Sad but true, over 70% of consumers have bought car insurance from the same company for four years or more, and about 40% of consumers have never compared rates with other companies. Consumers in North Carolina could save themselves 10% a year, but they think it’s difficult to shop around.
If saving the most money is your goal, then the best way to get more affordable Dodge Caliber insurance is to annually compare prices from providers who sell insurance in Charlotte.
- First, spend some time learning about what is in your policy and the things you can change to prevent expensive coverage. Many things that drive up the price such as traffic citations and a less-than-favorable credit rating can be improved by making lifestyle changes or driving safer.
- Second, request rate estimates from independent agents, exclusive agents, and direct companies. Exclusive and direct companies can only provide price estimates from a single company like Progressive or Farmers Insurance, while independent agencies can quote prices from many different companies.
- Third, compare the new quotes to your existing coverage and see if there is a cheaper rate. If you find a lower rate quote and decide to switch, verify that coverage does not lapse between policies.
One important bit of advice is to make sure you’re comparing the same physical damage deductibles and liability limits on each quote request and and to get rate quotes from as many companies as possible. Doing this enables an apples-to-apples comparison and the best rate selection.
Lowering your insurance rates is actually quite simple. All you need to do is invest a few minutes to compare rate quotes to see which company has low cost Charlotte car insurance quotes.
It’s so simple to compare insurance rates online replaces the need to drive to different Charlotte agent offices. The internet makes this process obsolete unless you prefer the professional abilities of an agent trained in personal lines coverage. However, consumers can compare the best prices online but buy from a local insurance agent.
The companies in the list below are ready to provide free rate quotes in North Carolina. If you want the best auto insurance in Charlotte, we recommend you click on several of them in order to find the cheapest rates.
Dodge Caliber coverage statistics
The premium table shown below highlights estimates of coverage prices for Dodge Caliber models. Having a better idea how insurance prices are determined can be useful when making decisions on the best policy to buy.
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Caliber Express | $162 | $318 | $254 | $16 | $76 | $826 | $69 |
Caliber Heat | $162 | $318 | $254 | $16 | $76 | $826 | $69 |
Caliber SE | $162 | $318 | $254 | $16 | $76 | $826 | $69 |
Caliber Mainstreet | $162 | $318 | $254 | $16 | $76 | $826 | $69 |
Caliber Rush | $162 | $318 | $254 | $16 | $76 | $826 | $69 |
Caliber SXT | $162 | $318 | $254 | $16 | $76 | $826 | $69 |
Caliber Uptown | $162 | $318 | $254 | $16 | $76 | $826 | $69 |
Caliber R/T | $186 | $374 | $254 | $16 | $76 | $906 | $76 |
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Table data assumes married female driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $250 deductibles, and North Carolina minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include safe-driver, claim-free, homeowner, multi-policy, and multi-vehicle. Prices do not factor in garaging location in Charlotte which can raise or lower auto insurance rates substantially.
How high should deductibles be?
When comparing insurance rates, the most common question is what deductibles to buy. The premium rates below can help illustrate the premium difference when you choose different physical damage deductibles. The first data table uses a $100 comprehensive and collision deductible and the second price chart uses a $500 deductible.
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Caliber Express | $186 | $386 | $250 | $14 | $74 | $935 | $78 |
Caliber Heat | $186 | $386 | $250 | $14 | $74 | $935 | $78 |
Caliber SE | $186 | $386 | $250 | $14 | $74 | $935 | $78 |
Caliber Mainstreet | $186 | $386 | $250 | $14 | $74 | $935 | $78 |
Caliber Rush | $186 | $386 | $250 | $14 | $74 | $935 | $78 |
Caliber SXT | $186 | $386 | $250 | $14 | $74 | $935 | $78 |
Caliber Uptown | $186 | $386 | $250 | $14 | $74 | $935 | $78 |
Caliber R/T | $214 | $456 | $250 | $14 | $74 | $1,033 | $86 |
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Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Caliber Express | $136 | $262 | $250 | $14 | $74 | $736 | $61 |
Caliber Heat | $136 | $262 | $250 | $14 | $74 | $736 | $61 |
Caliber SE | $136 | $262 | $250 | $14 | $74 | $736 | $61 |
Caliber Mainstreet | $136 | $262 | $250 | $14 | $74 | $736 | $61 |
Caliber Rush | $136 | $262 | $250 | $14 | $74 | $736 | $61 |
Caliber SXT | $136 | $262 | $250 | $14 | $74 | $736 | $61 |
Caliber Uptown | $136 | $262 | $250 | $14 | $74 | $736 | $61 |
Caliber R/T | $156 | $308 | $250 | $14 | $74 | $802 | $67 |
Get Your Own Custom Quote Go |
Table data assumes 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. Information does not factor in garaging location in Charlotte which can raise or lower prices substantially.
