Searching for better insurance coverage rates? Consumers have a choice when looking for affordable Ford Focus insurance. They can either spend hours struggling with agents to get rate comparisons or use the internet to compare rates. There are both good and bad ways to buy insurance coverage so you’re going to learn the best way to get price quotes on a Ford and find the lowest price either online or from local insurance agents.
It’s important that you understand the different types of things that go into determining the price you pay for car insurance. Knowing what determines base rates enables informed choices that will entitle you to lower car insurance prices.
Listed below are a partial list of the pieces car insurance companies consider when setting prices.
Companies do not list all their discounts in an easy-to-find place, so we break down both well-publicized and also the lesser-known discounts you could be receiving. If they aren’t giving you every credit you qualify for, you’re just leaving money on the table.
It’s important to understand that most of the big mark downs will not be given the the whole policy. Most cut specific coverage prices like liability and collision coverage. Even though it may seem like you could get a free car insurance policy, car insurance companies aren’t that generous.
Insurance companies that may have some of the above discounts include:
It’s a good idea to ask each company which discounts you may be entitled to. Some discounts might not be offered in your state.
Consumers get pounded daily by advertisements that promise big savings by Progressive, Allstate and Geico. All the companies make the same claim about savings if you switch to their company.
How does each company make the same claim? This is how they do it.
All companies are able to cherry pick for the type of driver they prefer to insure. An example of a profitable customer could be between 30 and 50, has no driving citations, and drives newer vehicles. A propective insured who fits that profile will get very good rates and therefore will pay quite a bit less when switching companies.
Consumers who are not a match for these standards will be quoted higher premiums and ends up with the driver buying from a lower-cost company. The ads say “people who switch” not “people who quote” save that much. That is how insurance companies can confidently advertise the way they do. This emphasizes why you absolutely need to get quotes from several different companies. You cannot predict which insurance companies will fit your personal profile best.
When buying the right insurance coverage, there really is not a cookie cutter policy. Coverage needs to be tailored to your specific needs.
Here are some questions about coverages that may help you determine whether your personal situation would benefit from professional advice.
If it’s difficult to answer those questions, you may need to chat with an insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, fill out this quick form. It only takes a few minutes and you can get the answers you need.
Having a good grasp of your policy aids in choosing the right coverages and proper limits and deductibles. Car insurance terms can be impossible to understand and nobody wants to actually read their policy.
Collision coverage protection
Collision coverage covers damage to your Focus resulting from colliding with an object or car. A deductible applies then your collision coverage will kick in.
Collision insurance covers claims like scraping a guard rail, crashing into a building and hitting a mailbox. Paying for collision coverage can be pricey, so analyze the benefit of dropping coverage from vehicles that are 8 years or older. You can also increase the deductible in order to get cheaper collision rates.
Comprehensive coverages
This pays for damage that is not covered by collision coverage. A deductible will apply then your comprehensive coverage will pay.
Comprehensive can pay for claims like hail damage, hitting a deer, rock chips in glass and falling objects. The maximum payout a car insurance company will pay at claim time is the ACV or actual cash value, so if the vehicle’s value is low consider removing comprehensive coverage.
Uninsured and underinsured coverage
Your UM/UIM coverage provides protection when the “other guys” either have no liability insurance or not enough. It can pay for injuries to you and your family and also any damage incurred to your Ford Focus.
Since many drivers carry very low liability coverage limits, their liability coverage can quickly be exhausted. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is a good idea.
Coverage for medical payments
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage kick in for bills like ambulance fees, pain medications, EMT expenses, chiropractic care and surgery. They are used to fill the gap from your health insurance plan or if you are not covered by health insurance. They cover not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants and will also cover being hit by a car walking across the street. PIP coverage is only offered in select states but it provides additional coverages not offered by medical payments coverage
Coverage for liability
This coverage will cover damages or injuries you inflict on other people or property by causing an accident. It protects YOU against other people’s claims, and doesn’t cover damage sustained by your vehicle in an accident.
Split limit liability has three limits of coverage: per person bodily injury, per accident bodily injury, and a property damage limit. You commonly see values of 100/300/100 which stand for $100,000 in coverage for each person’s injuries, a total of $300,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $100,000 of coverage for damaged propery.
Liability coverage protects against things such as legal defense fees, medical expenses, court costs and bail bonds. How much liability coverage do you need? That is up to you, but consider buying as high a limit as you can afford.
People leave their current company for any number of reasons including questionable increases in premium, poor customer service, denial of a claim and even unfair underwriting practices. It doesn’t matter what your reason, finding a great new company can be easier than you think.
As you prepare to switch companies, you should never reduce coverage to reduce premium. In many instances, someone dropped full coverage and discovered at claim time that saving that couple of dollars actually costed them tens of thousands. Your aim should be to purchase plenty of coverage at the best price while still protecting your assets.
Low-cost 2012 Ford Focus insurance can be purchased from both online companies in addition to many insurance agents, and you should compare price quotes from both to get a complete price analysis. Some insurance companies do not provide you the ability to get quotes online and usually these small insurance companies provide coverage only through local independent agents.