How Much Does 2003 Ford Escape Insurance Cost?

Trying to find lower insurance rates for your Ford Escape? Wish you could get out of high-priced insurance? You’re in good company because there are lots of people in the same boat. Lots of car insurance companies contend to insure your vehicles, and because of this it can be hard to compare insurance companies and get the definite lowest price

You need to do price comparisons as often as possible because insurance prices are usually higher with each renewal. Despite the fact that you may have had the best rate on Escape insurance two years ago you will most likely find a better premium rate today. You can find a lot of information about insurance online but we’re going to give you some of the best ways to quit paying high insurance rates.

If you are insured now or need new coverage, you can use these tips to shop for the lowest rates while maintaining coverages. Finding the best rates is easy if you know what you’re doing. Drivers only need an understanding of how to buy auto insurance online.

Eight tips to get more affordable insurance rates

Many factors are taken into consideration when pricing auto insurance. Some of the criteria are obvious like your driving record, although others are more transparent like where you live or how safe your car is.It’s important that you understand some of the things that aid in calculating car insurance rates. If you have some idea of what impacts premium levels, this allows you to make good choices that may result in much lower annual insurance costs.

Listed below are most of the major factors used by insurance companies to determine your rates.

• Vehicle features that cut car insurance rates – Driving a car with an alarm system can save you a little every year. Anti-theft features such as OnStar found on GM vehicles, advanced tracking like LoJack, and vehicle immobilization systems can help prevent auto theft.
• High insurance claims frequency drives up prices – If you’re an insured who likes to file claims you can expect increased rates or even have your policy non-renewed. Companies generally give most affordable rates to insureds who only file infrequent claims. Auto insurance is intended to be relied upon for claims that you cannot pay yourself.
• Drive less and get lower premiums – Driving more miles annually the higher your rates will be. Most companies price each vehicle’s coverage based upon how the vehicle is primarily 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. An incorrectly rated Escape can result in significantly higher rates. Ask your agent if your car insurance policy is showing the correct usage, because it can save money.
• Only buy add-on coverages you need – There are many extra add-on coverages that can waste your money if you aren’t diligent. Coverages like coverage for rental cars, better glass coverage, and term life insurance may be wasting your money. The coverages may be enticing when deciding what coverages you need, but now you might not need them so consider taking them off your policy.
• See if your company offers a multi-policy discount – Many insurers apply a discount for people who consolidate policies with them, otherwise known as a multi-policy discount. The amount of the discounts can be five, ten or even twenty percent. Even with this discount applied, drivers will still want to comparison shop to ensure the best deal. Consumers may save more without the discount by buying car insurance from a different company.
• Cheaper rates for prior coverage – Allowing your coverage to lapse will be a quick way to drive up your policy premiums. Not only will you pay more, failure to provide proof of insurance may earn you a steep fine or even jail time. You may then have to prove you have insurance by filing a SR-22 with your state motor vehicle department.
• Get cheaper costs after the wedding – Your spouse may cut your premiums on car insurance. Having a spouse generally demonstrates drivers are more mature than a single person and it’s statistically proven that married couples file fewer claims.
• Car insurance rates and your occupation – Did you know your occupation can influence how much you pay for car insurance? Careers like military personnel, executives and accountants generally pay higher rates than the rest of us in part from stressful work requirements and extremely grueling work hours. Other occupations such as farmers, engineers and homemakers have the lowest average rates on Escape insurance.

Get lower rates with discounts

Some companies don’t always advertise all possible discounts in a way that’s easy to find, so the list below contains some of the more common and also the more inconspicuous discounts that may be available.

• ABS Braking Discount – Cars, trucks, and SUVs that have anti-lock braking systems prevent accidents and earn discounts up to 10%.
• Drivers Ed for Students – Reduce the cost of insurance for teen drivers by having them successfully complete driver’s ed class in school.
• Safe Driver Discount – Drivers who don’t get into accidents may receive a discount up to 45% on Escape insurance than drivers with accident claims.
• Senior Discount – Mature drivers may qualify for lower premium rates on Escape insurance.
• Anti-theft Discount – Vehicles optioned with advanced anti-theft systems are stolen less frequently and will qualify for a discount on a insurance quote.

Discounts save money, but please remember that most discounts do not apply to the entire policy premium. Most only cut the cost of specific coverages such as liability, collision or medical payments. Just because it seems like you can get free auto insurance, nobody gets a free ride.

Larger insurance companies and a selection of discounts can be read below.

• State Farm includes discounts for driver’s education, Steer Clear safe driver discount, anti-theft, Drive Safe & Save, good student, accident-free, and safe vehicle.
• Nationwide has savings for Farm Bureau membership, anti-theft, family plan, business or organization, defensive driving, good student, and easy pay.
• Geico discounts include good student, air bags, multi-vehicle, anti-theft, and anti-lock brakes.
• AAA may offer discounts for multi-policy, good student, education and occupation, multi-car, AAA membership discount, pay-in-full, and good driver.
• 21st Century policyholders can earn discounts including anti-lock brakes, teen driver, good student, homeowners, and student driver.
• The Hartford has discounts for bundle, defensive driver, vehicle fuel type, air bag, anti-theft, good student, and driver training.

