A recent survey discovered that the vast majority of consumers renewed their policy with the same company for well over three years, and almost 40% of drivers have never compared rates with other companies. With the average insurance premium being $1,847, American drivers could save roughly $850 every year, but they don’t believe the benefits if they switched to a cheaper policy.
If saving money is your primary concern, then the best way to get more affordable auto insurance rates in Madison is to annually compare prices from companies that insure vehicles in Wisconsin. Rate comparisons can be done by completing these steps.
- Step 1: Spend some time learning about how insurance companies determine prices and the steps you can take to prevent expensive coverage. Many policy risk factors that increase rates such as accidents, traffic tickets, and an unfavorable credit rating can be amended by paying attention to minor details. Later in this article we will cover tips to help prevent high rates and find missing discounts.
- Step 2: Request rate estimates from direct, independent, and exclusive agents. Direct and exclusive agents can only give prices from a single company like GEICO or Farmers Insurance, while independent agencies can quote prices from multiple companies. Get quotes now
- Step 3: Compare the new rate quotes to your existing rates and see if you can save money. If you can save money and change companies, verify that coverage does not lapse between policies.
- Step 4: Notify your current company of your intention to cancel your current auto insurance policy. Submit the signed application along with the required initial payment to the new company. As soon as you can, keep your new proof of insurance paperwork in your glove compartment.
A good piece of advice is that you’ll want to compare the same level of coverage on each quote request and and to get price estimates from as many carriers as you can. Doing this guarantees a fair rate comparison and a complete price analysis.
Locating the best rates in Madison is not that difficult. If you have insurance now or need a new policy, take advantage of these tips to buy cheaper car insurance while maximizing coverage. Smart shoppers just have to know the proper methods to compare company rates using one simple form.
Verify you’re receiving every discount
Car insurance companies don’t list the entire discount list in an easy-to-find place, so we took the time to find both well-publicized and also the lesser-known discounts that may be available.
- Paperless Signup – A few larger companies provide a small discount get Madison car insurance on the web.
- Discount for Swiching Early – A few auto insurance companies allow discounts for renewing your policy before your current expiration date. This discount can save up to 10%.
- Discounts for New Vehicles – Insuring a vehicle that is new can be considerably cheaper since new model year vehicles have better safety ratings.
- Active Military Service – Being on active deployment in the military could mean lower prices.
- Low Miles Discount – Driving fewer miles can qualify you for substantially lower auto insurance rates.
- Air Bag Discount – Factory air bags or automatic seat belts may earn rate discounts as much as 30%.
Drivers should understand that most of the big mark downs will not be given to the overall cost of the policy. Most cut individual premiums such as medical payments or collision. So despite the fact that it appears it’s possible to get free car insurance, that’s just not realistic.
The example below illustrates the comparison of Mercury Mariner auto insurance rates with and without discounts being applied to the rates. The premiums assume a female driver, no driving violations, no at-fault accidents, Wisconsin state minimum liability limits, comprehensive and collision coverage, and $250 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with safe-driver, marriage, multi-policy, homeowner, multi-car, and claim-free discounts applied.
Auto insurance companies that may offer some of the above discounts include:
If you are trying to find low cost Madison car insurance quotes, ask each company or agent which discounts you may be entitled to. Some of the discounts discussed earlier may not be offered in every state. If you would like to view companies that offer many of these discounts in Madison, follow this link.
Lowering your Mercury Mariner car insurance rates is surprisingly easy. You just need to take a few minutes to get quotes from online providers.
Doing price comparisons online is so simple that it replaces the need to actually drive to different Madison agent offices. The ability to get quotes online makes this process obsolete unless your situation requires the professional assistance of a local Madison agent. Drivers can comparison shop online but still have the advice of a local agent.
The providers in the list below offer free rate quotes in Wisconsin. To locate the best car insurance in Madison, we suggest you visit two to three different companies to get the most competitive price.
Mercury Mariner coverage statistics
The rate table below covers detailed analysis of insurance premium costs for Mercury Mariner models. Learning a little about how prices are calculated is important for drivers to make smart choices when purchasing an insurance policy.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mariner 2WD | $112 | $168 | $188 | $12 | $56 | $536 | $45 |
| Mariner Premier 2WD | $112 | $206 | $188 | $12 | $56 | $574 | $48 |
| Mariner AWD | $112 | $206 | $188 | $12 | $56 | $574 | $48 |
| Mariner Hybrid 2WD | $112 | $242 | $220 | $14 | $66 | $654 | $55 |
| Mariner Premier AWD | $128 | $206 | $188 | $12 | $56 | $590 | $49 |
| Mariner Hybrid AWD | $128 | $242 | $220 | $14 | $66 | $670 | $56 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
Data assumes married male driver age 50, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $500 deductibles, and Wisconsin minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-policy, safe-driver, homeowner, multi-vehicle, and claim-free. Rates do not factor in the specific area where the vehicle is garaged which can alter premium rates considerably.
