Cheap 2002 Hyundai Sonata Insurance Cost

I can’t think of a single person who cherishes buying insurance, particularly when the price is too high. Drivers have so many auto insurance companies to purchase coverage from, and even though it’s nice to have multiple companies, it makes it harder to adequately compare rates.

It’s a good idea to price shop coverage quite often because insurance rates are variable and change quite frequently. Just because you had the best deal on Sonata coverage two years ago you will most likely find a better rate today. There is a lot of bad information regarding insurance on the web, but we’re going to give you a bunch of ideas how to put money back in your pocket.

Are you getting all your discounts?

Insuring your fleet can be pricey, but you may find discounts to reduce the price significantly. Most are applied when you purchase, but some may not be applied and must be requested specifically prior to getting the savings. If you don’t get every credit possible, you are throwing money away.

  • Drivers Ed for Students – Have your child take driver’s ed class if it’s offered in school.
  • Braking Control Discount – Vehicles equipped with ABS or steering control can avoid accidents and therefore earn up to a 10% discount.
  • Multi-policy Discount – If you insure your home and vehicles with the same insurance company you could get a discount of up to 20% off your total premium.
  • Homeowners Pay Less – Owning a house may earn you a small savings because of the fact that having a home shows financial diligence.
  • Distant Student – Any of your kids who attend school more than 100 miles from home without a vehicle on campus can receive lower rates.
  • Military Discounts – Being on active duty in the military can result in better rates.
  • Paperless Signup – Some insurance companies will give a small break just for signing your application over the internet.

It’s important to understand that most discounts do not apply to the overall cost of the policy. A few only apply to the cost of specific coverages such as comp or med pay. Even though it may seem like adding up those discounts means a free policy, companies wouldn’t make money that way. Any amount of discount will cut the cost of coverage.

Companies that may have these benefits are:

Double check with all companies you are considering which discounts they offer. Some discounts may not be available in your area.

How to Compare Auto Insurance Costs

Reducing your 2002 Hyundai Sonata insurance rates is surprisingly easy. Just take a couple of minutes to get quotes online from several insurance companies. This is very easy and can be done using a couple different methods.

  1. The best way to get quotes for comparison is a comparison rater form like this one (opens in new window). This type of form saves time by eliminating a different quote for each company you want a rate for. A single form compares rates from auto insurance companies with the best prices.
  2. Another way to obtain and compare quotes online requires you to visit the website for each individual company to request a price quote. For examples sake, let’s say you want comparison quotes from USAA, Progressive and Travelers. To get rate quotes you would need to visit each site and enter your policy data, which is why most consumers use the first method. For a handy list of car insurance company links in your area, click here.
  3. The least recommended way to get comparison rates is to spend time driving to local insurance agencies. Buying insurance online makes this process obsolete unless you require the trained guidance of a local agent. However, consumers can find lower rates online but still have the advice of a local agent and you’ll learn how to do that later.

It doesn’t matter which method you choose, just double check that you are using the exact same coverage information for every company. If the quotes have different liability limits it will be impossible to decipher which rate is best.

Elements that influence Hyundai Sonata insurance rates

Consumers need to have an understanding of the rating factors that come into play when calculating car insurance rates. When you know what positively or negatively influences your rates empowers consumers to make smart changes that may reward you with better car insurance rates.

The list below includes a partial list of the pieces used by your company to calculate rates.

  • Better credit scores mean better rates – A driver’s credit history is a large factor in determining your rates. If your credit score is not that good, you could pay less to insure your 2002 Hyundai Sonata by improving your credit score. Drivers who have excellent credit tend to be better drivers and file fewer claims than drivers who have lower credit scores.
  • Consolidate policies to earn discounts – Most car insurance companies will give a discount to insureds who carry more than one policy. It’s known as a multi-policy discount. This can amount to ten or even up to twenty percent in some cases. Even with this discount, you still need to comparison shop to make sure you are getting the best deal. You may still be able to find better rates by splitting coverages up.
  • A clean driving record saves money – Whether or not you get tickets has a big impact on rates. Drivers with clean records have lower premiums than people who have multiple driving citations. Even one speeding ticket may increase your cost forty percent or more. Drivers with severe tickets like hit and run, DWI or reckless driving convictions are required to file a proof of financial responsibility form (SR-22) with their state motor vehicle department in order to drive a vehicle legally.
  • Protect yourself with liability coverage – The liability section of your policy provides coverage in the event that you are found liable for damages caused by your negligence. It will provide for a legal defense which can be incredibly expensive. Liability is cheap compared to insuring for physical damage coverage, so buy as much as you can afford.
  • Older drivers save more – Mature drivers are more responsible, tend to file fewer claims and receive fewer citations. Youthful drivers are known to get distracted easily in a vehicle and because of this, their car insurance rates are much higher.
  • Pleasure use saves money – The more miles you rack up on your Hyundai every year the more you will pay for car insurance. Most insurance companies rate vehicles based on their usage. Cars and trucks left parked in the garage can get a lower rate as compared to vehicles used primarily for driving to work. Improper usage on your Sonata can result in significantly higher rates. Make sure your car insurance policy is showing how each vehicle is driven, because it can save money.
  • High numbers of claims are not good – If you file claims often, you can definitely plan on either policy cancellation or increased premiums. Auto insurance companies give discounts to people who file claims infrequently. Your insurance policy is intended for major claims that would cause financial hardship.
  • Choose a safe vehicle and save – Safer cars are cheaper to insure. Safe vehicles result in less severe injuries and fewer injuries translates into savings for insurance companies passed on to you as lower rates. If the Hyundai Sonata has ratings of a minimum four stars on Safercar.gov or an “acceptable” rating on iihs.org it is probably cheaper to insure.

