A recent survey discovered that the majority of drivers have stayed with the same insurance company for well over three years, and almost 40% of drivers have never compared rates with other companies. Many consumers in Louisiana can save hundreds of dollars each year, but they don’t know the actual amount they would save if they switched.
If your goal is the lowest price, then the best way to get more affordable car insurance rates is to start doing an annual price comparison from companies who sell insurance in New Orleans. Drivers can shop around by following these steps.
- Try to learn about coverages and the measures you can control to keep rates low. Many policy risk factors that cause high rates like high-risk driving behaviors and an imperfect credit score can be eliminated by improving your driving habits or financial responsibility.
- Compare rates from direct carriers, independent agents, and exclusive agents. Direct and exclusive agents can only quote rates from one company like GEICO and Allstate, while independent agents can provide price quotes from many different companies.
- Compare the new rate quotes to your existing rates to see if you can save by switching companies. If you can save money, ensure coverage does not lapse between policies.
- Give notification to your current company of your decision to cancel your current coverage. Submit payment and a signed application to the new insurer. Once the paperwork is finalized, put the certificate of insurance above your visor, in the console, or in the glove compartment.
One piece of advice is to make sure you enter the same deductibles and limits on every quote and and to get rate quotes from every insurance company. This guarantees a level playing field and the most accurate and complete price analysis.
Locating the best rates in New Orleans can initially seem challenging. Essentially each driver who is required to buy car insurance most likely will be able to lower their premiums. Nevertheless, Louisiana drivers need to learn how big insurance companies market on the web and use this information to your advantage.
When quoting auto insurance, remember that quoting more increases the chance that you will find more affordable rates. Some smaller insurers do not give rate quotes online, so it’s necessary to compare price estimates from those companies as well.
The companies shown below offer free rate quotes in New Orleans, LA. If you want to find the best car insurance in New Orleans, we suggest you visit two to three different companies to get a more complete price comparison.
Slash rates with these premium slashing discounts
Car insurance is not cheap nor is it fun to buy but you may be missing some discounts that could drop your premiums quite a bit. Some discounts apply automatically at the time of quoting, but some discounts are required to be inquired about prior to getting the savings.
- Clubs and Organizations – Joining qualifying employment or professional organizations may earn a discount on your policy.
- Discount for Multiple Policies – When you combine your auto and homeowners insurance with one insurance company you could save up to 20% and get you inexpensive Mazda Tribute insurance in New Orleans.
- Multiple Cars – Drivers who insure several vehicles on one policy qualifies for this discount.
- Anti-lock Brake Discount – Cars, trucks, and SUVs that have anti-lock braking systems have fewer accidents and the ABS can save up to 10%.
- Accident Forgiveness – Not a discount per se, but certain companies allow you one accident before they charge you more for coverage so long as you haven’t had any claims prior to being involved in the accident.
- Claim-Free Discount – Good drivers with no accidents have much lower rates in comparison with policyholders that have many claims.
- Payment Method – If you pay your entire premium ahead of time as opposed to paying monthly you could save 5% or more.
- Passive Restraints – Vehicles equipped with air bags can get savings of up to 25% or more.
You can save money using discounts, but most of the big mark downs will not be given to the entire cost. Most only apply to individual premiums such as comp or med pay. So when it seems like all those discounts means the company will pay you, you’re out of luck.
The example below visualizes the comparison of Mazda Tribute insurance costs with and without discounts applied to the premium. The costs are based on a female driver, no accidents or driving violations, Louisiana state minimum liability limits, comp and collision included, and $250 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with marriage, safe-driver, multi-policy, multi-car, claim-free, and homeowner discounts applied.
Car insurance companies who might offer these money-saving discounts are:
Before purchasing a policy, check with each company to apply every possible discount. Some of the discounts discussed earlier might not be offered on policies in your state.
Mazda Tribute coverage statistics
The premium information shown below showcases different insurance rates for Mazda Tribute models. Having a good grasp of how policy premiums are calculated can be of help when making decisions when choosing a new policy provider.
