Anyone knows that car insurance companies don’t want you to compare rates. Consumers who perform rate comparisons will, in all likelihood, switch car insurance companies because there is a good chance of finding a lower-priced company. A recent car insurance study revealed that consumers who make a habit of shopping around saved an average of $3,400 over four years compared to policyholders who never shopped for cheaper rates.
If finding the cheapest price for insurance is your objective, then knowing how to compare car insurance can make the process less intimidating.
If your goal is the lowest price, then the best way to get the cheapest car insurance rates in Charlotte is to make a habit of comparing prices annually from insurers in North Carolina.
- Try to learn a little about how your policy works and the measures you can control to drop your rates. Many policy risk factors that are responsible for high rates like speeding tickets, careless driving and a lousy credit rating can be controlled by paying attention to minor details.
- Request price quotes from direct carriers, independent agents, and exclusive agents. Exclusive agents and direct companies can only give prices from one company like Progressive or Allstate, while independent agents can provide prices from multiple insurance companies.
- Compare the new quotes to your current policy premium to see if switching to a new carrier will save money. If you can save some money and change companies, make sure there is no lapse between the expiration of your current policy and the new one.
- Provide written notification to your current company of your intention to cancel your current car insurance policy and submit a down payment and signed policy application for the new policy. As soon as coverage is bound, put the certificate of insurance with your vehicle’s registration.
An essential thing to point out is to try to use the same physical damage deductibles and liability limits on every quote and and to look at as many companies as possible. Doing this helps ensure an accurate price comparison and the most accurate and complete price analysis.
If you currently have a car insurance policy, you stand a good chance to be able to reduce the price you pay using the techniques presented in this article. Buying the cheapest insurance in Charlotte can really be easy if you know what you’re doing. Although North Carolina drivers can benefit by having an understanding of the way companies compete online because it varies considerably.
When shopping for Volkswagen Golf insurance in Charlotte there are multiple ways of comparing rates from local Charlotte insurance companies. By far the easiest way to find competitive Volkswagen Golf insurance rates is to perform an online rate comparison.
It’s so easy to compare rate quotes online that it makes it a waste of time to spend your day driving to different Charlotte agent offices. Doing it all online can eliminate the need for a local agent unless you’re the type of person who wants the peace of mind that only an agent can give. However, consumers can price shop your coverage online but have a local agent actually write the policy.
Keep in mind that having more price comparisons increases your odds of finding the best rates.
The providers in the list below can provide free quotes in North Carolina. To find the best car insurance in Charlotte, it’s highly recommended you visit several of them to get the best price comparison.
Rates and statistics
The table shown next covers estimates of insurance prices for Volkswagen Golf models. Being aware of how insurance prices are formulated can assist in making smart choices when comparing insurance quotes.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golf 2.5 2-Dr Hatchback | $186 | $374 | $254 | $16 | $76 | $906 | $76 |
| Golf 2.5 4-Dr Hatchback | $210 | $374 | $254 | $16 | $76 | $930 | $78 |
| Golf 2.0T Turbo Diesel 2-Dr Hatchback | $210 | $432 | $254 | $16 | $76 | $988 | $82 |
| Golf 2.0T Turbo Diesel 4-Dr Hatchback | $210 | $374 | $254 | $16 | $76 | $930 | $78 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
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 homeowner, safe-driver, multi-policy, multi-vehicle, and claim-free. Rate information does not factor in the specific area where the vehicle is garaged which can revise premium rates considerably.
