Best Ways to Save on Los Angeles Ford Escape Insurance

Did you make the mistake of buying overpriced Ford Escape insurance in Los Angeles? Believe me when I say many Los Angeles drivers feel the same as you.

Shocking but true, a large majority of drivers renewed their policy with the same company for more than four years, and about 40% of consumers have never compared rates from other carriers. Many consumers in Los Angeles could pocket roughly $470 a year just by getting comparison quotes, but most undervalue the benefits if they switch to a new company. Due to the large number of auto insurance companies to choose from, it’s difficult to choose the best insurer.

Smart consumers take time to compare premium rates at least once a year because prices are usually higher with each renewal. Just because you found the best price on Ford Escape insurance in Los Angeles a couple years back there is a good chance you can find better rates now. There are lots of tips to save on Escape insurance online but by reading this article, you’re going to learn some great ideas on how to buy auto insurance cheaper in Los Angeles.

Reducing your Ford Escape insurance rates is not a difficult process. All you need to do is invest a few minutes to compare rate quotes provided by online insurance companies.

Comparing free rate quotes online is easy and it, makes it a waste of time to drive around to insurance agencies in your area. The ability to quote Ford Escape insurance online has reduced the need for local agents unless you have a need for the trained guidance of a local agency. You can, however, compare the best prices online but buy from a local insurance agent.

The companies shown below have been selected to offer price quotes in California. If the list has multiple companies, it’s highly recommended you compare several of them in order to get a fair rate comparison.

Rates and information analytics

The price information displayed below showcases estimates of prices for Ford Escape models. Having a good grasp of how rates are determined can be valuable when making decisions on which insurance to purchase.

Data assumes married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $500 deductibles, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-vehicle, multi-policy, homeowner, safe-driver, and claim-free. Rates do not factor in garaging location in Los Angeles which can modify insurance rates significantly.

Deductible comparison

One of the more difficult decisions when buying car insurance is how high or low should comp and collision deductibles be. The following insurance rates summarize the differences in price between high and low coverage deductibles. The first set of rates uses a $100 deductible and the second set of prices uses a $500 deductible.

Data based on married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include claim-free, safe-driver, multi-vehicle, multi-policy, and homeowner. Rate information does not factor in zip code location which can alter prices considerably.

Using the data above, we can ascertain that using a $100 deductible costs approximately $25 more each month or $300 for a full year than choosing the higher $500 deductible. Due to the fact that you would have to pay $400 more if you file a claim with a $500 deductible as compared to a $100 deductible, if you tend to go more than 16 months between claim filings, you would save more money going with the higher deductible. Here’s the way you can do this calculation yourself.

One important issue to know is that a higher deductible means you will have to cover more of the damage yourself when you do file a claim. That will require some extra funds in the event you need to pay more for the deductible.

Impact of careless driving on car insurance rates

The information below demonstrates how traffic citations and accidents drive up Ford Escape auto insurance costs for different categories of driver ages. The costs are based on a single female driver, comp and collision included, $500 deductibles, and no discounts are applied to the premium.

Gender differences in car insurance premiums

The example below visualizes the comparison of Ford Escape insurance prices for male and female drivers. The information is based on no claims, a clean driving record, comp and collision included, $250 deductibles, single marital status, and no discounts are applied.

Three main reasons to buy insurance

Despite the high cost, paying for insurance is required in California but it also protects you in many ways.

• Just about all states have mandatory insurance requirements which means you are required to buy a specific minimum amount of liability coverage in order to drive the car legally. In California these limits are 15/30/5 which means you must have $15,000 of bodily injury coverage per person, $30,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $5,000 of property damage coverage.
• If your Ford has a lienholder, almost all lenders will make it a condition of the loan that you buy full coverage to guarantee payment of the loan. If you do not keep the policy in force, the bank or lender will purchase a policy for your Ford at a much higher premium rate and require you to fork over for it.
• Insurance safeguards not only your car but also your assets. It will also provide coverage for most medical and hospital costs for you, any passengers, and anyone injured in an accident. Liability coverage will also pay attorney fees if someone files suit against you as the result of an accident. If damage is caused by hail or an accident, your insurance policy will pay to repair the damage.

The benefits of carrying adequate insurance are definitely more than the cost, especially when you need to use it. According to a recent study, the average American driver is currently overpaying as much as $830 a year so it’s very important to do a rate comparison at every renewal to make sure the price is not too high.

