We don’t have to point out that fact that insurance companies want to keep you from shopping around. Insureds who shop around for cheaper rates will probably switch companies because the odds are good of finding a lower-priced policy. A recent survey found that people who shopped around annually saved $850 each year compared to drivers who don’t make a habit of comparing rates.
If finding the most affordable auto insurance is your goal, then understanding how to find and compare insurance rates can save money and time.
Really, the only way to find low-cost BMW Z4 insurance is to start doing a yearly price comparison from insurers in Baltimore. Prices can be compared by completing these steps.
- First, read about the different coverages in a policy and the measures you can take to keep rates down. Many risk factors that cause rate increases such as speeding and poor credit can be improved by being financially responsible and driving safely. This article provides more details to get cheaper rates and find discounts that may have been missed.
- Second, get rate quotes from exclusive agents, independent agents, and direct providers. Direct companies and exclusive agencies can only provide price estimates from a single company like GEICO or Farmers Insurance, while independent agencies can quote prices for a wide range of companies.
- Third, compare the new rate quotes to your existing coverage to determine if switching companies saves money. If you can save money and make a switch, make sure there is no lapse between the expiration of your current policy and the new one.
One thing to remember is to compare the same physical damage deductibles and liability limits on every quote request and and to get prices from as many auto insurance providers as possible. Doing this ensures the most accurate price comparison and a better comparison of the market.
Finding and comparing more affordable car insurance coverage in Baltimore is not as time-consuming as you think. If you have insurance now or need new coverage, you can use these tips to find the best rates without sacrificing coverage. Consumers just need to learn the most effective way to quote multiple rates online from multiple companies.
Compare quotes for Baltimore BMW Z4 insurance
Getting a cheaper price on BMW Z4 insurance isn’t really that difficult. The only thing you need to do is take a couple of minutes to get quotes from online providers.
The companies shown below have been selected to offer comparison quotes in Maryland. In order to find cheap auto insurance in Baltimore, it’s a good idea that you visit two to three different companies in order to find the most affordable rates.
These discounts can reduce BMW Z4 insurance rates
Car insurance is easily one of your largest bills, but you may be missing some discounts that can drop the cost substantially. Some discounts will apply at the time of purchase, but a few must be manually applied before you get the savings.
- Driving Data Discount – Baltimore drivers who agree to allow their insurance company to study where and when they drive through the use of a telematics system such as Allstate’s Drivewise and State Farm’s In-Drive system may see discounts if they have good driving habits.
- Resident Student – Children who are attending college and do not have access to a covered vehicle could qualify for this discount.
- Drive Safe and Save – Accident-free drivers may receive a discount up to 45% compared to accident prone drivers.
- Early Payment Discounts – By paying your entire bill at once instead of making monthly payments you can avoid the installment charge.
- Drivers Ed for Students – It’s a good idea to have your young drivers enroll and complete driver’s education in school or through a local driver safety program.
Please keep in mind that most discounts do not apply to the whole policy. Most only cut specific coverage prices like liability and collision coverage. Even though the math looks like all the discounts add up to a free policy, companies don’t profit that way.
The information below compares BMW Z4 car insurance rates with and without policy discounts. The data assumes a female driver, no tickets, no at-fault accidents, Maryland state minimum liability limits, comp and collision included, and $1,000 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with marriage, safe-driver, multi-car, claim-free, multi-policy, and homeowner discounts applied.
A few of the larger companies and the discounts they provide can be read below.
- 21st Century includes discounts for good student, anti-lock brakes, early bird, automatic seat belts, air bags, and teen driver.
- State Farm may offer discounts for passive restraint, anti-theft, Steer Clear safe driver discount, multiple autos, driver’s education, and safe vehicle.
- AAA offers discounts including good driver, multi-car, good student, education and occupation, pay-in-full, and anti-theft.
- Liberty Mutual may have discounts that include newly married, good student, teen driver discount, preferred payment discount, multi-policy, exclusive group savings, and multi-car.
- Progressive has savings for continuous coverage, online quote discount, homeowner, multi-policy, and online signing.
