How to Compare Oklahoma City Subaru Forester Insurance

It’s safe to conclude that insurance companies don’t want their customers to go rate shopping. Insureds who shop around for better prices are highly likely to switch insurance companies because there is a great chance of finding coverage at a cheaper rate. A survey found that drivers who compared rates regularly saved $3,450 over four years as compared to drivers who never compared prices.

If finding the most affordable car insurance is the reason you’re reading this, knowing how to get rate quotes and compare coverages can help you succeed in finding affordable rates.

The easiest way to get budget Subaru Forester insurance is to compare prices annually from insurance carriers in Oklahoma City. Price quotes can be compared by following these guidelines.

1. Get a basic knowledge of what coverages are included in your policy and the measures you can take to keep rates down. Many rating criteria that drive up the price such as accidents, careless driving, and a negative credit rating can be remedied by making minor changes to your lifestyle.
2. Request price quotes from direct, independent, and exclusive agents. Direct and exclusive agents can only give rate quotes from one company like Progressive or Allstate, while independent agencies can quote prices from multiple companies. Start a quote
3. Compare the quotes to your current policy to determine if you can save on Forester insurance. If you find better rates, verify that coverage does not lapse between policies.
4. Notify your current company to cancel your current car insurance policy and submit payment and a completed application to your new carrier. Don’t forget to place your new proof of insurance certificate with your vehicle’s registration.

A good tip to remember is to use the same physical damage deductibles and liability limits on each price quote and and to get rates from as many car insurance companies as possible. Doing this enables a fair price comparison and a complete price analysis.

Lower-cost Oklahoma City auto insurance rates with discounts

Auto insurance companies do not advertise every discount available in an easy-to-find place, so the list below contains both the well known and also the more inconspicuous credits that you can use to lower your rates.

• College Student Discount – Any of your kids who live away from home at college and do not have a car could get you a discount.
• Save over 55 – Seniors could receive lower premium rates.
• Theft Deterrent – Cars and trucks equipped with anti-theft or alarm systems can help prevent theft and will save you 10% or more on Forester insurance in Oklahoma City.
• Sign Online – Many larger companies will discount your bill up to fifty bucks for signing up on the web.
• Include Life Insurance and Save – Select auto insurance companies reward you with a discount if you purchase a life insurance policy as well.
• Auto/Home Discount – If you can combine your homeowners and auto policy with one company you could earn a discount of nearly 15% which can help you find cheaper Forester insurance.
• Organization Discounts – Affiliation with a civic or occupational organization in Oklahoma City may earn a discount on your bill.

As a disclaimer on discounts, most of the big mark downs will not be given to all coverage premiums. Most only apply to individual premiums such as collision or personal injury protection. So even though you would think adding up those discounts means a free policy, it just doesn’t work that way. But any discount should help reduce your auto insurance premiums.

The example below illustrates the difference between Subaru Forester yearly insurance costs with and without policy discounts. The premiums are based on a female driver, no claims or driving citations, Oklahoma state minimum liability limits, comprehensive and collision coverage, and $100 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with claim-free, safe-driver, marriage, multi-car, multi-policy, and homeowner discounts applied.

A few of the larger companies and some of the discounts are outlined below.

• Progressive has savings for multi-policy, online quote discount, multi-vehicle, homeowner, continuous coverage, and good student.
• SAFECO policyholders can earn discounts including bundle discounts, anti-theft, teen safe driver, drive less, homeowner, and teen safety rewards.
• American Family includes discounts for bundled insurance, good student, defensive driver, Steer into Savings, good driver, early bird, and mySafetyValet.
• MetLife offers discounts for good student, defensive driver, claim-free, good driver, accident-free, multi-policy
• GEICO discounts include multi-vehicle, five-year accident-free, defensive driver, military active duty, good student, and daytime running lights.
• The Hartford offers premium reductions for vehicle fuel type, driver training, air bag, anti-theft, bundle, good student, and defensive driver.

It’s a good idea to ask each company which discounts can lower your rates. Some discounts listed above might not be available to policyholders in Oklahoma City. For a list of insurers that have a full spectrum of discounts in Oklahoma, click here.

Keep in mind that making a lot of price comparisons increases the chance that you will find a lower rate.

The auto insurance companies shown below provide price comparisons in Oklahoma City, OK. If multiple providers are shown, we recommend you visit two to three different companies to find the most competitive auto insurance rates.

Subaru Forester insurance coverage information

The premium information below highlights estimates of rate quotes for Subaru Forester models. Being able to understand how premiums are figured helps drivers make smart choices when purchasing an auto insurance policy.

Above prices assume single female driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $500 deductibles, and Oklahoma minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-vehicle, safe-driver, homeowner, claim-free, and multi-policy. Price estimates do not factor in specific location which can change premium rates substantially.

