2011 Ford Explorer Car Insurance Quotes – 8 Tips to Save

Want the cheapest car insurance rates for your Ford Explorer? Are you burned out from being strong-armed each month for car insurance? You’re in the same situation as the majority of other consumers. Because there are so many online and local companies to choose from, it is hard for the average consumer to locate a more affordable car insurance provider.

How much is insurance coverage?

Most of the larger companies like Progressive, Allstate and Geico give insurance quotes on the web. Comparing prices online is quite easy as all you need to do is type in as detailed in the form. Once you submit the form, their quoting system orders credit information and your driving record and returns a price quote based on these factors. Online quotes makes it simple to compare prices but the process of having to visit many different websites and type in your information is not the best way to spend an afternoon. But it’s necessary to compare as many rates as possible if you are searching for the lowest price.

Isn’t there an easier way to compare rates?

The preferred way to lower your rates uses just one form that gets prices from many companies. It’s a real time-saver, requires less work, and makes quoting online much easier to do. As soon as the form is sent, it is rated with multiple companies and you can pick any one of the quotes that you receive.

If you find a better price it’s easy to complete the application and purchase coverage. The entire process takes 15 minutes at the most and can result in significant savings.

To fill out one form to compare multiple rates now, click here to open in a new tab and fill out the form. If you have coverage now, it’s recommended you complete the form with your coverages just like they are on your policy. Using the same limits helps guarantee you will be getting comparison quotes for the exact same coverage.

These eight discounts can lower your car insurance quotes

Car insurance can be pricey, but discounts can save money and there are some available that you may not know about. Certain discounts will be triggered automatically at quote time, but some may not be applied and must be requested specifically in order for you to get them.

• Defensive Driver Discounts – Taking a course teaching driver safety skills may get you a small discount and easily recoup the cost of the course.
• Low Mileage – Low mileage vehicles may enable drivers to earn substantially lower rates.
• Payment Discounts – If you pay your bill all at once rather than spreading payments over time you can avoid the installment charge.
• Smart Student Discounts – Performing well in school may save as much as 25% on a car insurance quote. The discount lasts up until you turn 25.
• Military Deployment Discount – Having an actively deployed family member could be rewarded with lower car insurance rates.
• Mature Driver Discount – Drivers over the age of 55 may be able to get better car insurance rates on Explorer coverage.
• Student Driver Training – Make teen driver coverage more affordable by requiring them to enroll in driver’s education if offered at their school.
• New Car Discount – Buying a new car instead of a used car can save you some money since newer models have better safety ratings.

Keep in mind that most discount credits are not given to all coverage premiums. Most only reduce specific coverage prices like physical damage coverage or medical payments. Just because it seems like all the discounts add up to a free policy, insurance companies wouldn’t stay in business.

For a list of car insurance companies with discount car insurance rates, click this link.

Different people need different insurance coverages

When it comes to choosing coverage for your personal vehicles, there is no “perfect” insurance plan. Coverage needs to be tailored to your specific needs so your insurance should reflect that For example, these questions might point out whether your personal situation would benefit from professional advice.

• What is UM/UIM insurance?
• Why am I required to buy high-risk coverage?
• Are all vehicle passengers covered by medical payments coverage?
• Do I have coverage when making deliveries for my home business?
• Am I covered if I drive in a foreign country?
• Is my Ford Explorer covered if I use it for business?
• What is the rate difference between pleasure use and commuting?

If you’re not sure about those questions, you may need to chat with a licensed insurance agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, simply complete this short form or you can go here for a list of companies in your area. It is quick, free and can help protect your family.

Auto insurance policy specifics

Learning about specific coverages of your policy helps when choosing which coverages you need and proper limits and deductibles. The coverage terms in a policy can be ambiguous and nobody wants to actually read their policy. Shown next are the usual coverages found on most auto insurance policies.

Comprehensive auto coverage

This coverage pays for damage from a wide range of events other than collision. A deductible will apply then your comprehensive coverage will pay.

Comprehensive coverage pays for claims like hail damage, damage from a tornado or hurricane and damage from flooding. The highest amount you can receive from a comprehensive claim is the actual cash value, so if it’s not worth much more than your deductible it’s not worth carrying full coverage.

Medical payments and PIP coverage

Medical payments and Personal Injury Protection insurance kick in for expenses for funeral costs, hospital visits, EMT expenses and prosthetic devices. They are used to cover expenses not covered by your health insurance policy or if you are not covered by health insurance. It covers not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants and will also cover getting struck while a pedestrian. PIP is not an option in every state but it provides additional coverages not offered by medical payments coverage

Coverage for collisions

Collision coverage will pay to fix damage to your Explorer caused by collision with another car or object. A deductible applies and the rest of the damage will be paid by collision coverage.

Collision can pay for claims like crashing into a building, backing into a parked car and crashing into a ditch. This coverage can be expensive, so consider dropping it from lower value vehicles. You can also bump up the deductible to bring the cost down.

Liability

This can cover damages or injuries you inflict on people or other property in an accident. Coverage consists of three different limits, per person bodily injury, per accident bodily injury, and a property damage limit. You commonly see values of 100/300/100 which means a limit of $100,000 per injured person, a per accident bodily injury limit of $300,000, and a limit of $100,000 paid for damaged property. Some companies may use one number which is a combined single limit that pays claims from the same limit with no separate limits for injury or property damage.

Liability coverage pays for claims such as repair costs for stationary objects, emergency aid and medical services. How much liability coverage do you need? That is a personal decision, but buy as high a limit as you can afford.

UM/UIM (Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist) coverage

Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage gives you protection when the “other guys” are uninsured or don’t have enough coverage. It can pay for injuries sustained by your vehicle’s occupants and also any damage incurred to your 2011 Ford Explorer.

Since many drivers have only the minimum liability required by law, it doesn’t take a major accident to exceed their coverage limits. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is very important. Normally the UM/UIM limits are identical to your policy’s liability coverage.

In Summary

The cheapest 2011 Ford Explorer insurance is available from both online companies as well as from independent agents, and you should compare price quotes from both so you have a total pricing picture. A few companies may not provide online price quotes and many times these smaller providers prefer to sell through independent agents.

As you prepare to switch companies, it’s a bad idea to skimp on coverage in order to save money. In too many instances, an insured cut comprehensive coverage or liability limits only to find out that it was a big error on their part. Your objective should be to buy enough coverage for the lowest cost, but don’t skip important coverages to save money.

More information is located on the following sites:

• What Determines the Price of My Auto Insurance Policy? (Insurance Information Insitute)
• How do I File a Claim? (Insurance Information Insitute)
• Side Impact Crash Tests (iihs.org)
• Smart Auto Insurance Tips (Insurance Information Insitute)