Pretty sure you bought high-priced auto insurance? Believe me when I say there are many people just like you. Since drivers have many options, it is hard for the average consumer to locate the right auto insurance provider.
It’s a good idea to do price comparisons before your policy renews because prices fluctuate regularly. Just because you had the best deal on Escape coverage two years ago the chances are good that you can find a lower rate quote today. Forget anything you know (or think you know) about auto insurance because you’re going to learn the tricks you need to know to lower your annual insurance bill.
Pricing more affordable car insurance can be fairly easy. If you are insured now or need new coverage, you can use these tips to get lower rates while maintaining coverages. Drivers just need to know the proper methods to shop online.
Some companies do not list the complete list of policy discounts very well, so here is a list a few of the more well known and also the lesser-known ways to save on insurance. If they aren’t giving you every credit you deserve, you are not getting the best rate possible.
Policy discounts save money, but most discounts do not apply to the entire policy premium. Some only apply to individual premiums such as medical payments or collision. So even though it sounds like all the discounts add up to a free policy, it doesn’t quite work that way.
Popular insurance companies and a summarized list of policyholder discounts are detailed below.
If you need lower rates, check with every company what discounts are available to you. All car insurance discounts might not be offered on policies in your state. To locate insurers that offer the discounts shown above, click here to view.
Many different elements are considered when you get a price on insurance. Some are pretty understandable like a motor vehicle report, but some are not as apparent such as your marital status or how financially stable you are.A large part of saving on auto insurance is knowing some of the things that go into determining your premiums. If you have a feel for what controls the rates you pay, this empowers consumers to make smart changes that will entitle you to lower auto insurance prices.
When choosing proper insurance coverage for your vehicles, there is no “best” method to buy coverage. Your needs are not the same as everyone else’s and a cookie cutter policy won’t apply. These are some specific questions might help in determining if you might need professional guidance.
If it’s difficult to answer those questions but one or more may apply to you then you might want to talk to an agent. If you don’t have a local agent, fill out this quick form or click here for a list of auto insurance companies in your area. It is quick, free and can help protect your family.
Knowing the specifics of a insurance policy aids in choosing appropriate coverage and the correct deductibles and limits. Insurance terms can be difficult to understand and reading a policy is terribly boring. Below you’ll find typical coverages found on most insurance policies.
Collision insurance
This coverage covers damage to your Escape caused by collision with an object or car. You have to pay a deductible and the rest of the damage will be paid by collision coverage.
Collision coverage protects against things like backing into a parked car, damaging your car on a curb and hitting a parking meter. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so consider dropping it from vehicles that are 8 years or older. Another option is to raise the deductible to save money on collision insurance.
Medical expense insurance
Coverage for medical payments and/or PIP reimburse you for short-term medical expenses for things like funeral costs, nursing services and ambulance fees. They can be used to fill the gap from your health insurance policy or if you do not have health coverage. Coverage applies to not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants in addition to any family member struck as a pedestrian. Personal injury protection coverage is not universally available and may carry a deductible
Comprehensive (Other than Collision)
Comprehensive insurance covers damage that is not covered by collision coverage. You first must pay your deductible and then insurance will cover the rest of the damage.
Comprehensive coverage pays for things like falling objects, vandalism, damage from flooding and damage from getting keyed. The maximum payout a insurance company will pay at claim time is the actual cash value, so if the vehicle’s value is low consider dropping full coverage.
Liability coverages
Liability insurance protects you from injuries or damage you cause to other’s property or people in an accident. It protects YOU against claims from other people. Liability doesn’t cover damage to your own property or vehicle.
Coverage consists of three different 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 bodily injury coverage, $300,000 for the entire accident, and a limit of $100,000 paid for damaged property. Another option is a combined single limit or CSL which limits claims to one amount rather than limiting it on a per person basis.
Liability coverage pays for claims such as structural damage, medical expenses and loss of income. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is up to you, but you should buy as large an amount as possible.
Protection from uninsured/underinsured drivers
Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage protects you and your vehicle when other motorists are uninsured or don’t have enough coverage. Covered claims include injuries to you and your family as well as your vehicle’s damage.
Due to the fact that many drivers carry very low liability coverage limits, it doesn’t take a major accident to exceed their coverage limits. So UM/UIM coverage is a good idea. Frequently these coverages are identical to your policy’s liability coverage.
We just covered quite a bit of information on how to save on 2008 Ford Escape insurance. The most important thing to understand is the more rate quotes you have, the higher the chance of saving money. You may even discover the most savings is with some of the smallest insurance companies. They may only write in your state and offer lower prices than the large multi-state companies such as Progressive or Geico.
Some insurance providers may not provide online price quotes regional carriers provide coverage only through independent insurance agencies. More affordable car insurance is possible online and from local agencies, and you should compare rates from both to have the best chance of lowering rates.
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