Would you like to stop wasting money and find low-cost Scion tC insurance in Minneapolis? Buying insurance online is challenging if you are one of the millions of people new to online price quotes. But don’t throw in the towel because comparing quotes is actually very simple.
Unbelievable but true, most insurance buyers in Minnesota kept their coverage with the same insurance company for more than four years, and about 40% of consumers have never compared rates from other carriers. Consumers in America can cut their rates by approximately $850 a year by just comparing quotes, but most just don’t grasp the benefits if they just switched companies.
Buying affordable car insurance in Minneapolis is not that difficult. If you have car insurance now, you will surely be able to find better prices using this strategy. But Minnesota drivers must comprehend how big insurance companies sell online because it can help you find the best coverage.
Informed Drivers Can Reduce Insurance Rates
Part of the auto insurance buying process is learning some of the things that play a part in calculating the rates you pay for auto insurance. If you understand what determines premiums, this enables you to make decisions that will entitle you to lower auto insurance prices.
- Rates may be higher where you live – Residing in a small town may provide you with better prices if you are looking for the lowest rates. Lower population means a lower chance of having an accident. City drivers regularly have traffic congestion and more time behind the wheel. More time behind the wheel means more chances of being involved in an auto accident.
- Raise comp and collision deductibles and save – Comprehensive and collision coverage deductibles state the amount of money you are willing to pay out-of-pocket if you file a covered claim. Coverage for physical damage, termed comprehensive and collision coverage on your policy, covers damage that occurs to your car. Some instances where coverage would apply would be a windshield broken by a bird, damage caused by hail, and damage from wind. The larger the amount the insured is willing to pay, the lower your rates will be.
- A car insurance policy lapse is a bad thing – Not maintaining insurance is a misdemeanor and companies may charge more for letting your coverage lapse. And not only will your rates increase, failure to provide proof of insurance might get you a fine, jail time, or a revoked license.
- Getting married can lower prices – Having a spouse may earn you lower rates when shopping for auto insurance. Having a spouse may mean you are more mature and responsible and it’s proven that drivers who are married file infrequent claims.
- Safer the car lower the rate – Cars with five star safety ratings can get you lower premiums. Vehicles engineered for safety protect occupants better and fewer injuries means less claims paid and lower rates for you. If your Scion tC is rated at least an “acceptable” rating on the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety website it is probably cheaper to insure.
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Traffic violations cost more than a fine – A bad driving record can have a huge impact on auto insurance premiums. Having a single chargeable violation can increase the cost of insurance by as much as twenty percent. Attentive drivers receive lower rates compared to bad drivers. Drivers with serious violations such as DUI, reckless driving or excessive speeding might be required by their state to file a proof of financial responsibility form (SR-22) with their state’s licensing department in order to prevent a license revocation.
The information below highlights how traffic violations and at-fault claims can influence Scion tC yearly insurance costs for different age groups of insureds. The rate quotes are based on a married female driver, full physical damage coverage, $250 deductibles, and no policy discounts are applied.
- Rental and towing coverage may not be needed – There are many optional add-on coverages that you can get tricked into buying on your auto insurance policy. Add-on coverages like coverage for rental cars, towing, and motor club memberships may not be needed and are just wasting money. They may seem like a good idea when you first buy your policy, but your money might be better spent on other coverage so get rid of them and save.
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Insurance loss statistics a Scion tC – Car insurance companies factor in insurance loss information as a tool for profitable underwriting. Vehicles that are shown to have higher claim amounts or frequency will have a higher cost to insure.
The table below demonstrates the historical loss data for Scion tC vehicles. For each coverage category, the loss probability for all vehicles, regardless of make or model, equals 100. Percentages below 100 imply a favorable loss record, while numbers above 100 show a trend for more claims or a tendency for losses to be larger than average.
Car Insurance Loss Data for Scion tC Models Specific Scion Model Collision Property Damage Comp Personal Injury Medical Payment Bodily Injury Scion tC 133 139 136 148 152 143 BETTERAVERAGEWORSEData Source: iihs.org (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) for 2013-2015 Model Years
Keep in mind that getting more free quotes increases your odds of finding more affordable rates.
The companies shown below are our best choices to provide quotes in Minnesota. If you wish to find the cheapest auto insurance in Minnesota, we suggest you compare several of them to get the best price comparison.