If you need lower rates, check with each company which discounts you qualify for. Savings might not be available to policyholders in your state. To find car insurance companies that offer many of these discounts in Maryland, click here to view.
Premium rates and analysis
The table below covers estimates of insurance prices for BMW Z4 models. Having a better idea how policy premiums are figured is important to be able to make smart choices when buying a policy.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Z4 3.0I SDRIVE 2-Dr Roadster | $270 | $554 | $466 | $28 | $140 | $1,458 | $122 |
| Z4 3.5I SDRIVE 2-Dr Roadster | $270 | $554 | $466 | $28 | $140 | $1,458 | $122 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
Data rating is based on single female driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $1000 deductibles, and Maryland minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include homeowner, safe-driver, claim-free, multi-policy, and multi-vehicle. Rate quotes do not factor in specific garaging location which can influence coverage rates substantially.
Car insurance deductibles
One of the hardest decisions when shopping for car insurance is how high should your deductibles be. The data tables below highlight the rate differences when you choose different physical damage coverage deductibles. The first rate quote example uses a $250 deductible for physical damage and the second price chart uses a $1,000 deductible.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Z4 3.0I SDRIVE 2-Dr Roadster | $394 | $718 | $346 | $20 | $104 | $1,607 | $134 |
| Z4 3.5I SDRIVE 2-Dr Roadster | $394 | $718 | $346 | $20 | $104 | $1,607 | $134 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Z4 3.0I SDRIVE 2-Dr Roadster | $244 | $452 | $346 | $20 | $104 | $1,166 | $97 |
| Z4 3.5I SDRIVE 2-Dr Roadster | $244 | $452 | $346 | $20 | $104 | $1,166 | $97 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
Data based on married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and Maryland minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-vehicle, homeowner, claim-free, multi-policy, and safe-driver. Price information does not factor in vehicle location which can revise premiums substantially.
Based on this data, we can arrive at the conclusion that using a $250 deductible will cost you roughly $37 more each month or $444 every year than buying 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 go more than 20 months between claim filings, you would probably come out ahead if you choose the higher deductible.
The example below shows how choosing a deductible and can raise or lower BMW Z4 insurance costs for each age group. The data assumes a single female driver, comp and collision included, and no discounts are applied to the premium.
Comparison of car insurance rates by age and gender in Baltimore
The illustration below illustrates the comparison of BMW Z4 car insurance rates for male and female drivers. The information is based on no driving violations, no at-fault accidents, comp and collision included, $250 deductibles, drivers are single, and no other discounts are factored in.
Full coverage rates vs. liability-only in Baltimore
The example below shows the difference between BMW Z4 car insurance costs with and without full coverage. The premiums are based on a clean driving record, no claims, $500 deductibles, drivers are not married, and no discounts are applied.
Should you be buying full coverage?
There isn’t a written rule to exclude full coverage on your policy, but there is a general guideline you can use. If the yearly cost of comp and collision coverage is 10% or more of replacement cost minus your deductible, then you might consider buying liability only.
For example, let’s pretend your BMW Z4 settlement value is $9,000 and you have $1,000 full coverage deductibles. If your vehicle is totaled, the most you would get paid by your company is $8,000 after paying your deductible. If premium cost is more than $800 annually for comprehensive and collision coverage, then it could be time to drop full coverage.
There are some scenarios where removing full coverage is not a good idea. If you still owe money on your vehicle, you must maintain physical damage coverage in order to keep the loan. Also, if your emergency fund is not enough to purchase a different vehicle in case of an accident, you should maintain full coverage.
How You Can Control BMW Z4 Insurance Rates
It’s important that you understand a few of the rating criteria that are used to determine the price you pay for insurance. When consumers understand what determines premiums, this helps enable you to make changes that could help you find cheaper rates. Multiple criteria are considered when pricing auto insurance. Some are pretty understandable such as your driving record, but others are more transparent like your continuous coverage or how financially stable you are.
Eliminate extra policy coverages – There are a lot of additional extra coverages that sound like a good idea at the time if you aren’t careful. Insurance for rental car coverage, towing, and additional equipment coverage may be wasting your money. The coverages may be enticing initially, but if you have no use for them consider taking them off your policy.
