Car Insurance for Station Wagons: Tips to Save Money on Your Policy

Station wagons are a type of vehicle that combines the spaciousness of an SUV with the handling and fuel efficiency of a sedan. They are popular among drivers who need extra cargo space, versatility, and comfort. However, owning a station wagon also comes with some drawbacks, such as higher maintenance costs, lower resale value, and less visibility.

If you are a station wagon owner or plan to buy one soon, you may wonder how this affects your car insurance. How much does it cost to insure a station wagon? What factors influence your premium? How can you find the best coverage for your needs? And how can you protect your station wagon from damage and theft?

In this article, we will answer these questions and provide you with some useful information on car insurance for station wagons. By the end of this article, you will have a better understanding of how to insure your station wagon and save money on your policy.

How Station Wagons Compare to Other Vehicles in Terms of Insurance Costs

According to a report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), station wagons have lower insurance costs than other types of vehicles, such as sedans, SUVs, and pickups. The report compares the differences in insurance costs for passenger cars, station wagons/passenger vans, pickups, and utility vehicles on the basis of damage susceptibility for 2018-2019 models.

The report shows that station wagons/passenger vans have an average insurance cost of $1,021 per year, which is 7% lower than the average cost for all vehicles ($1,097 per year). Sedans have an average cost of $1,062 per year, SUVs have an average cost of $1,128 per year, and pickups have an average cost of $1,241 per year.

The reason why station wagons have lower insurance costs than other vehicles is that they have lower damage susceptibility, which means they are less likely to sustain damage in a collision or other incident. The report measures damage susceptibility by using collision loss data from insurance companies. Collision loss data reflects how often a vehicle is involved in a collision claim and how much it costs to repair the vehicle.

The report assigns each vehicle a relative collision loss index (RCI), which is a ratio of its collision losses to those of all other vehicles. A lower RCI means lower collision losses and lower insurance costs. The report shows that station wagons/passenger vans have an average RCI of 0.91, which is 9% lower than the average RCI for all vehicles (1.00). Sedans have an average RCI of 0.96, SUVs have an average RCI of 1.02, and pickups have an average RCI of 1.13.

Another factor that affects insurance costs is repair costs. Station wagons tend to have lower repair costs than other vehicles because they have fewer parts and simpler designs. They also have less expensive parts than luxury or performance vehicles. According to Car and Driver, some of the best new station wagons of 2023 and 2024 include models from Subaru, Audi, Volvo, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche. These models range in price from $27,845 for the Subaru Outback to $110,045 for the Porsche Panamera Turbo S Sport Turismo.

However, not all station wagons are cheap to insure. Some factors that can increase your insurance costs include:

• The model and trim level of your station wagon
• The safety features and ratings of your station wagon
• The theft rate of your station wagon
• The liability risk of your station wagon

For example, if you own a high-end or high-performance station wagon, such as the Audi RS6 Avant or the Mercedes-Benz E-class All-Terrain, you may pay more for insurance than if you own a more modest or economical model. This is because these vehicles have higher repair costs, higher theft rates, and higher liability risks.

Similarly, if your station wagon has poor safety ratings or lacks advanced safety features, such as airbags, anti-lock brakes, or blind-spot monitoring systems, you may pay more for insurance than if your station wagon has good safety ratings or has these features. This is because these factors affect your chances of getting into an accident or injuring yourself or others.

Therefore, it is important to compare different models and trim levels of station wagons before buying one and check their safety ratings and features. You can also look for discounts from your insurer if your station wagon has certain safety features or meets certain criteria.

How to Find the Best Car Insurance for Your Station Wagon

Finding the best car insurance for your station wagon depends on several factors, such as your driving record, credit score, age, gender, marital status, and mileage. These factors affect your risk profile, which is how insurers determine your premium. The lower your risk profile, the lower your premium.

To find the best car insurance for your station wagon, you should:

• Shop around and compare quotes from different insurers. You can use online tools, such as Carsurer, to find and compare car insurance quotes and rates for station wagons and similar models. You can also contact insurers directly or use an agent or broker to help you find the best deal.
• Choose a higher deductible. A deductible is the amount of money you have to pay out of pocket before your insurer pays for a claim. A higher deductible means a lower premium, but it also means more financial responsibility in case of an accident or loss. You should choose a deductible that you can afford to pay without compromising your savings or budget.
• Bundle your policies. If you have more than one vehicle or more than one type of insurance, such as home, renters, or life insurance, you may be able to save money by bundling them with the same insurer. Many insurers offer discounts for customers who have multiple policies with them.
• Take advantage of discounts. There are many discounts available for car insurance customers, such as good driver, good student, low mileage, multi-car, anti-theft device, defensive driving course, and loyalty discounts. You should ask your insurer about the discounts they offer and see if you qualify for any of them.
• Drive safely and responsibly. One of the best ways to lower your car insurance costs is to avoid accidents, tickets, and claims. By driving safely and responsibly, you can maintain a clean driving record and improve your risk profile. You can also enroll in a defensive driving course or a usage-based insurance program to demonstrate your safe driving habits and earn discounts.

