Best Rate Quotes for Ford Explorer Sport Trac Insurance in San Jose

Would you like an easy way to compare more competitive Ford Explorer Sport Trac insurance in San Jose? Comparing and finding more affordable premium rates for Ford Explorer Sport Trac insurance in San Jose is always difficult for beginners to comparing prices online. There are so many options that it can easily be a real difficult job to find the perfect company for you.

Unbelievable but true, most drivers renewed their policy with the same company for at least four years, and virtually 40% of consumers have never taken the time to shop around. Many consumers in San Jose could cut their rates by approximately 35% a year by just comparing rate quotes, but they feel it’s too difficult to find cheap insurance by shopping around.

If you’re already insured, you will be able to buy cheaper car insurance using this information. Our objective in writing this article is to let you in on how to compare rates easily and some tricks to saving. Although California drivers must know the way companies determine how much to charge because it can help you find the best coverage.

Car insurance policy discounts for Ford Explorer Sport Trac insurance in San Jose

Car insurance is not an enjoyable expense, but there’s a good chance there are discounts to reduce the price significantly. Certain credits will be shown at the time of quoting, but once in a while a discount must be asked about prior to receiving the credit.

• Pay Early and Save – If you can afford to pay the entire bill instead of making monthly payments you can avoid monthly service charges.
• Auto/Home Discount – If you combine your auto and homeowners policies with the same company you could get a discount of up to 20% and get you cheaper Explorer Sport Trac insurance.
• Resident Student – Youth drivers who live away from home to go to college and don’t have a car can receive lower rates.
• Good Students Pay Less – A discount for being a good student can earn a discount of 20% or more. You can use this discount normally until age 25.
• Online Discount – Certain insurance companies give back up to $50 simply for signing digitally online.
• Anti-lock Brake System – Cars, trucks, and SUVs that have steering control and anti-lock brakes can stop better under adverse conditions and earn discounts up to 10%.

A little note about advertised discounts, most of the big mark downs will not be given to your bottom line cost. Some only reduce the price of certain insurance coverages like liability, collision or medical payments. So when it seems like you could get a free car insurance policy, that’s just not realistic.

The information below visualizes the comparison of Ford Explorer Sport Trac auto insurance rates with and without discounts applied to the policy premium. The rates are based on a female driver, no claims or driving citations, California state minimum liability limits, comprehensive and collision coverage, and $500 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with homeowner, marriage, multi-car, multi-policy, safe-driver, and claim-free discounts applied.

A list of companies and their possible discounts include:

• State Farm offers premium reductions for passive restraint, defensive driving training, multiple autos, safe vehicle, student away at school, and Steer Clear safe driver discount.
• Progressive offers discounts including online quote discount, multi-policy, online signing, continuous coverage, multi-vehicle, and homeowner.
• Progressive policyholders can earn discounts including multi-vehicle, online quote discount, online signing, good student, multi-policy, and homeowner.
• MetLife includes discounts for multi-policy, defensive driver, good student, accident-free, and good driver.
• Farm Bureau may have discounts that include youthful driver, good student, renewal discount, 55 and retired, and safe driver.
• GEICO has discounts for good student, air bags, driver training, military active duty, emergency military deployment, and anti-theft.
• SAFECO discounts include teen safe driver, teen safety rewards, anti-lock brakes, accident prevention training, homeowner, anti-theft, and multi-car.

Before purchasing a policy, check with every company which credits you are entitled to. Discounts may not apply to policyholders in every state. If you would like to choose from a list of companies that offer many of these discounts in San Jose, click this link.

To find the best auto insurance rates, there are several ways of comparing rates from all the different companies. The easiest way by far to find cheaper Ford Explorer Sport Trac rates is to get quotes online.

Just keep in mind that getting more free quotes will increase your chances of finding better pricing. Some insurance companies are not set up to provide San Jose Explorer Sport Trac insurance quotes online, so it’s important to also get price quotes from the smaller companies as well.

The providers in the list below are ready to provide price comparisons in San Jose, CA. If several companies are displayed, we recommend you get price quotes from several of them to get the most competitive price.

Statistics and details

The coverage table shown below outlines detailed analysis of coverage costs for Ford Explorer Sport Trac models. Being more informed about how car insurance premiums are formulated helps drivers make decisions on which coverage to buy.

Data based on married female driver age 40, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $1000 deductibles, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-vehicle, safe-driver, multi-policy, homeowner, and claim-free. Price information does not factor in specific location information which can modify rates substantially.

Physical damage deductible comparison

When comparing auto insurance rates, the most common question is where to set your physical damage deductibles. The rates below lay out how much more rates are between high and low coverage deductibles. The first data set uses a $250 deductible for physical damage and the second price table uses a $500 deductible.

Data variables include married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include claim-free, multi-vehicle, multi-policy, safe-driver, and homeowner. Rate information does not factor in the specific area where the vehicle is garaged which can modify rates noticeably.