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tribute I Sport 2WD | $398 | $722 | $518 | $30 | $154 | $1,822 | $152 |
Tribute I Sport 4WD | $398 | $722 | $518 | $30 | $154 | $1,822 | $152 |
Tribute I Touring 2WD | $398 | $722 | $518 | $30 | $154 | $1,822 | $152 |
Tribute I Grand Touring 2WD | $456 | $722 | $518 | $30 | $154 | $1,880 | $157 |
Tribute I Touring 4WD | $456 | $722 | $518 | $30 | $154 | $1,880 | $157 |
Tribute I Grand Touring 4WD | $456 | $850 | $518 | $30 | $154 | $2,008 | $167 |
Tribute S Grand Touring 2WD | $456 | $850 | $518 | $30 | $154 | $2,008 | $167 |
Tribute S Grand Touring 4WD | $456 | $850 | $518 | $30 | $154 | $2,008 | $167 |
Get Your Own Custom Quote Go |
Prices above based on single male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $100 deductibles, and Louisiana minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include homeowner, multi-vehicle, claim-free, multi-policy, and safe-driver. Premium costs do not factor in New Orleans location which can affect price quotes significantly.
How high should deductibles be?
When buying insurance, a common question is how high should your deductibles be. The following insurance rates may aid in understanding the differences in price when you choose different deductibles. The first rate estimation uses a $250 deductible for physical damage and the second rate chart uses a $500 deductible.
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tribute I Sport 2WD | $312 | $604 | $394 | $24 | $118 | $1,477 | $123 |
Tribute I Sport 4WD | $312 | $604 | $394 | $24 | $118 | $1,477 | $123 |
Tribute I Touring 2WD | $312 | $604 | $394 | $24 | $118 | $1,477 | $123 |
Tribute I Grand Touring 2WD | $358 | $604 | $394 | $24 | $118 | $1,523 | $127 |
Tribute I Touring 4WD | $358 | $604 | $394 | $24 | $118 | $1,523 | $127 |
Tribute I Grand Touring 4WD | $358 | $712 | $394 | $24 | $118 | $1,631 | $136 |
Tribute S Grand Touring 2WD | $358 | $712 | $394 | $24 | $118 | $1,631 | $136 |
Tribute S Grand Touring 4WD | $358 | $712 | $394 | $24 | $118 | $1,631 | $136 |
Get Your Own Custom Quote Go |
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tribute I Sport 2WD | $254 | $488 | $394 | $24 | $118 | $1,278 | $107 |
Tribute I Sport 4WD | $254 | $488 | $394 | $24 | $118 | $1,278 | $107 |
Tribute I Touring 2WD | $254 | $488 | $394 | $24 | $118 | $1,278 | $107 |
Tribute I Grand Touring 2WD | $292 | $488 | $394 | $24 | $118 | $1,316 | $110 |
Tribute I Touring 4WD | $292 | $488 | $394 | $24 | $118 | $1,316 | $110 |
Tribute I Grand Touring 4WD | $292 | $574 | $394 | $24 | $118 | $1,402 | $117 |
Tribute S Grand Touring 2WD | $292 | $574 | $394 | $24 | $118 | $1,402 | $117 |
Tribute S Grand Touring 4WD | $292 | $574 | $394 | $24 | $118 | $1,402 | $117 |
Get Your Own Custom Quote Go |
Table data assumes married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and Louisiana minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-vehicle, safe-driver, claim-free, homeowner, and multi-policy. Price information does not factor in vehicle garaging location which can change rates significantly.
Based on the above data, using a $250 deductible will cost in the ballpark of $17 more each month or $204 every year than quoting the higher $500 deductible. Since you would pay $250 more out-of-pocket with a $500 deductible as compared to a $250 deductible, if you tend to have at a minimum 15 months between claims, you would probably be better off by going with a higher deductible.
The example below highlights how deductible choice and can affect Mazda Tribute insurance costs for different insured age categories. The costs are based on a married female driver, full coverage, and no discounts are taken into consideration.
Difference between liability only and full coverage rates
The example below shows the comparison of Mazda Tribute yearly insurance costs with full physical damage coverage and with liability coverage only. The rate quotes are based on no accidents or driving violations, $1,000 deductibles, single marital status, and no discounts are applied to the premium.
When to stop paying for full coverage
There is no definitive rule for phasing out comp and collision coverage, but there is a broad guideline. If the annual cost of your full coverage insurance is more than around 10% of the replacement cost minus the deductible, then you may want to consider only buying liability coverage.
