How to Save on Subaru Impreza Insurance in Charlotte

We don’t have to point out that fact that insurance companies want to keep you from comparing prices. Consumers who shop around at least once a year will, in all likelihood, switch companies because there is a high probability of finding good coverage at a lower price. A survey found that people who compared rates annually saved about $72 a month as compared to drivers who never shopped around for lower prices.

If finding the best rates on Subaru Impreza insurance is the reason you’re reading this, then learning about how to shop and compare cheaper coverage can make the process less intimidating.

The easiest way to get affordable car insurance rates in Charlotte is to regularly compare quotes from providers who provide car insurance in North Carolina.

Step 1: Try to understand how companies price auto insurance and the measures you can control to keep rates in check. Many rating criteria that increase rates such as traffic violations and an unacceptable credit history can be remedied by making lifestyle changes or driving safer.

Step 2: Get rate quotes from direct carriers, independent agents, and exclusive agents. Direct companies and exclusive agencies can give quotes from a single company like GEICO or State Farm, while independent agencies can provide rate quotes from multiple sources.

Step 3: Compare the new rate quotes to your current policy premium and see if there is a cheaper rate in Charlotte. If you find a better price, make sure coverage is continuous and does not lapse.

Step 4: Provide adequate notice to your current company to cancel your current car insurance policy. Submit a down payment along with a completed application for the new coverage. Once the paperwork is finalized, safely store the certificate of insurance with your registration paperwork.

One piece of advice is to try to compare the same deductibles and limits on every quote request and and to get prices from as many carriers as you can. This enables an accurate price comparison and the best price selection.

Cheap Subaru insurance prices in Charlotte

The companies shown below have been selected to offer free quotes in North Carolina. To locate the cheapest car insurance in Charlotte, it’s highly recommended you visit several of them to get the most affordable price.

Rates and information analytics

The coverage information shown next covers a range of insurance prices for Subaru Impreza models. Having a better understanding of how insurance premiums are calculated can help you make decisions on the best policy to buy.

Data based on married female driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $1000 deductibles, and North Carolina minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include safe-driver, multi-policy, claim-free, multi-vehicle, and homeowner. Premium amounts do not factor in specific zip code location which can affect auto insurance rates noticeably.

Auto insurance deductibles

One common question asked by Charlotte drivers is at what level do you set your deductibles. The premium rates below show the rate differences between high and low coverage deductibles. The first set of prices uses a $100 physical damage coverage deductible and the second rate chart uses a $1,000 deductible.

Data variables include married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and North Carolina minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include claim-free, multi-vehicle, multi-policy, safe-driver, and homeowner. Price estimates do not factor in specific location information which can increase or decrease premiums considerably.

Based on this data, using a $100 deductible costs an average of $28 more each month or $336 a year than choosing the higher $1,000 deductible. Because you would be required to pay $900 more out of your own pocket with a $1,000 deductible as compared to a $100 deductible, if you have more than 32 months between claims, you would probably be better off if you elect the higher deductible.

One thing to note is that a higher deductible level results in a higher out-of-pocket expense when you have a physical damage claim. You will want to have enough savings in order to pay the deductible.

Does full coverage make sense?

The illustration below visualizes the comparison of Subaru Impreza car insurance costs with liability coverage only compared to full coverage. The rate quotes are based on no violations or claims, $500 deductibles, marital status is single, and no other discounts are factored in.

Are you wasting money paying for full coverage?

There is no definitive formula to stop buying physical damage insurance, but there is a guideline you can use. If the yearly cost of comp and collision coverage is more than around 10% of the vehicle’s replacement cost less your deductible, then it may be the right time to buy liability only.

For example, let’s say your Subaru Impreza replacement value is $8,000 and you have $1,000 deductibles. If your vehicle is damaged in an accident, the most your company would pay you is $7,000 after you pay the deductible. If you are paying in excess of $700 a year for physical damage coverage, the it may be a good time to stop paying for full coverage.

