How to Save on Saab 9-3 Insurance in San Jose

It’s safe to conclude that car insurance companies don’t want policyholders to compare prices from other companies. Insureds who do rate comparisons are highly likely to switch to a new company because there is a significant possibility of finding a lower-cost company. A recent study showed that people who made a habit of comparing rate quotes saved $3,450 over four years as compared to drivers who never shopped for cheaper rates.

If finding the lowest price on car insurance in San Jose is the reason you’re reading this, understanding how to find and compare insurance can help you be more efficient.

The best way to get more affordable Saab 9-3 insurance is to do an annual price comparison from insurance carriers that insure vehicles in San Jose.

• First, take a little time to learn about the different coverages in a policy and the modifications you can make to prevent expensive coverage. Many factors that are responsible for high rates like multiple speeding tickets and a negative credit score can be controlled by making small lifestyle or driving habit changes. Keep reading for more ideas to keep prices down and earn larger discounts.
• Second, obtain price quotes from exclusive agents, independent agents, and direct providers. Exclusive and direct companies can only give prices from one company like Progressive or Farmers Insurance, while agents who are independent can provide price quotes for many different companies. View prices
• Third, compare the quotes to your current policy premium to determine if switching companies saves money. If you find a lower rate quote and switch companies, verify that coverage does not lapse between policies.

A good tip to remember is to make sure you enter the same physical damage deductibles and liability limits on every quote request and and to get rates from all possible companies. Doing this helps ensure a fair rate comparison and a better comparison of the market.

Choosing the best rates in San Jose is easy if you know what you’re doing. If you are already insured or are looking for a new policy, follow these tips to get lower rates while maintaining coverages. Vehicle owners only need to know the best way to shop online from multiple companies.

The following companies can provide quotes in San Jose, CA. If the list has multiple companies, we recommend you visit several of them to find the lowest car insurance rates.

Rates and statistics

The data table shown below showcases estimates of coverage prices for Saab 9-3 models. Being aware of how prices are calculated is important for you to make informed decisions when comparing rates.

Table data represents single male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $500 deductibles, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include homeowner, multi-policy, multi-vehicle, claim-free, and safe-driver. Rates do not factor in specific San Jose garaging location which can impact auto insurance rates significantly.

Deductible comparison

One common question asked by San Jose drivers is the level to set your comp and collision deductibles. The tables below lay out the premium difference when you select higher and lower coverage deductibles. The first set of rates uses a $250 deductible for comprehensive and collision coverage and the second price table uses a $1,000 deductible.

Data based on married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include safe-driver, claim-free, homeowner, multi-vehicle, and multi-policy. Table data does not factor in specific zip code location which can change prices greatly.

Based on the data above, we can derive that using a $250 deductible costs roughly $38 more each month or $456 for a full year than opting for the higher $1,000 deductible. Since the policyholder would be required to pay $750 more out of your own pocket with a $1,000 deductible as compared to a $250 deductible, if you tend to average more than 20 months between claims, you would most likely save money if you choose a higher deductible.

Should you buy full coverage?

The example below compares Saab 9-3 insurance premiums with liability coverage only compared to full coverage. The prices are based on no tickets, no at-fault accidents, $100 deductibles, single status, and no additional discounts are factored in.

Deciding between full coverage and liability only

There is no clear-cut rule of when to drop full coverage on your policy, but there is a guideline you can consider. If the annual cost of your full coverage insurance is more than around 10% of the replacement cost of your vehicle minus the policy deductible, the it may be a good time to stop paying for full coverage.

For example, let’s say your Saab 9-3 book value is $3,000 and you have $1,000 physical damage deductibles. If your vehicle is severely damaged, the most you would receive is $2,000 after the policy deductible has been paid. If you are paying in excess of $200 a year for physical damage coverage, then it might be time to consider dropping full coverage.

There are a few situations where dropping full coverage is not recommended. If you still have a lienholder on your title, you have to maintain full coverage in order to prevent the bank from purchasing higher-priced coverage. Also, if you don’t have enough money to buy a different vehicle if your current one is damaged, you should not opt for liability only.

Lower rate quotes on Saab 9-3 insurance in San Jose with these discounts

Companies don’t always advertise all discounts very well, so we took the time to find a few of the more common and also the lesser-known discounts that you can inquire about if you buy San Jose auto insurance online.

• Driving Data Discount – San Jose drivers who agree to allow data collection to analyze driving patterns remotely such as Snapshot from Progressive or Drivewise from Allstate may get a rate reduction if they show good driving skills.
• Military Rewards – Having a family member in the military could qualify you for better prices.
• Policy Bundle Discount – If you have multiple policies and insure them with the same company you will save up to 20% and get you the cheapest Saab 9-3 insurance in San Jose.
• Student Discounts – Getting good grades may save as much as 25% on a San Jose auto insurance quote. The good student discount can last until age 25.
• Air Bags and Passive Restraints – Factory options such as air bags or automatic seat belts may earn rate discounts as much as 30%.
• Defensive Driving Course – Participating in a safe driver course could cut 5% off your bill and also improve your driving technique.