Car insurance data for a Scion tC
The data table displayed next highlights a range of insurance costs for Scion tC models. Learning how auto insurance premiums are calculated is important for drivers to make decisions on which coverage to buy.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TC 2-Dr Hatchback | $210 | $550 | $416 | $24 | $124 | $1,324 | $110 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
Premium data assumes married female driver age 40, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $250 deductibles, and Minnesota minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-policy, safe-driver, multi-vehicle, claim-free, and homeowner. Rate quotes do not factor in vehicle garaging location which can raise or lower auto insurance rates substantially.
Physical damage deductibles
When buying car insurance, a common question is how high should the physical damage deductibles be. The figures shown below can help illustrate the difference in cost when you choose different physical damage deductibles. The first data set uses a $100 deductible for comprehensive and collision coverage and the second rate chart uses a $1,000 deductible.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TC 2-Dr Hatchback | $272 | $668 | $396 | $24 | $118 | $1,503 | $125 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TC 2-Dr Hatchback | $152 | $352 | $396 | $24 | $118 | $1,042 | $87 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
Data assumes married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and Minnesota minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include safe-driver, multi-policy, claim-free, multi-vehicle, and homeowner. Table data does not factor in specific Minneapolis garaging location which can change rates noticeably.
We can estimate from the data above that using a $100 deductible costs an average of $38 more each month or $456 a year than buying the higher $1,000 deductible. Because you would be required to pay $900 more out-of-pocket with a $1,000 deductible as compared to a $100 deductible, if you normally go at a minimum 24 months between claim filings, you would come out ahead by going with a higher deductible.
The example below demonstrates how choosing different deductibles and can raise or lower Scion tC annual premium costs for different age groups. The price estimates are based on a single female driver, full coverage, and no discounts are factored in.
Full coverage rates vs. liability-only in Minneapolis
The chart below compares Scion tC insurance prices with full physical damage coverage compared to only buying liability only. The prices are based on no tickets, no at-fault accidents, $250 deductibles, marital status is single, and no discounts are taken into consideration.
When to stop buying physical damage coverage
There is no exact formula to exclude comprehensive and collision coverage on your policy, but there is a general convention. If the yearly cost for physical damage coverage is more than 10% of the settlement you would receive from your company, then you may need to consider dropping full coverage.
For example, let’s assume your Scion tC claim settlement value is $3,000 and you have $1,000 deductibles. If your vehicle is destroyed, you would only receive $2,000 after paying the physical damage deductible. If you are paying more than $200 annually to have full coverage, then you may need to consider dropping full coverage.
There are a few cases where dropping physical damage coverage is not a good plan. If you haven’t satisfied your loan, you are required to maintain full coverage as part of the loan requirements. Also, if your emergency fund is not enough to purchase a different vehicle if your current one is damaged, you should keep full coverage.
Auto insurance is an important decision
Despite the potentially high cost of Scion tC insurance, auto insurance serves an important purpose.
- Almost all states have mandatory liability insurance requirements which means it is punishable by state law to not carry a specific level of liability insurance in order to be legal. In Minnesota these limits are 30/60/10 which means you must have $30,000 of bodily injury coverage per person, $60,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $10,000 of property damage coverage.
- If you have a lien on your vehicle, it’s guaranteed your bank will force you to have full coverage to guarantee their interest in the vehicle. If coverage lapses or is canceled, the bank may buy a policy for your Scion at a much higher premium rate and require you to reimburse them the higher price.
- Insurance safeguards not only your Scion but also your assets. It will also reimburse you for most medical and hospital costs for you, any passengers, and anyone injured in an accident. Liability coverage will also pay attorney fees if anyone sues you for causing an accident. If your car is damaged in a storm or 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 insurance outweigh the cost, particularly when you have a large claim. Today the average American driver overpays as much as $810 a year so you should quote your policy with other companies at every renewal to save money.
You may qualify for discounts for Scion tC insurance in Minneapolis
Some insurance providers do not list the complete list of policy discounts in an easy-to-find place, so the following is a list of some of the best known and the harder-to-find insurance savings.
- Military Discounts – Having a deployed family member could qualify you for better insurance rates.
