Compare Car Insurance Rates for a Ford Ranger

Searching for low-cost insurance for a Ford Ranger can normally be a painful process, but you can learn a few tricks to make it easier.

There are both good and bad ways to find car insurance online so we’re going to tell you the quickest way to compare rates for a new or used Ford and get the lowest possible price either online or from local insurance agents.

It’s a good habit to do rate comparisons at least once a year due to the fact that insurance rates trend upward over time. Just because you found the lowest price on Ranger insurance a year ago you may be paying too much now. So just block out anything you think you know about car insurance because it’s time to teach you how to quote online to remove unneeded coverages and save money.

Free Car Insurance Quotes

Performing a rate comparison can take time and effort if you don’t utilize the most efficient way. You can waste hours driving to insurance companies in your area, or you can utilize the internet to get rates in a matter of minutes.

Most major companies belong to a marketplace where prospective buyers enter their coverage request one time, and at least one company then returns a price quote based on that data. This eliminates the need for quote requests to each individual car insurance company. To access this free quoting program, click here (opens in new window).

The one disadvantage to comparing rates this way is you are unable to specify which providers to receive prices from. So if you prefer to choose individual companies for rate comparison, we put together a list of the cheapest car insurance companies in your area. Click here for list of insurance companies.

Which method you use is up to you, but be sure to compare identical quote information for every quote you compare. If the quotes have higher or lower deductibles you can’t possibly truly determine the lowest rate.

Do drivers who switch really save $474 a year?

Drivers can’t ignore all the ads for car insurance savings from the likes of Allstate, GEICO and Progressive. All the companies make an identical promise about savings after switching your coverage to them.

But how can every company say the same thing? This is how they do it.

All the different companies are able to cherry pick for the right customer that earns them a profit. An example of a profitable customer could be between 25 and 40, a clean driving record, and drives newer vehicles. A customer who fits that profile is entitled to the best price and is almost guaranteed to save a lot of money.

Potential customers who don’t measure up to this ideal profile will be charged more money which usually ends up with business not being written. The ad wording is “people who switch” not “everybody who quotes” save that much money. This is how insurance companies can make the claims of big savings.

That is why you should get quotes from several different companies. It’s impossible to know which car insurance company will fit your personal profile best. car insurance quote

These factors can influence what you pay for Ford Ranger insurance

Smart consumers have a good feel for some of the elements that come into play when calculating car insurance rates. When you know what positively or negatively influences your rates empowers consumers to make smart changes that can help you get much lower annual insurance costs.

High crash test scores lower rates – Safer cars tend to have better insurance rates. The safest vehicles result in less severe injuries and any reduction in injury severity means less money paid by your insurance company and lower rates for you. If the Ford Ranger is rated at least four stars on Safercar.gov you may qualify for a discount.
Where you live – Being located in less populated areas can be a good thing when it comes to car insurance. Lower population means reduced accidents and also fewer theft and vandalism claims. Drivers who live in large cities have to deal with much more traffic to deal with and longer commute times. More time on the road means more change of being in an accident.
Protect yourself with liability coverage – Liability coverage will protect you in the event that a jury decides you are liable for damages caused by your negligence. It provides legal defense coverage starting from day one. Liability is cheap when compared with rates for comp and collision, so buy as much as you can afford.
Extra add-on coverages are wasting money – There are many extra bells and whistles that you can get tricked into buying when buying car insurance. Coverages like rental car reimbursement, accidental death and additional equipment coverage are some examples. They may seem good when talking to your agent, but now you might not need them so get rid of them and save.

Do you qualify for a discount?

Insurance can be prohibitively expensive, but discounts can save money and there are some available to reduce the price significantly. Larger premium reductions will be automatically applied at quote time, but less common discounts must be requested specifically before you get the savings. If you don’t get every credit available, you’re just leaving money on the table.

Auto/Life Discount – Companies who offer life insurance give better rates if you take out auto and life insurance together.
Early Switch Discount – Some companies give discounts for signing up before your current policy expires. It’s a savings of about 10%.
Multiple Vehicles – Insuring multiple vehicles on the same car insurance policy could earn a price break for each car.
Clubs and Organizations – Participating in a professional or civic organization may earn a discount when shopping for car insurance on Ranger insurance.
E-sign – A handful of insurance companies will discount your bill up to fifty bucks just for signing your application digitally online.
Military Rewards – Having a deployed family member could be rewarded with lower premiums.
Passive Restraints and Air Bags – Cars that have air bags and/or automatic seat belt systems can get savings up to 30%.

