Compare 1998 Ford Escort Insurance Rates

Buyers have options when searching for affordable Ford Escort insurance. They can either spend hours contacting agents trying to get quotes or leverage the internet to compare rates.

There are more efficient ways to buy auto insurance so we’re going to tell you the quickest way to quote coverages on a Ford and get the lowest price from both online companies and local agents.

The purpose of this article is to introduce you to how car insurance quotes work. If you currently have car insurance, you will be able to cut costs considerably using this strategy. Consumers only need an understanding of the most effective way to find the lowest price online.

First Step: Get free insurance coverage quotes

Getting a cheaper price on 1998 Ford Escort insurance can be quick and easy. Consumers just need to take the time getting comparison quotes online from several insurance companies. This can easily be done by using one of the methods below.

The most efficient method to get quotes for comparison is to use a rate comparison form (click to open form in new window). This method saves time by eliminating separate quotes for every prospective company. One form submission gets insurance cost estimates direct from many companies. Just one form and you’re done.

A harder way to analyze rates requires you to visit each individual company website and fill out a new quote form. For instance, let’s say you are doing a rate comparison from Progressive, Farmers and State Farm. To get each rate you have to go to each individual site and enter your information, and that’s why the first method is more popular. To view a list of companies in your area, click here.

The least efficient and most time consuming method to find cheaper rates is to spend time driving to insurance agents’ offices. Shopping for insurance coverage online eliminates the middleman unless you want the guidance that only an agent can give. If you prefer, some companies allow you to price shop online and still use a local agent.

How you compare quotes is your choice, just ensure you are comparing the exact same deductibles and coverage limits for every company. If each company quotes different coverage information you will not be able to make a fair comparison for your Ford Escort.

Brand name doesn’t guarantee savings

Drivers get pounded daily by advertisements for the lowest price insurance coverage by Progressive, Geico, Allstate and State Farm. All the companies convey the message that drivers will save a bundle if you just switch your insurance coverage policy to them.

How does each company sell you cheaper insurance coverage? Just pay attention to how they say it.

Companies have strict underwriting profiles for the type of insured that earns them a profit. One example of this type of risk profile could possibly be over the age of 50, has never had a policy lapse, and drives a vehicle with a low ISO rating. Someone that hits that “sweet spot” is entitled to the best price and will probably save quite a bit of money when switching.

People who fall short of this stringent profile will probably have to pay higher premiums which translates to business not being written. Company advertisements say “people who switch” but not “everyone who gets a quote” can get the lowest rates when switching. That’s why insurance companies can make claims that they all have the best prices.

Because of this risk profiling, you absolutely need to get as many free insurance quotes as possible. It is just not possible to predict which company will have the best premium rates.

Lower your insurance prices

A large part of saving on auto insurance is knowing the factors that play a part in calculating the price you pay for auto insurance. If you understand what positively or negatively impacts your premiums, this empowers consumers to make smart changes that may result in cheaper rates.

  • The higher your credit rating the lower your rates – Credit rating factor in determining what you pay. Drivers who have excellent credit scores tend to be better drivers and file fewer claims as compared to drivers with lower credit ratings. Therefore, if your credit score could use some work, you could pay less to insure your 1998 Ford Escort by improving your credit score.
  • Vehicles with better crash test results means cheaper insurance – Vehicles with high crash test scores get lower rates. These vehicles reduce the chance of injuries and reduced instances of injuries translates into savings for insurance companies and lower rates for you.
  • Do females or males drive better? – The statistics show that men are more aggressive behind the wheel. The data does not necessarily mean that men are WORSE drivers than women. Males and females have accidents at a similar rate, but the male of the species have accidents that have higher claims. Men also tend to have more aggressive citations like DUI and reckless driving. Youthful male drivers have the highest risk to insure and therefore pay the highest rates.
  • Tickets and citations cost more than a fine – Your driving citation history impacts premiums far more than you think. Only having one speeding ticket can bump up the cost by as much as thirty percent. Careful drivers receive lower rates than their less careful counterparts. Drivers who get license-revoking citations such as reckless driving or DUI are required to file a SR-22 with their state’s department of motor vehicles in order to continue driving.
  • Alarms and GPS tracking lower premiums – Choosing to buy a car with a theft deterrent system can get you a discount on your auto insurance. Theft prevention devices such as vehicle immobilizer systems, OnStar, and tracking devices like LoJack all hinder car theft and help bring rates down.
  • Liability protection risk factors in – Liability coverage will provide protection in the event that you are ruled to be at fault for physical damage or personal injury to other. It provides for a legal defense which can be incredibly expensive. Carrying liability coverage is mandatory and cheap compared to insuring for physical damage coverage, so drivers should make sure they buy enough to cover all assets.
  • Premiums are affected by your address – Living in smaller towns and rural areas of the country can be a good thing when talking about auto insurance. Urban drivers tend to have traffic congestion and higher rates of accident claims. Less people translates into fewer accident claims in addition to lower liability claims

Find discounts on insurance coverage

Insurance coverage is neither fun to buy or cheap, but you may qualify for discounts to reduce the price significantly. Certain discounts will be applied at the time you complete a quote, but some need to be asked for before you get the savings. If you do not double check each discount available, you are paying more than you should be.

