Astonishing but true according to a recent study, over 70% of consumers have bought insurance from the same company for at least the last four years, and almost 40% of drivers have never shopped around. Drivers in Oregon could pocket up to 60% a year by just shopping around, but they assume it’s a waste of time to shop around.
The best way to get more affordable car insurance rates in Portland is to regularly compare prices from providers who sell insurance in Oregon. Prices can be compared by completing these steps.
- Take a few minutes and learn about the different coverages in a policy and the modifications you can make to prevent expensive coverage. Many risk factors that cause high rates like careless driving and an imperfect credit rating can be eliminated by improving your driving habits or financial responsibility. This article gives the details to help prevent expensive coverage and find possible discounts that are available.
- Request price quotes from exclusive agents, independent agents, and direct providers. Exclusive agents and direct companies can only quote rates from one company like Progressive or State Farm, while independent agencies can provide prices for a wide range of insurance providers.
- Compare the quotes to the premium of your current policy to determine if you can save on xD insurance. If you can save some money, make sure coverage is continuous and does not lapse.
A good tip to remember is to make sure you’re comparing identical deductibles and limits on each price quote and and to get rates from as many auto insurance providers as possible. Doing this helps ensure an apples-to-apples comparison and a thorough price selection.
If you currently have insurance, you will be able to reduce the price you pay using the techniques presented in this article. Finding and comparing the cheapest coverage in Portland is not that difficult. Although Oregon consumers must learn the methods companies use to charge you for coverage because it varies considerably.
When shopping for inexpensive Portland car insurance quotes, there are a couple of ways to compare quotes from lots of Oregon insurance companies. The simplest method to do a complete rate comparison consists of shopping online.
Keep in mind that comparing all the rates in your area increases your odds of finding a lower rate.
The providers in the list below have been selected to offer price comparisons in Oregon. If multiple companies are listed, it’s a good idea that you compare several of them to get the lowest price.
Rates and information analytics
The rate information shown below outlines different rate quotes for Scion xD models. Having a good understanding how policy premiums are formulated can be of help when making decisions when shopping around.
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
XD 4-Dr Hatchback | $150 | $346 | $362 | $22 | $108 | $988 | $82 |
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Data based on single male driver age 50, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $500 deductibles, and Oregon minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include homeowner, multi-policy, multi-vehicle, claim-free, and safe-driver. Information does not factor in vehicle garaging location which can impact coverage prices substantially.
Auto insurance deductibles
One of the hardest decisions when shopping for auto insurance is how high should the deductibles for physical damage be. The rates shown below highlight the rate difference when you buy lower versus higher comp and collision deductibles. The first rate quote example uses a $250 comprehensive and collision deductible and the second pricing table uses a $1,000 deductible.
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
XD 4-Dr Hatchback | $216 | $416 | $320 | $18 | $96 | $1,091 | $91 |
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Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
XD 4-Dr Hatchback | $132 | $262 | $320 | $18 | $96 | $828 | $69 |
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Cost estimates assume married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and Oregon minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include claim-free, multi-policy, homeowner, multi-vehicle, and safe-driver. Premium costs do not factor in vehicle location which can modify prices greatly.
Based on the above data, using a $250 deductible could cost the average driver approximately $22 more each month or $264 each year than choosing the higher $1,000 deductible. Since you would have to pay $750 more out-of-pocket with a $1,000 deductible as compared to a $250 deductible, if you average more than 34 months between claims, you would save more money by going with a higher deductible.
How to determine if higher deductibles are a good idea
Average monthly premium for $250 deductibles: | $91 |
Average monthly premium for $1,000 deductibles (subtract): | – $69 |
Monthly savings from raising deductible: | $22 |
Difference between deductibles ($1,000 – $250): | $750 |
Divide difference by monthly savings: | $750 / $22 |
Number of months required between physical damage coverage claims in order to save money by choosing the higher deductible | 34 months |
One important note is that higher deductibles means you will have to pay more out-of-pocket when you have a claim. You need some savings in the event you have to pay the higher deductible.
The information below shows how choosing a deductible and can impact Scion xD insurance prices for different age categories. The data assumes a single female driver, full physical damage coverage, and no additional discounts are factored in.
Age-based auto insurance rates by gender in Portland
The example below illustrates the difference between Scion xD auto insurance costs for male and female drivers. The rate quotes are based on a clean driving record, no at-fault accidents, comp and collision included, $500 deductibles, drivers are single, and no other discounts are factored in.
Does it make sense to buy full coverage?
The chart below visualizes the comparison of Scion xD insurance costs with and without full coverage. The data is based on no claims or driving violations, $250 deductibles, marital status is single, and no discounts are factored in.
When to stop buying full coverage
There is no set guideline of when to eliminate physical damage coverage on your policy, but there is a guideline you can use. If the yearly cost of comp and collision coverage is more than 10% of the settlement you would receive from your company, then you might consider buying liability only.
For example, let’s pretend your Scion xD replacement cost is $8,000 and you have $1,000 policy deductibles. If your vehicle is severely damaged, the most you would get paid by your company is $7,000 after you pay the deductible. If premiums are more than $700 annually for comprehensive and collision coverage, then it could be time to drop full coverage.
