A recent NerdWallet.com study revealed that almost 70% of insureds have bought car insurance from the same company for over three years, and practically 40% of car insurance customers have never even compared rates from other companies. Madison drivers could save an average of up to $370 each year by just comparing quotes, but they just don’t understand the large savings they would see if they switch to a new company.
The best way we recommend to get budget Dodge Ram insurance in Madison is to regularly compare price quotes from insurance carriers in Wisconsin.
- Step 1: Spend some time learning about what is in your policy and the things you can control to drop your rates. Many policy risk factors that cause rate increases such as getting speeding tickets and a bad credit rating can be improved by improving your driving habits or financial responsibility.
- Step 2: Compare price quotes from direct, independent, and exclusive agents. Exclusive agents and direct companies can only provide price estimates from one company like GEICO or State Farm, while independent agents can quote rates from multiple insurance companies. Begin your rate comparison
- Step 3: Compare the new rate quotes to your existing policy and see if you can save money. If you can save money and decide to switch, make sure coverage does not lapse between policies.
- Step 4: Provide notification to your current company of your intention to cancel your current auto insurance policy. Submit a down payment along with a signed application for the new coverage. As soon as you have the new policy, put the certificate verifying coverage in a readily accessible location in your vehicle.
A good tip to remember is that you’ll want to compare the same deductibles and limits on every price quote and to quote with as many different insurance providers as possible. Doing this provides the most accurate price comparison and plenty of rates choose from.
Lower rate quotes by receiving discounts
Some providers do not advertise every possible discount in an easy-to-find place, so the below list has both well-publicized as well as some of the hidden credits available to bring down your rates.
- First Accident Forgiveness – Not a discount per se, but some insurance companies will allow you to have one accident without raising rates as long as you don’t have any claims for a set time period.
- Bundled Policy Discount – If you can bundle your homeowners and auto insurance and place coverage with the same company you could save 10% to 20% off each policy.
- Anti-lock Brake Discount – Vehicles with ABS braking systems or traction control have fewer accidents and the ABS can save up to 10%.
- New Vehicle Savings – Buying a new car model can be considerably cheaper because new model year vehicles are generally safer.
- Senior Discount – If you qualify as a senior citizen, you can get a small discount on rates.
- No Claims – Good drivers with no accidents pay less when compared with drivers who are more careless.
- Memberships – Being a member of qualifying clubs or civic groups is a good way to get lower rates on your policy.
- Telematics Devices – Drivers that enable their insurance company to track vehicle usage by using a telematic data system such as Snapshot from Progressive or Drivewise from Allstate may get a rate reduction if their driving habits are good.
Policy discounts save money, but most discounts do not apply to the entire policy premium. Most cut individual premiums such as comp or med pay. Just because it seems like adding up those discounts means a free policy, it just doesn’t work that way. Any amount of discount will definitely lower your policy premiums.
The example below illustrates the comparison of Dodge Ram insurance costs with and without discounts being applied to the rates. The premium estimates are based on a female driver, no violations or accidents, Wisconsin state minimum liability limits, comp and collision included, and $500 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with multi-car, homeowner, safe-driver, claim-free, marriage, and multi-policy discounts applied.
A few of the larger companies and some of the discounts include:
- Progressive may have discounts that include homeowner, continuous coverage, online signing, multi-vehicle, multi-policy, and good student.
- The Hartford may include discounts for vehicle fuel type, bundle, anti-theft, driver training, defensive driver, and good student.
- Mercury Insurance policyholders can earn discounts including location of vehicle, professional/association, ease of repair, multi-policy, anti-theft, type of vehicle, and low natural disaster claims.
- GEICO offers discounts for air bags, good student, daytime running lights, anti-theft, military active duty, and driver training.
- AAA offers premium reductions for anti-theft, education and occupation, AAA membership discount, good driver, and multi-policy.
- State Farm has savings for good student, student away at school, defensive driving training, accident-free, multiple autos, and good driver.
