1998 Ford Windstar Car Insurance Quotes – 10 Tips for Best Rates

Car insurance shoppers not familiar with shopping for car insurance online will discover sourcing inexpensive auto insurance is quite challenging.

Locating more affordable insurance is not that difficult. Basically, anyone who carries insurance should be able to lower their premiums. But car owners must comprehend the way insurance companies price insurance differently because it can help you find the best coverage.

Where can I get affordable auto insurance?

Effectively comparing auto insurance prices can be challenging if you don’t utilize the most efficient way. You could waste a few hours discussing policy coverages with insurance agencies in your area, or you can stay home and use online quotes to get the quickest rates.

Many of the larger companies participate in an industry program where prospective buyers complete one form, and each participating company then returns a price quote based on that information. This prevents consumers from doing quotation requests for each company you want a rate for.

To access this free quoting program, click here (opens in new window).

The only drawback to pricing coverage this way is you can’t choose the providers you want pricing from. If you would rather choose from a list of companies to request quotes from, we put together a list of auto insurance companies in your area. View list of insurance companies.

Whichever way you choose to compare rates, make darn sure you compare equivalent coverages and limits with each company. If you are comparing mixed coverages it’s not possible to make a fair comparison for your Ford Windstar. Quoting even small variations in coverages can make a big difference in price. Keep in mind that making a lot of price comparisons provides better odds of finding more affordable rates.

Cheaper rates by taking advantage of these ten discounts

Some insurance providers don’t always advertise every disount available in a way that’s easy to find, so we took the time to find both well-publicized in addition to some of the lesser obvious credits available to you. If they aren’t giving you every credit you deserve, you’re paying more than you need to.

• New Car Discount – Insuring a vehicle that is new is cheaper because new model year vehicles have to meet stringent safety requirements.
• Federal Government Employee – Employees or retirees of the government may qualify for a discount when you quote auto insurance on Windstar coverage with select insurance companies.
• Defensive Driver Discounts – Taking part in a safe driver class can save you 5% or more depending on where you live.
• Distant Student – College-age children who are enrolled in higher education away from home and leave their car at home could get you a discount.
• Theft Deterent – Cars and trucks that have factory anti-theft systems help deter theft and will save you 10% or more.
• Pay Early and Save – If you pay your entire premium ahead of time instead of monthly or quarterly installments you can avoid monthly service charges.
• Professional Memberships – Belonging to qualifying clubs or civic groups is a good way to get lower rates on your bill.
• Telematics Devices – Drivers who elect to allow driving data collection to scrutinize driving patterns by installing a telematics device such as Progressive’s Snapshot could possibly reduce rates if their driving habits are good.
• ABS and Traction Control Discounts – Cars and trucks with ABS and/or traction control can avoid accidents and will save you 10% or more.
• Active Service Discounts – Being on active duty in the military could qualify you for better rates.

As a sidenote, many deductions do not apply to the entire policy premium. A few only apply to the price of certain insurance coverages like collision or personal injury protection. Just because you may think all the discounts add up to a free policy, insurance companies wouldn’t stay in business.

Popular auto insurance companies and their offered discounts are shown below.

• State Farm policyholders can earn discounts including good driver, anti-theft, accident-free, passive restraint, driver’s education, and safe vehicle.
• Farmers Insurance offers discounts for switch companies, alternative fuel, good student, early shopping, and youthful driver.
• Progressive may have discounts that include multi-policy, good student, online quote discount, homeowner, continuous coverage, multi-vehicle, and online signing.
• Geico has discounts for anti-lock brakes, defensive driver, multi-vehicle, seat belt use, federal employee, and air bags.
• Auto-Owners Insurance discounts include safe driver, teen driver, multiple vehicles, air bags, anti-theft, and paid in full.
• The Hartford may include discounts for air bag, bundle, vehicle fuel type, good student, driver training, and anti-theft.
• Farm Bureau has savings for multi-policy, youthful driver, multi-vehicle, 55 and retired, driver training, and safe driver.
• USAA offers discounts including new vehicle, driver training, safe driver, good student, and annual mileage.

When comparing rates, check with each insurance company which discounts they offer. All car insurance discounts might not be offered on policies in your area. For a list of insurance companies that offer the discounts shown above, click here.

How much insurance do I need?

When it comes to buying the right insurance coverage for your vehicles, there really is not a “best” method to buy coverage. Everyone’s situation is unique.

These are some specific questions may help highlight whether or not you would benefit from professional advice.

• At what point should I drop full coverage?
• Is business property covered if stolen from my car?
• What is the minimum liability in my state?
• Can I afford to buy a different vehicle if my 1998 Ford Windstar is totaled?
• Am I covered if I crash into my own garage door?
• When would I need rental car insurance?
• Is my teen driver covered when they drive my company car?
• Should I put collision coverage on all my vehicles?
• Am I covered if hit by an uninsured driver?
• Do I have coverage if my license is suspended?

If you’re not sure about those questions then you might want to talk to a licensed insurance agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, complete this form.

Coverages available on your policy

Having a good grasp of your policy aids in choosing appropriate coverage and the correct deductibles and limits. The coverage terms in a policy can be ambiguous and reading a policy is terribly boring.

Medical expense insurance

Medical payments and Personal Injury Protection insurance pay for bills for things like funeral costs, ambulance fees, prosthetic devices, chiropractic care and doctor visits. The coverages can be used to fill the gap from your health insurance policy or if there is no health insurance coverage. Coverage applies to you and your occupants and also covers any family member struck as a pedestrian. PIP coverage is only offered in select states and may carry a deductible

Collision coverage protection

Collision insurance pays to fix your vehicle from damage from colliding with a stationary object or other vehicle. You will need to pay your deductible then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.

Collision coverage protects against claims like crashing into a building, damaging your car on a curb, colliding with another moving vehicle and driving through your garage door. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so you might think about dropping it from vehicles that are 8 years or older. Another option is to raise the deductible to save money on collision insurance.

Protection from uninsured/underinsured drivers

Your UM/UIM coverage gives you protection when other motorists either have no liability insurance or not enough. Covered claims include injuries to you and your family as well as your vehicle’s damage.

Since many drivers only purchase the least amount of liability that is required, it only takes a small accident to exceed their coverage. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is a good idea. Frequently these coverages do not exceed the liability coverage limits.

Comprehensive (Other than Collision)

This coverage covers damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. You first must pay your deductible then your comprehensive coverage will pay.

Comprehensive coverage protects against things such as hail damage, damage from flooding, rock chips in glass, hitting a deer and hitting a bird. The maximum payout your auto insurance company will pay is the cash value of the vehicle, so if the vehicle is not worth much it’s not worth carrying full coverage.

Liability

This coverage can cover damage or injury you incur to other’s property or people by causing an accident. Coverage consists of three different limits, bodily injury for each person injured, bodily injury for the entire accident and a property damage limit. Your policy might show policy limits of 25/50/25 which means $25,000 bodily injury coverage, a total of $50,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and a limit of $25,000 paid for damaged property. Occasionally you may see a combined limit which limits claims to one amount and claims can be made without the split limit restrictions.

Liability coverage protects against claims such as bail bonds, repair costs for stationary objects, structural damage, funeral expenses and loss of income. How much liability coverage do you need? That is a personal decision, but it’s cheap coverage so purchase as large an amount as possible.