The best way to find more affordable Ford Explorer Sport Trac insurance is to regularly compare prices from providers who provide car insurance in Lexington. Rate comparisons can be done by following these steps.
- First, spend some time learning about how auto insurance works and the changes you can make to lower rates. Many risk factors that result in higher prices such as traffic citations and a low credit score can be controlled by making small lifestyle or driving habit changes.
- Second, quote rates from direct carriers, independent agents, and exclusive agents. Direct companies and exclusive agencies can provide rates from one company like Progressive or Allstate, while independent agents can give you price quotes from many different companies.
- Third, compare the new rate quotes to your existing policy to see if a cheaper price is available. If you find a lower rate, verify that coverage does not lapse between policies.
- Fourth, notify your agent or company of your decision to cancel your existing policy and submit a signed application and payment for the new coverage. Don’t forget to keep your new certificate of insurance along with your vehicle registration.
A crucial key to this process is to use similar deductibles and liability limits on each quote request and and to get quotes from as many companies as you can. Doing this enables an accurate price comparison and a complete selection of prices.
Shocking but true, a large majority of consumers have stayed with the same insurance company for a minimum of four years, and about 40% of consumers have never shopped around. Kentucky drivers could save nearly $630 each year by just shopping around, but most just don’t grasp the amount of money they would save if they moved their coverage to a different company.
Auto insurance discounts are available to get cheap rates
Some providers do not list all possible discounts very clearly, so the list below details some of the best known as well as some of the hidden credits available to bring down your rates.
- Pay Upfront and Save – By making one initial payment instead of monthly or quarterly installments you can actually save on your bill.
- Cautious Driver Discounts – Drivers who don’t get into accidents can save as much as half off their rates than drivers with accident claims.
- Anti-lock Brake Discount – Anti-lock brake equipped vehicles have fewer accidents so companies give up to a 10% discount.
- Seat Belt Usage – Buckling up and requiring all passengers to fasten their seat belts could cut 10% or more on the premium charged for medical payments and/or PIP.
- Home Ownership Discount – Just owning your own home may earn you a small savings since home ownership requires a higher level of personal finance.
- Online Discount – A few companies will give you a small discount just for signing your application on the internet.
- Air Bag Discount – Factory air bags and/or automatic seat belt systems can qualify for discounts of 25 to 30%.
- Theft Deterrent – Cars and trucks equipped with anti-theft or alarm systems prevent vehicle theft and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
You can save money using discounts, but most credits do not apply to the entire cost. Most cut individual premiums such as liability and collision coverage. So even though you would think adding up those discounts means a free policy, insurance companies wouldn’t stay in business.
The chart below illustrates the difference between Ford Explorer Sport Trac insurance costs with and without some available policy discounts. The price estimates are based on a female driver, no violations or claims, Kentucky state minimum liability limits, comp and collision included, and $1,000 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with multi-policy, homeowner, claim-free, marriage, multi-car, and safe-driver discounts applied.
Auto insurance companies that may include most of these discounts include:
If you need lower rates, check with each insurance company to apply every possible discount. Some of the discounts discussed earlier may not apply to policyholders in every state. If you would like to choose from a list of insurance companies who offer auto insurance discounts in Lexington, follow this link.
How to buy Ford Explorer Sport Trac insurance online
The companies shown below can provide price quotes in Kentucky. To find the best cheap car insurance in Lexington, it’s a good idea that you compare several of them to find the cheapest auto insurance rates.
Auto insurance data for a Ford Explorer Sport Trac
The data table displayed next highlights different insurance prices for Ford Explorer Sport Trac models. Being more informed about how auto insurance prices are figured is important to be able to make decisions on the best policy coverages.
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Explorer Sport Trac XLT 2WD | $104 | $182 | $306 | $18 | $92 | $702 | $59 |
Explorer Sport Trac Limited 2WD | $120 | $182 | $306 | $18 | $92 | $718 | $60 |
Explorer Sport Trac XLT 4WD | $120 | $182 | $306 | $18 | $92 | $718 | $60 |
Explorer Sport Trac Limited 4WD | $136 | $222 | $306 | $18 | $92 | $774 | $65 |
Explorer Sport Trac Limited AWD | $136 | $222 | $306 | $18 | $92 | $774 | $65 |
Get Your Own Custom Quote Go |
Price data assumes married female driver age 50, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $1000 deductibles, and Kentucky minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include claim-free, multi-policy, multi-vehicle, safe-driver, and homeowner. Prices do not factor in specific location which can lower or raise coverage prices significantly.
