Lower Your 1997 Ford Ranger Insurance Quotes

Trying to find the cheapest insurance rates for your Ford Ranger? Price shopping your Driversinsurance could be quite difficult for drivers who are new to online rate comparisons. People have so many options available that it can quickly become a real challenge to lower your rates.

It’s a great practice to compare rates once or twice a year due to the fact that insurance rates fluctuate regularly. Just because you found the best deal for Ranger coverage a few years ago there may be better deals available now. Forget all the misinformation about insurance because we’re going to show you one of the quickest ways to find better rates and still maintain coverage.

How to buy car insurance online

There are several ways of comparing rate quotes from different companies. The best method to find competitive 1997 Ford Ranger insurance rates involves getting comparison quotes online. This is very easy and can be done using a couple different methods.

  1. The recommended way to get the best comparison quotes is to use a rate comparison form (click to open form in new window). This type of form prevents you from having to do multiple quote forms for every prospective company. A single form compares rates instantly. Recommended for those who want to invest the least amount of time.
  2. A less efficient way to obtain and compare quotes online consists of visiting each individual company website to complete a price quote. For examples sake, let’s assume you want to view quotes from Geico, Esurance and Farmers. To get each rate you have to navigate to each company’s site and enter your information, which explains why we recommend starting with the first method.

    For a list of links to companies insuring cars in your area, click here.

  3. The most time-consuming way to compare rates is actually driving to different agent offices. The ability to buy insurance online reduces the need to sit down with an agent unless you have a complicated situation and need the guidance of a licensed agent. You can, however, price shop your coverage online but purchase the actual policy in an agency.

The method you choose is up to you, but make sure you are using nearly identical coverage information for each price quote. If you are comparing differing limits it will be impossible to make an equal comparison. Quoting even small variations in insurance coverages can result in a big premium difference. Just remember that comparing all the rates in your area increases the change that you will find a better price. Not every company does quotes online, so you need to compare rates from those companies as well.

Truth in auto insurance advertising

Big name companies like Allstate and Progressive consistently run television, radio, and online ads. They all make the same claim that you’ll save big if you change your coverage. Is it even possible that every company can give you a better price?

Insurance companies offer their best rates for the type of driver that makes them money. An example of a preferred risk could possibly be a mature driver, owns their home, and has a high credit rating. Any customer who matches those parameters receives the best rates and is almost guaranteed to save when they switch companies.

People who are not a match for the ideal profile must pay higher rates with the end result being the driver buying from a lower-cost company. If you listen closely, the ads state “drivers that switch” not “everyone that quotes” will save that much if they switch. That’s why companies can advertise the savings. This emphasizes why it’s extremely important to compare many company’s rates. It is impossible to predict with any certainty which company will be your best fit.

Insurance price influencing factors

A large part of saving on insurance coverage is knowing a few of the rating criteria that help determine your policy premiums. When you understand what influences your rates, this enables you to make decisions that can earn you lower insurance coverage prices.

Shown below are some of the things used by companies to determine your rates.

  • Vehicle features can affect insurance coverage rates – Buying a car with a theft deterrent system can earn a premium discount. Theft prevention features like vehicle immobilizer systems, General Motors OnStar and LoJack tracking systems all aid in stopping auto theft.
  • Vehicles with better crash test results are cheaper to insure – Cars with five star safety ratings tend to have lower insurance rates. The safest vehicles have better occupant injury protection and lower rates of occupant injuries means lower claim amounts passed on to you as lower rates.
  • How much liability protection – Your insurance coverage policy’s liability coverage provides coverage if ever a jury decides you are liable for an accident. It provides for a legal defense to defend your case. Liability insurance is quite affordable compared to physical damage coverage, so buy as much as you can afford.
  • Teenagers are high risk – More mature drivers have been proven to be more responsible, file fewer claims .Teenage drivers are known to get distracted easily behind the wheel so insurance coverage rates are higher.
  • More policies can equal more savings – The majority of companies afford discounts to customers that have more than one policy in the form of a multi-policy discount. Even if you already get this discount, it’s still a good idea to compare other company rates to ensure the best deal. Drivers may still find better rates by splitting coverages up.
  • Your employer can affect rates – Careers such as fire fighters, social workers and stock brokers are shown to have higher average rates attributed to job stress and long work hours. On the other hand, careers such as scientists, engineers and the unemployed get better rates for Ranger coverage.
  • Women tend to be lower risk – Statistics demonstrate that females tend to be a little less risky than males. However, don’t assume that men are WORSE drivers than women. Females and males cause auto accidents at a similar rate, but the male of the species cause more damage and cost insurance companies more money. In addition to higher claims, males also have more aggressive citations like driving under the influence (DUI). Youthful male drivers tend to get in the most accidents and therefore have the most expensive insurance coverage rates.

Get lower rates by taking advantage of discounts

Not too many consumers would say auto insurance is affordable, but you might be missing out on some discounts that can dramatically reduce your bill. A few discounts will automatically apply when you quote, but a few must be specially asked for before being credited. If you check and find you aren’t receiving every discount available, you are just wasting money.

