Cheaper 1997 Ford Escort Insurance Cost

No sane person looks forward to buying auto insurance, particularly when they are paying too much. Insurance companies such as Progressive, Geico and Farmers Insurance increase brand awareness with advertising and it can be hard to ignore the propoganda and effectively compare rates to find the best deal.

If you have a current car insurance policy or are just looking to switch companies, you will benefit by learning to get lower rates and possibly find even better coverage. Finding the best rates is easy if you know what you’re doing. Drivers only need to know the best way to find the lowest price over the internet.

Cheapest car insurance quotes

All major car insurance companies such as Progressive, Geico, Allstate and State Farm give coverage prices direct online. Doing online quotes is pretty painless as you simply type in on the page. After the form is submitted, the system will obtain your driving record and credit report and provides a quote. This makes it a lot easier to compare rates but having to visit different websites and fill out multiple forms is a waste of time. But it’s also necessary to compare as many rates as possible if you want to get the best price possible.

A better way to lower your car insurance bill requires only one form that analyzes rates from a lot of companies. This type of form saves time, requires much less work on your part, and makes comparison shopping much easier. Immediately after you send the form, it is quoted with multiple companies and you can pick any one of the pricing results. If you find a better price you simply finish the application and buy the new coverage. The whole process can be completed in less than 10 minutes and may save quite a bit of money.

To quickly compare rates using this form now, click here and input your coverage information. If you have coverage now, it’s recommended you input the limits and deductibles exactly as shown on your declarations page. Using the same limits helps guarantee you will be getting an apples-to-apples comparison for exact coverage.

Auto insurance ads bend the truth

Drivers can’t ignore all the ads that claim the best rates from companies such as Progressive, Geico, Allstate and State Farm. They all seem to make the point of big savings just by switching your auto insurance coverage to their company.

How is it possible that every company can cost less than your current company? It’s all in the wording.

Many companies have a certain “appetite” for the type of customer that will generate a profit. An example of a preferred risk might have to be married and over the age of 30, owns a home, and drives a car with an anti-theft system. Someone that hits that “sweet spot” will qualify for the lowest rates and as a result will probably save a lot of money.

Potential customers who are not a match for this stringent profile may be forced to pay a more expensive rate with the end result being business not being written. If you listen closely, the ads state “people that switch” not “everyone who quotes” will save that much if they switch. That’s the way insurance companies can confidently lure you into getting a quote. Because each company has a different risk profile, it is so important to compare price quotes frequently. It is impossible to predict which company will have the best prices at this point in time.

Ford Escort insurance cost factors

Lots of factors are part of the equation when premium rates are determined. Some are obvious like a motor vehicle report, but other factors are less obvious like where you live or how financially stable you are.It’s important that you understand the different types of things that come into play when calculating the rates you pay for insurance. When consumers understand what influences your rates, this allows you to make good choices that can help you get better insurance rates.

  • The higher your credit history the lower your rates – Credit score is a large factor in calculating your premium rate. If your credit rating is not that good, you could be paying less to insure your 1997 Ford Escort by spending a little time repairing your credit. Consumers who have very high credit ratings tend to be more responsible than those with bad credit.
  • Rates for men may be higher – Statistics have proven that women are safer drivers than men. That doesn’t necessarily mean that men are worse drivers. Women and men tend to get into fender benders in similar numbers, but men tend to have higher claims. Not only that, but men also have more aggressive citations such as driving while intoxicated (DWI) or driving recklessly. Male drivers age 16 to 19 are most likely to cause an accident and thus pay the highest rates.
  • Avoid policy lapses – Driving without insurance is against the law and as a result your rates will increase for letting your coverage cancel without a new policy in place. And not only will your rates increase, not being able to provide proof of insurance may earn you fines and jail time.
  • Getting married is a good thing – Your spouse actually saves money on your policy. Having a significant other generally demonstrates drivers are more financially stable and insurance companies reward insureds because being married results in fewer claims.
  • City dwellers may pay more – Being located in less populated areas of the country can save you money when insuring your vehicles. Lower population corresponds to lower accident rates in addition to fewer liability claims. Drivers in populated areas have more road rage incidents and more severe claims. More time commuting means more chances of being involved in an auto accident.
  • Liability insurance limits on your policy – The liability coverage on your policy will provide protection if ever a jury decides you are liable for damages caused by your negligence. Liability insurance provides for a legal defense which can be incredibly expensive. Carrying liability coverage is mandatory and cheap as compared to coverage for physical damage, so insureds should have plenty of protection for their assets.

Insurance discounts help slash rates

Companies offering auto insurance don’t always publicize all possible discounts very clearly, so below is a list some of the best known in addition to some of the lesser obvious discounts that you can inquire about if you buy insurance online. If you do not check that you are getting every discount you deserve, you’re paying more than you need to.

  • Savings for New Vehicles – Buying a new car instead of a used car can be considerably cheaper due to better safety requirements for newer vehicles.
  • Own a Home – Just being a homeowner can save a few bucks since home ownership is proof that your finances are in order.
  • Defensive Driver Discount – Successfully completing a defensive driver course could save 5% or more and also improve your driving technique.
  • Anti-theft Discount – Vehicles that have factory alarm systems and tracking devices prevent vehicle theft and will save you 10% or more.
  • Federal Employees – Federal government employees may qualify for a discount when you quote insurance for Escort coverage with certain companies.
  • Distant Student – Kids who are attending college and leave their car at home can be insured at a reduced rate.
  • ABS Braking Discount – Cars and trucks with ABS and/or traction control can stop better under adverse conditions and the ABS can save up to 10%.
  • Drive Safe and Save – Drivers without accidents can get discounts for up to 45% lower rates for Escort coverage than drivers with accident claims.
  • Discount for Good Grades – Getting good grades can save 20 to 25%. This discount can apply well after school through age 25.
  • Air Bags and Passive Restraints – Vehicles with factory air bags and/or automatic seat belt systems may qualify for discounts as much as 30%.