Can higher deductibles save money?
When buying auto insurance, a common question is where should you set your physical damage deductibles. The premium rates below help summarize the difference in cost of buying low and high policy deductibles. The first table uses a $250 deductible for physical damage and the second set of prices uses a $1,000 deductible.
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Explorer Sport Trac XLT 2WD | $220 | $350 | $326 | $20 | $98 | $1,039 | $87 |
Explorer Sport Trac Limited 2WD | $252 | $350 | $326 | $20 | $98 | $1,071 | $89 |
Explorer Sport Trac XLT 4WD | $252 | $350 | $326 | $20 | $98 | $1,071 | $89 |
Explorer Sport Trac Limited 4WD | $284 | $426 | $326 | $20 | $98 | $1,179 | $98 |
Explorer Sport Trac Limited AWD | $284 | $426 | $326 | $20 | $98 | $1,179 | $98 |
Get Your Own Custom Quote Go |
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Explorer Sport Trac XLT 2WD | $136 | $220 | $326 | $20 | $98 | $800 | $67 |
Explorer Sport Trac Limited 2WD | $156 | $220 | $326 | $20 | $98 | $820 | $68 |
Explorer Sport Trac XLT 4WD | $156 | $220 | $326 | $20 | $98 | $820 | $68 |
Explorer Sport Trac Limited 4WD | $176 | $268 | $326 | $20 | $98 | $888 | $74 |
Explorer Sport Trac Limited AWD | $176 | $268 | $326 | $20 | $98 | $888 | $74 |
Get Your Own Custom Quote Go |
Table data represents married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and Kentucky minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include claim-free, homeowner, multi-policy, safe-driver, and multi-vehicle. Premium costs do not factor in Lexington location which can decrease or increase premium rates noticeably.
Based on the data above, we can derive that using a $250 deductible will cost you about $22 more each month or $264 a year than selecting the higher $1,000 deductible. Since you would pay $750 more to file a claim with a $1,000 deductible as compared to a $250 deductible, if you average at a minimum 34 months between claims, you would come out ahead if you opt for a higher deductible.
How to calculate when to raise deductibles
Average monthly premium for $250 deductibles: | $92 |
Average monthly premium for $1,000 deductibles (subtract): | – $70 |
Monthly savings from raising deductible: | $22 |
Difference between deductibles ($1,000 – $250): | $750 |
Divide difference by monthly savings: | $750 / $22 |
Number of months required between physical damage coverage claims in order to save money by choosing the higher deductible | 34 months |
Tickets and at-fault accidents raise rates
The information below highlights how speeding tickets and at-fault claims can impact Ford Explorer Sport Trac insurance costs for each age group. The data assumes a married male driver, comprehensive and collision coverage, $250 deductibles, and no discounts are applied to the premium.
Impact of age and gender on auto insurance rates
The diagram below shows the difference between Ford Explorer Sport Trac yearly insurance costs for male and female drivers. The rate quotes are based on no claims, a clean driving record, comprehensive and collision coverage, $500 deductibles, drivers are single, and no discounts are applied.
Full coverage rates compared to liability-only
The chart below illustrates the comparison of Ford Explorer Sport Trac auto insurance costs with full physical damage coverage compared to only buying the minimum liability limits required in Kentucky. Data assumes no violations or claims, $500 deductibles, single status, and no discounts are applied to the premium.
When to drop comprehensive and collision
There is no specific rule for excluding physical damage coverage, but there is a general guideline. If the annual cost of coverage is more than about 10% of replacement cost minus your deductible, then you might want to consider buying only liability coverage.
For example, let’s say your Ford Explorer Sport Trac replacement cost is $3,000 and you have $1,000 policy deductibles. If your vehicle is damaged in an accident, the most your company will settle for is $2,000 after paying your deductible. If you are paying over $200 a year for your policy with full coverage, then it could be time to drop full coverage.
There are some situations where dropping physical damage coverage is not recommended. If you have an outstanding loan on your vehicle, you have to keep full coverage to protect the lienholder’s interest. Also, if you cannot afford to purchase a different vehicle in the even your car is totaled, you should not opt for liability only.