Before you buy a policy, ask every company how you can save money. A few discounts might not be offered in your state. If you would like to choose from a list of insurance companies who offer online insurance quotes, click here to view.

Misconceptions in car insurance advertisements

Consumers can’t get away from all the ads that claim the cheapest rates from companies such as Progressive, Geico, Allstate and State Farm. All the ads have a common claim about savings if you get a free insurance quote and switch your policy.

But how can every company charge less that you’re paying now?

Car insurance companies have a certain “appetite” for the driver that will add to their bottom line. For instance, this type of insured might be described as a female over age 40, has never had a claim, and has a high credit rating. Someone who meets those qualifications will get a cheap rate quote and will most likely save money with a new company.

Insureds who do not fit this ideal profile may receive a higher premium and ends up with the customer buying from someone else. The ads state “customers who switch” not “all people who quote” can save as much as they claim. That’s why companies can advertise the way they do.

Because of this risk profiling, drivers must quote coverage with many companies. You cannot predict which car insurance company will fit you best based on your risk profile.

What is the best auto insurance coverage?

When choosing proper insurance coverage, there really is no perfect coverage plan. Everyone’s situation is unique and a cookie cutter policy won’t apply. For instance, these questions may help you determine if your situation may require specific advice.

• What if I total my 2003 Ford Escape and owe more than it’s worth?
• Should I buy full coverage?
• Can I get a multi-policy discount?
• Is my vehicle covered by my employer’s policy when using it for work?
• Will filing a claim cost me more?
• Am I covered when pulling a rental trailer?
• Will I lose any money if I cancel my policy before it expires?
• Am I better off with higher deductibles on my 2003 Ford Escape?

If you can’t answer these questions but you think they might apply to your situation, you may need to chat with a licensed agent. To find an agent in your area, take a second and complete this form or you can also visit this page to select a carrier It only takes a few minutes and can help protect your family.

Car insurance coverages for a 2003 Ford Escape

Knowing the specifics of auto insurance helps when choosing the right coverages and proper limits and deductibles. The coverage terms in a policy can be ambiguous and nobody wants to actually read their policy. Below you’ll find typical coverage types found on most auto insurance policies.

Uninsured and underinsured coverage

Your UM/UIM coverage protects you and your vehicle’s occupants from other motorists when they either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. It can pay for hospital bills for your injuries and damage to your 2003 Ford Escape.

Since many 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 is important protection for you and your family. Usually your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverages do not exceed the liability coverage limits.

Collision coverage protection

This coverage will pay to fix damage to your Escape resulting from a collision with another car or object. You first must pay a deductible and then insurance will cover the remainder.

Collision coverage pays for things like sideswiping another vehicle, driving through your garage door and colliding with a tree. Collision is rather expensive coverage, so analyze the benefit of dropping coverage from vehicles that are older. You can also choose a higher deductible to bring the cost down.

Comprehensive coverages

Comprehensive insurance will pay to fix damage caused by mother nature, theft, vandalism and other events. You first have to pay a deductible then the remaining damage will be covered by your comprehensive coverage.

Comprehensive coverage pays for things such as a tree branch falling on your vehicle, a broken windshield, falling objects, hitting a deer and damage from getting keyed. The maximum amount a auto insurance company will pay at claim time 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.

Coverage for medical payments

Medical payments and Personal Injury Protection insurance pay for short-term medical expenses such as prosthetic devices, surgery, pain medications, dental work and nursing services. They are often used in conjunction with a health insurance policy or if you lack health insurance entirely. Coverage applies to not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants as well as being hit by a car walking across the street. PIP coverage is not an option in every state and gives slightly broader coverage than med pay

Coverage for liability

This coverage protects you from injuries or damage you cause to people or other property in 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 for each person, bodily injury for the entire accident, and a limit for property damage. You might see liability limits of 100/300/100 that means you have $100,000 bodily injury coverage, a limit of $300,000 in injury protection per accident, and a total limit of $100,000 for damage to vehicles and property. Occasionally you may see a combined limit which provides one coverage limit rather than limiting it on a per person basis.

Liability insurance covers claims like repair costs for stationary objects, medical expenses, funeral expenses and loss of income. How much liability should you purchase? That is up to you, but you should buy higher limits if possible.

In the end, you save

When trying to cut insurance costs, it’s very important that you do not reduce needed coverages to save money. In many cases, an accident victim reduced uninsured motorist or liability limits only to regret at claim time they didn’t have enough coverage. The ultimate goal is to purchase plenty of coverage at an affordable rate while still protecting your assets.

You just learned a lot of tips how to shop for 2003 Ford Escape insurance online. It’s most important to understand that the more quotes you get, the more likely it is that you will get a better rate. Consumers may even find the lowest rates come from a small local company. They may have significantly lower car insurance rates on certain market segments as compared to the big name companies such as State Farm and Allstate.

More affordable insurance coverage is definitely available online and from local insurance agents, and you should compare price quotes from both to get a complete price analysis. Some companies don’t offer rate quotes online and these small insurance companies prefer to sell through independent agents.

Other information

• Can I Drive Legally without Insurance? (Insurance Information Insitute)
• Older Drivers FAQ (iihs.org)
• Vehicle Insurance (Wikipedia)
• Choosing a Car for Your Teen (State Farm)
• What Determines the Price of My Auto Insurance Policy? (Insurance Information Insitute)