Before buying, ask each insurance company which discounts you may be entitled to. Discounts might not apply in every state. For a list of insurers with the best Dodge Ram insurance discounts in Madison, follow this link.
Most of the larger companies provide coverage price quotes on the web. Doing online quotes for Dodge Ram insurance in Madison doesn’t take much effort as all you need to do is type in your required coverages on the page. After you complete the form, their quoting system will obtain your driving record and credit report and returns a price quote based on many factors. This makes it simple to compare prices and it is important to get many rate quotes if you are searching for the best rate.
If you want to use this form to compare rates, take a look at the companies shown below. If you have coverage now, it’s recommended you complete the form with deductibles and limits as close as possible to your current policy. This helps ensure you will have comparison quotes for exact coverage.
The companies shown below offer quotes in Madison, WI. To buy cheaper auto insurance in Wisconsin, it’s highly recommended you visit two to three different companies to find the lowest auto insurance rates.
Data for Dodge Ram insurance
The price information below showcases different insurance rates for Dodge Ram models. Having a better understanding of how auto insurance prices are established can assist in making informed purchases.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ram Quad Cab ST 2WD | $142 | $228 | $314 | $18 | $94 | $796 | $66 |
| Ram Quad Cab TRX4 Off Road 2WD | $160 | $278 | $314 | $18 | $94 | $864 | $72 |
| Ram Quad Cab SLT 2WD | $160 | $278 | $314 | $18 | $94 | $864 | $72 |
| Ram Crew Cab ST 2WD | $160 | $278 | $314 | $18 | $94 | $864 | $72 |
| Ram Quad Cab ST 4WD | $160 | $278 | $314 | $18 | $94 | $864 | $72 |
| Ram Crew Cab SLT 2WD | $160 | $278 | $314 | $18 | $94 | $864 | $72 |
| Ram Crew Cab TRX 2WD | $160 | $278 | $314 | $18 | $94 | $864 | $72 |
| Ram Quad Cab SLT 4WD | $160 | $278 | $314 | $18 | $94 | $864 | $72 |
| Ram Crew Cab ST 4WD | $160 | $278 | $314 | $18 | $94 | $864 | $72 |
| Ram Crew Cab Sport 2WD | $178 | $328 | $314 | $18 | $94 | $932 | $78 |
| Ram Quad Cab Sport 2WD | $178 | $328 | $314 | $18 | $94 | $932 | $78 |
| Ram Quad Cab TRX4 Off Road 4WD | $178 | $328 | $314 | $18 | $94 | $932 | $78 |
| Ram Crew Cab TRX 4WD | $178 | $328 | $314 | $18 | $94 | $932 | $78 |
| Ram Crew Cab SLT 4WD | $178 | $328 | $314 | $18 | $94 | $932 | $78 |
| Ram Quad Cab Laramie 2WD | $178 | $328 | $314 | $18 | $94 | $932 | $78 |
| Ram Crew Cab Laramie 2WD | $178 | $328 | $314 | $18 | $94 | $932 | $78 |
| Ram Crew Cab Sport 4WD | $178 | $328 | $314 | $18 | $94 | $932 | $78 |
| Ram Quad Cab Sport 4WD | $178 | $328 | $314 | $18 | $94 | $932 | $78 |
| Ram Crew Cab Laramie 4WD | $178 | $376 | $314 | $18 | $94 | $980 | $82 |
| Ram Quad Cab Laramie 4WD | $178 | $376 | $314 | $18 | $94 | $980 | $82 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
Price data assumes single male driver age 40, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $500 deductibles, and Wisconsin minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include safe-driver, homeowner, claim-free, multi-vehicle, and multi-policy. Rates do not factor in specific location which can revise auto insurance rates substantially.
The diagram below shows how choosing a deductible and can affect Dodge Ram annual premium costs for different ages of insureds. The rate quotes are based on a single female driver, full physical damage coverage, and no policy discounts are applied.
How violations and accidents impact rates
The illustration below demonstrates how traffic citations and accidents raise Dodge Ram annual premium costs for each age group. The prices are based on a single female driver, full coverage, $250 deductibles, and no discounts are applied to the premium.