Violations and accidents raise rates
The diagram below shows how violations and accident claims raise Mercury Mariner auto insurance costs for different insured age categories. The data assumes a single female driver, full coverage, $1,000 deductibles, and no discounts are applied.
How much insurance do I need?
When choosing the best insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there isn’t really a “perfect” insurance plan. Your financial needs are unique and a cookie cutter policy won’t apply. These are some specific questions can help discover if you could use an agent’s help.
- Am I covered when renting a car or should I buy coverage from the car rental agency?
- Am I covered by my employer’s commercial auto policy when driving my personal car for business?
- Do I need more liability coverage?
- I have health insurance so do I need medical payments coverage?
- What if I total my Mercury Mariner and owe more than it’s worth?
- Do I have coverage when using my vehicle for my home business?
- Does my Mercury Mariner qualify for pleasure use?
- What policy terms are available?
- Do I have coverage for damage caused while driving under the influence?
- What is the minimum liability in Wisconsin?
If you don’t know the answers to these questions, then you may want to think about talking to an insurance agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, complete this form or go to this page to view a list of companies. It only takes a few minutes and you can get the answers you need.
Should I get advice from a local insurance agent?
A lot of people still like to talk to an insurance agent and that can be a great decision Good agents are trained to spot inefficiencies and help in the event of a claim. One of the best bonuses of getting free rate quotes online is that you can obtain the best rates and still choose a local agent.
Upon completion of this short form, your coverage information is instantly submitted to companies in Madison who will give competitive quotes and help you find cheaper coverage. It’s much easier because you don’t need to find an agent on your own as quotes are delivered to you directly. If you need to get a price quote from a particular provider, don’t hesitate to find their quoting web page and submit a quote form there.
Choosing a insurance company should depend on more than just a cheap price quote. Some important questions to ask are:
- Is vehicle damage repaired with OEM or aftermarket parts?
- Is the agency involved in supporting local community causes?
- How will an accident affect your rates?
- What will you get paid if your car is a total loss? How is that amount determined?
- Do they make recommendations based only on price?
- Are there any hidden costs in their price quote and does it include driving and credit history?
- Do you work with a CSR or direct with the agent?
If you want to buy auto insurance from a reputable agency, you should know the different types of agencies and how they function. Insurance agencies in Madison may be either exclusive or independent (non-exclusive). Either one can handle auto insurance, but it’s important to point out how they differ since it can impact the type of agent you choose.
Exclusive Agents
Exclusive agencies work for only one company and some examples include State Farm or Allstate. These agents are unable to compare other company’s rates so if the price isn’t competitive there isn’t much they can do. Exclusive agents are highly trained in insurance sales which helps them compete with independent agents.
Listed below is a short list of exclusive agencies in Madison that are able to give comparison quotes.
Larry Sain – State Farm Insurance Agent
424 S Park St – Madison, WI 53715 – (608) 257-5132 – View Map
American Family Insurance – D Webster-Scher Agency Inc.
637 E Washington Ave – Madison, WI 53703 – (608) 249-3111 – View Map
Farmers Insurance: Jesus Carvajal
5555 Odana Rd #201 – Madison, WI 53719 – (608) 278-7055 – View Map
Independent Insurance Agents
These type of agents are not employed by one company so they can insure your vehicles with an assortment of companies and find you the best rates. To transfer your coverage to a different company, an independent agent can move your coverage and you can keep the same agent.
When searching for an agent, you need to contact independent agents to have the best price comparison.
Listed below are Madison independent agents willing to provide rate quotes.
Above and Beyond Insurance
6601 Grand Teton Plaza #7 – Madison, WI 53719 – (608) 203-8666 – View Map
Affiliated Insurance-Wisconsin
3830 Atwood Ave – Madison, WI 53714 – (608) 273-3361 – View Map
Prairie Land Insurance Agency
2045 Atwood Ave #113A – Madison, WI 53704 – (608) 251-3009 – View Map
Choosing the best vehicle insurance in Wisconsin is an important decision
Despite the high cost, paying for auto insurance is required for several reasons.
