How long have you put off shopping around for low-cost Volvo V50 insurance in San Diego? Finding cheap rates for Volvo V50 insurance in San Diego could be quite difficult for drivers who are new to buying insurance online. With such a large number of agents and online companies available, it can easily be a difficult challenge to find cheaper rates on Volvo V50 insurance.
Remarkably, a study showed that the vast majority of car insurance customers in California have stayed with the same insurance company for well over three years, and approximately 40% of consumers have never even compared rates from other companies. American consumers could save as much as $850 every year just by shopping around, but they just don’t understand how much savings they would realize if they replace their high priced policy.
Buying the cheapest car insurance in San Diego can really be easy if you know what you’re doing. If you are already insured, you will most likely be able to buy cheaper car insurance using this information. But California consumers must understand how insurance companies set your policy premium.
Low-cost Volvo insurance rates in San Diego
The providers in the list below have been selected to offer comparison quotes in California. If more than one company is shown, we recommend you click on several of them to find the most competitive car insurance rates.
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
V50 2.4I | $370 | $766 | $574 | $34 | $172 | $1,916 | $160 |
V50 AWD T5 R-Design | $204 | $482 | $500 | $30 | $150 | $1,366 | $114 |
Get Your Own Custom Quote Go |
Table data assumes single female driver age 50, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $1,000 deductibles, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include claim-free, multi-policy, homeowner, multi-vehicle, and safe-driver. Table data does not factor in zip code location which can revise auto insurance rates significantly.
Volvo V50 full coverage rates compared to liability only
The illustration below illustrates the difference between Volvo V50 insurance prices with full coverage and liability only. The rates are based on no tickets, no at-fault accidents, $1,000 deductibles, married male driver, and no additional discounts are factored in.
Should you be buying full coverage?
There is no written rule that works best for making the decision to drop full coverage on your policy, but there is a general guideline you can use. If the annual cost of your full coverage insurance is about 10% or more of replacement cost minus your deductible, then you might want to consider buying only liability coverage.
For example, let’s pretend your Volvo V50 replacement cost is $9,000 and you have $1,000 full coverage deductibles. If your vehicle is severely damaged, the most your company would pay you is $8,000 after paying your deductible. If you are paying more than $800 annually for comprehensive and collision coverage, then you may want to consider only buying liability coverage.
There are some conditions where eliminating full coverage is not advised. If you haven’t satisfied your loan, you have to carry full coverage as part of the loan conditions. Also, if you cannot afford to purchase a different vehicle in the event your current vehicle is totaled, you should keep full coverage in place.
Physical damage deductible comparison
One common question asked by San Diego drivers is what deductibles to buy. The comparisons below lay out how much more rates are when you select higher and lower insurance deductibles. The first set of rates uses a $100 deductible and the second price grid uses a $500 deductible.
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
V50 2.4I | $430 | $810 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,865 | $155 |
V50 AWD T5 R-Design | $430 | $932 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,987 | $166 |
Get Your Own Custom Quote Go |
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
V50 2.4I | $314 | $546 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,460 | $122 |
V50 AWD T5 R-Design | $314 | $630 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,544 | $129 |
Get Your Own Custom Quote Go |
Table data assumes married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-vehicle, homeowner, claim-free, multi-policy, and safe-driver. Rate information does not factor in zip code location which can change coverage rates considerably.
Based on the data above, we can derive that using a $100 deductible will cost in the ballpark of $35 more each month or $420 for a full year than quoting the higher $500 deductible. Since you would have to pay $400 more to file a claim with a $500 deductible as compared to a $100 deductible, if you tend to have more than 11 months between claims, you would more than likely save some money by selecting a higher deductible.
Score discounts on San Diego car insurance
Auto insurance companies don’t list every available discount very well, so the list below gives a summary of some of the best known and the more hidden credits available to you.
- Student Discount for Driver Training – Make teen driver coverage more affordable by requiring them to take driver’s ed class as it can save substantially.
- Pay Now and Pay Less – If you pay your bill all at once instead of paying each month you can avoid monthly service charges.
- Life Insurance – If the company offers life insurance, you could get a discounted car insurance rate on car insurance if you buy some life insurance too.
- Low Mileage – Keeping the miles down on your Volvo may enable drivers to earn substantially lower rates.
- Active Service Discounts – Having an actively deployed family member could be rewarded with lower prices.
- No Charge for an Accident – Not necessarily a discount, but companies like Allstate, Progressive, and GEICO permit an accident without the usual rate increase as long as you don’t have any claims prior to being involved in the accident.
- Paperwork-free – Many companies may give you up to $50 for buying your policy on their website.
