Locating better insurance prices for your Kia Soul in Texas can turn out to be a lot of work, but you can learn these tips to save time. There are both good and bad ways to buy auto insurance so you’re going to learn the quickest way to get price quotes for a Kia and find the cheapest rates either online or from Houston insurance agents.
Auto insurance discounts are available to cut your rates
Some insurers do not list the complete list of policy discounts very clearly, so the list below gives a summary of a few of the more common and also the more inconspicuous discounts that you can inquire about if you .
- Driving Data Discount – Insureds who allow their auto insurance company to scrutinize their driving habits by using a telematics device such as Drivewise from Allstate or Snapshot from Progressive might get better premium rates if they exhibit good driving behavior.
- Discounts for Responsible Drivers – Drivers without accidents could pay up to 40% less on Soul insurance than their less cautious counterparts.
- Anti-lock Brake System – Cars, trucks, and SUVs with anti-lock braking systems have fewer accidents so companies give up to a 10% discount.
- Government Employees – Being employed by or retired from a federal job could qualify for a slight premium decrease on Soul insurance with certain companies.
- Save with More Vehicles Insured – Having primary and secondary vehicles on a single policy can get a discount for every vehicle.
- Accident Forgiveness – This one is not really a discount per se, but companies like GEICO and Allstate permit an accident before hitting you with a surcharge so long as you haven’t had any claims for a particular time prior to the accident.
- Defensive Driver Discount – Passing a defensive driving course could cut 5% off your bill and make you a better driver.
- Discounts for Seat Belt Usage – Drivers who require all occupants to use a seat belt can save a little off the personal injury premium cost.
- Life Insurance – Larger insurance companies have better premium rates if you take out some life insurance too.
As a sidenote, most discount credits are not given to your bottom line cost. Some only reduce individual premiums such as liability and collision coverage. So when it seems like all the discounts add up to a free policy, it just doesn’t work that way.
Companies and the discounts they provide are included below.
- GEICO discounts include good student, anti-lock brakes, daytime running lights, air bags, and federal employee.
- Travelers offers discounts for payment discounts, student away at school, good student, multi-policy, IntelliDrive, and save driver.
- Farm Bureau has savings for youthful driver, renewal discount, good student, multi-vehicle, driver training, and 55 and retired.
- Liberty Mutual may have discounts that include hybrid vehicle, new graduate, multi-car, new vehicle discount, exclusive group savings, multi-policy, and safety features.
- American Family offers premium reductions for air bags, early bird, bundled insurance, Steer into Savings, mySafetyValet, TimeAway discount, and defensive driver.
- Progressive may offer discounts for multi-vehicle, good student, homeowner, online quote discount, multi-policy, continuous coverage, and online signing.
When getting , it’s a good idea to each company or agent which discounts you qualify for. Savings may not be offered in your area.
Decisions You Make Can Impact Your Insurance Premiums
An important part of buying insurance is that you know the rating factors that are used to determine auto insurance rates. When consumers understand what controls the rates you pay, this allows you to make good choices that could result in lower rates.
- Bad credit will cost you – Having a good credit score can be a huge factor in determining premium rates. Insureds with high credit scores tend to be more responsible than drivers with poor credit scores. If your credit rating could use some work, you could potentially save money when insuring your Kia Soul by taking the time to improve your credit score.
- Marriage can save you money – Having a spouse may save some money on your policy. Having a significant other demonstrates that you tend to be more financially stable and insurance companies like that being married results in fewer claims.
- Liability protection – The liability coverage on your policy will provide protection in the event that you are ruled to be at fault for personal injury or accident damage. Liability insurance provides for a legal defense up to the limits shown on your policy. This coverage is very inexpensive compared to other policy coverages, so do not skimp.
- Insurance costs and vehicle performance – The performance level of the car or truck you are insuring makes a significant difference in how high your rates are. Due to the fact that the Kia Soul is considered a passenger car, insurance will be similar in price or lower as compared to the average rate in Houston. Small economy passenger cars normally have pretty low rates, but many other things help determine your insurance rates.
