Price shopping your Mazda 3 insurance in Tampa is kind of frustrating for drivers not familiar with online rate comparisons. With dozens of insurers available, it can turn into a ton of work to find the perfect company for you.
How to find more affordable Mazda 3 insurance in Tampa
The best way we recommend to find low-cost auto insurance rates in Tampa is to begin comparing prices regularly from insurance carriers who sell insurance in Florida.
- First, it will benefit you to learn about the different coverages in a policy and the things you can change to prevent expensive coverage. Many rating criteria that cause high rates such as tickets, at-fault accidents, and poor credit history can be remedied by improving your driving habits or financial responsibility. Read the full article for more ideas to prevent high prices and get discounts that may be available to you.
- Second, compare price quotes from direct carriers, independent agents, and exclusive agents. Exclusive agents and direct companies can give quotes from one company like GEICO or State Farm, while independent agencies can quote prices from multiple sources. Compare rates
- Third, compare the new rate quotes to your current policy to see if a cheaper price is available. If you find a lower rate quote and switch companies, ensure there is no coverage lapse between policies.
The key aspect of shopping around is that you’ll want to make sure you compare identical coverages on each quote request and and to get price estimates from every insurance company. Doing this helps ensure a fair price comparison and plenty of rates choose from.
Unimaginable but true, the vast majority of consumers have been with the same company for more than four years, and 38% of drivers have never shopped around. With the average premium in Florida being $2,158, drivers could save nearly 55% a year by just comparing quotes, but they don’t know the amount of money they would save if they bought a different policy.
Shopping for cheaper insurance policy in Tampa can be fairly easy. Nearly each driver who is overpaying for insurance should be able to save money. But Florida consumers can benefit from knowing the methods companies use to market insurance on the web.
Just keep in mind that getting more free quotes will enable you to find a lower rate than you’re paying now.
The following companies have been selected to offer price quotes in Tampa, FL. If your goal is to find the best cheap car insurance in FL, we suggest you visit as many as you can to get a more complete price comparison.
Analysis of Mazda 3 rates
The information displayed next showcases estimates of insurance prices for Mazda 3 models. Learning how insurance premiums are formulated can assist in making smart policy decisions.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 I Sport 4-Dr Sedan | $308 | $636 | $472 | $28 | $142 | $1,586 | $132 |
| 3 I SV 4-Dr Sedan | $308 | $636 | $472 | $28 | $142 | $1,586 | $132 |
| 3 I Touring 4-Dr Sedan | $308 | $748 | $472 | $28 | $142 | $1,698 | $142 |
| 3 S Sport 4-Dr Hatchback | $348 | $748 | $472 | $28 | $142 | $1,738 | $145 |
| 3 S Sport 4-Dr Sedan | $348 | $748 | $472 | $28 | $142 | $1,738 | $145 |
| 3 S Grand Touring 4-Dr Hatchback | $348 | $748 | $472 | $28 | $142 | $1,738 | $145 |
| 3 S Grand Touring 4-Dr Sedan | $348 | $748 | $472 | $28 | $142 | $1,738 | $145 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
Cost estimates assume single female driver age 50, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $100 deductibles, and Florida minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include homeowner, multi-vehicle, safe-driver, multi-policy, and claim-free. Premium amounts do not factor in zip code location which can change coverage prices substantially.
Higher deductibles lower rates
One common question asked by Tampa drivers is the level to set your comp and collision deductibles. The following tables lay out the price difference of buying low and high comp and collision deductibles. The first rate estimation uses a $250 deductible for physical damage and the second rate table uses a $1,000 deductible.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 I Sport 4-Dr Sedan | $322 | $544 | $418 | $24 | $124 | $1,457 | $121 |
| 3 I SV 4-Dr Sedan | $322 | $544 | $418 | $24 | $124 | $1,457 | $121 |
| 3 I Touring 4-Dr Sedan | $322 | $640 | $418 | $24 | $124 | $1,553 | $129 |
| 3 S Sport 4-Dr Hatchback | $364 | $640 | $418 | $24 | $124 | $1,595 | $133 |
| 3 S Sport 4-Dr Sedan | $364 | $640 | $418 | $24 | $124 | $1,595 | $133 |
| 3 S Grand Touring 4-Dr Hatchback | $364 | $640 | $418 | $24 | $124 | $1,595 | $133 |
| 3 S Grand Touring 4-Dr Sedan | $364 | $640 | $418 | $24 | $124 | $1,595 | $133 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 I Sport 4-Dr Sedan | $200 | $342 | $418 | $24 | $124 | $1,108 | $92 |
| 3 I SV 4-Dr Sedan | $200 | $342 | $418 | $24 | $124 | $1,108 | $92 |
| 3 I Touring 4-Dr Sedan | $200 | $402 | $418 | $24 | $124 | $1,168 | $97 |
| 3 S Sport 4-Dr Hatchback | $224 | $402 | $418 | $24 | $124 | $1,192 | $99 |
| 3 S Sport 4-Dr Sedan | $224 | $402 | $418 | $24 | $124 | $1,192 | $99 |
| 3 S Grand Touring 4-Dr Hatchback | $224 | $402 | $418 | $24 | $124 | $1,192 | $99 |
| 3 S Grand Touring 4-Dr Sedan | $224 | $402 | $418 | $24 | $124 | $1,192 | $99 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
Data variables include married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and Florida minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-policy, safe-driver, claim-free, homeowner, and multi-vehicle. Table data does not factor in specific garaging location which can alter premium rates significantly.
