It’s easy to assume that insurance companies don’t want policyholders to compare prices from other companies. Drivers who shop around for cheaper rates will, in all likelihood, buy a different policy because there is a good chance of finding lower rate quotes. A study discovered that consumers who routinely compared rates saved on average $850 each year compared to drivers who don’t make a habit of comparing rates.
If finding the best price on car insurance is your ultimate target, then learning about how to shop for coverage rates can save money and time.
Really, the only way to get cheaper auto insurance rates is to make a habit of comparing prices annually from insurers that insure vehicles in Dallas.
- Step 1: Read and learn about how companies price auto insurance and the modifications you can make to lower rates. Many rating factors that result in higher rates like traffic tickets, fender benders, and a negative credit history can be controlled by improving your driving habits or financial responsibility. Read the full article for information to help prevent high rates and find overlooked discounts.
- Step 2: Get rate quotes from independent agents, exclusive agents, and direct companies. Direct and exclusive agents can only give rate quotes from one company like GEICO or State Farm, while agents who are independent can provide prices for many different companies.
- Step 3: Compare the new rate quotes to the premium of your current policy to determine if switching companies saves money. If you can save money and buy the policy, verify that coverage does not lapse between policies.
The key thing to remember is to compare the same deductibles and limits on each price quote and and to get prices from as many companies as feasibly possible. This enables a fair price comparison and a complete price analysis.
How to Lower Your Insurance Premiums
The best way to find cheaper insurance is to take a look at some of the elements that play a part in calculating your premiums. If you have some idea of what impacts premium levels, this allows you to make educated decisions that can earn you better insurance rates. Many different elements are used in the calculation when you get a price on insurance. A few of the factors are predictable like your driving record, but other criteria are less obvious like your vehicle usage or how financially stable you are.
Inexpensive frequent policy claims are not good – Insurance companies in Texas provide most affordable rates to insureds who only file infrequent claims. If you’re an insured who likes to file claims you can pretty much guarantee either higher rates or even cancellation. Your car insurance is intended to be relied upon for the large, substantial claims.
Low stress job equals lower rates – Do you work in a high-stress field? Occupations such as lawyers, police officers, and stock brokers generally pay higher average rates because of intense work situations and incredibly demanding work hours. On the flip side, professions such as scientists, engineers and retirees receive lower rates.
Pay more for higher performance vehicles – The type of vehicle you are trying to find cheaper insurance for makes a substantial difference in your car insurance bill. Small economy passenger models usually are quite affordable to insure, but the cost you end up paying is determined by many additional factors.
The next chart assumes a married female driver age 30, full coverage with $500 deductibles, and no discounts or violations. The chart compares Hummer H3 rates compared to other makes and models that have different performance rating factors.
Rate your vehicle for proper use – The more you drive every year the higher your rates will be. Most insurance companies calculate prices based upon how much you drive. Vehicles that have low annual miles receive lower rates than cars that get driven a lot. Having an incorrect usage rating on your H3 may be costing you. It’s a good idea to make sure your insurance policy properly reflects how each vehicle is driven, because it can save money.
Traffic violations can be expensive – Your driving record has a lot to do with how much you pay for insurance. Careful drivers pay less for auto insurance than bad drivers. Even one moving violation may cause rates to rise substantially. People who have serious violations like reckless driving or DUI may face state-mandated requirements to file a proof of financial responsibility form (SR-22) with their state’s licensing department in order to prevent their license from being revoked.
The information below illustrates how speeding tickets and accidents can raise Hummer H3 premium costs for different insured age categories. The premiums assume a married female driver, comp and collision included, $500 deductibles, and no discounts are applied to the premium.
How to compare Hummer H3 insurance quotes in Dallas, Texas
The companies shown below provide price comparisons in Texas. If the list has multiple companies, we recommend you visit as many as you can in order to get a fair rate comparison.
Hummer H3 insurance rates and statistics
The price information shown next covers different prices for Hummer H3 models. Having insight into how insurance prices are formulated helps drivers make decisions on which coverage to buy.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| H3 Adventure Package 4WD | $326 | $672 | $462 | $28 | $138 | $1,626 | $136 |
| H3 4WD | $326 | $672 | $462 | $28 | $138 | $1,626 | $136 |
| H3 Luxury Package 4WD | $326 | $672 | $462 | $28 | $138 | $1,626 | $136 |
| H3 Alpha 4WD | $362 | $672 | $462 | $28 | $138 | $1,662 | $139 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
Data variables include single male driver age 40, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $250 deductibles, and Texas minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include homeowner, safe-driver, claim-free, multi-vehicle, and multi-policy. Premium amounts do not factor in zip code location which can influence price quotes greatly.