Finding the best car insurance for your station wagon may take some time and effort, but it can save you a lot of money in the long run. You should review your policy regularly and update it as needed to reflect any changes in your situation or needs.

How to Protect Your Station Wagon from Damage and Theft

Station wagons may face various types of damage and theft, such as hail, vandalism, collisions, or break-ins. These incidents can cost you money and cause stress and inconvenience. To protect your station wagon from damage and theft, you should:

• Park in a garage or well-lit area. Parking in a garage or well-lit area can reduce the risk of damage from weather, animals, or vandalism. It can also deter thieves from targeting your vehicle or breaking into it.
• Install anti-theft devices. Anti-theft devices, such as alarms, steering wheel locks, immobilizers, or tracking systems, can make your vehicle harder to steal or easier to recover. They can also lower your insurance costs by qualifying you for discounts.
• Use a steering wheel lock. A steering wheel lock is a device that attaches to your steering wheel and prevents it from turning. It can prevent thieves from driving away with your vehicle or make it more difficult for them to do so.
• Add comprehensive and collision coverage to your policy. Comprehensive and collision coverage are optional types of coverage that pay for the repair or replacement of your vehicle in case of damage or theft. Comprehensive coverage covers damage from events other than collisions, such as fire, flood, hail, vandalism, or theft. Collision coverage covers damage from collisions with other vehicles or objects. These types of coverage can protect you from paying out of pocket for expensive repairs or losses.

Protecting your station wagon from damage and theft can save you money and hassle in the long run. You should also keep records of your vehicle’s maintenance history, registration documents, insurance policy, and receipts for any repairs or modifications. These records can help you prove ownership and value in case of a claim.

How to File a Claim for Your Station Wagon

If your station wagon is involved in an accident or loss, you may need to file a claim with your insurer to get compensation for your damages or injuries. Filing a claim can be a complex and stressful process, but it can also help you recover from the incident and get back on the road.

To file a claim for your station wagon, you should:

• Report the incident to your insurer as soon as possible. You should contact your insurer as soon as possible after the incident and provide them with the details of what happened, when and where it happened, who was involved, and what damages or injuries occurred. You should also give them your policy number and contact information.
• Gather evidence and information. You should collect as much evidence and information as possible to support your claim and prove liability. This may include photos or videos of the scene and the damages, police reports or statements from witnesses, medical records or bills from injuries, repair estimates or invoices from damages, and any other relevant documents

• Cooperate with the adjuster. Your insurer will assign an adjuster to your claim, who will investigate the incident and determine the amount of compensation you are entitled to. You should cooperate with the adjuster and provide them with any information or documents they request. You should also be honest and accurate in your statements and avoid admitting fault or agreeing to any settlements without consulting your insurer or a lawyer.
• Follow up on your claim status. You should keep track of your claim status and follow up with your insurer regularly. You should also keep copies of all the correspondence and documents related to your claim. You should ask your insurer about the expected timeline and outcome of your claim and what steps you need to take to expedite the process.

Filing a claim for your station wagon can be a daunting task, but it can also help you get the compensation you deserve for your damages or injuries. You should be prepared, organized, and proactive in dealing with your insurer and the adjuster. You should also know your rights and responsibilities as a policyholder and seek legal advice if necessary.

Conclusion

Station wagons are a type of vehicle that offer many advantages, such as spaciousness, versatility, and fuel efficiency. However, they also have some disadvantages, such as higher maintenance costs, lower resale value, and less visibility.

If you own or plan to buy a station wagon, you need to know how to insure it properly and protect it from damage and theft. Station wagons have different insurance costs and requirements than other types of vehicles, depending on various factors such as model, safety features, usage, and location.

To find the best car insurance for your station wagon, you should shop around and compare quotes from different insurers, choose a higher deductible, bundle your policies, take advantage of discounts, and drive safely and responsibly.

To protect your station wagon from damage and theft, you should park in a garage or well-lit area, install anti-theft devices, use a steering wheel lock, and add comprehensive and collision coverage to your policy.

To file a claim for your station wagon, you should report the incident to your insurer as soon as possible, gather evidence and information, cooperate with the adjuster, and follow up on your claim status.

By following these tips, you can ensure that you have adequate car insurance for your station wagon and save money on your policy.

If you are looking for car insurance for your station wagon or any other vehicle, you can use Carsurer to find and compare car insurance quotes and rates from different insurers. Carsurer is an online tool that helps you find the best car insurance for your vehicle and budget. You can also contact us directly or use an agent or broker to help you find the best deal.

Don’t wait any longer. Compare car insurance quotes for your station wagon today and find the best coverage for your needs.