Save on 2014 Ford Explorer Car Insurance Quotes

Trying to find cheaper auto insurance rates for your Ford Explorer? I can’t think of anyone who rejoices having to buy auto insurance, particularly when the cost is way too high. Insurance companies such as Allstate, Liberty Mutual and State Farm constantly bombard you with ad campaigns and it can be hard to see past the geckos and flying pigs and do the work needed to find the best deal.

It’s important to check auto insurance prices occasionally because auto insurance rates fluctuate regularly. Just because you found the best deal for Explorer coverage six months ago a different company probably has better prices today. There is a lot of bad advice regarding auto insurance online but in a few minutes you can learn some great ways to find affordable auto insurance.

If you have a current car insurance policy or are looking for a new policy, you can follow these tips to reduce the price you pay and still get good coverage. Buying car insurance is not rocket science. Drivers only need to know the tricks to shop online.

Why your insurance costs might be higher

Lots of things are used in the calculation when you get a price on insurance. Most are fairly basic like a motor vehicle report, although others are more transparent like your continuous coverage or how financially stable you are.

Listed below are some of the most common factors used by companies to determine your prices.

  • Liability insurance limits on your policy – Your policy’s liability coverage kicks in when a jury decides you are liable for damages from an accident. Your policy’s liability insurance provides legal defense coverage to attempt to prove you were not liable. This coverage is very inexpensive compared to other policy coverages, so do not cut corners here.
  • High comp and collision deductibles equal low rates – Physical damage insurance, also called ‘full coverage’, covers damage that occurs to your Ford. Some examples of claims that would be covered would be a broken windshield, damage from fire, and damage from a fallen tree branch. The deductibles you choose state the amount of money you are willing to pay before your insurance pays a claim. The more you’re willing to pay, the less money you will pay for insurance for Explorer coverage.
  • Insurance rates and age – Youthful drivers are statistically proven to be easily distracted when driving with friends so insurance rates are higher. Parents adding a youthful driver onto a policy can be quite pricey. Older drivers tend to be more responsible, statistically cause fewer accidents and receive fewer citations.
  • Gender and insurance costs – Over time, data shows women are more cautious behind the wheel. However, don’t assume that females are better drivers. Males and females have at-fault accidents at about the same rate, but the males cause more damage and cost insurance companies more money. Men also get ticketed for serious violations like DUI and reckless driving. Young males are the most expensive to insure so it costs more to insure them.
  • Discounts for GPS tracking and theft deterrents – Driving a car with advanced anti-theft systems can earn a premium discount. Anti-theft features like vehicle immobilizer systems, General Motors OnStar and LoJack tracking systems can help prevent vehicle theft.
  • Extra policy coverages can cost a lot – There are quite a few additional extra coverages that you can get tricked into buying but may not be useful. Add-on coverages like coverage for rental cars, towing, and motor club memberships are examples of these. You may think they are a good idea when talking to your agent, but your needs may have changed so get rid of them and save.

Save with these money-saving discounts

Some insurers don’t list the complete list of policy discounts in an easy-to-find place, so we took the time to find some of the more common and also the more inconspicuous ways to save on insurance coverage.

  • Defensive Driving Course – Taking a course teaching driver safety skills could earn you a small percentage discount and also improve your driving technique.
  • Payment Discounts – By paying your policy upfront rather than spreading payments over time you could save up to 5%.
  • Good Drivers – Safe drivers could pay up to 40% less for Explorer coverage than drivers with accident claims.
  • Government Employee Discount – Employees or retirees of the government may reduce rates when you quote car insurance for Explorer coverage depending on your insurance coverage provider.
  • Discounts for New Vehicles – Buying a new car model is cheaper since newer models have better safety ratings.
  • Discount for Swiching Early – A few insurance coverage companies offer discounts for signing up early. This can save 10% or more.
  • Life Insurance – Some companies give a lower rate if you buy a life insurance policy as well.
  • Drivers Education – Make teen driver coverage more affordable by requiring them to successfully complete driver’s ed class in school or through a local driver safety program.
  • Discount for Low Mileage – Fewer annual miles on your Ford can qualify you for cheaper premium rates.

One thing to note about discounts is that most discount credits are not given the the whole policy. Most cut individual premiums such as liability, collision or medical payments. So even though you would think you would end up receiving a 100% discount, it just doesn’t work that way.

Companies and a partial list of their discounts include:

  • Progressive offers premium reductions for multi-policy, multi-vehicle, homeowner, online quote discount, good student, and continuous coverage.
  • AAA may have discounts that include multi-policy, education and occupation, pay-in-full, anti-theft, AAA membership discount, and good student.
  • Farmers Insurance offers discounts including distant student, homeowner, early shopping, multi-car, and teen driver.
  • GEICO has savings for membership and employees, five-year accident-free, anti-lock brakes, defensive driver, multi-policy, and multi-vehicle.
  • Esurance includes discounts for renters, defensive driver, good student, homeowner, paid-in-full, and online quote.
  • SAFECO has discounts for safe driver, anti-theft, homeowner, teen safe driver, bundle discounts, teen safety rewards, and anti-lock brakes.
  • State Farm policyholders can earn discounts including Drive Safe & Save, anti-theft, passive restraint, good driver, defensive driving training, and safe vehicle.

