How to Save on Ford Explorer Sport Trac Insurance in Virginia Beach

The most effective way to find low-cost prices for Ford Explorer Sport Trac insurance is to regularly compare quotes from providers who can sell car insurance in Virginia Beach.

• Step 1: Take a little time to learn about how companies price auto insurance and the steps you can take to prevent high rates. Many risk factors that cause high rates like at-fault accidents, careless driving, and an imperfect credit rating can be controlled by being financially responsible and driving safely. Continue reading for instructions to help reduce prices and find possible discounts that are available.
• Step 2: Compare price quotes from direct, independent, and exclusive agents. Exclusive agents and direct companies can only give prices from a single company like GEICO or State Farm, while agents who are independent can quote prices from multiple sources. Get quotes now
• Step 3: Compare the price quotes to your current policy to see if cheaper Explorer Sport Trac coverage is available. If you find a lower rate quote and make a switch, verify that coverage does not lapse between policies.
• Step 4: Provide written notification to your current company of your intention to cancel your current car insurance policy. Submit the signed application along with the required initial payment to the new insurer. Once the paperwork is finalized, keep your new certificate of insurance in your glove compartment.

The most important part of shopping around is that you use identical deductibles and limits on each quote and to quote with as many carriers as you can. This helps ensure an apples-to-apples comparison and a thorough price selection.

It’s an obvious conclusion that car insurance companies want to keep your business as long as possible. People who shop around for cheaper rates are likely to switch companies because there is a significant possibility of finding a lower-priced policy. A recent auto insurance study discovered that drivers who routinely shopped for cheaper coverage saved approximately $865 a year compared to policyholders who didn’t regularly shop around.

If finding the best rates on Ford Explorer Sport Trac insurance is your ultimate goal, then understanding how to quote prices and compare insurance premiums can help simplify the task of finding more affordable coverage.

The purpose of this post is to introduce you to how insurance works and how you can save the most money. If you currently have a car insurance policy, you will surely be able to shop for the lowest rates using the techniques presented in this article. But Virginia drivers do need to understand the way insurance companies price insurance differently.

Insurance rates and discounts

Companies do not list every available discount very well, so the list below gives a summary of a few of the more well known and the more hidden insurance savings.

• Accident Forgiveness – This isn’t a discount exactly, but certain companies allow you one accident without getting socked with a rate hike if your claims history is clear for a specific time period.
• Discounts for New Vehicles – Buying a new car instead of a used Explorer Sport Trac can be considerably cheaper compared to insuring an older model.
• Government Employee Discount – Employees or retirees of the government may qualify for a discount when you quote Virginia Beach auto insurance depending on your company.
• Discounts for Seat Belt Usage – Drivers who always wear seat belts and also require passengers to use a seat belt could cut 10% or more on medical payment and PIP coverage.
• Telematics Data Discounts – Virginia Beach drivers who agree to allow driving data collection to spy on when and where they use their vehicle by using a telematics device like Allstate’s Drivewise could save a few bucks as long as the data is positive.
• Paperwork-free – Certain insurance companies will give a small break simply for signing on the web.
• Own a Home – Owning a house in Virginia Beach can earn you a little savings because maintaining a house is proof that your finances are in order.
• Anti-theft System – Cars equipped with tracking devices and advanced anti-theft systems have a lower chance of being stolen and earn discounts up to 10% off your Virginia Beach auto insurance quote.

Keep in mind that many deductions do not apply to your bottom line cost. A few only apply to individual premiums such as comprehensive or collision. So despite the fact that it appears it’s possible to get free car insurance, it’s just not the way it works.

The information below compares Ford Explorer Sport Trac insurance rates with and without discounts applied to the policy rates. The costs are based on a female driver, no driving violations, no at-fault accidents, Virginia state minimum liability limits, comp and collision included, and $500 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with safe-driver, homeowner, claim-free, multi-policy, multi-car, and marriage discounts applied.

