How long have you put off shopping around for more competitive Volvo S40 insurance in San Francisco? Are you at wits end from sacrificing other expenses to insure your Volvo every month? You are in the same boat as most other consumers in California.
Unbelievable but true, a large majority of drivers have remained with the same insurance company for a minimum of four years, and nearly 40% of drivers have never compared rates from other carriers. San Francisco consumers could save roughly $469 every year just by shopping around, but they think it’s difficult to compare rates.
Steps to saving on Volvo S40 insurance in San Francisco
It takes a little time, but the best way to get low-cost Volvo S40 insurance is to do a yearly price comparison from insurers who sell insurance in San Francisco. You can compare prices by completing these steps.
- Step 1: Read about how companies set rates and the changes you can make to drop your rates. Many risk factors that result in higher prices like tickets, at-fault accidents, and a negative credit rating can be controlled by making minor driving habit or lifestyle changes. Read the full article for information to help reduce prices and find discounts that may have been missed.
- Step 2: Compare rates from direct, independent, and exclusive agents. Direct and exclusive agents can only quote rates from one company like Progressive or Farmers Insurance, while agents who are independent can quote prices from multiple sources.
- Step 3: Compare the new quotes to the premium of your current policy to see if a cheaper rate is available in San Francisco. If you find a better price and decide to switch, make sure there is no coverage gap between policies.
- Step 4: Provide adequate notice to your current company to cancel your current car insurance policy. Submit the signed application along with the required initial payment for the new coverage. As soon as you receive it, store the certificate verifying proof of insurance in an easily accessible location in your vehicle.
A crucial key to this process is to compare identical coverage information on each quote request and and to get rates from all possible companies. This provides a level playing field and the most accurate and complete price analysis.
Insurance companies such as Allstate and Progressive all claim big savings, bombarding you with ads and it is challenging if not impossible to see through the cute green geckos and mayhem and find the best price available.
How to get affordable Volvo S40 insurance in San Francisco, CA
Getting a cheaper price on insurance is actually easier than you may think. All that’s required is to take a few minutes comparing rate quotes provided by online insurance companies.
It’s so fast and easy to compare rate quotes online that it takes the place of having to drive to insurance agencies in your area. The internet eliminates the middleman unless you prefer the personal advice that you can only get from talking to an agent. If you prefer, some companies allow you to comparison shop your insurance online but have a local agent actually write the policy.
The companies shown below offer free rate quotes in San Francisco, CA. If more than one company is shown, we suggest you click on several of them in order to find the most affordable rates.
Detailed insurance information
The data table below outlines different insurance rates for Volvo S40 models. Being more informed about how policy rates are determined can benefit drivers when making smart choices when selecting a policy.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S40 2.4I | $228 | $482 | $574 | $34 | $172 | $1,490 | $124 |
| S40 T5 | $228 | $482 | $574 | $34 | $172 | $1,490 | $124 |
| S40 T5 AWD R-Design | $228 | $482 | $574 | $34 | $172 | $1,490 | $124 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
Table data assumes single female driver age 40, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $1000 deductibles, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include homeowner, claim-free, multi-vehicle, multi-policy, and safe-driver. Premium costs do not factor in vehicle garaging location which can impact coverage prices substantially.
Raise deductibles and save
One frequently asked question is how high should the physical damage coverage deductibles be. The figures shown below sum up the price difference between high and low physical damage coverage deductibles. The first pricing table uses a $250 comprehensive and collision deductible and the second set of prices uses a $1,000 deductible.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S40 2.4I | $386 | $678 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,689 | $141 |
| S40 T5 | $386 | $678 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,689 | $141 |
| S40 T5 AWD R-Design | $386 | $678 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,689 | $141 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S40 2.4I | $238 | $426 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,264 | $105 |
| S40 T5 | $238 | $426 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,264 | $105 |
| S40 T5 AWD R-Design | $238 | $426 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,264 | $105 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
Data based on married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include homeowner, safe-driver, claim-free, multi-policy, and multi-vehicle. Rate quotes do not factor in vehicle garaging location which can change auto insurance rates considerably.