Before buying, ask every prospective company to apply every possible discount. A few discounts may not apply to policyholders in your area.

Insurance coverage ads bend the truth

Consumers constantly see and hear ads that promise big savings for switching by Progressive, Allstate and GEICO. All the companies convey the message that you’ll save big if you change your coverage.

But how can every company say the same thing? Just pay attention to how they say it.

Insurance providers are able to cherry pick for the type of driver that will most likely be profitable. An example of a profitable insured might be described as over the age of 50, carries high limits, and drives a vehicle with a low ISO rating. Any customer who fits that profile will get a cheap rate quote as well as cut their rates if they switch.

Potential customers who do not match these criteria may be forced to pay more expensive rates and ends up with the customer buying from someone else. Company advertisements say “people who switch” not “everyone that quotes” save that kind of money. That is how insurance companies can confidently make the claims of big savings.

This really illustrates why drivers should compare as many free car insurance quotes as you can. It’s not possible to predict which insurance coverage company will be your best fit.

Do I need special coverages?

When it comes to buying adequate coverage for your vehicles, there isn’t really a one size fits all plan. Every insured’s situation is different and a cookie cutter policy won’t apply. These are some specific questions may help highlight if your insurance needs will benefit from professional help.

  • Am I covered when driving someone else’s vehicle?
  • Does insurance cover tools stolen from my truck?
  • Should I sign the liability waiver when renting a car?
  • What is an SR-22 filing?
  • Is business equipment covered while in my vehicle?
  • Am I covered if I hit a deer?
  • Why is insurance for a teen driver so high?
  • Am I covered when using my vehicle for business?

If you can’t answer these questions but one or more may apply to you then you might want to talk to an insurance agent. If you don’t have a local agent, complete this form or go to this page to view a list of companies. It’s fast, free and can provide invaluable advice.

Coverages available on your insurance policy

Understanding the coverages of a insurance policy can be of help when determining the best coverages and the correct deductibles and limits. Insurance terms can be confusing and nobody wants to actually read their policy. These are typical coverage types found on most insurance policies.

Liability coverages – This can cover damages or injuries you inflict on other’s property or people that is your fault. It protects YOU against claims from other people, and doesn’t cover damage to your own property or vehicle.

Split limit liability has three limits of coverage: per person bodily injury, per accident bodily injury, and a property damage limit. You commonly see limits of 50/100/50 that means you have $50,000 in coverage for each person’s injuries, a per accident bodily injury limit of $100,000, and a total limit of $50,000 for damage to vehicles and 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 protects against things such as loss of income, medical expenses, legal defense fees and bail bonds. How much liability should you purchase? That is up to you, but buy as much as you can afford.

Medical payments and PIP coverage – Medical payments and Personal Injury Protection insurance pay for short-term medical expenses for X-ray expenses, EMT expenses, rehabilitation expenses and doctor visits. They can be used to cover expenses not covered by your health insurance plan or if you do not have health coverage. They cover all vehicle occupants as well as if you are hit as a while walking down the street. Personal injury protection coverage is not universally available and may carry a deductible

Collision coverages – Collision insurance will pay to fix damage to your Explorer resulting from a collision with another car or object. You will need to pay your deductible and then insurance will cover the remainder.

Collision coverage protects against things such as sustaining damage from a pot hole, damaging your car on a curb, crashing into a building and rolling your car. Paying for collision coverage can be pricey, so you might think about dropping it from vehicles that are older. Drivers also have the option to raise the deductible to get cheaper collision coverage.

Comprehensive auto coverage – This pays for damage that is not covered by collision coverage. You first have to pay a deductible then your comprehensive coverage will pay.

Comprehensive insurance covers claims like a broken windshield, falling objects, a tree branch falling on your vehicle, hitting a bird and theft. The maximum payout you can receive from a comprehensive claim is the market value of your vehicle, so if the vehicle’s value is low consider removing comprehensive coverage.

UM/UIM (Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist) coverage – This provides protection from other drivers when they are uninsured or don’t have enough coverage. This coverage pays for hospital bills for your injuries as well as damage to your Ford Explorer.

Since many drivers only purchase the least amount of liability that is required, their limits can quickly be used up. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage is important protection for you and your family. Normally these coverages are identical to your policy’s liability coverage.

Have money to burn

We’ve covered a lot of ways to reduce 2014 Ford Explorer insurance prices online. The key thing to remember is the more companies you get rates for, the better chance you’ll have of finding the cheapest car insurance. You may be surprised to find that the lowest prices come from a small local company. Regional companies often have lower rates on specific markets than the large multi-state companies such as Allstate and Progressive.

When trying to cut insurance costs, make sure you don’t buy lower coverage limits just to save a few bucks. There are many occasions where someone sacrificed uninsured motorist or liability limits only to regret at claim time that it was a big error on their part. The goal is to get the best coverage possible for the lowest cost, but do not sacrifice coverage to save money.

More detailed insurance information is located at these sites: