We don’t have to point out that fact that auto insurance companies don’t want you to look for cheaper rates. Drivers who shop around for the cheapest price are highly likely to buy a new policy because there is a good chance of getting low-cost coverage. A survey found that consumers who shopped around saved about $3,400 over four years compared to people who never compared other company’s rates.
If finding the cheapest price for car insurance is your objective, understanding the best way to compare insurance can make it easier to find better rates.
The best way we recommend to find cheaper prices for auto insurance rates is to compare quotes once a year from insurers who sell auto insurance in Charlotte.
- Step 1: It will benefit you to learn about coverages and the factors you can control to drop your rates. Many rating criteria that drive up the price like high-risk driving behaviors and a less-than-favorable credit rating can be amended by making minor driving habit or lifestyle changes. Read the full article for additional tips to prevent high prices and get bigger discounts that may have been overlooked.
- Step 2: Quote rates from direct carriers, independent agents, and exclusive agents. Direct companies and exclusive agencies can provide rates from a single company like GEICO and Allstate, while independent agencies can provide rate quotes from multiple sources. Begin your rate comparison
- Step 3: Compare the price quotes to the price on your current policy to see if a cheaper price is available. If you find a better price and make a switch, ensure coverage does not lapse between policies.
- Step 4: Provide notification to your current agent or company to cancel your current policy. Submit payment and a completed application for the new policy. Once the application is submitted, store the certificate verifying coverage in your glove compartment.
One thing to point out is that you’ll want to make sure you compare the same level of coverage on each quote and and to get prices from as many companies as possible. This guarantees an accurate price comparison and a thorough selection of prices.
Lower rates by qualifying for discounts
Some insurance providers don’t necessarily list the entire discount list very well, so the next list breaks down a few of the more common and also the more inconspicuous credits available to bring down your rates. If you do not double check each discount available, you are not getting the best rate possible.
- Good Students Pay Less – This discount can save 20 to 25%. Earning this discount can benefit you well after school through age 25.
- Payment Discounts – If you pay your entire premium ahead of time rather than paying in monthly installments you can actually save on your bill.
- Low Mileage Discounts – Keeping the miles down on your Honda could earn cheaper rates.
- Professional Organizations – Affiliation with a qualifying organization could qualify you for a break on insurance.
- Paperless Signup – Many companies may give you up to $50 for completing your application on their website.
- Save with More Vehicles Insured – Buying insurance for primary and secondary vehicles on the same insurance policy can reduce the rates for all insured vehicles.
- Passive Restraints and Air Bags – Factory options such as air bags may get savings of 20 to 30 percent.
- Seat Belts Save – Drivers who always wear seat belts and also require passengers to wear their seat belts can save 10% or more off the personal injury premium cost.
As a disclaimer on discounts, most credits do not apply to the entire policy premium. A few only apply to individual premiums such as comp or med pay. So even though you would think having all the discounts means you get insurance for free, companies don’t profit that way.
The example below visualizes the comparison of Honda Civic annual premium costs with and without discounts being applied to the rates. Data assumes a female driver, no claims or driving citations, North Carolina state minimum liability limits, full coverage, and $250 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with multi-car, homeowner, marriage, safe-driver, claim-free, and multi-policy discounts applied.
Some of the larger companies who may offer most of the discounts above include:
When quoting, ask each insurance company which credits you are entitled to. Some credits might not be offered on policies in every state. To see providers that can offer you the previously mentioned discounts in North Carolina, click here.
How to get Charlotte Honda Civic insurance price quotes
The companies shown below offer free quotes in North Carolina. To find cheap car insurance in Charlotte, it’s highly recommended you click on several of them in order to get a fair rate comparison.