A list of companies and their possible discounts include:

• Farmers Insurance offers discounts for good student, multi-car, youthful driver, pay in full, switch companies, bundle discounts, and business and professional.
• State Farm offers premium reductions for defensive driving training, Drive Safe & Save, driver’s education, passive restraint, multiple autos, multiple policy, and good driver.
• Liberty Mutual policyholders can earn discounts including new move discount, new vehicle discount, new graduate, safety features, and exclusive group savings.
• MetLife has discounts for good driver, defensive driver, good student, claim-free, multi-policy, accident-free
• Progressive offers discounts including multi-policy, good student, online signing, multi-vehicle, continuous coverage, and online quote discount.

Before buying, ask each company how you can save money. Some discounts might not be offered on policies in your state.

The quickest method to compare policy rates for Ford Explorer Sport Trac insurance in Virginia Beach takes advantage of the fact almost all companies will pay a fee to compare rate quotes. All consumers are required to do is take a few minutes to give details like deductibles desired, if you’re married, daily mileage, and if the vehicle is leased. Those rating factors is then sent to multiple car insurance providers and you get price estimates with very little delay.

To compare cheap Ford Explorer Sport Trac insurance rates now, click here and enter your zip code.

The companies shown below have been selected to offer price quotes in Virginia. To locate the cheapest car insurance in Virginia, we suggest you visit two to three different companies to get a more complete price comparison.

Rates and statistics

The premium table shown below showcases estimates of insurance rates for Ford Explorer Sport Trac models. Learning more about how insurance premiums are formulated can assist in making decisions when shopping around.

Data rating is based on single male driver age 40, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $100 deductibles, and Virginia minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include safe-driver, multi-policy, homeowner, claim-free, and multi-vehicle. Prices do not factor in specific zip code location which can influence auto insurance rates considerably.

Where to set your deductibles

When buying auto insurance, a common question is how high should your deductibles be. The premium rates below approximate the differences in price when you choose different deductibles. The first rate quote example uses a $250 deductible and the second set of prices uses a $500 deductible.

Table data represents married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and Virginia minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include safe-driver, multi-policy, multi-vehicle, claim-free, and homeowner. Table data does not factor in the specific area where the vehicle is garaged which can lower or raise coverage rates significantly.

We can estimate from the data above that using a $250 deductible will cost you roughly $10 more each month or $120 for a full year than opting for the higher $500 deductible. Because you would pay $250 more out of your own pocket with a $500 deductible as compared to a $250 deductible, if you tend to have more than 25 months between claim filings, you would save money by going with a higher deductible.

The illustration below shows how choosing a deductible and can increase or decrease Ford Explorer Sport Trac insurance costs for different categories of driver ages. The premiums assume a married male driver, comp and collision included, and no discounts are applied.

Cost comparison with and without full coverage

The example below shows the difference between Ford Explorer Sport Trac insurance premiums when comparing full coverage to state minimum liability only. The rate quotes are based on a clean driving record, no claims, $100 deductibles, drivers are not married, and no discounts are taken into consideration.

Should you pay for full coverage?

There is no clear-cut formula of when to eliminate comp and collision coverage, but there is a general guideline you can use. If the annual cost of coverage is more than 10% of the replacement cost minus the deductible, then it might be time to buy liability only.

For example, let’s assume your Ford Explorer Sport Trac replacement cost is $6,000 and you have $1,000 deductibles. If your vehicle is damaged in an accident, you would only receive $5,000 after paying the physical damage deductible. If premiums are more than $500 a year for comprehensive and collision coverage, then you might consider buying liability only.

There are a few cases where only buying liability is not recommended. If you still owe a portion of the original loan, you have to keep full coverage as part of the loan requirements. Also, if your emergency fund is not enough to purchase a different vehicle in case of an accident, you should not consider dropping full coverage.

Find Cheap Car Insurance with These Tips

When buying car insurance it’s important to understand a few of the rating criteria that are used to determine the price you pay for car insurance. When consumers understand what determines base rates, this enables informed choices that may reward you with big savings. Many factors are used in the calculation when quoting car insurance. Some of the criteria are obvious such as your driving history, but other factors are more transparent like where you live or your vehicle rating.

