1997 Volkswagen Passat Insurance Quotes – 6 Tricks for Cheaper Rates

Trying to find the cheapest insurance for a Volkswagen Passat can be difficult, but you can learn the following methods to make it easier.

There are both good and bad ways to compare insurance coverage rates and you need to know the quickest way to price shop coverage on a Volkswagen and obtain the lowest price either online or from local insurance agents.

Shopping for the lowest cost coverage can be fairly easy. If you have a current insurance policy or need new coverage, you can use this information to cut your premiums and possibly find even better coverage. Vehicle owners only need to know the proper way to compare rates online.

Compare the Market for Insurance

Finding a lower price on 1997 Volkswagen Passat insurance is not rocket science. Just invest a few minutes to get quotes online from several insurance companies. This is very easy and can be done in several different ways.

The recommended way to get quotes for comparison is to use a rate comparison form click to view form in new window. This form eliminates the need for repetitive form entry to each individual insurance company. One simple form gets you price quotes from several companies. This is by far the quickest method.

Another way to get quotes online requires you to visit each company website to complete a price quote. For example, we’ll pretend you want rates from State Farm, Progressive and GMAC. To get rate quotes you would need to spend time on each company’s site and enter your information, which is why the first method is quicker. For a list of links to insurance companies in your area, click here.

The least recommended method of comparing rate quotes is to spend time driving to local insurance agencies. Shopping for insurance online can eliminate the need for a local agent unless you have a need for the professional guidance of a licensed agent. However, consumers can get prices online but still have the advice of a local agent and we’ll touch on that later.

However you get your quotes, ensure you’re using exactly the same coverage limits and deductibles on every quote. If the quotes have different values for each quote it will be impossible to determine the best price for your Volkswagen Passat.

Pay less for Volkswagen Passat insurance

Properly insuring your vehicles can get expensive, but companies offer discounts that can drop the cost substantially. Most are applied when you complete an application, but some may not be applied and must be specifically requested before they will apply. If you’re not getting every credit you qualify for, you’re paying more than you need to.

Anti-theft Discount – Vehicles equipped with anti-theft or alarm systems help deter theft and therefore earn up to a 10% discount.
Drive Safe and Save – Drivers who avoid accidents can get discounts for up to 45% lower rates for Passat insurance than their less cautious counterparts.
Auto/Home Discount – If you insure your home and vehicles with the same company you may earn approximately 10% to 15%.
Early Switch Discount – Some companies give discounts for buying a policy prior to your current policy expiration. It’s a savings of about 10%.
Defensive Driving Course – Successfully completing a defensive driving course could save 5% or more if you qualify.
Senior Citizens – Mature drivers can possibly qualify for a small decrease in premiums for Passat insurance.

A little note about advertised discounts, most discounts do not apply the the whole policy. Some only apply to the price of certain insurance coverages like medical payments or collision. So even though it sounds like it’s possible to get free car insurance, auto insurance companies aren’t that generous. Any amount of discount will cut your premiums.

For a list of insurance companies with discount auto insurance rates, click here.

Tailor your coverage to you

When it comes to buying the right insurance coverage, there really is no single plan that fits everyone. Coverage needs to be tailored to your specific needs.

For instance, these questions could help you determine if you could use an agent’s help.

How can I get high-risk coverage after a DUI?
Can I afford to pay high deductible claims out of pocket?
Do I need replacement cost coverage on my 1997 Volkswagen Passat?
Is my teenager covered with friends in the car?
Am I covered if I crash into my own garage door?
Does my insurance cover my expensive audio equipment?

If you don’t know the answers to these questions but one or more may apply to you, then you may want to think about talking to an agent. If you don’t have a local agent, complete this form. It is quick, free and may give you better protection.

Car insurance coverage information

Having a good grasp of your policy helps when choosing the best coverages and the correct deductibles and limits. Policy terminology can be impossible to understand and nobody wants to actually read their policy.

Protection from uninsured/underinsured drivers

Your UM/UIM coverage provides protection from other motorists when they are uninsured or don’t have enough coverage. Covered losses include hospital bills for your injuries and damage to your 1997 Volkswagen Passat.

Since a lot of drivers carry very low liability coverage limits, their liability coverage can quickly be exhausted. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage is very important. Most of the time these limits are similar to your liability insurance amounts.

Liability auto insurance

Liability coverage will cover damage that occurs to other’s property or people that is your fault. Coverage consists of three different limits, bodily injury for each person injured, bodily injury for the entire accident and a property damage limit. As an example, you may have policy limits of 25/50/25 that translate to $25,000 bodily injury coverage, a total of $50,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and a limit of $25,000 paid for damaged property. Another option is one number which is a combined single limit which provides one coverage limit rather than limiting it on a per person basis.

Liability can pay for things like loss of income, emergency aid, medical services, pain and suffering and bail bonds. How much coverage you buy is a personal decision, but it’s cheap coverage so purchase as much as you can afford.

Comprehensive (Other than Collision)

Comprehensive insurance coverage covers damage that is not covered by collision coverage. You need to pay your deductible first then the remaining damage will be covered by your comprehensive coverage.

Comprehensive insurance covers claims such as a broken windshield, hitting a deer and damage from flooding. The maximum payout you can receive from a comprehensive claim is the cash value of the vehicle, so if the vehicle is not worth much it’s probably time to drop comprehensive insurance.

Auto collision coverage

This coverage pays for damage to your Passat resulting from a collision with another car or object. You have to pay a deductible then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.

Collision insurance covers things such as damaging your car on a curb, crashing into a building, crashing into a ditch, driving through your garage door and colliding with a tree. This coverage can be expensive, so consider dropping it from lower value vehicles. You can also raise the deductible to bring the cost down.

Medical expense insurance

Coverage for medical payments and/or PIP reimburse you for bills such as ambulance fees, EMT expenses and pain medications. They are used to cover expenses not covered by your health insurance plan or if there is no health insurance coverage. It covers not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants and also covers getting struck while a pedestrian. Personal injury protection coverage is only offered in select states but it provides additional coverages not offered by medical payments coverage