Coverage statistics and figures
The premium information shown next highlights estimates of coverage costs for Honda Civic models. Being more informed about how premiums are figured can help drivers make smart policy decisions.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Civic DX 4-Dr Sedan | $114 | $250 | $336 | $20 | $100 | $820 | $68 |
| Civic VP 4-Dr Sedan | $114 | $296 | $336 | $20 | $100 | $866 | $72 |
| Civic LX 4-Dr Sedan | $114 | $296 | $336 | $20 | $100 | $866 | $72 |
| Civic DX 2-Dr Coupe | $114 | $296 | $420 | $24 | $126 | $980 | $82 |
| Civic EX 4-Dr Sedan | $114 | $296 | $336 | $20 | $100 | $866 | $72 |
| Civic LX-S 4-Dr Sedan | $114 | $296 | $336 | $20 | $100 | $866 | $72 |
| Civic LX 2-Dr Coupe | $114 | $340 | $420 | $24 | $126 | $1,024 | $85 |
| Civic EX-L 4-Dr Sedan | $132 | $340 | $336 | $20 | $100 | $928 | $77 |
| Civic SI 4-Dr Sedan | $132 | $340 | $336 | $20 | $100 | $928 | $77 |
| Civic EX 2-Dr Coupe | $132 | $340 | $420 | $24 | $126 | $1,042 | $87 |
| Civic GX 4-Dr Sedan | $132 | $340 | $336 | $20 | $100 | $928 | $77 |
| Civic EX-L 2-Dr Coupe | $132 | $340 | $420 | $24 | $126 | $1,042 | $87 |
| Civic Hybrid 4-Dr Sedan | $148 | $296 | $336 | $20 | $100 | $900 | $75 |
| Civic SI 2-Dr Coupe | $148 | $384 | $420 | $24 | $126 | $1,102 | $92 |
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Table data represents single female driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $1000 deductibles, and North Carolina minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include homeowner, safe-driver, multi-policy, claim-free, and multi-vehicle. Estimates do not factor in specific location information which can lower or raise premiums greatly.
Full coverage or liability only
The illustration below illustrates the comparison of Honda Civic premium costs with full coverage compared to only the North Carolina minimum liability coverage. Data assumes no accidents or driving violations, $250 deductibles, single status, and no discounts are factored in.
When to drop comprehensive and collision
There is no clear-cut formula of when to eliminate comp and collision coverage, but there is a guideline you can use. If the annual cost of comprehensive and collision coverage is more than 10% of the replacement cost of your vehicle minus the policy deductible, the it may be a good time to stop paying for full coverage.
For example, let’s assume your Honda Civic replacement value is $7,000 and you have $1,000 policy deductibles. If your vehicle is totaled in an accident, the most your company will settle for is $6,000 after paying the physical damage deductible. If premium cost is more than $600 annually for comprehensive and collision coverage, then it’s probably a good time to buy liability coverage only.
There are some circumstances where eliminating full coverage is not a good plan. If you still owe money on your vehicle, you have to keep full coverage to protect the lienholder’s interest. Also, if you can’t afford to buy a different vehicle in case of an accident, you should not eliminate full coverage.
Why Your Insurance Rates might be higher
Part of the insurance buying process is learning a few of the rating criteria that go into determining insurance rates. When you understand what positively or negatively impacts your premiums, this helps enable you to make changes that could help you find better insurance rates. Lots of factors are used when quoting car insurance. Some are pretty understandable like your driving record, but some are less obvious such as your marital status and annual miles driven.
Listed below are some of the most rate-impacting factors utilized by car insurance companies to help set your rate level.
- Know your credit score – An insured’s credit score is a big factor in calculating your premium rate. Therefore, if your credit rating is lower than you’d like, you could potentially save money when insuring your Honda Civic if you improve your credit rating. People that have very high credit ratings tend to file fewer claims and have better driving records than drivers who have poor credit.
- High stress job may mean higher rates – Jobs like fire fighters, executives, and emergency personnel have higher average rates in part from intense work requirements and incredibly demanding work hours. On the other hand, occupations like professors, engineers and retirees receive lower rates.
- Drive less and save – The higher the mileage driven each year the more you’ll pay to insure it. Most insurance companies calculate rates based upon how much you drive. Cars and trucks that have low annual miles can be on a lower rate level as compared to vehicles used primarily for driving to work. A policy that improperly rates your Civic is just wasting money. It’s always a good idea to double check that your vehicle rating is showing the correct usage.
