Searching for budget Oakland Dodge Caliber insurance quotes online might appear overwhelming for consumers new to quoting and comparing prices on the web. With such a large choice of online companies available, how are we expected to possibly compare every auto insurance company to find the best price?
Sadly, a large majority of auto insurance policyholders kept their coverage with the same auto insurance company for more than four years, and 38% of customers have never compared rates from other carriers. The average driver in California could save themselves as much as 35% a year just by getting comparison quotes, but they underestimate the amount of money they would save if they replace their high priced policy.
It is always a good idea to get comparison quotes as often as possible because auto insurance rates are variable and change quite frequently. Even if you got the best deal on Dodge Caliber insurance in Oakland last year there may be better deals available now. Forget anything you know (or think you know) about auto insurance because I’m going to let you in on the secrets to the easiest way to get good coverage on Dodge Caliber insurance in Oakland at a lower rate.
Score discounts to get cheaper Oakland auto insurance rates
Companies offering auto insurance do not advertise the entire discount list in a way that’s easy to find, so we researched a few of the more common and the harder-to-find credits available to you.
- Driver Safety – Taking part in a course teaching defensive driving skills may get you a small discount and easily recoup the cost of the course.
- Savings for New Vehicles – Buying a new car model can cost up to 25% less since newer vehicles have better safety ratings.
- Accident Free – Claim-free drivers have much lower rates as opposed to accident-prone drivers.
- Low Mileage Discounts – Driving fewer miles could earn better premium rates on cars that stay parked.
- 55 and Retired – If you qualify as a senior citizen, you can get lower premium rates.
- Paperwork-free – Many companies provide a small discount for buying a policy and signing up on their website.
- Oakland Homeowners Discount – Owning a home in Oakland can get you a discount since owning and maintaining a home is proof of financial responsibility.
- Membership in Organizations – Belonging to a professional or civic organization is a good way to get lower rates on auto insurance.
One thing to note about discounts is that most discount credits are not given to the entire cost. Some only apply to specific coverage prices like collision or personal injury protection. Despite the fact that it seems like you would end up receiving a 100% discount, auto insurance companies aren’t that generous.
The information below compares Dodge Caliber annual premium costs with and without discounts applied to the premium. The data assumes a male driver, no accidents, no driving violations, California 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, safe-driver, claim-free, marriage, and multi-car discounts applied.
If you would like to see a list of insurance companies who offer cheap Dodge Caliber insurance quotes in Oakland in Oakland, click here to view.
When comparison shopping, there are several ways of comparing rates from many different California insurance companies. The simplest method to find affordable Dodge Caliber insurance rates is to jump online and get quotes.
When comparing auto insurance rates, know that comparing more quotes increases the chance that you will find better pricing.
The providers in the list below are ready to provide free quotes in California. If you want to find the best cheap car insurance in Oakland, CA, we recommend you visit several of them to find the lowest auto insurance rates.
Dodge Caliber insurance rate analysis
The premium table shown next showcases different insurance policy prices for Dodge Caliber models. Being more informed about how policy rates are figured is important for making smart choices when choosing a car insurance company.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caliber Express | $208 | $478 | $500 | $30 | $150 | $1,366 | $114 |
| Caliber Heat | $208 | $478 | $500 | $30 | $150 | $1,366 | $114 |
| Caliber SE | $208 | $478 | $500 | $30 | $150 | $1,366 | $114 |
| Caliber Mainstreet | $208 | $478 | $500 | $30 | $150 | $1,366 | $114 |
| Caliber Rush | $208 | $478 | $500 | $30 | $150 | $1,366 | $114 |
| Caliber SXT | $208 | $478 | $500 | $30 | $150 | $1,366 | $114 |
| Caliber Uptown | $208 | $478 | $500 | $30 | $150 | $1,366 | $114 |
| Caliber R/T | $238 | $564 | $500 | $30 | $150 | $1,482 | $124 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
Data rating is based on single male driver age 50, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $500 deductibles, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-vehicle, claim-free, safe-driver, homeowner, and multi-policy. Prices do not factor in vehicle garaging location which can affect insurance rates significantly.
