Are you looking for a better way to compare lower-priced Nissan Pathfinder insurance in Durham? When trying to find lower-priced insurance, are you intimidated by the sheer number of auto insurance sources that you can choose from? Many other drivers are as well. North Carolina vehicle owners have so many sources available that it can quickly become a ton of work to find the best auto insurance rates for Nissan Pathfinder insurance in Durham. Durham is a great place to live, but expensive premiums for auto insurance can make it impossible to buy full coverage.
A recent auto insurance study discovered that the vast majority of consumers renewed their policy with the same company for at least the last four years, and nearly 40% of drivers have never compared auto insurance rates at all. American drivers could save 46.5% each year, but they just don’t understand how easy it is to shop their coverage around.
It is always a good idea to price shop coverage every six months since prices change regularly. Even if you got the best rates on Nissan Pathfinder insurance in Durham at your last renewal the chances are good that you can find a lower premium rate today. Block out anything you think you know about auto insurance because we’re going to show you the quickest way to remove unneeded coverages and save money.
The are a couple different ways to compare rate quotes from local Durham insurance companies. The recommended way to comparison shop is to use the internet to compare rates.
When comparing insurance rates, know that comparing a large number of companies helps you find more affordable insurance. Not every company allows you to get online rate quotes, so you need to compare price quotes from them, too.
The companies shown below offer comparison quotes in North Carolina. To buy cheap auto insurance in NC, we recommend you visit two to three different companies in order to get a fair rate comparison.
Lower rates by qualifying for discounts
Insurance is not inexpensive, but you might find some hidden discounts that could help you make your next renewal payment. Some of these discounts will be visible at the time of quoting, but lesser-known reductions have to be asked about prior to receiving the credit. If they aren’t giving you every credit you deserve, you are not getting the best rate possible.
- Passive Restraints and Air Bags – Factory options such as air bags or motorized seat belts can receive discounts of 20% or more.
- Theft Deterrent Discount – Anti-theft and alarm system equipped vehicles have a lower chance of being stolen and that can save you a little bit as well.
- Multi-car Discount – Buying a policy with more than one vehicle with the same insurance company can get a discount on all vehicles.
- 55 and Retired – Drivers over the age of 55 may be able to get better insurance rates.
- Good Student Discount – Getting good grades can get you a discount of up to 25%. Many companies even apply the discount to college students up until you turn 25.
- Driver Education Discount – Make teen driver coverage more affordable by requiring them to take driver’s ed class in high school.
- Drive Safe and Save – Drivers who avoid accidents can get discounts for up to 45% lower rates than their less cautious counterparts.
- Discount for Home Ownership – Just being a homeowner can save a few bucks because of the fact that having a home requires a higher level of personal finance.
- Club Memberships – Being a member of qualifying employment or professional organizations is a simple method to lower premiums on your next insurance statement.
While discounts sound great, it’s important to understand that most discount credits are not given to your bottom line cost. Some only reduce specific coverage prices like physical damage coverage or medical payments. If you do the math and it seems like you can get free auto insurance, you’re out of luck.
The diagram below illustrates the difference between Nissan Pathfinder insurance premiums with and without discounts being applied to the rates. Data assumes a female driver, no claims or driving violations, North Carolina state minimum liability limits, full coverage, and $250 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with multi-car, multi-policy, marriage, claim-free, safe-driver, and homeowner discounts applied.
Insurance companies who may offer these money-saving discounts include:
If you want cheaper Durham car insurance quotes, ask every prospective company which discounts you qualify for. Some of the discounts discussed earlier might not be available to policyholders in your area. If you would like to choose from a list of insurance companies who offer free Nissan Pathfinder insurance quotes in North Carolina, click this link.