- Theft Deterrent Discount – Cars, trucks, and SUVs equipped with anti-theft or alarm systems can help prevent theft and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
- Low Mileage Discounts – Keeping the miles down on your Scion can qualify you for discounted premium rates on garaged vehicles.
- Pay Now and Pay Less – If paying your policy premium upfront as opposed to paying monthly you could save up to 5%.
- Save with More Vehicles Insured – Buying insurance for multiple vehicles with the same insurance company can get a discount on all vehicles.
- Life Insurance Discount – Select insurance companies reward you with better premium rates if you take out a life insurance policy as well.
- Minneapolis Homeowners Discount – Owning your own home or condo can save you money because maintaining a house shows financial diligence.
It’s important to understand that some of the credits will not apply to the whole policy. Some only apply to specific coverage prices like physical damage coverage or medical payments. So even though they make it sound like you can get free auto insurance, company stockholders wouldn’t be very happy.
The diagram below illustrates the difference between Scion tC car insurance costs with and without discounts being applied to the rates. The premium estimates are based on a female driver, a clean driving record, no claims, Minnesota state minimum liability limits, comprehensive and collision coverage, and $1,000 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with claim-free, safe-driver, multi-policy, marriage, homeowner, and multi-car discounts applied.
Companies and some of their more popular discounts are detailed below.
- GEICO may have discounts that include membership and employees, defensive driver, anti-lock brakes, daytime running lights, air bags, multi-policy, and good student.
- SAFECO offers discounts including teen safety rewards, drive less, homeowner, safe driver, and bundle discounts.
- State Farm policyholders can earn discounts including safe vehicle, defensive driving training, passive restraint, Steer Clear safe driver discount, Drive Safe & Save, and student away at school.
- MetLife may offer discounts for accident-free, defensive driver, multi-policy, good driver, good student, and claim-free.
- 21st Century has savings for good student, early bird, theft prevention, anti-lock brakes, automatic seat belts, defensive driver, and driver training.
- Progressive offers discounts for online signing, online quote discount, homeowner, multi-policy, multi-vehicle, continuous coverage, and good student.
Before purchasing a policy, check with all the companies how many discounts you can get. A few discounts might not be available to policyholders in Minneapolis.
Car insurance is available from local agents
A small number of people still prefer to buy from a licensed agent and we recommend doing that One of the best bonuses of comparing car insurance online is that you can find lower prices and still buy from a local agent.
To make it easy to find an agent, after completing this quick form, the quote information is emailed to insurance agents in Minneapolis who will give competitive quotes for your insurance coverage. It’s much easier because you don’t need to leave your house due to the fact that quote results will go directly to your email. You can find lower rates and an insurance agent to talk to. If for some reason you want to compare prices from a particular provider, just visit that company’s website and fill out the quote form the provide.
Picking an company is decision based upon more than just the quoted price. Ask your prospective agent these questions:
- If you are a high risk driver, do they have special markets for your coverage?
- Do you qualify for any additional discounts?
- How much can you save by raising your physical damage deductibles?
- Does the company have a local claim office in Minneapolis?
- Will the agent help in case of a claim?
- Do clients work directly with the agent or are most inquiries handled by a CSR?
- Can you contact them at any time?
If you’re trying to find a good insurance agency, it’s helpful to know the different types of agencies and how they function. Minneapolis agents can be described as either exclusive or independent.
Exclusive Agents
Exclusive agents normally can only provide a single company’s rates like AAA, Allstate, and State Farm. They usually cannot shop your coverage around so if the price isn’t competitive there isn’t much they can do. They are highly trained on their company’s products which helps them sell insurance even at higher premiums. Consumers frequently buy from the same agent for years mainly due to the brand legacy and solid financial strength.
Below is a short list of exclusive agencies in Minneapolis that can give you price quotes.
- American Family Insurance – Dawn Bartell
4649 Bloomington Ave – Minneapolis, MN 55407 – (612) 333-5554 – View Map - Jerry Vang – State Farm Insurance Agent
701 4th Ave S #220 – Minneapolis, MN 55415 – (612) 338-6400 – View Map - Tom Kilton – State Farm Insurance Agent
3430 Nicollet Ave – Minneapolis, MN 55408 – (612) 827-3655 – View Map
Independent Insurance Agents
These agents do not work for one specific company and that gives them the ability to insure with multiple insurance companies and get the cheapest rates. To move your coverage to a new company, your policy is moved internally and you won’t have to switch agencies. If you are comparing car insurance prices, you absolutely need to compare prices from a few independent agents to have the most options to choose from. Most also write with companies you’ve never heard of which can be an advantage.