Price comparison of only insuring for liability
The diagram below shows the difference between Dodge Ram premium costs with full physical damage coverage compared to only buying liability only. The data assumes no violations or claims, $1,000 deductibles, drivers are not married, and no discounts are taken into consideration.
Should you be buying full coverage?
There is no definitive rule for dropping comprehensive and collision coverage on your policy, but there is a guideline you can use. If the annual cost of coverage is 10% or more of the replacement cost of your vehicle minus the policy deductible, then it may be the right time to buy liability only.
For example, let’s assume your Dodge Ram replacement cost is $7,000 and you have $1,000 full coverage deductibles. If your vehicle is severely damaged, you would only receive $6,000 after paying the physical damage deductible. If you are paying more than $600 a year for physical damage coverage, the it may be a good time to stop paying for full coverage.
There are a few situations where dropping full coverage is not recommended. If you haven’t satisfied your loan, you have to maintain full coverage to protect the lienholder’s interest. Also, if your finances do not allow you to purchase a different vehicle in the even your car is totaled, you should not consider dropping full coverage.
How do Insurance Providers Determine Dodge Ram Insurance Premiums?
Lots of factors are used in the calculation when you quote your car insurance policy. Most are fairly basic like your driving record, although others are not as apparent like your continuous coverage and annual miles driven. Part of the insurance buying process is learning a few of the rating criteria that play a part in calculating insurance rates. If you know what determines base rates, this allows you to make educated decisions that could result in lower premium levels.
The factors shown below are some of the items used by insurance companies to determine premiums.
Add-on coverages can add up – There are quite a few optional add-on coverages you can purchase on your Ram policy. Things like vanishing deductibles, high-cost glass coverage, and motor club memberships may not be needed and are just wasting money. You may think they are a good idea when talking to your agent, but your needs may have changed so consider taking them off your policy.
Don’t cancel your insurance without a new one in place – Driving any period of time without insurance is a misdemeanor and as a result your rates will increase for letting your insurance coverage expire. In addition to paying higher premiums, failure to provide proof of insurance might get you fines and jail time.
Cheaper insurance rates with safer cars – Safe vehicles tend to have lower insurance rates. The safest vehicles result in less severe injuries and reduced instances of injuries translates into savings for insurance companies and lower rates for you.
Liability limits should be high – Liability insurance will protect you if ever you are found liable for physical damage or personal injury to other. It provides for a legal defense which can cost thousands of dollars. Liability insurance is pretty cheap compared to physical damage coverage, so buy as much as you can afford.
Urban residents pay more – Being located in a small town has definite advantages when it comes to insurance. Drivers in populated areas have to deal with more auto accidents and a longer drive to work. Fewer people translates into fewer accidents in addition to lower liability claims.
Insurance agents can help
When it comes to buying coverage, there really is not a perfect coverage plan. Everyone’s needs are different and your car insurance should be unique as well. For example, these questions could help you determine if your insurance needs would benefit from an agent’s advice.
- Is there a penalty for late payment?
- Will damage be repaired with OEM parts?
- How much coverage applies to personal belongings?
- Do I need replacement cost coverage?
- What if I don’t agree with a claim settlement offer?
- Is there coverage for my trailer?
- Do I need an umbrella policy?
If you don’t know the answers to these questions but a few of them apply, you might consider talking to an insurance agent. If you don’t have a local agent, simply complete this short form or go to this page to view a list of companies.
Local Madison insurance agencies
Certain consumers still like to sit down and talk to an agent and doing so can bring peace of mind An additional benefit of price shopping on the web is that drivers can save money and get cheap rate quotes but still work with a licensed agent.
To find an agent, once you fill out this form (opens in new window), the coverage information is transmitted to local insurance agents in Madison who will give you quotes for your insurance coverage. You won’t need to search for any insurance agencies since rate quotes are delivered straight to your inbox. You can find lower rates and an insurance agent to talk to. If you want to quote rates from a specific insurance company, don’t hesitate to jump over to their website and complete a quote there.