Raise deductibles and save
When comparing auto insurance rates, the most common question is which deductible level should you buy. The rates below illustrate the cost difference when you choose different coverage deductibles. The first rate estimation uses a $250 deductible for comprehensive and collision coverage and the second set of prices uses a $500 deductible.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golf 2.5 2-Dr Hatchback | $192 | $382 | $250 | $14 | $74 | $937 | $78 |
| Golf 2.5 4-Dr Hatchback | $218 | $382 | $250 | $14 | $74 | $963 | $80 |
| Golf 2.0T Turbo Diesel 2-Dr Hatchback | $218 | $440 | $250 | $14 | $74 | $1,021 | $85 |
| Golf 2.0T Turbo Diesel 4-Dr Hatchback | $218 | $382 | $250 | $14 | $74 | $963 | $80 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golf 2.5 2-Dr Hatchback | $156 | $308 | $250 | $14 | $74 | $802 | $67 |
| Golf 2.5 4-Dr Hatchback | $176 | $308 | $250 | $14 | $74 | $822 | $69 |
| Golf 2.0T Turbo Diesel 2-Dr Hatchback | $176 | $354 | $250 | $14 | $74 | $868 | $72 |
| Golf 2.0T Turbo Diesel 4-Dr Hatchback | $176 | $308 | $250 | $14 | $74 | $822 | $69 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
Data assumes married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and North Carolina minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include safe-driver, multi-vehicle, claim-free, multi-policy, and homeowner. Information does not factor in vehicle location which can lower or raise coverage rates considerably.
We can estimate from the data above that using a $250 deductible will cost in the ballpark of $12 more each month or $144 a year than opting for the higher $500 deductible. Since the policyholder would be required to pay $250 more if you file a claim with a $500 deductible as compared to a $250 deductible, if you normally average at least 21 months between claim filings, you would probably come out ahead going with the higher deductible.
How to calculate deductible break even period
| Average monthly premium for $250 deductibles: | $81 |
| Average monthly premium for $500 deductibles (subtract): | – $69 |
| Monthly savings from raising deductible: | $12 |
| Difference between deductibles ($500 – $250): | $250 |
| Divide difference by monthly savings: | $250 / $12 |
| Number of months required between physical damage coverage claims in order to save money by choosing the higher deductible | 21 months |
An important sidenote is that raising deductibles to get cheaper rates means you will have to pay more when you do file a claim. That will necessitate some funds available in order to pay the higher deductible in order to repair your vehicle.
The illustration below illustrates how choosing a deductible and can increase or decrease Volkswagen Golf insurance costs for each age group. The price estimates are based on a married male driver, comprehensive and collision coverage, and no discounts are taken into consideration.
How careless driving impacts Charlotte auto insurance rates
The information below highlights how speeding tickets and accidents influence Volkswagen Golf premium costs for different ages of insureds. The premium estimates are based on a single female driver, full coverage, $100 deductibles, and no discounts are applied to the premium.
Choosing Golf insurance is an important decision
Even though it can be expensive, maintaining insurance is a good idea for several reasons.
- Almost all states have minimum liability requirements which means state laws require a specific level of liability protection if you want to drive legally. 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 you bought your Golf with a loan, almost all lenders will make it a condition of the loan that you have comprehensive coverage to guarantee their interest in the vehicle. If you cancel or allow the policy to lapse, the bank may insure your Volkswagen at a more expensive rate and require you to pay the higher price.
- Insurance protects both your assets and your vehicle. It will also cover hospital and medical expenses for not only you but also any passengers injured in an accident. Liability insurance, one of your policy coverages, also covers all legal expenses up to the policy limit if anyone sues you for causing an accident. If you receive damage to your vehicle caused by a storm or accident, comprehensive (other-than-collision) and collision coverage will cover the repair costs.
The benefits of having insurance definitely exceed the price paid, particularly if you ever have a claim. Today the average American driver overpays as much as $865 each year so it’s important to compare rates each time the policy renews to help ensure money is not being wasted.
Charlotte Insurance Rates are Influenced by These Factors
When buying auto insurance it’s important to understand some of the things that are used to determine the level of your policy premiums. If you have a feel for what controls the rates you pay, this allows you to make educated decisions that can earn you lower rates.
Listed below are some of the things utilized by car insurance companies to help set your prices.
Defend yourself with liability – The liability coverage on your policy kicks in in the event that you are responsible for damages from an accident. It will provide you with a defense in court to defend your case. Liability insurance is pretty cheap when compared to the cost of physical damage coverage, so do not skimp.
Premiums are high for teenagers – Older insureds are proven to be safer behind the wheel, cost insurance companies less in claims, and receive fewer citations. Drivers with little experience are statistically shown to be easily distracted when behind the wheel so they pay higher auto insurance rates.
The data below assumes a single driver, full coverage with $250 deductibles, and no discounts or violations.
