Think you have an expensive auto insurance policy? It’s a common feeling and many Charlotte consumers feel financially strained by their auto insurance policy.
It’s an obvious statement that auto insurance companies don’t want you comparing rates. Drivers who shop around for cheaper price quotes will presumably move their business because of the high probability of finding a cheaper policy. A recent auto insurance study discovered that drivers who regularly shopped around saved an average of $865 annually as compared to drivers who never shopped around for lower prices.
If finding the best price on auto insurance is your goal, understanding the best way to shop and compare car insurance can make it easier for you to save money.
Steps to finding low-cost rates for Dodge Dakota insurance in Charlotte
If saving money is your primary concern, then the best way to find the cheapest price for Dodge Dakota insurance in Charlotte is to make a habit of comparing prices annually from insurance carriers in North Carolina.
First, try to learn a little about policy coverages and the changes you can make to drop your rates. Many things that result in higher prices like accidents, traffic violations, and a lousy credit rating can be eliminated by being financially responsible and driving safely. Continue reading for the details to get low prices and find available discounts that you may qualify for.
Second, get rate quotes from direct carriers, independent agents, and exclusive agents. Exclusive and direct companies can only quote rates from one company like GEICO or Allstate, while independent agencies can quote prices from multiple insurance companies.
Third, compare the quotes to the premium of your current policy to see if you can save by switching companies. If you find a lower rate quote, make sure coverage is continuous and does not lapse.
Fourth, tell your current agent or company of your decision to cancel your current car insurance policy and submit the application along with any required down payment for your new coverage. Don’t forget to keep your new certificate verifying proof of insurance somewhere easily accessible.
A good tip to remember is to make sure you enter similar limits and deductibles on each price quote and to quote with as many auto insurance providers as possible. Doing this enables a fair rate comparison and a thorough price selection.
Multiple car insurance companies compete for your business, and because of this it can be hard to compare insurers and get the definite best rate on Dodge Dakota insurance in Charlotte.
If you’re already insured, you stand a good chance to be able to find the best rates using this strategy. Finding the cheapest coverage in Charlotte is easy if you know what you’re doing. Nevertheless, North Carolina consumers do need to know how insurance companies calculate your policy premium because rates are impacted by many factors.
Do you qualify for these seven discounts?
Companies don’t always publicize the entire discount list in an easy-to-find place, so the following is a list of some of the more common and also the lesser-known discounts that you can inquire about if you buy Charlotte car insurance online. If you’re not getting every credit available, you could be getting lower rates.
- Discount for Low Mileage – Keeping the miles down on your Dodge can earn lower auto insurance rates due to less chance of an accident.
- Policy Bundle Discount – If you can combine your auto and homeowners policy with one insurance company you could save up to 20% and get you affordable Dodge Dakota insurance rates in Charlotte.
- Seat Belt Discounts – Buckling up and requiring all passengers to use their safety belts can save 10% or more off the PIP or medical payment premium.
- First Accident Forgiveness – Not a discount per se, but companies like Liberty Mutual and GEICO allow you one accident before they charge you more for coverage with the catch being you have to be claim-free for a set time period.
- Multiple Vehicles – Purchasing coverage when you have multiple cars on one policy can get a discount on all vehicles.
- Discount for New Cars – Buying a new car instead of a used Dakota can save up to 30% due to better safety requirements for new vehicles.
- Defensive Driver – Taking time to complete a course in safe driver can save you 5% or more depending on where you live.
Discounts lower rates, but most discount credits are not given to the entire policy premium. Some only apply to the price of certain insurance coverages like medical payments or collision. Even though it appears it’s possible to get free car insurance, it’s just not the way it works.
The illustration below visualizes the comparison of Dodge Dakota insurance rates with and without discounts being applied to the rates. The data assumes a male driver, a clean driving record, no at-fault accidents, North Carolina 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 homeowner, claim-free, multi-car, multi-policy, marriage, and safe-driver discounts applied.
Some of the insurance companies who might offer most of the discounts above possibly include:
If you want cheaper Charlotte car insurance quotes, ask all companies you are considering the best way to save money. Some discounts listed above might not be available to policyholders in every state.
