Save Money on Acura RL Insurance in Oakland

It’s an obvious conclusion that insurance companies want to keep you from comparing rates. Insureds who perform rate comparisons are highly likely to buy a new policy because there is a good chance of finding lower rate quotes. A recent survey discovered that consumers who did price comparisons regularly saved an average of $860 a year compared to those who never compared prices.

If finding the lowest price for car insurance is your ultimate goal, then having an understanding of how to quote and compare coverage rates can help simplify the process.

It takes a little time, but the best way to find better pricing on Acura RL insurance is to make a habit of regularly comparing prices from insurance carriers who provide auto insurance in Oakland.

1. Learn about the different coverages in a policy and the factors you can control to keep rates in check. Many risk factors that cause high rates like accidents, traffic tickets, and an unfavorable credit rating can be rectified by improving your driving habits or financial responsibility.
2. Obtain price quotes from independent agents, exclusive agents, and direct companies. Exclusive agents and direct companies can provide rates from a single company like GEICO or State Farm, while agents who are independent can give you price quotes for many different companies. Start a quote
3. Compare the new rate quotes to your current policy to see if a cheaper price is available. If you find better rates and make a switch, make sure there is no coverage gap between policies.
4. Provide adequate notice to your current company to cancel your existing policy. Submit a completed application and payment to your new carrier. When you receive it, keep the new certificate verifying proof of insurance in a readily accessible location in your vehicle.

A crucial key to this process is that you’ll want to make sure you compare identical deductibles and limits on every quote and and to get prices from as many auto insurance providers as possible. This ensures a fair rate comparison and a complete selection of prices.

Insurance data for an Acura RL

The premium table shown below covers different insurance rates for Acura RL models. Having a better idea how insurance quotes are formulated can help you make smart choices when buying a car insurance policy.

Table data assumes single female driver age 40, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $100 deductibles, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include safe-driver, multi-policy, homeowner, multi-vehicle, and claim-free. Price information does not factor in specific zip code location which can modify price quotes substantially.

Policy deductibles

One of the more difficult decisions when buying insurance is what deductibles to buy. The premium rates below can help illustrate how much more rates are when you buy lower versus higher coverage deductibles. The first data set uses a $100 deductible for physical damage and the second set of rates uses a $1,000 deductible.

Prices above based on married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include safe-driver, multi-vehicle, homeowner, multi-policy, and claim-free. Rate quotes do not factor in specific location information which can decrease or increase insurance rates substantially.

We can estimate from the data above that using a $100 deductible could cost the average driver approximately $63 more each month or $756 each year across all Acura RL models than opting for the higher $1,000 deductible. Because you would pay $900 more if you file a claim with a $1,000 deductible as compared to a $100 deductible, if you tend to go more than 14 months between claims, you would probably save some money if you opt for a higher deductible.

The example below highlights how deductible selection and can impact Acura RL insurance costs for each different age group. Data assumes a single male driver, full coverage, and no discounts are applied to the premium.

Rate increases following a ticket or accident

The example below highlights how speeding tickets and accident claims can affect Acura RL car insurance rates for each different age category. The rates are based on a single female driver, comprehensive and collision coverage, $100 deductibles, and no discounts are applied.

Impact of age and gender on insurance rates

The example below illustrates the comparison of Acura RL insurance costs for male and female drivers. The premiums are based on no tickets, no at-fault accidents, full physical damage coverage, $1,000 deductibles, drivers are not married, and no discounts are taken into consideration.

Full coverage rates vs. liability-only in Oakland

The illustration below illustrates the comparison of Acura RL car insurance rates with and without full coverage. The information is based on no claims or driving citations, $500 deductibles, drivers are single, and no discounts are applied to the premium.

Should you be buying full coverage?

There isn’t a written rule to eliminate full coverage on your policy, but there is a general convention. If the yearly cost for physical damage coverage is more than about 10% of the vehicle’s replacement cost less your deductible, then you might want to consider buying only liability coverage.

For example, let’s assume your Acura RL replacement value is $5,000 and you have $1,000 deductibles. If your vehicle is totaled in an accident, the most your company will settle for is $4,000 after the policy deductible has been paid. If it’s costing you more than $400 a year for your policy with full coverage, then you may need to consider dropping full coverage.

