Lower Your 1996 Ford E-150 Insurance Cost

Want lower car insurance rates for your Ford E-150? Are you confused by the sheer number of car insurance companies? You have a lot of company. There are so many options that it can turn into a real challenge to find lower rates.

Ford E-150 rates influenced by many factors

Consumers need to have an understanding of the different types of things that play a part in calculating the price you pay for insurance. Understanding what influences your rates allows you to make educated decisions that will entitle you to better insurance rates.

  • An active claims history can cost you – Companies award better rates to people who do not rely on their insurance for small claims. If you frequently file small claims, you can definitely plan on either policy cancellation or increased premiums. Car insurance is intended to be relied upon for larger claims.
  • Careful drivers pay lower rates – A bad driving record has a lot to do with how much you pay for insurance. Even one speeding ticket can boost insurance rates by twenty percent. Careful drivers receive lower rates than bad drivers. If you have serious violations such as reckless driving, hit and run or driving under the influence may find they need to file a proof of financial responsibility form (SR-22) with the DMV in their state in order to continue driving.
  • Special features that cut premiums – Purchasing a vehicle with an alarm system can save you a little every year. Anti-theft features like LoJack tracking devices, vehicle tamper alarm systems or GM’s OnStar system all aid in stopping your vehicle from being stolen.
  • Do you know you’re credit rating? – Having a bad credit score is a large factor in calculating your insurance rates. If your credit history is lower than you’d like, you could be paying less to insure your 1996 Ford E-150 by improving your credit score. Drivers with excellent credit tend to file fewer claims and have better driving records than drivers with poor credit.
  • Do you need those extra coverages? – There are many additional coverages that can waste your money on your insurance policy. Insurance for roadside assistance, accident forgiveness and membership fees are examples of these. These coverages may sound good at first, but your needs may have changed so eliminate the coverages to reduce your premium.
  • Rates may be lower depending on your job – Did you know your job can affect your rates? Careers like real estate brokers, social workers and dentists tend to have the highest average rates in part from high stress levels and lots of time spent at work. Other jobs such as pilots, historians and performers receive lower rates for E-150 insurance.
  • Protect yourself with liability coverage – Liability coverage is the protection if a court rules you are at fault for damages caused by your negligence. Liability provides legal defense coverage which can be incredibly expensive. Carrying liability coverage is mandatory and cheap when compared with rates for comp and collision, so do not skimp.

These discounts can slash auto insurance rates

Insuring your vehicles can cost a lot, but companies offer discounts to help bring down the price. Some discounts apply automatically at the time you complete a quote, but a few need to be asked for prior to receiving the credit.

  • Driver’s Ed – Have your child enroll in driver’s education in high school.
  • College Student – Any of your kids who live away from home and don’t have a car may qualify for this discount.
  • Defensive Driving Course – Taking part in a defensive driving course could save 5% or more if you qualify.
  • Drive Safe and Save – Drivers who don’t get into accidents can pay as much as 50% less for E-150 insurance than drivers with accidents.
  • Life Insurance – Larger companies have a discount if you purchase a life insurance policy as well.
  • Anti-theft Discount – Vehicles equipped with anti-theft or alarm systems can help prevent theft and earn discounts up to 10%.

A little note about advertised discounts, some credits don’t apply to the entire policy premium. The majority will only reduce the price of certain insurance coverages like comp or med pay. So despite the fact that it appears you could get a free auto insurance policy, it just doesn’t work that way. But all discounts will bring down the amount you have to pay.

To see a list of insurers who offer auto insurance discounts, click here to view.

Ads can be misleading

Insurance companies such as Geico, State Farm and Progressive continually stream ads on television and other media. They all seem to say the same thing that you can save after switching your policy. How can each company make the same claim?

All the different companies are able to cherry pick for the right customer they prefer to insure. An example of a preferred risk could be between the ages of 30 and 50, owns a home, and has great credit. Any driver who matches those parameters is entitled to the best price and therefore will save when they switch companies.

