Everyone knows that auto insurance companies don’t want policyholders to compare prices from other companies. Drivers who compare rates at least once a year are likely to buy a new policy because they have a good chance of finding a policy with better rates. A recent auto insurance study revealed that consumers who compared rates annually saved $860 a year compared to other drivers who never shopped around.
If finding the cheapest price for car insurance is your objective, then knowing how to compare insurance coverage can help you be more efficient.
If your goal is the lowest price, then the best way to get more affordable car insurance rates in Virginia Beach is to compare quotes annually from insurance carriers in Virginia.
Step 1: It will benefit you to learn about auto insurance and the things you can change to prevent expensive coverage. Many risk factors that increase rates such as accidents, traffic tickets, and a substandard credit history can be eliminated by making lifestyle changes or driving safer. Continue reading for additional ideas to help prevent expensive coverage and find more discounts that you may not know about.
Step 2: Quote rates from exclusive agents, independent agents, and direct providers. Direct companies and exclusive agencies can only give prices from one company like GEICO and Allstate, while independent agencies can quote prices from multiple insurance companies.
Step 3: Compare the price quotes to your existing rates to see if you can save by switching companies. If you can save some money and change companies, make sure there is no lapse between the expiration of your current policy and the new one.
Step 4: Provide notification to your current company of your intent to cancel your current policy. Submit a down payment along with a signed application for your new policy. Immediately upon receiving it, store the certificate verifying proof of insurance in your glove compartment.
The most important part of shopping around is to try to compare similar limits and deductibles on every quote and and to look at as many companies as you can. This ensures an apples-to-apples comparison and maximum price selection.
Quoting the lowest-priced auto insurance in Virginia Beach is simple if you know the tricks. In essence, everyone who shops around for auto insurance most likely will find lower prices. But Virginia vehicle owners must comprehend the methods companies use to sell insurance online and use it to find better rates.
Take advantage of these nine discounts on Ford Transit Connect insurance in Virginia Beach
Insurance can be pricey, but there are discounts available that could help you make your next renewal payment. A few discounts will automatically apply when you quote, but a few must be manually applied in order for you to get them.
- College Student – Children who live away from home to go to college and do not have a car may be able to be covered for less.
- Student Driver Training – Require your teen driver to participate in a local driver’s education class as it can save substantially.
- Passive Restraints and Air Bags – Cars that have air bags and/or automatic seat belt systems may qualify for discounts of 20 to 30 percent.
- Government Employees – Active or former government employment may qualify for a discount when you quote Virginia Beach car insurance with some insurance companies.
- Theft Deterrent System – Cars, trucks, and SUVs equipped with tracking devices and advanced anti-theft systems are stolen with less frequency and can earn a small discount on your policy.
- Discounts for Multiple Vehicles – Drivers who insure several vehicles on one policy can get a discount for every vehicle.
- Use Seat Belts – Using a seat belt and requiring all passengers to buckle up before driving may be able to save a few bucks on medical payment and PIP coverage.
- Onboard Data Collection – Insureds who allow their insurance company to analyze vehicle usage by using a telematics device such as Progressive’s Snapshot and State Farm’s In-Drive may get a rate reduction if their driving habits are good.
- Senior Citizen Discount – If you’re over the age of 55, you could receive a slight reduction on a Virginia Beach car insurance quote.
You can save money using discounts, but many deductions do not apply to the overall cost of the policy. Most only cut the price of certain insurance coverages like collision or personal injury protection. So despite the fact that it appears you would end up receiving a 100% discount, you won’t be that lucky.
The illustration below shows the comparison of Ford Transit Connect insurance costs with and without discounts applied to the rates. The data assumes a male driver, no violations or claims, Virginia state minimum liability limits, comprehensive and collision coverage, and $500 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with claim-free, multi-car, homeowner, safe-driver, marriage, and multi-policy discounts applied.
A few popular companies and some of the discounts are outlined below.
- State Farm has savings for good student, Steer Clear safe driver discount, passive restraint, anti-theft, defensive driving training, and multiple autos.
- GEICO may have discounts that include seat belt use, membership and employees, good student, multi-vehicle, federal employee, defensive driver, and anti-theft.
- Progressive may include discounts for good student, continuous coverage, online quote discount, multi-vehicle, and homeowner.
