1998 Ford Explorer Insurance Quotes

Trying to find better car insurance rates for your Ford Explorer? Buying low-cost car insurance on the internet is rather challenging for consumers new to shopping for insurance online. With such a large number of companies competing online, how can drivers effectively compare every one to find the cheapest available price?

Smart consumers take time to take a look at other company’s rates periodically due to the fact that insurance rates are adjusted regularly by insurance companies. If you had the best rates on Explorer insurance a year ago a different company probably has better rates today. Block out anything you think you know about car insurance because you’re about to learn the things you must know in order to find great coverage at a great price.

If you currently have a car insurance policy, you will most likely be able to lower your premiums substantially using this information. Buying affordable coverage can be fairly easy. But vehicle owners can benefit by having an understanding of the way companies market insurance on the web.

Finding Insurance Coverage Deals

When shopping for insurance coverage there are multiple ways to compare rate quotes and find the best price. The simplest method to find the lowest 1998 Ford Explorer rates involves getting comparison quotes online. It is quite easy and can be accomplished in just a few minutes using one of these methods.

The recommended way consumers can make multiple comparisons would be an industry-wide quote request form like this one (opens in new window). This type of form prevents you from having to do separate quote forms for each company you want a rate for. Taking the time to complete one form will return price quotes from several companies. Just one form and you’re done.

A more difficult way to compare prices requires a visit to the website of each company and request a quote. For sake of this example, we’ll pretend you want rates from Geico, 21st Century and Farmers. You would have to visit each site and enter your policy data, and that’s why the first method is more popular. For a list of links to insurance companies in your area, click here.

The hardest way to compare rates is driving to local insurance agencies. Buying insurance online has reduced the need for local agents unless you require the professional advice that only a license agent can provide. It is possible to get prices online and get advice from an agent in your area and we’ll cover that in a bit.

It’s your choice how you get your quotes, but compare the exact same coverage information for each comparison quote. If you enter higher or lower deductibles you can’t possibly make an equal comparison. Quoting even small variations in limits may result in a large different in cost. It’s important to know that obtaining a wide range of quotes helps you find a lower rate.

Can switching companies really save?

Auto insurance companies such as State Farm and Allstate regularly use ads on television and other media. They all seem to say the same thing about savings if you move your policy. But how can every company claim to save you money?

All the different companies have a certain “appetite” for the driver they prefer to insure. A good example of a profitable customer might be between the ages of 40 and 55, a clean driving record, and chooses high deductibles. A customer getting a price quote that hits that “sweet spot” will qualify for the lowest rates and is almost guaranteed to save quite a bit of money when switching.

Drivers who don’t measure up to this ideal profile will be charged a higher premium and this can result in the customer not buying. Company advertisements say “customers who switch” not “people who quote” save money. That’s the way insurance companies can claim big savings.

That is why drivers must quote coverage with many companies. You cannot predict which company will have the lowest Ford Explorer insurance rates.

Discounts are basically free money

Insuring your vehicles can cost a lot, but there are discounts available that can drop the cost substantially. Some trigger automatically at the time of purchase, but less common discounts must be asked for before they will apply.

  • Student in College – Youth drivers who are attending college without a vehicle on campus can be insured at a reduced rate.
  • One Accident Forgiven – A handful of insurance companies permit an accident before raising your premiums if you are claim-free for a set time period.
  • Seat Belts Save more than Lives – Buckling up and requiring all passengers to buckle their seat belts could save 15% off your medical payments premium.
  • Auto/Life Discount – Larger companies have a break if you buy auto and life insurance together.
  • Student Driver Training – Cut your cost by having your teen driver complete a driver education course if offered at their school.
  • Passive Restraint Discount – Factory air bags or motorized seat belts can qualify for discounts of up to 25% or more.
  • Good Student – Performing well in school can be rewarded with saving of up to 25%. The discount lasts up to age 25.
  • Anti-lock Brakes – Vehicles equipped with ABS or steering control can avoid accidents and earn discounts up to 10%.
  • Safe Driver Discount – Safe drivers can pay as much as 50% less on Explorer insurance than drivers with accidents.
  • Homeowners Discount – Owning a house may trigger a insurance policy discount because of the fact that having a home requires personal responsibility.

