Save Money on Honda Element Insurance in Austin

Do you want to stop overpaying and find more affordable auto insurance rates in Austin, TX? Austin buyers have many options when searching for the best price on Honda Element insurance. You can either spend your time struggling with agents getting price quotes or utilize the internet to get rate quotes. There is a right way and a wrong way to shop for auto insurance so we’re going to tell you the best way to get price quotes for a Honda and obtain the lowest possible price.

Finding affordable auto insurance coverage in Austin can be made easier if you know where to look. If you have a policy now, you will be able to get lower rates using the tips covered below. Smart buyers just have to understand the tricks to compare insurance rates from many different companies online.

Getting a low cost price on insurance is not rocket science. Drivers just need to invest a little time comparing free Austin car insurance quotes provided by online insurance companies.

The companies shown below provide free rate quotes in Texas. If multiple providers are shown, we suggest you visit several of them in order to get a fair rate comparison.

Data rating is based on single male driver age 40, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $250 deductibles, and Texas minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include claim-free, homeowner, multi-policy, safe-driver, and multi-vehicle. Table data does not factor in vehicle garaging location which can modify rates noticeably.

Where to set your deductibles

When shopping for auto insurance, a common question is how high or low should comp and collision deductibles be. The following insurance rates lay out the difference in cost when you choose different physical damage coverage deductibles. The first set of rates uses a $100 deductible for comp and collision and the second data table uses a $1,000 deductible.

Data based on married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and Texas minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-vehicle, homeowner, claim-free, safe-driver, and multi-policy. Premium costs do not factor in your specific Austin location which can change price quotes substantially.

Based on the figures above, using a $100 deductible costs roughly $38 more each month or $456 a year than requesting the higher $1,000 deductible. Because you would be required to pay $900 more if you file a claim with a $1,000 deductible as compared to a $100 deductible, if you tend to have at least 24 months between claim filings, you would probably save some money if you choose a higher deductible.

An important thing to remember is that a higher deductible level results in more money out-of-pocket at claim time. You need some extra funds in order to pay more for the deductible.

Rate difference between full and liability-only coverage

The chart below illustrates the comparison of Honda Element insurance prices with and without physical damage coverage. The rates are based on no claims, a clean driving record, $250 deductibles, married male driver, and no discounts are applied.

When to drop comprehensive and collision coverage

There is no specific rule for eliminating comprehensive and collision coverage on your policy, but there is a general guideline you can use. If the annual cost of coverage is more than about 10% of the settlement you would receive from your company, then it might be time to consider dropping full coverage.

For example, let’s pretend your Honda Element claim settlement value is $3,000 and you have $1,000 physical damage deductibles. If your vehicle is totaled, the most your company will settle for is $2,000 after paying the physical damage deductible. If premium cost is more than $200 a year for your policy with full coverage, then it might be time to buy liability only.

There are some scenarios where removing full coverage is not in your best interest. If you have an outstanding loan on your vehicle, you are required to maintain full coverage in order to keep the loan. Also, if you cannot afford to purchase a different vehicle if your current one is totaled, you should keep full coverage in place.

Lower rates by qualifying for discounts

Buying car insurance is not cheap, but there may be some discounts that can dramatically reduce your bill. Certain reductions will be credited at the time you complete a quote, but lesser-known reductions have to be manually applied prior to getting the savings.

• Seat Belts Save – Forcing all vehicle occupants to buckle up before driving could cut 10% or more on the medical payments or PIP coverage costs.
• Club Memberships – Joining certain professional organizations may earn a discount on your next car insurance statement.
• Federal Employees – Employees or retirees of the government could cut as much as 10% off depending on your car insurance provider.
• Discounts for Multiple Vehicles – Buying a policy with multiple vehicles with the same company qualifies for this discount.
• Mature Driver Discount – If you qualify as a senior citizen, you are able to get reduced rates.
• Data Collection Discounts – Policyholders that allow data collection to spy on where and when they drive by using a telematic data system like Allstate’s Drivewise could save a few bucks as long as they are good drivers.
• ABS Braking Discount – Cars, trucks, and SUVs with anti-lock braking systems are safer to drive and the ABS can save up to 10%.

