How to Save on Houston Jeep Liberty Insurance

Wish you could get out of overpriced Jeep Liberty insurance in Houston? Don’t sweat it because many consumers are feeling buyer’s remorse and feel like there’s no way out.

Unbelievable but true, the vast majority of consumers kept their policy with the same company for four years or more, and just short of a majority have never quoted rates to find cheap coverage. Drivers in Texas could save an average of up to 70% each year just by comparing rates, but they feel it’s too difficult to shop their coverage around. Insurance companies such as Allstate and Progressive all claim big savings, bombarding you with TV and radio ads and it is challenging if not impossible to separate fact from fiction and find the best price available.

If you have coverage now or want to find a cheaper company, you can follow these tips to save money while maximizing coverage. Locating the best insurance company for you in Houston seems hard but is not really that difficult. You only have to learn how to quote multiple rates from multiple carriers.

The best way we recommend to compare car insurance rates for Jeep Liberty insurance in Houston is to understand almost all companies pay for the opportunity to compare their rates. The only thing you need to do is give them some information such as which vehicles you own, what your job is, if a SR-22 is required, and if you are currently licensed. Those rating factors is instantly sent to many highly-rated insurers and they respond with quotes instantly to find the best rate.

To start a quote now, click here and complete the quick form.

The following companies are our best choices to provide quotes in Texas. If the list has multiple companies, we suggest you get rates from several of them to get a more complete price comparison.

Data assumes single female driver age 40, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $100 deductibles, and Texas minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include homeowner, multi-policy, multi-vehicle, claim-free, and safe-driver. Rate information does not factor in Houston location which can impact coverage rates significantly.

Should you raise deductibles?

The hardest decision when buying coverage is what deductibles to buy. The premium rates below illustrate the rate difference when you buy lower versus higher insurance deductibles. The first rate comparisons uses a $250 deductible for physical damage and the second price chart uses a $1,000 deductible.

Data based on married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and Texas minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include homeowner, multi-vehicle, safe-driver, claim-free, and multi-policy. Premium costs do not factor in zip code location which can impact coverage rates substantially.

Based on this data, using a $250 deductible will cost in the ballpark of $25 more each month or $300 every year than choosing the higher $1,000 deductible. Because you would pay $750 more if you turn in a claim with a $1,000 deductible as compared to a $250 deductible, if you normally go at least 30 months between claim filings, you would most likely save money going with the higher deductible.

Cost difference between full coverage and liability

The information below shows the comparison of Jeep Liberty premium costs with full physical damage coverage and with liability coverage only. The rate quotes are based on no claims, a clean driving record, $1,000 deductibles, married female driver, and no discounts are taken into consideration.

Should you pay for full coverage or liability only?

There is no definitive rule to exclude physical damage coverage, but there is a broad guideline. If the annual cost of coverage is 10% or more of the replacement cost minus the deductible, then it may be the right time to buy liability only.

For example, let’s say your Jeep Liberty book value is $6,000 and you have $1,000 deductibles. If your vehicle is severely damaged, the most you would get paid by your company is $5,000 after paying your policy deductible. If premium cost is more than $500 a year for physical damage coverage, then it’s probably a good time to buy liability coverage only.

There are some situations where dropping physical damage coverage is not a good idea. If you haven’t paid off your loan, you are required to maintain full coverage as part of the loan conditions. Also, if your emergency fund is not enough to purchase a different vehicle if your current one is damaged, you should keep full coverage in place.

Analysis of deductible levels

The chart below illustrates how your choice of deductibles and can impact Jeep Liberty annual premium costs for each different age category. The costs are based on a married male driver, comprehensive and collision coverage, and no discounts are applied.

Auto insurance discounts help lower rates for Jeep Liberty insurance in Houston

Companies that sell car insurance don’t always advertise every available discount very clearly, so the following list contains both the well known and also the more inconspicuous discounts you could be receiving when you buy Houston car insurance online.

• ABS Brakes – Vehicles with ABS and/or traction control can avoid accidents and therefore earn up to a 10% discount.
• Discounts for Multiple Vehicles – Purchasing coverage when you have all your vehicles with the same auto insurance company can reduce the rates for all insured vehicles.
• Military Deployment Discount – Having a family member in the military may qualify for rate reductions.
• Defensive Driver Discount – Taking a class that teaches defensive driving techniques can save you 5% or more and make you a better driver.
• Student in College – College-age children who are attending college without a vehicle on campus may be insured at a cheaper rate.

A quick disclaimer, some of the credits will not apply to the entire policy premium. Most only apply to specific coverage prices like liability, collision or medical payments. Just because it seems like you could get a free auto insurance policy, it doesn’t quite work that way.

If you would like to view providers that offer multiple discounts in Houston, follow this link.

Buying the right Jeep Liberty insurance in Texas is an important decision

Despite the fact that car insurance is not cheap in Houston, maintaining insurance is required for several reasons.

• Almost all states have mandatory liability insurance requirements which means the state requires a minimum amount of liability protection if you want to drive legally. 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.
• If you took out a loan on your Liberty, more than likely the lender will make it mandatory that you carry insurance to ensure loan repayment if the vehicle is totalled. If you default on your policy, the bank may buy a policy for your Jeep at a much higher premium rate and force you to pay much more than you were paying before.
• Car insurance protects both your assets and your vehicle. It will also cover medical expenses for not only you but also any passengers injured in an accident. Liability coverage also pays expenses related to your legal defense if you are sued as the result of your driving. If your car is damaged in a storm or accident, collision and comprehensive (also known as other-than-collision) coverage will cover the repair costs.

