A recent survey discovered that the vast majority of drivers have remained with the same auto insurance company for four years or more, and approximately 40% of consumers have never shopped around. Detroit drivers could save $3,800 a year, but they don’t invest the time required to shop their coverage around.
If saving the most money is your goal, then the best way to find affordable Scion tC insurance is to compare quotes once a year from different companies who can sell car insurance in Detroit.
- First, try to understand how companies set rates and the modifications you can make to prevent expensive coverage. Many factors that drive up the price such as traffic violations and a not-so-good credit history can be controlled by paying attention to minor details.
- Second, request price quotes from direct, independent, and exclusive agents. Direct companies and exclusive agencies can only provide price estimates from a single company like Progressive or State Farm, while independent agencies can quote prices from multiple companies.
- Third, compare the new rate quotes to your current policy premium to see if switching to a new carrier will save money. If you find a lower rate, make sure coverage does not lapse between policies.
- Fourth, tell your current agent or company to cancel your current car insurance policy and submit any necessary down payment along with the completed application to your new agent or company. As soon as you receive it, store the proof of insurance paperwork with your registration paperwork.
One tip to remember is that you’ll want to make sure you compare similar deductibles and liability limits on every price quote and to quote with as many companies as you can. Doing this guarantees a fair rate comparison and a complete rate analysis.
Get cheap Scion tC insurance in Detroit with discounts
Auto insurance companies do not advertise every policy discount in a way that’s easy to find, so the list below gives a summary of a few of the more well known and the more hidden ways to save on car insurance.
- Memberships – Being a member of a professional or civic organization could earn you a nice discount when shopping for car insurance.
- Seat Belts Save more than Lives – Forcing all vehicle occupants to use their safety belts could cut 10% or more on the medical payments or PIP coverage costs.
- Theft Prevention System – Cars that have factory anti-theft systems are stolen less frequently and will qualify for a discount on a Detroit auto insurance quote.
- Passenger Safety Discount – Vehicles equipped with air bags and/or automatic seat belt systems can receive discounts of up to 25% or more.
- Claim Free – Insureds with no claims or accidents can earn big discounts as opposed to drivers who are more careless.
- Detroit Homeowners Discount – Owning your own home or condo can get you a discount due to the fact that maintaining a home means you have a higher level of financial diligence.
- Driver’s Education for Students – Reduce the cost of insurance for teen drivers by having them successfully complete driver’s ed class in school or through a local driver safety program.
Don’t be surprised that most of the big mark downs will not be given to all coverage premiums. Some only reduce individual premiums such as comp or med pay. So even though they make it sound like it’s possible to get free car insurance, you’re out of luck. Any qualifying discounts should help lower your overall premium however.
The diagram below illustrates the comparison of Scion tC auto insurance costs with and without policy discounts. The rates are based on a female driver, no violations or accidents, Michigan 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, multi-policy, multi-car, safe-driver, marriage, and homeowner discounts applied.
A few companies who might offer most of the discounts above are:
If you are trying to find cheaper Detroit auto insurance quotes, ask every company what discounts are available to you. A few discounts might not be offered in your state. To choose insurance companies who offer free Scion tC insurance quotes in Michigan, click this link.
The are a couple different ways of comparing price quotes from companies that offer auto insurance in Michigan. One of the best ways to compare Scion tC insurance prices is to perform an online rate comparison. When comparing auto insurance rates, know that more quotes gives you a better chance of getting a lower rate than you’re paying now. Some companies don’t provide online rate quotes, so you also need to get price estimates from them as well.
The companies shown below are our best choices to provide comparison quotes in Michigan. If multiple companies are listed, we recommend you visit several of them to get the best price comparison.
Scion tC insurance statistics and information
The information shown next covers detailed analysis of policy rates for Scion tC models. Having knowledge of how insurance premiums are formulated helps drivers make smart choices when choosing a car insurance company.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TC 2-Dr Hatchback | $394 | $904 | $890 | $52 | $266 | $2,506 | $209 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
Prices based on married male driver age 40, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $500 deductibles, and Michigan minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include homeowner, safe-driver, multi-policy, claim-free, and multi-vehicle. Information does not factor in vehicle garaging location which can raise or lower premium rates considerably.
Higher deductibles save money
When comparing auto insurance rates, the most common question is how high or low should comp and collision deductibles be. The figures shown below illustrate the cost difference when you choose different comp and collision deductibles. The first pricing table uses a $100 deductible and the second data table uses a $500 deductible.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TC 2-Dr Hatchback | $594 | $1456 | $864 | $52 | $258 | $3,249 | $271 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TC 2-Dr Hatchback | $434 | $984 | $864 | $52 | $258 | $2,592 | $216 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
Price data assumes married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and Michigan minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include claim-free, safe-driver, homeowner, multi-policy, and multi-vehicle. Rates do not factor in Detroit location which can affect premium rates considerably.