Higher deductibles save money
One of the most common auto insurance questions is which deductible level should you buy. The comparisons below can help you visualize the premium difference when you select higher and lower policy deductibles. The first data table uses a $250 physical damage coverage deductible and the second rate chart uses a $1,000 deductible.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caliber Express | $298 | $576 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,499 | $125 |
| Caliber Heat | $298 | $576 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,499 | $125 |
| Caliber SE | $298 | $576 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,499 | $125 |
| Caliber Mainstreet | $298 | $576 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,499 | $125 |
| Caliber Rush | $298 | $576 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,499 | $125 |
| Caliber SXT | $298 | $576 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,499 | $125 |
| Caliber Uptown | $298 | $576 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,499 | $125 |
| Caliber R/T | $342 | $678 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,645 | $137 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caliber Express | $184 | $362 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,146 | $96 |
| Caliber Heat | $184 | $362 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,146 | $96 |
| Caliber SE | $184 | $362 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,146 | $96 |
| Caliber Mainstreet | $184 | $362 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,146 | $96 |
| Caliber Rush | $184 | $362 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,146 | $96 |
| Caliber SXT | $184 | $362 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,146 | $96 |
| Caliber Uptown | $184 | $362 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,146 | $96 |
| Caliber R/T | $210 | $426 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,236 | $103 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
Data based on married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-vehicle, homeowner, safe-driver, multi-policy, and claim-free. Premium amounts do not factor in the specific area where the vehicle is garaged which can modify premium rates greatly.
Based on these figures, using a $250 deductible will cost you approximately $30 more each month or $360 a year across all Dodge Caliber models than choosing the higher $1,000 deductible. Since you would have to pay $750 more if you file a claim with a $1,000 deductible as compared to a $250 deductible, if you go at a minimum 25 months between claims, you would probably be better off if you elect the higher deductible. The table below shows an example of how you can make your own decision.
| Average monthly premium for $250 deductibles: | $127 |
| Average monthly premium for $1,000 deductibles (subtract): | – $97 |
| Monthly savings from raising deductible: | $30 |
| Difference between deductibles ($1,000 – $250): | $750 |
| Divide difference by monthly savings: | $750 / $30 |
| Number of months required between physical damage coverage claims in order to save money by choosing the higher deductible | 25 months |
One important issue to know is that increasing deductibles to save money results in a higher out-of-pocket expense at claim time. That will require a higher level of savings in the event you have to pay the higher deductible.
Bad driving habits will cost you more
The chart below shows how speeding tickets and accidents can influence Dodge Caliber yearly insurance costs for different age groups. The price estimates are based on a married female driver, full coverage, $1,000 deductibles, and no other discounts are factored in.
Age-based auto insurance rates by gender
The chart below shows the difference between Dodge Caliber insurance prices for male and female drivers. Data assumes no accidents or driving violations, full physical damage coverage, $250 deductibles, single status, and no discounts are taken into consideration.
Price comparison of only insuring for liability
The example below shows the comparison of Dodge Caliber car insurance costs with full physical damage coverage compared to only buying the minimum liability limits required in California. The prices are based on no accidents, no driving violations, $250 deductibles, drivers are not married, and no discounts are applied.
Guidelines for dropping full coverage
There is no clear-cut rule of when to eliminate physical damage coverage on your policy, but there is a general guideline. If the annual cost of comprehensive and collision coverage is more than 10% of any settlement you would receive from your insurance company, then it could be time to drop full coverage.
For example, let’s assume your Dodge Caliber replacement value is $5,000 and you have $1,000 policy deductibles. If your vehicle is damaged in an accident, the most your company would pay you is $4,000 after the policy deductible has been paid. If premiums are more than $400 annually for physical damage coverage, then you may want to consider only buying liability coverage.
There are a few cases where only buying liability is not financially feasible. If you have an outstanding loan on your vehicle, you have to carry full coverage as part of the loan conditions. Also, if your emergency fund is not enough to purchase a different vehicle in the even your car is totaled, you should not opt for liability only.
Insurance agents near you
A lot of people still prefer to visit with an insurance agent and that can be a smart move The biggest benefit of comparing insurance prices online is that drivers can save money and get lower rates and still choose a local agent. And supporting local insurance agents is important particularly in Oakland.
To make it easy to find an agent, after completing this quick form, the quote information is sent to local insurance agents who will return price quotes and help you find cheaper coverage. You won’t need to search for any insurance agencies as quotes are delivered immediately to your email address. You can get cheaper auto insurance rates without the usual hassles of price shopping. If you wish to compare prices from a particular provider, just go to their quote page and complete a quote there.
The type of car insurance agent you choose is important
If you need to find a reliable insurance agent, it’s important to understand the different types of agencies to choose from. Oakland agents can either be exclusive or independent.
Independent Agents (or Brokers)
Agents of this type do not have single company limitations so they have the ability to put coverage with multiple insurance companies and potentially find a lower price. If premiums increase, the business is moved internally and the insured can keep the same agent.