The fastest way that we advise to compare rates for Dodge Dakota insurance in Charlotte takes advantage of the fact almost all companies actually pay money for the chance to quote your coverage. All you need to do is provide details including driver ages, how much you drive, your education level, and whether the vehicles are used for commuting. The rating information is then sent to many of the top insurers and you will receive price estimates immediately.
To compare rates for your Dodge Dakota now, click here and enter your zip code.
The companies in the list below can provide quotes in North Carolina. If you want to find cheap car insurance in Charlotte, we recommend you visit two to three different companies to find the most competitive car insurance rates.
Analysis of Dodge Dakota rates
The coverage table shown next covers a range of insurance rates for Dodge Dakota models. Having a good understanding how car insurance premiums are calculated can help customers make informed coverage decisions.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dakota ST Ext Cab 2WD | $152 | $322 | $420 | $24 | $126 | $1,044 | $87 |
| Dakota Bighorn Ext Cab 2WD | $152 | $322 | $420 | $24 | $126 | $1,044 | $87 |
| Dakota Lonestar Ext Cab 2WD | $174 | $322 | $420 | $24 | $126 | $1,066 | $89 |
| Dakota ST Crew Cab 2WD | $174 | $322 | $420 | $24 | $126 | $1,066 | $89 |
| Dakota Bighorn Crew Cab 2WD | $174 | $378 | $420 | $24 | $126 | $1,122 | $94 |
| Dakota Lonestar Crew Cab 2WD | $174 | $378 | $420 | $24 | $126 | $1,122 | $94 |
| Dakota Bighorn Ext Cab 4WD | $196 | $322 | $336 | $20 | $100 | $974 | $81 |
| Dakota ST Ext Cab 4WD | $196 | $322 | $336 | $20 | $100 | $974 | $81 |
| Dakota Laramie Crew Cab 2WD | $196 | $378 | $420 | $24 | $126 | $1,144 | $95 |
| Dakota ST Crew Cab 4WD | $196 | $322 | $336 | $20 | $100 | $974 | $81 |
| Dakota Lonestar Ext Cab 4WD | $196 | $322 | $336 | $20 | $100 | $974 | $81 |
| Dakota Bighorn Crew Cab 4WD | $196 | $322 | $336 | $20 | $100 | $974 | $81 |
| Dakota TRX Crew Cab 4WD | $196 | $378 | $336 | $20 | $100 | $1,030 | $86 |
| Dakota TRX Crew Cab 4WD | $196 | $378 | $336 | $20 | $100 | $1,030 | $86 |
| Dakota Lonestar Crew Cab 4WD | $196 | $378 | $336 | $20 | $100 | $1,030 | $86 |
| Dakota Laramie Crew Cab 4WD | $218 | $378 | $336 | $20 | $100 | $1,052 | $88 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
Data variables include single female driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $500 deductibles, and North Carolina minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include homeowner, multi-policy, claim-free, safe-driver, and multi-vehicle. Price information does not factor in garaging location in Charlotte which can raise or lower rates significantly.
The information below demonstrates how choosing different deductibles and can change Dodge Dakota annual premium costs for different ages of insureds. Data assumes a single female driver, comp and collision included, and no additional discounts are factored in.
Which policy gives me the best coverage?
Always remember that when buying coverage online or from an agent, there is no “perfect” insurance plan. Your needs are not the same as everyone else’s.
Here are some questions about coverages that may help you determine whether your personal situation would benefit from an agent’s advice.
- Is rental equipment covered for theft or damage?
- Do I pay less for low miles?
- Am I covered when driving in Canada or Mexico?
- Does my medical payments coverage pay my health insurance deductible?
- Do I need rental car coverage?
- How can I get high-risk coverage after a DUI?
- How much can I save by bundling my policies?
- Should I buy full coverage?
- When can my company non-renew my policy?
If you’re not sure about those questions, you may need to chat with an agent. To find an agent in your area, fill out this quick form.
Insurance agencies can help
Some consumers just prefer to talk to a local agent and often times that is recommended One of the benefits of comparing insurance prices online is the fact that drivers can get cheaper premium rates and still have a local agent.