Based on the figures above, using a $250 deductible will cost you approximately $16 more each month or $192 for a full year averaged for all Explorer Sport Trac models than selecting the higher $500 deductible. Since you would pay $250 more out of your own pocket with a $500 deductible as compared to a $250 deductible, if you normally average at a minimum 16 months between claims, you would come out ahead by going with a higher deductible. The table below illustrates an example of how you can do this calculation yourself.

One important note is that increasing deductibles to save money means you pay more out-of-pocket when you have a comprehensive or collision claim. You need to have enough extra savings in order to pay the deductible for vehicle repair.

Annual premiums for males compared to females in San Jose

The diagram below shows the difference between Ford Explorer Sport Trac car insurance costs for male and female drivers. The costs are based on no violations or accidents, full coverage, $500 deductibles, drivers are single, and no additional discounts are factored in.

Ford Explorer Sport Trac liability-only versus full coverage

The information below shows the difference between Ford Explorer Sport Trac car insurance costs when comparing full coverage to liability only. The information is based on no violations or claims, $500 deductibles, single marital status, and no discounts are factored in.

When to stop buying comprehensive and collision coverage

There is no written rule to drop physical damage insurance, but there is a broad guideline. If the yearly cost of comp and collision coverage is more than about 10% of the vehicle’s replacement cost less your deductible, the it may be a good time to stop paying for full coverage.

For example, let’s assume your Ford Explorer Sport Trac book value is $7,000 and you have $1,000 full coverage deductibles. If your vehicle is damaged in an accident, the most you would receive is $6,000 after you pay the deductible. If you are currently paying more than $600 a year for full coverage, then you may want to consider only buying liability coverage.

There are some situations where eliminating full coverage is not in your best interest. If you haven’t paid off your loan, you have to maintain full coverage as part of the loan conditions. Also, if you cannot afford to purchase a different vehicle in the event your current vehicle is totaled, you should not buy liability only.

Learn How to Quote Car Insurance Cheaper

One of the most helpful ways to save on car insurance is to to have a grasp of the rating factors that go into determining the level of your policy premiums. When you know what positively or negatively impacts premium levels, this helps enable you to make changes that may reward you with much lower annual insurance costs. Many different elements are used when you quote your car insurance policy. Most are fairly basic like an MVR report, but some are more transparent such as your credit history and annual miles driven.

Shown below are some of the major factors companies use to determine prices.

• Small claims can cost you – If you tend to file frequent claims, you can definitely plan on much higher rates or policy non-renewal. Companies in California give cheaper rates to drivers who are not frequent claim filers. Insurance coverage is intended to be relied upon for the bigger claims that can’t be paid out-of-pocket.
• Multi-policy discounts can save money – Most car insurance companies will give better rates to customers who carry more than one policy. It’s known as a multi-policy discount. The discount can be anywhere from five to ten percent in most cases. Even with this discount applied, it’s still a good idea to compare Ford Explorer Sport Trac rates in San Jose to help ensure you have the lowest rates. You may still find a better deal by buying car insurance from a different company.
• Safeguard your assets with liability insurance – Liability insurance kicks in if ever you are determined to be liable for physical damage or personal injury to other. Your policy’s liability insurance provides for a legal defense which can be incredibly expensive. Liability insurance is quite affordable as compared to coverage for physical damage, so do not skimp.
• Five star crash test rating saves money – Safe vehicles cost less to insure. Vehicles engineered for safety protect occupants better and better occupant protection means lower claim amounts and more competitive rates for policyholders. If your Ford Explorer Sport Trac has at least four stars on Safercar.gov or an “acceptable” rating on iihs.org it may be receiving lower rates.

• Tickets hurt – Attentive drivers receive lower rates than their less careful counterparts. Getting just one chargeable violation may increase your cost to the point where it’s not affordable. Drivers who have received severe tickets like hit and run, DWI or reckless driving convictions are required to file a proof of financial responsibility form (SR-22) with their state in order to prevent a license revocation.

  The diagram below shows how speeding tickets and at-fault collisions can raise Ford Explorer Sport Trac car insurance costs for different ages of insureds. The premiums are based on a single female driver, full coverage, $100 deductibles, and no policy discounts are applied.

• Premiums are affected by your address – Being located in areas with lower population has it’s advantages when it comes to car insurance. Fewer drivers on the road means fewer accidents in addition to lower liability claims. Residents of big cities regularly have much more traffic and more time behind the wheel. Spending more time driving means more chance of being in an accident.

• With age comes lower rates – More experienced drivers are proven to be safer behind the wheel, file fewer claims, and are safer drivers. Beginning drivers tend to be more careless when at the wheel of a vehicle so they pay higher car insurance rates.

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

• GPS tracking and theft deterrents systems cut car insurance rates – Choosing a vehicle with a theft deterrent system can earn a premium discount. Advanced theft deterrents such as vehicle immobilizer systems, General Motors OnStar and LoJack tracking systems all help prevent car theft and help bring rates down.

