1998 Dodge Dakota Insurance Quotes

Trying to find better insurance rates for your Dodge Dakota? Getting more affordable insurance may at first seem to be somewhat intimidating for drivers not familiar with comparing rates and buying insurance on the internet. With so many agents and online companies, how are we expected to efficiently compare every company in order to find cheaper insurance prices?

If you have car insurance now, you stand a good chance to be able to lower your premiums substantially using these tips. Pricing cheaper protection is simple if you know the tricks. But consumers must learn how big insurance companies price online insurance and use this information to your advantage.

Smart buyers can reduce insurance rates

Many things are used in the calculation when you quote your car insurance policy. Most are fairly basic like your driving record, but some are more obscure like your continuous coverage or your commute time.

  • Your occupation and insurance coverage rates – Did you know your job can affect your rates? Careers like doctors, executives and stock brokers tend to have higher premium rates in part from stressful work requirements and extremely grueling work hours. Other jobs such as professors, historians and the unemployed pay lower than average rates on Dakota coverage.
  • When should you file a insurance claims? – Insurance companies give the lowest premiums to drivers who only file infrequent claims. If you file a lot of claims you can pretty much guarantee either higher rates or even cancellation. Insurance coverage is designed for more catestrophic claims.
  • Your location is important – Living in areas with lower population has definite advantages when talking about insurance coverage. People in densly populated areas have more road rage incidents and a longer drive to work. Fewer drivers on the road means less chance of accidents and lower theft and vandalism rates.
  • Commute or pleasure use – The more you drive in a year’s time the more you will pay for insurance coverage. The majority of insurers charge rates determined by how the vehicle is used. Vehicles used primarily for pleasure use can get a lower rate as compared to vehicles used primarily for driving to work. Make sure your insurance coverage policy states the proper vehicle usage, because it can save money. An improperly rated Dakota may be costing you higher rates.
  • Save money with excellent credit – An insured’s credit score is a large factor in calculating your insurance coverage rates. If your credit score can be improved, you could pay less to insure your 1998 Dodge Dakota if you clean up your credit. Drivers with very high credit ratings tend to be more responsible as compared to drivers with lower ratings.

Find hidden discounts on auto insurance

Car insurance can cost a lot, but there may be some discounts that can drop the cost substantially. Some discounts apply automatically when you quote, but some must be asked about before being credited.

  • Seat Belt Usage – Drivers who require all occupants to buckle up can save up to 15% off the personal injury premium cost.
  • More Vehicles More Savings – Insuring multiple vehicles on the same auto insurance policy can get a discount on all vehicles.
  • Student Discount for Driver Training – Reduce the cost of insurance for teen drivers by having them take driver’s ed class if offered at their school.
  • Accident Free – Claim-free drivers can save substantially in comparison with policyholders that have many claims.
  • Senior Citizen Discount – Drivers over the age of 55 are able to get better auto insurance rates on Dakota coverage.
  • ABS Braking Discount – Vehicles that have anti-lock braking systems can avoid accidents and earn discounts up to 10%.
  • Good Students Pay Less – Getting good grades can earn a discount of 20% or more. Many companies even apply the discount to college students well after school through age 25.
  • Military Discounts – Being on active deployment in the military can result in better auto insurance rates.
  • Passive Restraint Discount – Vehicles equipped with air bags or automatic seat belts can receive discounts of more than 20%.

As a sidenote, most discount credits are not given to the entire policy premium. Most only reduce the cost of specific coverages such as liability and collision coverage. If you do the math and it seems like you could get a free auto insurance policy, nobody gets a free ride.

The best auto insurance companies and their offered discounts include:

  • State Farm offers discounts including multiple autos, student away at school, accident-free, good student, good driver, and defensive driving training.
  • Farmers Insurance includes discounts for multi-car, distant student, good student, mature driver, switch companies, teen driver, and electronic funds transfer.
  • Progressive has discounts for multi-policy, multi-vehicle, homeowner, online quote discount, good student, and continuous coverage.
  • Geico discounts include seat belt use, multi-policy, federal employee, defensive driver, multi-vehicle, and daytime running lights.
  • Auto-Owners Insurance may offer discounts for safe driver, multiple vehicles, paid in full, student away at school, and air bags.
  • The Hartford may include discounts for vehicle fuel type, driver training, air bag, anti-theft, defensive driver, and bundle.
  • Farm Bureau has savings for multi-policy, renewal discount, safe driver, 55 and retired, and good student.
  • USAA may have discounts that include multi-vehicle, vehicle storage, annual mileage, loyalty savings, and defensive driver.

