Save Money on Ford Explorer Sport Trac Insurance in Pittsburgh

Have you had enough of sacrificing to pay auto insurance each month? You have the same problem as many other Pennsylvania drivers.

It’s a fact that insurance companies don’t want policyholders to shop around. People who shop for lower prices are likely to buy a different policy because there are good odds of finding good coverage at a lower price. A recent survey found that people who routinely compared quotes saved $3,400 over four years compared to drivers who don’t make a habit of comparing rates.

If finding the cheapest price for insurance in Pittsburgh is the reason you’re reading this, then having an understanding of how to compare insurance coverage can help you be more efficient.

Due to the fact that there are so many online and local companies to choose from, it can be challenging to find the right insurer.

Locating the best rates in Pittsburgh is really quite simple as long as you have a good starting point. Just about every vehicle owner who is required by state law to have auto insurance most likely will get a lower-priced policy. But Pennsylvania vehicle owners need to learn how companies price online insurance and take advantage of how the system works.

First Step: Get free Ford Explorer Sport Trac insurance quotes

Most larger insurance companies allow consumers to get price estimates on their websites. Getting online rates for Ford Explorer Sport Trac insurance in Pittsburgh doesn’t take a lot of time as you just enter the coverage amounts you desire as requested by the quote form. Behind the scenes, their system orders reports for credit and driving violations and returns a price quote based on these factors. Quoting online for Ford Explorer Sport Trac insurance in Pittsburgh makes comparing rates easy, and it’s necessary to perform this step in order to find the cheapest price possible.

If you want to fill out one form to compare multiple rates now, compare rates now from the companies shown below. If you have coverage now, it’s recommended you replicate coverages and limits just like they are on your policy. This makes sure you will have a price comparison using the exact same coverages.

The companies in the list below are our best choices to provide comparison quotes in Pennsylvania. If your goal is to find cheap car insurance in Pittsburgh, we suggest you visit two to three different companies to find the lowest car insurance rates.

Rates and data analysis

The premium information displayed next highlights detailed analysis of insurance coverage prices for Ford Explorer Sport Trac models. Being more informed about how insurance policy premiums are established helps drivers make smart choices when choosing a car insurance company.

Prices above based on married female driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $1000 deductibles, and Pennsylvania minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-vehicle, claim-free, multi-policy, homeowner, and safe-driver. Rate quotes do not factor in specific zip code location which can influence insurance rates considerably.

Rate comparison for different deductibles

When buying auto insurance, a common question is which comprehensive and collision deductibles to buy. The tables below illustrate the price difference between high and low insurance deductibles. The first table uses a $250 deductible for comp and collision and the second price grid uses a $1,000 deductible.

Table data represents married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and Pennsylvania minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include claim-free, multi-policy, multi-vehicle, homeowner, and safe-driver. Rate quotes do not factor in zip code location which can alter rates noticeably.

We can derive from the above data that using a $250 deductible could cost the average driver approximately $22 more each month or $264 a year than opting for the higher $1,000 deductible. Because you would be required to pay $750 more to settle a claim with a $1,000 deductible as compared to a $250 deductible, if you normally go at least 34 months between claim filings, you would more than likely save some money going with the higher deductible.

One important caveat is that increasing deductibles to lower your rates results in more money out-of-pocket when you do file a claim. You need to have some extra savings in the event you have to pay the higher deductible in order to repair your vehicle.

The example below shows how different deductible levels and can affect Ford Explorer Sport Trac insurance costs for each different age category. The data is based on a single male driver, comp and collision included, and no discounts are applied.

Irresponsible driving raises your rates

The diagram below demonstrates how speeding tickets and accidents impact Ford Explorer Sport Trac premium costs for each age group. The data assumes a married male driver, comprehensive and collision coverage, $100 deductibles, and no additional discounts are factored in.

How much more does full coverage cost in Pittsburgh?

The chart below illustrates the comparison of Ford Explorer Sport Trac car insurance costs with and without physical damage coverage, medical payments, and uninsured/under-insured motorist coverage. The information is based on no violations or claims, $1,000 deductibles, drivers are single, and no discounts are factored in.