First, the majority of states have mandatory insurance requirements which means the state requires specific minimum amounts of liability insurance if you drive a vehicle. 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 you took out a loan on your car, most lenders will require you to carry insurance to ensure they get paid if you total the vehicle. If you do not pay your insurance premiums, the lender may insure your Mercury for a much higher rate and force you to reimburse them the higher price.
Third, insurance protects both your vehicle and your personal assets. Insurance will also pay for most medical and hospital costs for yourself as well as anyone injured by you. One policy coverage, liability insurance, will also pay for a defense attorney if you cause an accident and are sued. If your car is damaged in a storm or accident, collision and comprehensive (also known as other-than-collision) coverage will cover the repair costs.
The benefits of having auto insurance greatly outweigh the cost, especially if you ever need it. According to a survey of 1,000 drivers, the average driver is overpaying over $869 every year so compare rate quotes each time the policy renews to be sure current rates are still competitive.
Insurance specifics
Knowing the specifics of your insurance policy can help you determine the best coverages and proper limits and deductibles. Policy terminology can be impossible to understand and even agents have difficulty translating policy wording. Below you’ll find typical coverages found on most insurance policies.
Collision protection
Collision insurance pays for damage to your Mariner caused by collision with a stationary object or other vehicle. You first must pay a deductible then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.
Collision coverage pays for claims like colliding with a tree, rolling your car, damaging your car on a curb, backing into a parked car and sideswiping another vehicle. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so analyze the benefit of dropping coverage from vehicles that are 8 years or older. You can also increase the deductible on your Mariner in order to get cheaper collision rates.
Insurance for medical payments
Med pay and PIP coverage kick in for expenses like prosthetic devices, rehabilitation expenses, ambulance fees and pain medications. The coverages can be used in conjunction with a health insurance policy or if you lack health insurance entirely. Medical payments and PIP cover you and your occupants and will also cover if you are hit as a while walking down the street. PIP coverage is not available in all states and may carry a deductible
Uninsured Motorist or Underinsured Motorist insurance
This gives you protection when other motorists either have no liability insurance or not enough. It can pay for medical payments for you and your occupants as well as damage to your Mercury Mariner.
Because many people only purchase the least amount of liability that is required (Wisconsin limits are 25/50/10), it only takes a small accident to exceed their coverage. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage should not be overlooked.
Liability auto insurance
This coverage provides protection from damage that occurs to other people or property. It consists of three limits, bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident and property damage. You might see limits of 25/50/10 which stand for a $25,000 limit per person for injuries, a per accident bodily injury limit of $50,000, and property damage coverage for $10,000.
Liability coverage protects against claims like funeral expenses, medical expenses, pain and suffering, medical services and legal defense fees. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is a personal decision, but consider buying as high a limit as you can afford. Wisconsin requires drivers to carry at least 25/50/10 but you should consider buying better liability coverage.
The next chart demonstrates why buying minimum limits may not provide you with enough coverage.
Comprehensive coverage (or Other than Collision)
This pays for damage from a wide range of events other than collision. A deductible will apply and then insurance will cover the rest of the damage.
Comprehensive insurance covers things such as falling objects, a broken windshield and hitting a deer. The maximum amount a insurance company will pay at claim time is the cash value of the vehicle, so if it’s not worth much more than your deductible consider dropping full coverage.
Be persistent to save money
In this article, we presented a lot of information how to reduce Mercury Mariner insurance premium rates online in Madison. The most important thing to understand is the more price quotes you have, the better your comparison will be. You may even discover the most savings is with the least-expected company. Regional companies often have lower prices on specific markets compared to the large companies like Allstate, GEICO and Progressive.
Lower-priced car insurance in Madison can be purchased online and also from your neighborhood Madison agents, so you should compare both in order to have the best price selection to choose from. There are still a few companies who may not have the ability to get quotes online and these small, regional companies provide coverage only through independent agents.
Other learning opportunities
- Auto Insurance Learning Center (State Farm)
- How Much are Auto Insurance Quotes for Teenagers in Madison? (FAQ)
- How Much is Auto Insurance for Seniors in Madison? (FAQ)
- How Much is Madison Auto Insurance for Low Income Drivers? (FAQ)
- Understanding Your Insurance Deductible (Insurance Information Institute)
- Determining Auto Insurance Rates (GEICO)
- Rental Car Insurance Tips (Insurance Information Institute)
- How Much Auto Coverage do I Need? (Insurance Information Institute)