Listed below are Minneapolis independent insurance agencies that are able to give rate quotes.
- Minneapolis Insurance Specialists Team
333 N Washington Ave – Minneapolis, MN 55401 – (612) 460-7796 – View Map - Insurance Advantage Agency LLC
7600 Parklawn Ave #350 – Minneapolis, MN 55435 – (952) 746-5770 – View Map - Criterion Insurance Agency
3300 Fernbrook Ln N #170 – Minneapolis, MN 55447 – (800) 701-5909 – View Map
After you get acceptable answers to your questions as well as an affordable premium quote, it’s possible that you found an auto insurance agent that meets the requirements to provide car insurance coverage.
Auto insurance can be complex
Always remember that when buying the best auto insurance coverage, there is no “perfect” insurance plan. You are unique.
For instance, these questions might help in determining if your insurance needs would benefit from professional advice.
- Will I be non-renewed for getting a DUI or other conviction?
- What companies insure drivers after a DUI or DWI?
- Am I covered when pulling a rental trailer?
- Am I insured when driving a different vehicle?
- When would I need additional glass coverage?
- Can I insure my car for more than it’s worth?
- Is water damage covered by my policy?
- What is motorclub and do I need it?
- Is borrowed equipment or tools covered if stolen or damaged?
If you’re not sure about those questions but you think they might apply to your situation, you might consider talking to an agent. If you don’t have a local agent, fill out this quick form.
Don’t give up on cheaper coverage
When trying to cut insurance costs, do not buy less coverage just to save a little money. There have been many cases where drivers have reduced collision coverage only to discover later that their decision to reduce coverage ended up costing them more. The ultimate goal is to purchase a proper amount of coverage at an affordable rate, but don’t skip important coverages to save money.
The cheapest Scion tC insurance in Minneapolis is possible online and also from your neighborhood Minneapolis agents, and you need to price shop both to have the best selection. Some companies may not have online quoting and many times these smaller providers sell through independent agents.
Consumers who switch companies do it for a variety of reasons including unfair underwriting practices, questionable increases in premium, denial of a claim or an unsatisfactory settlement offer. It doesn’t matter why you want to switch choosing a new company is pretty simple and you could end up saving a buck or two.
How to buy lower priced Scion tC insurance in Minneapolis
It takes a little time, but the best way to get budget car insurance rates is to compare quotes annually from companies who sell auto insurance in Minneapolis.
- Read about how car insurance works and the steps you can take to drop your rates. Many risk factors that cause high rates such as at-fault accidents, speeding tickets, and an imperfect credit score can be rectified by making minor driving habit or lifestyle changes.
- Obtain price quotes from independent agents, exclusive agents, and direct companies. Exclusive agents and direct companies can only give rate quotes from a single company like Progressive and State Farm, while agents who are independent can give you price quotes for a wide range of companies.
- Compare the new rate quotes to your existing policy to see if a cheaper rate is available. If you can save some money and buy the policy, make sure there is no lapse in coverage.
An important part of this process is that you’ll want to make sure you compare the same level of coverage on each quote request and and to compare as many car insurance companies as possible. Doing this provides a fair price comparison and many rates to choose from.
To learn more, feel free to visit these articles:
- Frontal Crash Tests (iihs.org)
- Who Has the Cheapest Minneapolis Car Insurance for Drivers with a Bad Driving Record? (FAQ)
- Who Has Cheap Minneapolis Car Insurance for High Mileage Drivers? (FAQ)
- How Much is Minneapolis Car Insurance for a 20 Year Old Male? (FAQ)
- Who Has Affordable Car Insurance Quotes for Low Income Drivers in Minneapolis? (FAQ)
- How Much are Minneapolis Auto Insurance Rates for a Ford Fusion? (FAQ)
- Who Has Cheap Minneapolis Auto Insurance for a Hyundai Sonata? (FAQ)
- How to shop for a safer car (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)
- Booster Seat Ratings (iihs.org)