  • Multi-car Discount – Having more than one vehicle with the same insurance coverage company may reduce the rate for each vehicle.
  • Auto/Home Discount – If you have multiple policies with one company you will save up to 20% off your total premium.
  • Air Bags and Passive Restraints – Vehicles equipped with air bags may earn rate discounts of 25 to 30%.
  • Life Insurance Discount – Some insurance carriers give a lower rate if you buy some life insurance in addition to your auto policy.
  • Responsible Driver Discount – Drivers without accidents can pay as much as 50% less on Escort coverage as compared to drivers with claims.
  • Low Miles Discount – Maintaining low annual mileage may enable drivers to earn discounted prices on garaged vehicles.
  • Telematics Data Discounts – Drivers who elect to allow data collection to study where and when they drive through the use of a telematics system such as Snapshot from Progressive or Drivewise from Allstate could see a rate decrease if they exhibit good driving behavior.
  • Federal Government Employee – Being employed by or retired from a federal job may reduce rates when you quote insurance on Escort coverage but check with your company.

Discounts save money, but please remember that most discount credits are not given to the overall cost of the policy. Most cut the price of certain insurance coverages like collision or personal injury protection. So even though they make it sound like you could get a free insurance coverage policy, companies wouldn’t make money that way.

A few of the larger companies and a summarized list of policyholder discounts are:

  • State Farm may have discounts that include multiple policy, multiple autos, driver’s education, good driver, good student, Steer Clear safe driver discount, and passive restraint.
  • Nationwide includes discounts for Farm Bureau membership, family plan, accident-free, multi-policy, and easy pay.
  • Geico offers discounts for air bags, military active duty, five-year accident-free, seat belt use, multi-vehicle, driver training, and daytime running lights.
  • AAA has savings for multi-policy, anti-theft, education and occupation, pay-in-full, good driver, AAA membership discount, and multi-car.
  • 21st Century policyholders can earn discounts including student driver, driver training, theft prevention, teen driver, early bird, air bags, and 55 and older.
  • The Hartford has discounts for air bag, bundle, driver training, vehicle fuel type, and good student.

When comparing rates, check with all the companies which discounts you may be entitled to. Some discounts may not apply in your area. To see providers who offer insurance coverage discounts, click here.

Tailor your car insurance coverage to you

When it comes to choosing proper insurance coverage, there is no one size fits all plan. Each situation is unique.

For instance, these questions may help you determine if you may require specific advice.

  • Should I get collision insurance on every vehicle?
  • Why does it cost so much to insure a teen driver?
  • Do I really need UM/UIM coverage?
  • Does my insurance cover my expensive audio equipment?
  • What discounts do I qualify for?
  • Am I covered when renting a car or should I buy coverage from the car rental agency?

If you don’t know the answers to these questions but a few of them apply, then you may want to think about talking to an agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, take a second and complete this form. It’s fast, free and can provide invaluable advice.

Insurance coverage specifics

Learning about specific coverages of insurance can be of help when determining the right coverages and the correct deductibles and limits. Policy terminology can be impossible to understand and reading a policy is terribly boring.

Comprehensive coverages

This pays for damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. A deductible will apply and the remainder of the damage will be paid by comprehensive coverage.

Comprehensive coverage pays for claims such as hitting a bird, damage from a tornado or hurricane, falling objects, a tree branch falling on your vehicle and vandalism. The most your insurance company will pay is the ACV or actual cash value, so if your deductible is as high as the vehicle’s value consider dropping full coverage.

Auto liability

Liability coverage protects you from damage that occurs to other people or property in an accident. It protects you against claims from other people. It does not cover damage sustained by your vehicle in an accident.

Split limit liability has three limits of coverage: per person bodily injury, per accident bodily injury, and a property damage limit. You commonly see limits of 50/100/50 that translate to a $50,000 limit per person for injuries, a per accident bodily injury limit of $100,000, and $50,000 of coverage for damaged propery. Another option is a combined single limit or CSL which provides one coverage limit rather than limiting it on a per person basis.

Liability insurance covers claims such as attorney fees, medical services, court costs and legal defense fees. How much liability coverage do you need? That is a decision to put some thought into, but buy higher limits if possible.

Coverage for medical payments

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage kick in for expenses for funeral costs, ambulance fees and EMT expenses. They can be utilized in addition to your health insurance plan or if you lack health insurance entirely. Medical payments and PIP cover not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants and will also cover getting struck while a pedestrian. PIP is not universally available but can be used in place of medical payments coverage

Collision protection

Collision insurance pays to fix your vehicle from damage caused by collision with another vehicle or an object, but not an animal. You will need to pay your deductible then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.

Collision insurance covers claims such as rolling your car, scraping a guard rail, sideswiping another vehicle and damaging your car on a curb. This coverage can be expensive, so consider removing coverage from vehicles that are older. It’s also possible to choose a higher deductible to get cheaper collision coverage.

Uninsured and underinsured coverage

This coverage provides protection when the “other guys” either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. Covered claims include injuries to you and your family as well as your vehicle’s damage.

Because many people only carry the minimum required liability limits, their limits can quickly be used up. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage is a good idea. Normally the UM/UIM limits are identical to your policy’s liability coverage.

You can do this!

As you prepare to switch companies, it’s not a good idea to reduce needed coverages to save money. Too many times, someone dropped full coverage only to regret at claim time they didn’t have enough coverage. Your focus should be to buy a smart amount of coverage for the lowest cost but still have enough coverage for asset protection.

Cheaper auto insurance is available from both online companies and also from your neighborhood agents, and you should compare price quotes from both so you have a total pricing picture. Some auto insurance companies may not have online price quotes and usually these smaller companies only sell through independent agents.

We’ve covered a lot of tips how to compare 1998 Ford Escort insurance rates online. The key thing to remember is the more rate quotes you have, the more likely it is that you will get a better rate. You may even find the most savings is with some of the lesser-known companies.

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