- 21st Century includes discounts for teen driver, 55 and older, anti-lock brakes, student driver, automatic seat belts, driver training, and early bird.
- American Family offers discounts including good student, bundled insurance, early bird, accident-free, mySafetyValet, Steer into Savings, and good driver.
- The Hartford discounts include driver training, anti-theft, defensive driver, bundle, vehicle fuel type, good student, and air bag.
- AAA may offer discounts for education and occupation, multi-car, anti-theft, pay-in-full, multi-policy, AAA membership discount, and good student.
If you need lower rates, check with all companies you are considering which discounts you qualify for. Discounts may not apply in every state. To see a list of insurance companies with significant discounts in Virginia Beach, click this link.
Many insurance companies allow consumers to get prices for coverage from their websites. Comparing Ford Transit Connect insurance rates online can be done by anyone as you simply type in your personal and coverage information into the form. Behind the scenes, the system requests your credit score and driving record and provides a quote based on the information you submitted. Quoting online for Ford Transit Connect insurance in Virginia Beach makes it a lot easier to compare rates and it’s necessary to have as many quotes as possible if you are searching for lower-cost car insurance pricing.
To quickly compare rates now, visit the companies below or click here to submit a quote request to multiple companies at once. If you have a policy now, it’s recommended you input the limits and deductibles as close as possible to your current policy. This way, you’re receiving a rate comparison based on similar coverages.
The providers in the list below are ready to provide price quotes in Virginia Beach, VA. To locate the best cheap auto insurance in Virginia Beach, it’s a good idea that you visit two to three different companies to get the cheapest price.
Insurance coverage details
The coverage table displayed next showcases estimates of prices for Ford Transit Connect models. Being more informed about how auto insurance premiums are determined can benefit drivers when making smart choices when purchasing an auto insurance policy.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transit Connect XL 2WD | $92 | $206 | $290 | $18 | $88 | $694 | $58 |
| Transit Connect XLT 2WD | $92 | $206 | $290 | $18 | $88 | $694 | $58 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
Data based on single female driver age 50, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $1000 deductibles, and Virginia minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include claim-free, multi-policy, multi-vehicle, safe-driver, and homeowner. Price estimates do not factor in Virginia Beach location which can affect premiums greatly.
Physical damage deductible comparison
One common question asked by Virginia Beach drivers is how high should the deductibles for physical damage be. The data tables below outline the price difference of buying low and high policy deductibles. The first data set uses a $100 deductible for comprehensive and collision coverage and the second price grid uses a $1,000 deductible.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transit Connect XL 2WD | $192 | $400 | $258 | $16 | $78 | $969 | $81 |
| Transit Connect XLT 2WD | $192 | $400 | $258 | $16 | $78 | $969 | $81 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transit Connect XL 2WD | $108 | $210 | $258 | $16 | $78 | $670 | $56 |
| Transit Connect XLT 2WD | $108 | $210 | $258 | $16 | $78 | $670 | $56 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
Price data assumes married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and Virginia minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-policy, multi-vehicle, safe-driver, claim-free, and homeowner. Information does not factor in specific location which can affect price quotes greatly.
Based on the figures above, using a $100 deductible will cost you about $25 more each month or $300 a year across all Ford Transit Connect models than requesting the higher $1,000 deductible. Since you would have to pay $900 more if you file a claim with a $1,000 deductible as compared to a $100 deductible, if you tend to have at least 36 months between claim filings, you would probably save some money if you decide on a higher deductible.
Irresponsible driving raises your rates
The information below highlights how speeding tickets and at-fault claims can increase Ford Transit Connect insurance costs for different age groups of insureds. The price estimates are based on a single male driver, comprehensive and collision coverage, $100 deductibles, and no discounts are applied.
Premiums by gender and age
The diagram below shows the comparison of Ford Transit Connect premium costs for male and female drivers. The information is based on no claims or driving citations, full coverage, $250 deductibles, single marital status, and no policy discounts are applied.
Difference between full coverage and liability only rates
The information below shows the comparison of Ford Transit Connect insurance prices with and without full coverage. The rate quotes are based on no claims, a clean driving record, $250 deductibles, single marital status, and no policy discounts are applied.
Should you pay for full coverage?
There is no set rule to exclude physical damage coverage, but there is a general guideline you can use. If the annual cost of coverage is more than 10% of the replacement cost minus the deductible, then it could be time to drop full coverage.
