Save Money on Ford Explorer Sport Trac Insurance in Cleveland

It’s a fact that insurance companies don’t want you to look for a cheaper policy. People who rate shop once a year are likely to move their business because the odds are good of finding a policy with better rates. A study showed that consumers who compared rates regularly saved as much as $3,400 over four years compared to people who never shopped around for lower prices.

If finding budget-friendly car insurance is your objective, understanding the best ways to find and compare cheaper coverage can help you succeed in saving money.

It takes a little time, but the best way to find the cheapest price for Ford Explorer Sport Trac insurance in Cleveland is to start comparing prices yearly from providers in Ohio.

First, it will benefit you to learn about the different coverages in a policy and the measures you can control to keep rates in check. Many rating factors that drive up the price like careless driving and a substandard credit history can be controlled by paying attention to minor details.

Second, compare rates from direct carriers, independent agents, and exclusive agents. Direct and exclusive agents can only give prices from one company like GEICO and State Farm, while independent agents can quote prices from many different companies. View a list of agents

Third, compare the price quotes to your existing coverage to see if a cheaper rate is available. If you find a lower rate and switch companies, make sure there is no coverage gap between policies.

Fourth, provide adequate notice to your current company of your decision to cancel the current policy. Submit payment along with a signed and completed policy application to the newly selected company. Once the application is submitted, safely store the proof of insurance paperwork in your glove compartment.

A tip to remember is to try to use similar limits and deductibles on every quote request and and to get rate quotes from as many companies as you can. This guarantees an accurate price comparison and the best price quote selection.

It’s important to know that comparing more quotes provides better odds of finding a better price. Some insurance companies are not set up to provide Cleveland Explorer Sport Trac insurance quotes online, so it’s important to compare prices from them, too.

The companies shown below offer free quotes in Cleveland, OH. To locate the cheapest auto insurance in Ohio, it’s a good idea that you visit as many as you can to find the cheapest car insurance rates.

Verify you’re receiving every discount

Insuring your fleet can be pricey, but there could be available discounts that can help lower your rates. Some of these discounts will be visible at the time you complete a quote, but a few must be specifically requested before being credited. If you don’t get every credit available, you could be getting lower rates.

• Good Student Discount – Performing well in school can earn a discount of 20% or more. The discount lasts well after school through age 25.
• No Accidents – Insureds with no claims or accidents get the best car insurance rates when compared with insureds who have frequent claims or accidents.
• Multiple Vehicles – Buying insurance for more than one vehicle on a single policy could earn a price break for each car.
• Clubs and Organizations – Being in qualifying clubs or civic groups can get you a small discount when getting a Cleveland auto insurance quote.
• Driver Education Discount – Teen drivers should successfully take a driver’s education course in high school.

Policy discounts save money, but some of the credits will not apply to the overall cost of the policy. A few only apply to the price of certain insurance coverages like collision or personal injury protection. Even though the math looks like all the discounts add up to a free policy, it doesn’t quite work that way.

The example below shows the difference between Ford Explorer Sport Trac auto insurance rates with and without some available policy discounts. The premium estimates are based on a male driver, a clean driving record, no at-fault accidents, Ohio state minimum liability limits, full physical damage coverage, and $250 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with safe-driver, multi-policy, multi-car, homeowner, marriage, and claim-free discounts applied.

Car insurance companies that may offer policyholders these money-saving discounts may include but are not limited to:

• State Farm
• GEICO
• Allstate
• SAFECO
• Farm Bureau
• Progressive
• AAA

If you are trying to find affordable Cleveland auto insurance quotes, ask every company the best way to save money. A few discounts may not be available in Cleveland. If you would like to see a list of insurers that offer many of these discounts in Cleveland, click here to view.

Ford Explorer Sport Trac coverage statistics

The price information displayed next showcases a range of insurance costs for Ford Explorer Sport Trac models. Having a better idea how policy rates are established can assist in making decisions when shopping around.

Table data assumes single male driver age 50, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $500 deductibles, and Ohio minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include safe-driver, claim-free, multi-vehicle, multi-policy, and homeowner. Table data does not factor in vehicle location which can lower or raise rates considerably.

Physical damage deductible comparison

The hardest decision when buying coverage is how high should your deductibles be. The following insurance rates approximate the rate differences when you buy lower versus higher policy deductibles. The first rate table uses a $250 deductible for comp and collision and the second rate table uses a $1,000 deductible.