As is typical with insurance, most discounts do not apply to all coverage premiums. The majority will only reduce specific coverage prices like liability and collision coverage. So despite the fact that it appears all those discounts means the company will pay you, companies wouldn’t make money that way.

The example below shows the comparison of Saab 9-3 premium costs with and without discounts. The prices are based on a female driver, no accidents, no driving violations, California state minimum liability limits, full physical damage coverage, and $500 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with multi-policy, marriage, claim-free, safe-driver, homeowner, and multi-car discounts applied.

Companies and a partial list of their discounts are detailed below.

• State Farm offers discounts including student away at school, good student, driver’s education, safe vehicle, and multiple autos.
• Nationwide discounts include easy pay, accident-free, anti-theft, good student, and business or organization.
• GEICO offers discounts for good student, anti-theft, military active duty, multi-policy, defensive driver, driver training, and five-year accident-free.
• AAA has savings for anti-theft, multi-car, good driver, AAA membership discount, education and occupation, good student, and multi-policy.
• 21st Century policyholders can earn discounts including automatic seat belts, anti-lock brakes, driver training, 55 and older, theft prevention, and homeowners.
• The Hartford includes discounts for bundle, defensive driver, driver training, vehicle fuel type, and good student.

If you are trying to find affordable Saab 9-3 insurance quotes, ask all companies you are considering how you can save money. Some discounts listed above might not be offered in San Jose. To see a list of providers that offer many of these discounts in San Jose, follow this link.

Why do I need car insurance?

Despite the high cost, insurance is a good idea for several reasons.

• Almost all states have compulsory liability insurance requirements which means state laws require specific limits of liability insurance coverage if you don’t want to risk a ticket. In California these limits are 15/30/5 which means you must have $15,000 of bodily injury coverage per person, $30,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $5,000 of property damage coverage.
• If you have a loan on your Saab 9-3, it’s guaranteed your bank will require that you have full coverage to protect their interest in the vehicle. If the policy lapses, the bank will be required to insure your Saab at an extremely high rate and force you to reimburse them a much higher amount than you were paying before.
• Insurance protects both your Saab 9-3 and your personal assets. It will also cover all forms of medical expenses for you, your passengers, and anyone else injured in an accident. One of the most valuable coverages, liability insurance, will also pay for a defense attorney if someone files suit against you as the result of an accident. If your car is damaged in a storm or accident, comprehensive and collision coverage will pay to have it repaired.

The benefits of buying insurance greatly outweigh the cost, especially if you ever need it. According to a recent study, the average American driver is overpaying more than $865 each year so shop around every year to ensure rates are inline.

When to talk to an insurance agent

Some people prefer to talk to an insurance agent and that can be a great decision Most agents are trained risk managers and give you someone to call. The biggest benefit of comparing rate quotes online is the fact that you can find cheaper car insurance rates but still work with a licensed agent.

By using this form (opens in new window), the quote information is transmitted to participating agents in San Jose who want to provide quotes for your coverage. You don’t have to even leave your home because prices are sent directly to your email. If you have a need to compare prices from a specific insurance company, you just need to go to their quote page and complete a quote there.

Picking an insurer should depend on more than just the price. Any agent in San Jose should be forthright in answering these questions:

• Are glass claims handled on-site or do you have to take your vehicle to a repair shop?
• How many years have they been established?
• Does the agency have a good rating with the Better Business Bureau?
• Is the agent CPCU or CIC certified?
• Which insurance company do they prefer to write with?
• If you raise deductibles, how much can you save?

What types of auto insurance agents are in San Jose?

If you would like to find a reliable agent, it can be helpful to understand the different types of agents and how they can service your needs differently. Insurance agencies in San Jose are considered either exclusive or independent. Either can provide insurance policies, but it is important to understand how they are different since it can affect the kind of agent you use.

Exclusive Insurance Agencies

Exclusive agents can usually just insure with one company like AAA, Allstate, and State Farm. These agents are not able to give you multiple price quotes so they have no alternatives for high prices. Exclusive insurance agents are well schooled on what they offer which can be an advantage.

Listed below is a short list of exclusive insurance agencies in San Jose who may provide you with price quote information.

More San Jose agents

Independent Agents

These type of agents do not sell for just one brand and that enables them to quote your coverage with an assortment of companies and find the cheapest rate. If prices rise, they can switch companies in-house without you having to go to a different agency.

If you need cheaper insurance rates, we recommend you get several quotes from at a minimum one independent agency to ensure the widest selection of prices.

Shown below is a short list of independent insurance agencies in San Jose that are able to give comparison quotes.

More San Jose agents