The benefits of buying car insurance more than cancel out the cost, especially with large liability claims. But the average American driver is overpaying more than $865 each year so you should quote rates at every renewal to help ensure money is not being wasted.

Situations that may require an agent’s advice

Always remember that when buying a policy for your personal vehicles, there really isn’t a cookie cutter policy. Every insured’s situation is different so your insurance needs to address that.
Here are some questions about coverages that can aid in determining if you might need an agent’s assistance.

• When do I need to add a new car to my policy?
• Does insurance cover tools stolen from my truck?
• Does my personal policy cover me when driving out-of-state?
• Do I have coverage when using my vehicle for my home business?
• Do all my vehicles need collision coverage?
• Who is covered when they drive my Jeep Liberty?
• Does my Jeep Liberty qualify for pleasure use?
• Where can I get insurance after a DUI in Texas?
• Can good grades get a discount?
• How can I force my company to pay a claim?

If you don’t know the answers to these questions but you know they apply to you, then you may want to think about talking to a licensed agent. If you don’t have a local agent, take a second and complete this form or you can also visit this page to select a carrier It is quick, free and can provide invaluable advice.

Insurance agent or online?

Some consumers would prefer to buy from a local agent and that can be a smart move Insurance agents are trained risk managers and help file insurance claims. The biggest benefit of comparing rates online is the fact that drivers can get lower rates but still work with a licensed agent.

Once you complete this form (opens in new window), your insurance data is emailed to agents in your area who will give you bids and help you find cheaper coverage. There is no need to do any legwork because quoted prices will be sent to your email. If you need to compare prices from a specific insurance company, you would need to search and find their rate quote page and fill out their quote form.

Finding the right insurer should include more criteria than just the quoted price. Agents should be asked these questions:

• What kind of financial rating does the company have?
• Which companies do they recommend if they are an independent agency?
• How long have they worked with personal auto insurance coverage?
• Which members of your family are coverage by the policy?
• Will their companies depreciate repairs to your car based on the mileage?
• Do they have a Better Business Bureau rating in Houston?
• Is the coverage adequate for your vehicle?
• Will they give you a referral list?

Independent or Exclusive: It’s your choice

If you’re trying to find a local Houston insurance agent, it’s important to understand the different agency structures from which to choose. Insurance agents in Houston can either be independent agents or exclusive agents. Both types of agents can provide insurance policies, but it is important to understand the difference between them since it can affect the kind of agent you use.

Exclusive Insurance Agents

Exclusive agents are contracted to one company and some examples include State Farm, AAA, and Liberty Mutual. Exclusive agents cannot compare rates from other companies so they really need to provide good service. They are highly trained on their company’s products which aids in selling service over price.

Below are exclusive agents in Houston who may provide you with rate quotes.

More Houston agents

Independent Insurance Agents

Independent agents are not restricted to one company so they can quote policies with many different companies and find you the best rates. If you want to switch companies, your agent can just switch to a different company and you don’t have to do anything.

When comparing rate quotes, we recommend you check rates from at a minimum one independent agency to ensure the widest selection of prices.

The following are Houston independent agencies that can give you price quote information.

More Houston agents

Car insurance policy specifics

Understanding the coverages of car insurance aids in choosing the best coverages and proper limits and deductibles. The terms used in a policy can be impossible to understand and coverage can change by endorsement. These are typical coverages found on the average car insurance policy.

Coverage for collisions

This pays to fix your vehicle from damage resulting from a collision with another car or object. You have to pay a deductible and the rest of the damage will be paid by collision coverage.

Collision insurance covers things like crashing into a ditch, scraping a guard rail, sideswiping another vehicle, colliding with another moving vehicle and rolling your car. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so you might think about dropping it from vehicles that are 8 years or older. It’s also possible to raise the deductible on your Liberty to get cheaper collision coverage.

Comprehensive (Other than Collision)

This coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. You first have to pay a deductible and then insurance will cover the rest of the damage.

Comprehensive can pay for claims such as damage from a tornado or hurricane, vandalism, falling objects and hitting a deer. The maximum amount you can receive from a comprehensive claim is the market value of your vehicle, so if the vehicle is not worth much it’s not worth carrying full coverage.

Medical expense insurance

Med pay and PIP coverage provide coverage for bills for things like surgery, dental work, ambulance fees, funeral costs and pain medications. The coverages can be utilized in addition to your health insurance policy or if you do not have health coverage. They cover you and your occupants and will also cover getting struck while a pedestrian. Personal Injury Protection is only offered in select states and may carry a deductible

Protection from uninsured/underinsured drivers

Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage protects you and your vehicle’s occupants when other motorists either have no liability insurance or not enough. Covered claims include hospital bills for your injuries as well as your vehicle’s damage.

Because many people have only the minimum liability required by law (30/60/25 in Texas), their liability coverage can quickly be exhausted. For this reason, having high UM/UIM coverages is very important.

Coverage for liability

This protects you from damage that occurs to a person or their property by causing an accident. Liability coverage has three limits: bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident and property damage. You might see liability limits of 30/60/25 which stand for $30,000 bodily injury coverage, a limit of $60,000 in injury protection per accident, and a total limit of $25,000 for damage to vehicles and property.

Liability coverage pays for things like loss of income, medical expenses and court costs. How much liability should you purchase? That is your choice, but buy higher limits if possible. Texas requires drivers to carry at least 30/60/25 but drivers should carry more coverage.