Check with each company which credits you are entitled to. Savings may not apply in your area. To find insurers that offer multiple discounts, follow this link.

Tailor your insurance coverage to you

When choosing the best insurance coverage, there really is no best way to insure your cars. Everyone’s situation is unique.

For instance, these questions could help you determine if your situation will benefit from professional help.

  • When do I need to add a new car to my policy?
  • Is upholstery damage covered by car insurance?
  • I have good health insurance, so how much medical payments coverage do I need?
  • Should I waive the damage coverage when renting a car?
  • Am I covered by my employer’s commercial auto policy when driving my personal car for business?
  • Am I covered if I hit a deer?
  • Are my tools covered if they get stolen from my vehicle?
  • Do I need an umbrella policy?

If you can’t answer these questions but you know they apply to you, you might consider talking to a licensed insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, complete this form.

What insurance coverages do you need?

Knowing the specifics of your insurance policy can be of help when determining the right coverages and proper limits and deductibles. Insurance terms can be ambiguous and coverage can change by endorsement.

Coverage for uninsured or underinsured drivers

Your UM/UIM coverage protects you and your vehicle when other motorists either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. This coverage pays for medical payments for you and your occupants as well as damage to your Dodge Dakota.

Because many people only purchase the least amount of liability that is required, their limits can quickly be used up. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage is important protection for you and your family.

Comprehensive insurance

This will pay to fix damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. You need to pay your deductible first and then insurance will cover the rest of the damage.

Comprehensive coverage protects against things such as a broken windshield, hitting a deer, hitting a bird, falling objects and theft. The maximum payout you’ll receive from a claim is the cash value of the vehicle, so if the vehicle’s value is low consider dropping full coverage.

Liability auto insurance

This will cover damages or injuries you inflict on people or other property. It protects YOU from legal claims by others, and doesn’t cover damage to your own property or vehicle.

Coverage consists of three different limits, per person bodily injury, per accident bodily injury, and a property damage limit. Your policy might show liability limits of 25/50/25 which means a limit of $25,000 per injured person, a limit of $50,000 in injury protection per accident, and a total limit of $25,000 for damage to vehicles and property.

Liability coverage protects against claims like bail bonds, medical services, structural damage and funeral expenses. How much liability coverage do you need? That is your choice, but it’s cheap coverage so purchase as high a limit as you can afford.

Coverage for medical expenses

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage kick in for short-term medical expenses such as surgery, doctor visits, dental work and hospital visits. They are used in conjunction with a health insurance plan or if you lack health insurance entirely. Medical payments and PIP cover not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants and will also cover being hit by a car walking across the street. Personal Injury Protection is not an option in every state and may carry a deductible

Collision insurance

Collision coverage will pay to fix damage to your Dakota from colliding with another car or object. You first must pay a deductible and then insurance will cover the remainder.

Collision coverage protects against things such as crashing into a building, colliding with another moving vehicle, colliding with a tree, damaging your car on a curb and sustaining damage from a pot hole. This coverage can be expensive, so consider removing coverage from vehicles that are 8 years or older. Drivers also have the option to increase the deductible to save money on collision insurance.

A fool and his money are soon parted

Drivers switch companies for many reasons like high rates after DUI convictions, denial of a claim, lack of trust in their agent or even poor customer service. No matter why you want to switch, finding the right insurance provider is pretty simple and you could end up saving a buck or two.

You just read some good ideas how you can lower your 1998 Dodge Dakota insurance car insurance rates. The most important thing to understand is the more companies you get premium rates for, the better your comparison will be. Consumers may even find the lowest car insurance rates are with some of the smallest insurance companies.

Lower-priced 1998 Dodge Dakota insurance is possible on the web as well as from independent agents, and you need to comparison shop both to have the best chance of lowering rates. A few companies don’t offer price quotes online and most of the time these small, regional companies sell through independent agencies.

Additional detailed information can be read by following these links: