Trying to find lower car insurance rates for your Ford Freestar? Overwhelmed by the dozens of car insurance choices? Many other consumers are too. There are so many companies to choose from that it can quickly become a big hassle to find the perfect company for you.
Car insurance companies don’t always publicize all available discounts very clearly, so here is a list both well-publicized and the more hidden ways to save on car insurance.
Drivers should understand that most discounts do not apply the the whole policy. Most only apply to the price of certain insurance coverages like physical damage coverage or medical payments. Just because it seems like all those discounts means the company will pay you, car insurance companies aren’t that generous.
Car insurance companies that may have some of the above discounts include:
It’s a good idea to ask every prospective company which discounts you may be entitled to. All car insurance discounts may not apply in every state.
It’s important that you understand some of the elements that play a part in calculating the price you pay for insurance coverage. Knowing what influences your rates empowers consumers to make smart changes that may reward you with much lower annual insurance costs.
Shown below are some of the items used by your company to calculate rates.
When it comes to choosing the best insurance coverage for your vehicles, there isn’t really a single plan that fits everyone. Every situation is different.
These are some specific questions could help you determine whether or not you might need professional guidance.
If you can’t answer these questions, you might consider talking to a licensed agent. If you don’t have a local agent, complete this form.
Companies like Progressive, Allstate and GEICO consistently run television and radio advertisements. All the ads make an identical promise about savings if you change your policy. How do they all claim to save you money? This is how they do it.
All companies can use profiling for the type of driver that makes them money. An example of a profitable customer could be between 25 and 40, has no driving citations, and has a short commute. A customer who matches those parameters will get very good rates and therefore will save quite a bit of money when switching.
Consumers who fall outside these standards will have to pay higher premiums which usually ends up with the driver buying from a lower-cost company. The ads state “people who switch” not “people who quote” save that much money. That is how insurance companies can state the savings. Because of the profiling, you should get as many comparisons as possible. Because you never know which car insurance company will fit your personal profile best.
Understanding the coverages of a insurance policy can be of help when determining appropriate coverage and the correct deductibles and limits. Insurance terms can be impossible to understand and reading a policy is terribly boring.
Med pay and Personal Injury Protection (PIP) – Med pay and PIP coverage kick in for short-term medical expenses such as nursing services, ambulance fees, dental work and surgery. They are used to fill the gap from your health insurance program or if you lack health insurance entirely. It covers both the driver and occupants and will also cover 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
Collision – This coverage covers damage to your Freestar resulting from colliding with an object or car. You first must pay a deductible then your collision coverage will kick in.
Collision coverage protects against claims such as rolling your car, colliding with a tree and driving through your garage door. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so consider removing coverage from vehicles that are older. Drivers also have the option to choose a higher deductible to save money on collision insurance.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) – This provides protection when the “other guys” do not carry enough liability coverage. Covered claims include injuries to you and your family as well as damage to your Ford Freestar.
Since a lot of drivers carry very low liability coverage limits, their limits can quickly be used up. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is a good idea.
Comprehensive insurance – This coverage pays for damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. You need to pay your deductible first and the remainder of the damage will be paid by comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive coverage pays for claims such as theft, hail damage, fire damage, vandalism and damage from getting keyed. The most you can receive from a comprehensive claim is the ACV or actual cash value, so if the vehicle is not worth much it’s not worth carrying full coverage.
Liability auto insurance – Liability insurance provides protection from damages or injuries you inflict on other people or property. This coverage protects you against claims from other people, and does not provide coverage for damage sustained by your vehicle in an accident.
Liability coverage has three limits: per person bodily injury, per accident bodily injury, and a property damage limit. As an example, you may have limits of 25/50/25 that translate to a $25,000 limit per person for injuries, a limit of $50,000 in injury protection per accident, and property damage coverage for $25,000.
Liability coverage pays for things such as attorney fees, loss of income, funeral expenses, pain and suffering and structural damage. How much liability should you purchase? That is up to you, but it’s cheap coverage so purchase higher limits if possible.
When you buy insurance online, you should never reduce coverage to reduce premium. There are many occasions where an insured cut uninsured motorist or liability limits only to regret they didn’t have enough coverage. Your strategy should be to purchase a proper amount of coverage for the lowest price.
Cost effective 2005 Ford Freestar insurance is definitely available on the web and with local insurance agents, and you should be comparing both to have the best selection. Some companies do not offer you the ability to get quotes online and most of the time these small insurance companies sell through independent agents.
We just covered many ways to compare insurance prices online. The key thing to remember is the more times you quote, the better likelihood of reducing your rate. Consumers could even find that the most savings is with a small mutual company.