For example, let’s say your Mazda Tribute book value is $3,000 and you have $1,000 deductibles. If your vehicle is severely damaged, the most your company would pay you is $2,000 after paying your deductible. If premium cost is more than $200 annually for comprehensive and collision coverage, then it may be the right time to buy liability only.
There are some circumstances where removing full coverage is not a good plan. If you haven’t satisfied your loan, you have to maintain full coverage in order to satisfy the requirements of the loan. Also, if your finances do not allow you to purchase a different vehicle in the event your current vehicle is totaled, you should not buy liability only.
Car insurance is available from local agents
Many people prefer to have an agent’s advice and we recommend doing that One of the great benefits of getting free rate quotes online is that you can find the lowest rates but also keep your business local.
After completing this short form, your coverage information is submitted to agents in your area that give free quotes for your business. It’s much easier because you don’t need to contact any agents since price quotes are sent immediately to you. You’ll get the best rates without a big time investment. In the event you want to get a rate quote for a specific company, feel free to find their quoting web page and give them your coverage information.
Choosing the best provider shouldn’t rely on just the premium amount. These questions are important to ask:
- If you have an accident, are you able to get your vehicle repaired at the shop of your choice?
- Which companies do they recommend if they are an independent agency?
- Does the company use OEM repair parts?
- Is the agency covered by Errors and Omissions coverage?
- Will the company cover a rental car if your car is getting fixed?
- How much training do they have in personal risk management?
- Do the companies they represent have a solid financial rating?
How to choose the best car insurance agent in New Orleans
When searching for a good insurance agency, it’s important to understand the types of agencies and how they can quote your rates. Car insurance agents in New Orleans are categorized either exclusive or independent agents depending on their company appointments.
Exclusive Agents
These type of agents generally can only insure with one company and examples are State Farm, Allstate, or Farmers Insurance. These agents are unable to provide prices from multiple companies so you need to shop around if the rates are high. These agents are highly trained in insurance sales which helps them compete with independent agents. Some consumers prefer to use the same exclusive agent primarily because of the brand name rather than having low rates.
The following is a short list of exclusive insurance agencies in New Orleans that are able to give price quote information.
- Beth Anne Naugher – State Farm Insurance Agent
3536 Holiday Dr a – New Orleans, LA 70114 – (504) 367-6660 – View Map - Josh Lorando – State Farm Insurance Agent
4200 Canal St c – New Orleans, LA 70119 – (504) 488-0001 – View Map - Cas Fontenot State FarmĀ®
3201 General De Gaulle Dr #103 – New Orleans, LA 70114 – (504) 366-8686 – View Map
Independent Agents
These agents do not write with just one company so as a result can place your coverage with many different companies and help determine which has the cheapest rates. To transfer your coverage to a different company, they simply move the coverage in-house which is easy for the insured. If you are trying to find cheaper rates, you absolutely need to get some free quotes from several independent insurance agents to get the best comparison. Most independent agents also contract with different regional companies which could offer lower prices.
The following is a short list of independent insurance agencies in New Orleans that are able to give comparison quotes.
- Bob Swanson Insurance
824 Elmwood Park Blvd #295 – New Orleans, LA 70123 – (504) 734-0305 – View Map - Whitney Insurance Agency
650 Poydras St Suite 1500 – New Orleans, LA 70130 – (504) 581-5353 – View Map - Nola Insurance Agency
2646 Banks St – New Orleans, LA 70119 – (504) 822-8770 – View Map
Insurance can be complex
Always keep in mind that when comparing the right insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there really isn’t a best way to insure your cars. Your needs are not the same as everyone else’s and your insurance should be unique as well.
For example, these questions could help you determine if your insurance needs might need an agent’s assistance.
- Should I buy only the required Louisiana minimum liability coverage?
- Does my medical payments coverage pay my health insurance deductible?
- Do I need roadside assistance coverage?
- Do I have any recourse if my insurance company denies a claim?
- When would I need additional glass coverage?
- Is my business laptop covered if it gets stolen from my vehicle?
- Can I get a multi-policy discount for packaging my home and auto coverage?
- Do I have coverage for damage caused while driving under the influence?
- What is medical payments coverage?
If you can’t answer these questions then you might want to talk 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.
