Lucerne insurance coverage information
The price information shown next outlines different rate quotes for Buick Lucerne models. Having a good understanding how insurance quotes are established can benefit drivers when making decisions when shopping your coverage around.
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lucerne CX | $310 | $514 | $368 | $22 | $110 | $1,324 | $110 |
Lucerne CXL | $310 | $514 | $368 | $22 | $110 | $1,324 | $110 |
Lucerne CXL Special Edition | $310 | $592 | $368 | $22 | $110 | $1,402 | $117 |
Lucerne Super | $346 | $592 | $368 | $22 | $110 | $1,438 | $120 |
Get Your Own Custom Quote Go |
Data variables include single male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $100 deductibles, and Indiana minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-vehicle, multi-policy, safe-driver, homeowner, and claim-free. Price estimates do not factor in your specific Fort Wayne location which can modify price quotes noticeably.
Higher deductibles lower rates
One of the hardest decisions when shopping for insurance is how high should the physical damage deductibles be. The comparisons below outline the rate differences when you select higher and lower coverage deductibles. The first rate estimation uses a $250 deductible for comp and collision and the second price chart uses a $1,000 deductible.
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lucerne CX | $244 | $430 | $280 | $16 | $84 | $1,079 | $90 |
Lucerne CXL | $244 | $430 | $280 | $16 | $84 | $1,079 | $90 |
Lucerne CXL Special Edition | $244 | $496 | $280 | $16 | $84 | $1,145 | $95 |
Lucerne Super | $272 | $496 | $280 | $16 | $84 | $1,173 | $98 |
Get Your Own Custom Quote Go |
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lucerne CX | $152 | $270 | $280 | $16 | $84 | $802 | $67 |
Lucerne CXL | $152 | $270 | $280 | $16 | $84 | $802 | $67 |
Lucerne CXL Special Edition | $152 | $312 | $280 | $16 | $84 | $844 | $70 |
Lucerne Super | $168 | $312 | $280 | $16 | $84 | $860 | $72 |
Get Your Own Custom Quote Go |
Data variables include married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and Indiana minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include safe-driver, homeowner, multi-policy, multi-vehicle, and claim-free. Table data does not factor in specific zip code location which can increase or decrease premiums noticeably.
Based on the figures above, using a $250 deductible will cost in the ballpark of $24 more each month or $288 annually across all Buick Lucerne models than requesting the higher $1,000 deductible. Since you would pay $750 more if you file a claim with a $1,000 deductible as compared to a $250 deductible, if you tend to go at least 31 months between claims, you would save money by selecting a higher deductible.
How to calculate if a higher deductible is a good decision
Average monthly premium for $250 deductibles: | $93 |
Average monthly premium for $1,000 deductibles (subtract): | – $69 |
Monthly savings from raising deductible: | $24 |
Difference between deductibles ($1,000 – $250): | $750 |
Divide difference by monthly savings: | $750 / $24 |
Number of months required between physical damage coverage claims in order to save money by choosing the higher deductible | 31 months |
One important caveat is that increasing deductibles to save money means you will have to pay more when you do file a claim. You will want to have some non-essential savings in the event you have to pay the deductible for vehicle repair.
Impact of careless driving on insurance rates
The chart below illustrates how speeding tickets and at-fault fender-benders can impact Buick Lucerne insurance costs for each age group. The rates are based on a single female driver, comprehensive and collision coverage, $250 deductibles, and no other discounts are factored in.
Comparison of full coverage and liability-only policies
The illustration below shows the comparison of Buick Lucerne auto insurance costs with full coverage compared to only the Indiana minimum liability coverage. The premium estimates are based on no claims or driving violations, $500 deductibles, marital status is single, and no discounts are factored in.
Deciding between full coverage and liability only
There is no definitive rule to stop paying for comp and collision coverage, but there is a guideline you can use. If the annual cost of your full coverage insurance is more than around 10% of the vehicle’s replacement cost less your deductible, then you might want to think about dropping full coverage.
For example, let’s pretend your Buick Lucerne settlement value is $6,000 and you have $1,000 full coverage deductibles. If your vehicle is totaled in an accident, the most your company would pay you is $5,000 after the policy deductible has been paid. If premium cost is more than $500 a year for physical damage coverage, then it may be the right time to buy liability only.
There are a few situations where eliminating full coverage is not financially feasible. If you have an outstanding loan on your vehicle, you have to maintain full coverage as part of the loan conditions. Also, if you cannot afford to purchase a different vehicle in the even your car is totaled, you should not drop full coverage.
Cheap Buick Lucerne insurance in Fort Wayne
Some providers don’t always list every policy discount very clearly, so the list below gives a summary of some of the best known and also the more inconspicuous credits available to you. If you do not check that you are getting every discount you deserve, it’s possible you qualify for a lower rate.
- Multiple Cars – Buying a policy with all your vehicles with the same insurance company qualifies for this discount.
- Multi-line Discount – Larger companies have a discounted price on car insurance if you buy life insurance.
- Passenger Safety Discount – Cars that have air bags or motorized seat belts can get savings of up to 25% or more.
- Drivers Ed for Students – Teen drivers should enroll and complete driver’s education as it can save substantially.
- Clubs and Organizations – Being in qualifying employment or professional organizations could trigger savings on your next insurance statement.
