Want cheaper insurance rates for your Dodge Ram Van? Nobody I know anticipates paying for insurance, in particular when they could find better rates elsewhere.
There are many auto insurance companies to buy insurance from, and even though it’s nice to have multiple companies, it makes it harder to compare rates.
The purpose of this post is to instruct you on how car insurance quotes work and some tips to save money. If you currently have car insurance, you should be able to cut costs considerably using these techniques. But car owners must understand the methods companies use to price online insurance because it can help you find the best coverage.
There are several ways to compare insurance quotes, but some are more efficient than others. You can waste hours talking to insurance companies in your area, or you can utilize the internet for quick rates.
Most of the best insurance companies enroll in a system where prospective buyers enter their coverage request one time, and every company then returns a price quote based on that data. This system prevents you from having to do repetitive form submissions for every insurance company.
To access this free quoting program, click here (opens in new window).
The only downside to doing it this way is buyers cannot specifically choose which insurance companies you want to price. So if you want to choose specific insurance companies to compare prices, we have a page of companies who write insurance in your area. View list of insurance companies.
Whichever way you choose to compare rates, try to use the exact same information with each company. If you use mixed coverages it’s impossible to determine the best price for your Dodge Ram Van. Just slight variations in limits can result in a big premium difference. And when quoting insurance, remember that comparing more rates from different companies helps improve the odds of finding lower pricing.
When buying proper insurance coverage, there isn’t really a one size fits all plan. Your needs are not the same as everyone else’s so this has to be addressed. For instance, these questions can aid in determining if your insurance needs would benefit from an agent’s advice.
If you don’t know the answers to these questions but you know they apply to you, you may need to chat with an insurance agent. If you don’t have a local agent, complete this form or go to this page to view a list of companies.
Knowing the specifics of your car insurance policy aids in choosing the right coverages and proper limits and deductibles. Car insurance terms can be difficult to understand and coverage can change by endorsement. Below you’ll find typical coverage types available from car insurance companies.
Comprehensive insurance
This pays to fix your vehicle from damage that is not covered by collision coverage. A deductible will apply then the remaining damage will be covered by your comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive coverage pays for things such as hitting a deer, hail damage, a broken windshield and fire damage. The highest amount a car insurance company will pay at claim time is the ACV or actual cash value, so if the vehicle is not worth much it’s not worth carrying full coverage.
Collision protection
Collision coverage pays for damage to your Ram Van resulting from colliding with another vehicle or an object, but not an animal. You first must pay a deductible then your collision coverage will kick in.
Collision coverage protects against things such as driving through your garage door, sideswiping another vehicle, hitting a parking meter and colliding with a tree. Paying for collision coverage can be pricey, so consider removing coverage from vehicles that are older. Drivers also have the option to raise the deductible in order to get cheaper collision rates.
Med pay and Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
Med pay and PIP coverage kick in for bills for things like X-ray expenses, EMT expenses and prosthetic devices. The coverages can be used to cover expenses not covered by your health insurance policy or if you lack health insurance entirely. Medical payments and PIP cover not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants in addition to being hit by a car walking across the street. Personal Injury Protection is not universally available and may carry a deductible
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM)
Your UM/UIM coverage provides protection from other drivers when they do not carry enough liability coverage. This coverage pays for injuries to you and your family and also any damage incurred to your 2000 Dodge Ram Van.
Since many drivers only purchase the least amount of liability that is required, it only takes a small accident to exceed their coverage. So UM/UIM coverage is very important. Normally your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverages do not exceed the liability coverage limits.
Liability coverages
This coverage protects you from injuries or damage you cause to people or other property. This coverage protects you against other people’s claims, and doesn’t cover your own vehicle damage or injuries.
Liability coverage has three limits: per person bodily injury, per accident bodily injury, and a property damage limit. You commonly see values of 25/50/25 that translate to a limit of $25,000 per injured person, a per accident bodily injury limit of $50,000, and a limit of $25,000 paid for damaged property. Alternatively, you may have a combined limit which limits claims to one amount without having the split limit caps.
Liability can pay for things such as funeral expenses, bail bonds, attorney fees, repair bills for other people’s vehicles and court costs. How much coverage you buy is up to you, but consider buying as high a limit as you can afford.