• Does your occupation cost you more? – Careers like military personnel, business owners, and miners usually pay higher premium rates due to job stress and lots of time spent at work. Conversely, jobs such as actors, engineers and the unemployed have the lowest average rates.
• File policy claims and pay more – If you file claims often, you can definitely plan on increased rates or even have your policy non-renewed. Companies in Virginia provide lower rates to people that do not abuse their auto insurance. Your car insurance is intended for major claims that would cause financial hardship.

• Car insurance rates and age – Drivers with little experience are proven to get distracted easily when behind the wheel so they pay higher car insurance rates. Mature drivers are viewed as being more responsible, file fewer claims, and are safer drivers.

  The following data uses these variables: single driver, full coverage with $100 deductibles, and no discounts or violations.

• Eliminate unneeded add-on coverages – Insurance policies have a lot of extra add-on coverages that can waste your money on your car insurance policy. Things like coverage for rental cars, accident forgiveness, and membership fees may be costing you every month. They may seem like a good idea when discussing your needs, but now you might not need them so eliminate the coverages to reduce your premium.
• Physical damage deductibles – The deductibles you choose state the amount of money you are required to pay if a covered claim is submitted. Coverage for physical damage, commonly called comprehensive (or other-than-collision) and collision coverage, is used to repair damage to your car. Some coverage claims are collision with another vehicle, hail damage, and damage caused by road hazards. The more expense you pay before a claim is paid (deductible), the bigger discount you will receive.
• Liability coverage limits should be high – The liability section of your policy provides coverage if you are ruled to be at fault for causing damage or personal injury in an accident. This coverage provides legal defense coverage up to the limits shown on your policy. It is affordable coverage as compared to coverage for physical damage, so drivers should make sure they buy enough to cover all assets.

When should I discuss my situation with an agent?

Keep in mind that when it comes to choosing the best car insurance coverage, there really is not a best way to insure your cars. You are unique.

For example, these questions could help you determine whether your personal situation may require specific advice.

• What if I don’t agree with a claim settlement offer?
• Do I need replacement cost coverage on my Ford Explorer Sport Trac?
• Is business equipment covered while in my vehicle?
• What is the rate difference between pleasure use and commuting?
• Is there a penalty for late payment?
• How high should deductibles be on a Ford Explorer Sport Trac?
• Does my medical payments coverage pay my health insurance deductible?
• When should I have rental car coverage?
• What is no-fault insurance?
• Am I covered when driving a rental car?

If you’re not sure about those questions but you think they might apply to your situation then you might want to talk to an insurance agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, fill out this quick form.

Can’t I compare prices from local Virginia Beach insurance agents?

Some people still like to go talk to an agent and that can be a great decision The best thing about comparing rates online is the fact that you can find the lowest rates but still work with a licensed agent. And supporting local agencies is especially important in Virginia Beach.

Once you complete this short form, the coverage information is emailed to companies in Virginia Beach who will return price quotes for your coverage. You won’t even need to find an agent since rate quotes are delivered directly to your email. You can most likely find cheaper rates and a licensed agent to work with. In the event you want to get a comparison quote from a particular provider, feel free to navigate to their website and complete a quote there.

If you would like to find a local Virginia Beach insurance agent, it’s helpful to know the types of agencies to choose from. Auto insurance agents in Virginia Beach may be either exclusive or independent.

Independent Auto Insurance Agents

Independent agents do not sell for just one brand so they can write business through many different auto insurance companies and find you cheaper rates. If your agent finds better pricing, they simply switch companies in-house and you don’t have to find a new agent.

When comparing auto insurance rates, you need to get several quotes from a couple of independent agencies for the best price selection. They often place coverage with lesser-known insurance companies which could offer lower prices.

Featured below is a partial list of independent insurance agents in Virginia Beach who may provide free price quotes.

• Huffman Insurance Agency
  5541 Parliament Dr #209 – Virginia Beach, VA 23462 – (757) 200-3183 – View Map
• Towne Insurance
  301 Bendix Rd #300 – Virginia Beach, VA 23452 – (757) 468-6100 – View Map
• Bordeaux Insurance Agency
  4654 Haygood Rd – Virginia Beach, VA 23455 – (757) 460-6220 – View Map

More insurance agents

Exclusive Insurance Agents

Exclusive agencies write business for a single company such as Allstate, AAA, Farmers Insurance, and State Farm. Exclusive agents cannot provide other company’s prices so always compare other rates. These agents are very knowledgeable on their company’s products which can be an advantage. Some consumers prefer to use the same exclusive agent partially due to the brand rather than having the cheapest rates.

