How To Find Cheaper Car Insurance in Dallas

If you’re like many Americans, you want to bring your expenses down every chance you get. That hasn’t always been easy the past few years, especially when it comes to car insurance.

Although auto insurance rates vary by location — even an area one zip code away can have surprisingly different rates — premiums have been on the rise everywhere for the past year, and are likely to go up more in the future.

So why are rates so high, and what can Dallas motorists do to keep them down?

Car Insurance Rates in Dallas

Take Dallas, for example. On the average, Dallas residents can expect to pay more than the average Texan for their auto insurance, which is not unusual for large urban areas.

According to data from Beth Swanson at insurance comparison platform The Zebra, the average annual premium for Dallas drivers is $1600, which is higher than the Texas average of $1400.

What’s Driving Up Rates in Dallas?

Almost everyone knows that your driving record makes a huge difference in how much you pay for your car insurance.

Age is also a well-known factor—teenagers, for example, pay some of the highest premiums in the country, especially Texas, because of the high risk involved in insuring them.

Credit rating is another factor, though states are starting to ban this practice.

But there are other factors that are simply beyond your control most of the time. One prominent reason is a city’s population and traffic density, for the simple reason that higher population and denser traffic means more opportunity for accidents to happen.

Urban infrastructure, crime rates, and frequency of uninsured motorists also play a big role. Uninsured drivers, for example, drive premiums up for everyone. because insurance companies often have to foot the bill for both sides in an accident when one party is uninsured.

Finally, there’s the matter of severe weather events, which can not only create road hazards and increase the possibility of accidents, but can cause plenty of property damage (including damage to vehicles) in their own right.

Extreme weather events are on the rise worldwide, and severe weather events like hailstorms—to which Dallas is particularly prone—can further raise insurance rates.

Other things that can affect your insurance premiums (for good or ill) include:

The kind of vehicle you drive.
Safety or anti-theft equipment.
Marital status.
The neighborhood you live in.

Tips for Finding Cheaper Car Insurance in Dallas

Now that we’ve established why cheap Dallas car insurance is tough to come by, let’s talk about how you can improve that situation.

Shop around and compare quotes. One of the easiest and most reliable ways to find a lower car insurance rate is to find a better deal! Different insurers offer different rates and discounts, so don’t be afraid to fire up an online comparison tool and compare quotes to find the best cheap car insurance in Dallas.
Ask about discounts. The average insurance company has dozens of discounts available for meeting certain criteria—not just a good driving record or high credit score, but also things like belonging to the military, being a teacher, or having good grades in school.
Increase your deductible. This strategy requires you to have an extra financial cushion in case you do get in an accident, but raising your deductible means your monthly payments will be lower—a bit of a gamble, but may be worth it.
Take a defensive driving course. Attending traffic school or taking a defensive driving course will not only lower your chances of getting in an accident, but will also lower your premiums, since insurers will consider you less of a risk. It’s basically win-win.
Review and adjust your coverage. Do you need all the coverage you’re paying for? Does that older vehicle really need comprehensive coverage, or even collision? Talk to your insurer and see what options you have when it comes to adjusting your coverage.
Improve your credit score. Though some states have banned the practice of factoring credit score into car insurance premiums, Texas is not yet one of them—so it’s always a good plan to raise your credit score if you can.
Pay up front. Many insurers will offer discounts for motorists who pay their annual premium in one go instead of monthly. If you can swing this, it might be a nice way to save some money.
Inquire about loyalty rewards. Some insurance companies will provide discounts or other perks if you’ve been with them for a long time, so it’s worth asking about. Also, if your insurance company offers the opportunity to put a telematics device in your car to more accurately gauge your insurance risk, consider taking them up on it.