It goes without saying that car insurance companies want to keep you from shopping around. People who compare other rates will, in all likelihood, switch to a new company because they have a good chance of finding coverage at a cheaper rate. A recent study showed that drivers who compared price quotes annually saved as much as $865 a year compared to people who never shopped around for cheaper prices.
If finding the best rates on auto insurance is your objective, then learning about the best ways to find and compare coverage rates can make it easier for you to save money.
The best way we recommend to find cheaper quotes for Dodge Dakota insurance in Boston is to regularly compare prices from companies in Massachusetts. Price quotes can be compared by following these guidelines.
Step 1: Learn about individual coverages and the steps you can take to prevent expensive coverage. Many factors that increase rates such as traffic violations, accidents, and poor credit can be rectified by making lifestyle changes or driving safer. Continue reading for instructions to help keep prices low and find overlooked discounts.
Step 2: Compare price quotes from exclusive agents, independent agents, and direct providers. Exclusive and direct companies can only give prices from a single company like Progressive or Allstate, while independent agents can give you price quotes for many different companies.
Step 3: Compare the quotes to your existing rates to see if a cheaper rate is available in Boston. If you find a better price and make a switch, make sure there is no lapse in coverage.
Step 4: Tell your current agent or company of your intention to cancel your existing policy. Submit a down payment along with a signed application to the new company. As soon as you have the new policy, put the certificate verifying coverage in an easily accessible location.
An important note is that you use the same coverage limits and deductibles on every price quote and and to get rates from as many companies as possible. This guarantees a fair rate comparison and many rates to choose from.
Quoting and comparing rates for affordable insurance in Boston is simple if you know the tricks. If you have a current insurance policy or are shopping for new coverage, use these techniques to reduce the price you pay while maximizing coverage. Shoppers just need to learn the most efficient way to quote multiple rates on the web.
Save money on Dodge Dakota insurance in Boston with these five auto insurance discounts
Insuring your fleet can be pricey, but you might be missing out on some discounts to cut the cost considerably. Larger premium reductions will be automatically applied at the time of quoting, but occasionally some discounts must be asked about before they will apply.
- Safety Course Discount – Taking part in a course in defensive driver could earn you a small percentage discount depending on where you live.
- Distant Student Discount – College-age children who are enrolled in higher education away from home and do not have access to a covered vehicle may qualify for this discount.
- Senior Citizens – If you’re over the age of 55, you are able to get lower premium rates.
- Save with a New Car – Insuring a vehicle that is new can save you some money because new vehicles have to meet stringent safety requirements.
- One Accident Forgiven – This isn’t a discount exactly, but companies like Allstate, Progressive, and GEICO will let one accident slide without raising rates so long as you haven’t had any claims for a certain period of time.
Discounts reduce rates, but you should keep in mind that most discount credits are not given to the entire cost. Some only apply to individual premiums such as liability and collision coverage. Just because you may think having all the discounts means you get insurance for free, nobody gets a free ride.
The example below illustrates the comparison of Dodge Dakota auto insurance costs with and without discounts applied. The premiums assume a male driver, no claims, a clean driving record, Massachusetts state minimum liability limits, comp and collision included, and $500 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with marriage, multi-policy, homeowner, claim-free, safe-driver, and multi-car discounts applied.
Some companies who may offer these money-saving discounts possibly include:
It’s a good idea to ask each company the best way to save money. Some credits may not be available in Boston. If you would like to see a list of companies that offer discounts in Massachusetts, click this link.
The quickest method we recommend to get policy rate comparisons for Dodge Dakota insurance in Boston is to know the fact most of the bigger providers will pay a fee to provide you with a free rate quote. The only thing you need to do is provide information like daily mileage, the year, make and model of vehicles, whether you have decent credit, and deductibles desired. Those rating factors gets transmitted to multiple companies and they respond with quotes instantly to find the best rate.
If you would like to start a quote now, click here and find out if lower rates are available in Boston.
The companies in the list below have been selected to offer comparison quotes in Massachusetts. In order to find cheap auto insurance in Massachusetts, it’s a good idea that you compare several of them to find the most affordable car insurance rates.