We can derive from the above data that using a $250 deductible will cost in the ballpark of $32 more each month or $384 each year averaged for all 3 models than requesting the higher $1,000 deductible. Because you would be required to pay $750 more if you turn in a claim with a $1,000 deductible as compared to a $250 deductible, if you normally go at least 23 months between claim filings, you would come out ahead if you decide on a higher deductible.
How to calculate deductible break even period
| Average monthly premium for $250 deductibles: | $129 |
| Average monthly premium for $1,000 deductibles (subtract): | – $97 |
| Monthly savings from raising deductible: | $32 |
| Difference between deductibles ($1,000 – $250): | $750 |
| Divide difference by monthly savings: | $750 / $32 |
| Number of months required between physical damage coverage claims in order to save money by choosing the higher deductible | 23 months |
One important note is that increasing deductibles to save money means you will have to pay more when you have a physical damage claim. You need to have some savings in the event you need to pay the higher deductible.
The chart below shows how choosing a deductible and can influence Mazda 3 insurance costs for each age group. The information is based on a single female driver, comprehensive and collision coverage, and no other discounts are factored in.
Insurance rate increases from tickets or accidents
The example below shows how violations and fender-benders can influence Mazda 3 insurance costs for each age group. The prices are based on a single female driver, comp and collision included, $100 deductibles, and no other discounts are factored in.
Choosing vehicle insurance is an important decision
Despite the high cost, car insurance is required in Florida but it also protects you in many ways.
First, most states have mandatory liability insurance requirements which means you are required to buy a specific level of liability protection in order to license the vehicle. In Florida these limits are 10/20/10 which means you must have $10,000 of bodily injury coverage per person, $20,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $10,000 of property damage coverage.
Second, if your vehicle has a loan, almost every bank will have a requirement that you have physical damage coverage to guarantee loan repayment. If coverage lapses or is canceled, the lender may insure your Mazda at an extremely high rate and make you pay for the much more expensive policy.
Third, insurance safeguards both your assets and your Mazda 3. Insurance will also pay for many types of medical costs for yourself as well as anyone injured by you. Liability coverage, the one required by state law, also covers all legal expenses up to the policy limit if you are sued as the result of your driving. If your Mazda gets damaged, your car insurance policy will pay to have it repaired.
The benefits of having car insurance definitely exceed the cost, particularly when you have a large claim. According to a recent study, the average American driver is wasting up to $700 annually so compare rate quotes once a year at a minimum to save money.
Different people need different insurance coverages
When it comes to buying coverage online or from an agent for your vehicles, there really is not a best way to insure your cars. Your needs are not the same as everyone else’s.
For example, these questions may help you determine if your insurance needs could use an agent’s help.
- Am I covered by my employer’s commercial auto policy when driving my personal car for business?
- Can I rent a car in Mexico?
- Do I have coverage if my license is suspended?
- What happens if I owe more than my Mazda 3 is worth?
- How much can I save by bundling my policies?
- Is water damage covered by my policy?
- Will damage be repaired with OEM parts?
- Does my policy cover me when driving someone else’s vehicle?
- Why am I be forced to buy a membership to get insurance from some companies?
If you don’t know the answers to these questions but one or more may apply to you, you may need to chat with an agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, complete this form.
Car insurance 101
Knowing the specifics of your policy can help you determine appropriate coverage and the correct deductibles and limits. Auto insurance terms can be confusing and even agents have difficulty translating policy wording.