There are a few situations where only buying liability is not recommended. If you haven’t satisfied your loan, you have to maintain full coverage as part of the loan requirements. Also, if your finances do not allow you to purchase a different vehicle in the event your current vehicle is totaled, you should maintain full coverage.

Why Your Insurance Rates might be higher

Many different elements are used in the calculation when premium rates are determined. Some factors are common sense like a motor vehicle report, but others are less obvious like your continuous coverage or your vehicle rating.

Listed below are some of the items companies use to determine rates.

A coverage lapse is a bad thing – Having a gap between insurance policy dates will be a quick way to increase your rates. Not only will rates go up, being ticketed for driving with no insurance may result in fines or a revoked license. You may then be required to prove you have insurance by filing a SR-22 with the North Carolina motor vehicle department.

Put fewer miles on your vehicle – The more miles you rack up on your Subaru each year the higher your rate. A lot of companies rate vehicles partially by how you use the vehicle. Cars and trucks used primarily for pleasure use receive lower rates than vehicles that have high annual mileage. Make sure your vehicle rating is rated on how each vehicle is driven, because improper ratings can cost you money. Improper usage on your Impreza is throwing money out the window.

The type of car makes a difference – The make and model of the car you need to insure makes a significant difference in the rate you pay. Lower performance four cylinder passenger vehicles usually have the lowest rates, but the final cost of insurance is determined by many other factors.

The chart below is based on a married male driver age 50, full coverage with $1000 deductibles, and no discounts or violations. It shows Subaru Impreza insurance rates compared to other models of vehicles that have different performance risks.

Discounts for multiple policies – Lots of companies will award lower prices to customers that have more than one policy, otherwise known as a multi-policy discount. The discount can add up to ten percent or more. Even with this discount, drivers will still want to shop around to ensure the best deal.There is a good possibility that you can find better rates by buying insurance from more than one company.

Subaru Impreza claim probability – Insurance companies include the past claim trends for vehicles to determine a rate that will be profitable for them. Vehicles that the data shows to have increased claim numbers or amounts will have higher rates for specific coverages. The next table illustrates the compiled insurance loss statistics for Subaru Impreza vehicles.

For each insurance policy coverage type, the loss probability for all vehicles averaged together is a value of 100. Percentages below 100 represent a good loss history, while numbers above 100 point to more claims or an increased likelihood of larger losses.

Save money with discounts

Auto insurance companies do not list every discount very clearly, so the list below gives a summary of both the well known and also the lesser-known credits that may apply to you.

• Discount for Good Grades – Getting good grades can save 20 to 25%. Most companies allow this discount up to age 25.
• Seat Belt Usage – Forcing all vehicle occupants to buckle up may be able to save a few bucks off the medical payments premium.
• Bundle and Save – When you have multiple policies with one insurance company you could earn a discount of nearly 15% which can help you find cheap Impreza insurance.
• Anti-lock Brakes – Vehicles that have steering control and anti-lock brakes can reduce accidents so companies give up to a 10% discount.
• Paperwork-free – Some of the larger companies will provide an incentive simply for signing over the internet.

One thing to note about discounts is that many deductions do not apply to the entire cost. Some only reduce individual premiums such as liability, collision or medical payments. Despite the fact that it seems like all the discounts add up to a free policy, it doesn’t quite work that way.

The example below compares Subaru Impreza insurance costs with and without discounts. The data is based on a male driver, no tickets, no at-fault accidents, North Carolina state minimum liability limits, comp and collision included, and $1,000 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with multi-policy, homeowner, claim-free, marriage, multi-car, and safe-driver discounts applied.

A few of the larger companies and a summarized list of policyholder discounts are outlined below.

• GEICO has savings for five-year accident-free, federal employee, seat belt use, military active duty, anti-lock brakes, and defensive driver.
• MetLife may include discounts for good student, good driver, accident-free, claim-free, multi-policy, and defensive driver.
• Progressive policyholders can earn discounts including online signing, multi-policy, homeowner, continuous coverage, multi-vehicle, and online quote discount.
• Travelers offers discounts including early quote, save driver, student away at school, multi-car, and hybrid/electric vehicle.
• SAFECO includes discounts for accident prevention training, anti-theft, anti-lock brakes, homeowner, and teen safety rewards.
• AAA discounts include good driver, good student, education and occupation, anti-theft, multi-policy, and multi-car.