  • Student Driver Training – Make teen driver coverage more affordable by requiring them to enroll in driver’s education in school.
  • Defensive Driver Discounts – Taking a course that instructs on driving safety could earn you a small percentage discount and easily pay for the cost of the class.
  • Discounts for Cautious Drivers – Drivers who avoid accidents could pay up to 40% less for Ranger coverage compared to rates paid by drivers with frequent claims.
  • Discount for Home Ownership – Owning your own home or condo can earn you a little savings because maintaining a house shows financial diligence.
  • Professional Memberships – Having an affiliation with a civic or occupational organization could qualify you for a break on your next auto insurance statement.
  • Low Mileage Discounts – Driving fewer miles could be rewarded with lower rates due to less chance of an accident.

Don’t be surprised that many deductions do not apply to the entire cost. Most cut the cost of specific coverages such as comp or med pay. Despite the appearance that you would end up receiving a 100% discount, companies wouldn’t make money that way.

Some of the larger companies that have some of the above discounts may include but are not limited to:

If you need the cheapest car insurance quotes, ask all the companies to give you their best rates. A few discounts may not apply to policyholders in your area. To locate providers offering auto insurance discounts, click this link.

How much auto insurance do I need?

When buying adequate coverage, there isn’t really a single plan that fits everyone. Every insured’s situation is different.

Here are some questions about coverages that can help discover whether or not you will benefit from professional help.

  • Are my friends covered when driving my 1997 Ford Ranger?
  • How high should my medical payments coverage be?
  • When should I drop full coverage on my 1997 Ford Ranger?
  • Can I afford to pay high deductible claims out of pocket?
  • If my 1997 Ford Ranger is totaled, can I afford another vehicle?
  • Does having multiple vehicles earn me a discount?
  • Are split liability limits better than a combined single limit?

If you’re not sure about those questions but a few of them apply, you may need to chat with an insurance agent. If you don’t have a local agent, complete this form.

Parts of your insurance policy

Having a good grasp of your insurance policy can help you determine appropriate coverage and the correct deductibles and limits. The coverage terms in a policy can be ambiguous and coverage can change by endorsement.

Coverage for collisions

Collision insurance covers damage to your Ranger from colliding with another car or object. You have to pay a deductible and the rest of the damage will be paid by collision coverage.

Collision insurance covers things like scraping a guard rail, hitting a mailbox, sideswiping another vehicle, sustaining damage from a pot hole and colliding with another moving vehicle. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so consider removing coverage from vehicles that are 8 years or older. Drivers also have the option to bump up the deductible to save money on collision insurance.

Comprehensive coverage (or Other than Collision)

Comprehensive insurance pays for damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. A deductible will apply and then insurance will cover the rest of the damage.

Comprehensive coverage pays for claims like a broken windshield, hitting a bird, vandalism and rock chips in glass. The highest amount a insurance company will pay at claim time is the market value of your vehicle, so if it’s not worth much more than your deductible consider dropping full coverage.

Auto liability

This coverage provides protection from damage that occurs to a person or their property. This coverage protects you from legal claims by others. Liability doesn’t cover damage to your own property or vehicle.

It consists of three limits, bodily injury for each person, bodily injury for the entire accident, and a limit for property damage. Your policy might show liability limits of 25/50/25 which stand for a $25,000 limit per person for injuries, a per accident bodily injury limit of $50,000, and $25,000 of coverage for damaged propery.

Liability insurance covers claims like attorney fees, court costs, medical expenses, structural damage and medical services. How much liability coverage do you need? That is a personal decision, but you should buy as large an amount as possible.

Insurance for medical payments

Medical payments and Personal Injury Protection insurance reimburse you for expenses such as prosthetic devices, chiropractic care, hospital visits, rehabilitation expenses and X-ray expenses. They are used in conjunction with a health insurance policy or if you are not covered by health insurance. Medical payments and PIP cover all vehicle occupants in addition to any family member struck as a pedestrian. Personal injury protection coverage is not universally available and gives slightly broader coverage than med pay

Uninsured Motorist or Underinsured Motorist insurance

Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage provides protection when other motorists are uninsured or don’t have enough coverage. This coverage pays for injuries to you and your family as well as your vehicle’s damage.

Because many people only carry the minimum required liability limits, it doesn’t take a major accident to exceed their coverage limits. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is very important.

The bottom line

Insureds who switch companies do it for many reasons like being labeled a high risk driver, poor customer service, policy cancellation or high rates after DUI convictions. It doesn’t matter why you want to switch finding the right car insurance provider is easier than you think.

Some companies may not have rate quotes online small insurance companies only sell coverage through local independent agents. Lower-priced car insurance can be found from both online companies in addition to many insurance agents, and you should compare price quotes from both in order to have the best price selection to choose from.

As you quote car insurance, it’s not a good idea to skimp on critical coverages to save a buck or two. There have been many situations where someone dropped uninsured motorist or liability limits and discovered at claim time that it was a big error on their part. Your focus should be to purchase plenty of coverage at the lowest possible cost while not skimping on critical coverages.

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