Medical expense coverage
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage kick in for bills for surgery, X-ray expenses, hospital visits and pain medications. They are often utilized in addition to your health insurance plan or if you lack health insurance entirely. Coverage applies to both the driver and occupants and will also cover any family member struck as a pedestrian. PIP is only offered in select states but can be used in place of medical payments coverage
Comprehensive protection
Comprehensive insurance coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage caused by mother nature, theft, vandalism and other events. You first have to pay a deductible then the remaining damage will be covered by your comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive insurance covers claims like hitting a deer, a tree branch falling on your vehicle, a broken windshield, theft and vandalism. The most a auto insurance company will pay at claim time is the market value of your vehicle, so if it’s not worth much more than your deductible it’s probably time to drop comprehensive insurance.
Auto collision coverage
This coverage will pay to fix damage to your 3 resulting from a collision with an object or car. A deductible applies then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.
Collision coverage protects against things such as crashing into a building, sustaining damage from a pot hole, damaging your car on a curb and sideswiping another vehicle. Paying for collision coverage can be pricey, so consider removing coverage from lower value vehicles. You can also raise the deductible on your 3 to save money on collision insurance.
Liability car insurance
Liability insurance can cover damages or injuries you inflict on other people or property. Coverage consists of three different limits, bodily injury for each person, bodily injury for the entire accident, and a limit for property damage. You commonly see values of 10/20/10 that translate to $10,000 in coverage for each person’s injuries, a limit of $20,000 in injury protection per accident, and a total limit of $10,000 for damage to vehicles and property. Alternatively, you may have a combined limit which provides one coverage limit without having the split limit caps.
Liability coverage protects against things like legal defense fees, court costs, medical expenses, structural damage and medical services. How much liability coverage do you need? That is your choice, but it’s cheap coverage so purchase higher limits if possible. Florida requires minimum liability limits of 10/20/10 but you should consider buying higher limits.
The chart below shows why low liability limits may not be enough.
Uninsured or underinsured coverage
Your UM/UIM coverage provides protection when other motorists either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. Covered claims include injuries sustained by your vehicle’s occupants and damage to your Mazda 3.
Since many Florida drivers only carry the minimum required liability limits (which is 10/20/10), it only takes a small accident to exceed their coverage. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage is very important. Frequently these limits are set the same as your liability limits.
Don’t give up on cheaper rates
As you restructure your insurance plan, it’s not a good idea to buy less coverage just to save a little money. There are a lot of situations where someone sacrificed liability limits or collision coverage and discovered at claim time that their decision to reduce coverage ended up costing them more. The proper strategy is to purchase a proper amount of coverage at a price you can afford, not the least amount of coverage.
Consumers who switch companies do it for many reasons like unfair underwriting practices, not issuing a premium refund, being labeled a high risk driver or denial of a claim. It doesn’t matter why you want to switch finding the right car insurance provider can be easy and end up saving you some money.
We just covered a lot of techniques to find lower-cost Mazda 3 insurance in Tampa. The key concept to understand is the more companies you get prices for, the better likelihood of getting affordable Tampa car insurance quotes. You may even be surprised to find that the best premium rates are with some of the smallest insurance companies.
Steps to finding low-cost rates for Mazda 3 insurance in Tampa
Truthfully, the best way to save money on Mazda 3 insurance is to start comparing rates regularly from insurance carriers that insure vehicles in Tampa.
- First, read and learn about how insurance companies determine prices and the modifications you can make to keep rates down. Many factors that result in higher prices like traffic violations and poor credit history can be eliminated by making small lifestyle or driving habit changes.
- Second, request price quotes from direct carriers, independent agents, and exclusive agents. Direct companies and exclusive agencies can give quotes from one company like Progressive or Farmers Insurance, while independent agencies can quote prices from multiple sources.
- Third, compare the new quotes to the price on your current policy and see if there is a cheaper rate in Tampa. If you find a better price and buy the policy, ensure there is no coverage lapse between policies.
- Fourth, provide notification to your current company of your decision to cancel the current policy. Submit payment along with a signed and completed policy application to your new insurance company. As soon as coverage is bound, put the new proof of insurance paperwork somewhere easily accessible.
One tip to remember is to make sure you’re comparing the same coverage limits and deductibles on each quote request and and to compare every insurance company. This ensures a fair rate comparison and a better comparison of the market.
Helpful learning opportunities
- New Honda safety features benefit drivers of all ages (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)
- What Car Insurance is Cheapest for Drivers with Accidents in Tampa? (FAQ)
- What Car Insurance is Cheapest for a Ford Explorer in Tampa? (FAQ)
- Who Has Cheap Auto Insurance for a School Permit in Tampa? (FAQ)
- Avoiding Deer Collisions (Insurance Information Institute)
- What is Covered by an Auto Insurance Policy? (Insurance Information Institute)
- Event Data Recorders FAQ (iihs.org)
- Protecting Teens from Drunk Driving (Insurance Information Institute)