There are a few situations where removing full coverage is not advised. If you have an outstanding loan on your vehicle, you must maintain physical damage coverage in order to prevent your loan from defaulting. Also, if your finances do not allow you to purchase a different vehicle in the even your car is totaled, you should not eliminate full coverage.

Coverage specifics

Knowing the specifics of a auto insurance policy helps when choosing the best coverages and the correct deductibles and limits. Policy terminology can be confusing and reading a policy is terribly boring. Listed below are typical coverages available from auto insurance companies.

Protection from uninsured/underinsured drivers – This gives you protection from other motorists when they either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. This coverage pays for hospital bills for your injuries and also any damage incurred to your Acura RL.

Due to the fact that many California drivers only carry the minimum required liability limits (which is 15/30/5), it doesn’t take a major accident to exceed their coverage limits. So UM/UIM coverage is important protection for you and your family. Normally the UM/UIM limits are identical to your policy’s liability coverage.

Medical expense insurance – Med pay and PIP coverage kick in for immediate expenses for things like nursing services, surgery, dental work and pain medications. They are often utilized in addition to your health insurance plan or if there is no health insurance coverage. Coverage applies to not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants and also covers if you are hit as a while walking down the street. PIP coverage is only offered in select states and may carry a deductible

Liability – Liability coverage protects you from damage or injury you incur to other people or property in an accident. It protects you from legal claims by others, and doesn’t cover your own vehicle damage or injuries.

Split limit liability has three limits of coverage: bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident and property damage. You commonly see policy limits of 15/30/5 which stand for $15,000 in coverage for each person’s injuries, $30,000 for the entire accident, and a total limit of $5,000 for damage to vehicles and property. Alternatively, you may have one limit called combined single limit (CSL) which combines the three limits into one amount with no separate limits for injury or property damage.

Liability can pay for claims such as legal defense fees, loss of income, court costs, structural damage and medical services. How much coverage you buy is up to you, but consider buying as large an amount as possible. California requires drivers to carry at least 15/30/5 but it’s recommended drivers buy more coverage.

The next chart shows why the minimum limit may not be adequate.

Collision coverage – Collision insurance pays for damage to your RL from colliding with another car or object. You will need to pay your deductible and the rest of the damage will be paid by collision coverage.

Collision coverage pays for things like colliding with a tree, backing into a parked car, rolling your car and driving through your garage door. Paying for collision coverage can be pricey, so consider dropping it from older vehicles. It’s also possible to choose a higher deductible on your RL to get cheaper collision coverage.

Comprehensive (Other than Collision) – This pays to fix your vehicle from damage from a wide range of events other than collision. You need to pay your deductible first and then insurance will cover the rest of the damage.

Comprehensive insurance covers things such as damage from getting keyed, hail damage and a tree branch falling on your vehicle. 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 probably time to drop comprehensive insurance.

A little work can save a LOT of money

Some companies may not have internet price quotes and many times these smaller providers work with independent agencies. Cheaper auto insurance in Oakland can be purchased online as well as from insurance agents, and you should compare rates from both to have the best selection.

As you quote Oakland auto insurance, it’s very important that you do not skimp on critical coverages to save a buck or two. There are a lot of situations where consumers will sacrifice liability limits or collision coverage and found out when filing a claim that the small savings ended up costing them much more. The proper strategy is to buy a smart amount of coverage for the lowest cost but still have enough coverage for asset protection.

For more information, take a look at the resources below:

• Collision Coverage (Liberty Mutual)
• How Much are Oakland Auto Insurance Quotes for a Nissan Sentra? (FAQ)
• Who Has Cheap Car Insurance Quotes for Drivers Over Age 50 in Oakland? (FAQ)
• Who Has Cheap Oakland Auto Insurance for College Students? (FAQ)
• Who Has Cheap Oakland Auto Insurance for a Toyota Highlander? (FAQ)
• Insurance losses by make and model (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)
• State Car Insurance Guides (GEICO)
• Auto Insurance FAQ (Farmers Insurance)