Don’t be shocked that most of the big mark downs will not be given to the whole policy. The majority will only reduce specific coverage prices like liability, collision or medical payments. So when it seems like adding up those discounts means a free policy, you won’t be that lucky.

A partial list of companies who might offer most of these discounts include:

• Progressive
• Farmers Insurance
• Farm Bureau
• State Farm
• GEICO
• SAFECO
• Liberty Mutual

If you want low cost Austin car insurance quotes, ask each company what discounts are available to you. Some of the discounts discussed earlier might not be offered in your state. If you would like to choose from a list of insurers who offer discounts in Austin, click this link.

Local Austin insurance agents

Certain consumers would prefer to get advice from a local agent and doing so can bring peace of mind Licensed agents can answer important questions and help submit paperwork. The best thing about price shopping on the web is you can get lower car insurance rates and still buy from a local agent.

For easy comparison, once you complete this quick form, your coverage information is immediately sent to agents in your area who will give you bids for your coverage. It makes it easy because there is no need to visit any agencies because quoted prices will be sent immediately to you. If you wish to get a price quote from a specific company, you just need to visit that company’s website and give them your coverage information.

Finding the right insurer is decision based upon more than just the price. Agents should be asked these questions:

• Are they full-time agents?
• Will the company cover a rental car if your car is getting fixed?
• Do they specialize in personal lines auto insurance in Austin?
• Are they involved in claim handling?
• What insurance companies do they work with in Austin?
• In the event of vehicle damage, can you pick the collision repair facility?
• Will the quote change when the policy is issued?

When researching an insurance agent, it can be helpful to understand the types of insurance agents and how they differ in how they can insure your vehicles. Insurance agents in Austin are classified as either exclusive or independent (non-exclusive). Both types of agents can insure your vehicles properly, but it’s worth mentioning how they are different because it may have an impact on buying decisions.

Exclusive Agents

These type of agents can only place business with one company and examples are Farmers Insurance, State Farm, Allstate, and AAA. They generally cannot provide prices from multiple companies so they have no alternatives for high prices. They are well schooled on what they offer which helps offset the inability to provide other markets. Some insured continue to purchase coverage from exclusives mostly because of the prominent brand name and the convenience of having a single billing for all their coverages.

Below is a list of exclusive insurance agencies in Austin who can help you get comparison quotes.

• Allstate Insurance: Cheri Roman
  8103 Brodie Ln Ste 7 – Austin, TX 78745 – (512) 282-9999 – View Map
• Tony Reyes – State Farm Insurance Agent
  9811 S IH 35 Frontage Rd #120 – Austin, TX 78744 – (512) 851-2539 – View Map
• Greg Pearson – State Farm Insurance Agent
  8705 Shoal Creek Blvd #102 – Austin, TX 78757 – (512) 451-0188 – View Map

View more agents

Independent Insurance Agents

Agents of this type are not restricted to one company and that is an advantage because they can write policies through many companies and possibly get better coverage at lower prices. If they find a lower price, they simply move your policy to a different company without you having to go to a different agency. When comparing rates, you need to check rates from at a minimum one independent agency to ensure the widest selection of prices. Many write coverage with companies that do not advertise much which may provide better rates.

Shown below is a short list of independent insurance agencies in Austin that can give you price quotes.

• Capitol City Insurance
  8030 N Mopac Expy – Austin, TX 78759 – (512) 343-0280 – View Map
• Greater Austin Insurance Inc
  11824 Jollyville Rd # 202 – Austin, TX 78759 – (512) 250-1777 – View Map
• Nationwide Insurance: James Gary Howe
  3720 Far West Blvd #114 – Austin, TX 78731 – (512) 346-7645 – View Map

View more agents

Buy Cheap Insurance with These Tips

Consumers need to have an understanding of some of the elements that come into play when calculating your insurance rates. If you know what determines premiums, this allows you to make educated decisions that could result in better insurance rates.

