It’s a fact that insurance companies don’t want their customers to go rate shopping. Consumers who shop around for cheaper prices will probably move their business because there is a good chance of finding a cheaper policy. Surprisingly, a recent survey revealed that consumers who regularly shopped around saved $3,500 over four years compared to other drivers who never compared other company’s rates.
If finding the cheapest rates on Ford Escape insurance is your ultimate target, then having some insight into how to get price quotes and compare coverages can make the process more efficient.
The recommended way to get the cheapest auto insurance rates is to start comparing prices yearly from companies in Indianapolis. Rates can be compared by completing these steps.
- First, gain an understanding of the coverage provided by your policy and the measures you can take to keep rates low. Many rating criteria that cause high rates such as getting speeding tickets and a poor credit score can be amended by making minor driving habit or lifestyle changes.
- Second, compare prices from direct, independent, and exclusive agents. Direct and exclusive agents can only give prices from a single company like Progressive or Allstate, while independent agencies can provide prices from multiple sources. Click to view companies
- Third, compare the quotes to your existing rates and see if there is a cheaper rate. If you find a lower rate quote, ensure coverage does not lapse between policies.
- Fourth, tell your current company of your decision to cancel your current car insurance policy. Submit a completed policy application and payment to your new company or agent. Immediately upon receiving it, keep the new proof of insurance certificate somewhere easily accessible.
A good piece of advice is to use identical coverage information on each price quote and and to get rate quotes from every company you can. This helps ensure an apples-to-apples comparison and the best rate selection.
Buying the cheapest insurance in Indianapolis seems hard but is not really that difficult. In a nutshell, every vehicle owner who needs lower cost insurance will probably find a lower-cost company. But Indiana vehicle owners should learn how insurance companies determine how much to charge because rates fluctuate considerably.
It’s important to know that comparing all the rates in your area helps improve the odds of finding the best rates. Not every company provides online price quotes, so you need to compare prices on coverage from those companies, too.
The companies in the list below are ready to provide free quotes in Indianapolis, IN. If multiple companies are shown, it’s a good idea that you compare several of them to get the cheapest price.
Ford Escape insurance analysis
The rate table shown next highlights a range of insurance rates for Ford Escape models. Being aware of how premiums are calculated can help you make decisions when choosing a new policy provider.
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Escape XLS 2WD | $116 | $188 | $238 | $14 | $72 | $628 | $52 |
Escape XLS 4WD | $116 | $188 | $238 | $14 | $72 | $628 | $52 |
Escape XLT 2WD | $116 | $188 | $238 | $14 | $72 | $628 | $52 |
Escape Limited 2WD | $134 | $188 | $238 | $14 | $72 | $646 | $54 |
Escape XLT 4WD | $134 | $188 | $238 | $14 | $72 | $646 | $54 |
Escape Limited 4WD | $134 | $230 | $238 | $14 | $72 | $688 | $57 |
Get Your Own Custom Quote Go |
Premium data assumes married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $1000 deductibles, and Indiana minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-vehicle, safe-driver, homeowner, claim-free, and multi-policy. Rate information does not factor in Indianapolis location which can lower or raise auto insurance rates greatly.
An analysis of deductible level
When shopping for car insurance, a common question is how high should the deductibles for physical damage be. The comparison tables below highlight the cost difference when you choose different coverage deductibles. The first table uses a $100 comprehensive and collision deductible and the second pricing table uses a $500 deductible.
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Escape XLS 2WD | $210 | $358 | $238 | $14 | $72 | $917 | $76 |
Escape XLS 4WD | $210 | $358 | $238 | $14 | $72 | $917 | $76 |
Escape XLT 2WD | $210 | $358 | $238 | $14 | $72 | $917 | $76 |
Escape Limited 2WD | $242 | $358 | $238 | $14 | $72 | $949 | $79 |
Escape XLT 4WD | $242 | $358 | $238 | $14 | $72 | $949 | $79 |
Escape Limited 4WD | $242 | $436 | $238 | $14 | $72 | $1,027 | $86 |
Get Your Own Custom Quote Go |
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Escape XLS 2WD | $154 | $242 | $238 | $14 | $72 | $720 | $60 |
Escape XLS 4WD | $154 | $242 | $238 | $14 | $72 | $720 | $60 |
Escape XLT 2WD | $154 | $242 | $238 | $14 | $72 | $720 | $60 |
Escape Limited 2WD | $176 | $242 | $238 | $14 | $72 | $742 | $62 |
Escape XLT 4WD | $176 | $242 | $238 | $14 | $72 | $742 | $62 |
Escape Limited 4WD | $176 | $294 | $238 | $14 | $72 | $794 | $66 |
Get Your Own Custom Quote Go |
Table data assumes married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and Indiana minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include homeowner, safe-driver, multi-policy, multi-vehicle, and claim-free. Rate quotes do not factor in zip code location which can impact rates noticeably.
We can derive from the above data that using a $100 deductible will cost in the ballpark of $17 more each month or $204 each year than requesting the higher $500 deductible. Because you would be required to pay $400 more if you turn in a claim with a $500 deductible as compared to a $100 deductible, if you average at least 24 months between claim filings, you would probably be better off if you choose a higher deductible.
The example below highlights how deductible selection and can change Ford Escape insurance costs for each age group. The prices are based on a single male driver, comp and collision included, and no discounts are applied to the premium.