Job stress can make you pay more – Jobs such as military generals, air traffic controllers, and financial analysts tend to have higher rates than average in part from high stress levels and long work days. Other jobs like actors, athletes and performers have the lowest average rates.
The type of car makes a difference – The performance level of the vehicle you are trying to find cheaper insurance for makes a significant difference in determining your rates. Lower performance four cylinder passenger cars usually are quite affordable to insure, but there are many factors that impact the final cost.
The following chart uses these variables: married female driver age 20, full coverage with $1000 deductibles, and no discounts or violations. It compares Volkswagen Golf car insurance rates compared to other vehicles that have a range of performance risks.
When should you file claims? – Insurance companies in North Carolina give lower rates to drivers who file claims infrequently. If you are a frequent claim filer, you can definitely plan on either policy cancellation or increased premiums. Auto insurance is meant to be used in the event of claims that pose a financial burden.
Volkswagen Golf claim probability – Insurers factor in historical loss data to help set a rate to offset losses. Models that historically have a higher amount or frequency of claims will have increased rates. The data below shows the compiled insurance loss statistics for Volkswagen Golf vehicles.
For each policy coverage type, the claim probability for all vehicles averaged together is considered to be 100. Numbers below 100 indicate better than average losses, while percentage numbers above 100 indicate a higher chance of having a claim or an increased chance of a larger loss.
| Make and Model | Collision | Property Damage | Comp | Personal Injury | Medical Payment | Bodily Injury |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen Golf | 109 | 97 |
Empty fields indicate not enough data collected
Data Source: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for 2013-2015 Model Years
Lower rate quotes with discounts
Some insurers don’t always publicize all available discounts in an easy-to-find place, so we researched a few of the more common as well as some of the hidden credits that you can use to lower your rates.
- Student in College – Children living away from Charlotte attending college and won’t have access to an insured vehicle can receive lower rates.
- Discount for Good Grades – Excelling in school can earn a discount of 20% or more. You can use this discount normally until age 25.
- Driving Data Discount – People who choose to allow their insurance company to study driving manner by using a small device installed in their vehicle like Drivewise from Allstate or In-Drive from State Farm could see a rate decrease as long as they are good drivers.
- Own a Home and Save – Owning a home in Charlotte may earn you a small savings because it demonstrates responsibility.
- E-sign – A few larger online companies give back up to $50 for buying your policy on the web.
- Bundle and Save – If you have multiple policies with one company they may give you a discount of up to 20% and get you cheap Golf insurance.
- Club Memberships – Having an affiliation with a professional or civic organization can get you a small discount on your next insurance statement.
One last thing about discounts, most of the big mark downs will not be given to the entire cost. Some only reduce specific coverage prices like comp or med pay. Just because you may think all those discounts means the company will pay you, insurance companies wouldn’t stay in business.
The diagram below visualizes the comparison of Volkswagen Golf insurance rates with and without discounts applied to the rates. The prices are based on a male driver, a clean driving record, no claims, 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 claim-free, safe-driver, marriage, multi-policy, multi-car, and homeowner discounts applied.
Companies that have most of these discounts may include but are not limited to:
When getting a coverage quote, ask every company what discounts are available to you. Savings may not be offered in Charlotte.
Car insurance can be complex
Keep in mind that when it comes to choosing coverage for your vehicles, there really isn’t a “perfect” insurance plan. You are unique so your insurance needs to address that.
These are some specific questions might point out whether or not you would benefit from professional advice.
- What is the difference between personal and commercial auto insurance policies?
- Does low annual mileage earn a discount?
- How much liability insurance is required?
- Will I lose any money if I cancel my policy before it expires?
- Do I need replacement cost coverage?
- Does liability extend to a camper or trailer?
- Am I covered while delivering pizza?
- When should I not file a claim?
If you don’t know the answers to these questions then you might want to talk to a licensed insurance agent. If you don’t have a local agent, simply complete this short form or you can go here for a list of companies in your area.
Car insurance is available from local insurance agents
Some consumers would prefer to talk to a local agent and doing that can be a smart decision The best thing about comparing insurance prices online is you can get better rates but still work with a licensed agent. And providing support for local agencies is especially important in Charlotte.