As a disclaimer on discounts, most credits do not apply to the entire policy premium. Most cut the cost of specific coverages such as physical damage coverage or medical payments. So when the math indicates adding up those discounts means a free policy, you’re out of luck. But all discounts will reduce the amount you have to pay.

To choose insurance companies with the best car insurance discounts, click this link.

When should I use an insurance agent?

When it comes to buying the right insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there really is no “best” method to buy coverage. Every insured’s situation is different.

For example, these questions can aid in determining if you might need an agent’s assistance.

Does my insurance cover damage caused when ticketed for reckless driving?
Does my insurance cover a custom paint job?
Am I covered when driving in Canada or Mexico?
Can I still get insurance after a DUI?
Is rental equipment covered for theft or damage?
Is a no-fault state?
Am I covered when driving someone else’s vehicle?
Will I lose any money if I cancel my policy before it expires?
When would I need additional glass coverage?
Will my vehicle be repaired with OEM or aftermarket parts?

If you’re not sure about those questions but you think they might apply to your situation then you might want to talk to a licensed agent. To find an agent in your area, complete this form. It only takes a few minutes and can help protect your family.

Car Insurance through a local agent

A small number of people would rather talk to a local agent and that is a personal choice. Agents can help determine the best coverages and help in the event of a claim. The biggest benefit of getting online price quotes is that you can obtain the lowest rates but still work with a licensed agent. Buying from small agencies is especially important in small towns and cities.

By using this form (opens in new window), the quote information is immediately sent to local insurance agents who will battle to get your business. There is no reason to leave your house due to the fact that quote results will go to your email. Now that’s easy!

Independent or Captive: It’s your choice

When finding a local agent, you must know there are a couple different types of agents that you can select. Agents are categorized either independent or captive. Both types can write coverage properly, but it’s important to know the difference between them since it may influence the selection process.

Independent Agents

Independent agencies do not work for one specific company so they have the ability to put coverage with any number of different companies and possibly get better coverage at lower prices. If you are not satisfied with one company, they simply move the coverage in-house without you having to go to a different agency.

When searching for an agent, it’s recommended you include price quotes from at least one independent agent for the best price selection.Many can place coverage with different regional companies who may have lower rates.

Captive Agents

Captive insurance agents write business for a single company and some examples include Allstate, Farmers Insurance, State Farm and AAA. They are unable to place coverage with different providers so they are skilled at selling on more than just price. Captives receive extensive training on their company’s products and that can be a competitive advantage. Consumers sometimes buy from captive agents mostly because of the brand legacy and the convenience of having a single billing for all their coverages.

To view a complete directory of insurance agencies, visit this site.

Selecting an auto insurance agent needs to be determined by more than just a cheap price. Ask your prospective agent these questions:

If your car is in the repair shop, do you have coverage for a rental car?
If your car is totalled, how to they determine the replacement cost?
Are you getting all the discounts the company offers?
What insurance companies do they work with?
Do they carry Errors and Omissions coverage?
Will vehicle repairs be made with aftermarket parts or OEM replacement parts?
Will your rates increase after a single accident?

Once you have good answers to your questions and an affordable coverage quote, most likely you have located an auto insurance agent that can properly insure your vehicles.

Summing up your car insurance search

Insureds who switch companies do it for a variety of reasons including being labeled a high risk driver, delays in paying claims, poor customer service or even questionable increases in premium. No matter why you want to switch, finding a great new company is not as hard as you think.

As you go through the steps to switch your coverage, do not buy lower coverage limits just to save a few bucks. There are many occasions where consumers will sacrifice collision coverage only to discover later that the few dollars in savings costed them thousands. The aim is to buy the best coverage you can find at the best price, not the least amount of coverage.

Cost effective Ford Ranger insurance is definitely available online in addition to many insurance agents, and you need to price shop both in order to have the best chance of saving money. There are still a few companies who do not provide the ability to get a quote online and usually these smaller companies provide coverage only through local independent agents.