- Telematics Devices – People who choose to allow their car insurance company to scrutinize driving habits by using a small device installed in their vehicle such as In-Drive from State Farm or Allstate’s Drivewise system could see a rate decrease if their driving habits are good.
As a sidenote, most of the big mark downs will not be given to the entire cost. Most only apply to the price of certain insurance coverages like collision or personal injury protection. If you do the math and it seems like it’s possible to get free car insurance, you aren’t that lucky.
A list of companies and some of the discounts can be read below.
- State Farm has discounts for good student, accident-free, safe vehicle, defensive driving training, Steer Clear safe driver discount, and multiple autos.
- Farmers Insurance has savings for multi-car, teen driver, youthful driver, switch companies, and alternative fuel.
- GEICO offers discounts including five-year accident-free, anti-lock brakes, driver training, air bags, and membership and employees.
- American Family includes discounts for good driver, TimeAway discount, mySafetyValet, good student, multi-vehicle, defensive driver, and Steer into Savings.
- Nationwide discounts include defensive driving, family plan, multi-policy, Farm Bureau membership, anti-theft, good student, and accident-free.
- Progressive offers discounts for online signing, multi-vehicle, continuous coverage, homeowner, online quote discount, good student, and multi-policy.
If you want low cost San Diego car insurance quotes, ask all companies you are considering which discounts they offer. Some of the earlier mentioned discounts might not be available to policyholders in San Diego.
When do I need an agent’s advice?
When it comes to adequate coverage for your vehicles, there really isn’t a single plan that fits everyone. Your needs are not the same as everyone else’s.
These are some specific questions could help you determine if your situation might need an agent’s assistance.
- Should I buy additional glass protection?
- Should I sign the liability waiver when renting a car?
- Am I covered when driving in Canada or Mexico?
- Does low annual mileage earn a discount?
- Can I afford low physical damage deductibles?
- What is UM/UIM insurance?
- Do I need more liability coverage?
If you’re not sure about those questions, then you may want to think about talking to an agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, fill out this quick form.
Local insurance agents
A small number of people prefer to get advice from a local agent and that is OK! One of the best bonuses of price shopping on the web is the fact that you can find lower rates but also keep your business local.
For easy comparison, once you complete this form (opens in new window), your coverage information is instantly submitted to agents in your area that provide free San Diego car insurance quotes for your insurance coverage. It’s much easier because you don’t need to visit any agencies because prices are sent straight to your inbox. You can find better rates without requiring a lot of work. If you want to compare rates for a specific company, don’t hesitate to search and find their rate quote page and fill out their quote form.
Selecting a company should depend on more than just a cheap price. The questions below may impact your decision as well.
- How would your car be valued if totalled?
- What insurance companies do they work with in San Diego?
- Can they help ensure a fair claim settlement?
- How many years have they been established?
- Are you getting all the discounts the company offers?
Choose the right auto insurance agent
If you are wanting to purchase insurance from a reliable insurance agency, there are two types of agencies and how they differ in how they can insure your vehicles. Insurance agents can be described as either independent agents or exclusive agents depending on their employer.
Exclusive Insurance Agencies
Agents in the exclusive channel write business for a single company and some examples include State Farm, AAA, and Liberty Mutual. Exclusive agents cannot provide prices from multiple companies so always compare other rates. Exclusive agents receive extensive training on the products they sell and that enables them to sell even at higher rates. Drivers often purchase coverage from exclusives primarily because of the brand legacy rather than low price.
Below is a short list of exclusive insurance agents in San Diego that are able to give rate quotes.
- Myles Collins – State Farm Insurance Agent
9920 Mira Mesa Blvd A – San Diego, CA 92131 – (858) 271-6400 – View Map - Lisa Keith – State Farm Insurance Agent
1635 Rosecrans St b – San Diego, CA 92106 – (619) 694-4788 – View Map - Steve Lewis – State Farm Insurance Agent
7424 Jackson Dr Ste 7 – San Diego, CA 92119 – (619) 466-3276 – View Map
Independent Agents
These agents often have many company appointments so as a result can place your coverage with lots of companies and find the cheapest insurance rates. To transfer your coverage to a different company, your agent can switch companies which requires no work on your part.
If you are trying to find cheaper rates, you will definitely want to compare prices from several independent insurance agents so that you have a good selection of quotes to compare. Many write coverage with smaller regional carriers that can offer cheaper rates than bigger companies.
Below is a short list of independent agents in San Diego who can help you get price quote information.