As a footnote on discounts, some of the credits will not apply to the overall cost of the policy. Most only reduce the cost of specific coverages such as collision or personal injury protection. So even though you would think it’s possible to get free car insurance, you won’t be that lucky.
The example below illustrates the difference between Buick Lucerne car insurance costs with and without discounts applied to the policy premium. The data assumes a female driver, no tickets, no at-fault accidents, Indiana 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 marriage, claim-free, multi-policy, multi-car, safe-driver, and homeowner discounts applied.
A few popular companies and some of the premium reductions they offer are included below.
- State Farm offers premium reductions for multiple autos, Steer Clear safe driver discount, good student, driver’s education, defensive driving training, anti-theft, and passive restraint.
- Progressive policyholders can earn discounts including online signing, online quote discount, multi-vehicle, homeowner, and continuous coverage.
- Progressive may include discounts for good student, online quote discount, continuous coverage, multi-policy, multi-vehicle, online signing, and homeowner.
- MetLife has discounts for defensive driver, good student, multi-policy, claim-free, good driver, and accident-free.
- Farm Bureau may have discounts that include renewal discount, multi-policy, multi-vehicle, youthful driver, and safe driver.
- GEICO offers discounts including membership and employees, seat belt use, anti-lock brakes, defensive driver, and air bags.
- SAFECO has savings for accident prevention training, teen safety rewards, anti-theft, bundle discounts, teen safe driver, safe driver, and anti-lock brakes.
It’s a good idea to ask each insurance company what discounts are available to you. Some of the earlier mentioned discounts may not apply to policies in your area. To see companies that have a full spectrum of discounts in Fort Wayne, click here to view.
Parts of your insurance policy
Understanding the coverages of your insurance policy helps when choosing the right coverages and the correct deductibles and limits. The terms used in a policy can be difficult to understand and nobody wants to actually read their policy.
Medical expense insurance
Med pay and PIP coverage pay for expenses such as pain medications, surgery, doctor visits and chiropractic care. The coverages can be used in conjunction with a health insurance policy or if you do not have health coverage. Medical payments and PIP cover you and your occupants in addition to being hit by a car walking across the street. PIP coverage is not an option in every state and gives slightly broader coverage than med pay
Coverage for collisions
This covers damage to your Lucerne caused by collision with a stationary object or other vehicle. You have to pay a deductible then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.
Collision can pay for claims such as colliding with another moving vehicle, colliding with a tree, crashing into a ditch and damaging your car on a curb. Paying for collision coverage can be pricey, so analyze the benefit of dropping coverage from lower value vehicles. It’s also possible to raise the deductible on your Lucerne to save money on collision insurance.
Comprehensive (Other than Collision)
This coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage that is not covered by collision coverage. You need to pay your deductible first then your comprehensive coverage will pay.
Comprehensive coverage protects against claims such as hail damage, hitting a bird, damage from flooding, fire damage and damage from getting keyed. The maximum amount you can receive from a comprehensive claim is the ACV or actual cash value, so if it’s not worth much more than your deductible consider dropping full coverage.
Liability insurance
This protects you from damages or injuries you inflict on people or other property that is your fault. It protects you against claims from other people, and doesn’t cover your own vehicle damage or injuries.
Liability coverage has three limits: bodily injury for each person injured, bodily injury for the entire accident and a property damage limit. You might see limits of 25/50/10 which means a limit of $25,000 per injured person, a limit of $50,000 in injury protection per accident, and a limit of $10,000 paid for damaged property.
Liability can pay for claims like bail bonds, pain and suffering and attorney fees. How much liability should you purchase? That is up to you, but buy as high a limit as you can afford. Indiana requires drivers to carry at least 25/50/10 but it’s recommended drivers buy more liability than the minimum.
The next chart shows why buying low liability limits may not be adequate coverage.
Protection from uninsured/underinsured drivers
Your UM/UIM coverage protects you and your vehicle’s occupants when other motorists are uninsured or don’t have enough coverage. Covered claims include medical payments for you and your occupants and also any damage incurred to your Buick Lucerne.
Since a lot of drivers only purchase the least amount of liability that is required (25/50/10 in Indiana), it doesn’t take a major accident to exceed their coverage limits. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage is very important.
One last thing to lower rates
Cheaper auto insurance in Fort Wayne can be sourced from both online companies and from local agencies, and you should compare rates from both in order to have the best chance of saving money. Some auto insurance companies don’t offer online price quotes and most of the time these small insurance companies only sell coverage through local independent agencies.
Drivers switch companies for many reasons like not issuing a premium refund, high prices, questionable increases in premium and delays in responding to claim requests. It doesn’t matter why you want to switch choosing a new company can be pretty painless.
When buying insurance coverage, you should never sacrifice coverage to reduce premiums. There have been many cases where drivers have reduced collision coverage and found out when filing a claim 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.
More information
- Airbag FAQ (iihs.org)
- What Car Insurance is Cheapest for a Ford Escape in Fort Wayne? (FAQ)
- Who Has Cheap Auto Insurance Quotes for College Graduates in Fort Wayne? (FAQ)
- Who Has Affordable Fort Wayne Auto Insurance Rates for Immigrants? (FAQ)
- Can I Drive Legally without Insurance? (Insurance Information Institute)
- Uninsured Motorist Statistics (Insurance Information Institute)
- Anti-Lock Brake FAQ (iihs.org)