It’s easy to assume that auto insurance companies want to keep your business as long as possible. People who compare rates once a year will, in all likelihood, buy a new policy because there is a good chance of finding coverage at a cheaper rate. A recent auto insurance study revealed that people who routinely shopped around saved as much as $860 a year compared to other drivers who don’t regularly compare prices.
If finding the cheapest price for car insurance is your ultimate goal, knowing how to get price quotes and compare coverage rates can help make the process easier.
If you want to save the most money, the best way to get discount Mazda Tribute insurance in San Francisco is to compare prices regularly from insurers in California.
- Take a little time to learn about coverages and the things you can change to drop your rates. Many factors that result in higher prices like speeding tickets, careless driving and a not-so-good credit rating can be rectified by paying attention to minor details.
- Request price quotes from direct, independent, and exclusive agents. Direct companies and exclusive agencies can only give prices from a single company like Progressive and State Farm, while agents who are independent can quote prices from many different companies. View companies
- Compare the new quotes to your current policy and see if there is a cheaper rate in San Francisco. If you can save money and buy the policy, ensure there is no coverage lapse between policies.
- Tell your current agent or company of your intent to cancel your current auto insurance policy. Submit the signed application along with the required initial payment for your new coverage. Once received, safely store the proof of insurance paperwork above your visor, in the console, or in the glove compartment.
A crucial key to this process is that you use the same amount of coverage on each quote request and and to get price quotes from all possible companies. Doing this helps ensure an apples-to-apples comparison and the best price selection.
To find cheap quotes, there are a couple of ways of comparing price quotes from lots of California insurance companies. The best method to compare rates is to get quotes online.
Getting free quotes online is quite simple, and it makes it a waste of time to make phone calls or go to each insurance agency near you. Comparing online rate quotes eliminates this option unless you want the guidance that you can only get from talking to an agent. You can, however, comparison shop online but buy from a local insurance agent. Just remember that comparing all the rates in your area gives you a better chance of getting the best offered rates. Not every company allows you to get online price quotes, so you also need to get rates on coverage from those companies, too.
The companies shown below have been selected to offer price quotes in California. If the list has multiple companies, it’s highly recommended you compare several of them in order to get a fair rate comparison.
Detailed insurance information
The price information displayed next highlights different insurance premium costs for Mazda Tribute models. Knowing how premiums are established helps drivers make informed purchases.
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
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Tribute I Sport 2WD | $220 | $426 | $386 | $22 | $116 | $1,170 | $98 |
Tribute I Sport 4WD | $220 | $426 | $386 | $22 | $116 | $1,170 | $98 |
Tribute I Touring 2WD | $220 | $426 | $386 | $22 | $116 | $1,170 | $98 |
Tribute I Grand Touring 2WD | $252 | $426 | $386 | $22 | $116 | $1,202 | $100 |
Tribute I Touring 4WD | $252 | $426 | $386 | $22 | $116 | $1,202 | $100 |
Tribute I Grand Touring 4WD | $252 | $502 | $386 | $22 | $116 | $1,278 | $107 |
Tribute S Grand Touring 2WD | $252 | $502 | $386 | $22 | $116 | $1,278 | $107 |
Tribute S Grand Touring 4WD | $252 | $502 | $386 | $22 | $116 | $1,278 | $107 |
Get Your Own Custom Quote Go |
Table data represents married male driver age 40, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $500 deductibles, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-vehicle, safe-driver, claim-free, multi-policy, and homeowner. Estimates do not factor in zip code location which can affect coverage prices considerably.
Deductible analysis
One common question asked by San Francisco drivers is at what level do you set your deductibles. The comparisons below can help illustrate the premium difference when you select higher and lower deductibles. The first table uses a $250 deductible for comprehensive and collision coverage and the second set of rates uses a $1,000 deductible.
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
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Tribute I Sport 2WD | $298 | $576 | $376 | $22 | $112 | $1,409 | $117 |
Tribute I Sport 4WD | $298 | $576 | $376 | $22 | $112 | $1,409 | $117 |
Tribute I Touring 2WD | $298 | $576 | $376 | $22 | $112 | $1,409 | $117 |
Tribute I Grand Touring 2WD | $342 | $576 | $376 | $22 | $112 | $1,453 | $121 |
Tribute I Touring 4WD | $342 | $576 | $376 | $22 | $112 | $1,453 | $121 |
Tribute I Grand Touring 4WD | $342 | $678 | $376 | $22 | $112 | $1,555 | $130 |
Tribute S Grand Touring 2WD | $342 | $678 | $376 | $22 | $112 | $1,555 | $130 |
Tribute S Grand Touring 4WD | $342 | $678 | $376 | $22 | $112 | $1,555 | $130 |
Get Your Own Custom Quote Go |
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
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Tribute I Sport 2WD | $184 | $362 | $376 | $22 | $112 | $1,056 | $88 |
Tribute I Sport 4WD | $184 | $362 | $376 | $22 | $112 | $1,056 | $88 |
Tribute I Touring 2WD | $184 | $362 | $376 | $22 | $112 | $1,056 | $88 |
Tribute I Grand Touring 2WD | $210 | $362 | $376 | $22 | $112 | $1,082 | $90 |
Tribute I Touring 4WD | $210 | $362 | $376 | $22 | $112 | $1,082 | $90 |
Tribute I Grand Touring 4WD | $210 | $426 | $376 | $22 | $112 | $1,146 | $96 |
Tribute S Grand Touring 2WD | $210 | $426 | $376 | $22 | $112 | $1,146 | $96 |
Tribute S Grand Touring 4WD | $210 | $426 | $376 | $22 | $112 | $1,146 | $96 |
Get Your Own Custom Quote Go |
Cost estimates assume married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include claim-free, safe-driver, multi-vehicle, multi-policy, and homeowner. Information does not factor in San Francisco location which can affect auto insurance rates substantially.
