It’s an obvious assumption that car insurance companies want to keep you from comparing rates. Drivers who shop around for cheaper price quotes will most likely buy a different policy because they have a good chance of finding a policy with better rates. A study showed that consumers who made a habit of comparing rate quotes saved on average $865 a year compared to other drivers who never shopped around for better prices.
If saving the most money on car insurance is your ultimate goal, then understanding how to get free comparison quotes and analyze insurance can make it easier for you to save money.
The most effective way to quote cheaper car insurance rates is to start doing a yearly price comparison from insurers that sell auto insurance in Corpus Christi.
Step 1: Read about policy coverages and the things you can control to prevent high rates. Many risk factors that cause rate increases like speeding tickets, accidents and a substandard credit score can be improved by being financially responsible and driving safely. Read the full article for additional tips to get cheaper coverage and find missing discounts.
Step 2: Request price quotes from independent agents, exclusive agents, and direct companies. Exclusive agents and direct companies can provide rates from one company like Progressive or Allstate, while independent agents can quote prices from many different companies.
Step 3: Compare the price quotes to your current policy premium to see if switching to a new carrier will save money. If you find a better price and change companies, make sure there is no coverage gap between policies.
A crucial key to this process is that you’ll want to make sure you compare similar limits and deductibles on every quote and and to get prices from as many companies as possible. This helps ensure a fair price comparison and the most accurate and complete price analysis.
If you have coverage now or want to find a cheaper company, you can learn to get lower rates while maximizing coverage. Finding and buying affordable insurance coverage in Corpus Christi is easy to do. Drivers just have to learn the quickest way to quote multiple rates online.
Why You Might Pay Lower Rates in Corpus Christi
One of the most helpful ways to save on car insurance is to to have a grasp of some of the factors that go into determining the rates you pay for car insurance. If you know what determines premiums, this allows you to make good choices that may result in cheaper rates. Lots of things are taken into consideration when you get your auto insurance bill. Some of the criteria are obvious like your driving record, although some other factors are more obscure such as whether you are married and annual miles driven.
Prevent theft and save – Selecting a car model with a theft deterrent system can help bring down rates. Systems that thwart thieves such as OnStar found on GM vehicles, advanced tracking like LoJack, and vehicle immobilization systems all hinder car theft and help bring rates down.
Lower rates by increasing coverage deductibles – Comp and collision deductibles define the amount you are willing to pay before a claim is paid by your company. Physical damage insurance, otherwise known as comp (or other than collision) and collision, insures against damage to your car. Some examples of claims that would be covered are colliding with a stationary object, damage from fire, and damage caused by road hazards. The more damage repair cost you have to pay, the better rate you will receive.
Continuous car insurance coverage lowers premiums – Allowing your coverage to lapse is a sure-fire way to drive up your policy premiums. Not only will rates go up, getting caught without coverage could earn you a fine, jail time, or a revoked license.
Discounts for multiple policies – Most larger companies allow better rates to policyholders who buy several policies from them such as combining an auto and homeowners policy. Even though this discount sounds good, it’s in your best interest to get quotes from other companies to help guarantee you have the best rates.
Are males or females drivers cheaper? – Statistics show females are less aggressive when driving. That doesn’t necessarily mean that women are better drivers. Both sexes are in accidents in similar numbers, but guys tend to have more serious accidents. Men also statistically get ticketed for serious violations like DWI (DUI) or reckless driving.
The example below illustrates the difference between Mazda 5 insurance premiums for male and female drivers. The premiums assume no accidents or driving violations, full coverage, $500 deductibles, drivers are not married, and no discounts are applied to the premium.
Better rates on cars with good safety ratings – Cars with five star safety ratings get lower rates. Vehicles built for safety reduce injuries and reduced instances of injuries translates into fewer and smaller insurance claims and cheaper rates on your policy.
An active insurance claims history can increase rates – If you tend to file frequent claims, you can definitely plan on either a policy non-renewal or much higher rates. Insurance companies in Texas generally give the lowest premiums to policyholders who only file infrequent claims. Insurance coverage is designed for claims that pose a financial burden.
Mazda 5 statistical loss data – Insurers use past loss statistics for each vehicle in order to profitably underwrite each model. Vehicles that tend to have higher number or severity of losses will have a higher premium rate. The data below shows the insurance loss data used by companies for Mazda 5 vehicles.
For each coverage type, the statistical loss for all vehicles as a whole is considered to be 100. Numbers under 100 suggest a better than average loss history, while numbers above 100 indicate higher probability of having a loss or an increased likelihood of larger losses.
| Vehicle Model | Collision | Property Damage | Comp | Personal Injury | Medical Payment | Bodily Injury |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mazda 5 | 86 | 86 | 73 | 103 | 95 | 91 |
Statistics Source: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for 2013-2015 Model Years
Finding a better price on auto insurance is a fairly straight forward process. You just need to take a few minutes comparing price quotes from online providers.
