Anyone knows that auto insurance companies don’t want you comparing rates. People who compare price quotes are inclined to switch car insurance companies because there is a significant possibility of finding a lower-priced company. A recent car insurance study discovered that drivers who compared prices once a year saved as much as $3,500 over four years compared to drivers who never shopped for cheaper rates.
If finding the most affordable auto insurance is your objective, then knowing how to find companies and compare coverages can help make the process easier.
If saving the most money is your goal, then the best way to save money on car insurance rates is to compare quotes annually from insurers who provide car insurance in Minneapolis. This can be done by following these guidelines.
Step 1: Read about individual coverages and the things you can control to keep rates low. Many factors that increase rates such as your driving record and poor credit history can be remedied by making minor changes to your lifestyle. Read the full article for more ideas to prevent high prices and find discounts that you may qualify for.
Step 2: Obtain price quotes from exclusive agents, independent agents, and direct providers. Direct companies and exclusive agencies can only provide price estimates from one company like GEICO and State Farm, while independent agencies can provide rate quotes from multiple companies. View prices
Step 3: Compare the new rate quotes to the price on your current policy and see if you can save money. If you can save money and change companies, make sure the effective date of the new policy is the same as the expiration date of the old one.
The critical component of shopping around is that you’ll want to make sure you compare the same amount of coverage on each quote request and and to get rate quotes from as many auto insurance providers as possible. Doing this ensures a fair rate comparison and the most accurate and complete price analysis.
Getting quotes for the best insurance coverage in Minneapolis can be fairly easy. Just about anyone who is shopping for insurance will probably find a cheaper policy. Nevertheless, Minnesota drivers must know how big insurance companies calculate your insurance rates and use this information to your advantage.
Lower rate quotes with discounts
Some insurance providers don’t necessarily list all available discounts in an easy-to-find place, so the following list contains some of the more common and also the lesser-known credits that may apply to you.
- Driving Data Discount – Minneapolis drivers who agree to allow their insurance company to scrutinize vehicle usage through the use of a telematics system such as Drivewise from Allstate or Snapshot from Progressive could see a rate decrease as long as the data is positive.
- Low Mileage Discounts – Fewer annual miles on your Acura could earn substantially lower premium rates.
- Auto/Home Discount – If you combine your home and auto policies with the same insurance company they may give you a discount of nearly 15% which can help you find cheaper MDX insurance.
- Theft Deterrent Discount – Anti-theft and alarm system equipped vehicles have a lower chance of being stolen so companies will give you a small discount.
- 55 and Retired – Drivers over the age of 55 are able to get lower premium rates.
- Driver’s Ed – Cut your cost by having your teen driver enroll and complete driver’s education if it’s offered in school.
A little disclaimer on discounts, most discount credits are not given to your bottom line cost. Most cut specific coverage prices like liability and collision coverage. So even though it sounds like it’s possible to get free car insurance, it’s just not the way it works.
The diagram below compares Acura MDX yearly insurance costs with and without discounts being applied to the rates. The premium estimates are based on a male driver, a clean driving record, no at-fault accidents, Minnesota state minimum liability limits, full coverage, and $1,000 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with homeowner, multi-policy, claim-free, safe-driver, multi-car, and marriage discounts applied.
For a list of auto insurance companies with the best Acura MDX insurance discounts in Minneapolis in Minnesota, click this link.
Compare free Minneapolis Acura MDX insurance rate quotes
When comparing car insurance rates, know that comparing more prices increases the chance that you will find the best offered rates.
The following companies can provide price comparisons in Minneapolis, MN. If you want to find cheap car insurance in Minnesota, we suggest you click on several of them to find the lowest auto insurance rates.
Insurance analysis for an Acura MDX
The information below showcases estimates of coverage prices for Acura MDX models. Understanding how policy rates are formulated helps drivers make informed decisions.
