Save on 2011 Ford Escape Hybrid Car Insurance Rates

Searching for the cheapest auto insurance rates? Consumers have many options when looking for the best price on Ford Escape Hybrid insurance. You can either spend your time struggling with agents to get rate comparisons or utilize the internet to make rate comparisons. There are both good and bad ways to find auto insurance online so you’re going to learn the best way to price shop coverage for a new or used Ford and obtain the lowest possible price either online or from local insurance agents.

You need to compare prices before your next renewal because auto insurance prices change frequently. Just because you found the lowest quotes on Escape Hybrid coverage a year ago you will most likely find a better rate today. Block out anything you think you know about auto insurance because you’re about to find out how to quote online to properly buy coverages while reducing your premium.

Car Insurance Discounts

Auto insurance companies don’t list all possible discounts in a way that’s easy to find, so we break down some of the best known and also the lesser-known car insurance savings.

• Theft Prevention Discount – Cars, trucks, and SUVs that have factory anti-theft systems can help prevent theft and can earn a small discount on your policy.
• More Vehicles More Savings – Insuring all your vehicles on one policy can reduce the rates for all insured vehicles.
• Early Switch Discount – Some larger companies reward drivers for switching policies prior to your current policy expiring. You can save around 10% with this discount.
• Discounts for Seat Belt Usage – Drivers who require all vehicle occupants to fasten their seat belts could cut 10% or more off the medical payments premium.
• Save over 55 – Older drivers may be able to get reduced rates on Escape Hybrid coverage.
• Full Payment Discount – If you pay your entire premium ahead of time instead of monthly or quarterly installments you can avoid monthly service charges.
• No Claims – Drivers with accident-free driving histories pay less as compared to drivers with a long claim history.
• Defensive Driver – Taking part in a course that instructs on driving safety could earn you a small percentage discount and easily pay for the cost of the class.

Drivers should understand that most discount credits are not given to the entire cost. Some only reduce the price of certain insurance coverages like medical payments or collision. So when it seems like adding up those discounts means a free policy, companies wouldn’t make money that way.

Larger car insurance companies and a summarized list of policyholder discounts are outlined below.

• State Farm may have discounts that include good driver, safe vehicle, Steer Clear safe driver discount, Drive Safe & Save, good student, student away at school, and anti-theft.
• Farmers Insurance discounts include alternative fuel, switch companies, teen driver, business and professional, distant student, and electronic funds transfer.
• Progressive has savings for online signing, homeowner, good student, online quote discount, continuous coverage, multi-vehicle, and multi-policy.
• Geico may offer discounts for daytime running lights, seat belt use, anti-lock brakes, emergency military deployment, and anti-theft.
• Auto-Owners Insurance has discounts for multi-policy, air bags, paid in full, anti-theft, and student away at school.
• The Hartford offers discounts including good student, bundle, vehicle fuel type, anti-theft, defensive driver, air bag, and driver training.
• Farm Bureau includes discounts for renewal discount, multi-vehicle, youthful driver, good student, driver training, and 55 and retired.
• USAA offers discounts for multi-policy, defensive driver, new vehicle, military installation, annual mileage, safe driver, and vehicle storage.

Double check with each insurance company which discounts can lower your rates. Savings might not apply in your area.

Four factors that influence insurance premiums

Part of the insurance buying process is learning the rating factors that help determine insurance rates. When consumers understand what impacts premium levels, this enables you to make decisions that can earn you lower insurance prices. Lots of things are considered when you quote your car insurance policy. Some factors are common sense like your driving record, although others are less obvious like where you live or how financially stable you are.

The itemized list below are just a few of the factors used by your company to calculate your premiums.

• Avoid tickets and save – Your driving citation history has a huge affect on how much you pay. Careful drivers tend to pay less for car insurance compared to drivers with tickets. Just one speeding ticket may increase your cost twenty percent or more. Drivers who have dangerous violations such as DUI or willful reckless driving are required to submit a SR-22 form with their state’s licensing department in order to legally drive.
• Get cheaper rates after the wedding – Having a significant other can actually save you money on your policy. Marriage may mean you are more mature than a single person and statistics show married couples file fewer claims.
• Your address can push rates up or down – Being located in less populated areas of the country has it’s advantages when shopping for auto insurance. Residents of big cities regularly have traffic congestion and longer commutes to work. Fewer people means a lower chance of having an accident and lower theft and vandalism rates.
• Don’t let your policy lapse – Driving without insurance is a misdemeanor and companies may charge more for letting your coverage cancel without a new policy in place. Not only will you pay higher rates, getting caught without coverage could result in a license revocation or jail time. You could then be forced to prove you have insurance by filing a SR-22 with your state DMV.

Tailor your auto insurance coverage to you

When choosing adequate coverage, there really is not a “perfect” insurance plan. Your needs are not the same as everyone else’s.

