Did you fall for a flashy sales pitch and buy an overpriced auto insurance policy? Trust us, many consumers are feeling buyer’s remorse and feel like there’s no way out. Consumers have many insurance companies to choose from, and although it’s a good thing to be able to choose, too many choices makes it more difficult to locate the cheapest rates.
Choosing the best insurance company for you is easy if you know what you’re doing. If you are insured now or are just looking to switch companies, you will benefit by learning to find better prices while maximizing coverage. Drivers only need to know the most efficient way to compare rates online.
Factors influencing Kia Soul insurance rates
Consumers need to have an understanding of the different types of things that play a part in calculating the rates you pay for auto insurance. When you know what positively or negatively influences your rates allows you to make educated decisions that could result in better auto insurance rates.
- Is your vehicle built for speed? – The type of vehicle you own makes a huge difference in the rate you pay. The cheapest insurance rates are generally reserved for economy passenger models, but the cost you end up paying is determined by many additional factors. Because the Kia Soul is considered a passenger car, rates will be similar in price or lower than the average rate where you live.
- More than one policy can earn a discount – The majority of companies give discounts to customers who consolidate policies with them such as combining an auto and homeowners policy. Discounts can amount to anywhere from five to ten percent in most cases. Even with this discount, it’s still a good idea to compare rates to confirm you are receiving the best rates possible. Consumers may find better rates by splitting coverages up.
- Sex matters – Statistics demonstrate women are more cautious behind the wheel. That doesn’t necessarily mean that women are BETTER drivers than men. They both tend to get into accidents in similar numbers, but the men cause more damage. Men also statistically receive more costly citations such as reckless driving. Young males are the most expensive to insure and are penalized with high auto insurance rates.
- Rural vs Urban Areas – Living in a rural area can be a good thing when it comes to auto insurance. Urban drivers have much more traffic and longer commute times. Lower population means fewer accidents.
- Proper usage rating affects rates – The more miles you rack up on your Kia in a year’s time the more you will pay for auto insurance. The majority of insurers apply a rate based on how the vehicle is used. Autos used primarily for pleasure use qualify for better rates than those used for commuting. Having the wrong rating on your Soul may be costing you. Double check that your auto insurance policy is showing how each vehicle is driven.
- You might want pay the small claims yourself – Insurance companies generally give cheaper rates to drivers who do not file claims often. If you file claims often, you can definitely plan on either higher rates or even cancellation. Car insurance is designed for major claims that would cause financial hardship.
Auto Insurance Prices Online
Cutting your auto insurance rates is actually quite simple. The only requirement is to invest a few minutes getting comparison quotes provided by online insurance companies. It is quite easy and can be accomplished using a couple different methods.
- The fastest way consumers can analyze rates is a comparison rater form (click to open form in new window). This form prevents you from having to do separate quotes for every auto insurance company. One form gets rate comparisons from all major companies.
- A less efficient way to shop for auto insurance online is going to the website for each individual company and fill out their own quote form. For instance, we’ll pretend you want to compare rates from Progressive, Farmers and American Family. To get rate quotes you would need to take the time to go to each site and enter your policy data, which is why the first method is more popular.
For a list of links to companies insuring cars in your area, click here.
However you get your quotes, make sure you use apples-to-apples information on every quote. If you have higher or lower deductibles it’s impossible to determine which rate is truly the best.
Policy discounts you shouldn’t miss
Car insurance companies don’t always advertise all available discounts very well, so we break down some of the best known and the harder-to-find auto insurance savings. If you don’t get every credit you deserve, you are paying more than you should be.
- Seat Belts Save more than Lives – Buckling up and requiring all passengers to use their safety belts can save up to 15% off your PIP or medical payments premium.
- Air Bag Discount – Vehicles with factory air bags or motorized seat belts can qualify for discounts of up to 25% or more.
- Accident Waiver – Certain companies allow you one accident without raising rates if you are claim-free for a certain period of time.
- Multiple Cars – Buying coverage for all your vehicles on one policy may reduce the rate for each vehicle.
- Homeowners Discount – Owning a house can save you money because owning a home demonstrates responsibility.
- Service Members Pay Less – Having a family member in the military could mean lower rates.
Drivers should understand that most of the big mark downs will not be given the the whole policy. A few only apply to individual premiums such as liability and collision coverage. Just because you may think adding up those discounts means a free policy, you won’t be that lucky.
For a list of insurers with discount auto insurance rates, click here.
Insurance agents can help
When choosing adequate coverage, there isn’t really a perfect coverage plan. Everyone’s needs are different and your policy should reflect that. Here are some questions about coverages that may help you determine if your insurance needs would benefit from professional advice.
- Is my vehicle covered by my employer’s policy when using it for work?
- When would I need additional glass coverage?
- How much liability do I need to cover my assets?
- Should I file a claim if it’s only slightly more than my deductible?
- What discounts do I qualify for?
- If my Kia Soul is totaled, can I afford another vehicle?
- Does my Kia Soul qualify for pleasure use?
- Is pleasure use cheaper than using my Kia Soul to commute?
If you’re not sure about those questions, then you may want to think about talking to an insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, take a second and complete this form or go to this page to view a list of companies. It is quick, free and can help protect your family.
Summing up your auto insurance search
As you shop your coverage around, it’s a bad idea to sacrifice coverage to reduce premiums. There are many occasions where someone sacrificed physical damage coverage and discovered at claim time that the small savings ended up costing them much more. The ultimate goal is to find the BEST coverage at the best price, not the least amount of coverage.
We’ve covered a lot of ways to reduce Kia Soul insurance prices online. The key concept to understand is the more quotes you get, the better your comparison will be. Drivers may discover the best prices are with a company that doesn’t do a lot of advertising. These companies can often provide lower rates in certain areas compared to the large companies like Progressive or GEICO.