Rate comparison for different deductibles

One common question asked by Oklahoma City drivers is which deductibles should you choose. The following insurance rates help summarize the differences in premium rates between low and high comp and collision deductibles. The first set of rates uses a $100 physical damage deductible and the second price table uses a $500 deductible.

Table data represents married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and Oklahoma minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include homeowner, multi-policy, claim-free, safe-driver, and multi-vehicle. Prices do not factor in vehicle garaging location which can affect premium rates considerably.

Using the data above, we can ascertain that using a $100 deductible would cost the average driver about $34 more each month or $408 each year than requesting the higher $500 deductible. Since you would pay $400 more out-of-pocket with a $500 deductible as compared to a $100 deductible, if you tend to average at a minimum 12 months between claim filings, you would more than likely save some money if you choose a higher deductible.

The illustration below illustrates how your deductible choice and can increase or decrease Subaru Forester insurance prices for different age categories. The data is based on a single female driver, full coverage, and no discounts are applied to the premium.

Rate comparison of full coverage and liability-only

The information below compares Subaru Forester auto insurance costs with liability coverage only compared to full coverage. The premiums assume no driving violations, no at-fault accidents, $500 deductibles, single status, and no discounts are factored in.

When to drop comp and collision

There is no definitive guideline for eliminating physical damage coverage, but there is a broad guideline. If the yearly cost of full coverage is about 10% or more of any settlement you would receive from your insurance company, then you might want to consider buying only liability coverage.

For example, let’s assume your Subaru Forester book value is $4,000 and you have $1,000 physical damage deductibles. If your vehicle is destroyed, you would only receive $3,000 after you pay the deductible. If it’s costing in excess of $300 annually for comprehensive and collision coverage, then you might want to consider buying only liability coverage.

There are a few cases where buying only liability insurance is not recommended. If you still have a lienholder on your title, you have to maintain full coverage in order to satisfy the requirements of the loan. Also, if you don’t have enough money to buy a different vehicle in the event your current vehicle is totaled, you should keep full coverage on your policy.

When to talk to an agent

Some consumers just prefer to sit down and talk to an agent and that is just fine! A nice benefit of comparing rate quotes online is that drivers can save money and get cheap rate quotes and also buy local. Buying from and supporting local agents is especially important in Oklahoma City.

For easy comparison, once you complete this quick form, your insurance coverage information gets sent to companies in Oklahoma City who will give you bids for your coverage. It makes it easy because there is no need to do any legwork due to the fact that quote results will go directly to you. You can find lower rates without having to waste a lot of time. If you have a need to compare rates from a specific insurance company, don’t hesitate to visit that company’s website to submit a rate quote request.

If you are wanting to find a good Oklahoma City insurance agent, you should know the different types of agents and how they can service your needs differently. Auto insurance agencies are considered either independent or exclusive.

Independent Auto Insurance Agencies

Agents of this type can quote rates with many companies so they can insure your vehicles with an assortment of companies and find you the best rates. If you want to switch companies, they simply switch companies in-house without you having to go to a different agency. When comparing auto insurance prices, you definitely need to get several quotes from several independent agencies so that you can do a thorough price comparison.

Featured below are Oklahoma City independent insurance agencies who may provide pricing information.

More insurance agents

Exclusive Auto Insurance Agencies

Agents in the exclusive channel can only quote rates from one company and examples are Farmers Insurance or State Farm. They are unable to compare rates from other companies so it’s a take it or leave it situation. Exclusive agents are well trained on what they offer which helps them compete with independent agents.

Below is a short list of exclusive insurance agencies in Oklahoma City that can give you rate quotes.

More insurance agents

Picking an insurance agency is decision based upon more than just a low price. These are valid questions to ask:

• How will an accident affect your rates?
• Do they have cheaper tiers of coverage?
• Are all drivers listed on the coverage quote?
• If your car is totaled, how to they determine the replacement cost?
• Do they feel the quoted coverages are adequate?
• If you have an accident, are you able to get your vehicle repaired at the shop of your choice?
• Do they review policy coverages at every renewal?

After you get good answers to any questions you have and low cost Subaru Forester insurance quotes, you’ve probably found an insurance agency that can service your policy. Just remember consumers can cancel a policy for any reason so don’t assume that you’re stuck with any specific agency for any length of time.

Three reasons to insure your Subaru Forester

Despite the fact that car insurance is not cheap in Oklahoma City, insuring your vehicle is required in Oklahoma but also provides important benefits.