Upon completion of this short form, your insurance data is sent to companies in Charlotte that can provide free Charlotte car insurance quotes for your coverage. It simplifies rate comparisons since you won’t have to visit any agencies as quotes are delivered directly to your email. You can get cheaper car insurance rates without having to waste a lot of time. If you want to get a price quote from one company in particular, you just need to find their quoting web page and submit a quote form there.
Finding a good insurer should depend on more than just a cheap price. Some important questions to ask are:
- Is there a Errors and Omissions policy in force?
- How long have they been in business?
- How long have they worked with personal auto insurance coverage?
- Is the agent and/or agency licensed to do business in North Carolina?
- Is every driver in your family covered?
Choose an insurance agent wisely
If you want a reliable insurance agent, it can be helpful to understand the different types of agencies from which to choose. Insurance agencies in Charlotte are classified as either independent agents or exclusive agents depending on their employer.
Exclusive Car Insurance Agencies
Exclusive agencies are contracted to one company and some examples include State Farm, Allstate, and Farm Bureau. They generally cannot provide prices from multiple companies so you might not find the best rates. Exclusive insurance agents are trained well on their company’s products which aids in selling service over price.
Listed below is a short list of exclusive agencies in Charlotte who can help you get price quote information.
Daniela Hernandez – State Farm Insurance Agent
5811 Fairview Rd Ste 102 – Charlotte, NC 28209 – (704) 733-9022 – View Map
Gene Haynes – State Farm Insurance Agent
8316 Medical Plaza Dr a – Charlotte, NC 28262 – (704) 549-1515 – View Map
AAA Carolinas
6600 A A A Dr – Charlotte, NC 28212 – (704) 569-3600 – View Map
Independent Agencies or Brokers
These agents are appointed with more than one company and that gives them the ability to insure with an assortment of companies and get the cheapest rates. If they find a cheaper price, they simply switch companies in-house and you don’t have to do anything.
When comparing car insurance prices, you will want to compare quotes from a few independent agents to maximize your price options.
Below are Charlotte independent agents that are able to give price quote information.
A1 Insurance
537 W Sugar Creek Rd # 104B – Charlotte, NC 28213 – (704) 598-4442 – View Map
Johnson Insurance Management, LLC
3220 Wilkinson Boulevard Ste A3 – Charlotte, NC 28208 – (704) 394-7327 – View Map
Craig and Preston Insurance Agency
2210 Coronation Blvd Suite A – Charlotte, NC 28227 – (704) 321-2900 – View Map
Why you need car insurance
Despite the potentially high cost of Dodge Dakota insurance, buying car insurance is required by state law in North Carolina and it also provides benefits you may not be aware of.
- The majority of states have mandatory insurance requirements which means state laws require a specific minimum amount of liability insurance in order to license the vehicle. In North Carolina 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 your vehicle has a lienholder, more than likely the lender will require you to buy insurance to ensure they get paid if you total the vehicle. If you cancel or allow the policy to lapse, the lender may insure your Dodge for a lot more money and make you pay the higher premium.
- Car insurance preserves not only your car but also your assets. It will also provide coverage for all forms of medical expenses for you, your passengers, and anyone else injured in an accident. One policy coverage, liability insurance, also covers all legal expenses up to the policy limit if you are sued as the result of an accident. If you have damage to your Dodge as the result of the weather or an accident, collision and comprehensive coverages will cover the damage repairs after a deductible is paid.
The benefits of insuring your car greatly outweigh the cost, particularly for liability claims. An average driver in America is currently overpaying as much as $825 a year so compare quotes from several companies every year to ensure rates are inline.
Specific coverages for a Dodge Dakota
Knowing the specifics of auto insurance helps when choosing which coverages you need at the best deductibles and correct limits. Auto insurance terms can be impossible to understand and nobody wants to actually read their policy.
Comprehensive auto coverage
Comprehensive insurance pays to fix your vehicle from damage caused by mother nature, theft, vandalism and other events. You first have to pay a deductible and then insurance will cover the rest of the damage.
Comprehensive coverage pays for things such as hitting a deer, hitting a bird, a tree branch falling on your vehicle and vandalism. The maximum amount you’ll receive from a claim is the market value of your vehicle, so if your deductible is as high as the vehicle’s value it’s not worth carrying full coverage.
