Cheap 2017 Ford Focus ST Insurance Cost

Trying to find cheaper insurance coverage rates for your Ford Focus ST? If you are new to online price comparisons, it’s easy to be bewildered thanks to the vast number local agents and online companies all offering big savings.

It’s smart to compare premium rates occasionally because insurance coverage prices are variable and change quite frequently. Just because you found the lowest rates on Focus ST coverage six months ago the chances are good that you can find a lower premium rate today. There is a lot of bad information regarding insurance coverage out there, but you can learn some of the best ways to save money.

Low cost auto insurance

When looking for cheaper insurance quotes, there are a couple ways to compare quotes from many available auto insurance companies in your state. The recommended way to find cheaper Ford Focus ST rates is simply to get online rate quotes. This is very easy and can be done by using one of the methods below.

  1. The recommended way to find low rates is a comparison rater form (click to open form in new window). This easy form saves time by eliminating separate quote forms for each price estimate. One form submission gets insurance cost estimates from all major companies. Recommended for those who want to invest the least amount of time.
  2. A slightly less efficient method to find better pricing consists of going to the website of each company and fill out their own quote form. For instance, we’ll assume you want to compare prices for Liberty Mutual, Progressive and American Family. You would have to visit each site to input your insurance information, which can be really labor intensive. For a list of links to companies insuring cars in your area, click here.

Whichever way you choose to compare rates, be sure to compare the exact same coverage data on every quote. If you compare different coverage information you will not be able to determine which company has the best rates. Having just a slight variation in insurance coverages or limits could mean much higher rates. Keep in mind that comparing more company’s prices gives you a better chance of getting more affordable rates.

Advertising and auto insurance

Companies like Progressive, Geico, Allstate and State Farm endlessly run television and radio advertisements. All the ads make the point of big savings if you just switch your coverage. How can each company cost less than your current company? It’s all in the words they use.

Companies have an ideal profile for a prospective insured that earns them a profit. For example, a driver they prefer might have to be between 25 and 40, carries high limits, and has a short commute. A customer who fits that profile gets the lowest car insurance rates and most likely will cut their rates substantially.

Potential customers who don’t meet these stringent criteria will have to pay more expensive rates and business not being written. The ad wording is “people that switch” but not “everyone who gets a quote” save that kind of money. That’s the way insurance companies can confidently claim big savings.

This really drives home the point why it is so important to compare as many free insurance quotes as you can. You cannot predict the company that will provide the lowest car insurance rates.

Insurance prices are influenced by these factors

A large part of saving on insurance is knowing a few of the rating criteria that are used to determine the level of your policy premiums. When consumers understand what impacts premium levels, this empowers consumers to make smart changes that may result in lower rates. Many things are taken into consideration when you get a price on insurance. A few of the factors are predictable like your driving record, but some are more transparent like where you live or your vehicle rating.

The list below includes most of the major factors companies use to determine rates.

  • A insurance policy lapse can increase premiums – Letting your insurance expire is a sure-fire way to increase your renewal premiums. Not only will you pay more, getting caught without coverage will get you a fine, jail time, or a revoked license.
  • Certain vocations pay higher rates – Did you know your insurance rates can be affected by your occupation? Occupational choices like real estate brokersair traffic controllers and accountants have higher premium rates due to intense work situations and long work hours. Other occupations such as professors, historians and retirees have the lowest average rates on Focus ST coverage.
  • Better credit means lower costs – Having a good credit rating can be a huge factor in calculating your insurance rates. So if your credit history is low, you could potentially save money when insuring your 2017 Ford Focus ST by improving your rating. Consumers who have high credit scores tend to be better drivers and file fewer claims than drivers with lower credit scores.
  • Don’t abuse claims – Insurance companies give the best rates to drivers who only file infrequent claims. If you frequently file small claims, you can expect much higher rates or policy non-renewal. Insurance coverage is meant to be used in the event of the large, substantial claims.

Car insurance companies offer many discounts

Companies that sell car insurance don’t always advertise all their discounts very well, so the following is a list of both the well known and the more hidden discounts that you can inquire about if you buy insurance online.

  • Discounts for Government Workers – Active or former government employment could qualify for a slight premium decrease on Focus ST coverage with select insurance companies.
  • Anti-lock Brakes – Cars and trucks that have anti-lock braking systems can reduce accidents so you can save 10 percent or more.
  • Discount for Swiching Early – Select insurance companies give a discount for switching to them before your current coverage expires. It’s a savings of about 10%.
  • Active Service Discounts – Having a deployed family member could mean lower rates.
  • Online Discount – A few larger online companies give back up to $50 simply for signing on the web.