Lower Your Lexington Insurance Premiums
Many factors are used in the calculation when you get your auto insurance bill. A few of the factors are predictable like a motor vehicle report, but others are more transparent such as your credit history or your financial responsibility.
The items below are just a few of the factors used by your company to calculate premiums.
Bad credit hurts insurance costs – Having a bad credit rating is likely to be a major factor in calculating your auto insurance rates. Consumers who have very good credit scores tend to be better risks to insure than drivers who have lower credit ratings. Therefore, if your credit history is low, you could be paying less to insure your Ford Explorer Sport Trac by improving your credit score.
Insurance rates for married couples – Walking down the aisle can get you a discount on auto insurance. It may mean you are less irresponsible and insurance companies like that married drivers tend to have fewer serious accidents.
The type of vehicle makes a difference – The performance of the car you own makes a big difference in your rates. The cheapest rates will normally be found when insuring the lowest performance passenger models, but many other things help determine your insurance rates.
The following data assumes a married female driver age 40, full coverage with $250 deductibles, and no discounts or violations. It illustrates Ford Explorer Sport Trac policy rates compared to other models of vehicles that have different performances.
Less chance of injury means lower rates – Safer cars cost less to insure. Highly rated vehicles help reduce the chance of injuries in an accident and reduced instances of injuries means less money paid by your insurance company and lower rates for you. If your Ford Explorer Sport Trac is rated at least an “acceptable” rating on the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety website you are probably receiving a discount.
Deter vehicle theft – Owning a car with advanced anti-theft systems can save you some money. Anti-theft features such as vehicle immobilizer systems, OnStar, and tracking devices like LoJack all hinder vehicle theft.
Minor frequent policy claims are not good – If you frequently file small claims, you shouldn’t be surprised to get increased rates or even have your policy non-renewed. Companies in Kentucky provide lower rates to people that do not abuse their auto insurance. Your insurance policy is meant to be used in the event of the large, substantial claims.
Car insurance can get complicated
When selecting proper insurance coverage for your vehicles, there really isn’t a perfect coverage plan. Everyone’s needs are different.
These are some specific questions may help highlight if your insurance needs might need professional guidance.
- Do I have ACV or replacement cost coverage?
- How much will a speeding ticket raise my rates?
- Can I pay claims out-of-pocket if I buy high deductibles?
- Is other people’s property covered if stolen from my vehicle?
- Am I covered if I wreck a rental car?
- Can I use my car for my catering business?
- When should I not file a claim?
If you’re not sure about those questions, you might consider talking to a licensed agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, take a second and complete this form. It is quick, free and can help protect your family.
Buying car insurance from Lexington car insurance agents
Some people just prefer to get advice from a local agent and doing that can be a smart decision Agents can point out coverage gaps and help file insurance claims. One of the best bonuses of comparing insurance prices online is that you can obtain lower rates and also buy local. Putting coverage with neighborhood insurance agencies is definitely important in Lexington.
By using this simple form, the coverage information is instantly submitted to participating agents in Lexington who will give competitive quotes for your insurance coverage. You won’t even need to leave your computer because prices are sent to you directly. If for some reason you want to get a rate quote from a specific insurance company, you would need to navigate to their website and complete a quote there.
Best car insurance agent in Lexington
If you need to find a local insurance agency, you must know there are a couple different types of agents that differ in how they can insure your vehicles. Agencies in Lexington are considered either independent agents or exclusive agents depending on their employer. Both write car insurance policies, but it’s good to learn why they differ because it can factor into which type of agent you select.
Independent Insurance Agents
These agents are not locked into one company so they can write business through lots of different companies and find the cheapest rate. If prices rise, your agent can switch companies and you won’t have to switch agencies.
If you are trying to find cheaper rates, we recommend you contact independent agents to get the most accurate price comparison. Many write coverage with mutual insurance companies that can offer cheaper rates than bigger companies.
The following is a short list of independent agencies in Lexington who may be able to give you comparison quotes.