- Save money by having multiple policies – Some insurance companies allow a discount to policyholders who carry more than one policy. It’s known as a multi-policy discount. Discounts can amount to five, ten or even twenty percent. Even if you’re getting this discount it’s always a smart idea to compare other company rates to guarantee you are still saving the most. It’s possible to still save money even if you have your coverage with different companies
- Filing policy claims can cost more – If you tend to file frequent claims, you can expect increased rates or even have your policy non-renewed. Car insurance companies in Texas award the best rates to people who file claims infrequently. Your car insurance is intended for claims that pose a financial burden.
Get rate quotes but still have a local Houston insurance agency
Many drivers would rather buy from a local agent and there is nothing wrong with that. One of the great benefits of getting free rate quotes online is you can get the best rates and still choose a local agent.
To help locate an agent, after submitting this form (opens in new window), your coverage information is immediately sent to local insurance agents in Houston who will give you quotes for your insurance coverage. You don’t have to visit any agencies due to the fact that quote results will go to the email address you provide. You can find the lowest rates and an insurance agent to talk to. If for some reason you want to compare prices from a specific company, you can always jump over to their website and give them your coverage information.
Choosing an company shouldn’t rely on just a low price. Some important questions to ask are:
- Can glass claims be handled at your home?
- Is there a local claims center in Houston?
- Does the agent help file claims?
- Does their agency support local causes in Houston?
- Do they specialize in personal lines coverage?
- Do they offer accident forgiveness?
- Will the company cover a rental car if your car is getting fixed?
If you are wanting to purchase auto insurance from a local insurance agency, you need to know there are two types of insurance agents and how they can service your needs differently. Agents in Houston can be classified as either captive or independent agents depending on their company appointments.
Captive Auto Insurance Agencies
These agents can only provide one company’s prices such as State Farm, Allstate, or Farmers Insurance. Captives cannot provide rate quotes from other companies so they have no alternatives for high prices. They are usually quite knowledgeable on sales techniques which helps overcome the inability to quote other rates. Consumers often use the same captive agent mostly because of the brand and strong financial ratings.
Independent Insurance Agents
Agents of this type are not employed by any specific company so as a result can place your coverage through lots of different companies and get you the best rates possible. If you are not satisfied with one company, the business is moved internally and you won’t have to switch agencies.
If you are comparing rate quotes, it’s a good idea to compare prices from at a minimum one independent agency in order to have the best price comparison. Most have the option of insuring with different regional companies which may have better rates.
Tricks in auto insurance advertising
Well-known auto insurance companies like State Farm, GEICO and Progressive continually stream ads on TV and radio. They all tend to make the same promise about saving some big amount if you move your coverage to them. But how can every company sell you cheaper insurance coverage? You have to listen carefully.
Most companies quote their cheapest rates for the type of customer that will generate a profit. For instance, a driver they prefer could be a mature driver, has never had a policy lapse, and chooses high deductibles. Anybody who matches those parameters will probably get the lowest rates and will also save when they switch companies.
Insureds who fall outside the ideal profile will get a higher rate which usually ends up with the customer not buying. The trick is to say “customers that switch” but not “everyone who gets a quote” can save as much as they claim. That’s the way insurance companies can confidently advertise the savings. Because of these techniques, you really should compare many company’s rates. It’s impossible to know the company that will have the best prices.
More detailed Texas auto insurance information is available at the Texas Department of Insurance website. Consumers can read state legal mandates and laws, learn about insurance regulations, learn about specific coverages, and view agent and company licensing information.
More related Houston auto insurance information:
And the best auto insurance company is…
Lower-priced auto insurance can be found both online and from local insurance agents, and you should compare rates from both in order to have the best price selection to choose from. A few companies don’t offer online quoting and usually these smaller companies only sell through independent agents.
As you shop your coverage around, you should never buy poor coverage just to save money. In too many instances, an insured dropped collision coverage only to find out that the savings was not a smart move. Your objective should be to purchase plenty of coverage at the best price, but don’t skip important coverages to save money.
In this article, we covered many tips how you can lower your Kia Soul insurance car insurance rates. The key thing to remember is the more companies you get premium rates for, the better likelihood of getting . Drivers may discover the best car insurance rates are with a company that doesn’t do a lot of advertising.