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Responsible drivers pay the best prices – Good drivers pay less for auto insurance as compared to those with violations. Even a single moving violation may cause rates to rise to the point where it’s not affordable. Drivers with license-revoking violations like hit and run, DWI or reckless driving convictions may find they need to file a proof of financial responsibility form (SR-22) with their state’s department of motor vehicles in order to keep their license.
The example below highlights how traffic violations and accidents can influence Honda Civic auto insurance costs for each age group. The information is based on a married female driver, comprehensive and collision coverage, $1,000 deductibles, and no discounts are taken into consideration.
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Are you male or female? – Statistics show that men are more aggressive behind the wheel. However, don’t assume that females are better at driving than males. Men and women cause accidents at a similar rate, but males get into accidents with more damage. They also receive more costly citations like DUI and reckless driving. Young males generally have the highest accident percentage and therefore are the most expensive to insure.
The chart below compares Honda Civic annual premium costs for male and female drivers. The data assumes no violations or accidents, full physical damage coverage, $500 deductibles, drivers are single, and no policy discounts are applied.
- No policy claims equals lower insurance rates – Auto insurance companies in North Carolina give the lowest premiums to people who only file infrequent claims. If you file claims often, you can look forward to increased rates or even have your policy non-renewed. Auto insurance is designed for more catastrophic claims.
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Honda Civic insurance loss statistics – Companies study historical loss data when setting premium prices. Vehicles that are shown to have higher loss trends will have higher rates for specific coverages.
The table below demonstrates the compiled insurance loss statistics for Honda Civic vehicles. For each insurance policy coverage type, the claim probability for all vehicles averaged together is considered to be 100. Numbers shown that are under 100 indicate a favorable loss history, while percentage numbers above 100 indicate higher probability of having a loss or larger claims.
Honda Civic Insurance Loss Statistics Vehicle Make and Model Collision Property Damage Comp Personal Injury Medical Payment Bodily Injury Honda Civic 92 105 68 127 135 121 Honda Civic Hybrid 90 85 106 105 78 Honda Civic Si 126 97 117 124 104 BETTERAVERAGEWORSEEmpty fields indicate not enough data collected
Statistics from IIHS.org for 2013-2015 Model Years
Situations that may require an agent’s advice
When it comes to the best car insurance coverage for your vehicles, there is no one-size-fits-all type of policy. Everyone’s situation is unique so your insurance needs to address that. These are some specific questions could help you determine if you could use an agent’s help.
- How can I force my company to pay a claim?
- What is the rate difference between pleasure use and commuting?
- Will I lose any money if I cancel my policy before it expires?
- Are my friends covered when driving my car?
- Will my Honda Civic be repaired with OEM or aftermarket parts?
- Why do I need rental car insurance?
If you don’t know the answers to these questions but you know they apply to you, you might consider talking to an agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, complete this form or click here for a list of car insurance companies in your area. It is quick, free and may give you better protection.
Insurance agent or online?
A small number of people just want to go talk to an agent and that is just fine! Agents can help determine the best coverages and help file insurance claims. An additional benefit of price shopping on the web is that you can obtain the best rates and still buy from a local agent. Buying insurance from neighborhood agents is important especially in Charlotte.
Upon completion of this quick form, your coverage information is instantly submitted to insurance agents in Charlotte that can provide free Charlotte car insurance quotes for your car insurance coverage. It simplifies rate comparisons since you won’t have to contact an agency since price quotes are sent to you. In the event you want to compare prices for a specific company, feel free to jump over to their website and submit a quote form there.
If you would like to find a local Charlotte insurance agency, it can be helpful to understand the types of insurance agents that you can select. Car insurance policy providers can be described as either independent agents or exclusive agents depending on their employer. Both insure your vehicles, but it is important to understand the difference between them since it can impact the kind of agent you use.
Independent Agents (or Brokers)
Independent agencies do not write with just one company and that enables them to quote your coverage through lots of different companies and possibly get better coverage at lower prices. If they quote lower rates, your agent can just switch to a different company and you can keep the same agent.
If you need lower rates, you absolutely need to compare prices from several independent agencies so that you have a good selection of quotes to compare.
Featured below is a list of independent agents in Charlotte that may be able to give you comparison quotes.