Shown below is a list of exclusive agents in Virginia Beach willing to provide rate quotes.

• Stephanie Langkil – State Farm Insurance Agent
  5441 Virginia Beach Blvd #115 – Virginia Beach, VA 23462 – (757) 499-3411 – View Map
• Ken Crowder – State Farm Insurance Agent
  5802 E Virginia Beach Blvd #128 – Norfolk, VA 23502 – (757) 461-2027 – View Map
• Allstate Insurance: Ralph M. Rios
  2492 N Landing Rd #101 – Virginia Beach, VA 23456 – (757) 467-2800 – View Map

More insurance agents

Finding a good insurance agent should include more criteria than just the quoted price. The following questions are important to ask.

• Do they receive special compensation for putting your coverage with one company over another?
• Is the agency covered by Errors and Omissions coverage?
• Do you have coverage for a rental car if your vehicle is in the repair shop?
• Do you work with a CSR or direct with the agent?
• Are claim adjusters local or do you have to take your car somewhere else?
• Which company do they place the most coverage with?
• Do they prorate repair cost based on vehicle mileage?

Auto insurance is not optional

Despite the high cost, maintaining insurance is mandatory in Virginia but it also protects more than you think.

• The majority of states have minimum liability requirements which means state laws require a specific minimum amount of liability insurance coverage in order to be legal. In Virginia these limits are 25/50/20 which means you must have $25,000 of bodily injury coverage per person, $50,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $20,000 of property damage coverage.
• If you bought your Ford Explorer Sport Trac with a loan, most banks will stipulate that you buy insurance to ensure the loan is repaid in case of a total loss. If you do not pay your insurance premiums, the bank may buy a policy for your Ford at a more expensive rate and force you to pay for the expensive policy.
• Insurance safeguards both your car and your assets. It will also pay for all forms of medical expenses for you, any passengers, and anyone injured in an accident. Liability insurance, one of your policy coverages, also pays expenses related to your legal defense if you are sued as the result of your driving. If your vehicle suffers damage from an accident or hail, your policy will pay to restore your vehicle to like-new condition.

The benefits of carrying enough insurance are definitely more than the cost, especially with large liability claims. On average, a vehicle owner in Virginia Beach is currently overpaying as much as $825 a year so shop around at least once a year to help ensure money is not being wasted.

One last thing to lower rates

A few companies may not have online price quotes and many times these smaller companies work with independent agents. Lower-priced car insurance in Virginia Beach is definitely available from both online companies as well as from independent agents in Virginia Beach, so you should be comparing quotes from both so you have a total pricing picture.

You just learned many ways to find affordable Ford Explorer Sport Trac insurance in Virginia Beach. It’s most important to understand that the more rate comparisons you have, the higher the chance of saving money. Consumers may even find the lowest auto insurance rates are with a smaller regional carrier.

People leave their current company for many reasons like policy cancellation, questionable increases in premium, denial of a claim and even lack of trust in their agent. No matter why you want to switch, finding a new company is not as difficult as it may seem.

Additional articles

• What to do at the Scene of an Accident (Insurance Information Institute)
• How Much are Car Insurance Rates for Drivers Requiring a SR22 in Virginia Beach? (FAQ)
• How Much is Virginia Beach Auto Insurance for a Honda Civic? (FAQ)
• Who Has Cheap Car Insurance Quotes for State Employees in Virginia Beach? (FAQ)
• Who Has Affordable Virginia Beach Auto Insurance for Used Cars? (FAQ)
• Who Has the Cheapest Virginia Beach Car Insurance Rates for Immigrants? (FAQ)
• Who Has Affordable Virginia Beach Auto Insurance for Drivers Over Age 50? (FAQ)
• All About Airbag Safety (State Farm)
• Auto Insurance for Teen Drivers (Insurance Information Institute)
• Should I Purchase an Umbrella Liability Policy? (Insurance Information Institute)