Texas buyers have lots of choices when searching for low-cost Honda CR-V insurance. They can either waste time struggling with agents to get rate comparisons or save time using the internet to find the lowest rates.
There is a right way and a wrong way to compare auto insurance rates so we’re going to tell you the best way to get price quotes for your Honda and locate the best price possible.
It is always a good idea to get comparison quotes before your policy renews because prices change regularly. Despite the fact that you may have had the best rates for CR-V insurance two years ago there may be better deals available now. Forget anything you know (or think you know) about auto insurance because we’re going to demonstrate the best way to reduce your cost while improving coverage.
Discounts can save BIG
Properly insuring your vehicles can get expensive, but companies offer discounts that you may not even be aware of. A few discounts will automatically apply when you purchase, but lesser-known reductions have to be manually applied prior to receiving the credit. If they aren’t giving you every credit possible, you’re just leaving money on the table.
- Defensive Driving Course – Taking part in a defensive driving course can save you 5% or more and easily recoup the cost of the course.
- Homeowners Savings – Being a homeowner can help you save on auto insurance because maintaining a house shows financial diligence.
- Government Employees – Simply working for the federal government can save as much as 8% for CR-V insurance depending on your company.
- E-sign – Some insurance companies will discount your bill up to fifty bucks for buying a policy and signing up over the internet.
- Payment Discounts – By paying your policy upfront instead of monthly or quarterly installments you can actually save on your bill.
- Air Bag Discount – Cars that have air bags may earn rate discounts of 20% or more.
A little note about advertised discounts, many deductions do not apply to the entire cost. Most only apply to the cost of specific coverages such as physical damage coverage or medical payments. Just because it seems like all the discounts add up to a free policy, you’re out of luck. But all discounts will help reduce your overall premium however.
Complexity of Honda CR-V insurance rates
An important part of buying insurance is that you know some of the elements that play a part in calculating your auto insurance rates. Having a good understanding of what impacts premium levels enables informed choices that could result in lower auto insurance prices.
Shown below are a partial list of the pieces auto insurance companies consider when setting premiums.
- High performance equals high price – The performance level of the vehicle you are insuring makes a huge difference in how high your rates are. Because the Honda CR-V falls in the standard SUV class, insuring your vehicle will cost slighty more compared to average rates. Low performance passenger models usually have the lowest rates, but the final cost of insurance is determined by many other factors.
- Too many auto insurance claims drive up costs – If you frequently file small claims, you can pretty much guarantee higher rates. Car insurance companies in Texas provide cheaper rates to drivers who file claims infrequently. Insurance coverage is intended for the large, substantial claims.
- Extra add-on coverages are wasting money – There are quite a few additional coverages that you can get tricked into buying when buying auto insurance. Insurance for rental car reimbursement, accidental death and additional equipment coverage may be wasting your money. These coverages may sound good at first, but now you might not need them so eliminate the coverages to reduce your premium.
- Safer cars are cheaper to insure – Cars with high safety ratings can get you lower premiums. The safest vehicles have better occupant injury protection and lower injury rates translates into savings for insurance companies and more competitive rates for policyholders. If your Honda CR-V has ratings of a minimum an “acceptable” rating on the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety website it may be receiving lower rates.
- How credit affects auto insurance rates – A driver’s credit history is a huge factor in your rate calculation. Therefore, if your credit is not that good, you could be paying less to insure your Honda CR-V by repairing your credit. People with high credit ratings tend to be more responsible than drivers with lower credit scores.
- Your car’s features help determine rates – Owning a car that has an advanced theft prevention system can get you a discount on your auto insurance. Anti-theft features like tamper alarm systems, vehicle immobilizer technology and General Motors OnStar can help prevent your vehicle from being stolen.
- Protect your assets with liability insurance – Liability coverage will protect you if you are found to be at fault for damages from an accident. It will provide legal defense which can be incredibly expensive. Carrying liability coverage is mandatory and cheap when compared with rates for comp and collision, so do not skimp.
- Pleasure use saves money – The more miles you rack up on your Honda in a year’s time the higher your rates will be. The majority of insurers price each vehicle’s coverage based upon how you use the vehicle. Cars and trucks not used for work or commuting can get a lower rate compared to those used for work or business. Having the wrong rating on your CR-V may be costing you. Ask your agent if your auto insurance policy is showing how each vehicle is driven, because it can save money.
Do I need special coverages?
When choosing adequate coverage, there really is no perfect coverage plan. Each situation is unique.