If you need lower rates, you absolutely need to get several quotes from a couple of independent agencies to have the best price comparison. Most can insure with different regional companies which can be an advantage.
Below is a small list of independent agents in Oakland that can possibly get you free price quotes.
- Bucheku Insurance Agency
1714 Franklin St Suite 305 – Oakland, CA 94612 – (510) 655-6969 – View Map - On My Way Insurance
320 10th St – Oakland, CA 94607 – (510) 893-3298 – View Map - Fred Loya Insurance
1620 High St STE B – Oakland, CA 94601 – (510) 434-1801 – View Map
Exclusive Auto Insurance Agencies
Agents that elect to be exclusive can only place business with one company and some examples include State Farm, AAA, and Liberty Mutual. These agents are unable to provide rate quotes from other companies so if the price isn’t competitive there isn’t much they can do. These agents are very knowledgeable on what they offer and that allows them to sell at a higher price point. Many people choose to use an exclusive agent partially due to high brand loyalty instead of buying on price only.
The following are Oakland exclusive agents that are able to give comparison quotes.
- Fernando Valenzuela – State Farm Insurance
1236 30th Ave – Oakland, CA 94601 – (510) 533-9712 – View Map - Farmers Insurance: Patrick Siu
993 Jackson St – Oakland, CA 94607 – (510) 350-7829 – View Map - Farmers Insurance – Mike Clauson
859 Clay St – Oakland, CA 94607 – (510) 839-3276 – View Map
Finding a good auto insurance agent requires you to look at more than just a cheap quote. Some important questions to ask are:
- Is every driver in your family covered?
- Is the agent CPCU or CIC certified?
- Are there any discounts for paying up front?
- Will they take your side in the event of a claim?
- Are they actively involved in the community?
- How would your car be valued if totaled?
- Where are claims handled?
If you get good feedback for all questions you ask as well as offering an affordable quote, it’s possible that you found a car insurance agent that is a good match to properly service your auto insurance policy.
In conclusion
We’ve covered many ways to shop for Dodge Caliber insurance online. The most important thing to understand is the more quotes you get, the higher the chance of saving money. Drivers may even discover the biggest savings come from a company that doesn’t do a lot of advertising.
The cheapest Dodge Caliber insurance in Oakland can be sourced online as well as from independent agents in Oakland, so you should compare both to get a complete price analysis. A few companies do not provide rate quotes online and many times these smaller companies work with independent insurance agencies.
When buying insurance coverage, do not reduce needed coverages to save money. There have been many cases where drivers have reduced physical damage coverage only to discover later they didn’t have enough coverage. The aim is to find the BEST coverage at the lowest possible cost, but don’t skip important coverages to save money.
How to buy cheaper Dodge Caliber insurance in Oakland
Truthfully, the best way to save money on Dodge Caliber insurance in Oakland is to start comparing rates regularly from companies in California. Price quotes can be compared by completing these steps.
Step 1: Take a few minutes and learn about coverages and the modifications you can make to prevent high rates. Many policy risk factors that drive up the price like speeding and an unacceptable credit rating can be controlled by improving your driving habits or financial responsibility.
Step 2: Compare price quotes from exclusive agents, independent agents, and direct providers. Exclusive agents and direct companies can only give rate quotes from a single company like GEICO and State Farm, while independent agencies can quote prices from many different companies.
Step 3: Compare the quotes to your current policy premium and determine if there is any savings. If you find better rates, make sure there is no coverage gap between policies.
Step 4: Give notification to your agent or company of your intention to cancel your existing policy. Submit the completed application along with a down payment to the newly selected company. As soon as coverage is bound, store the certificate verifying coverage along with the vehicle’s registration papers.
The most important part of shopping around is to compare identical limits and deductibles on each price quote and and to get rate quotes from as many auto insurance providers as possible. Doing this ensures a fair rate comparison and a complete selection of prices.
Much more information about car insurance in California can be read below:
- Older Driver Statistics (Insurance Information Institute)
- Who Has the Cheapest Auto Insurance for a Chevrolet Silverado in Oakland? (FAQ)
- How Much is Car Insurance for 16 Year Olds in Oakland? (FAQ)
- What Car Insurance is Cheapest for Low Mileage Drivers in Oakland? (FAQ)
- Who Has Affordable Car Insurance Quotes for a Subaru Impreza in Oakland? (FAQ)
- Who Has Cheap Oakland Auto Insurance Quotes for Homeowners? (FAQ)
- Credit Impacts Car Insurance Rates (State Farm)
- Distracted Driving Extends Beyond Texting (State Farm)