Policy discounts save money, but most credits do not apply to all coverage premiums. Most only apply to the price of certain insurance coverages like comprehensive or collision. Even though the math looks like it’s possible to get free car insurance, nobody gets a free ride.

A partial list of companies that may have these discounts possibly include:

When getting free insurance quotes, it’s a good idea to each company how many discounts you can get. Some of the discounts discussed earlier might not be offered in your area. To view providers that offer many of these discounts, follow this link.

Do I just need basic coverages?

When choosing the best car insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there is no “perfect” insurance plan. Everyone’s situation is unique.

For example, these questions might point out if your situation will benefit from professional help.

  • Which companies will insure high-risk drivers?
  • Why am I required to get a high-risk car insurance policy?
  • Is my babysitter covered when using my vehicle?
  • Should I buy more coverage than the required minimum liability coverage?
  • What companies insure drivers after a DUI or DWI?
  • When can my company non-renew my policy?
  • Can I drive in Mexico and have coverage?
  • Are split liability limits better than a combined single limit?
  • Am I covered by my employer’s commercial auto policy when driving my personal car for business?
  • How can I force my company to pay a claim?

If it’s difficult to answer those questions but you know they apply to you, you may need to chat with an insurance agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, take a second and complete this form.

Information about specific coverages

Understanding the coverages of auto insurance can be of help when determining the best coverages and proper limits and deductibles. The coverage terms in a policy can be confusing and nobody wants to actually read their policy.

Auto liability

This coverage will cover damage that occurs to a person or their property by causing an accident. It protects you from legal claims by others. It does not cover your own vehicle damage or injuries.

Liability coverage has three limits: bodily injury for each person injured, bodily injury for the entire accident and a property damage limit. Your policy might show liability limits of 50/100/50 which means $50,000 in coverage for each person’s injuries, a total of $100,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $50,000 of coverage for damaged propery. Alternatively, you may have one limit called combined single limit (CSL) which combines the three limits into one amount and claims can be made without the split limit restrictions.

Liability insurance covers claims like attorney fees, pain and suffering, court costs, structural damage and repair bills for other people’s vehicles. How much coverage you buy is your choice, but consider buying as large an amount as possible.

Med pay and Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

Coverage for medical payments and/or PIP pay for bills such as funeral costs, hospital visits, dental work and X-ray expenses. They are used to cover expenses not covered by your health insurance program or if you lack health insurance entirely. It covers both the driver and occupants in addition to being hit by a car walking across the street. Personal Injury Protection is not universally available but it provides additional coverages not offered by medical payments coverage

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM)

This coverage protects you and your vehicle’s occupants when other motorists either have no liability insurance or not enough. Covered claims include hospital bills for your injuries as well as your vehicle’s damage.

Because many people 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 very important. Usually the UM/UIM limits are similar to your liability insurance amounts.

Comprehensive insurance

Comprehensive insurance covers damage from a wide range of events other than collision. You first must pay your deductible then your comprehensive coverage will pay.

Comprehensive insurance covers claims such as damage from flooding, fire damage, a tree branch falling on your vehicle, hitting a deer and theft. The maximum amount you can receive from a comprehensive claim is the cash value of the vehicle, so if it’s not worth much more than your deductible it’s not worth carrying full coverage.

Collision protection

This will pay to fix damage to your Focus ST caused by collision with a stationary object or other vehicle. You will need to pay your deductible and the rest of the damage will be paid by collision coverage.

Collision coverage pays for things such as sustaining damage from a pot hole, colliding with another moving vehicle, driving through your garage door, hitting a mailbox and colliding with a tree. Paying for collision coverage can be pricey, so consider removing coverage from lower value vehicles. Another option is to raise the deductible to save money on collision insurance.

Online plus local equals savings

Lower-priced car insurance is definitely available on the web in addition to local insurance agencies, so you need to quote insurance with both to have the best chance of lowering rates. There are still a few companies who do not offer online rate quotes and most of the time these smaller companies sell through independent agents.

Drivers change insurance companies for a variety of reasons including high prices, not issuing a premium refund, unfair underwriting practices and questionable increases in premium. It doesn’t matter why you want to switch finding a new company is less work than it seems.

While you’re price shopping online, do not sacrifice coverage to reduce premiums. There are a lot of situations where an insured dropped liability limits or collision coverage only to regret at claim time they didn’t purchase enough coverage. The aim is to purchase plenty of coverage at the best cost while still protecting your assets.

Additional detailed information is located at these sites: