It goes without saying that insurance companies don’t want you quoting rates from other companies. People who get comparison quotes at least once a year will most likely move their business because there are good odds of finding a more affordable policy. A recent survey revealed that people who compared rates once a year saved over $865 annually compared to policyholders who don’t regularly compare prices.
If finding the cheapest price on car insurance in San Jose is your target objective, knowing how to get price quotes and compare insurance rates can save time and make the process easier.
The preferred way to find affordable quotes for Honda Ridgeline insurance is to regularly compare quotes from insurers who sell auto insurance in San Jose.
First, take a little time to learn about how auto insurance works and the factors you can control to prevent high rates. Many risk factors that are responsible for high rates like speeding tickets, accidents and a low credit rating can be controlled by paying attention to minor details. Continue reading for information to find cheap rates and get discounts that may be available to you.
Second, request price quotes from exclusive agents, independent agents, and direct providers. Direct companies and exclusive agencies can only give prices from one company like GEICO and Allstate, while agents who are independent can quote rates from many different companies.
Third, compare the quotes to your current policy to see if a cheaper price is available in San Jose. If you find a lower rate and make a switch, verify that coverage does not lapse between policies.
Fourth, notify your company or agent to cancel your current car insurance policy and submit a down payment along with a completed application to your new insurance company. Make sure you place the new certificate of insurance above your visor, in the console, or in the glove compartment.
One key aspect of rate comparisons is to try to use identical limits and deductibles on every quote and and to get quotes from as many different insurance providers as possible. This guarantees a fair price comparison and a good representation of prices.
Locating the most cost-effective auto insurance policy in San Jose is actually quite simple. Nearly every car owner who is required by state law to have auto insurance stands a good chance to be able to cut their insurance bill. But California vehicle owners need to learn how big insurance companies calculate their prices and take advantage of how the system works.
To find cheap rates, there are a couple of ways to compare rate quotes from many available auto insurance companies in California. The easiest way by far to do a complete rate comparison is to use the internet to compare rates.
It’s so simple to compare auto insurance quotes online makes it obsolete to drive to insurance agents’ offices. The ability to buy insurance online makes this process obsolete unless you prefer the peace of mind only provided by licensed San Jose agents. Although, it is possible comparison shop online and have a local agent actually service the policy.
Keep in mind that having more price comparisons increases the chance that you will find lower pricing. Not every company allows you to get online rate quotes, so it’s important to compare prices on coverage from those companies, too.
The companies shown below are our best choices to provide free rate quotes in California. If multiple companies are shown, we recommend you click on several of them to get the cheapest price.
Honda Ridgeline insurance statistics and information
The table shown next covers detailed analysis of insurance rates for Honda Ridgeline models. Being more informed about how car insurance prices are determined can benefit drivers when making smart choices when comparing insurance rates.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ridgeline RT 4WD | $192 | $332 | $514 | $30 | $154 | $1,222 | $102 |
| Ridgeline RTS 4WD | $216 | $332 | $514 | $30 | $154 | $1,246 | $104 |
| Ridgeline RTL 4WD | $216 | $392 | $514 | $30 | $154 | $1,306 | $109 |
| Ridgeline RTL W/Navigation 4WD | $216 | $392 | $514 | $30 | $154 | $1,306 | $109 |
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Above prices assume married male driver age 40, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $1000 deductibles, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include homeowner, safe-driver, claim-free, multi-vehicle, and multi-policy. Rates do not factor in specific location which can alter prices significantly.
The example below demonstrates how choosing different deductibles and can influence Honda Ridgeline insurance rates for different age groups. The rate quotes are based on a married female driver, comp and collision included, and no discounts are applied.
Difference between full coverage and liability only rates
The information below compares Honda Ridgeline insurance rates with and without full coverage. The information is based on no claims or driving violations, $500 deductibles, drivers are not married, and no discounts are taken into consideration.
Should you pay for full coverage?