Prices based on married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and Ohio minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-policy, safe-driver, homeowner, claim-free, and multi-vehicle. Premium amounts do not factor in the specific area where the vehicle is garaged which can affect insurance rates considerably.

Based on this data, we can arrive at the conclusion that using a $250 deductible will cost you approximately $17 more each month or $204 a year than choosing the higher $1,000 deductible. Because you would pay $750 more if you turn in a claim with a $1,000 deductible as compared to a $250 deductible, if you tend to go at least 44 months between claim filings, you would probably be better off if you opt for a higher deductible.

How much more does full coverage cost in Cleveland?

The chart below illustrates the comparison of Ford Explorer Sport Trac car insurance costs with full coverage and liability only. The rates are based on no driving violations, no at-fault accidents, $1,000 deductibles, marital status is single, and no discounts are applied to the premium.

When to drop full coverage

There is no written rule that is best for determining when to drop physical damage coverage, but there is a general school of thought. If the annual cost of comprehensive and collision coverage is about 10% or more of the replacement cost minus the deductible, then it’s probably a good time to buy liability coverage only.

For example, let’s pretend your Ford Explorer Sport Trac replacement cost is $5,000 and you have $1,000 policy deductibles. If your vehicle is damaged in an accident, you would only receive $4,000 after paying the physical damage deductible. If you are paying more than $400 annually for full coverage, the it may be a good time to stop paying for full coverage.

There are some scenarios where dropping physical damage coverage is not a good plan. If you have an outstanding loan on your vehicle, you must maintain physical damage coverage in order to keep the loan. Also, if your emergency fund is not enough to purchase a different vehicle if your current one is damaged, you should maintain full coverage.

When to get advice from an agent

Some consumers prefer to buy from a licensed agent and that is a personal choice. One of the great benefits of getting free rate quotes online is the fact that you can find the best rates and also buy local.

After completing this form (opens in new window), the quote information is sent to local insurance agents who will give competitive quotes for your business. You never need to contact any insurance agencies because prices are sent to you. You can find the lowest rates AND a local agent. In the event you want to compare rates from a specific insurance company, you just need to visit that company’s website to submit a rate quote request.

Choosing the best insurance company should depend on more than just the bottom line cost. Before buying a policy in Cleveland, get answers to these questions.

• Does the agency have a current Errors and Omissions policy?
• How much training do they have in personal risk management?
• Is the agency involved in supporting local community causes?
• Can they provide you with a list of referrals?
• If they are an independent agency in Cleveland, which companies do they recommend?
• Does the agent have a valid license to sell insurance in Ohio?
• How is replacement cost determined on your vehicle?
• Do they offer accident forgiveness?

Do I just need basic coverages?

Always remember that when buying a policy, there isn’t really a best way to insure your cars. Your situation is unique and your auto insurance should be unique as well.
For instance, these questions might point out if you might need professional guidance.

• What if a claim settlement is too low?
• Am I covered when driving someone else’s vehicle?
• How can I find cheaper teen driver insurance?
• Is my state a no-fault state?
• Do I need special endorsements for business use of my vehicle?
• Is rental equipment covered for theft or damage?
• Are combined or split liability limits better?
• Are my tools covered if they get stolen from my vehicle?

If it’s difficult to answer those questions, you might consider talking to an insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, fill out this quick form or go to this page to view a list of companies.

How Insurers Calculate Ford Explorer Sport Trac Insurance Rates

An important part of buying insurance is that you know the rating factors that go into determining your car insurance rates. If you understand what determines base rates, this empowers consumers to make smart changes that can help you get big savings. Many things are used when quoting car insurance. Some are pretty understandable like a motor vehicle report, but other factors are more obscure like your vehicle usage or your commute time.

What type of car, truck or SUV do you drive? – The type of car you need insurance for makes a substantial difference in your auto insurance rates. Lower performance four cylinder passenger cars generally have the cheapest insurance rates, but your final cost has many other factors.

The next chart uses these assumptions: single male driver age 50, full coverage with $1000 deductibles, and no discounts or violations. It illustrates Ford Explorer Sport Trac car insurance rates compared to other models that have a range of performance risks.

Car insurance liability protection limits – Liability insurance is the protection if you are responsible for damages caused by your negligence. Your policy’s liability insurance provides you with a defense in court which can be incredibly expensive. Liability is cheap compared to other policy coverages, so drivers should carry high limits.

Occupation stress can affect premiums – Did you know your occupation can influence how much you pay for car insurance? Jobs like lawyers, air traffic controllers, and miners generally pay the highest rates attributed to high stress and long work hours. Other professions such as actors, students and homemakers receive lower rates.