• Rates are affected by your address – Choosing to live in smaller towns and rural areas of the country can save you money if you are looking for the lowest rates. Fewer people translates into fewer accidents and lower theft and vandalism rates. City drivers regularly have more aggressive driving styles and more severe claims. Higher commute times means higher likelihood of an accident.
• Mature drivers pay less – Teenage drivers in Texas tend to be easily distracted when driving therefore insurance rates are much higher. Parents adding a teen driver to your insurance policy can break the bank. Older insureds are viewed as being more responsible, statistically cause fewer accidents, and usually have better credit.
• Higher prices for specific employers – Did you know your job can affect your rates? Careers such as doctors, architects and dentists tend to pay higher premium rates attributed to high stress and incredibly demanding work hours. On the other hand, occupations such as professors, historians and the unemployed have the lowest average rates.
• An insurance policy lapse is a bad thing – Driving with no insurance is a big no-no and your next policy will cost more because you let your coverage lapse. And not only will your rates increase, failure to provide proof of insurance may earn you a fine, jail time, or a revoked license.
• Know your credit score – Your credit rating can be a huge factor in your rate calculation. Consumers who have very good credit scores tend to be better drivers and file fewer claims than drivers who have lower ratings. Therefore, if your credit history leaves room for improvement, you may save money insuring your Honda Element by spending a little time repairing your credit.
• Stay claim-free and save money – If you are the type of insured that files lots of claims you can pretty much guarantee increased rates or even have your policy non-renewed. Car insurance companies in Texas generally give better rates to people who are not frequent claim filers. Your insurance policy is intended for more catastrophic claims.

Why you need insurance for your Honda vehicle

Despite the high cost, maintaining insurance is mandatory in Texas but it also protects more than you think.

• The majority of states have mandatory insurance requirements which means you are required to buy a specific level of liability insurance coverage in order to license the vehicle. In Texas these limits are 30/60/25 which means you must have $30,000 of bodily injury coverage per person, $60,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $25,000 of property damage coverage.
• If you took out a loan on your Element, more than likely the lender will make it mandatory that you carry insurance to guarantee loan repayment. If the policy lapses, the lender may insure your Honda at a much higher rate and force you to pay a much higher amount than you were paying before.
• Insurance safeguards not only your Honda Element but also your assets. Insurance will also pay for many types of medical costs for you, any passengers, and anyone injured in an accident. Liability insurance also covers legal expenses if you are sued as the result of your driving. If your Honda gets damaged, comprehensive and collision coverage will cover the damage repairs after a deductible is paid.

The benefits of buying auto insurance greatly outweigh the cost, specifically if you ever have a liability claim. According to a survey of 1,000 drivers, the average driver is overpaying more than $830 a year so it’s recommended you shop around each time the policy renews to save money.

Cheaper insurance rates are out there

People switch companies for a number of reasons such as policy cancellation, not issuing a premium refund, policy non-renewal or high prices. It doesn’t matter what your reason, finding a new company is actually quite simple.

Lower-priced Honda Element insurance in Austin can be found from both online companies and from local agencies, so you should be comparing quotes from both in order to have the best chance of saving money. Some insurance providers may not offer online price quotes and most of the time these small, regional companies prefer to sell through independent insurance agencies.

As you restructure your insurance plan, it’s not a good idea to skimp on coverage in order to save money. In many instances, an accident victim reduced liability limits or collision coverage only to regret that the small savings ended up costing them much more. The goal is to purchase a proper amount of coverage at an affordable rate and still be able to protect your assets.

Even more information can be read in the articles below:

• Automakers compete to add autobraking (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)
• How Much are Austin Auto Insurance Rates for Teenage Females? (FAQ)
• Who Has Affordable Car Insurance Rates for Police Officers in Austin? (FAQ)
• Who Has the Cheapest Car Insurance Quotes for Veterans in Austin? (FAQ)
• Rental Car Insurance Tips (Insurance Information Institute)
• Understanding Your Insurance Deductible (Insurance Information Institute)