For instance, these questions could help you determine whether or not you might need an agent’s assistance.

• Is my teen driver covered when they drive my company car?
• Do I have newly-aquired coverage?
• Do I need replacement cost coverage on my 2011 Ford Escape Hybrid?
• Am I covered if I wreck a rental car?
• Is other people’s property covered if stolen from my vehicle?
• Are split liability limits better than a combined single limit?

If you’re not sure about those questions but a few of them apply, you might consider talking to an agent. To find an agent in your area, simply complete this short form. It’s fast, free and may give you better protection.

The largest companies are not always cheapest

Consumers can’t ignore all the ads that claim the best premium rates by State Farm and Allstate. They all advertise the message that you’ll save big if you get a free insurance quote and switch your coverage to them.

How does each company cost less than your current company? This is the way they can do it.

Most companies have an ideal profile for the type of insured that will add to their bottom line. A good example of a preferred risk might be described as a married female, owns their home, and drives newer vehicles. Someone that hits that “sweet spot” will probably get the lowest auto insurance rates as well as save quite a bit of money when switching.

Drivers who don’t qualify for those criteria may receive a higher premium which leads to the customer buying from someone else. The trick is to say “customers who switch” not “everybody who quotes” can save as much as they claim. That is how companies can make claims like that. This illustrates why you need to compare as many free insurance quotes as you can. Because you cannot predict the company that will provide you with the cheapest auto insurance rates.

Specific coverage details

Learning about specific coverages of your car insurance policy can be of help when determining appropriate coverage and the correct deductibles and limits. The coverage terms in a policy can be confusing and nobody wants to actually read their policy.

Liability coverage

This can cover injuries or damage you cause to people or other property that is your fault. This coverage protects you against other people’s claims, and does not provide coverage for damage sustained by your vehicle in an accident.

Split limit liability has three limits of coverage: bodily injury for each person injured, bodily injury for the entire accident and a property damage limit. As an example, you may have policy limits of 25/50/25 that means you have $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.

Liability can pay for claims such as funeral expenses, loss of income, medical services, attorney fees and repair costs for stationary objects. How much liability coverage do you need? That is your choice, but consider buying as high a limit as you can afford.

Comprehensive coverages

This coverage covers damage that is not covered by collision coverage. A deductible will apply and then insurance will cover the rest of the damage.

Comprehensive coverage protects against things such as hitting a bird, fire damage, hitting a deer, damage from flooding and vandalism. The maximum payout your car insurance company will pay is the actual cash value, so if your deductible is as high as the vehicle’s value consider removing comprehensive coverage.

Coverage for medical payments

Coverage for medical payments and/or PIP kick in for bills for things like pain medications, hospital visits, prosthetic devices and dental work. They can be utilized in addition to your health insurance policy or if you lack health insurance entirely. Coverage applies to you and your occupants and will also cover being hit by a car walking across the street. PIP is not universally available and may carry a deductible

Auto collision coverage

Collision coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage resulting from a collision with a stationary object or other vehicle. You first must pay a deductible then your collision coverage will kick in.

Collision insurance covers things such as crashing into a ditch, hitting a mailbox and scraping a guard rail. This coverage can be expensive, so consider removing coverage from vehicles that are 8 years or older. Drivers also have the option to choose a higher deductible to save money on collision insurance.

Uninsured and underinsured coverage

This gives you protection when other motorists either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. This coverage pays for hospital bills for your injuries and also any damage incurred to your 2011 Ford Escape Hybrid.

Since many drivers carry very low liability coverage limits, it only takes a small accident to exceed their coverage. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage is a good idea.

And the best car insurance company is…

Affordable 2011 Ford Escape Hybrid insurance is available online and with local insurance agents, and you need to comparison shop both so you have a total pricing picture. A few companies may not offer online quoting and these small, regional companies only sell coverage through independent insurance agencies.

In this article, we covered quite a bit of information on how to compare 2011 Ford Escape Hybrid insurance rates online. It’s most important to understand that the more companies you get car insurance rates for, the higher the chance of saving money. You may be surprised to find that the lowest rates come from some of the smallest insurance companies.

Insureds leave their current company for a number of reasons such as unfair underwriting practices, extreme rates for teen drivers, an unsatisfactory settlement offer and high rates after DUI convictions. No matter why you want to switch, choosing a new company can be pretty painless.

Additional articles

• Teen Driver Statistics (Insurance Information Insitute)
• Who Has Cheap Car Insurance Quotes for a Ford Escape in San Diego? (SanDiegoCoverage.com)
• What Insurance is Cheapest for a Ford Escape in Fresno? (InsureFresno.com)
• Understanding Limits and Deductibles (Allstate)
• Should I Purchase an Umbrella Liability Policy? (Insurance Information Insitute)
• Determining Your Vehicle’s Value and Repair Cost (Insurance Information Insitute)