Policy deductibles
A question often asked by Dallas drivers is where to set your physical damage deductibles. The figures shown below can help show the cost difference between high and low deductibles. The first price estimate table uses a $100 deductible for physical damage and the second price chart uses a $1,000 deductible.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| H3 Adventure Package 4WD | $370 | $698 | $382 | $22 | $114 | $1,611 | $134 |
| H3 4WD | $370 | $698 | $382 | $22 | $114 | $1,611 | $134 |
| H3 Luxury Package 4WD | $370 | $698 | $382 | $22 | $114 | $1,611 | $134 |
| H3 Alpha 4WD | $412 | $698 | $382 | $22 | $114 | $1,653 | $138 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| H3 Adventure Package 4WD | $206 | $368 | $382 | $22 | $114 | $1,092 | $91 |
| H3 4WD | $206 | $368 | $382 | $22 | $114 | $1,092 | $91 |
| H3 Luxury Package 4WD | $206 | $368 | $382 | $22 | $114 | $1,092 | $91 |
| H3 Alpha 4WD | $228 | $368 | $382 | $22 | $114 | $1,114 | $93 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
Data based on married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and Texas minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-vehicle, claim-free, safe-driver, multi-policy, and homeowner. Price information does not factor in garaging location in Dallas which can decrease or increase premium rates significantly.
We can estimate from the data above that using a $100 deductible costs approximately $43 more each month or $516 a year than choosing the higher $1,000 deductible. Since you would have to pay $900 more if you turn in a claim with a $1,000 deductible as compared to a $100 deductible, if you have at least 21 months between claim filings, you would probably save some money if you opt for a higher deductible.
How to calculate deductible break even period
| Average monthly premium for $100 deductibles: | $135 |
| Average monthly premium for $1,000 deductibles (subtract): | – $92 |
| Monthly savings from raising deductible: | $43 |
| Difference between deductibles ($1,000 – $100): | $900 |
| Divide difference by monthly savings: | $900 / $43 |
| Number of months required between physical damage coverage claims in order to save money by choosing the higher deductible | 21 months |
Gender-based auto insurance rates in Dallas
The example below illustrates the comparison of Hummer H3 yearly insurance costs for male and female drivers. The rate quotes are based on no claims or driving citations, comp and collision included, $1,000 deductibles, drivers are not married, and no discounts are applied to the premium.
Price comparison of only insuring for liability
The diagram below illustrates the difference between Hummer H3 car insurance rates when comparing full coverage to state minimum liability only. Data assumes no claims or driving citations, $100 deductibles, drivers are not married, and no other discounts are factored in.
Should you buy full coverage or liability only?
There is no exact rule to stop buying full coverage, but there is a general convention. If the annual cost of your full coverage insurance is more than about 10% of replacement cost minus your deductible, then you may need to consider dropping full coverage.
For example, let’s assume your Hummer H3 replacement value is $3,000 and you have $1,000 policy deductibles. If your vehicle is destroyed, you would only receive $2,000 after you pay the deductible. If you are paying in excess of $200 annually for full coverage, then it might be time to buy liability only.
There are a few cases where dropping full coverage is not advised. If you haven’t paid off your loan, you have to keep full coverage as part of the loan requirements. Also, if you cannot afford to purchase a different vehicle in the event your current vehicle is totaled, you should not opt for liability only.
Car insurance is not optional but you don’t have to overpay
Despite the fact that car insurance is not cheap in Dallas, car insurance serves a purpose in several ways.
First, the majority of states have minimum mandated liability insurance limits which means it is punishable by state law to not carry a specific level of liability in order to be legal. In Texas 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.
Second, if you have a loan on your vehicle, more than likely the lender will force you to have insurance to ensure they get paid if you total the vehicle. If you default on your policy, the bank may buy a policy for your Hummer at an extremely high rate and force you to pay for the much more expensive policy.