Nissan Pathfinder insurance coverage information
The information displayed below highlights a range of insurance prices for Nissan Pathfinder models. Having a good grasp of how policy premiums are figured can help drivers make informed decisions when shopping around for a new policy.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pathfinder S 2WD | $118 | $168 | $326 | $20 | $98 | $730 | $61 |
| Pathfinder S 4WD | $136 | $168 | $326 | $20 | $98 | $748 | $62 |
| Pathfinder SE 2WD | $136 | $168 | $326 | $20 | $98 | $748 | $62 |
| Pathfinder SE 4WD | $136 | $168 | $326 | $20 | $98 | $748 | $62 |
| Pathfinder LE 2WD | $152 | $204 | $326 | $20 | $98 | $800 | $67 |
| Pathfinder LE 4WD | $152 | $204 | $326 | $20 | $98 | $800 | $67 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
Data variables include single male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $1000 deductibles, and North Carolina minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-policy, claim-free, multi-vehicle, homeowner, and safe-driver. Prices do not factor in your specific Durham location which can increase or decrease price quotes greatly.
Raise deductibles and save
One of the more difficult decisions when buying car insurance is which comprehensive and collision deductibles to buy. The comparison tables below help summarize the difference in cost when you select higher and lower insurance deductibles. The first rate table uses a $250 physical damage coverage deductible and the second pricing table uses a $1,000 deductible.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pathfinder S 2WD | $168 | $266 | $250 | $14 | $74 | $797 | $66 |
| Pathfinder S 4WD | $192 | $266 | $250 | $14 | $74 | $821 | $68 |
| Pathfinder SE 2WD | $192 | $266 | $250 | $14 | $74 | $821 | $68 |
| Pathfinder SE 4WD | $192 | $266 | $250 | $14 | $74 | $821 | $68 |
| Pathfinder LE 2WD | $218 | $324 | $250 | $14 | $74 | $905 | $75 |
| Pathfinder LE 4WD | $218 | $324 | $250 | $14 | $74 | $905 | $75 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pathfinder S 2WD | $104 | $168 | $250 | $14 | $74 | $610 | $51 |
| Pathfinder S 4WD | $118 | $168 | $250 | $14 | $74 | $624 | $52 |
| Pathfinder SE 2WD | $118 | $168 | $250 | $14 | $74 | $624 | $52 |
| Pathfinder SE 4WD | $118 | $168 | $250 | $14 | $74 | $624 | $52 |
| Pathfinder LE 2WD | $134 | $204 | $250 | $14 | $74 | $676 | $56 |
| Pathfinder LE 4WD | $134 | $204 | $250 | $14 | $74 | $676 | $56 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
Data assumes married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and North Carolina minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include safe-driver, homeowner, multi-policy, multi-vehicle, and claim-free. Price information does not factor in the specific area where the vehicle is garaged which can modify rates noticeably.
Based on these figures, using a $250 deductible costs an average of $17 more each month or $204 each year than choosing the higher $1,000 deductible. Due to the fact that you would have to pay $750 more out of your own pocket with a $1,000 deductible as compared to a $250 deductible, if you normally go at least 44 months between claim filings, you would probably save some money if you choose a higher deductible.
How to calculate when to raise deductibles
| Average monthly premium for $250 deductibles: | $70 |
| Average monthly premium for $1,000 deductibles (subtract): | – $53 |
| Monthly savings from raising deductible: | $17 |
| Difference between deductibles ($1,000 – $250): | $750 |
| Divide difference by monthly savings: | $750 / $17 |
| Number of months required between physical damage coverage claims in order to save money by choosing the higher deductible | 44 months |
One important caveat is that increasing deductibles to lower your rates results in having to pay to pay more out-of-pocket when you have a comprehensive or collision claim. That will require enough savings in the event you need to pay more for the deductible.
Comparison of full coverage and liability-only policies
The diagram below visualizes the comparison of Nissan Pathfinder premium costs when comparing full coverage to liability only. The prices are based on no claims or driving violations, $500 deductibles, single marital status, and no other discounts are factored in.
