When I got my insurance five months ago, I mentioned that the Protege had sidemarkers, but the lady said it doesnt help lower the rates. For some reason, I dont think the lady knew what I was talking about. Can someone end this debate, and tell me if it lowers rates?

 

on my insurance the only items that make any difference is abs and side air bags. they don't care about lights

 

No, they don't. Why did you think they did?

 

I work for an insurance company and can tell you that sidemarkers are not going to lower your rates. Alarms, active restraints, air bags (side and front) ABS, good driving record and good creditWILL though

Curt B. Shumaker

 

and in some states you can take a drivers saftey course (defensive driving) ....and get as much as 10-15% off.

but lights? nope....that is just wishful thinking....if it did....there would be many a christmas tree running around on the street! lol

 

Not many cars have sidemarkers. I mean they're there so people next to you can see that you are signaling for a turn, right? Yeah I wish it lowered my rate. How much does a defensive driving course normally cost?

 

I don't know about in NJ...but here in texas every driving school offers a Defensive Driving course you can take....they are state mandated to be a minium of 6 hours in length...and depending on which place you take the course....they are usually either $25 or $30....and the discount in texas is good for two years on your insurance. not to shabby for the amount of cash outlay....considering the potential savings on your insurance.

 

You also might be confused with daytime running lights - which (in the US where they are NOT required) can lower insurance in some instances - but usually only a couple of dollars.

~HH

 

Wow if sidemarkers brought down insurance rates that be hella cool, but as it is it's only a cosmetic thing for the car. Get yourself some anti-theft device for the car and it'll save you a lot on insurance. I personally took the option of getting Lo-Jack (if you don't know its a device that police can find your car really quick if stolen) installed when I bought my car. For an extra $20 monthly on my car payment, I got the Lo-Jack, the teflone coating for the outside, and inside, and the 5yr/100,000 mile warranty, I couldn't go wrong with that, and I told my insurance company and they took off $250 off my 6 month rate. All in all I save some money and got a lot out of it. Also helps to be on the family plan, I only pay $450 every 6 months for my '03 PR5.

 

Lucky dawg, I pay 228 bucks a month.