Trying to buy reasonably-priced car insurance is not always easy, and figuring out which company offers the cheapest insurance rates for a school permit requires even more shopping around. Each insurer uses their own calculation for determining rates in each state, so we’ll go over the most competitive insurance companies in Arizona.
It’s a good idea to be aware that Mesa, AZ insurance rates are based on many factors that control the cost of a policy. Turning one year older, filing a claim, or getting a DUI can trigger changes in premium that can now make some companies more expensive than before.
Best Auto Insurance Prices for Students
The Hartford may offer some of the lowest car insurance rates in Mesa at around $845 a year. This is $583 less than the average price paid by Arizona drivers of $1,428. Safeco, Auto-Owners, Travelers, and Progressive also rank well as some of the lowest-priced Mesa, AZ auto insurance companies.
As the rates illustrate above, if you are insured with Safeco and switched to The Hartford, you could earn a yearly price reduction of in the vicinity of $51. Drivers with Auto-Owners might save as much as $52 a year, and Travelers policyholders might lower prices by up to $241 a year.
To find out how your current rates compare, click here to start your custom quote or visit several of the following companies.
It’s important to note that these estimates are averaged for all types of drivers and the different vehicles they drive and and are not figured with a vehicle location for a school permit. So the car insurance company that is best for you may not even be in the list above. That affirms the importance of why you need to compare prices as often as possible using your own driver information and specific vehicle type.
The vehicle you are buying coverage for is one of the main factors when comparing low-cost insurance for a school permit. Vehicles with more horsepower, poor safety features, or a track record of large liability claims will cost substantially more to insure than safer, lower-performance models.
The next table estimates coverage premiums for a number of the most affordable vehicles to buy coverage for.
| Insured Vehicle | Estimated Cost for Full Coverage |
|---|---|
| Hyundai Elantra GLS Touring Station Wagon | $6,322 |
| Honda Accord EX 4-Dr Sedan | $6,331 |
| Ford Escape XLT 4WD | $6,381 |
| Honda CR-V EX 4WD | $6,391 |
| Jeep Wrangler Sport 4WD 2-Dr | $6,661 |
| Toyota Prius | $6,828 |
| Ford F-150 XL Super Cab 4WD | $7,108 |
| Toyota Tacoma 4WD | $7,117 |
| Volkswagen Jetta 2.0T Station Wagon | $7,216 |
| Ford Edge Limited 2WD | $7,437 |
| Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4WD | $7,496 |
| Chevrolet Malibu LS | $7,506 |
| Toyota RAV4 Sport 2WD | $7,496 |
| Dodge Grand Caravan Hero | $7,504 |
| Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer 4WD | $7,555 |
| Honda Civic VP 4-Dr Sedan | $7,824 |
| Ford Focus SES 4-Dr Sedan | $7,833 |
| Start a Quote Go | |
Data assumes single male driver age 16, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $1,000 deductibles, and Arizona minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include safe-driver, and claim-free. Price estimates do not factor in specific garaging location which can raise or lower rates significantly.
Based upon these rates, we can assume that cars like the Hyundai Elantra, Honda Accord, and Ford Escape are most likely going to be the most economical vehicles to insure for a learners permit. The cost of a car insurance policy will be higher anyway just because there is more inherent risk for a school permit, but overall those vehicles will probably have the cheapest rates compared to all other vehicles.
Bad driving habits will cost you more
The obvious way to obtain the cheapest insurance prices for a learners permit is to drive carefully and not get tickets or have accidents. The illustration below highlights how traffic violations and at-fault accidents can drive up car insurance rates for each different age category. The premiums assume a married male driver, comprehensive and collision coverage, $100 deductibles, and no policy discounts are applied.
In the example above, the average cost of a car insurance policy in Arizona per year with no violations or accidents is $2,001. Add in one speeding ticket and the average cost jumps to $2,296, an increase of $295 each year. Then include two accidents along with the one speeding ticket and the yearly cost of insurance for a school permit increases to an average of $4,772. That’s an increase of $2,771, or $231 per month, just for being a careless driver!
Should you buy full coverage?
Finding the cheapest insurance is probably important to most vehicle owners, and one of the easiest ways to pay less for insurance for a school permit is to buy liability only. The chart below shows the comparison of auto insurance costs with full physical damage coverage and with liability coverage only. The price estimates are based on no claims or violations, $1,000 deductibles, single status, and no discounts are factored in.
If averaged out across all ages, physical damage coverage costs an extra $1,263 per year over liability only. That amount may make you wonder when is it safe to stop buying full coverage. There isn’t a written rule to exclude physical damage insurance, but there is a general school of thought. If the yearly cost of comp and collision coverage is more than about 10% of the replacement cost minus the deductible, then it might be time to consider dropping full coverage.
For example, let’s pretend your vehicle’s replacement value is $12,000 and you have $1,000 full coverage deductibles. If your vehicle is severely damaged, the most you would get paid by your company is $11,000 after you pay the deductible. If you are paying in excess of $1,100 a year for your policy with full coverage, then you might want to consider buying only liability coverage.
There are some circumstances where removing full coverage is not in your best interest. If you haven’t satisfied your loan, you have to carry full coverage to protect the lienholder’s interest in the vehicle. Also, if you can’t afford to buy a different vehicle in the event your current vehicle is totaled, you should not opt for liability only.
How to find the cheapest car insurance for a school permit
The list below details many money-saving ideas that can help you locate low-cost car insurance.
- At-fault accidents will increase rates
- Good credit can save money
- Don’t waste money on full coverage for older vehicles
- Bundle home or renters insurance to earn a discount on car insurance
- Buy vehicles with five-star safety ratings
- Shop around for cheaper prices often
That last piece of advice is extremely vital, as we pointed out in this write-up. Prices charged by car insurance companies can change in a short period of time, so you should be ready to buy from a new company if a better rate can be found. Having a favorite company is fine, but it’s not recommended if that devotion results in you overpaying thousands of dollars over the life of your policy. Now is a great time to shop around and find cheaper insurance for a school permit in Mesa.