When to drop full coverage
There is no definitive guideline of when to eliminate full coverage, but there is a general guideline you can use. If the yearly cost of comp and collision coverage is more than about 10% of the replacement cost of your vehicle minus the policy deductible, then it could be time to drop full coverage.
For example, let’s say your Nissan Pathfinder claim settlement value is $9,000 and you have $1,000 physical damage deductibles. If your vehicle is destroyed, the most you would receive is $8,000 after the deductible is paid. If premium cost is more than $800 annually for physical damage coverage, then it could be time to drop full coverage.
There are some conditions where dropping full coverage is not financially feasible. If you have an outstanding loan on your vehicle, you have to keep full coverage as part of the loan conditions. Also, if you can’t afford to buy a different vehicle in the event your current vehicle is totaled, you should not remove full coverage.
Local neighborhood agents and car insurance
Some people still like to visit with an insurance agent and doing so can bring peace of mind The biggest benefit of getting online price quotes is you can get the best rates and also buy local. And buying from local agents is definitely important in Durham.
After completing this short form, your insurance coverage information is submitted to local insurance agents in Durham that can give you free Durham car insurance quotes and help you find cheaper coverage. It’s much easier because you don’t need to find an agent because prices are sent directly to you. It’s the lowest rates AND a local agent. If you need to compare prices from a particular provider, don’t hesitate to visit that company’s website and fill out their quote form.
Finding the right provider should include more criteria than just a cheap price quote. These are some questions your agent should answer.
- Are claims handled at the agent’s location?
- What insurance companies do they work with in Durham?
- Are they in the agency full-time?
- Do they specialize in personal lines coverage in Durham?
- How long have they been in business?
- Will the agent help in case of a claim?
The Nissan Pathfinder Insurance Rate Equation
Multiple criteria are taken into consideration when premium rates are determined. Most are fairly basic like an MVR report, although others are less apparent like where you live or how safe your car is.
Lower performance equals lower insurance prices – The make and model of the car you own makes a substantial difference in how high your rates are. Lower cost passenger cars usually are quite affordable to insure, but the final cost of insurance is determined by many other factors.
The data below assumes a married male driver age 20, full coverage with $100 deductibles, and no discounts or violations. The data compares Nissan Pathfinder policy rates compared to other vehicles that have different performances.
Where do you drive? – Driving a lot of miles every year the higher your rate. A lot of insurance companies apply a rate based on their usage. Cars and trucks that are left in the garage receive better premium rates than those used for commuting. Make sure your vehicle rating correctly shows the correct usage, because it can save money. Improper usage on your Pathfinder can cost quite a bit.
Gaps in coverage mean higher premiums – Having a gap between insurance policy dates is a sure-fire way to increase your car insurance rates. In addition to paying higher rates, failure to provide proof of insurance may earn you a revoked license or a big fine.
Liability protection preserves assets – Liability coverage will protect you in the event that you are responsible for an accident. It provides legal defense up to the limits shown on your policy. It is affordable coverage when compared to the cost of physical damage coverage, so drivers should carry high limits.
Insurance losses for a Nissan Pathfinder – Insurance companies analyze past claim statistics when they file their rates in each state. Vehicles that historically have increased claim numbers or amounts will have higher rates for specific coverages. The table shown below demonstrates the compiled insurance loss statistics for Nissan Pathfinder vehicles.
For each type of coverage, the claim probability for all vehicles as a whole equals 100. Numbers that are below 100 are indicative of better than average losses, while percentage numbers above 100 indicate more frequent claims or an increased chance of larger losses than average.
| Specific Nissan Model | Collision | Property Damage | Comp | Personal Injury | Medical Payment | Bodily Injury |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan Pathfinder 4dr 2WD | 99 | 114 | 83 | 106 | 101 | 108 |
| Nissan Pathfinder 4dr 4WD | 111 | 121 | 89 | 108 | 97 | 105 |
Statistics Source: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for 2013-2015 Model Years
Why you need insurance for your Pathfinder
Despite the fact that car insurance is not cheap in Durham, insurance is required by state law in North Carolina and it also provides benefits you may not be aware of.