Based on this data, using a $100 deductible costs an average of $17 more each month or $204 each year than choosing the higher $500 deductible. Due to the fact that you would have to pay $400 more if you file a claim with a $500 deductible as compared to a $100 deductible, if you go at a minimum 24 months between claim filings, you would most likely save money by selecting a higher deductible. The table below shows the way this determination is made.
Average monthly premium for $100 deductibles: | $79 |
Average monthly premium for $500 deductibles (subtract): | – $62 |
Monthly savings from raising deductible: | $17 |
Difference between deductibles ($500 – $100): | $400 |
Divide difference by monthly savings: | $400 / $17 |
Number of months required between physical damage coverage claims in order to save money by choosing the higher deductible | 24 months |
One big caveat is that a higher deductible means you pay more out-of-pocket if you have a claim. You must have enough money put aside in the event you have to pay the deductible for vehicle repair.
Difference between full coverage and liability only rates
The example below compares Dodge Caliber car insurance rates with and without full coverage. The rates are based on no accidents, no driving violations, $250 deductibles, drivers are not married, and no discounts are factored in.
When to drop full coverage
There is no exact formula to delete comprehensive and collision coverage on your policy, but there is a general guideline you can use. If the yearly cost for physical damage coverage is more than around 10% of any settlement you would receive from your insurance company, the it may be a good time to stop paying for full coverage.
For example, let’s pretend your Dodge Caliber claim settlement value is $5,000 and you have $1,000 deductibles. If your vehicle is severely damaged, the most you would receive is $4,000 after paying your deductible. If you are currently paying more than $400 annually to have full coverage, then it’s probably a good time to buy liability coverage only.
There are a few cases where buying only liability insurance is not advised. If you still have a loan on your vehicle, you have to maintain full coverage in order to prevent the bank from purchasing higher-priced coverage. Also, if your emergency fund is not enough to purchase a different vehicle in the even your car is totaled, you should keep full coverage in place.
Determine discounts to get cheap Charlotte car insurance rates
Not too many consumers would say car insurance is affordable, but you might already qualify for some discounts that can drop the cost substantially. Certain reductions will be credited at quote time, but some discounts are required to be inquired about before being credited.
- Discount for Life Insurance – Insurance companies who offer life insurance give a discount if you purchase life insurance from them.
- Club Memberships – Joining certain professional organizations could trigger savings on your next car insurance statement.
- Accident Waiver – Not really a discount, but a handful of insurance companies permit an accident without the usual rate increase so long as you haven’t had any claims before the accident.
- Low Miles Discount – Maintaining low annual mileage can qualify you for lower car insurance rates due to less chance of an accident.
- Anti-lock Brake System – Anti-lock brake equipped vehicles have fewer accidents so you can save 10 percent or more.
- Theft Deterrent Discount – Anti-theft and alarm system equipped vehicles help deter theft so companies will give you a small discount.
- Driver Training Discounts – Completing a defensive driving course could possibly earn you a 5% discount and make you a better driver.
- Good Students Pay Less – A discount for being a good student may save you up to 25%. Many companies even apply the discount to college students up to age 25.
- Drivers Education – Reduce the cost of insurance for teen drivers by having them take driver’s ed class in high school.
A little disclaimer on discounts, most credits do not apply to your bottom line cost. Most only cut specific coverage prices like physical damage coverage or medical payments. So when the math indicates it’s possible to get free car insurance, companies wouldn’t make money that way.
The example below shows the comparison of Dodge Caliber auto insurance costs with and without discounts being applied to the rates. The rate quotes are based on a female driver, no violations or accidents, North Carolina state minimum liability limits, full physical damage coverage, and $500 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with claim-free, homeowner, marriage, multi-car, multi-policy, and safe-driver discounts applied.
Larger car insurance companies and their possible discounts are included below.
- GEICO may offer discounts for multi-vehicle, anti-lock brakes, federal employee, daytime running lights, and anti-theft.
- Auto-Owners Insurance offers discounts for teen driver, safe driver, anti-lock brakes, good student, paid in full, mature driver, and multi-policy.
- American Family includes discounts for mySafetyValet, defensive driver, air bags, TimeAway discount, and good driver.
- Esurance policyholders can earn discounts including good driver, online shopper, homeowner, DriveSense, and Switch & Save.
- Progressive offers discounts including homeowner, online quote discount, good student, multi-policy, multi-vehicle, and online signing.
- State Farm may include discounts for multiple autos, good driver, passive restraint, student away at school, and accident-free.
- AAA discounts include education and occupation, good student, multi-policy, pay-in-full, and good driver.
If you are trying to find affordable Dodge Caliber insurance quotes, ask every insurance company which discounts you may be entitled to. Depending on the company, some discounts might not be offered in your state. If you would like to choose from a list of insurance companies that provide some of the discounts listed above in North Carolina, click here.