Coverage analysis
The coverage information below outlines a range of rate quotes for Dodge Dakota models. Understanding more about how premiums are determined can help you make smart choices when choosing a car insurance company.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dakota ST Ext Cab 2WD | $182 | $350 | $418 | $24 | $126 | $1,100 | $92 |
| Dakota Bighorn Ext Cab 2WD | $182 | $350 | $418 | $24 | $126 | $1,100 | $92 |
| Dakota Lonestar Ext Cab 2WD | $210 | $350 | $418 | $24 | $126 | $1,128 | $94 |
| Dakota ST Crew Cab 2WD | $210 | $350 | $418 | $24 | $126 | $1,128 | $94 |
| Dakota Bighorn Crew Cab 2WD | $210 | $414 | $418 | $24 | $126 | $1,192 | $99 |
| Dakota Lonestar Crew Cab 2WD | $210 | $414 | $418 | $24 | $126 | $1,192 | $99 |
| Dakota Bighorn Ext Cab 4WD | $236 | $350 | $334 | $20 | $100 | $1,040 | $87 |
| Dakota ST Ext Cab 4WD | $236 | $350 | $334 | $20 | $100 | $1,040 | $87 |
| Dakota Laramie Crew Cab 2WD | $236 | $414 | $418 | $24 | $126 | $1,218 | $102 |
| Dakota ST Crew Cab 4WD | $236 | $350 | $334 | $20 | $100 | $1,040 | $87 |
| Dakota Lonestar Ext Cab 4WD | $236 | $350 | $334 | $20 | $100 | $1,040 | $87 |
| Dakota Bighorn Crew Cab 4WD | $236 | $350 | $334 | $20 | $100 | $1,040 | $87 |
| Dakota TRX Crew Cab 4WD | $236 | $414 | $334 | $20 | $100 | $1,104 | $92 |
| Dakota TRX Crew Cab 4WD | $236 | $414 | $334 | $20 | $100 | $1,104 | $92 |
| Dakota Lonestar Crew Cab 4WD | $236 | $414 | $334 | $20 | $100 | $1,104 | $92 |
| Dakota Laramie Crew Cab 4WD | $264 | $414 | $334 | $20 | $100 | $1,132 | $94 |
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Data based on married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $500 deductibles, and Massachusetts minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include homeowner, safe-driver, multi-policy, multi-vehicle, and claim-free. Rate information does not factor in garaging location in Boston which can raise or lower auto insurance rates substantially.
Men versus women drivers and insurance cost
The example below compares Dodge Dakota auto insurance rates for male and female drivers. The prices are based on no tickets, no at-fault accidents, full coverage, $100 deductibles, single marital status, and no policy discounts are applied.
How much more does full coverage cost in Boston?
The diagram below shows the difference between Dodge Dakota auto insurance rates with full physical damage coverage compared to only buying liability only. The information is based on no claims or violations, $1,000 deductibles, drivers are single, and no other discounts are factored in.
Should you pay for full coverage or liability only?
There is no exact formula that is best for determining when to drop physical damage coverage on your policy, but there is a general school of thought. If the annual cost of having full coverage is 10% or more of the replacement cost of your vehicle minus the policy deductible, then you might consider buying liability only.
For example, let’s pretend your Dodge Dakota replacement cost is $3,000 and you have $1,000 deductibles. If your vehicle is damaged in an accident, you would only receive $2,000 after you pay the deductible. If premiums are more than $200 a year to have full coverage, then it might be time to consider dropping full coverage.
There are a few situations where removing full coverage is not financially feasible. If you haven’t satisfied your loan, you have to carry full coverage in order to satisfy the requirements of the loan. Also, if you don’t have enough money to buy a different vehicle if your current one is damaged, you should keep full coverage.
Your situation helps dictate your coverage
When choosing coverage for your vehicles, there is no single plan that fits everyone. Every insured’s situation is different so your insurance should reflect that These are some specific questions might help in determining whether your personal situation would benefit from an agent’s advice.
- Should I buy only the required Massachusetts minimum liability coverage?
- Does insurance cover tools stolen from my truck?
- How high should deductibles be on a Dodge Dakota?
- Am I covered when driving a rental car?
- Am I covered when driving on a suspended license?
- Is a new car covered when I drive it off the dealer lot?