Based on this data, using a $100 deductible will cost you approximately $55 more each month or $660 every year across all Scion tC models than buying the higher $500 deductible. Due to the fact that you would have to pay $400 more out-of-pocket with a $500 deductible as compared to a $100 deductible, if you have at a minimum 7 months between claims, you would save money if you opt for a higher deductible.
How Car Insurance Companies Determine Scion tC Insurance Premiums
An important part of buying insurance is that you know a few of the rating criteria that are used to determine your policy premiums. When you understand what controls the rates you pay, this enables informed choices that may reward you with cheaper rates. Many factors are part of the calculation when you get a price on insurance. Most are fairly basic such as your driving record, but other criteria are more transparent like where you live or your financial responsibility.
- Low comp and collision deductibles mean high premiums – Your deductibles define how much you are willing to pay if you file a covered claim. Protection for physical damage, also called ‘full coverage’, covers damage that occurs to your car. Examples of covered claims are a windshield broken by a bird, hail damage, and having a roll-over accident. The more damage repair cost you choose to pay out-of-pocket, the less your company will charge you for insurance.
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Teenagers vs. older drivers – Older drivers are more responsible, are lower risk to insure, and are generally more financially stable. Beginning drivers are known to be inattentive when behind the wheel so auto insurance rates are higher.
The data below uses these assumptions: single driver, full coverage with $1000 deductibles, and no discounts or violations.
- Liability protection claims can be big – Your auto insurance policy’s liability coverage provides coverage in the event that you are found liable for damages from an accident. It will provide you with a defense in court which can cost thousands of dollars. Liability is cheap compared to insuring for physical damage coverage, so do not skimp.
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Better drivers pay better rates – Only having one moving violation can increase the cost of insurance to the point where it’s not affordable. Drivers who don’t get tickets have lower premiums compared to drivers with tickets. Drivers with careless violations like DUI or willful reckless driving are required to submit a SR-22 or proof of financial responsibility with their state motor vehicle department in order to legally drive a vehicle.
The information below illustrates how violations and at-fault claims can raise Scion tC annual premium costs for different insured age categories. The data assumes a married female driver, full coverage, $500 deductibles, and no discounts are applied.
- Lower miles equals lower premium – The higher the mileage driven each year the higher your rate. Most companies apply a rate based on their usage. Cars and trucks not used for work or commuting can get a lower rate than vehicles that have high annual mileage. A policy that improperly rates your tC can result in significantly higher rates. Make sure your policy correctly shows the correct driver usage, because it can save money.
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Insurance loss data for Scion tC vehicles – Insurers use statistical claims data to help calculate a profitable premium rate. Models that are shown to have higher number or severity of losses will cost more to insure. The table shown below demonstrates the historical loss data for Scion tC vehicles.
For each policy coverage type, the loss probability for all vehicles, regardless of manufacturer or model, is equal to 100. Numbers that are below 100 indicate better than average losses, while numbers above 100 show a trend for more claims or an increased chance of a larger loss.
Auto Insurance Loss Data for Scion tC Models Make and 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
When in doubt talk to an agent
When selecting adequate coverage, there isn’t really a single plan that fits everyone. Each situation is unique.
Here are some questions about coverages that might point out whether you might need professional guidance.
- When should I buy a commercial auto policy?
- Is my Scion tC covered for flood damage?
- Can my teen driver be rated on a liability-only vehicle?
- How can I get the company to pay a claim?
- When should I not buy collision coverage?
- How much liability insurance is required?
- Am I covered by my spouse’s policy after a separation?
If you can’t answer these questions but a few of them apply, you might consider talking to a licensed insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, complete this form.
Local Detroit car insurance agents
A lot of people still prefer to get professional advice from a licensed agent and doing so can bring peace of mind A good thing about price shopping on the web is that you can find better rates but still work with a licensed agent.
After filling out this quick form, the coverage information is submitted to agents in your area that provide free Detroit auto insurance quotes for your coverage. You won’t even need to find an agent since price quotes are sent to the email address you provide. It’s the lowest rates and an insurance agent to talk to. If you want to get a comparison quote from a specific company, just visit that company’s website and fill out their quote form.
Choosing the best provider should include more criteria than just the price. Any agent in Detroit should have no problem answering these questions:
- Are they in the agency full-time?