To help locate an agent, after submitting this form (opens in new window), your insurance data is emailed to insurance agents in Charlotte who will give competitive quotes and help you find cheaper coverage. You won’t need to leave your computer because prices are sent straight to your inbox. You can most likely find cheaper rates and an insurance agent to talk to. If for some reason you want to compare prices from one company in particular, you would need to find their quoting web page and give them your coverage information.
If you are wanting to find a reliable insurance agency, there are two types of agencies and how they are distinctly different. Charlotte agents can be described as either exclusive or independent agents depending on their company appointments.
Independent Car Insurance Agencies or Brokers
Agents in the independent channel often have many company appointments so as a result can place your coverage with many different companies and find the cheapest rate. If you are not satisfied with one company, your policy is moved internally which requires no work on your part.
When comparing car insurance rates, you will want to include price quotes from several independent insurance agents for the best price selection.
Featured below are independent agencies in Charlotte that may be able to give free rate quotes.
Patriot Insurance Agencies
9620 Monroe Rd – Charlotte, NC 28270 – (704) 644-3058 – View Map
RJR Insurance
7810 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy # 300 – Charlotte, NC 28277 – (704) 543-2700 – View Map
Nationwide Insurance – William Laurie Agency
8820 University E Dr Ste B – Charlotte, NC 28213 – (704) 945-2331 – View Map
Exclusive Insurance Agencies
Agents in the exclusive channel can usually just insure with one company like American Family, State Farm, and Allstate. Exclusive agents cannot shop your coverage around so if the price isn’t competitive there isn’t much they can do. Exclusive agents are trained well on the products they sell which helps them compete with independent agents.
Shown below is a list of exclusive insurance agents in Charlotte that are able to give comparison quotes.
State Farm: Jeremy Fulkerson
4805 Park Rd #103 – Charlotte, NC 28209 – (704) 523-9005 – View Map
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
Deciding on an insurance agent requires more thought than just a low price. Ask your prospective agent these questions:
- When do they do policy reviews?
- If you have an accident, will your rates go up?
- Will you work with the agent or an assistant?
- Which company do they place the most coverage with?
- Do they prorate repair cost based on vehicle mileage?
- Do they offer rental car reimbursement?
- Do they have adequate Errors and Omissions coverage? This protects you if they make a mistake.
- Did they already check your driving record and credit reports?
Compare rates regularly to save
When searching for affordable Volkswagen Golf insurance quotes, do not sacrifice coverage to reduce premiums. There are a lot of situations where consumers will sacrifice comprehensive coverage or liability limits and learned later they didn’t purchase enough coverage. Your focus should be to find the BEST coverage at the best possible price but still have enough coverage for asset protection.
Cheaper Volkswagen Golf insurance in Charlotte can be sourced on the web as well as from insurance agents, and you need to price shop both to have the best selection. Some companies may not offer online price quotes and most of the time these small, regional companies provide coverage only through independent insurance agencies.
More resources
- Electronic Stability Control FAQ (iihs.org)
- How Much are Charlotte Car Insurance Quotes for a Chevrolet Silverado? (FAQ)
- Who Has Affordable Auto Insurance Rates for Good Drivers in Charlotte? (FAQ)
- Who Has Cheap Auto Insurance for Drivers Under 21 in Charlotte? (FAQ)
- What Insurance is Cheapest for a Ford Fusion in Charlotte? (FAQ)
- What Car Insurance is Cheapest for a Honda CR-V in Charlotte? (FAQ)
- Who Has Affordable Auto Insurance Quotes for a Toyota Tundra in Charlotte? (FAQ)
- Who Has the Cheapest Auto Insurance Quotes for a 20 Year Old Female in Charlotte? (FAQ)
- Who Has Affordable Charlotte Auto Insurance Quotes for 16 Year Olds? (FAQ)
- Who Has Affordable Auto Insurance for 18 Year Olds in Charlotte? (FAQ)
- How to Avoid Staged Accidents (State Farm)
- Top Signs Your Brakes are Giving Out (State Farm)
- Side Impact Crash Tests (iihs.org)