There isn’t a steadfast formula to delete physical damage coverage on your policy, but there is a general convention. If the annual cost of having full coverage is 10% or more of replacement cost minus your deductible, then it might be time to buy liability only.
For example, let’s pretend your Honda Ridgeline replacement value is $3,000 and you have $1,000 full coverage deductibles. If your vehicle is totaled in an accident, the most you would get paid by your company is $2,000 after the deductible is paid. If premiums are more than $200 a year to have full coverage, the it may be a good time to stop paying for full coverage.
There are a few cases where buying only liability insurance is not in your best interest. If you still owe a portion of the original loan, you must maintain physical damage coverage in order to prevent your loan from defaulting. Also, if you don’t have enough money to buy a different vehicle if your current one is in an accident, you should not opt for liability only.
The Honda Ridgeline Insurance Price Equation
Many factors are used when you get your auto insurance bill. Some factors are common sense like your driving record, but some are more transparent such as your marital status or your vehicle rating. When buying insurance it’s important to understand the different types of things that help determine your policy premiums. When you understand what positively or negatively impacts your premiums, this allows you to make educated decisions that can help you get lower insurance prices.
Listed below are some of the major factors used by your company to calculate prices.
Infrequent drivers can save – The higher the mileage driven annually the higher your rates will be. Most companies apply a rate based upon how much you drive. Cars that are left in the garage receive lower rates compared to those used for work or business. Ask your agent if your vehicle rating reflects the correct usage for each vehicle. A policy that improperly rates your Ridgeline may be costing you.
Liability insurance safeguards assets – Your policy’s liability coverage will protect you if ever you are responsible for damages caused by your negligence. This coverage provides for a legal defense to defend your case. It is affordable coverage compared to insuring for physical damage coverage, so drivers should make sure they buy enough to cover all assets.
Safer vehicles means better premiums – Safe vehicles cost less to insure. Safer cars have better occupant injury protection and fewer injuries means lower claim amounts passed on to you as lower rates.
Lower rates by increasing coverage deductibles – Insurance for physical damage to your car, aka comp and collision, is used to repair damage to your Honda. Some examples of claims that would be covered would be running into the backend of another car, hail damage, and rolling your vehicle. Physical damage deductibles tell how much the insured will be required to pay before your insurance pays a claim. The more damage repair cost you pay before a claim is paid (deductible), the less money you will pay for insurance.
Type of vehicle determines base premiums – The performance of the vehicle you are trying to find cheaper insurance for makes a significant difference in your premium level. The lowest performance passenger models generally have the cheapest insurance rates, but that’s not the only thing that factors into the final price.
The next chart uses these variables: single male driver age 40, full coverage with $100 deductibles, and no discounts or violations. The chart compares Honda Ridgeline insurance rates compared to other vehicles that have a range of performances.
Save money with theft deterrents – Buying a car that has a built-in theft deterrent system can help lower your rates. Anti-theft devices like GM’s OnStar, tamper alarm systems and vehicle immobilizers all help stop car theft and help bring rates down.
Insurance is an important decision
Even though it can be expensive, insurance may not be optional for several reasons.
- Just about all states have mandatory liability insurance requirements which means it is punishable by state law to not carry specific minimum amounts of liability insurance coverage if you want to drive legally. 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 your Ridgeline has a loan, almost all lenders will make it mandatory that you have insurance to guarantee their interest in the vehicle. If the policy lapses, the bank may insure your Honda at a more expensive rate and require you to reimburse them much more than you were paying before.
- Insurance protects both your Honda Ridgeline and your personal assets. It also can pay for hospital and medical expenses incurred in an accident. As part of your policy, liability insurance also pays expenses related to your legal defense in the event you are sued. If mother nature or an accident damages your car, collision and comprehensive (also known as other-than-collision) coverage will cover the damage repairs after a deductible is paid.
The benefits of insuring your Ridgeline are definitely more than the cost, particularly for liability claims. On average, a vehicle owner in San Jose is wasting up to $855 a year so shop around at least once a year to ensure rates are competitive.