When to buy liability coverage only

There is no clear-cut formula of when to eliminate comp and collision coverage, but there is a general convention. If the annual cost of your full coverage insurance is about 10% or more of any settlement you would receive from your insurance company, then you may want to consider only buying liability coverage.

For example, let’s say your Ford Explorer Sport Trac replacement value is $7,000 and you have $1,000 policy deductibles. If your vehicle is totaled in an accident, the most your company would pay you is $6,000 after the deductible is paid. If you are paying more than $600 a year to have full coverage, then it might be time to buy liability only.

There are some conditions where removing full coverage is not a good idea. If you haven’t paid off your loan, you have to keep full coverage in order to satisfy the requirements of the loan. Also, if your finances do not allow you to purchase a different vehicle in the even your car is totaled, you should keep full coverage on your policy.

Protect your Explorer Sport Trac and other assets

Despite the potentially high cost of Ford Explorer Sport Trac insurance, maintaining insurance is required by state law in Pennsylvania and it also provides benefits you may not be aware of.

First, just about all states have mandatory liability insurance requirements which means state laws require a specific minimum amount of liability insurance coverage in order to get the vehicle licensed. In Pennsylvania 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 you bought your car with a loan, most banks will require that you carry insurance to guarantee loan repayment. If you let the policy lapse, the lender may have to buy a policy to insure your Ford at a much higher rate and force you to pay for the much more expensive policy.

Third, insurance protects your vehicle and your assets. It will also reimburse you for medical transport and hospital expenses incurred in an accident. Liability insurance also pays expenses related to your legal defense if you are sued as the result of an accident. If damage is caused by hail or an accident, collision and comprehensive coverages will cover the repair costs.

The benefits of having insurance definitely exceed the price paid, particularly if you ever have a claim. According to a survey of 1,000 drivers, the average driver is wasting up to $850 per year so we recommend shopping around once a year at a minimum to save money.

Lower Your Pittsburgh Insurance Premiums

It’s important that you understand some of the things that come into play when calculating auto insurance rates. If you have some idea of what determines premiums, this allows you to make good choices that may reward you with cheaper rates. Multiple criteria are used when you quote your car insurance policy. A few of the factors are predictable like an MVR report, but others are not as apparent like your continuous coverage or your financial responsibility.

Physical damage deductibles – Physical damage deductibles define how much you are willing to pay in the event of a claim. Physical damage protection, aka comp and collision, protects your car from damage. Some examples of covered claims could be rear-ending another vehicle, vandalism, and damage from wind. The more the insured has to pay upfront, the lower your rates will be.

A policy lapse is a bad thing – Allowing your coverage to lapse can be a quick way to increase your rates. In addition to paying higher rates, failure to provide proof of insurance may earn you a steep fine or even jail time. You may need to submit proof of financial responsibility or a SR-22 with the Pennsylvania motor vehicle department to get your license reinstated.

Too many claims drive up premiums – If you are a frequent claim filer, you can expect increased rates or even have your policy non-renewed. Companies in Pennsylvania provide most affordable rates to people who do not rely on their insurance for small claims. Your insurance policy is intended to be relied upon for major claims that would cause financial hardship.

Do you save by driving less? – The more you drive your Ford annually the more you’ll pay to insure it. Almost all companies charge rates based upon how the vehicle is primarily used. Cars and trucks left parked in the garage receive better premium rates than cars that get driven a lot. Having an incorrect usage rating on your Explorer Sport Trac is throwing money out the window. Make sure your auto insurance policy reflects the proper vehicle usage, because it can save money.

Costs for men may be higher – Statistics have proven that women are safer drivers than men. The data does not necessarily mean that males are worse at driving than females. Males and females cause accidents in similar percentages, but the males have costlier accidents. Men also statistically get more serious tickets like DUI and reckless driving. Teenage male drivers have the highest risk to insure so it costs more to insure them.

The diagram below illustrates the difference between Ford Explorer Sport Trac insurance prices for male and female drivers. The premium estimates are based on no tickets, no at-fault accidents, comprehensive and collision coverage, $1,000 deductibles, drivers are single, and no additional discounts are factored in.

Married people drive safer – Having a significant other can actually save you money on your auto insurance bill. Having a spouse may mean you are less irresponsible and statistics prove being married results in fewer claims.

