Tacoma Car Insurance
Looking for the best Tacoma car insurance rates? Tacoma is the third largest city in Washington and as such has a busy population of drivers. A recent study showed that 80% of Tacoma residents drive their own personal vehicle to work. This makes driving the main mode of transportation and it makes the roads very congested. With so many drivers, it is important to have the correct Tacoma auto insurance that provides the coverage you need.
Tacoma Car Insurance Risks
With close to 200,000 residents, Tacoma is home to a diverse group of people, businesses, and professionals. It also has a slightly higher average for car theft than the national average. Last year over 6,000 vehicles were stolen from within Tacoma city limits. This put Tacoma on a higher risk list with insurance companies, so you have to make sure you are doing what you can to get your best deal.
Just because you live in Tacoma, doesn’t mean you will automatically be considered high risk by auto insurance companies. Your precise location makes the difference. Certain points within the city have higher theft rates. You can’t always change where you live, but insurance companies will lower your premium if you have anti-theft devices in or on your vehicle.
Anti-theft devices include anything from a key alarm to an advanced key pad entry; and both will lower your monthly premium. Some vehicles come with these devices while others need to be installed. At the very least, you can purchase an inexpensive steering wheel lock to prevent theft. Any of these devices will qualify as a safety or anti-theft tool in the eyes of your insurer.
The type of car your drive may also affect your premium. Insurance companies not only look at where car thefts take place within the city, but also the type of vehicles that are stolen. In Tacoma, small compact vehicles top the list. The top ten vehicles stolen in Tacoma are: Honda Accord, Honda Civic, Toyota Camry, Acura Integra, Saturn SL, Nissan Sentra, Toyota Pickup, Nissan Pathfinder, Subaru Legacy, and Jeep Cherokee.
Tacoma Car Insurance Requirements
Each state has a separate set of car insurance requirements. Tacoma residents are required to meet the minimum insurance amounts set forth in Washington law, which is based on the tort system. A tort system requires that someone be found at fault in an accident. This person is then responsible for the damages through their insurance company.
Drivers in Tacoma as well as the whole state of Washington must carry Bodily Injury Liability in the amount of $25,000 per person or $50,000 per accident. Property Damage Liability in the amount of $10,000 is required. This coverage is often referred to as 25/50/10. If you are in an accident without insurance you will lose your license, receive a fine, and face possible jail time.
Just because you have the minimum amounts required by law does not mean that you have adequate coverage. In addition to the above requirements, you can also get Uninsured/ Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury coverage. As the name implies, this type of cover makes sure damages caused to you by an uninsured or underinsured motorist are covered by your insurance company.
If you still have a loan out on your vehicle, your loan holder may require you to have comprehensive or collision insurance. Comprehensive covers everything from accidents, collisions with property, natural disasters, and weather related damage. Collision covers any accident with another vehicle, property, or the road itself.
Tacoma Car Insurance Options
When looking for Tacoma car insurance options, you will find that there are many out there. From local businesses to national companies, you really do have a lot of businesses competing for your account. You should be safe if you choose a company that is licensed with the Washington Department of Insurance. This will ensure that the company you are working with has met the requirements of the law.
In addition to this, you should shop around. There are many companies that offer different discounts, different incentives, and different monthly premiums. Some people stay with their insurance company because it is convenient; but, shopping around a least twice a year can help you keep an affordable rate.
Be sure to ask the companies you are considering what discounts they offer. Many companies will let you know up front, but other companies will only tell you when you ask. It is important to find out about discounts because according to one study, 80% of individuals qualify for some type of discount.
Get Free Tacoma Car Insurance Quotes
You can use the Tacoma car insurance comparison tool on this page to compare rates and quotes from several different companies. Seeing what different companies have to offer can help you decide which Tacoma car insurance company will give you the coverage you need at a price that fits into your budget. Start now, and save money on your Tacoma WA auto insurance policy by tomorrow.
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