Based on this data, using a $250 deductible would cost the average driver about $31 more each month or $372 annually than opting for the higher $1,000 deductible. Because you would pay $750 more out of your own pocket with a $1,000 deductible as compared to a $250 deductible, if you tend to go more than 24 months between claims, you would probably be better off if you decide on a higher deductible.
Calculate savings of higher deductibles
Average monthly premium for $250 deductibles: | $123 |
Average monthly premium for $1,000 deductibles (subtract): | – $92 |
Monthly savings from raising deductible: | $31 |
Difference between deductibles ($1,000 – $250): | $750 |
Divide difference by monthly savings: | $750 / $31 |
Number of months required between physical damage coverage claims in order to save money by choosing the higher deductible | 24 months |
Components of Your Mazda Tribute Insurance Premiums
Lots of factors are considered when pricing auto insurance. Some are obvious like a motor vehicle report, although some other factors are not as apparent such as your marital status or your financial responsibility.
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Men drivers tend to cost more – Statistics demonstrate that females tend to be a little less risky than males. It does not mean men are WORSE drivers than women. Males and females have fender benders at about the same rate, but the men tend to have more serious accidents. Not only that, but men also get ticketed for serious violations such as DWI and reckless driving. Male teenagers tend to get in the most accidents and therefore are the most expensive to insure.
The diagram below compares Mazda Tribute annual premium costs for male and female drivers. The prices are based on no violations or claims, comprehensive and collision coverage, $100 deductibles, drivers are not married, and no discounts are applied to the premium.
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Younger vs. older drivers – Older, more experienced drivers are viewed as being more responsible, are lower risk to insure, and are safer drivers. Drivers with little experience are proven to be inattentive in a vehicle and because of this, their insurance rates are much higher.
The following data assumes a single driver, full coverage with $100 deductibles, and no discounts or violations.
- Cheaper rates with high physical damage deductibles – Comprehensive and collision coverage deductibles are the amount of money you are required to pay before a claim is paid by your company. Protection for physical damage, also called ‘full coverage’, protects your car from damage. Some examples of covered claims are collision with another vehicle, fire damage, and damage caused by road hazards. The more of the claim you pay before a claim is paid (deductible), the less your company will charge you for insurance.
- Insurance rates and your employer – Do you have a high-stress occupation? Jobs such as doctors, executives, and stock brokers tend to pay higher rates than average attributed to job stress and lots of time spent at work. On the other hand, professions such as actors, athletes and the unemployed get better rates.
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High performance equals high rates – The performance level of the vehicle you own makes a significant difference in your premium level. The lowest premiums are generally reserved for small economy passenger vehicles, but the cost you end up paying is determined by many additional factors.
The next chart uses these variables: married female driver age 50, full coverage with $100 deductibles, and no discounts or violations. The data compares Mazda Tribute policy rates compared to other models that have different risk factors.
- Cheaper prices for prior coverage – Allowing your coverage to lapse is a sure-fire way to trigger a rate increase. Not only will you pay more, not being able to provide proof of insurance could result in a revoked license or a big fine. Then you may be required to prove you have insurance by filing a SR-22 with the California motor vehicle department.
Car insurance is not optional
Even though San Francisco Tribute insurance rates can get expensive, paying for car insurance is not optional due to several reasons.
- Just about all states have minimum liability requirements which means you are required to carry a minimum amount of liability coverage if you don’t want to risk a ticket. In California these limits are 15/30/5 which means you must have $15,000 of bodily injury coverage per person, $30,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $5,000 of property damage coverage.
- If you took out a loan on your Tribute, it’s guaranteed your bank will force you to have physical damage coverage to guarantee their interest in the vehicle. If you do not keep the policy in force, the lender may insure your Mazda for a lot more money and force you to reimburse them the higher premium.
- Insurance protects not only your Mazda but also your assets. It will also cover most medical and hospital costs for you, your passengers, and anyone else injured in an accident. One policy coverage, liability insurance, also pays expenses related to your legal defense if you are sued as the result of an accident. If your vehicle suffers damage from an accident or hail, your car insurance policy will pay to repair the damage.
The benefits of buying car insurance definitely exceed the price paid, especially when you need to use it. As of last year, the average driver in California is overpaying more than $810 a year so shop around each time the policy renews to ensure rates are inline.