Why Your Insurance Premiums might be higher

The best way to find cheaper auto insurance is to take a look at some of the elements that help determine the price you pay for auto insurance. If you know what positively or negatively impacts your premiums, this helps enable you to make changes that may result in better auto insurance rates.

GPS tracking and theft deterrents reduce premiums – Driving a car with an alarm system can save you some money. Anti-theft features like vehicle immobilizer systems, General Motors OnStar and LoJack tracking systems all hinder car theft.

Type of car determines base prices – The performance level of the vehicle you own makes a huge difference in how high your rates are. Smaller low performance passenger vehicles usually have the lowest rates, but that’s not the only thing that factors into the final price.

The following chart is based on a single male driver age 40, full coverage with $1000 deductibles, and no discounts or violations. The data compares Ford Escape policy rates compared to other models that have a range of performance risks.

Liability coverage claims can be big – Liability coverage is the protection if ever you are found liable for an accident. It provides legal defense coverage to attempt to prove you were not liable. Liability insurance is quite affordable when compared with rates for comp and collision, so do not cut corners here.

Discounts for auto and home policies – Most larger insurance companies allow better rates to buyers that have more than one policy in the form of a multi-policy discount. Even if you already get this discount, consumers should still check prices from other companies to help ensure you have the lowest rates.There is a good possibility that you can find lower rates by splitting coverages up.

Only buy what you need – There are a ton of extra coverages you can purchase if you aren’t careful. Add-on coverages like rental car coverage, accidental death, and extra life insurance coverage may be costing you every month. They may seem like a good idea when you first buy your policy, but your needs may have changed so consider taking them off your policy.

City traffic equals higher costs – Being located in areas with lower population is a good thing when trying to find low car insurance rates. People in densely populated areas have much more traffic and a longer drive to work. Fewer drivers means less chance of accidents as well as less vandalism and auto theft.

Lower annual miles equals lower premium – Driving a lot of miles in a year’s time the higher your rates will be. The majority of insurers apply a rate based on how the vehicle is used. Cars not used for work or commuting qualify for better rates than those used for commuting. Having an incorrect usage rating on your Escape can cost quite a bit. Double check that your vehicle rating correctly shows the correct driver usage, because it can save money.

Loss statistics for a Ford Escape – Insurers analyze past claim statistics to calculate a rate that will offset any claims. Models that historically have high amounts or severity of claims will have higher rates for specific coverages.

The table shown below demonstrates the loss history for Ford Escape vehicles. For each type of coverage, the statistical loss for all vehicles, regardless of manufacturer or model, is set at 100. Values that are under 100 are indicative of better than average losses, while numbers above 100 point to more frequent losses or an increased chance of larger losses than average.

Affordable rates with discounts

Some providers don’t always publicize every policy discount very clearly, so we took the time to find a few of the more common and the more hidden credits that you can use to lower your rates. If you’re not getting every credit you deserve, it’s possible you qualify for a lower rate.

• Drive Safe and Save – Insureds who avoid accidents may save up to 50% more as compared to drivers with claims.
• Driver Safety – Successfully completing a course teaching safe driver skills could save 5% or more and make you a better driver.
• E-sign – Some companies will provide an incentive just for signing your application digitally online.
• ABS Brakes – Cars and trucks equipped with ABS or steering control are much safer to drive and the ABS can save up to 10%.
• Seat Belts Save – Drivers who always wear seat belts and also require passengers to wear their seat belts can save a little off PIP or medical payments premium.
• New Vehicle Savings – Buying a new car instead of a used Escape may earn a small discount because new model year vehicles keep occupants safer.
• Passive Restraints – Vehicles with factory air bags or motorized seat belts may qualify for discounts of 25 to 30%.
• Professional Memberships – Having an affiliation with a qualifying organization is a good way to get lower rates on your next auto insurance statement.
• Theft Deterrent System – Cars, trucks, and SUVs with anti-theft systems have a lower chance of being stolen and can earn a small discount on your policy.
• Lower Rates for Military – Having a family member in the military may qualify for rate reductions.

As a sidenote, some of the credits will not apply to the entire policy premium. Some only apply to the cost of specific coverages such as comprehensive or collision. Even though it may seem like adding up those discounts means a free policy, you won’t be that lucky. Any qualifying discounts should help reduce the premium cost.

