We’ve been helping Americans find affordable coverage and save money on insurance for years, and it all starts with a little financial literacy. Learning how to get the best car insurance in Vermont means understanding what car insurance policies you need, and then how to get those policies without overpaying.
The good news is the state that brought us Ben & Jerry’s and the nation’s best maple syrup has sweetened the pot even more by providing some of the cheapest car insurance in Vermont.
That’s right: Vermont car insurance is 24% cheaper than the national average, landing at around $1,158/year.
Of course, this doesn’t mean this is what you will pay. What you will pay for insurance depends on a variety of factors, including where you live in Vermont, the car you drive, your coverage level, and how old you are. We’ll talk more about these variables later but for now, let’s get a better handle on what insurance you legally need to drive in Vermont, each state has its own regulations.
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To drive in Vermont, you require the following minimum coverage requirement:
Liability
Underinsured/Uninsured Motorist
If you only get the minimum required coverage, you can expect to pay an average of $335/year for insurance. This is a nice, low, sounding number, but you need to understand that the minimum insurance requirements will leave you with massive holes in your coverage.
With minimum coverage, you are not protected if your car is stolen, vandalized, in an accident, or damaged in inclement weather. For this, you will need comprehensive and collision coverage, which, in Vermont, will cost you about $1,010 per year (assuming that policy has a $1000 deductible).
Learn more about comprehensive and collision coverage here.
Other forms of coverage not included in the minimum requirements are:
Opting into these kinds of coverage will of course increase your premium, and in some cases, you may not need them. For instance, some credit cards offer complimentary roadside assistance. Or it may have come with the purchase of your car. But all coverage is worth at least looking into, even if you decided not to get it. The question you have to ask yourself is what can you afford not to have? What could you comfortably pay for out of pocket in the event of an incident or accident?
Your answers to these questions will clarify what types of coverage you need, as well as your limits.
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As mentioned, there are several factors that influence the price of your car insurance in Vermont.
Your coverage. We’ve just been through this, but it bears repeating: the more coverage you have, the more your insurance premiums will cost. This is because your insurance provider is promising to cover against more perils.
Your age. Statistically, younger drivers and older drivers are involved in more accidents, therefore, they are riskier to insurance and their premiums are higher.
Your car. The car you drive will also impact the cost of your car insurance in Vermont, and just about anywhere. For instance, Subarus are one of the more affordable cars to insure while a Dodge RAM or Tesla will be among the most expensive.
Your deductible. Your deductible is the amount that you, as the car owner, will pay out-of-pocket, before your insurance coverage kicks in. The lower your deductible (so the less you promise to pay upfront), the more costly your insurance. The higher your deductible, the lower your insurance premiums.
Your driving history. If you have a history of dangerous driving, your car insurance in Vermont (or anywhere) will be substantially more expensive than someone with a squeaky clean driving record for the simple reason that you are considered a higher risk driver.
Whether you’ve bundled. Bundling your home and auto insurance and/or having multiple cars in your home insured by the same company is an easy way to save money on car insurance since most providers will offer discounts for repeat business.
Where you live. There are some places that are more expensive to own a car than others. For instance, cities tend to be more expensive to insure a car in than rural areas. The reason is simple: more perils exist in cities. Theft and vandalism rates are higher, as are accident rates. But even within cities there are differences. Essex Junction has the cheapest car insurance in Vermont with average annual premiums of $1,112/year, while Bennington is $1,188 per year.
Shopping around. One of the biggest factors in the ultimate cost of your insurance is whether you shopped around or not. Comparison shopping can save you hundreds of dollars (or more) in premiums every year. This is why we’re proud to offer fast and free Virginia car insurance quotes in Vermont.
If you need an SR-22 form to drive, it means you’ve had a major or multiple driving infractions, like a DUI, too many points on your license, being found at-fault in an accident, etc. To regain your license, your insurance company will need to file a form with the state confirming that you are insured. Some companies will do this for you, though your premiums will almost certainly increase. Some insurance companies will drop you, and you’ll have to find insurance elsewhere.
If you do not have insurance and need an SR-22 form filed, you may need to pay the insurance company an upfront fee. Some companies may refuse to do business with you altogether. Other companies will have no problem filing the form, but again, it will cost more than for someone with no history of dangerous driving.
If you do not have a car and need an SR-22 form to get insurance in Vermont, get a non-owners car insurance policy. But again: it’s going to be more costly than applying for this type of insurance with a clean driving record.
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Vermont is already one of the more affordable states to get car insurance. If you want even cheaper Vermont car insurance, remember our list of ways to save on your policy. Drive safe, and shop around for the cheapest car insurance in Vermont that still gives you the protection you need. Get Vermont car insurance quotes with us, for free, right now.
Claire Smith Claire is a creative entrepreneur with a variety of marketing and content creation skills, including blog and web copy writing, research, and strategy. She has a Masters in Cultural Studies from Queen's University and is known for thinking laterally about marketing, based on her deep knowledge of people and behavior.