We can estimate from the data above that using a $250 deductible costs approximately $36 more each month or $432 for a full year across all Volvo S40 models than buying the higher $1,000 deductible. Since you would pay $750 more out-of-pocket with a $1,000 deductible as compared to a $250 deductible, if you normally average more than 21 months between claim filings, you would more than likely save some money if you decide on a higher deductible.
The illustration below demonstrates how deductible levels and can affect Volvo S40 insurance costs for each age group. The costs are based on a single female driver, comp and collision included, and no additional discounts are factored in.
Full coverage versus liability only rates
The information below illustrates the comparison of Volvo S40 annual premium costs with full coverage and liability only. The premiums assume no driving violations, no at-fault accidents, $100 deductibles, marital status is single, and no policy discounts are applied.
When to drop full coverage
There is no clear-cut rule for dropping comp and collision coverage, but there is a general guideline you can use. If the annual cost of coverage is more than about 10% of the replacement cost of your vehicle minus the policy deductible, then it might be time to consider dropping full coverage.
For example, let’s pretend your Volvo S40 book value is $5,000 and you have $1,000 physical damage deductibles. If your vehicle is totaled, the most your company would pay you is $4,000 after paying the physical damage deductible. If premium cost is more than $400 annually to have full coverage, then you might want to consider buying only liability coverage.
There are some cases where dropping full coverage is not advised. If you still owe money on your vehicle, you are required to maintain full coverage in order to keep the loan. Also, if your emergency fund is not enough to purchase a different vehicle in the even your car is totaled, you should not buy liability only.
Insuring your Volvo vehicle just makes sense
Even though it can be expensive, maintaining insurance is required for several reasons.
- The majority of states have minimum mandated liability insurance limits which means the state requires specific minimum amounts of liability insurance in order to get the vehicle licensed. 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 your vehicle has a lienholder, almost every bank will require you to buy full coverage to protect their interest in the vehicle. If you default on your policy, the bank may insure your Volvo at an extremely high rate and make you pay for the much more expensive policy.
- Insurance safeguards your Volvo S40 and your assets. It will also pay for medical bills for yourself as well as anyone injured by you. Liability insurance, one of your policy coverages, will also pay attorney fees if anyone sues you for causing an accident. If your vehicle suffers damage from an accident or hail, collision and comprehensive coverages will pay to repair the damage.
The benefits of having insurance are definitely more than the cost, especially with large liability claims. Unknowingly, the average driver is currently overpaying as much as $750 every year so you should quote your policy with other companies every year to ensure rates are competitive.
San Francisco Insurance Premiums are Influenced by These Factors
Smart consumers have a good feel for some of the things that come into play when calculating the level of your policy premiums. If you understand what determines base rates, this helps enable you to make changes that can earn you lower premium levels.
The following are some of the major factors used by companies to determine your rate level.
Performance makes a difference – The performance of the car you drive makes a big difference in your premium level. The cheapest rates are for small economy passenger cars, but there are many factors that impact the final cost.
The following chart uses these variables: single female driver age 50, full coverage with $500 deductibles, and no discounts or violations. It compares Volvo S40 insurance premiums compared to other models that have a range of performances.
Use but don’t abuse your insurance – Insurance companies in California generally give discounts to people who are claim-free. If you’re an insured who likes to file claims you can pretty much guarantee higher rates. Insurance coverage is intended to be relied upon for major claims that would cause financial hardship.
Traffic violations mean higher costs – How you drive impacts premiums far more than you think. Attentive drivers pay lower auto insurance prices as compared to those with violations. Having just one speeding ticket or other violation may cause rates to rise twenty percent or more. People who have severe violations like DUI or reckless driving may find that they have to to maintain a SR-22 with the DMV in their state in order to legally drive a vehicle.
The information below illustrates how traffic citations and fender-benders can increase Volvo S40 auto insurance rates for different categories of driver ages. The price estimates are based on a single male driver, full physical damage coverage, $250 deductibles, and no other discounts are factored in.