You are unique and your auto insurance should be too

When selecting insurance from an agent or online for your personal vehicles, there is no “perfect” insurance plan. Your needs are not the same as everyone else’s.

Here are some questions about coverages that can aid in determining whether you could use an agent’s help.

• Where can I get insurance after a DUI in California?
• How high should my medical payments coverage be?
• Am I covered by my employer’s commercial auto policy when driving my personal car for business?
• What is no-fault insurance?
• Do I need PIP coverage since I have good health insurance?
• Are rental cars covered under my policy?

If it’s difficult to answer those questions but a few of them apply, then you may want to think about talking to a licensed insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, fill out this quick form.

Exclusive versus independent insurance agencies

Some consumers just prefer to have an agent’s advice. One of the great benefits of comparing insurance prices online is the fact that you can find cheap insurance rates and still have an agent to talk to. And supporting neighborhood insurance agencies is definitely important in San Jose.

To make it easy to find an agent, after completing this short form, your insurance data is submitted to local insurance agents who can give free rate quotes for your business. You won’t need to leave your house because prices are sent to you instantly. Get lower rates AND a local agent. If you want to compare prices from a specific insurance company, you would need to go to their quote page and complete a quote there.

Choosing a insurer requires you to look at more than just the quoted price. These are some questions your agent should answer.

• Is vehicle mileage a factor when determining depreciation for repairs?
• Which insurance companies are they affiliated with?
• Do the companies they represent have a solid financial rating?
• How many years of experience in personal auto insurance do they have?
• Will your rates increase after a single accident?

Why you need insurance for your Explorer Sport Trac

Despite the high insurance cost for a Ford Explorer Sport Trac in San Jose, paying for auto insurance serves an important purpose.

First, most states have minimum liability requirements which means the state requires specific limits of liability coverage if you want to drive 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.

Second, if your car has a lienholder, most lenders will force you to buy insurance to ensure loan repayment if the vehicle is totaled. If you do not keep the policy in force, the lender will be forced to insure your Ford at a significantly higher premium and force you to reimburse them much more than you were paying before.

Third, insurance safeguards not only your Ford Explorer Sport Trac but also your assets. It will also reimburse you for all forms of medical expenses for both you and anyone you injure as the result of an accident. One of the most valuable coverages, liability insurance, will also pay for a defense attorney if you are sued as the result of your driving. If your car is damaged in a storm or accident, your policy will pay to repair the damage minus the deductible amount.

The benefits of having auto insurance are definitely more than the cost, especially when you need to use it. Today the average American driver is currently overpaying as much as $855 a year so compare rates at every renewal to ensure rates are inline.

You can lower your insurance rates

Insureds leave their current company for a variety of reasons including extreme rates for teen drivers, an unsatisfactory settlement offer, high prices or not issuing a premium refund. Whatever your reason, finding the right insurance provider is actually quite simple.

We’ve covered many tips how you can find affordable Ford Explorer Sport Trac insurance in San Jose. The key thing to remember is the more rate quotes you have, the better likelihood of getting inexpensive San Jose auto insurance quotes. You may even be surprised to find that the best prices are with a small mutual company.

When getting San Jose auto insurance quotes online, do not skimp on critical coverages to save a buck or two. There are too many instances where consumers will sacrifice physical damage coverage only to regret at claim time that the small savings ended up costing them much more. Your aim should be to buy a smart amount of coverage for the lowest price, but do not sacrifice coverage to save money.

Steps to buying cheaper Ford Explorer Sport Trac insurance in San Jose

If you want to find the absolute lowest rates, then the best way to save on car insurance rates in San Jose is to make a habit of comparing prices annually from insurance carriers who sell insurance in California.

1. Learn about auto insurance and the measures you can take to lower rates. Many risk factors that result in higher prices such as speeding tickets, accidents and an unacceptable credit history can be remedied by paying attention to minor details.
2. Quote rates from exclusive agents, independent agents, and direct providers. Direct and exclusive agents can give quotes from a single company like GEICO or Farmers Insurance, while independent agents can quote rates from multiple companies.
3. Compare the price quotes to the premium of your current policy to determine if switching companies saves money. If you can save some money, make sure there is no lapse in coverage.
4. Notify your company or agent of your intent to cancel the current policy and submit a down payment along with a signed application for the new policy. Once received, place your new certificate of insurance along with the vehicle’s registration papers.

A tip to remember is that you’ll want to compare similar limits and deductibles on every quote request and and to get quotes from as many car insurance companies as possible. This helps ensure a fair price comparison and a better comparison of the market.

More tips and info about insurance is available at these sites:

• Auto Theft Statistics (Insurance Information Institute)
• Who Has the Cheapest San Jose Car Insurance Rates for a Toyota Corolla? (FAQ)
• Who Has Cheap Car Insurance for a Ford F-150 in San Jose? (FAQ)
• What Car Insurance is Cheapest for a Honda Civic in San Jose? (FAQ)
• How do I File a Claim? (Insurance Information Institute)
• Older Drivers FAQ (iihs.org)