2001 Mazda Protege Insurance Quotes – 7 Tips for Cheaper Rates

Trying to find better insurance rates for your Mazda Protege? Paying for high-priced Mazda Protege insurance can dwindle your bank account and put the squeeze on your family’s finances. Doing a price comparison is a smart way to reduce premiums and put more money in your pocket.

Because there are so many companies to choose from, it is hard for the average consumer to pick the most affordable insurer.

Buying the best car insurance is simple if you know the tricks. Just about every vehicle owner who carries car insurance will more than likely be able to cut their insurance bill. But consumers can benefit from knowing the way companies sell insurance online and apply this information to your search.

These seven discounts can slash insurance coverage rates

Insuring your fleet can be pricey, but companies offer discounts that many people don’t even know exist. Most are applied when you quote, but less common discounts must be specifically requested before you get the savings.

  • Employee of Federal Government – Active or retired federal employment may qualify you for a discount on Protege coverage with certain companies.
  • Homeowners Pay Less – Being a homeowner may trigger a insurance coverage policy discount because maintaining a house requires personal responsibility.
  • Sign Early and Save – Select companies give a discount for signing up prior to your current policy expiration. It can save you around 10%.
  • Braking Control Discount – Anti-lock brake equipped vehicles can reduce accidents and earn discounts up to 10%.
  • Good Student – This discount can save 20 to 25%. Earning this discount can benefit you well after school through age 25.
  • Auto/Life Discount – Companies who offer life insurance give a discount if you purchase auto and life insurance together.
  • E-sign – A handful of insurance companies give back up to $50 for buying a policy and signing up over the internet.

A little note about advertised discounts, most credits do not apply to the entire cost. A few only apply to specific coverage prices like collision or personal injury protection. So despite the fact that it appears you could get a free insurance coverage policy, it doesn’t quite work that way. But any discount will cut your overall premium however.

To see a list of insurance companies with discount insurance coverage rates, follow this link.

When might I need the advice of an agent?

When buying the right insurance coverage, there is no best way to insure your cars. Everyone’s situation is unique so this has to be addressed. Here are some questions about coverages that can help discover if your insurance needs will benefit from professional help.

  • What is high-risk coverage and where do I buy it?
  • When would I need additional glass coverage?
  • When should my teen driver be added to my policy?
  • What is the ISO rating for a 2001 Mazda Protege?
  • Does my policy cover me when driving someone else’s vehicle?
  • If I drive on a suspended license am I covered?
  • Am I covered when pulling a rental trailer?
  • Is pleasure use cheaper than using my 2001 Mazda Protege to commute?

If it’s difficult to answer those questions, you may need to chat with an agent. To find an agent in your area, complete this form or click here for a list of auto insurance companies in your area.

Don’t be fooled by advertising claims

Car insurance companies such as Allstate, Geico and Progressive continually stream ads in print and on television. They all seem to make an identical promise that you can save after switching to their company. How do they all make the same claim? It’s all in the numbers.

All companies are able to cherry pick for the type of driver that earns them a profit. For instance, a driver they prefer might be profiled as over the age of 40, is a homeowner, and drives newer vehicles. A customer getting a price quote who matches those parameters gets the lowest rates and is almost guaranteed to save when switching.

Potential insureds who fall outside these standards will have to pay higher rates and ends up with business going elsewhere. The ad wording is “drivers who switch” not “everybody who quotes” save that kind of money. That’s why insurance companies can confidently state the savings.

Because of the profiling, you absolutely need to quote coverage with many companies. It is impossible to predict the company that will provide you with the cheapest Mazda Protege insurance rates.

Auto insurance coverages explained

Having a good grasp of your auto insurance policy helps when choosing appropriate coverage and the correct deductibles and limits. The coverage terms in a policy can be confusing and coverage can change by endorsement. These are typical coverage types available from auto insurance companies.

Liability auto insurance

This protects you from injuries or damage you cause to people or other property by causing an accident. Split limit liability has three limits of coverage: per person bodily injury, per accident bodily injury, and a property damage limit. As an example, you may have liability limits of 25/50/25 which means a $25,000 limit per person for injuries, $50,000 for the entire accident, and a total limit of $25,000 for damage to vehicles and property. Alternatively, you may have one limit called combined single limit (CSL) which combines the three limits into one amount and claims can be made without the split limit restrictions.

Liability can pay for claims such as funeral expenses, legal defense fees and pain and suffering. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is up to you, but it’s cheap coverage so purchase higher limits if possible.

Collision coverage protection

Collision coverage pays for damage to your Protege caused by collision with another car or object. You have to pay a deductible then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.

Collision insurance covers things like colliding with another moving vehicle, sideswiping another vehicle, backing into a parked car, driving through your garage door and hitting a mailbox. Collision is rather expensive coverage, so you might think about dropping it from vehicles that are 8 years or older. You can also raise the deductible to get cheaper collision coverage.

Medical payments and PIP coverage

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage reimburse you for short-term medical expenses for ambulance fees, dental work, surgery and EMT expenses. They can be used in conjunction with a health insurance program or if there is no health insurance coverage. Coverage applies to you and your occupants as well as being hit by a car walking across the street. Personal injury protection coverage is not available in all states and may carry a deductible

Comprehensive auto coverage

This coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. You first have to pay a deductible and the remainder of the damage will be paid by comprehensive coverage.

Comprehensive coverage pays for things such as hitting a deer, falling objects, damage from flooding and rock chips in glass. The maximum amount you can receive from a comprehensive claim is the cash value of the vehicle, so if your deductible is as high as the vehicle’s value it’s not worth carrying full coverage.

UM/UIM (Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist) coverage

This protects you and your vehicle’s occupants when the “other guys” do not carry enough liability coverage. Covered losses include injuries to you and your family as well as damage to your Mazda Protege.

Since many drivers only carry the minimum required liability limits, it only takes a small accident to exceed their coverage. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is very important. Frequently the UM/UIM limits are set the same as your liablity limits.

Shop around and save

As you prepare to switch companies, don’t be tempted to reduce coverage to reduce premium. There have been many cases where an accident victim reduced liability limits or collision coverage only to regret at claim time they didn’t purchase enough coverage. Your goal should be to find the BEST coverage at the best price, not the least amount of coverage.

We covered a lot of ways to reduce 2001 Mazda Protege insurance prices online. The key concept to understand is the more rate quotes you have, the better chance you’ll have of finding lower rates. You may even find the lowest rates come from a lesser-known regional company. Regional companies may have significantly lower rates on certain market segments compared to the large companies like State Farm, Geico and Nationwide.

More detailed insurance coverage information can be read by following these links: