How Much Does 1997 Ford Escort Car Insurance Cost?

Looking for cheaper insurance coverage rates for your Ford Escort? Finding cheaper insurance for your Ford Escort can turn out to be difficult, but you can learn the following methods to find lower rates.

There are more efficient ways to compare insurance coverage rates and we’ll show you the best way to quote coverages on a Ford and find the cheapest rates from both online companies and local agents.

Save money by receiving discounts

Car insurance is not cheap nor is it fun to buy but there could be available discounts that can dramatically reduce your bill. Larger premium reductions will be automatically applied at the time of quoting, but some may not be applied and must be specially asked for before you get the savings.

• E-sign – Many insurance companies will provide an incentive for buying a policy and signing up on their website.
• Discounts for Seat Belt Usage – Requiring all passengers to fasten their seat belts can save up to 15% off the PIP or medical payment premium.
• Own a Home – Owning a house may earn you a small savings because it requires a higher level of personal finance.
• Auto/Life Discount – Companies who offer life insurance give a discount if you purchase some life insurance too.
• Clubs and Organizations – Joining qualifying employment or professional organizations could trigger savings when getting a auto insurance quote.
• Employee of Federal Government – Employees or retirees of the government could cut as much as 10% off on Escort coverage with a few car insurance companies.
• Discount for Passive Restraints – Vehicles equipped with air bags and/or automatic seat belt systems can get savings up to 30%.
• Good Drivers – Safe drivers may receive a discount up to 45% on Escort coverage compared to rates paid by drivers with frequent claims.
• First Accident Forgiveness – This one isn’t a discount, but some companies like Progressive and Allstate will let one accident slide before hitting you with a surcharge if you are claim-free prior to being involved in the accident.

Don’t be shocked that many deductions do not apply the the whole policy. The majority will only reduce specific coverage prices like liability, collision or medical payments. Even though the math looks like you could get a free car insurance policy, companies don’t profit that way.

Companies that may include these money-saving discounts may include but are not limited to:

• Progressive
• MetLife
• Mercury Insurance
• Nationwide
• Geico
• AAA

It’s a good idea to ask each company which discounts can lower your rates. A few discounts may not apply to policies in your state.

Insurance coverage quotes comparison

Performing a rate comparison can take hours if you don’t utilize the most efficient way to do it. You can spend your afternoon talking about coverages with insurance companies in your area, or you can utilize the internet to maximize your effort.

Many popular insurance companies belong to an insurance system that enables customers to send in one quote, and every company then gives them pricing. This saves time by eliminating quote forms to every company. To find out how much you’re overpaying now click here to open in new window.

The single downside to using this type of form is buyers cannot specifically choose which carriers you will receive quotes from. So if you want to choose from a list of companies to compare, we have a page of the cheapest insurance coverage companies in your area. Click here for list of insurance companies.

It’s your choice how you get your quotes, but make darn sure you compare exactly the same coverage information for each quote you get. If your comparisons have mixed coverages then you won’t be able to make a fair rate comparison.

Insurance costs are influenced by these factors

Multiple criteria are used in the calculation when premium rates are determined. Some are obvious such as your driving record, but others are more obscure such as your credit history or your financial responsibility.When buying auto insurance it’s important to understand some of the things that aid in calculating auto insurance rates. If you understand what impacts premium levels, this allows you to make good choices that may reward you with much lower annual insurance costs.

The itemized list below are some of the factors utilized by car insurance companies to help set your rate level.

• Where do you drive? – The more you drive your Ford in a year the higher your rates will be. Most insurance companies calculate rates determined by how the vehicle is used. Cars and trucks that sit idle most of the time can be on a lower rate level compared to those used for work or business. Incorrect rating for your Escort can cost quite a bit. It’s a good idea to make sure your declarations sheet shows how each vehicle is driven, because it can save money.
• Liability insurance limits are a factor – A critical coverage on your policy, liability insurance kicks in if you are determined to be liable for causing personal injury or damage in an accident. Your liability coverage provides you with a defense in court to defend your case. Liability is cheap when compared to the cost of physical damage coverage, so do not cut corners here.
• Single vs. married – Your spouse actually saves money on auto insurance. Having a significant other means you’re more mature than a single person and it’s proven that being married results in fewer claims.
• Teen drivers pay high premiums – Teen drivers are proven to be careless and easily distracted with other occupants in the car therefore auto insurance rates are much higher. If you’ve ever had to add a young driver to your policy can be very expensive. Older insureds are more cautious drivers, tend to file fewer claims , and usually have better credit.
• Costs may be higher where you live – Having an address in less populated areas has definite advantages when trying to find low car insurance rates. People in densly populated areas tend to have much more traffic and longer commute times. Lower population corresponds to lower accident rates and a lower car theft rate.
• Auto insurance policy lapses increase prices – Letting your insurance expire can be a quick way to trigger a rate increase. And not only will insurance be more expensive, failure to provide proof of insurance will get you a fine, jail time, or a revoked license. Then you may be required to file a SR-22 with your state DMV.