Here are some questions about coverages that could help you determine if your insurance needs might need an agent’s assistance.
- Am I covered if I wreck a rental car?
- Does having multiple vehicles earn me a discount?
- Am I covered by my spouse’s policy after a separation?
- Do I need medical payments coverage since I have good health insurance?
- Why is insurance for a teen driver so high in Texas?
- What are the financial responsibility laws in Texas?
- Does my liability insurance cover pulling a trailer or camper?
- Does my insurance cover a custom paint job?
- How much liability do I need to cover my assets?
If it’s difficult to answer those questions but you know they apply to you, you might consider talking to an agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, take a second and complete this form. It’s fast, free and may give you better protection.
Neighborhood agents for auto insurance
Certain consumers would prefer to talk to a local agent and that is just fine! Insurance agents can answer important questions and help submit paperwork. The best thing about price shopping on the web is you may find lower rates and still choose a local agent. And providing support for small agencies is important especially in smaller rural communities.
After completing this form (opens in new window), your insurance data is sent to companies who will return price quotes for your insurance coverage. You won’t need to leave your computer because quoted prices will be sent immediately to your email address. How’s that for easy!
How to choose the best auto insurance agent in Texas
When researching a local agent, you need to know there are two different agency structures that differ in how they can insure your vehicles. Insurance agencies in Texas are categorized either independent or captive. Both properly insure your vehicles, but it’s worth mentioning the differences since it may influence buying decisions.
Independent Agents
Independent agents are not employed by any specific company so they have the ability to put coverage with any number of different companies depending on which coverage is best. To move your coverage to a new company, the agent simply finds a different carrier and you don’t have to find a new agent. When shopping rates, you should always include multiple independent agents to get the best comparison.Many can place coverage with smaller companies which may provide better rates.
Captive Agents
Captive insurance agents can only place business with one company such as American Family, State Farm and Allstate. Captives cannot give you multiple price quotes so always compare other rates. Captive agencies are well schooled in insurance sales and that can be a competitive advantage. Consumers often choose to use a captive agent mostly because of the brand legacy and the convenience of having a single billing for all their coverages.
To view a complete directory of auto insurance agents in Texas, view this site.
Deciding on an insurance agency should depend on more than just a low price. Ask your prospective agent these questions:
- If your car is in the repair shop, do you have coverage for a rental car?
- How long has their agency been in business?
- Who are their largest clients?
- If they are an independent agency, which companies do they recommend?
- Do they assist clients in filing claims?
- Does the company allow you to choose your own collision repair facility?
- Which members of your family are coverage by the policy?
Once you have received reasonable responses for all questions you ask and a good coverage price, most likely you have located an insurance agency that meets your needs to service your policy.
How can State Farm, GEICO and Progressive save drivers who switch?
Consumers in Texas get pounded daily by advertisements that promise big savings by companies like State Farm, GEICO and Progressive. They all have a common claim that you can save if you switch to them.
How can each company claim to save you money? It’s all in the numbers.
All the different companies have a preferred profile for the right customer that is profitable for them. For example, a profitable customer might be profiled as over the age of 40, has no driving citations, and chooses high deductibles. A customer getting a price quote who fits that profile is entitled to the best price and is almost guaranteed to save quite a bit of money when switching.
Potential insureds who do not match the requirements must pay a higher premium which usually ends up with business going elsewhere. The ads state “drivers who switch” not “people who quote” save that much. That’s why companies can truthfully advertise the way they do.
This illustrates why it is so important to compare as many rates as you can. You cannot predict which insurance companies will provide you with the cheapest rates.
Additional information is available on the Texas Department of Insurance website through this link. Consumers can learn about specific coverages, find a variety of consumer forms, find disaster information, and read consumer alerts.
Buy online or local, you save
Drivers leave their current company for many reasons like policy non-renewal, denial of a claim, delays in paying claims or policy cancellation. Regardless of your reason for switching companies, finding a new company is not as difficult as it may seem.
As you restructure your insurance plan, don’t be tempted to reduce coverage to reduce premium. In many cases, an accident victim reduced liability limits or collision coverage and found out when filing a claim that the savings was not a smart move. Your goal should be to purchase a proper amount of coverage at an affordable rate.
We’ve covered many ways to reduce Honda CR-V insurance prices online. The most important thing to understand is the more providers you compare, the higher the chance of saving money. You may be surprised to find that the lowest rates come from a small mutual company.