If you are new to online insurance, most likely you are confused due to the large number of companies competing for business.
You should take the time to compare rates at least once a year because insurance rates trend upward over time. Even if you got the lowest premium rates on Focus coverage last year you will most likely find a better price today. Forget anything you know (or think you know) about insurance because we’re going to show you one of the best ways to save money, get proper coverage and the best rates.
Buying affordable car insurance is simple if you know the tricks. Basically, every driver who is shopping for car insurance will more than likely be able to find better rates. Nevertheless, vehicle owners need to have an understanding of the way insurance companies determine prices.
When buying car insurance it’s important to understand some of the elements that help determine your premiums. When you know what positively or negatively positively or negatively impacts your premiums, this empowers consumers to make smart changes that will entitle you to big savings. Many factors are considered when you quote your car insurance policy. Some are obvious like an MVR report, but other criteria are less obvious like your vehicle usage or your commute time.
The cost of insuring your cars can be expensive, but there’s a good chance there are discounts that could drop your premiums quite a bit. Certain reductions will be credited when you get a quote, but once in a while a discount must be inquired about before you get the savings.
We need to note that most credits do not apply to the entire cost. Most only reduce specific coverage prices like comprehensive or collision. Even though the math looks like having all the discounts means you get insurance for free, you won’t be that lucky.
Car insurance companies who might offer most of the discounts above include:
If you want cheaper auto insurance quotes, ask each company or agent which discounts they offer. Some discounts might not apply in your state. To see providers with the best car insurance discounts, click here to view.
When it comes to choosing the right insurance coverage, there really is no one size fits all plan. Every situation is different.
For instance, these questions can aid in determining whether you would benefit from professional advice.
If you can’t answer these questions but you know they apply to you, then you may want to think about talking to a licensed insurance agent. If you don’t have a local agent, fill out this quick form.
Learning about specific coverages of insurance aids in choosing which coverages you need at the best deductibles and correct limits. The coverage terms in a policy can be difficult to understand and even agents have difficulty translating policy wording.
Medical payments coverage and PIP
Med pay and PIP coverage provide coverage for short-term medical expenses for things like X-ray expenses, EMT expenses, funeral costs and rehabilitation expenses. They can be used to cover expenses not covered by your health insurance policy or if you lack health insurance entirely. Coverage applies to all vehicle occupants in addition to if you are hit as a while walking down the street. Personal Injury Protection is not an option in every state but it provides additional coverages not offered by medical payments coverage
Comprehensive coverage
Comprehensive insurance pays for damage caused by mother nature, theft, vandalism and other events. You first have to pay a deductible then the remaining damage will be covered by your comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive can pay for claims such as theft, falling objects, hitting a deer and a broken windshield. The maximum payout you’ll receive from a claim is the cash value of the vehicle, so if the vehicle’s value is low consider dropping full coverage.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage
Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage provides protection when the “other guys” do not carry enough liability coverage. Covered claims include medical payments for you and your occupants and also any damage incurred to your Ford Focus.
Due to the fact that many drivers only purchase the least amount of liability that is required, their limits can quickly be used up. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is important protection for you and your family. Normally the UM/UIM limits do not exceed the liability coverage limits.
Collision protection
Collision coverage covers damage to your Focus caused by collision with another vehicle or an object, but not an animal. You have to pay a deductible and the rest of the damage will be paid by collision coverage.
Collision can pay for things like sustaining damage from a pot hole, crashing into a ditch, colliding with another moving vehicle, driving through your garage door and sideswiping another vehicle. Paying for collision coverage can be pricey, so consider dropping it from vehicles that are 8 years or older. It’s also possible to bump up the deductible in order to get cheaper collision rates.
Liability insurance
This protects you from injuries or damage you cause to a person or their property by causing an accident. This coverage protects you against claims from other people. Liability doesn’t cover your injuries or vehicle damage.
Split limit liability has three limits of coverage: bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident and property damage. You might see policy limits of 50/100/50 that means you have a $50,000 limit per person for injuries, a total of $100,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and a total limit of $50,000 for damage to vehicles and property. Alternatively, you may have one number which is a combined single limit which provides one coverage limit with no separate limits for injury or property damage.
Liability coverage protects against things like emergency aid, repair costs for stationary objects, medical services, bail bonds and pain and suffering. How much liability should you purchase? That is your choice, but it’s cheap coverage so purchase higher limits if possible.
As you prepare to switch companies, it’s not a good idea to skimp on coverage in order to save money. There have been many cases where consumers will sacrifice collision coverage and discovered at claim time that the savings was not a smart move. The aim is to buy enough coverage for the lowest price, not the least amount of coverage.
Insureds switch companies for a variety of reasons including high prices, questionable increases in premium, being labeled a high risk driver or unfair underwriting practices. It doesn’t matter what your reason, switching car insurance companies is not as hard as you think.
We covered quite a bit of information on how to reduce 2012 Ford Focus insurance auto insurance rates online. It’s most important to understand that the more providers you compare, the better your chances of lowering your premium rates. Drivers may discover the lowest auto insurance rates come from some of the lesser-known companies.
Additional information can be read at the links below