- Energy Insurance Inc
3008 Atkinson Ave – Lexington, KY 40509 – (859) 273-1549 – View Map - Al Torstrick Insurance Agency
343 Waller Ave #101 – Lexington, KY 40504 – (859) 233-1461 – View Map - Nationwide Insurance: Bryan Joseph Mitchell Agency
252 E Third St – Lexington, KY 40508 – (859) 293-2253 – View Map
Exclusive Agencies
Exclusive insurance agents can usually just insure with one company and some examples include Farmers Insurance, State Farm, Allstate, and AAA. Exclusive agents are unable to provide rate quotes from other companies so if the price isn’t competitive there isn’t much they can do. Exclusive agents are trained well on the products they sell which helps offset the inability to provide other markets. Some people will only use the same agent partially due to the prominence of the brand rather than having low rates.
Below are exclusive agents in Lexington that are able to give price quotes.
- Allstate Insurance: Joshua Williams
2240 Executive Dr Ste 103 – Lexington, KY 40505 – (859) 243-0162 – View Map - GEICO Insurance Agent
3100 Old Todds Rd #110 – Lexington, KY 40509 – (859) 286-8655 – View Map - Dawn Stice – State Farm Insurance Agent
121 Prosperous Pl Ste 11A – Lexington, KY 40509 – (859) 271-2277 – View Map
Finding the right auto insurance agent is decision based upon more than just the quoted price. Here are some questions you might want to ask.
- Does the agent help file claims?
- Are they full-time agents?
- Are they primarily personal or commercial lines agents in Lexington?
- Can they provide you with a list of referrals?
- Will your rates increase after a single accident?
Once you have satisfactory answers to these questions in addition to an acceptable price estimate, you may have found a car insurance agent that will properly service your car insurance policy. Just be aware that policyholders can cancel a policy at any time so don’t assume you’re contractually obligated to a specific company indefinitely.
Auto insurance in Kentucky serves several purposes
Despite the high insurance cost for a Ford Explorer Sport Trac in Lexington, maintaining insurance is a good idea for several reasons.
- Just about all states have mandatory liability insurance requirements which means state laws require a minimum amount of liability protection in order to be legal. In Kentucky these limits are 25/50/10 which means you must have $25,000 of bodily injury coverage per person, $50,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $10,000 of property damage coverage.
- If your Explorer Sport Trac has a loan, most lenders will make it a condition of the loan that you have physical damage coverage to guarantee payment of the loan. If the policy lapses, the lender will be forced to insure your Ford at a significantly higher premium and require you to fork over much more than you were paying before.
- Insurance safeguards not only your vehicle but also your assets. It will also provide coverage for many types of medical costs that are the result of an accident. Liability coverage, the one required by state law, will also pay to defend you if you cause an accident and are sued. If you receive damage to your vehicle caused by a storm or accident, your policy will pay to repair the damage minus the deductible amount.
The benefits of carrying enough insurance are without a doubt worth the cost, especially if you ever need it. On average, a vehicle owner in Lexington is overpaying over $869 every year so compare quotes from several companies every year to be sure current rates are still competitive.
Cheap car insurance rates are out there
We just covered a lot of information how to lower your Ford Explorer Sport Trac insurance rates in Lexington. The key concept to understand is the more rate quotes you have, the better likelihood of getting affordable Lexington car insurance quotes. Consumers may even find the most savings is with a company that doesn’t do a lot of advertising.
As you prepare to switch companies, make sure you don’t reduce coverage to reduce premium. There are a lot of situations where an insured dropped full coverage to discover at claim time that the small savings ended up costing them much more. The goal is to buy enough coverage for the lowest cost, not the least amount of coverage.
Consumers change insurance companies for a number of reasons such as lack of trust in their agent, questionable increases in premium, high rates after DUI convictions and even being labeled a high risk driver. Regardless of your reason for switching companies, choosing a new insurance company is pretty easy and you might even save some money in the process.
For more information, link through to these articles:
- Honda warning system reduces insurance claims (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)
- Who Has the Cheapest Car Insurance Quotes for a Jeep Wrangler in Lexington? (FAQ)
- Who Has Cheap Auto Insurance for Teenage Males in Lexington? (FAQ)
- Who Has the Cheapest Lexington Auto Insurance for a Dodge Grand Caravan? (FAQ)
- Who Has the Cheapest Auto Insurance Rates for Drivers with Accidents in Lexington? (FAQ)
- Information for Teen Drivers (GEICO)
- Credit Impacts Car Insurance Rates (State Farm)
- Top Signs Your Brakes are Giving Out (State Farm)
- Distracted Driving Statistics (Insurance Information Institute)