There are some scenarios where eliminating full coverage is not financially feasible. If you have an outstanding loan on your vehicle, you are required to maintain full coverage as part of the loan conditions. Also, if your savings is not enough to buy a different vehicle in the even your car is totaled, you should not eliminate full coverage.
Car insurance is not optional in Oregon
Even though it can be expensive, paying for car insurance serves an important purpose.
- The majority of states have minimum liability requirements which means state laws require a specific minimum amount of liability in order to be legal. In Oregon these limits are 25/50/20 which means you must have $25,000 of bodily injury coverage per person, $50,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $20,000 of property damage coverage.
- If you bought your xD with a loan, it’s guaranteed your bank will require that you buy insurance to guarantee their interest in the vehicle. If you cancel or allow the policy to lapse, the bank will be required to insure your Scion at a much higher premium rate and require you to reimburse them for the expensive policy.
- Car insurance preserves both your car and your personal assets. It will also cover medical transport and hospital expenses for yourself as well as anyone injured by you. As part of your policy, liability insurance also covers all legal expenses up to the policy limit in the event you are sued. If your Scion gets damaged, your policy will cover the damage repairs after a deductible is paid.
The benefits of carrying enough insurance outweigh the cost, especially when you need to use it. According to a recent study, the average American driver is wasting up to $810 a year so compare quotes from several companies at every renewal to be sure current rates are still competitive.
Smart Consumers Save Every Year
Many factors are used when you get a price on insurance. Some are obvious such as your driving history, although some other factors are more obscure such as your marital status or how safe your car is.
Shown below are some of the most common factors used by companies to determine your rates.
More performance means higher rates – The make and model of the vehicle you need to insure makes a significant difference in your car insurance bill. The cheapest rates will generally be found on low performance passenger cars, but there are many factors that impact the final cost.
The data below assumes a single male driver age 30, full coverage with $500 deductibles, and no discounts or violations. It shows Scion xD car insurance rates compared to other vehicles that have a range of performances.
An active policy claims history can cost more – Auto insurance companies in Oregon provide most affordable rates to people who do not file claims often. If you frequently file small claims, you can pretty much guarantee much higher rates or policy non-renewal. Insurance coverage is intended for the bigger claims that can’t be paid out-of-pocket.
High comp and collision deductibles equal low rates – Deductibles for physical damage represent how much money you are required to spend if the claim is covered. Insurance for physical damage, termed comprehensive and collision coverage on your policy, insures against damage to your car. Some examples of covered claims would be colliding with a stationary object, damage caused by hail, and having a roll-over accident. The more expense you have to pay, the bigger discount you will receive.
With age comes lower rates – Mature drivers are proven to be safer behind the wheel, file fewer claims, and receive fewer citations. Teenage drivers tend to be less responsible behind the wheel therefore car insurance rates are much higher.
The following data is based on a single driver, full coverage with $100 deductibles, and no discounts or violations.
Save by driving vehicles with better crash test results – Vehicles with high crash test scores can get you lower premiums. Vehicles built for safety reduce injuries and fewer serious injuries means less money paid by your insurance company and cheaper rates on your policy. If your Scion xD has at least an “acceptable” rating on the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety website you may pay a lower rate.
Avoid tickets and save – Drivers with clean records get better rates than people who have multiple driving citations. Having a single ticket may increase your cost twenty percent or more. People who have flagrant citations such as DUI, reckless driving or excessive speeding may find they need to submit a SR-22 form with their state’s licensing department in order to prevent their license from being revoked.
The example below illustrates how violations and accident claims can impact Scion xD car insurance costs for different age groups of insureds. The premium estimates are based on a single male driver, comp and collision included, $250 deductibles, and no discounts are taken into consideration.
Better prices for continuous coverage – Allowing your car insurance policy to lapse will be a quick way to increase your car insurance rates. Not only will you pay more, the inability to provide proof of insurance can result in fines or a revoked license.
Don’t give up on cheaper rates
As you prepare to switch companies, you should never reduce needed coverages to save money. There have been many situations where an insured cut comprehensive coverage or liability limits only to discover later that the small savings ended up costing them much more. The proper strategy is to buy a smart amount of coverage at the best possible price, but do not sacrifice coverage to save money.
Some companies may not provide the ability to get a quote online and most of the time these smaller companies only sell through local independent agents. More affordable car insurance in Portland is available on the web as well as from independent agents in Portland, and you should compare price quotes from both to have the best selection.
Drivers change insurance companies for a variety of reasons including being labeled a high risk driver, not issuing a premium refund, poor customer service or lack of trust in their agent. It doesn’t matter what your reason, switching companies can be easier than you think.
More information is located on the following sites:
- Credit Impacts Car Insurance Rates (State Farm)
- Who Has Affordable Auto Insurance for Teenage Males in Portland? (FAQ)
- Who Has Cheap Portland Auto Insurance Rates After a Speeding Ticket? (FAQ)
- Who Has Cheap Portland Auto Insurance Quotes for College Graduates? (FAQ)
- What Car Insurance is Cheapest for a Ford F-150 in Portland? (FAQ)
- What if I Can’t Find Coverage? (Insurance Information Institute)
- Neck Injury FAQ (iihs.org)
- Electronic Stability Control FAQ (iihs.org)
- Side Impact Crash Tests (iihs.org)