- Is vehicle damage repaired with OEM or aftermarket parts?
- Will one accident increase rates?
- What will you get paid if your car is a total loss? How is that amount determined?
- Does the agency have a good rating with the Better Business Bureau?
- Are they actively involved in the community?
Do you need an independent or exclusive auto insurance agent?
If you want a local insurance agency, it’s important to understand the different agency structures and how they work. Insurance agencies in Detroit may be either exclusive or independent (non-exclusive).
Exclusive Agencies
Agents of this type can only place business with one company and some examples include Farmers Insurance, State Farm, Allstate, and AAA. Exclusive agents cannot give you multiple price quotes so it’s a take it or leave it situation. Exclusive agents receive a lot of sales training on the products they sell which can be an advantage. A lot of people buy insurance from these agents mostly because of the brand name rather than having the cheapest rates.
The following is a short list of exclusive agencies in Detroit who can help you get comparison quotes.
- PD Dandnaik – State Farm Insurance Agent
W, 7725 Vernor Hwy – Detroit, MI 48209 – (313) 554-1500 – View Map - Kenya Wells – State Farm Insurance Agent
20021 Kelly Rd – Detroit, MI 48225 – (313) 822-5948 – View Map - Angela Hughes – State Farm Insurance Agent
14511 W McNichols Rd – Detroit, MI 48235 – (313) 862-7800 – View Map
Independent Car Insurance Agents
Agents in the independent channel are not employed by any specific company and that allows them to write policies with lots of companies and find you the best rates. If they find a lower price, they simply move your policy to a different company and you won’t have to switch agencies.
When searching for an agent, you should always compare quotes from a couple of independent agencies to have the best price comparison. Most independent agents also contract with companies that do not advertise much who may have lower rates.
Shown below is a list of independent agents in Detroit that can give you rate quotes.
- Cagwin Insurance Agency
3031 W Grand Blvd #320 – Detroit, MI 48202 – (313) 875-9147 – View Map - L.A. Insurance
17516 Livernois Ave – Detroit, MI 48221 – (313) 863-6000 – View Map - Michigan SR22 Insurance – Select Insurance Group
Atwater St – Detroit, MI 48226 – (877) 949-7873 – View Map
Insurance is not optional in Michigan
Despite the high cost, maintaining insurance serves a purpose in several ways.
- Just about all states have minimum liability requirements which means the state requires specific limits of liability coverage in order to be legal. In Michigan these limits are 20/40/10 which means you must have $20,000 of bodily injury coverage per person, $40,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $10,000 of property damage coverage.
- If you bought your Scion with a loan, it’s most likely the lender will force you to carry insurance to guarantee payment of the loan. If you do not keep the policy in force, the bank or lender will purchase a policy for your Scion for a lot more money and require you to reimburse them for the much more expensive policy.
- Insurance safeguards not only your car but also your assets. It will also cover most medical and hospital costs for you, your passengers, and anyone else injured in an accident. Liability coverage will also pay to defend you if you are sued as the result of your driving. If you receive damage to your vehicle caused by a storm or accident, your policy will cover the damage repairs after a deductible is paid.
The benefits of buying insurance definitely exceed the cost, particularly if you ever have a claim. As of last year, the average driver in Michigan is overpaying more than $855 a year so smart consumers compare quotes at every policy renewal to save money.
Get the best coverage at the lowest price
Insureds switch companies for a number of reasons such as delays in responding to claim requests, unfair underwriting practices, delays in paying claims or even poor customer service. Regardless of your reason, choosing a new insurance company can be pretty painless.
When you buy Detroit auto insurance online, it’s a bad idea to buy poor coverage just to save money. There are many occasions where an insured dropped comprehensive coverage or liability limits only to regret that the small savings ended up costing them much more. Your goal should be to buy the best coverage you can find at the best possible price, but do not sacrifice coverage to save money.
In this article, we covered some good ideas how to shop for Scion tC insurance online. The key concept to understand is the more times you quote, the better likelihood of getting affordable Scion tC insurance quotes. You may even be surprised to find that the most savings is with the smaller companies.
More detailed car insurance information can be read in these articles:
- Rental Car Insurance Tips (Insurance Information Institute)
- Who Has Cheap Detroit Car Insurance Quotes for Police Officers? (FAQ)
- How Much is Auto Insurance for Teachers in Detroit? (FAQ)
- What Auto Insurance is Cheapest for Ride Shares in Detroit? (FAQ)
- Child Safety FAQ (iihs.org)
- Steps to Take After an Auto Accident (Insurance Information Institute)
- How to shop for a safer car (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)