Big city or small town – Being located in smaller towns and rural areas of the country can save you money when it comes to car insurance. People in densely populated areas regularly have more auto accidents and longer commutes to work. Fewer drivers on the road means less chance of accidents.

Expect high rates for teens – Older people have been proven to be more responsible, file fewer claims, and are generally more financially stable. Young drivers are statistically shown to be inattentive and easily distracted when at the wheel of a vehicle therefore car insurance rates are much higher.

The following chart is based on a single driver, full coverage with $250 deductibles, and no discounts or violations.

Three reasons to not skimp on insurance

Despite the high insurance cost for a Ford Explorer Sport Trac in Cleveland, maintaining insurance is required in Ohio but it also protects you in many ways.

• Most states have minimum mandated liability insurance limits which means it is punishable by state law to not carry a minimum amount of liability insurance coverage in order to drive the car legally. In Ohio these limits are 25/50/25 which means you must have $25,000 of bodily injury coverage per person, $50,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $25,000 of property damage coverage.
• If your Ford has a lienholder, almost all lenders will have a requirement that you have physical damage coverage to guarantee loan repayment. If you do not pay your insurance premiums, the lender will be forced to insure your Ford at a much higher premium rate and require you to pay a much higher amount than you were paying before.
• Insurance protects both your assets and your car. Insurance will pay for all forms of medical expenses for both you and anyone you injure as the result of an accident. Liability coverage, the one required by state law, also covers all legal expenses up to the policy limit if someone files suit against you as the result of an accident. If your Ford gets damaged, comprehensive and collision coverage will pay all costs to repair after the deductible has been paid.

The benefits of carrying adequate insurance more than offset the price you pay, especially for larger claims. According to a 2015 survey, the average American driver overpays as much as $855 a year so compare rates at least once a year to be sure current rates are still competitive.

Cleveland car insurance companies ranked

Finding a good quality insurance provider can be a challenge considering how many companies there are to choose from in Cleveland. The information displayed below can help you pick which providers you want to consider putting your business with.

Top 10 Cleveland Car Insurance Companies Ranked by Value

1. USAA
2. GEICO
3. AAA Insurance
4. Erie Insurance
5. State Farm
6. Liberty Mutual
7. Safeco Insurance
8. Allstate
9. 21st Century
10. Travelers

Top 10 Cleveland Car Insurance Companies Ranked by Claims Service

1. Progressive
2. Travelers
3. Liberty Mutual
4. Nationwide
5. USAA
6. AAA Insurance
7. GEICO
8. Safeco Insurance
9. Mercury Insurance
10. Esurance

Cheaper insurance is a realistic goal

We covered many ideas to get a better price on Ford Explorer Sport Trac insurance in Cleveland. The most important thing to understand is the more times you quote, the better your comparison will be. You may even be surprised to find that the lowest rates come from a company that doesn’t do a lot of advertising. These smaller insurers may only write in your state and offer lower car insurance rates as compared to the big name companies such as Allstate or State Farm.

As you shop your coverage around, it’s a bad idea to skimp on critical coverages to save a buck or two. In many cases, someone dropped collision coverage and found out when filing a claim that the small savings ended up costing them much more. Your goal is to buy the best coverage you can find at an affordable rate and still be able to protect your assets.

Much more information about insurance in Ohio can be read below:

• Safety Features for Your New Car (State Farm)
• Who Has the Cheapest Auto Insurance Quotes for a Nissan Sentra in Cleveland? (FAQ)
• Who Has the Cheapest Auto Insurance for Drivers with a Bad Driving Record in Cleveland? (FAQ)
• Who Has the Cheapest Car Insurance Rates for a Ford F-150 in Cleveland? (FAQ)
• Who Has Cheap Car Insurance Quotes for a Honda Civic in Cleveland? (FAQ)
• What Auto Insurance is Cheapest for Drivers Under 25 in Cleveland? (FAQ)
• How Much are Cleveland Car Insurance Quotes for a Nissan Altima? (FAQ)
• Who Has the Cheapest Auto Insurance Quotes for Unemployed Drivers in Cleveland? (FAQ)
• How Much is Car Insurance for a Chevrolet Equinox in Cleveland? (FAQ)
• Reducing Your Risks in a Car Crash Video (iihs.org)
• Your Car has been Stolen: Now What? (Allstate)
• Teen Driver Statistics (Insurance Information Institute)
• Determining Your Vehicle’s Value and Repair Cost (Insurance Information Institute)