The companies shown below are our best choices to provide free rate quotes in Texas. If your goal is to find the cheapest auto insurance in Corpus Christi, we recommend you click on several of them to find the lowest car insurance rates.
Analysis of coverages
The coverage information shown next covers estimates of insurance rates for Mazda 5 models. Learning a little about how auto insurance policy rates are established can assist in making decisions when choosing a new policy provider.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Sport Station Wagon | $246 | $476 | $340 | $20 | $102 | $1,184 | $99 |
| 5 Touring Station Wagon | $282 | $580 | $340 | $20 | $102 | $1,324 | $110 |
| 5 Grand Touring Station Wagon | $282 | $580 | $340 | $20 | $102 | $1,324 | $110 |
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Data rating is based on married female driver age 40, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $100 deductibles, and Texas minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include homeowner, safe-driver, multi-vehicle, claim-free, and multi-policy. Rate information does not factor in vehicle location which can increase or decrease premiums significantly.
Where to set your deductibles
When shopping for car insurance, a common question is which deductible level should you buy. The data tables below show the rate differences when you select higher and lower physical damage deductibles. The first rate quote example uses a $100 deductible and the second price table uses a $500 deductible.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Sport Station Wagon | $286 | $486 | $324 | $20 | $96 | $1,237 | $103 |
| 5 Touring Station Wagon | $328 | $592 | $324 | $20 | $96 | $1,385 | $115 |
| 5 Grand Touring Station Wagon | $328 | $592 | $324 | $20 | $96 | $1,385 | $115 |
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| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Sport Station Wagon | $208 | $328 | $324 | $20 | $96 | $976 | $81 |
| 5 Touring Station Wagon | $240 | $400 | $324 | $20 | $96 | $1,080 | $90 |
| 5 Grand Touring Station Wagon | $240 | $400 | $324 | $20 | $96 | $1,080 | $90 |
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Data based on married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and Texas minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include safe-driver, multi-vehicle, homeowner, multi-policy, and claim-free. Rates do not factor in specific location which can lower or raise premium rates considerably.
We can estimate from the data above that using a $100 deductible costs about $24 more each month or $288 every year than quoting the higher $500 deductible. Since you would have to pay $400 more if you file a claim with a $500 deductible as compared to a $100 deductible, if you tend to average at least 17 months between claims, you would most likely save money by going with a higher deductible. The numbers below show a better example of how you can perform this determination yourself.
| Average monthly premium for $100 deductibles: | $111 |
| Average monthly premium for $500 deductibles (subtract): | – $87 |
| Monthly savings from raising deductible: | $24 |
| Difference between deductibles ($500 – $100): | $400 |
| Divide difference by monthly savings: | $400 / $24 |
| Number of months required between physical damage coverage claims in order to save money by choosing the higher deductible | 17 months |
One thing to be aware of is that higher deductibles results in more money out-of-pocket when you have a comprehensive or collision claim. You must have some extra savings in the event you have to pay the higher deductible in order to repair your vehicle.
The illustration below shows how choosing a deductible and can increase or decrease Mazda 5 insurance premiums for different age groups. The premiums are based on a married male driver, full coverage, and no other discounts are factored in.
Impact of citations and accidents on insurance rates
The illustration below highlights how speeding tickets and at-fault accidents can affect Mazda 5 insurance rates for each different age category. The premium estimates are based on a single female driver, comprehensive and collision coverage, $100 deductibles, and no discounts are taken into consideration.
Choosing Mazda 5 insurance is an important decision
Despite the fact that auto insurance is not cheap in Corpus Christi, maintaining insurance may not be optional for several reasons.
- Most states have mandatory liability insurance requirements which means state laws require a specific level of liability protection in order to drive the car. In Texas 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 took out a loan on your Mazda 5, it’s guaranteed your bank will require that you have physical damage coverage to ensure loan repayment if the vehicle is totaled. If coverage lapses or is canceled, the lender may insure your Mazda at an extremely high rate and make you pay the higher premium.
- Auto insurance protects both your vehicle and your personal assets. Insurance will pay for medical bills for yourself as well as anyone injured by you. Liability coverage will also pay to defend you if someone files suit against you as the result of an accident. If you have damage to your Mazda as the result of the weather or an accident, comprehensive and collision coverage will pay to have it repaired.
The benefits of carrying enough insurance greatly outweigh the cost, specifically if you ever have a liability claim. On average, a vehicle owner in Corpus Christi is wasting up to $865 each year so you should quote your policy with other companies at least once a year to ensure rates are inline.
Mazda 5 insurance discounts in Corpus Christi
Insuring your vehicles can cost a lot, but companies offer discounts that many people don’t even know exist. A few discounts will automatically apply when you complete an application, but some must be requested specifically in order for you to get them.