How to Lower Your Insurance Rates
The best way to find cheaper car insurance is to take a look at the rating factors that go into determining the rates you pay for car insurance. When you know what positively or negatively controls the rates you pay, this allows you to make educated decisions that could result in lower car insurance prices.
Your occupation can affect rates – Jobs like judges, air traffic controllers, and miners are shown to have higher rates than average in part from intense work requirements and lengthy work days. Other occupations such as professors, students and homemakers receive lower rates.
Rural vs Urban Areas – Living in less populated areas is a positive aspect when talking about car insurance. Drivers in populated areas regularly have traffic congestion and much longer commute distances. Less people corresponds to lower accident rates.
Extra coverages can cost a lot – There are quite a few extra bells and whistles you can purchase when buying car insurance. Coverages for roadside assistance, accident forgiveness, and motor club memberships are some examples. You may think they are a good idea when you first buy your policy, but if you don’t need them remove them and pocket the money.
Physical damage deductibles – Physical damage protection, also called ‘full coverage’, helps pay for damage to your vehicle. Some instances where coverage would apply could be a broken side mirror, vandalism, or theft. Physical damage deductibles state the amount of money you are required to spend out-of-pocket if you file a covered claim. The larger the amount you have to pay, the bigger discount you will receive.
Don’t cancel your car insurance policy without a new one in place – Driving without insurance coverage in place is illegal and you may have a hard time finding new coverage because you let your insurance coverage expire. And not only will your rates increase, the inability to provide proof of insurance might get you fines or a revoked license. You could then be forced to file a SR-22 with the Louisiana motor vehicle department to get your license reinstated.
High premiums for younger drivers – Mature drivers tend to be more responsible, tend to cause fewer accidents, and are generally more financially stable. Drivers with little experience are statistically shown to be easily distracted when driving therefore car insurance rates are much higher.
The data below is based on a single driver, full coverage with $250 deductibles, and no discounts or violations.
Premiums increase with driving tickets – Being a careful driver has a lot to do with how much you pay for insurance. Only having one ticket can bump up the cost substantially. Careful drivers pay lower auto insurance prices as compared to careless drivers. Drivers unfortunate enough to have severe citations such as DUI or willful reckless driving may find they need to prove financial responsibility with their state’s department of motor vehicles in order to legally drive a vehicle.
The diagram below demonstrates how speeding tickets and at-fault claims can impact Mazda Tribute insurance costs for each different age category. The data assumes a single female driver, full coverage, $500 deductibles, and no discounts are applied.
Buying the right Tribute insurance in Louisiana is an important decision
Despite the fact that auto insurance is not cheap in New Orleans, buying auto insurance serves a purpose in several ways.
- Almost all states have mandatory insurance requirements which means you are required to buy a minimum amount of liability coverage if you want to drive legally. In Louisiana these limits are 15/30/25 which means you must have $15,000 of bodily injury coverage per person, $30,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $25,000 of property damage coverage.
- If you took out a loan on your vehicle, it’s guaranteed your bank will have a requirement that you have full coverage to protect their interest in the vehicle. If you default on your policy, the lender will be forced to insure your Mazda at a much higher premium rate and require you to pay the higher premium.
- Insurance protects not only your Mazda Tribute but also your financial assets. It also can pay for medical expenses for you, your passengers, and anyone else injured in an accident. One policy coverage, liability insurance, will also pay for a defense attorney if you cause an accident and are sued. If you receive damage to your vehicle caused by a storm or accident, your policy will pay to repair the damage.
The benefits of insuring your Tribute greatly outweigh the cost, especially with large liability claims. As of last year, the average driver in Louisiana is overpaying more than $810 a year so compare quotes from several companies at every policy renewal to save money.
More comparisons equals cheap rates
Cheaper car insurance in New Orleans can be found both online as well as from independent agents in New Orleans, and you should compare rates from both in order to have the best chance of saving money. There are still a few companies who may not provide rate quotes online and most of the time these smaller providers work with independent insurance agents.
In this article, we presented some good ideas how to lower your Mazda Tribute insurance rates in New Orleans. It’s most important to understand that the more rate quotes you have, the better chance you’ll have of finding cheaper New Orleans auto insurance quotes. Consumers may even find the lowest rates are with some of the lesser-known companies. These companies can often insure niche markets at a lower cost than the large multi-state companies such as State Farm and Allstate.
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