Why you need insurance for your Caliber
Despite the potentially high cost of Dodge Caliber insurance, insurance is required in North Carolina but it also protects you in many ways.
- Just about all states have minimum liability requirements which means it is punishable by state law to not carry a specific minimum amount of liability insurance if you don’t want to risk a ticket. 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 Dodge has a lienholder, more than likely the lender will make it a condition of the loan that you buy full coverage to ensure they get paid if you total the vehicle. If you cancel or allow the policy to lapse, the bank will be required to insure your Dodge for a lot more money and require you to pay the higher price.
- Auto insurance protects your car and your assets. Insurance will pay for most medical and hospital costs for yourself as well as anyone injured by you. One of the most valuable coverages, liability insurance, will also pay for a defense attorney if anyone sues you for causing an accident. If your Dodge gets damaged, comprehensive and/or collision insurance will pay to restore your vehicle to like-new condition.
The benefits of having auto insurance are definitely more than the cost, especially with large liability claims. On average, a vehicle owner in Charlotte overpays more than $810 a year so it’s important to compare rates at least once a year to save money.
When do I need an agent’s advice?
When buying coverage for your vehicles, there really is not a perfect coverage plan. Each situation is unique and your policy should reflect that.
For instance, these questions may help highlight if you would benefit from professional advice.
- Is extra glass coverage worth it?
- Why am I required to buy liability insurance?
- Should I drop comprehensive coverage on older vehicles?
- What is the difference between comprehensive and collision coverage?
- Am I covered when pulling a rental trailer?
- Is borrowed equipment or tools covered if stolen or damaged?
- Why am I required to buy high-risk coverage?
If you’re not sure about those questions, then you may want to think about talking to a licensed agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, complete this form or you can also visit this page to select a carrier It is quick, free and can help protect your family.
Local neighborhood insurance agents
Some people still like to go talk to an agent and that is a smart decision Good agents can help you choose the best coverages and will help you if you have claims. A good thing about comparing insurance prices online is you can get cheap rate quotes but still work with a licensed agent.
By using this form (opens in new window), your insurance coverage information is immediately sent to local insurance agents in Charlotte who want to provide quotes for your coverage. There is no reason to leave your computer because prices are sent directly to your email. If you have a need to get a rate quote from a particular provider, you would need to find their quoting web page to submit a rate quote request.
Picking the best company shouldn’t rely on just a cheap price quote. Any good agent in Charlotte should know the answers to these questions.
- How much can you save by raising your physical damage deductibles?
- Do they see any coverage gaps in your plan?
- Is their price quote a firm figure or are their hidden costs?
- Which company do they place the most coverage with?
- Will your rates increase after a single accident?
- Has the agent ever had any license suspensions?
- Do you have coverage for a rental car if your vehicle is in the repair shop?
- Are they involved in claim handling?
Exclusive and independent Charlotte car insurance agents
When looking for a local agent, there are a couple of different types of agents that you can choose from. Agents in Charlotte can be described as either exclusive agents or independent agents. Both types of agents can provide auto insurance policies, but it’s good to learn how they differ since it can affect the type of agent you choose.
Exclusive Agents
These type of agents normally can only provide a single company’s rates such as American Family, State Farm, and AAA. Exclusive agencies are unable to provide rate quotes from other companies so if the price isn’t competitive there isn’t much they can do. Exclusive insurance agents are usually well trained on what they offer and that can be a competitive advantage.
The following is a short list of exclusive agencies in Charlotte who can help you get price quote information.
Todd Younker – State Farm Insurance Agent
7725 Matthews-Mint Hill Road – Charlotte, NC 28227 – (704) 545-9111 – View Map
Kyle Fadeley – State Farm Insurance Agent
13551 Steelecroft Pkwy #120 – Charlotte, NC 28278 – (704) 588-5585 – View Map
Daniela Hernandez – State Farm Insurance Agent
5811 Fairview Rd Ste 102 – Charlotte, NC 28209 – (704) 733-9022 – View Map
Independent Auto Insurance Agencies
Agents that elect to be independent are not employed by one company and that enables them to quote your coverage with any number of different companies and help determine which has the cheapest rates. If they quote lower rates, they simply switch companies in-house and that require little work on your part.
If you need cheaper auto insurance rates, you need to get insurance quotes from at least one independent agent so that you have a good selection of quotes to compare.
Shown below is a short list of independent insurance agencies in Charlotte that are able to give price quotes.
Nationwide Insurance – William Laurie Agency
8820 University E Dr Ste B – Charlotte, NC 28213 – (704) 945-2331 – View Map
Southeast Insurance Agency
212 S Tryon St #1605 – Charlotte, NC 28281 – (704) 885-8006 – View Map
Mark McDuffie Insurance Agency
6101 Carnegie Blvd #415 – Charlotte, NC 28209 – (704) 364-9227 – View Map