- Most states have compulsory liability insurance requirements which means you are required to carry a specific level of liability if you drive a vehicle. In North Carolina these limits are 30/60/25 which means you must have $30,000 of bodily injury coverage per person, $60,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $25,000 of property damage coverage.
- If you bought your Nissan with a loan, more than likely the lender will stipulate that you carry insurance to guarantee payment of the loan. If you do not keep the policy in force, the bank will be required to insure your Nissan at a much higher rate and force you to pay a much higher amount than you were paying before.
- Car insurance protects both your Nissan and your personal assets. It will also pay for most medical and hospital costs for both you and anyone you injure as the result of an accident. As part of your policy, liability insurance will also pay to defend you in the event you are sued. If your vehicle suffers damage from an accident or hail, comprehensive (other-than-collision) and collision coverage will pay to repair the damage.
The benefits of insuring your car more than cancel out the cost, particularly when you have a large claim. According to a recent study, the average American driver overpays more than $869 every year so it’s very important to do a rate comparison at least once a year to help ensure money is not being wasted.
Quote often and quote early
As you go through the steps to switch your coverage, it’s very important that you do not skimp on critical coverages to save a buck or two. In many cases, someone dropped full coverage only to regret at claim time that saving that couple of dollars actually costed them tens of thousands. The aim is to buy a smart amount of coverage at the best cost while still protecting your assets.
Discount Nissan Pathfinder insurance in Durham can be found from both online companies and from local insurance agents, and you need to price shop both to have the best rate selection. Some insurance companies do not offer rate quotes online and many times these regional carriers prefer to sell through independent agents.
Insureds change insurance companies for any number of reasons including denial of a claim, poor customer service, delays in paying claims or even an unsatisfactory settlement offer. It doesn’t matter what your reason, choosing a new insurance company can be easier than you think.
Steps to quoting cheaper Nissan Pathfinder insurance in Durham
It takes a little time, but the best way to find more affordable Nissan Pathfinder insurance in Durham is to start comparing prices yearly from insurers who sell insurance in North Carolina. Drivers can shop around by following these steps.
- Take a few minutes and learn about policy coverages and the things you can control to prevent high rates. Many risk factors that are responsible for high rates like high-risk driving behaviors and poor credit history can be amended by improving your driving habits or financial responsibility.
- Request price quotes from independent agents, exclusive agents, and direct companies. Exclusive agents and direct companies can provide rates from a single company like GEICO or Allstate, while independent agents can provide rate quotes from multiple companies.
- Compare the quotes to your existing coverage to determine if you can save on Pathfinder insurance. If you can save money and switch companies, make sure there is no lapse between the expiration of your current policy and the new one.
- Give proper notification to your current agent or company to cancel the current policy. Submit the completed application along with a down payment to the new company. As soon as you receive it, keep the new proof of insurance certificate in an easily accessible location.
A good piece of advice is to compare similar limits and deductibles on every price quote and and to get prices from as many different companies as possible. This guarantees an apples-to-apples comparison and the best rate selection.
To read more, link through to the articles below:
- Crash Avoidance Technologies FAQ (iihs.org)
- Who Has the Cheapest Auto Insurance Quotes for Unemployed Drivers in Durham? (FAQ)
- Who Has Affordable Car Insurance for a Mazda CX-7 in Durham? (FAQ)
- Who Has Affordable Car Insurance Rates for a Toyota 4Runner in Durham? (FAQ)
- What Insurance is Cheapest for Drivers Over Age 60 in Durham? (FAQ)
- How Much is Car Insurance for Nurses in Durham? (FAQ)
- What if I Can’t Find Coverage? (Insurance Information Institute)
- Coverage Information (Progressive Insurance)