Keep in mind that some credits don’t apply to the overall cost of the policy. Most only apply to individual premiums such as collision or personal injury protection. Just because it seems like having all the discounts means you get insurance for free, it doesn’t quite work that way. Any qualifying discounts will reduce your premiums.

To see a list of insurers who offer insurance discounts, follow this link.

Which insurance is the “right” coverage?

When buying the right insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there really is not a one size fits all plan. Everyone’s situation is a little different.

For example, these questions may help highlight if you would benefit from an agent’s advice.

  • Do I need replacement cost coverage on my 1998 Ford Explorer?
  • Should I rate my 1998 Ford Explorer as pleasure use or commute?
  • Do I need rental car coverage?
  • Is a new car covered when I drive it off the dealer lot?
  • When should I drop full coverage on my 1998 Ford Explorer?
  • Can I rent a car in Mexico?
  • Is upholstery damage covered by car insurance?
  • Do I need to file an SR-22 for a DUI in my state?

If you’re not sure about those questions but you think they might apply to your situation then you might want to talk to an insurance agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, simply complete this short form.

Insurance coverage breakdown

Knowing the specifics of insurance helps when choosing appropriate coverage at the best deductibles and correct limits. The coverage terms in a policy can be difficult to understand and coverage can change by endorsement.

Medical expense insurance

Med pay and PIP coverage pay for bills such as funeral costs, X-ray expenses and surgery. The coverages can be used in conjunction with a health insurance program or if you do not have health coverage. It covers you and your occupants and will also cover if you are hit as a while walking down the street. Personal Injury Protection is only offered in select states but can be used in place of medical payments coverage

Collision coverage protection

Collision coverage will pay to fix damage to your Explorer caused by collision with another vehicle or an object, but not an animal. You first must pay a deductible then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.

Collision coverage protects against things like crashing into a building, hitting a mailbox, damaging your car on a curb, crashing into a ditch and sustaining damage from a pot hole. Collision is rather expensive coverage, 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.

Comprehensive (Other than Collision)

Comprehensive insurance coverage will pay to fix damage caused by mother nature, theft, vandalism and other events. A deductible will apply and then insurance will cover the rest of the damage.

Comprehensive coverage pays for claims like fire damage, hail damage and hitting a deer. The most a insurance company will pay at claim time is the market value of your vehicle, so if the vehicle’s value is low consider dropping full coverage.

Protection from uninsured/underinsured drivers

Your UM/UIM coverage provides protection from other motorists when they either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. Covered claims include medical payments for you and your occupants as well as your vehicle’s damage.

Since many drivers carry very low liability coverage limits, it doesn’t take a major accident to exceed their coverage limits. So UM/UIM coverage is important protection for you and your family. Most of the time these limits are identical to your policy’s liability coverage.

Auto liability insurance

This coverage can cover damage that occurs to people or other property that is your fault. It protects you against claims from other people. Liability doesn’t cover your injuries or vehicle damage.

Coverage consists of three different limits, bodily injury for each person, bodily injury for the entire accident, and a limit for property damage. As an example, you may have values of 50/100/50 that means you have a limit of $50,000 per injured person, a per accident bodily injury limit of $100,000, and $50,000 of coverage for damaged propery. Alternatively, you may have a combined limit which provides one coverage limit with no separate limits for injury or property damage.

Liability coverage pays for things like pain and suffering, legal defense fees and court costs. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is your choice, but it’s cheap coverage so purchase as large an amount as possible.

Take this to the bank

Drivers who switch companies do it for a variety of reasons including high prices, not issuing a premium refund, lack of trust in their agent and delays in responding to claim requests. It doesn’t matter why you want to switch switching companies is actually quite simple.

As you restructure your insurance plan, do not reduce coverage to reduce premium. In many instances, an insured cut liability coverage limits and discovered at claim time that saving that couple of dollars actually costed them tens of thousands. Your goal should be to buy a smart amount of coverage at an affordable rate, not the least amount of coverage.

Cost effective 1998 Ford Explorer insurance is attainable online as well as from independent agents, so compare prices from both to have the best rate selection. Some companies don’t offer you the ability to get quotes online and these regional insurance providers work with independent agents.

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