- Am I covered if I crash into my own garage door?
- Is my teen driver covered when they drive my company car?
- Does my Dodge Dakota need full coverage?
If you don’t know the answers to these questions then you might want to talk to 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’s fast, free and may give you better protection.
Are insurance agents a thing of the past?
A lot of people just prefer to talk to a local agent and that can be a smart move Experienced insurance agents are trained to spot inefficiencies and will help you if you have claims. One of the great benefits of price shopping on the web is you may find cheap auto insurance quotes and also buy local. And providing support for small agencies is definitely important in Boston.
After filling out this quick form, your coverage information gets sent to local insurance agents that can give you free Boston car insurance quotes and help you find cheaper coverage. You never need to even leave your home since price quotes are sent directly to your email. If you need to get a comparison quote from a specific auto insurance provider, you just need to go to their quote page and give them your coverage information.
Pick the best car insurance agent in Boston for you
If you want to use a reliable agent, you should know the different types of agencies and how they differ in how they can insure your vehicles. Agencies in Boston can be described as either independent agents or exclusive agents depending on their employer. Either type can write auto insurance policies, but it’s good to learn the differences because it can factor into which type of agent you select.
Independent Auto Insurance Agents
Agents that choose to be independent are appointed with more than one company and that gives them the ability to insure with lots of companies and get the cheapest rates. If premiums increase, they can switch companies in-house and that require little work on your part.
When searching for an agent, you need to compare quotes from several independent insurance agents to get the best comparison. They often place coverage with companies you’ve never heard of that can offer cheaper rates than bigger companies.
The following are independent insurance agencies in Boston that may be able to give comparison quotes.
- Cecil N Marchionne Insurance Agency, Inc
506 Main St – Medford, MA 02155 – (781) 391-7100 – View Map - Allston Insurance
281 Western Ave – Boston, MA 02134 – (617) 229-6413 – View Map - Goji Insurance
31 St James Ave – Boston, MA 02116 – (888) 991-1091 – View Map
Exclusive Agents
Agents in the exclusive channel can only place business with one company and some examples include Allstate, State Farm and Farm Bureau. These agents are unable to provide prices from multiple companies so they are skilled at selling on more than just price. These agents are trained well on what they offer which helps offset the inability to provide other markets. Some consumers prefer to purchase coverage from exclusives partially due to the prominent brand name rather than having low rates.
The following are exclusive insurance agencies in Boston that are able to give price quote information.
- AAA Boston
125 High St – Boston, MA 02110 – (617) 443-9300 – View Map - Allstate Insurance: Abner Joseph
571 Dudley St Ste A – Boston, MA 02125 – (617) 442-9490 – View Map
Choosing a insurance agent shouldn’t rely on just a cheap price quote. Before buying a policy in Boston, get answers to these questions.
- Is there a Errors and Omissions policy in force?
- What kind of financial rating does the company have?
- How does the company pay claims for a total loss?
- Can you get a list of referrals?
- Is every driver in your family covered?
- Can you choose the body shop in case repairs are needed?
- How long have they worked with personal auto insurance coverage?
- How will an accident affect your rates?
Choosing the best Dodge Dakota insurance in Massachusetts is an important decision
Even though it can be expensive, insuring your vehicle is most likely required but also gives you several important benefits.
- Almost all states have minimum mandated liability insurance limits which means state laws require a specific level of liability protection in order to be legal. In Massachusetts these limits are 20/40/5 which means you must have $20,000 of bodily injury coverage per person, $40,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $5,000 of property damage coverage.
- If your vehicle has a lienholder, most banks will make it mandatory that you have physical damage coverage to guarantee their interest in the vehicle. If you let the policy lapse, the lender will be forced to insure your Dodge at a significantly higher premium and require you to reimburse them for the expensive policy.
- Insurance safeguards both your assets and your Dodge Dakota. It will also pay for medical transport and hospital expenses for not only you but also any passengers injured in an accident. Liability coverage also pays expenses related to your legal defense if anyone sues you for causing an accident. If your vehicle suffers damage from an accident or hail, your auto insurance policy will pay all costs to repair after the deductible has been paid.
The benefits of having auto insurance are definitely more than the cost, particularly when you have a large claim. But the average driver in Massachusetts is overpaying more than $700 annually so you should quote rates every year to help ensure money is not being wasted.
Auto insurance policy coverages for a Dodge Dakota
Understanding the coverages of your auto insurance policy aids in choosing the best coverages and the correct deductibles and limits. The coverage terms in a policy can be difficult to understand and reading a policy is terribly boring. Shown next are the usual coverages available from auto insurance companies.
Collision insurance
This pays to fix your vehicle from damage 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 coverage protects against things such as rolling your car, hitting a parking meter, crashing into a ditch, hitting a mailbox and damaging your car on a curb. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so analyze the benefit of dropping coverage from older vehicles. Drivers also have the option to bump up the deductible on your Dakota to get cheaper collision coverage.
Uninsured or underinsured coverage
This protects you and your vehicle from other drivers when they either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. Covered losses include medical payments for you and your occupants as well as your vehicle’s damage.
Since a lot of drivers only carry the minimum required liability limits (Massachusetts limits are 20/40/5), it doesn’t take a major accident to exceed their coverage limits. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage should not be overlooked. Normally your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverages are similar to your liability insurance amounts.
Liability car insurance
This can cover damage that occurs to other people or property. 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. As an example, you may have policy limits of 20/40/5 that translate to a limit of $20,000 per injured person, a per accident bodily injury limit of $40,000, and a total limit of $5,000 for damage to vehicles and property. Some companies may use a combined limit that pays claims from the same limit with no separate limits for injury or property damage.
Liability can pay for claims like medical services, court costs, pain and suffering and repair costs for stationary objects. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is your choice, but buy as high a limit as you can afford. Massachusetts requires drivers to carry at least 20/40/5 but it’s recommended drivers buy more liability than the minimum.
The next chart shows why minimum state limits may not be enough.
Comprehensive protection
This coverage covers damage caused by mother nature, theft, vandalism and other events. You first have to pay a deductible and the remainder of the damage will be paid by comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive insurance covers claims such as damage from a tornado or hurricane, rock chips in glass and theft. The maximum payout your auto insurance company will pay is the ACV or actual cash value, so if your deductible is as high as the vehicle’s value it’s probably time to drop comprehensive insurance.
Medical expense coverage
Medical payments and Personal Injury Protection insurance provide coverage for expenses for things like ambulance fees, surgery and X-ray expenses. They can be used to fill the gap from your health insurance plan or if there is no health insurance coverage. They cover not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants and will also cover being hit by a car walking across the street. PIP coverage is not an option in every state but it provides additional coverages not offered by medical payments coverage
One last thing to lower rates
A few companies don’t offer online price quotes and many times these small, regional companies only sell coverage through independent insurance agencies. Discount Dodge Dakota insurance is definitely available online and also from your neighborhood Boston agents, and you should be comparing both so you have a total pricing picture.
Throughout this article, we presented some good ideas how to save on Dodge Dakota insurance in Boston. The key thing to remember is the more rate quotes you have, the better your comparison will be. Consumers may even find the lowest premium rates come from a company that doesn’t do a lot of advertising. They can often provide lower prices in certain areas than their larger competitors like Progressive or GEICO.
As you shop your coverage around, never buy poor coverage just to save money. Too many times, consumers will sacrifice liability coverage limits only to discover later that a couple dollars of savings turned into a financial nightmare. Your strategy should be to purchase a proper amount of coverage for the lowest cost while still protecting your assets.
Other resources
- Distracted Driving Extends Beyond Texting (State Farm)
- How Much are Auto Insurance Rates for a Toyota Tacoma in Boston? (FAQ)
- What Car Insurance is Cheapest for a Honda Civic in Boston? (FAQ)
- Who Has the Cheapest Car Insurance Quotes with Multiple Speeding Tickets in Boston? (FAQ)
- How Much are Auto Insurance Quotes for Drivers Over Age 70 in Boston? (FAQ)
- Who Has Affordable Boston Auto Insurance for Low Credit Scores? (FAQ)
- What does Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Cover? (Allstate)
- What are my Rights when Filing a Claim? (Insurance Information Institute)
- How Does Hitting a Deer Impact Insurance Rates? (Allstate)