How Much Does 1997 Ford Explorer Insurance Cost?

Nobody that owns a car likes having to buy auto insurance, in particular when they could find lower prices if they just compared rates. Multiple auto insurance companies compete for your hard-earned dollar, and it can be difficult to compare rates and get the definite best rate

Consumers need to compare premium rates before your policy renews because insurance prices are usually higher with each renewal. Just because you had the best price for Explorer insurance a year ago you may be paying too much now. Block out anything you think you know about auto insurance because you’re about to learn the fastest and easiest way to find lower rates on auto insurance.

If you have a current car insurance policy or are just looking to switch companies, you can use these tips to find the best rates while maximizing coverage. Finding affordable coverage is not rocket science. Vehicle owners just need to know the most efficient way to shop their coverage around online.

Cut your insurance rates with discounts

Companies offering auto insurance don’t always advertise all available discounts in an easy-to-find place, so we researched both well-publicized and the harder-to-find credits that may apply to you. If you do not double check each discount you deserve, you could be paying more than you need to.

• ABS Brakes – Vehicles with ABS and/or traction control prevent accidents and earn discounts up to 10%.
• Passive Restraints and Air Bags – Options like air bags and/or automatic seat belt systems may earn rate discounts of 20 to 30 percent.
• Drivers Ed for Students – Cut your cost by having your teen driver enroll and complete driver’s education in high school.
• Accident Free – Drivers with accident-free driving histories get the best insurance rates in comparison to bad drivers.
• Driving Data Discount – People who choose to allow data collection to look at driving habits by using a telematics device like Drivewise from Allstate or In-Drive from State Farm may see discounts as long as the data is positive.
• Safety Restraint Discount – Drivers who require all occupants to buckle their seat belts may be able to save a few bucks on medical payment and PIP coverage.
• Sign Early and Save – Some larger companies provide a discount for switching policies early. This discount can save up to 10%.
• Clubs and Organizations – Being in a professional or civic organization could earn you a nice discount on your policy.
• Distant Student – Children who attend college more than 100 miles from home and do not have a car can be insured at a reduced rate.
• Online Discount – A few companies will give a small break get insurance digitally online.

We need to note that most credits do not apply to the entire policy premium. A few only apply to the cost of specific coverages such as comp or med pay. Despite the appearance that you would end up receiving a 100% discount, it doesn’t quite work that way.

A list of insurance companies and some of the premium reductions they offer include:

• Esurance may include discounts for DriveSense, defensive driver, anti-theft, safety device, and Switch & Save.
• The Hartford discounts include vehicle fuel type, anti-theft, good student, driver training, air bag, defensive driver, and bundle.
• AAA includes discounts for good student, multi-car, education and occupation, pay-in-full, good driver, AAA membership discount, and anti-theft.
• Geico policyholders can earn discounts including multi-policy, military active duty, five-year accident-free, seat belt use, multi-vehicle, and defensive driver.
• State Farm has discounts for good driver, student away at school, Drive Safe & Save, multiple autos, multiple policy, accident-free, and safe vehicle.

When getting free insurance quotes, it’s a good idea to every insurance company which credits you are entitled to. All car insurance discounts might not be offered in your area. To view insurance companies who offer discounts, follow this link.

You are unique and your auto insurance should be too

When choosing the right insurance coverage, there really is no “best” method to buy coverage. Every insured’s situation is different and your policy should reflect that. Here are some questions about coverages that may help you determine if your situation might need professional guidance.

• Why do I only qualify for high-risk insurance?
• I have a DUI can I still get coverage?
• Is my 1997 Ford Explorer covered for smoke damage?
• How much underlying liability do I need for an umbrella policy?
• Is there coverage for injuries to my pets?
• I have good health insurance, so how much medical payments coverage do I need?
• How much liability coverage do I need in my state?

If you don’t know the answers to these questions but a few of them apply, you may need to chat with a licensed insurance agent. If you don’t have a local agent, simply complete this short form or you can go here for a list of companies in your area. It’s fast, doesn’t cost anything and may give you better protection.

Will you really save $430 on auto insurance?

Drivers can’t avoid all the ads that promise big savings by companies like Allstate and Progressive. All the ads tend to make the same promise about saving some big amount after switching your auto insurance coverage to their company.