Drivers who don’t measure up to the “perfect” profile will be quoted a more expensive rate and ends up with the driver buying from a lower-cost company. The ads state “customers that switch” not “everyone that quotes” save money. That’s the way insurance companies can advertise the way they do.

This emphasizes why it’s extremely important to get as many quotes as possible. It is impossible to predict which company will give you the biggest savings on Ford E-150 insurance.

When might I need the advice of an agent?

When it comes to buying coverage for your personal vehicles, there isn’t really a cookie cutter policy. Every situation is different.

For example, these questions could help you determine whether your personal situation might need professional guidance.

  • Can I drive in Mexico and have coverage?
  • Does my insurance cover my expensive audio equipment?
  • Why am I required to get a high-risk car insurance policy?
  • What discounts do I qualify for?
  • When can I cancel my policy?
  • Will I be non-renewed for getting a DUI or other conviction?

If you don’t know the answers to these questions, you might consider talking to a licensed agent. To find an agent in your area, fill out this quick form.

What car insurance coverages do you need?

Knowing the specifics of a car insurance policy aids in choosing the best coverages and the correct deductibles and limits. Car insurance terms can be ambiguous and even agents have difficulty translating policy wording.

Auto liability

Liability coverage can cover damage or injury you incur to a person or their property that is your fault. This coverage protects you against other people’s claims, and doesn’t cover damage to your own property or vehicle.

Coverage consists of three different limits, bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident and property damage. You might see policy limits of 100/300/100 that translate to $100,000 in coverage for each person’s injuries, a per accident bodily injury limit of $300,000, and a limit of $100,000 paid for damaged property. Occasionally you may see a combined limit that pays claims from the same limit and claims can be made without the split limit restrictions.

Liability can pay for claims like repair costs for stationary objects, attorney fees, funeral expenses and medical services. How much liability should you purchase? That is a decision to put some thought into, but buy as high a limit as you can afford.

Collision insurance

Collision coverage pays for damage to your E-150 resulting from a 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 things like sideswiping another vehicle, crashing into a ditch, hitting a mailbox, backing into a parked car and colliding with a tree. Collision is rather expensive coverage, so consider dropping it from lower value vehicles. It’s also possible to increase the deductible to bring the cost down.

Comprehensive protection

This coverage covers damage from a wide range of events other than collision. You need to pay your deductible first and then insurance will cover the rest of the damage.

Comprehensive can pay for things such as hitting a deer, fire damage, hitting a bird, falling objects and theft. The most a car insurance company will pay at claim time is the cash value of the vehicle, so if your deductible is as high as the vehicle’s value consider dropping full coverage.

Medical expense coverage

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage kick in for short-term medical expenses such as dental work, rehabilitation expenses and chiropractic care. The coverages can be used to cover expenses not covered by your health insurance plan or if you do not have health coverage. It covers not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants in addition to being hit by a car walking across the street. PIP coverage is not available in all states but can be used in place of medical payments coverage

Uninsured or underinsured coverage

Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage provides protection from other drivers when they either have no liability insurance or not enough. It can pay for hospital bills for your injuries and also any damage incurred to your 1996 Ford E-150.

Since a lot of drivers carry very low liability coverage limits, it doesn’t take a major accident to exceed their coverage limits. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage is important protection for you and your family. Usually these limits do not exceed the liability coverage limits.

Power to the consumer

Drivers change insurance companies for a variety of reasons including high rates after DUI convictions, delays in paying claims, denial of a claim or even poor customer service. Regardless of your reason, choosing a new company is pretty simple and you could end up saving a buck or two.

Cheap 1996 Ford E-150 insurance is definitely available online and also from your neighborhood agents, so you should be comparing quotes from both to have the best rate selection. A few companies may not provide online price quotes and many times these regional insurance providers only sell through independent insurance agents.

You just read quite a bit of information on how to shop for insurance online. The key concept to understand is the more providers you compare, the higher your chance of finding lower rates. Consumers could even find that the biggest savings come from the least-expected company.

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