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MDX 4WD | $296 | $466 | $412 | $24 | $124 | $1,322 | $110 |
MDX with Tech Package 4WD | $296 | $550 | $412 | $24 | $124 | $1,406 | $117 |
MDX with Tech/Entertainment 4WD | $296 | $550 | $412 | $24 | $124 | $1,406 | $117 |
MDX Advance 4WD | $296 | $550 | $412 | $24 | $124 | $1,406 | $117 |
MDX Advance/Entertainment 4WD | $296 | $550 | $412 | $24 | $124 | $1,406 | $117 |
Get Your Own Custom Quote Go |
Table data assumes single female driver age 40, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $250 deductibles, and Minnesota minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include claim-free, multi-vehicle, homeowner, safe-driver, and multi-policy. Prices do not factor in your specific Minneapolis location which can lower or raise coverage prices significantly.
Choosing deductibles
One common question asked by Minneapolis drivers is how high should the physical damage deductibles be. The figures shown below determine the rate difference between low and high policy deductibles. The first table uses a $100 physical damage deductible and the second data table uses a $1,000 deductible.
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MDX 4WD | $344 | $492 | $318 | $18 | $94 | $1,291 | $108 |
MDX with Tech Package 4WD | $344 | $580 | $318 | $18 | $94 | $1,379 | $115 |
MDX with Tech/Entertainment 4WD | $344 | $580 | $318 | $18 | $94 | $1,379 | $115 |
MDX Advance 4WD | $344 | $580 | $318 | $18 | $94 | $1,379 | $115 |
MDX Advance/Entertainment 4WD | $344 | $580 | $318 | $18 | $94 | $1,379 | $115 |
Get Your Own Custom Quote Go |
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MDX 4WD | $190 | $260 | $318 | $18 | $94 | $880 | $73 |
MDX with Tech Package 4WD | $190 | $306 | $318 | $18 | $94 | $926 | $77 |
MDX with Tech/Entertainment 4WD | $190 | $306 | $318 | $18 | $94 | $926 | $77 |
MDX Advance 4WD | $190 | $306 | $318 | $18 | $94 | $926 | $77 |
MDX Advance/Entertainment 4WD | $190 | $306 | $318 | $18 | $94 | $926 | $77 |
Get Your Own Custom Quote Go |
Data based on married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and Minnesota minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include safe-driver, claim-free, multi-vehicle, multi-policy, and homeowner. Price information does not factor in your specific Minneapolis location which can impact auto insurance rates significantly.
Based on these figures, using a $100 deductible costs roughly $38 more each month or $456 for a full year averaged for all MDX models than opting for the higher $1,000 deductible. Since the policyholder would be required to pay $900 more if you turn in a claim with a $1,000 deductible as compared to a $100 deductible, if you normally go at least 24 months between claim filings, you would probably be better off if you opt for a higher deductible.
Full coverage versus liability-only
The illustration below compares Acura MDX insurance costs when comparing full coverage to liability only. The premium estimates are based on no claims, a clean driving record, $500 deductibles, drivers are single, and no discounts are factored in.
Guidelines for dropping full coverage
There is no written rule to stop buying comp and collision coverage, but there is a general convention. If the annual cost of having full coverage is more than 10% of the vehicle’s replacement cost less your deductible, then you might want to think about dropping full coverage.
For example, let’s assume your Acura MDX replacement value is $5,000 and you have $1,000 deductibles. If your vehicle is severely damaged, the most your company will settle for is $4,000 after you pay the deductible. If premium cost is more than $400 annually for comprehensive and collision coverage, then you may want to consider only buying liability coverage.
There are some circumstances where dropping physical damage coverage is not advised. If you still have a lienholder on your title, you must maintain physical damage coverage as part of the loan requirements. Also, if you can’t afford to buy a different vehicle in case of an accident, you should not eliminate full coverage.
Get Lower-cost Insurance Prices by Understanding These Factors
Many different elements are part of the equation when you quote your car insurance policy. Some are pretty understandable like a motor vehicle report, but others are not as apparent such as whether you are married or your commute time. A large part of saving on auto insurance is knowing the factors that help calculate your policy premiums. If you understand what positively or negatively impacts your premiums, this enables informed choices that can help you get cheaper rates.
Listed below are some of the most rate-impacting factors used by insurance companies to determine your rates.
Better rates with anti-theft devices – Selecting a car model with a theft deterrent system can help lower your rates. Theft prevention devices like OnStar found on GM vehicles, advanced tracking like LoJack, and vehicle immobilization systems can thwart your vehicle from being stolen.