How is it possible that every company can offer drivers better rates? This is the way they can do it.

Insurance companies are able to cherry pick for the type of customer that will not have excessive claims. For example, a driver they prefer might be between the ages of 30 and 50, owns a home, and drives a safe vehicle. A customer getting a price quote that meets those criteria gets the lowest rates and have a good chance to cut their rates substantially.

Potential insureds who are not a match for the “perfect” profile may be forced to pay higher premium rates and this results in business not being written. If you pay attention, the ads say “people that switch” not “all people who quote” save that much. That is how insurance companies can confidently lure you into getting a quote.

Because of this risk profiling, it’s extremely important to get a wide range of price quotes. Because you cannot predict which insurance companies will fit your personal profile best.

Auto insurance coverages

Knowing the specifics of your policy can help you determine the right coverages for your vehicles. Policy terminology can be confusing and coverage can change by endorsement. Listed below are typical coverage types offered by insurance companies.

Medical payments and PIP coverage

Med pay and PIP coverage pay for short-term medical expenses for things like hospital visits, chiropractic care, prosthetic devices, nursing services and ambulance fees. They are used in conjunction with a health insurance policy or if you do not have health coverage. Coverage applies to all vehicle occupants and also covers being hit by a car walking across the street. PIP coverage is only offered in select states but can be used in place of medical payments coverage

Coverage for collisions

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

Collision insurance covers claims like sideswiping another vehicle, backing into a parked car, hitting a parking meter, damaging your car on a curb and scraping a guard rail. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so analyze the benefit of dropping coverage from vehicles that are 8 years or older. You can also bump up the deductible to get cheaper collision coverage.

Comprehensive auto coverage

This coverage covers damage caused by mother nature, theft, vandalism and other events. You need to pay your deductible first and the remainder of the damage will be paid by comprehensive coverage.

Comprehensive coverage protects against things like a tree branch falling on your vehicle, a broken windshield and damage from a tornado or hurricane. The most you can receive from a comprehensive claim is the market value of your vehicle, so if the vehicle’s value is low it’s probably time to drop comprehensive insurance.

Liability auto insurance

Liability coverage will cover injuries or damage you cause to other people or property that is your fault. It protects YOU from claims by other people. It does not cover your injuries or vehicle damage.

Coverage consists of three different limits, bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident and property damage. Your policy might show values of 25/50/25 that translate to $25,000 in coverage for each person’s injuries, a limit of $50,000 in injury protection per accident, and property damage coverage for $25,000. Occasionally you may see a combined limit which limits claims to one amount rather than limiting it on a per person basis.

Liability insurance covers things such as medical expenses, legal defense fees and loss of income. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is a decision to put some thought into, but consider buying as large an amount as possible.

UM/UIM (Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist) coverage

This gives you protection when the “other guys” either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. This coverage pays for medical payments for you and your occupants as well as damage to your Ford Explorer.

Since a lot of drivers carry very low liability coverage limits, it doesn’t take a major accident to exceed their coverage limits. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage is important protection for you and your family. Normally the UM/UIM limits are identical to your policy’s liability coverage.

Cheaper insurance is a realistic goal

Discount 1997 Ford Explorer insurance is available both online and from local agencies, and you should be comparing both in order to have the best price selection to choose from. Some insurance companies may not provide the ability to get quotes online and usually these small insurance companies only sell coverage through independent insurance agents.

As you go through the steps to switch your coverage, it’s not a good idea to reduce needed coverages to save money. In many instances, drivers have reduced uninsured motorist or liability limits only to regret at claim time that saving that couple of dollars actually costed them tens of thousands. The goal is to purchase a proper amount of coverage at a price you can afford, but don’t skip important coverages to save money.

Additional information can be found on the following sites:

• Five Steps to Filing an Auto Insurance Claim (Insurance Information Insitute)
• Who Has Cheap Phoenix Auto Insurance Quotes for a Ford Explorer? (QuotePhoenix.com)
• Who Has the Cheapest Car Insurance Rates for a Ford Explorer in Honolulu? (QuoteHonolulu.com)
• Auto Insurance 101 (About.com)
• Vehicle Size and Weight FAQ (iihs.org)
• Insuring a Leased Car (Insurance Information Insitute)
• Information for Teen Drivers (Geico)