Deciding on an company requires you to look at more than just a low price. You should also get answers to these questions.
- Do they have designations such as AIC, CPCU, or CIC?
- How is replacement cost determined on your vehicle?
- What insurance company do they write the most business with?
- Are they properly licensed to sell insurance in Wisconsin?
- Does the company use OEM repair parts?
- Which insurance companies are they affiliated with?
- Do they see any coverage gaps in your plan?
- What are the financial ratings for the companies they represent?
Here’s why auto insurance is not optional
Despite the high cost, insurance is a good idea for several reasons.
First, the majority of states have minimum mandated liability insurance limits which means you are required to buy a specific level of liability if you want to drive legally. In Wisconsin these limits are 25/50/10 which means you must have $25,000 of bodily injury coverage per person, $50,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $10,000 of property damage coverage.
Second, if your vehicle has a loan, it’s guaranteed your bank will make it mandatory that you buy full coverage to guarantee their interest in the vehicle. If you let the policy lapse, the bank will be required to insure your Dodge at a significantly higher premium and require you to pay much more than you were paying before.
Third, auto insurance preserves both your assets and your Dodge Ram. It will also provide coverage for all forms of medical expenses that are the result of an accident. Liability coverage, the one required by state law, will also pay attorney fees if anyone sues you for causing an accident. If your car is damaged in a storm or accident, collision and comprehensive (also known as other-than-collision) coverage will pay all costs to repair after the deductible has been paid.
The benefits of buying auto insurance more than offset the price you pay, especially for larger claims. The average driver in America overpays as much as $820 a year so compare quotes from several companies once a year at a minimum to be sure current rates are still competitive.
Ratings for Madison car insurance companies
Choosing the best car insurance provider is difficult considering how many choices you have in Wisconsin. The company ratings listed below could help you select which car insurance providers you want to consider to insure your vehicles.
Top 10 Madison Car Insurance Companies Ranked by Customer Satisfaction
- USAA – 92%
- Erie Insurance – 88%
- American Family – 88%
- State Farm – 88%
- Nationwide – 88%
- 21st Century – 88%
- AAA Insurance – 87%
- Liberty Mutual – 87%
- Farmers Insurance – 87%
- The Hartford – 87%
Top 10 Madison Car Insurance Companies by A.M. Best Rank
- USAA – A++
- Travelers – A++
- State Farm – A++
- GEICO – A++
- Nationwide – A+
- Esurance – A+
- The Hartford – A+
- Erie Insurance – A+
- Progressive – A+
- Allstate – A+
You can find affordable coverage
You just learned many ideas to get a better price on Dodge Ram insurance in Madison. The key thing to remember is the more you quote Madison auto insurance, the more likely it is that you will get a better rate. You may even discover the lowest priced car insurance comes from some of the smallest insurance companies. Some small companies may cover specific market segments cheaper as compared to the big name companies such as Allstate or State Farm.
Cheaper car insurance in Madison can be found online and with local Madison insurance agents, so you need to shop Madison auto insurance with both to have the best rate selection. Some companies may not offer the ability to get quotes online and these small, regional companies work with independent insurance agents.
Even more information can be read at these sites:
- Medical Payments Coverage (Liberty Mutual)
- Who Has the Cheapest Madison Auto Insurance for Ride Shares? (FAQ)
- Who Has the Cheapest Auto Insurance for Drivers Requiring a SR22 in Madison? (FAQ)
- Who Has Affordable Auto Insurance Rates for Veterans in Madison? (FAQ)
- Who Has Cheap Car Insurance for College Graduates in Madison? (FAQ)
- What Auto Insurance is Cheapest for High School Students in Madison? (FAQ)
- Who Has Affordable Auto Insurance Rates for a Honda CR-V in Madison? (FAQ)
- Steps to Take After an Auto Accident (Insurance Information Institute)
- Safety Belts FAQ (iihs.org)
- What is Full Coverage? (Allstate)
- Booster Seat Ratings (iihs.org)