Older drivers are lower risk – Teen drivers in Maryland are known to be inattentive in a vehicle therefore insurance rates are much higher. If you’ve ever had to add a inexperienced driver to your insurance policy will cause a huge premium hike. Older insureds are proven to be safer behind the wheel, cost insurance companies less in claims, and receive fewer citations.
The following chart is based on a single driver, full coverage with $100 deductibles, and no discounts or violations.
Car features impact insurance rates – Selecting a car model that has an advanced theft prevention system can help bring down rates. Anti-theft devices like OnStar found on GM vehicles, advanced tracking like LoJack, and vehicle immobilization systems all help prevent auto theft and help lower rates.
Vehicles with better crash test results are cheaper to insure – Vehicles that have high safety ratings tend to have lower insurance rates. Vehicles engineered for safety have better occupant injury protection and lower injury rates translates into savings for insurance companies and cheaper rates on your policy.
Lower rates for married couples – Having a wife or husband may save some money on your insurance policy. It is viewed as being more mature and insurance companies reward insureds because drivers who are married file infrequent claims.
Know your credit score – Having a good credit rating is likely to be a major factor in calculating your insurance rates. People with excellent credit tend to be more responsible than drivers with poor credit. Therefore, if your credit can be improved, you could pay less to insure your BMW Z4 if you clean up your credit.
Save by driving less – The higher the mileage driven every year the more it will cost to insure it. Most companies price each vehicle’s coverage based on their usage. Cars that are left in the garage can be on a lower rate level than those used for commuting. Ask your agent if your insurance policy is showing the correct driver usage, because improper ratings can cost you money. An improperly rated Z4 may be wasting your money.
BMW Z4 insurance loss probability – Insurance companies take into consideration historical loss data for every vehicle to calculate a price that will offset any claims. Vehicles that the statistics show to have higher losses will have a higher cost to insure. The table below illustrates the compiled insurance loss statistics for BMW Z4 vehicles.
For each coverage category, the statistical loss for all vehicles averaged together is a value of 100. Values that are under 100 suggest a better than average loss history, while numbers above 100 point to more losses or a tendency for losses to be larger than average.
| Specific BMW Model | Collision | Property Damage | Comp | Personal Injury | Medical Payment | Bodily Injury |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW Z4 Convertible | 131 | 67 | 78 |
Empty fields indicate not enough data collected
Data Source: iihs.org (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) for 2013-2015 Model Years
Local insurance agents
Some consumers would rather visit with an insurance agent and that is a smart decision Insurance agents are very good at helping people manage risk and help file insurance claims. The biggest benefit of comparing insurance online is you can get lower premium rates and also buy local. Putting coverage with local insurance agencies is still important in Baltimore.
To make it easy to find an agent, after completing this form (opens in new window), your insurance coverage information is immediately sent to participating agents in Baltimore who want to provide quotes for your insurance coverage. It simplifies rate comparisons since you won’t have to contact any agents because quoted prices will be sent straight to your inbox. In the event you want to compare prices from a specific insurance provider, you just need to search and find their rate quote page to submit a rate quote request.
If you’re trying to find a good insurance agency, it’s helpful to know the types of insurance agents to choose from. Insurance agents in Baltimore can either be independent (non-exclusive) or exclusive. Either type can sell insurance policies, but it’s important to point out the subtle differences because it can influence buying decisions.
Independent Agencies or Brokers
Independent insurance agents are not limited to a single company so as a result can place your coverage through lots of different companies and find you the best rates. If your premiums go up, they simply switch companies in-house and you won’t have to switch agencies.
If you need lower rates, you should always include rate quotes from several independent insurance agents to have the best price comparison. Most independent agents also contract with small mutual carriers which may have better rates.
Featured below is a list of independent insurance agents in Baltimore that may be able to give cheap rate quotes.