• The majority of states have minimum liability requirements which means state laws require a specific minimum amount of liability insurance if you want to drive legally. In Oklahoma these limits are 25/50/25 which means you must have $25,000 of bodily injury coverage per person, $50,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $25,000 of property damage coverage.
• If you have a lien on your Subaru Forester, almost every bank will make it mandatory that you carry insurance to guarantee loan repayment. If you let the policy lapse, the bank or lender will purchase a policy for your Subaru for a much higher rate and require you to pay for it.
• Insurance safeguards your car and your assets. It will also cover hospital and medical expenses incurred in an accident. Liability coverage, the one required by state law, will also pay for a defense attorney in the event you are sued. If your Subaru gets damaged, your car insurance policy will cover the damage repairs after a deductible is paid.

The benefits of buying enough insurance outweigh the cost, particularly when you have a large claim. In a recent study of 1,000 drivers, the average customer is overpaying over $820 a year so we recommend shopping around at every renewal to be sure current rates are still competitive.

Auto insurance 101

Understanding the coverages of car insurance helps when choosing the best coverages and the correct deductibles and limits. Car insurance terms can be confusing and coverage can change by endorsement. Below you’ll find typical coverage types found on the average car insurance policy.

Uninsured or underinsured coverage

Your UM/UIM coverage provides protection when the “other guys” do not carry enough liability coverage. Covered claims include injuries to you and your family as well as your vehicle’s damage.

Since many Oklahoma drivers have only the minimum liability required by law (25/50/25 in Oklahoma), their limits can quickly be used up. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage should not be overlooked. Usually these limits are identical to your policy’s liability coverage.

Collision coverage

Collision insurance pays for damage to your Forester caused by collision with another vehicle or an object, but not an animal. You first must pay a deductible and the rest of the damage will be paid by collision coverage.

Collision can pay for claims like driving through your garage door, sustaining damage from a pot hole and damaging your car on a curb. Paying for collision coverage can be pricey, so consider removing coverage from vehicles that are older. It’s also possible to increase the deductible on your Forester to get cheaper collision coverage.

Medical expense coverage

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage kick in for immediate expenses such as chiropractic care, ambulance fees, doctor visits, nursing services and surgery. They can be utilized in addition to your health insurance plan or if there is no health insurance coverage. Medical payments and PIP cover not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants as well as if you are hit as a while walking down the street. PIP is not available in all states but can be used in place of medical payments coverage

Comprehensive protection

Comprehensive insurance covers damage caused by mother nature, theft, vandalism and other events. You need to pay your deductible first then the remaining damage will be covered by your comprehensive coverage.

Comprehensive coverage protects against claims such as hitting a deer, damage from a tornado or hurricane, damage from flooding and damage from getting keyed. The highest amount you’ll receive from a claim is the actual cash value, so if the vehicle’s value is low it’s not worth carrying full coverage.

Liability auto insurance

Liability coverage will cover damage that occurs to other people or property. Coverage consists of three different limits, bodily injury for each person injured, bodily injury for the entire accident and a property damage limit. Your policy might show liability limits of 25/50/25 that translate to $25,000 bodily injury coverage, $50,000 for the entire accident, and a total limit of $25,000 for damage to vehicles and property. Some companies may use a combined single limit or CSL which combines the three limits into one amount with no separate limits for injury or property damage.

Liability can pay for things like repair costs for stationary objects, court costs, medical services and loss of income. How much liability coverage do you need? That is your choice, but buy as much as you can afford. Oklahoma requires minimum liability limits of 25/50/25 but you should think about purchasing more liability than the minimum.

The chart below shows why low liability limits may not provide adequate coverage.

Cheaper car insurance is a realistic goal

In this article, we presented many ways to compare Subaru Forester insurance rates in Oklahoma City. The key concept to understand is the more companies you get auto insurance rates for, the more likely it is that you will get a better rate. You may even discover the most savings is with a company that doesn’t do a lot of advertising. They may often insure only within specific states and give better rates than their larger competitors like Allstate, GEICO and Progressive.

When trying to cut insurance costs, it’s a bad idea to skimp on critical coverages to save a buck or two. There are many occasions where someone sacrificed liability limits or collision coverage only to find out that saving that couple of dollars actually costed them tens of thousands. Your goal is to buy enough coverage at a price you can afford.

Affordable Subaru Forester insurance in Oklahoma City can be sourced on the web and also from your neighborhood Oklahoma City agents, so you need to shop Oklahoma City auto insurance with both to have the best rate selection. Some insurance companies do not offer rates over the internet and most of the time these small insurance companies provide coverage only through independent insurance agents.

Additional detailed information is located at these sites:

• Car Insurance: When not to Skimp (BankRate.com)
• All About Airbag Safety (State Farm)
• State Laws for Cellphones and Texting (iihs.org)
• What to do at the Scene of an Accident (Insurance Information Institute)
• Car Insurance FAQ (Trusted Choice)