The diagram below shows the comparison of Ford Escape car insurance costs with and without discounts applied to the premium. The premiums assume a male driver, no tickets, no at-fault accidents, California state minimum liability limits, comp and collision included, and $100 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with multi-policy, claim-free, marriage, safe-driver, homeowner, and multi-car discounts applied.

Popular auto insurance companies and some of the premium reductions they offer include:

• State Farm offers premium reductions for accident-free, multiple autos, Steer Clear safe driver discount, good student, and safe vehicle.
• American Family has discounts for TimeAway discount, bundled insurance, good driver, good student, Steer into Savings, multi-vehicle, and mySafetyValet.
• GEICO includes discounts for federal employee, membership and employees, good student, air bags, anti-lock brakes, and multi-vehicle.
• 21st Century discounts include driver training, student driver, 55 and older, defensive driver, good student, homeowners, and anti-lock brakes.
• Progressive may have discounts that include continuous coverage, multi-policy, online signing, homeowner, and multi-vehicle.

When quoting, ask every prospective company what discounts are available to you. Depending on the company, some discounts might not apply in Los Angeles. To choose companies that offer multiple discounts in California, click here.

Get rate quotes but buy from a local neighborhood Los Angeles car insurance agent

Some people would rather talk to an insurance agent and that is a personal choice. Professional agents can point out coverage gaps and help file insurance claims. One of the great benefits of getting free rate quotes online is that you can find the best rates and also buy local.

After completing this form (opens in new window), your insurance coverage information is transmitted to companies in Los Angeles that provide free Los Angeles auto insurance quotes for your business. It simplifies rate comparisons since you won’t have to search for an agent as quotes are delivered to the email address you provide. If you wish to compare rates from a specific company, don’t hesitate to jump over to their website and submit a quote form there.

Finding the right company needs to be determined by more than just the price. Here are some questions you might want to ask.

• Will you get a loaner vehicle if you car is being repaired?
• Which family members are covered?
• Are they in the agency full-time?
• Can they help ensure a fair claim settlement?
• How experienced are they in personal risk management?
• Is there a 24/7 contact number?
• Will the agent help in case of a claim?

Is an exclusive or independent auto insurance agent right for you?

If you need to find a good Los Angeles insurance agent, you need to know there are two different types of agents that you can select. Insurance agents can be classified as either exclusive or independent (non-exclusive). Both types can insure your vehicles, but it’s important to point out how they are different because it can impact which agent you choose.

Exclusive Agents

Agents of this type can only provide one company’s prices such as State Farm, Allstate, and Farm Bureau. They usually cannot provide other company’s prices so they really need to provide good service. Exclusive agents are well schooled on the products they sell and that can be a competitive advantage.

Listed below are exclusive agencies in Los Angeles that can give you comparison quotes.

View more agents

Independent Agencies or Brokers

Independent agencies do not sell for just one brand so they can write business with many different companies and find you cheaper rates. To move your coverage to a new company, they simply move the coverage in-house and the insured can keep the same agent.

If you need cheaper insurance rates, you should always get rate quotes from at a minimum one independent agency to get the best comparison.

The following is a short list of independent insurance agencies in Los Angeles willing to provide comparison quotes.

View more agents

Affordable insurance premiums are out there

When buying insurance coverage, it’s a bad idea to skimp on critical coverages to save a buck or two. There are too many instances where consumers will sacrifice liability coverage limits only to find out that a couple dollars of savings turned into a financial nightmare. Your aim should be to find the BEST coverage at an affordable rate, but do not sacrifice coverage to save money.

Some insurance providers may not have the ability to get quotes online and usually these smaller companies only sell through independent agents. The cheapest Ford Escape insurance in Los Angeles can be found both online in addition to many Los Angeles insurance agents, so compare prices from both in order to have the best price selection to choose from.

Additional information is located on the following sites:

• Front crash protection reduces rear-end crashes (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)
• Who Has Cheap Auto Insurance for Police Officers in Los Angeles? (FAQ)
• What is the Cheapest Car Insurance in Los Angeles, CA? (FAQ)
• How Much are Car Insurance Rates for Drivers Over Age 70 in Los Angeles? (FAQ)
• How Can I Save Money on Auto Insurance? (Insurance Information Institute)
• Drunk Driving Statistics (Insurance Information Institute)
• How to Avoid Buying a Flooded Car (Insurance Information Institute)