- Nationwide Insurance: Luray and Associates Inc
1726 Reisterstown Rd #220 – Baltimore, MD 21208 – (410) 602-2636 – View Map - Nationwide Insurance: Robert Frank Stastny
6822 Harford Rd – Baltimore, MD 21234 – (410) 254-1500 – View Map - Lambert Insurance Inc
1826 Woodlawn Dr # 6 – Baltimore, MD 21207 – (410) 265-7850 – View Map
Exclusive Agents
These type of agents can only place business with one company such as American Family, State Farm, and AAA. They are unable to shop your coverage around so they really need to provide good service. These agents are highly trained on their company’s products which helps them compete with independent agents. Some insured continue to buy insurance from these agents primarily because of the prominence of the brand instead of buying on price only.
Listed below are exclusive agencies in Baltimore that are able to give price quote information.
- Allstate Insurance: Bennett-Carll Insurance Agency
7435 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd – Glen Burnie, MD 21061 – (410) 760-6651 – View Map - Allstate Insurance Agency: Abernathy Michael
7696 Belair Rd – Baltimore, MD 21236 – (410) 426-5500 – View Map - Tamara Thomson – State Farm Insurance Agent
7823 Wise Ave – Baltimore, MD 21222 – (410) 282-7283 – View Map
Finding a good insurance agent shouldn’t rely on just a low price. Below are some questions you should ask.
- If independent agents, which companies do they recommend?
- Are they actively involved in the community?
- Is the quote a firm price?
- How experienced are they in personal risk management?
- What discounts might you be missing?
- Which family members are covered?
- How long has their agency been in business in Baltimore?
When do I need an agent’s advice?
When it comes to buying the best insurance coverage for your vehicles, there really is no “perfect” insurance plan. Your financial needs are unique.
For example, these questions could help you determine whether you will benefit from professional help.
- Does coverage follow the driver or the vehicle?
- When should I have rental car coverage?
- How many claims can I have before being canceled?
- Do I pay less if my vehicle is kept in my garage?
- Do I need replacement cost coverage on my BMW Z4?
- When should I not file a claim?
- How can I find cheaper teen driver insurance?
- Am I covered if I have no license?
- When should I not buy collision coverage?
If you’re not sure about those questions but a few of them apply, then you may want to think about talking to a licensed insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, fill out this quick form. It only takes a few minutes and you can get the answers you need.
Shop around and save
Budget-friendly insurance in Baltimore is available on the web in addition to many Baltimore insurance agents, and you need to comparison shop both to get a complete price analysis. Some companies don’t offer the ability to get quotes online and most of the time these small, regional companies sell through independent agencies.
We just presented a lot of ways to shop for BMW Z4 insurance online. The key thing to remember is the more providers you compare, the higher your chance of finding affordable Baltimore car insurance quotes. You may even discover the best price on insurance is with some of the smallest insurance companies.
As you go through the steps to switch your coverage, never skimp on coverage in order to save money. There are many occasions where someone sacrificed comprehensive coverage or liability limits only to regret at claim time that a couple dollars of savings turned into a financial nightmare. The ultimate goal is to buy the best coverage you can find at the best possible price but still have enough coverage for asset protection.
Additional resources
- Electronic Stability Control FAQ (iihs.org)
- How Much is Auto Insurance for Drivers Requiring a SR22 in Baltimore? (FAQ)
- How Much are Baltimore Auto Insurance Quotes for Felons? (FAQ)
- Who Has the Cheapest Baltimore Car Insurance for a Toyota RAV4? (FAQ)
- Who Has the Cheapest Auto Insurance Quotes for Active Military in Baltimore? (FAQ)
- Who Has Cheap Car Insurance Rates for Nurses in Baltimore? (FAQ)
- Who Has Affordable Car Insurance Rates for a Ford Escape in Baltimore? (FAQ)
- How Much is Auto Insurance for College Graduates in Baltimore? (FAQ)
- What Auto Insurance is Cheapest for Police Officers in Baltimore? (FAQ)
- Driving in Bad Weather (Insurance Information Institute)
- Comprehensive Coverage (Liberty Mutual)
- Five Steps to Filing an Auto Insurance Claim (Insurance Information Institute)
- Crash Avoidance Technologies FAQ (iihs.org)