When comparing rates, check with every company to apply every possible discount. Depending on the company, some discounts may not apply in Charlotte. For a list of providers that offer multiple discounts in North Carolina, click here.

When should I contact an insurance agent?

Many people prefer to buy from a licensed agent and we recommend doing that One of the benefits of comparing rates online is you can get the lowest rates and still have an agent to talk to. Buying from and supporting neighborhood insurance agencies is especially important in Charlotte.

Upon completion of this short form, your insurance coverage information is transmitted to local insurance agents that can provide free Charlotte auto insurance quotes to get your business. You never need to contact an agency since rate quotes are delivered to your email. You can find the lowest rates without the usual hassles of price shopping. In the event you want to get a rate quote from one company in particular, you can always jump over to their website and complete a quote there.

Is an exclusive or independent auto insurance agent right for you?

If you are wanting to find a reliable insurance agent, it can be helpful to understand the types of insurance agents and how they can quote your rates. Agents can be categorized as either exclusive or independent (non-exclusive).

Independent Auto Insurance Agencies

Agents that choose to be independent are not locked into one company so they can insure your vehicles amongst many companies and get you the best rates possible. If premiums increase, the business is moved internally and the insured can keep the same agent.

When searching for an agent, it’s a good idea to compare quotes from at least one independent agent in order to compare the most rates.

Shown below is a list of independent insurance agents in Charlotte that can possibly get you free auto insurance rate quotes.

More insurance agents

Exclusive Insurance Agents

Agents that choose to be exclusive work for only one company like Farmers Insurance, American Family, State Farm and Allstate. These agents are unable to shop your coverage around so you might not find the best rates. Exclusive agents receive a lot of sales training on their company’s products and that can be a competitive advantage.

Below is a short list of exclusive insurance agents in Charlotte that are able to give rate quotes.

More insurance agents

Choosing the best auto insurance agent should depend on more than just the bottom line cost. These questions are important to ask:

• Will you be dealing directly with the agent or with a Custom Service Representative (CSR)?
• How often do they review policy coverages?
• Who are their largest clients?
• In the event of vehicle damage, can you pick the collision repair facility?
• Will the company cover a rental car if your car is getting fixed?

Special considerations

When it comes to choosing a policy, there isn’t really a “perfect” insurance plan. Your needs are not the same as everyone else’s.

For instance, these questions might point out if your insurance needs may require specific advice.

• Do I need to file an SR-22 for a DUI in North Carolina?
• Can I rent a car in Mexico?
• What can I do if my company won’t pay a claim?
• Why are teen drivers so expensive to add on to my policy?
• Is a blown tire covered by insurance?
• Am I insured when driving a different vehicle?
• Should I buy only the required North Carolina minimum liability coverage?

If you can’t answer these questions but a few of them apply, you may need to chat with an agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, take a second and complete this form.

Find affordable insurance prices by comparing often

Some insurance providers may not have internet price quotes and these regional carriers provide coverage only through independent insurance agents. More affordable insurance in Charlotte can be purchased both online as well as from independent agents in Charlotte, and you should compare price quotes from both in order to have the best price selection to choose from.

Insureds leave their current company for many reasons like high rates after DUI convictions, poor customer service, not issuing a premium refund or delays in paying claims. No matter why you want to switch, finding a new company is actually quite simple.

When buying insurance coverage, do not buy poor coverage just to save money. Too many times, someone sacrificed uninsured motorist or liability limits and discovered at claim time they didn’t purchase enough coverage. The aim is to buy a smart amount of coverage at the lowest possible cost, but don’t skip important coverages to save money.

More information can be found below:

• Senior Drivers (Insurance Information Institute)
• Who Has Cheap Auto Insurance for a Dodge Grand Caravan in Charlotte? (FAQ)
• Things to Know Before you Cancel Insurance (Allstate)
• Distracted Driving Extends Beyond Texting (State Farm)