More performance means higher rates – The performance level of the car you own makes a huge difference in your premium level. Smaller low performance passenger models generally receive the lowest base rates, but that’s not the only thing that factors into the final price.

The following data assumes a married male driver age 20, full coverage with $1000 deductibles, and no discounts or violations. The chart compares Ford Explorer Sport Trac rates compared to other models that have a range of risk factors.

You are unique and your car insurance should be too

Always keep in mind that when comparing coverage online or from an agent, there is no “best” method to buy coverage. Coverage needs to be tailored to your specific needs and your policy should reflect that.
Here are some questions about coverages that might point out whether your personal situation would benefit from professional advice.

• When should I remove comp and collision on my Ford Explorer Sport Trac?
• Is a new car covered when I drive it off the dealer lot?
• Is borrowed equipment or tools covered if stolen or damaged?
• What is the rate difference between pleasure use and commuting?
• Am I covered when renting a car or should I buy coverage from the car rental agency?
• If my pet gets injured in an accident are they covered?
• What discounts do I qualify for?
• Do I need medical payments coverage since I have good health insurance?
• Is there a penalty for late payment?
• Should I pay a claim out-of-pocket?

If you’re not sure about those questions but you think they might apply to your situation, then you may want to think about talking to a licensed insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, take a second and complete this form or you can go here for a list of companies in your area.

What is the best auto insurance company in Pittsburgh?

Selecting the highest-rated insurance provider can be challenging considering how many choices there are in Pittsburgh. The company rank data listed below could help you decide which coverage providers you want to consider when looking for cheaper rates.

Top 10 Pittsburgh Car Insurance Companies Ranked by Value

1. The General
2. The Hartford
3. Titan Insurance
4. Farmers Insurance
5. 21st Century
6. Safeco Insurance
7. AAA Insurance
8. State Farm
9. Travelers
10. Progressive

Top 10 Pittsburgh Car Insurance Companies Ranked by Customer Service

1. Titan Insurance
2. The Hartford
3. American Family
4. Progressive
5. USAA
6. Travelers
7. State Farm
8. GEICO
9. Erie Insurance
10. Allstate

The lowest rates come from being thorough

When shopping online for insurance, don’t be tempted to skimp on coverage in order to save money. In many cases, someone dropped collision coverage and discovered at claim time that saving that couple of dollars actually costed them tens of thousands. Your focus should be to find the BEST coverage at the lowest possible cost while still protecting your assets.

Discount Ford Explorer Sport Trac insurance in Pittsburgh can be sourced both online and also from your neighborhood Pittsburgh agents, and you should compare rates from both in order to have the best price selection to choose from. Some insurance providers do not provide the ability to get quotes online and most of the time these smaller companies work with independent agents.

How to find better rates for Ford Explorer Sport Trac insurance in Pittsburgh

The preferred way to get more affordable Ford Explorer Sport Trac insurance is to compare prices once a year from insurers in Pittsburgh. Rates can be compared by following these guidelines.

First, read and learn about coverages and the things you can change to prevent rate increases. Many rating factors that drive up the price like accidents, traffic tickets, and your credit history can be rectified by making minor driving habit or lifestyle changes.

Second, quote rates from direct, independent, and exclusive agents. Direct and exclusive agents can only give prices from one company like GEICO or State Farm, while independent agents can quote prices from multiple companies.

Third, compare the new quotes to the price on your current policy and determine if cheaper Explorer Sport Trac coverage is available. If you can save some money and change companies, make sure coverage does not lapse between policies.

The most important part of shopping around is to make sure you’re comparing the same physical damage deductibles and liability limits on each price quote and and to get rates from every insurance company. This provides the most accurate price comparison and a complete rate analysis.

More tips and info about insurance is available in the articles below:

• Older Drivers FAQ (iihs.org)
• Who Has the Cheapest Auto Insurance for a Company Car in Pittsburgh? (FAQ)
• Who Has Affordable Car Insurance for Hybrid Vehicles in Pittsburgh? (FAQ)
• Who Has Cheap Auto Insurance for Retired Military in Pittsburgh? (FAQ)
• State Car Insurance Guides (GEICO)
• How do I File a Claim? (Insurance Information Institute)
• Vehicle Insurance (Wikipedia)
• Anti-Lock Brake FAQ (iihs.org)