Don’t be shocked that most discounts do not apply to the entire policy premium. Some only reduce individual premiums such as medical payments or collision. So when the math indicates all those discounts means the company will pay you, you won’t be that lucky.

A list of insurance companies and a summarized list of policyholder discounts are:

  • Geico offers discounts including five-year accident-free, good student, multi-policy, anti-lock brakes, and federal employee.
  • Auto-Owners Insurance discounts include safe vehicle, anti-lock brakes, paperless, paid in full, and company car.
  • American Family offers premium reductions for air bags, accident-free, mySafetyValet, bundled insurance, and TimeAway discount.
  • Esurance has discounts for paid-in-full, multi-car, anti-lock brakes, good student, Switch & Save, and homeowner.
  • Progressive has savings for continuous coverage, homeowner, online signing, online quote discount, multi-vehicle, multi-policy, and good student.
  • State Farm offers discounts for Drive Safe & Save, good driver, safe vehicle, defensive driving training, and Steer Clear safe driver discount.
  • AAA policyholders can earn discounts including good student, anti-theft, AAA membership discount, multi-car, and education and occupation.

When getting a coverage quote, ask all the companies what discounts are available to you. All car insurance discounts may not apply to policies in every state. To find insurance companies with discount rates, click here.

Which is the best insurance?

When choosing adequate coverage for your vehicles, there really is no cookie cutter policy. Your needs are not the same as everyone else’s so your insurance should reflect that These are some specific questions could help you determine whether your personal situation would benefit from an agent’s advice.

  • When would I need additional glass coverage?
  • Do I have coverage for damage caused while driving under the influence?
  • Do I need more liability coverage?
  • What are the best liability limits?
  • Do I have coverage when pulling a U-Haul trailer?
  • If my 1997 Ford Escort is totaled, can I afford another vehicle?
  • What if I total my 1997 Ford Escort and owe more than it’s worth?
  • Do I get a pro-rated refund if I cancel my policy early?

If you can’t answer these questions but a few of them apply, you may need to chat with an insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, simply complete this short form or go to this page to view a list of companies. It’s fast, doesn’t cost anything and can help protect your family.

Insurance coverages and their meanings

Understanding the coverages of your policy aids in choosing which coverages you need and the correct deductibles and limits. Policy terminology can be impossible to understand and reading a policy is terribly boring. Listed below are typical coverages available from insurance companies.

Medical expense coverage

Medical payments and Personal Injury Protection insurance reimburse you for bills for doctor visits, rehabilitation expenses, surgery and funeral costs. They are often used in conjunction with a health insurance program or if you are not covered by health insurance. Medical payments and PIP cover not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants and will also cover being hit by a car walking across the street. Personal Injury Protection is only offered in select states but can be used in place of medical payments coverage

Uninsured or underinsured coverage

This gives you protection when the “other guys” either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. This coverage pays for hospital bills for your injuries and also any damage incurred to your Ford Escort.

Due to the fact that many drivers only carry the minimum required liability limits, their limits can quickly be used up. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage is very important.

Liability car insurance

This coverage can cover injuries or damage you cause to a person or their property in an accident. This coverage protects you from claims by other people. It does not cover your own vehicle damage or injuries.

Liability coverage has three limits: bodily injury for each person, bodily injury for the entire accident, and a limit for property damage. You might see policy limits of 100/300/100 which stand for $100,000 in coverage for each person’s injuries, $300,000 for the entire accident, and a limit of $100,000 paid for damaged property.

Liability can pay for claims such as pain and suffering, repair bills for other people’s vehicles, loss of income, medical services and legal defense fees. How much coverage you buy is a decision to put some thought into, but you should buy higher limits if possible.

Collision coverage

This coverage will pay to fix damage to your Escort resulting from a collision with another vehicle or an object, but not an animal. You will need to pay your deductible and the rest of the damage will be paid by collision coverage.

Collision coverage pays for claims such as colliding with another moving vehicle, driving through your garage door, hitting a parking meter, crashing into a building and sustaining damage from a pot hole. Paying for collision coverage can be pricey, so consider removing coverage from vehicles that are 8 years or older. Drivers also have the option to increase the deductible in order to get cheaper collision rates.

Comprehensive protection

This pays to fix your vehicle from damage from a wide range of events other than collision. You first must pay your deductible and the remainder of the damage will be paid by comprehensive coverage.

Comprehensive coverage pays for things such as a tree branch falling on your vehicle, hitting a bird, falling objects and rock chips in glass. The maximum payout you’ll receive from a claim is the actual cash value, so if the vehicle’s value is low it’s probably time to drop comprehensive insurance.

Keep this in mind

You just read many ways to get a better price on 1997 Ford Escort insurance. The key thing to remember is the more quotes you get, the better chance you’ll have of finding cheap insurance. You may even find the best premium rates are with a lesser-known regional company. These smaller insurers often have lower prices on specific markets as compared to the big name companies such as Progressive or Geico.

As you restructure your insurance plan, don’t be tempted to sacrifice coverage to reduce premiums. In many instances, drivers have reduced uninsured motorist or liability limits only to regret at claim time that it was a big mistake. The goal is to get the best coverage possible for the lowest cost.

Cheap 1997 Ford Escort insurance is definitely available from both online companies as well as from insurance agents, so you need to quote insurance with both to have the best chance of lowering rates. Some companies may not provide rates over the internet and these regional insurance providers provide coverage only through independent insurance agencies.

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