There isn’t anyone who likes having to buy auto insurance, especially when they are aware that their premiums are too high.
Big-name insurance companies like Geico, Progressive and Allstate continually bombard you with fancy advertisements and it can be hard to see past the corporate glitz and find the best price available.
It’s a good idea to take a look at other company’s rates quite often because insurance prices change regularly. Despite the fact that you may have had the best quotes on Ranger insurance last year you will most likely find a better rate today. Ignore everything you know about auto insurance because you’re about to learn the things you must know in order to find better coverage at a better price.
Shopping for lower insurance coverage rates can be a daunting task if you don’t know the most efficient way. You can waste hours talking about coverages with agents in your area, or you could use online quoting to get rate comparisons in just a few minutes.
Many insurance companies belong to a marketplace that enables customers to submit their information once, and every company returns a rated price for coverage. This prevents consumers from doing quote forms for each company you want a rate for. To find out how much you’re overpaying now click here to open in new window.
The one downside to comparing rates this way is buyers cannot specifically choose which carriers you will receive quotes from. So if you prefer to choose specific insurance companies for rate comparison, we have assembled a list of low cost insurance coverage companies in your area. View list of insurance companies.
It’s up to you how you get prices quotes, just ensure you are comparing exactly the same coverage limits for each price quote. If you are comparing higher or lower deductibles it will be nearly impossible to make an equal comparison. Quoting even small variations in coverages could mean much higher rates. And when quoting insurance coverage, remember that obtaining a wide range of quotes increases the change that you will find the best offered rates. Some companies don’t provide online price quotes, so you also need to get prices on coverage from those companies, too.
Car insurance is not cheap, but you might already qualify for some discounts that could drop your premiums quite a bit. Certain discounts will be triggered automatically when you get a quote, but some discounts are required to be manually applied before you will receive the discount. If you’re not getting every credit available, you could be paying more than you need to.
One thing to note about discounts is that most of the big mark downs will not be given to the entire policy premium. Some only apply to individual premiums such as liability and collision coverage. Even though the math looks like having all the discounts means you get insurance for free, you aren’t that lucky.
A list of companies and some of the premium reductions they offer can be read below.
Before you buy a policy, ask every prospective company to give you their best rates. Some of the discounts discussed earlier might not be available to policyholders in your area. To locate providers who offer online car insurance quotes, click here to view.
When it comes to choosing proper insurance coverage for your vehicles, there is no cookie cutter policy. Your needs are not the same as everyone else’s so your insurance needs to address that. These are some specific questions can aid in determining if your situation might need an agent’s assistance.
If you don’t know the answers to these questions but one or more may apply to you, then you may want to think about talking to a licensed insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, simply complete this short form or you can go here for a list of companies in your area.
Knowing the specifics of a auto insurance policy helps when choosing the best coverages and the correct deductibles and limits. Auto insurance terms can be confusing and even agents have difficulty translating policy wording. Listed below are typical coverages offered by auto insurance companies.
Collision – Collision coverage covers damage to your Ranger resulting from colliding with another car or object. You will need to pay your deductible then your collision coverage will kick in.
Collision insurance covers things like hitting a parking meter, hitting a mailbox, damaging your car on a curb and crashing into a building. Collision is rather expensive coverage, so consider dropping it from vehicles that are 8 years or older. Another option is to bump up the deductible in order to get cheaper collision rates.
Uninsured or underinsured coverage – This protects you and your vehicle from other drivers when they do not carry enough liability coverage. It can pay for medical payments for you and your occupants and damage to your Ford Ranger.
Since many drivers have only the minimum liability required by law, their liability coverage can quickly be exhausted. So UM/UIM coverage is important protection for you and your family. Most of the time these coverages are similar to your liability insurance amounts.
Comprehensive protection – Comprehensive insurance pays to fix your vehicle from damage that is not covered by collision coverage. You first must pay your deductible then the remaining damage will be covered by your comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive insurance covers claims like a broken windshield, hail damage, damage from a tornado or hurricane and vandalism. The maximum amount a auto insurance company will pay at claim time is the market value of your vehicle, so if the vehicle’s value is low it’s not worth carrying full coverage.
Medical expense coverage – Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage pay for bills for prosthetic devices, dental work and doctor visits. They are utilized in addition to your health insurance program or if there is no health insurance coverage. Medical payments and PIP cover not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants and also covers if you are hit as a while walking down the street. PIP coverage is not available in all states but it provides additional coverages not offered by medical payments coverage
Liability insurance – This coverage provides protection from damage or injury you incur to people or other property in an accident. It consists of three limits, bodily injury for each person, bodily injury for the entire accident, and a limit for property damage. You might see values of 25/50/25 that means you have $25,000 in coverage for each person’s injuries, $50,000 for the entire accident, and $25,000 of coverage for damaged propery. Some companies may use a combined single limit or CSL which limits claims to one amount rather than limiting it on a per person basis.
Liability coverage pays for claims such as court costs, repair bills for other people’s vehicles, pain and suffering, medical expenses and medical services. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is a decision to put some thought into, but consider buying higher limits if possible.
Emmie Molina
Not sure what I should be paying. Located in Fayetteville, AR. I don’t recall every quote but I ended up saving about $20 each month. Just waiting to see how claims go. Not worth enough to pay for comprehensive and collision.
Elane Ball
Checking in from Indianapolis, IN. Got prices from Amica, Mercury, and USAA for my Ranger and I’m now saving $19 a month. Insured with State Farm before. I increased coverages a little too. Did it all online.
Eulah Pace
If you have a clean record and are close to Raleigh, North Carolina, check out GEICO. They seem to be cheaper. It’s only liability tho.
Anitra Bryant
Any companies in Eugene, OR that will insure a DUI?
Phil Wells
Thanks for putting this site together. I live on the west side of Chicago, Illinois. I quoted with AAA, MetLife, and a few others for my 2000 Ford Ranger and saved just over $80 a year. Online quotes are the way to go.
Fern Clay
I live in Kansas City, MO. I quoted with Mercury, Erie, GEICO, and American Family for my Ranger and saved $82 a year. Left 21st Century to switch. I have several vehicles insured with them. I just carry liability insurance.
Rocky Alston
Cheap car insurance? What’s that? Proud to be from Columbus, OH. I got free prices from Safeco, Eastwood, GEICO, and Amica for my Ford and I think I am saving around $20 each month. Insured with Hanover before.
Ivette Wilkerson
All companies are crooks. Checking in from Cleveland, OH. Compared rates from a lot of places. Saved darn near $20 a month. State Farm was the most affordable for me. Insured with Auto-Owners before. :)
Eve Albert
I’ve bought from Allstate forever. Cheapest rates in Chesapeake, VA.
Jonas Jacobs
If you have a clean record and live near Provo, UT, check out Progressive. I saved quite a bit. Insured with Nationwide before.
Latrina Lawson
I live in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and for me State Farm had the lowest quote. Highly recommended. It’s only liability tho.
Loreen Head
Affordable car insurance is a myth. I’m in Sioux Falls, SD. I compared lots of rates. Saved roughly $20 a month. Progressive was the most affordable for me. I’m thinking about dropping full coverage though.
Stuart Frost
Does Progressive have low rates for teen drivers?