Nationwide Insurance: Ed Cantey Insurance Agency Inc
5534 Albemarle Rd Ste 105 – Charlotte, NC 28212 – (704) 563-7777 – View Map
Nationwide Insurance: Michael Bare Agency
2300 Sardis Rd N a – Charlotte, NC 28227 – (704) 248-8000 – View Map
Michael A Goodman Insurance Agency Inc
6401 Carmel Rd Ste 208 – Charlotte, NC 28226 – (704) 541-8660 – View Map
Exclusive Agents
Agents in the exclusive channel can only quote rates from one company and examples are State Farm, Allstate, or Farmers Insurance. They usually cannot provide other company’s prices so you might not find the best rates. Exclusive insurance agents are usually quite knowledgeable on their company’s products which helps overcome the inability to quote other rates.
Below is a list of exclusive agents in Charlotte who can help you get comparison quotes.
Allstate Insurance: John Rose
6853 Fairview Rd c – Charlotte, NC 28210 – (704) 366-7779 – View Map
Allstate Insurance: Bob White
601 S Kings Dr, Ste FF – Charlotte, NC 28204 – (704) 376-3479 – View Map
Todd Younker – State Farm Insurance Agent
7725 Matthews-Mint Hill Road – Charlotte, NC 28227 – (704) 545-9111 – View Map
Selecting a car insurance agent should depend on more than just the price. Here are some questions to ask:
- What discounts might you be missing?
- What is the agency’s Better Business Bureau rating?
- When do they do policy reviews?
- Will your rates increase after a single accident?
- Do they receive special compensation for putting your coverage with one company over another?
- Which companies can they place coverage with?
- Will vehicle repairs be made with aftermarket parts or OEM replacement parts?
- Do they write coverage based solely on cost?
Why do I need car insurance?
Despite the high cost of buying insurance for a Honda Civic in Charlotte, insuring your vehicle may not be optional for several reasons.
- Most states have minimum mandated liability insurance limits which means you are required to carry a specific level of liability coverage in order to drive the car. In North Carolina these limits are 30/60/25 which means you must have $30,000 of bodily injury coverage per person, $60,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $25,000 of property damage coverage.
- If your vehicle has a loan, almost all lenders will make it mandatory that you buy insurance to ensure they get paid if you total the vehicle. If you do not keep the policy in force, the lender will be forced to insure your Honda for a much higher rate and require you to pay for the much more expensive policy.
- Insurance protects not only your Honda but also your financial assets. It will also reimburse you for medical bills for both you and anyone you injure as the result of an accident. Liability insurance also pays for attorney fees and expenses if you are sued as the result of your driving. If your Honda gets damaged, collision and comprehensive (also known as other-than-collision) coverage will cover the damage repairs after a deductible is paid.
The benefits of buying auto insurance outweigh the cost, especially if you ever need it. But the average American driver is overpaying more than $810 a year so you should quote your policy with other companies at least once a year to save money.
Cheap car insurance premiums are possible
Cheaper Honda Civic insurance in Charlotte can be bought on the web in addition to many Charlotte insurance agents, so you need to quote Charlotte car insurance with both to have the best selection. There are still a few companies who do not provide online rate quotes and most of the time these regional carriers only sell through independent agencies.
We just covered a lot of techniques to reduce Honda Civic insurance rates online in Charlotte. It’s most important to understand that the more providers you compare, the higher your chance of finding the cheapest Honda Civic rate quotes. Consumers could even find that the best rates are with some of the lesser-known companies. They can often insure niche markets at a lower cost compared to the large companies like Progressive or GEICO.
More tips and info about car insurance is located in these articles:
- What to do at the Scene of an Accident (Insurance Information Institute)
- How Much is Auto Insurance for a Nissan Sentra in Charlotte? (FAQ)
- Who Has Cheap Auto Insurance for Immigrants in Charlotte? (FAQ)
- Which Company has the Cheapest Auto Insurance in Charlotte, NC? (FAQ)
- How Much are Charlotte Car Insurance Quotes for Government Employees? (FAQ)
- Tools for Teen Driving Safety (State Farm)
- Auto Insurance Facts and Statistics (Insurance Information Institute)