For example, let’s pretend your Ford Transit Connect claim settlement value is $8,000 and you have $1,000 full coverage deductibles. If your vehicle is totaled, the most your company will settle for is $7,000 after you pay the deductible. If premium cost is more than $700 a year for physical damage coverage, then it’s probably a good time to buy liability coverage only.
There are some circumstances where buying only liability insurance is not in your best interest. If you haven’t satisfied your loan, you must maintain physical damage coverage as part of the loan conditions. Also, if your finances do not allow you to purchase a different vehicle if your current one is damaged, you should not remove full coverage.
How much car insurance do I need?
When it comes to the right insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there isn’t really a “best” method to buy coverage. Everyone’s needs are different and your car insurance should unique, too.
For example, these questions might point out if you would benefit from an agent’s advice.
- Do I need motorclub coverage?
- Can my teen driver be rated on a liability-only vehicle?
- Does my policy cover me if I wreck while driving under the influence?
- If I use my vehicle for business use is it covered?
- Can I rent a car in Mexico?
- Am I covered if I hit someone who is not insured?
- What is high-risk coverage and where do I buy it?
- How much liability insurance is required?
If you can’t answer these questions, then you may want to think about talking to an insurance agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, fill out this quick form or go to this page to view a list of companies.
Should I contact an insurance agency?
Certain consumers just want to visit with an insurance agent and that can be a great decision One of the great benefits of price shopping on the web is that drivers can save money and get lower rates and still have a local agent. Buying from neighborhood insurance agencies is definitely important in Virginia Beach.
After completing this short form, the coverage information is instantly submitted to insurance agents in Virginia Beach that give free quotes for your insurance coverage. You don’t have to leave your house since price quotes are sent immediately to your email address. You can find better rates and a licensed agent to work with. If you wish to compare prices from a specific company, you would need to search and find their rate quote page and complete a quote there.
When finding a local insurance agency, you should know the different types of agents and how they can quote your rates. Virginia Beach agents are considered either exclusive or independent.
Independent Car Insurance Agencies or Brokers
Agents that elect to be independent can sell policies from many different companies and that gives them the ability to insure with any number of different companies and potentially find a lower price. To transfer your coverage to a different company, they can switch companies in-house without you having to go to a different agency. If you are trying to find cheaper rates, you will want to get rate quotes from independent agents in order to have the best price comparison.
Listed below are Virginia Beach independent insurance agencies who may provide price quote information.
Bordeaux Insurance Agency
4654 Haygood Rd – Virginia Beach, VA 23455 – (757) 460-6220 – View Map
Bunn Insurance Agency Inc
1248 Culver Ln – Virginia Beach, VA 23454 – (757) 426-2664 – View Map
Nationwide Insurance: Lovas Insurance Agency Inc
244 Mustang Trail #1 – Virginia Beach, VA 23452 – (757) 340-8310 – View Map
Exclusive Agencies
These type of agents generally can only insure with one company and examples are Farmers Insurance, State Farm, or Allstate. Exclusive agents cannot shop your coverage around so they are skilled at selling on more than just price. Exclusive agencies are well trained in insurance sales which helps offset the inability to provide other markets.
Below is a list of exclusive insurance agencies in Virginia Beach who can help you get rate quotes.
Jane Peak – State Farm Insurance Agent
315 N Great Neck Rd #220 – Virginia Beach, VA 23454 – (757) 340-8060 – View Map
Al Taxter – State Farm Insurance Agent
6070 Indian River Rd #104 – Virginia Beach, VA 23464 – (757) 420-2575 – View Map
Sharon Lynch – State Farm Insurance Agent
3617 Dam Neck Rd – Virginia Beach, VA 23453 – (757) 430-9000 – View Map
Finding the right insurance agency requires more thought than just a cheap quote. Below are some questions you should ask.
- How long has their agency been open in Virginia Beach?
- Which insurance company do they prefer to write with?
- Where are claims handled?
- Is their price quote a firm figure or are their hidden costs?
- What companies can they write with?
How to find a good Virginia auto insurance company
Insuring your vehicle with the highest-rated auto insurance company can be a challenge considering how many companies there are in Virginia Beach. The ranking data in the lists below can help you decide which providers to look at comparing price quotes from.