Where you reside is a factor – Residing in less populated areas is a good thing when insuring your vehicles. People in densely populated areas have more aggressive driving styles and much longer commute distances. Less people means a lower chance of having an accident and lower theft and vandalism rates.
When should you not file policy claims? – If you file a lot of claims you can definitely plan on much higher rates or policy non-renewal. Companies in Minnesota generally give cheaper rates to drivers who file claims infrequently. Your car insurance is intended to be relied upon for claims that pose a financial burden.
More miles driven equals more premium – Driving more miles every year the more you will pay for auto insurance. A lot of companies price each vehicle’s coverage partially by how you use the vehicle. Cars left parked in the garage qualify for better rates than cars that get driven a lot. It’s a good idea to make sure your auto insurance coverage is rated on the proper vehicle usage. A policy that improperly rates your MDX is throwing money out the window.
Avoid traffic tickets – A bad driving record has a lot to do with how much you pay for insurance. Only having one speeding ticket or other violation may increase your cost to the point where it’s not affordable. Attentive drivers have lower premiums than people who have multiple driving citations. People who have license-revoking violations such as DUI, reckless driving or excessive speeding may face state-mandated requirements to file a SR-22 with their state DMV in order to prevent a license revocation.
The chart below demonstrates how citations and at-fault collisions can affect Acura MDX insurance prices for different age groups. The price estimates are based on a single male driver, full coverage, $100 deductibles, and no discounts are applied to the premium.
Your employer is a factor – Jobs like fire fighters, architects, and financial analysts generally have higher rates than the rest of us attributed to intense work-related stress and incredibly demanding work hours. On the flip side, careers such as farmers, engineers and homemakers have lower than average premiums.
Raise coverage deductibles and save – Comprehensive and collision coverage deductibles represent how much money the insured will be required to pay if the claim is covered. Insurance for physical damage, aka comp and collision, is used to repair damage to your car. Examples of covered claims are colliding with a stationary object, vandalism, and damage from wind. The more money you’re willing to pay, the lower your rates will be.
Insurance losses for an Acura MDX – Auto insurance companies factor in historical loss data to determine a rate that will be profitable for them. Vehicles that the data shows to have higher number or severity of losses will be charged more to insure. The information below illustrates the loss history for Acura MDX vehicles.
For each policy coverage, the loss probability for all vehicles averaged together is equal to 100. Percentages below 100 indicate better than average losses, while values over 100 point to more losses or an increased likelihood of larger losses.
Vehicle Make and Model | Collision | Property Damage | Comp | Personal Injury | Medical Payment | Bodily Injury |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Acura MDX 4dr 2WD | 73 | 80 | 102 | 63 | 56 | 63 |
Acura MDX 4dr 4WD | 81 | 85 | 123 | 65 | 60 | 59 |
Statistics Source: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for 2013-2015 Model Years
Neighborhood Minneapolis auto insurance agents
Many drivers would rather buy from a local agent and that is OK! The best thing about comparing rates online is you can get cheap auto insurance rates and still have a local agent. And supporting neighborhood agents is still important in Minneapolis.
For easy comparison, once you complete this short form, your coverage information is instantly submitted to agents in your area who can give free rate quotes to get your business. You won’t even need to contact any agents as quotes are delivered to you instantly. You can find lower rates AND an agent nearby. If you need to quote rates from one company in particular, don’t hesitate to go to their quote page to submit a rate quote request.
If you are wanting to purchase auto insurance from a reputable agency, it can be helpful to understand the different types of agencies and how they are distinctly different. Insurance agencies in Minneapolis can be described as either independent or exclusive.
Independent Insurance Agents
Agents of this type are appointed with more than one company so they can write business amongst many companies and potentially find a lower price. If you are not satisfied with one company, your agent can switch companies which makes it simple for you. When comparing rates, you need to compare quotes from multiple independent agents to get the best comparison. Most also write with additional companies that you may not be familiar with that may provide cheaper auto insurance rates.
Shown below is a partial list of independent agencies in Minneapolis that can possibly get you price quotes.