Gender as a rate factor – Statistics show that women are safer drivers than men. Now that doesn’t mean women are BETTER drivers than men. Both genders cause accidents in similar percentages, but the men have costlier accidents. Men also tend to get cited for more serious violations such as DWI and reckless driving.
The chart below compares Volvo S40 premium costs for male and female drivers. The data assumes no tickets, no at-fault accidents, full physical damage coverage, $100 deductibles, single status, and no discounts are applied.
The more you drive the more you pay – The higher the miles on your Volvo every year the more you’ll pay to insure your vehicle. The majority of insurers calculate prices based on how the vehicle is used. Autos that have low annual miles qualify for better rates compared to those used for work or business. Make sure your insurance policy shows the correct usage. An improperly rated S40 is just wasting money.
What is the best car insurance coverage?
When it comes to your policy, there is no single plan that fits everyone. Each situation is unique.
For instance, these questions can help discover whether or not you would benefit from professional advice.
- What vehicles should carry emergency assistance coverage?
- Can I insure my car for more than it’s worth?
- When should I drop full coverage on my Volvo S40?
- Why is insurance for a teen driver so high in San Francisco?
- Do I have coverage when making deliveries for my home business?
- Can I rate high risk drivers on liability-only vehicles?
- Does my policy cover me when driving someone else’s vehicle?
- Are my tools covered if they get stolen from my vehicle?
- What can I do if my company denied a claim?
- Is a new car covered when I drive it off the dealer lot?
If you don’t know the answers to these questions but you think they might apply to your situation, you might consider talking to a licensed insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, take a second and complete this form. It only takes a few minutes and you can get the answers you need.
Don’t give up on cheaper rates
When buying insurance coverage, it’s a bad idea to reduce needed coverages to save money. Too many times, an insured dropped liability coverage limits only to regret at claim time that the savings was not a smart move. Your strategy should be to buy the best coverage you can find at an affordable rate but still have enough coverage for asset protection.
Insureds switch companies for many reasons like unfair underwriting practices, poor customer service, delays in paying claims and even denial of a claim. Whatever your reason, choosing a new insurance company can be less work than you think.
We’ve covered quite a bit of information on how to lower your Volvo S40 insurance auto insurance rates in San Francisco. The most important thing to understand is the more rate quotes you have, the better likelihood of getting cheaper San Francisco car insurance quotes. Consumers could even find that the biggest savings come from some of the lesser-known companies.
How to find affordable quotes for Volvo S40 insurance in San Francisco
To save the most money, the best way to find cheaper Volvo S40 insurance in San Francisco is to regularly compare quotes from insurance carriers who provide auto insurance in California.
- Take a little time to learn about how your policy works and the changes you can make to prevent expensive coverage. Many risk factors that cause high rates such as traffic citations, accidents, and a less-than-favorable credit rating can be rectified by improving your driving habits or financial responsibility.
- Request price quotes from independent agents, exclusive agents, and direct companies. Exclusive and direct companies can only provide price estimates from a single company like GEICO or State Farm, while independent agents can provide price quotes for a wide range of companies.
- Compare the quotes to your existing rates and see if there is a cheaper rate. If you find a lower rate and change companies, make sure the effective date of the new policy is the same as the expiration date of the old one.
One key aspect when comparing rates is to compare identical coverage information on each price quote and and to get rate quotes from as many car insurance companies as possible. This helps ensure a fair price comparison and plenty of rates choose from.
More tips and info about car insurance can be found in these articles:
- Honda warning system reduces insurance claims (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)
- Who Has Affordable San Francisco Auto Insurance Quotes for Uber Drivers? (FAQ)
- Who Has the Cheapest San Francisco Car Insurance Rates for a Nissan Sentra? (FAQ)
- Who Has Affordable Car Insurance Quotes for Uninsured Drivers in San Francisco? (FAQ)
- Coverage Information (Progressive Insurance)
- Keeping Children Safe in Crashes Video (iihs.org)
- Side Impact Crash Tests (iihs.org)
- What if I Can’t Find Coverage? (Insurance Information Institute)