When might I need an agent?

When it comes to choosing the best insurance coverage, there is no one size fits all plan. Everyone’s needs are different and a cookie cutter policy won’t apply. Here are some questions about coverages that might point out if your insurance needs might need an agent’s assistance.

  • When should I not file a claim?
  • Is my babysitter covered when using my vehicle?
  • If my 2002 Hyundai Sonata is totaled, can I afford another vehicle?
  • Do I need an umbrella policy?
  • Are rock chip repairs covered?
  • Should I put collision coverage on all my vehicles?
  • Is my vehicle covered by my employer’s policy when using it for work?

If it’s difficult to answer those questions, then you may want to think about talking to an insurance agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, simply complete this short form or go to this page to view a list of companies. It only takes a few minutes and can provide invaluable advice.

Misconceptions in insurance coverage advertisements

Consumers can’t get away from ads for the lowest price auto insurance from the likes of Progressive, Allstate and Geico. All the ads have a common claim about savings after switching your coverage to them.

How does each company claim to save you money? It’s all in the numbers.

Different companies have a certain “appetite” for the right customer that makes them money. For instance, a desirable insured might be profiled as between the ages of 40 and 55, has no prior claims, and drives less than 7,500 miles a year. A customer who matches those parameters will qualify for the lowest rates and is almost guaranteed to save when they switch companies.

Consumers who don’t qualify for this ideal profile will have to pay a more expensive rate which leads to business not being written. The ad wording is “customers that switch” not “people who quote” save that much money. That is how insurance companies can advertise the way they do.

Because of the profiling, you should compare many company’s rates. It is impossible to predict which insurance coverage company will give you the biggest savings on Hyundai Sonata insurance.

Coverages available on your policy

Learning about specific coverages of your car insurance policy aids in 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. These are the usual coverages found on most car insurance policies.

Comprehensive protection

This covers damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. You first have to pay a deductible and then insurance will cover the rest of the damage.

Comprehensive can pay for claims like hail damage, vandalism, damage from getting keyed and fire damage. The highest amount you’ll receive from a claim is the ACV or actual cash value, so if the vehicle’s value is low consider dropping full coverage.

Uninsured or underinsured coverage

Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage gives you protection when the “other guys” either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. Covered claims include hospital bills for your injuries as well as your vehicle’s damage.

Because many people only purchase the least amount of liability that is required, their limits can quickly be used up. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage is very important. Usually these coverages are identical to your policy’s liability coverage.

Collision coverage protection

Collision coverage will pay to fix damage to your Sonata resulting from colliding with another vehicle or an object, but not an animal. You will need to pay your deductible and then insurance will cover the remainder.

Collision can pay for claims like driving through your garage door, crashing into a building, scraping a guard rail, damaging your car on a curb and rolling your car. Paying for collision coverage can be pricey, so analyze the benefit of dropping coverage from vehicles that are 8 years or older. It’s also possible to bump up the deductible in order to get cheaper collision rates.

Auto liability

Liability coverage protects you from damages or injuries you inflict on other people or property by causing an accident. This insurance protects YOU against other people’s claims, and doesn’t cover your injuries or vehicle damage.

Split limit liability has three limits of coverage: bodily injury for each person, bodily injury for the entire accident, and a limit for property damage. Your policy might show policy limits of 100/300/100 which stand for $100,000 in coverage for each person’s injuries, $300,000 for the entire accident, and a limit of $100,000 paid for damaged property. Another option is one limit called combined single limit (CSL) which limits claims to one amount and claims can be made without the split limit restrictions.

Liability can pay for things such as attorney fees, emergency aid, pain and suffering, legal defense fees and repair costs for stationary objects. How much coverage you buy is your choice, but you should buy as high a limit as you can afford.

Medical expense coverage

Medical payments and Personal Injury Protection insurance kick in for short-term medical expenses for things like X-ray expenses, rehabilitation expenses, ambulance fees and chiropractic care. The coverages can be utilized in addition to your health insurance plan or if there is no health insurance coverage. Medical payments and PIP cover both the driver and occupants and also covers any family member struck as a pedestrian. PIP coverage is not available in all states but can be used in place of medical payments coverage

Buy online or local, you save

We just covered many ways to shop for 2002 Hyundai Sonata insurance online. The key concept to understand is the more rate quotes you have, the higher your chance of finding lower rates. You may be surprised to find that the most savings is with a company that doesn’t do a lot of advertising. Some small companies can often insure niche markets at a lower cost as compared to the big name companies such as Allstate or State Farm.

Discount insurance can be found on the web as well as from independent agents, so you should be comparing quotes from both to get a complete price analysis. Some companies don’t offer you the ability to get quotes online and most of the time these small insurance companies sell through independent agents.

While you’re price shopping online, never reduce coverage to reduce premium. In many cases, someone dropped uninsured motorist or liability limits only to find out that their decision to reduce coverage ended up costing them more. The ultimate goal is to buy a smart amount of coverage at a price you can afford while not skimping on critical coverages.

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