Top 10 Virginia Beach Car Insurance Companies Ranked by Claims Service
- Travelers
- Allstate
- Nationwide
- State Farm
- GEICO
- Liberty Mutual
- American Family
- Esurance
- AAA Insurance
- Titan Insurance
Coverages available on your policy
Learning about specific coverages of a auto insurance policy helps when choosing the best coverages for your vehicles. Auto insurance terms can be ambiguous and coverage can change by endorsement. These are the normal coverages found on the average auto insurance policy.
Auto liability insurance – Liability insurance can cover injuries or damage you cause to a person or their property by causing an accident. It consists of three limits, bodily injury for each person, bodily injury for the entire accident, and a limit for property damage. Your policy might show liability limits of 25/50/20 which means a $25,000 limit per person for injuries, a per accident bodily injury limit of $50,000, and property damage coverage for $20,000. Occasionally you may see a combined limit which combines the three limits into one amount and claims can be made without the split limit restrictions.
Liability can pay for claims such as funeral expenses, pain and suffering, repair bills for other people’s vehicles, structural damage and repair costs for stationary objects. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is a personal decision, but it’s cheap coverage so purchase as large an amount as possible. Virginia requires drivers to carry at least 25/50/20 but drivers should carry higher limits.
The next chart demonstrates why the minimum limit may not provide adequate coverage.
Collision – Collision insurance covers damage to your Transit Connect from colliding with an object or car. You will need to pay your deductible then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.
Collision can pay for things like sustaining damage from a pot hole, hitting a parking meter, crashing into a building, crashing into a ditch and colliding with a tree. This coverage can be expensive, so you might think about dropping it from lower value vehicles. It’s also possible to bump up the deductible on your Transit Connect in order to get cheaper collision rates.
Medical payments coverage and PIP – Coverage for medical payments and/or PIP reimburse you for expenses like X-ray expenses, rehabilitation expenses, dental work and ambulance fees. The coverages can be used to cover expenses not covered by your health insurance program or if you lack health insurance entirely. They cover all vehicle occupants and also covers if you are hit as a while walking down the street. PIP is not available in all states and may carry a deductible
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage – Your UM/UIM coverage gives you protection when other motorists are uninsured or don’t have enough coverage. This coverage pays for injuries sustained by your vehicle’s occupants as well as damage to your Ford Transit Connect.
Because many people have only the minimum liability required by law (Virginia limits are 25/50/20), their liability coverage can quickly be exhausted. So UM/UIM coverage should not be overlooked. Normally your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverages do not exceed the liability coverage limits.
Comprehensive coverage – This covers damage that is not covered by collision coverage. You need to pay your deductible first and then insurance will cover the rest of the damage.
Comprehensive coverage pays for claims such as fire damage, hitting a bird and rock chips in glass. The maximum amount you’ll receive from a claim is the market value of your vehicle, so if the vehicle’s value is low it’s probably time to drop comprehensive insurance.
Be persistent and save
Lower-priced car insurance in Virginia Beach can be bought from both online companies and also from your neighborhood Virginia Beach agents, and you need to price shop both in order to have the best chance of saving money. Some insurance companies may not provide online rate quotes and usually these regional insurance providers work with independent agents.
As you quote Virginia Beach car insurance, don’t be tempted to sacrifice coverage to reduce premiums. There have been many cases where an insured cut uninsured motorist or liability limits only to discover later that the small savings ended up costing them much more. Your focus should be to buy a smart amount of coverage at an affordable rate, but don’t skip important coverages to save money.
Additional information is located below:
- How to shop for a safer car (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)
- Who Has the Cheapest Auto Insurance for Uninsured Drivers in Virginia Beach? (FAQ)
- How Much is Car Insurance for Drivers with a DUI in Virginia Beach? (FAQ)
- Who Has Cheap Car Insurance Quotes for State Employees in Virginia Beach? (FAQ)
- How Much are Virginia Beach Auto Insurance Rates for a Jeep Wrangler? (FAQ)
- Who Has Affordable Virginia Beach Car Insurance Rates for Low Income Drivers? (FAQ)
- Auto Crash Statistics (Insurance Information Institute)
- Prepare your Teens for Safe Driving (InsureUonline.org)
- Child Safety FAQ (iihs.org)
- Frontal Crash Tests (iihs.org)