- Einhorn Insurance
3940 Hancock St – San Diego, CA 92110 – (858) 336-4644 – View Map - Anchor General Insurance Agency-Texas
10256 Meanley Dr – San Diego, CA 92131 – (858) 527-3600 – View Map - Nickie Heath Insurance Agency
16855 W Bernardo Dr # 230 – San Diego, CA 92127 – (858) 487-3737 – View Map
Save $437 a year. For real?
Big name companies like State Farm, GEICO and Progressive constantly bombard you with ads in print and on television. All the ads say the same thing that you can save if you move your policy. That’s great but how can every company say the same thing? This is the way they can do it.
Different companies quote their cheapest rates for the type of driver that will most likely be profitable. For example, a preferred risk may need to be over the age of 45, has never had a claim, and drives less than 10,000 miles a year. Anybody that matches those criteria will get a cheap rate quote in San Diego and will also save if they switch.
Potential customers who cannot meet this stringent profile will be charged higher rates with the end result being the customer not purchasing. If you pay close attention to the ads, they say “people who switch” not “everybody who quotes” save money. That is how insurance companies can lure you into getting a quote. Because each company has a different risk profile, you need to compare quotes as often as possible. It’s impossible to know which insurance company will fit your personal profile best.
Specifics of your car insurance policy
Having a good grasp of your policy can help you determine the right coverages and the correct deductibles and limits. Car insurance terms can be ambiguous and coverage can change by endorsement.
Liability
Liability insurance provides protection from damages or injuries you inflict on other’s property or people by causing an accident. It protects YOU against claims from other people, and does not provide coverage for damage sustained by your vehicle in an accident.
Split limit liability has three limits of coverage: bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident and property damage. As an example, you may have limits of 15/30/5 that translate to $15,000 bodily injury coverage, a total of $30,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and a total limit of $5,000 for damage to vehicles and property.
Liability coverage protects against things such as structural damage, pain and suffering, repair costs for stationary objects, emergency aid and medical expenses. How much liability should you purchase? That is a personal decision, but buy higher limits if possible. California requires drivers to carry at least 15/30/5 but it’s recommended drivers buy more liability than the minimum.
Coverage for uninsured or underinsured drivers
This coverage provides protection when the “other guys” are uninsured or don’t have enough coverage. Covered claims include injuries sustained by your vehicle’s occupants and also any damage incurred to your Volvo V50.
Since many California drivers only purchase the least amount of liability that is required (California limits are 15/30/5), it doesn’t take a major accident to exceed their coverage limits. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is very important.
Comprehensive car insurance
Comprehensive insurance will pay to fix 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 can pay for things like hitting a deer, hitting a bird, vandalism and a tree branch falling on your vehicle. The highest amount you’ll receive from a claim is the market value of your vehicle, so if it’s not worth much more than your deductible it’s probably time to drop comprehensive insurance.
Coverage for medical expenses
Coverage for medical payments and/or PIP pay for immediate expenses such as dental work, surgery and nursing services. They can be used to fill the gap from your health insurance program or if you do not have health coverage. It covers all vehicle occupants and also covers being hit by a car walking across the street. Personal Injury Protection is only offered in select states and may carry a deductible
Coverage for collisions
Collision insurance will pay to fix damage to your V50 caused by collision with a stationary object or other vehicle. You have to pay a deductible then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.
Collision insurance covers claims like driving through your garage door, colliding with a tree, damaging your car on a curb, scraping a guard rail and sideswiping another vehicle. This coverage can be expensive, so consider dropping it from lower value vehicles. It’s also possible to increase the deductible on your V50 to get cheaper collision coverage.
Persistent drivers can save
We just covered a lot of information how to get a better price on Volvo V50 insurance in San Diego. The key concept to understand is the more companies you get rates for, the better your comparison will be. You may even be surprised to find that the lowest prices are with the smaller companies.
Cheaper car insurance in San Diego is possible online in addition to many San Diego insurance agents, so you need to quote San Diego car insurance with both in order to have the best price selection to choose from. Some insurance companies do not provide online price quotes and most of the time these smaller companies sell through independent agents.
Insureds leave their current company for a number of reasons such as delays in paying claims, questionable increases in premium, delays in responding to claim requests and even high rates after DUI convictions. No matter why you want to switch, choosing a new insurance company is pretty simple and you could end up saving a buck or two.
To learn more, feel free to browse these articles:
- Safe Vehicles for Teens (iihs.org)
- How Much are Auto Insurance Rates for 18 Year Olds in San Diego? (FAQ)
- Hybrid vehicles cost insurers more (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)
- What is Gap Insurance? (Insurance Information Insitute)
- Insurance Losses by Make and Model (iihs.org)