Your insurance coverage should be tailored to you

When buying proper insurance coverage, there really is no one size fits all plan. Your needs are not the same as everyone else’s.

For instance, these questions could help you determine if your situation might need an agent’s assistance.

• When should my teen driver be added to my policy?
• Should I buy only the required minimum liability coverage?
• Do all my vehicles need collision coverage?
• Am I covered if I crash into my own garage door?
• Is upholstery damage covered by car insurance?
• What if I total my 1997 Ford Escort and owe more than it’s worth?
• Am I covered when pulling a rental trailer?
• Is there coverage for injuries to my pets?
• What can I do if my company denied a claim?
• What are the financial responsibility laws in my state?

If it’s difficult to answer those questions but a few of them apply, you may need to chat with a licensed agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, complete this form. It is quick, free and can provide invaluable advice.

Insurance coverage basics

Understanding the coverages of insurance can help you determine the best coverages and proper limits and deductibles. The coverage terms in a policy can be impossible to understand and nobody wants to actually read their policy.

Medical expense insurance – Coverage for medical payments and/or PIP provide coverage for bills for dental work, pain medications, ambulance fees and surgery. They are utilized in addition to your health insurance plan or if there is no health insurance coverage. Coverage applies to all vehicle occupants in addition to any family member struck as a pedestrian. PIP is only offered in select states and gives slightly broader coverage than med pay

Protection from uninsured/underinsured drivers – Your UM/UIM coverage gives you protection from other motorists when they either have no liability insurance or not enough. Covered losses include injuries to you and your family as well as your vehicle’s damage.

Since a lot of drivers only purchase the least amount of liability that is required, their liability coverage can quickly be exhausted. For this reason, having high UM/UIM coverages should not be overlooked. Most of the time your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverages are identical to your policy’s liability coverage.

Collision – Collision insurance pays to fix your vehicle from damage resulting from colliding with a stationary object or other vehicle. You will need to pay your deductible and then insurance will cover the remainder.

Collision coverage pays for things such as colliding with another moving vehicle, hitting a parking meter, crashing into a building, backing into a parked car and crashing into a ditch. Paying for collision coverage can be pricey, so consider dropping it from older vehicles. Drivers also have the option to raise the deductible to bring the cost down.

Comprehensive (Other than Collision) – Comprehensive insurance coverage pays for damage that is not covered by collision coverage. You need to pay your deductible first then the remaining damage will be covered by your comprehensive coverage.

Comprehensive coverage pays for things such as hitting a deer, rock chips in glass and falling objects. The maximum amount a insurance company will pay at claim time is the cash value of the vehicle, so if the vehicle is not worth much it’s probably time to drop comprehensive insurance.

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

Coverage consists of three different limits, bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident and property damage. You might see values of 100/300/100 that translate to a $100,000 limit per person for injuries, $300,000 for the entire accident, and property damage coverage for $100,000. Occasionally you may see one limit called combined single limit (CSL) which limits claims to one amount without having the split limit caps.

Liability insurance covers things like legal defense fees, structural damage, funeral expenses, court costs and repair costs for stationary objects. How much liability should you purchase? That is up to you, but consider buying as much as you can afford.

Get your money’s worth

Some insurance companies may not have rates over the internet and these small insurance companies provide coverage only through independent insurance agencies. Lower-priced insurance can be bought online and also from your neighborhood agents, and you should be comparing both to get a complete price analysis.

As you restructure your insurance plan, it’s not a good idea to reduce needed coverages to save money. There have been many cases where someone dropped full coverage to discover at claim time that it was a big error on their part. The proper strategy is to buy a smart amount of coverage at the lowest possible cost, but do not sacrifice coverage to save money.

Insureds change insurance companies for many reasons like questionable increases in premium, delays in paying claims, poor customer service or not issuing a premium refund. No matter why you want to switch, choosing a new insurance company is less work than it seems.

To read more, link through to these articles:

• Choosing an Insurance Company (Insurance Information Insitute)
• Driving in Bad Weather (Insurance Information Insitute)
• How Does Hitting a Deer Impact Insurance Rates? (Allstate)
• What does Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Cover? (Allstate)
• Insuring a Leased Car (Insurance Information Insitute)