Third, car insurance preserves your vehicle and your assets. It will also pay for medical expenses for not only you but also any passengers injured in an accident. Liability insurance, one of your policy coverages, will also pay to defend you if someone files suit against you as the result of an accident. If damage is caused by hail or an accident, collision and comprehensive (also known as other-than-collision) coverage will pay to repair the damage minus the deductible amount.
The benefits of having car insurance are without a doubt worth the cost, especially with large liability claims. Despite what companies tell you, the average driver overpays more than $830 a year so it’s very important to do a rate comparison once a year at a minimum to help ensure money is not being wasted.
Slash rates with these discounts on Hummer H3 insurance in Dallas
Car insurance is neither fun to buy or cheap, but you may find discounts that may help make it more affordable. Some of these discounts will be visible at the time of purchase, but a few must be requested specifically prior to receiving the credit. If you are not receiving all the discounts possible, you may be paying too high a price.
- ABS Brakes – Cars with anti-lock braking systems can stop better under adverse conditions and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
- Anti-theft System – Anti-theft and alarm system equipped vehicles help deter theft and earn discounts up to 10% off your Dallas car insurance quote.
- Savings for New Vehicles – Insuring a new H3 is cheaper because newer vehicles are generally safer.
- Air Bag Discount – Vehicles equipped with air bags and/or automatic seat belt systems may get savings of 20 to 30 percent.
- Save over 55 – Older drivers are able to get a discount up to 10%.
- Low Miles Discount – Driving less could be rewarded with discounted car insurance rates on garaged vehicles.
- Defensive Driver – Participating in a course teaching defensive driver skills can save you 5% or more depending on where you live.
Discounts save money, but please remember that most discounts do not apply to the entire policy premium. Most only apply to the price of certain insurance coverages like collision or personal injury protection. So even though you would think all those discounts means the company will pay you, insurance companies wouldn’t stay in business.
The information below shows the comparison of Hummer H3 auto insurance rates with and without policy discounts. The premiums are based on a male driver, no claims, a clean driving record, Texas state minimum liability limits, full physical damage coverage, and $100 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with homeowner, safe-driver, claim-free, multi-car, multi-policy, and marriage discounts applied.
A list of companies and a partial list of their discounts can be read below.
- 21st Century may have discounts that include theft prevention, air bags, 55 and older, early bird, and anti-lock brakes.
- State Farm has discounts for Drive Safe & Save, accident-free, Steer Clear safe driver discount, good driver, student away at school, and driver’s education.
- AAA offers premium reductions for education and occupation, AAA membership discount, multi-car, pay-in-full, anti-theft, multi-policy, and good driver.
- Liberty Mutual has savings for newly married, safety features, multi-car, newly retired, new move discount, and multi-policy.
- Progressive includes discounts for online quote discount, homeowner, continuous coverage, online signing, good student, multi-policy, and multi-vehicle.
When getting a coverage quote, ask all the companies which discounts you qualify for. Discounts may not apply everywhere. If you would like to view car insurance companies that offer discounts in Texas, follow this link.
Should I talk to an insurance agency?
Many people just prefer to get advice from a local agent and that is OK! Insurance agents can answer important questions and give you someone to call. The best thing about getting free rate quotes online is that drivers can save money and get lower rates and still have an agent to talk to. And supporting local agencies is important particularly in Dallas.
After completing this simple form, your coverage information is instantly submitted to local insurance agents who will give you quotes for your insurance coverage. It simplifies rate comparisons since you won’t have to search for an agent because prices are sent instantly to you. If you have a need to compare rates from a specific company, just jump over to their website and submit a quote form there.
How to choose the best car insurance agent in Dallas
If you want to buy car insurance from an insurance agent, you must know there are a couple types of agencies that you can select. Agents can be classified as either independent agents or exclusive agents. Either one can provide car insurance policies, but it’s good to learn the subtle differences because it may have an impact on your selection of an agent.
Independent Agencies or Brokers
Independent agents do not work for one specific company so they can quote policies with a variety of different insurance companies and potentially find a lower price. To transfer your coverage to a different company, your policy is moved internally which makes it simple for you.
When comparing car insurance rates, it’s recommended you get several quotes from several independent insurance agents for maximum quote selection. A lot of them also have access to additional companies that you may not be familiar with who may have lower rates.
Featured below is a partial list of independent insurance agencies in Dallas who may be able to give you rate quotes.
- Insurance One
14180 Dallas Pkwy #900 – Dallas, TX 75254 – (972) 267-8000 – View Map - La Familia Auto Insurance
8702 Spring Valley Rd – Dallas, TX 75240 – (972) 586-7488 – View Map - Sheaner Insurance, LLP
2501 Abrams Rd – Dallas, TX 75214 – (214) 823-3003 – View Map
Exclusive Agencies
Agents that choose to be exclusive can only provide pricing for a single company like Allstate, State Farm and Farmers Insurance. They are unable to provide other company’s prices so if the price isn’t competitive there isn’t much they can do. Exclusive agents are well trained on what they offer which helps offset the inability to provide other markets. Consumers sometimes buy from exclusive agents primarily because of the prominent brand name and strong financial ratings.
Shown below are exclusive agents in Dallas that are able to give rate quotes.
- Scott Beseda – State Farm Insurance Agent
4411 Lemmon Ave #203 – Dallas, TX 75219 – (214) 219-6610 – View Map - Richard Ramirez – State Farm Insurance Agent
9400 N Central Expy #120 – Dallas, TX 75231 – (214) 320-3000 – View Map - Dan Stanton – State Farm Insurance Agent
3767 Forest Ln #107 – Dallas, TX 75244 – (972) 243-8894 – View Map
Picking a insurance agent is decision based upon more than just a low price. Any agent in Dallas should have no problem answering these questions:
- Do the companies they represent have a solid financial rating?
- Will one accident increase rates?
- Do they write coverage based solely on cost?
- Will they take your side in the event of a claim?
- Can they provide you with a list of referrals?
After talking to the agent and getting acceptable answers to all your questions and a low price estimate, you have narrowed it down to a car insurance agent that can be relied on to insure your vehicles. But keep in mind you can always terminate your policy whenever you wish so don’t feel that you are obligated to your new company for the full policy term.
How much car insurance do I need?
When quoting and comparing a policy, there is no perfect coverage plan. Your needs are not the same as everyone else’s so your insurance needs to address that.
For instance, these questions can aid in determining whether your personal situation will benefit from professional help.
- If I drive on a suspended license am I covered?
- Can I get a multi-policy discount?
- Who does medical payments coverage extend to?
- Does car insurance cover theft of personal property?
- Is there coverage for injuries to my pets?
- If my Hummer H3 is totaled, can I afford another vehicle?
- Does my insurance cover damage caused when ticketed for reckless driving?
- Can I get by with minimal medical coverage if I have good health insurance?
- Do I have any recourse if my insurance company denies a claim?
- What does medical payments coverage do?
If you can’t answer these questions but you think they might apply to your situation, you may need to chat with a licensed insurance agent. If you don’t have a local agent, fill out this quick form or you can go here for a list of companies in your area. It is quick, free and can provide invaluable advice.
The most affordable rates come from being thorough
Cost effective Hummer H3 insurance can be bought on the web as well as from independent agents in Dallas, so you need to shop Dallas car insurance with both in order to have the best price selection to choose from. Some companies don’t offer rate quotes online and many times these smaller providers work with independent agents.
We just presented quite a bit of information on how to get a better price on Hummer H3 insurance in Dallas. The key thing to remember is the more quotes you get, the better likelihood of getting affordable Dallas car insurance quotes. Consumers could even find that the lowest car insurance rates are with a small local company. They can often insure niche markets at a lower cost than their larger competitors like Progressive and GEICO.
Additional auto insurance information can be found below:
- Side Impact Crash Tests (iihs.org)
- Who Has the Cheapest Dallas Auto Insurance for Drivers with Accidents? (FAQ)
- What Car Insurance is Cheapest for Uber Drivers in Dallas? (FAQ)
- Who Has the Cheapest Auto Insurance for College Students in Dallas? (FAQ)
- Who Has Affordable Dallas Car Insurance for Low Credit Scores? (FAQ)
- What Insurance is Cheapest for a Ford Explorer in Dallas? (FAQ)
- If I File a Claim will My Insurance Go Up? (Insurance Information Institute)
- Auto Theft Statistics (Insurance Information Institute)
- Child Safety Seats (Insurance Information Institute)
- Get the Right Protection (InsureUonline.org)