- Patrick J. Thomas Agency
121 S 8th St #980 – Minneapolis, MN 55402 – (612) 339-5522 – View Map - Horizon Agency Inc
11000 W 78th St – Minneapolis, MN 55423 – (952) 944-2929 – View Map - Cheap Car Insurance Minneapolis Auto Insurance Agency
2227 W 21st St – Minneapolis, MN 55405 – (612) 425-1616 – View Map
Exclusive Agencies
Agents in the exclusive channel have only one company to place business with such as State Farm, Allstate and AAA. Exclusive agents cannot shop your coverage around so they have to upsell other benefits. Exclusive agents are usually well trained on sales techniques which helps them sell insurance even at higher premiums. Consumers frequently buy insurance from these agents primarily because of the brand legacy and the convenience of having a single billing for all their coverages.
Listed below is a list of exclusive insurance agents in Minneapolis who can help you get price quote information.
- Jeff Meyer – State Farm Insurance Agent
4316 S Upton Ave – Minneapolis, MN 55410 – (612) 920-2340 – View Map - AAA Minneapolis Insurance
5400 Auto Club Way – Minneapolis, MN 55416 – (952) 927-2518 – View Map - American Family Insurance – Patrick Fagerlee Agency Inc
3910 Central Ave NE – Minneapolis, MN 55421 – (763) 789-6201 – View Map
Finding a good auto insurance agent is decision based upon more than just a cheap quote. Below are some questions you should ask.
- Will your rates increase after a single accident?
- Do they review policy coverages at every renewal?
- Do they offer rental car reimbursement?
- Do they have cheaper tiers of coverage?
- What insurance companies do they recommend if they are an independent agent?
If you get reasonable responses to any questions you may have and an acceptable price quote, chances are good that you have found an insurance agent that meets the requirements to insure your vehicles. It’s important to know that you have the power to cancel your coverage whenever you want so don’t feel that you are obligated to the auto insurance policy with no way to switch.
Choosing the best MDX insurance in Minnesota is an important decision
Despite the fact that car insurance is not cheap in Minneapolis, buying car insurance serves a purpose in several ways.
- Most states have mandatory insurance requirements which means the state requires specific minimum amounts of liability coverage in order to get the vehicle licensed. In Minnesota these limits are 30/60/10 which means you must have $30,000 of bodily injury coverage per person, $60,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $10,000 of property damage coverage.
- If your Acura has a lienholder, it’s guaranteed your bank will require you to buy insurance to ensure loan repayment if the vehicle is totaled. If you default on your policy, the lender may have to buy a policy to insure your Acura at a more expensive rate and require you to pay for the much more expensive policy.
- Insurance protects your vehicle and your assets. Insurance will also pay for all forms of medical expenses incurred in an accident. One policy coverage, liability insurance, also covers all legal expenses up to the policy limit in the event you are sued. If damage is caused by hail or an accident, comprehensive and/or collision insurance will pay to repair the damage.
The benefits of having insurance greatly outweigh the cost, specifically if you ever have a liability claim. As of last year, the average driver in Minnesota overpays more than $810 a year so smart consumers compare quotes at least once a year to make sure the price is not too high.
Cover all your bases
As you prepare to switch companies, you should never reduce needed coverages to save money. In many cases, an insured dropped uninsured motorist or liability limits and learned later they didn’t purchase enough coverage. Your strategy should be to buy the best coverage you can find at the best price, but do not sacrifice coverage to save money.
Insureds leave their current company for a number of reasons such as questionable increases in premium, extreme rates for teen drivers, policy cancellation or unfair underwriting practices. It doesn’t matter why you want to switch choosing a new company can be pretty painless.
We’ve covered a lot of information how to lower your Acura MDX insurance rates in Minneapolis. The key thing to remember is the more rate comparisons you have, the better likelihood of getting affordable Minneapolis auto insurance quotes. You may even be surprised to find that the lowest rates are with an unexpected company.
Much more information about auto insurance in Minnesota can be read on the following sites:
- Uninsured Motorists: Threats on the Road (Insurance Information Institute)
- Who Has Cheap Auto Insurance for Good Students in Minneapolis? (FAQ)
- How Much are Car Insurance Rates for Active Military in Minneapolis? (FAQ)
- Prom Night Tips for Teen Drivers (State Farm)
- Insurance losses by make and model (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)
- Preventing Carjacking and Theft (Insurance Information Institute)
- How do I File a Claim? (Insurance Information Institute)