- Save over 55 – If you’re over the age of 55, you may be able to get a small decrease in premiums.
- Student Discount for Driver Training – Cut your cost by having your teen driver enroll and complete driver’s education as it will make them better drivers and lower rates.
- Online Discount – Some larger companies may give you up to $50 simply for signing digitally online.
- Discount for Home Ownership – Simply owning a home can help you save on insurance because it is proof that your finances are in order.
- Seat Belts Save more than Lives – Drivers who always wear seat belts and also require passengers to use their safety belts could cut 10% or more on medical payment and PIP coverage.
- Accident Free – Good drivers with no accidents have much lower rates as compared to drivers with a long claim history.
- Multiple Cars – Having multiple cars or trucks on a single policy qualifies for this discount.
- Renewal Discounts – Some larger companies provide a discount for buying a policy before your current coverage expires. Ten percent is about the average savings.
Drivers should understand that many deductions do not apply to the overall cost of the policy. Some only apply to the cost of specific coverages such as medical payments or collision. Even though it appears you can get free auto insurance, companies don’t profit that way.
The information below shows the difference between Mazda 5 premium costs with and without discounts being applied to the rates. The data is based on a male driver, no violations or accidents, Texas state minimum liability limits, comprehensive and collision coverage, and $500 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with multi-policy, multi-car, claim-free, safe-driver, homeowner, and marriage discounts applied.
For a list of insurance companies with discount insurance rates in Texas, click this link.
Exclusive versus independent auto insurance agents
Certain consumers would rather sit down with an agent and that is a smart decision Experienced insurance agents can help you choose the best coverages and give you someone to call. The best thing about getting free rate quotes online is you may find lower auto insurance rates but also keep your business local. Buying from and supporting local insurance agents is still important in Corpus Christi.
To find an agent, once you fill out this quick form, your insurance coverage information is sent to local insurance agents in Corpus Christi who will give you quotes and help you find cheaper coverage. It’s much easier because you don’t need to drive around because prices are sent immediately to your email address. In the event you want to get a price quote from a specific insurance company, you can always navigate to their website and fill out the quote form the provide.
Deciding on an provider is decision based upon more than just the quoted price. These are some valid questions you should ask.
- Do they review policy coverages at every renewal?
- Does the agency support the community they serve?
- How would your car be valued if totaled?
- What discounts might you be missing?
- Which insurance companies are they affiliated with?
- Will the company cover a rental car if your car is getting fixed?
Auto insurance companies ranked
Selecting the right car insurance company can be challenging considering how many companies are available to choose from in Texas. The company ratings displayed below can help you select which providers to look at putting your business with.
Top 10 Corpus Christi Car Insurance Companies Overall
- Travelers
- USAA
- Mercury Insurance
- AAA Insurance
- Nationwide
- Allstate
- State Farm
- The Hartford
- Safeco Insurance
- Progressive
Top 10 Corpus Christi Car Insurance Companies Ranked by Claims Service
- Travelers
- Nationwide
- Allstate
- State Farm
- Liberty Mutual
- GEICO
- American Family
- Esurance
- Titan Insurance
- AAA Insurance
You are unique and your car insurance should be too
Always remember that when buying coverage online or from an agent, there isn’t really a best way to insure your cars. Your needs are unique to you.
For instance, these questions can help discover whether your personal situation would benefit from professional advice.
- What is high-risk coverage and where do I buy it?
- Am I covered when driving a rental car?
- How much can I save by bundling my policies?
- What is the minimum liability in Texas?
- Why does it cost so much to insure a teen driver in Corpus Christi?
- Can I cancel at any time?
- I have good health insurance, so how much medical payments coverage do I need?
If you’re not sure about those questions, you may need to chat with an insurance agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, fill out this quick form. It’s fast, doesn’t cost anything and can help protect your family.
Final considerations
We just showed you many ways to save on Mazda 5 insurance in Corpus Christi. The most important thing to understand is the more price quotes you have, the more likely it is that you will get a better rate. Consumers could even find that the lowest priced auto insurance comes from a smaller regional carrier.
As you prepare to switch companies, it’s not a good idea to sacrifice coverage to reduce premiums. There have been many cases where someone dropped full coverage and learned later they didn’t purchase enough coverage. Your objective should be to find the BEST coverage at a price you can afford.
People change insurance companies for any number of reasons including policy non-renewal, delays in responding to claim requests, poor customer service and even unfair underwriting practices. Whatever your reason, switching auto insurance companies is easier than you think.
To learn more, link through to the following helpful articles:
- How to Avoid Staged Accidents (State Farm)
- How Much is Corpus Christi Car Insurance for Low Credit Scores? (FAQ)
- Driving in Bad Weather (Insurance Information Institute)
- Insuring a Leased Car (Insurance Information Institute)
- Distracted Driving Statistics (Insurance Information Institute)
- Keeping Children Safe in Crashes Video (iihs.org)