Liability car insurance
Liability insurance protects you from damages or injuries you inflict on people or other property. This insurance protects YOU against claims from other people, and does not provide coverage for damage to your own property or vehicle.
Liability coverage has three limits: bodily injury for each person, bodily injury for the entire accident, and a limit for property damage. You commonly see liability limits of 30/60/25 which means a $30,000 limit per person for injuries, a total of $60,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and a limit of $25,000 paid for damaged property.
Liability insurance covers things like bail bonds, funeral expenses, legal defense fees and repair costs for stationary objects. How much coverage you buy is a decision to put some thought into, but buy as large an amount as possible. North Carolina requires drivers to carry at least 30/60/25 but it’s recommended drivers buy more liability than the minimum.
The chart below shows why the minimum limit may not be high enough to adequately cover claims.
Medical payments and PIP coverage
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage reimburse you for expenses for dental work, nursing services, doctor visits, rehabilitation expenses and X-ray expenses. They can be used to fill the gap from your health insurance policy or if you lack health insurance entirely. They cover not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants and will also cover being hit by a car walking across the street. PIP is not an option in every state but can be used in place of medical payments coverage
UM/UIM (Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist) coverage
Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage provides protection from other drivers when they are uninsured or don’t have enough coverage. Covered claims include injuries to you and your family as well as your vehicle’s damage.
Since a lot of drivers only purchase the least amount of liability that is required (North Carolina limits are 30/60/25), their limits can quickly be used up. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage is a good idea.
Collision coverage protection
Collision coverage covers damage to your Dakota caused by collision with another car or object. A deductible applies and then insurance will cover the remainder.
Collision insurance covers things like driving through your garage door, crashing into a ditch and sideswiping another vehicle. This coverage can be expensive, so you might think about dropping it from lower value vehicles. It’s also possible to raise the deductible on your Dakota to bring the cost down.
Don’t give up on cheap rates
A few companies may not provide rates over the internet and these smaller providers work with local independent agents. Affordable Dodge Dakota insurance in Charlotte can be purchased both online and with local Charlotte insurance agents, and you need to comparison shop both to have the best chance of lowering rates.
While you’re price shopping online, do not skimp on coverage in order to save money. There are a lot of situations where someone sacrificed uninsured motorist or liability limits and discovered at claim time that the small savings ended up costing them much more. The aim is to purchase plenty of coverage at a price you can afford but still have enough coverage for asset protection.
People who switch companies do it for a number of reasons such as delays in responding to claim requests, unfair underwriting practices, not issuing a premium refund or even policy non-renewal. Whatever your reason, choosing a new insurance company can be easier than you think.
How to save on Dodge Dakota insurance in Charlotte
The most effective way to find low-cost car insurance rates in Charlotte is to start comparing prices regularly from companies that sell auto insurance in North Carolina.
Step 1: Learn about how companies set rates and the modifications you can make to prevent rate increases. Many rating criteria that are responsible for high rates such as traffic citations, accidents, and a bad credit rating can be amended by making minor driving habit or lifestyle changes.
Step 2: Obtain price quotes from direct carriers, independent agents, and exclusive agents. Direct companies and exclusive agencies can provide rates from a single company like Progressive or Allstate, while independent agents can quote prices for a wide range of insurance providers. View companies
Step 3: Compare the new rate quotes to your existing policy and determine if there is any savings. If you find better rates and buy the policy, make sure there is no lapse in coverage.
A crucial key to this process is that you use the same coverage limits and deductibles on each quote and and to get rates from every company you can. Doing this helps ensure the most accurate price comparison and a complete price analysis.
To learn more, feel free to visit the resources below:
- Side airbags reduce rollover fatalities (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)
- Who Has Affordable Auto Insurance for Drivers with a Bad Driving Record in Charlotte? (FAQ)
- What Car Insurance is Cheapest for Hybrid Vehicles in Charlotte? (FAQ)
- Who Has Cheap Auto Insurance for a Dodge Grand Caravan in Charlotte? (FAQ)
- What is Full Coverage? (Allstate)
- Teen Driving Statistics (iihs.org)
- What is Covered by GAP Insurance? (Allstate)
- Child Safety FAQ (iihs.org)