Ford Escape full coverage rates compared to liability only
The information below shows the difference between Ford Escape insurance costs when comparing full coverage to liability only. The price estimates are based on no claims or driving violations, $1,000 deductibles, single status, and no discounts are applied to the premium.
When to drop comprehensive and collision
There isn’t a steadfast formula of when to drop physical damage insurance, but there is a general guideline. If the yearly cost of full coverage is more than around 10% of the replacement cost minus the deductible, the it may be a good time to stop paying for full coverage.
For example, let’s say your Ford Escape replacement value is $5,000 and you have $1,000 policy deductibles. If your vehicle is totaled in an accident, the most your company will settle for is $4,000 after paying the physical damage deductible. If premium cost is more than $400 a year for full coverage, then it may be the right time to buy liability only.
There are some cases where removing full coverage is not recommended. If you have an outstanding loan on your vehicle, you are required to maintain full coverage to protect the lienholder’s interest in the vehicle. Also, if your savings is not enough to buy a different vehicle if your current one is in an accident, you should keep full coverage on your policy.
Lower rates by qualifying for discounts
Some insurers don’t list every discount in an easy-to-find place, so we researched some of the best known and also the more inconspicuous ways to save on car insurance.
- Telematics Devices – Drivers who elect to allow their car insurance company to look at vehicle usage through the use of a telematics system like Allstate’s Drivewise could see a rate decrease if they show good driving skills.
- ABS Brakes – Vehicles that have anti-lock braking systems can stop better under adverse conditions so companies give up to a 10% discount.
- Air Bags and Passive Restraints – Factory air bags and/or automatic seat belt systems may earn rate discounts of up to 25% or more.
- Senior Citizen Rates – Drivers over the age of 55 may qualify for reduced rates.
- Life Insurance Discount – Select insurance carriers reward you with better premium rates if you take out some life insurance in addition to your auto policy.
- Military Discounts – Having a family member in the military could be rewarded with lower rates.
- Government Employee Discount – Federal government employees could cut as much as 10% off with some car insurance companies.
- Paperless Signup – Certain companies provide a small discount for completing your application digitally online.
- Theft Deterrent System – Vehicles equipped with tracking devices and advanced anti-theft systems have a lower chance of being stolen and will qualify for a discount on a Indianapolis auto insurance quote.
- Clubs and Organizations – Belonging to a professional or civic organization can get you a small discount on your next renewal.
Keep in mind that some of the credits will not apply to your bottom line cost. Most only reduce individual premiums such as liability, collision or medical payments. If you do the math and it seems like adding up those discounts means a free policy, you won’t be that lucky. Any amount of discount should definitely cut the cost of your policy.
The information below visualizes the comparison of Ford Escape insurance premiums with and without discounts applied to the rates. The rates are based on a female driver, a clean driving record, no claims, Indiana state minimum liability limits, full coverage, and $500 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with marriage, homeowner, claim-free, multi-policy, safe-driver, and multi-car discounts applied.
A few companies that may offer most of the discounts above include:
If you are trying to find cheaper Indianapolis auto insurance quotes, ask each company or agent which discounts they offer. All car insurance discounts may not apply in every state. To see a list of car insurance companies that offer discounts in Indianapolis, click here.
Why insurance is not optional
Despite the high cost, maintaining insurance is required for several reasons.
- Just about all states have minimum mandated liability insurance limits which means you are required to carry a specific minimum amount of liability if you drive a vehicle. In Indiana 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 Ford has a lienholder, most banks will have a requirement that you buy full coverage to ensure they get paid if you total the vehicle. If you cancel or allow the policy to lapse, the lender may insure your Ford at a much higher premium rate and force you to pay the higher price.
- Insurance safeguards not only your car but also your assets. It will also provide coverage for all forms of medical expenses for both you and anyone you injure as the result of an accident. Liability coverage also covers legal expenses if someone files suit against you as the result of an accident. If damage is caused by hail or an accident, comprehensive and/or collision insurance will pay to repair the damage.
The benefits of having insurance definitely exceed the cost, particularly if you ever have a claim. But the average driver in Indiana is currently overpaying as much as $825 a year so compare rates once a year at a minimum to ensure rates are inline.
You are unique and your insurance should be too
When choosing adequate coverage, there really isn’t a cookie cutter policy. Each situation is unique so your insurance should reflect that
Here are some questions about coverages that can help discover if you would benefit from professional advice.
- Is my camper covered by my car insurance policy?
- Do I need motorclub coverage?
- Does my policy pay for OEM or aftermarket parts?
- When does my teenage driver need to be added to my policy?
- Should I file a claim if it’s only slightly more than my deductible?
- When can my company non-renew my policy?
- Should I carry comprehensive and collision coverage?
- What is the rate difference between pleasure use and commuting?
- What is the difference between personal and commercial auto insurance policies?
- Is extra glass coverage worth it?
If you don’t know the answers to these questions, you might consider talking to a licensed agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, simply complete this short form or you can also visit this page to select a carrier
Exclusive versus independent insurance agencies
A lot of people would prefer to sit down and talk to an agent and that is a personal choice. The best thing about comparing rate quotes online is the fact that drivers can get the lowest rates and still have an agent to talk to.
Once you complete this form (opens in new window), your insurance data is submitted to local insurance agents in Indianapolis who can give free rate quotes for your insurance coverage. You never need to contact any agents as quotes are delivered to you directly. You’ll get the best rates and a licensed agent to work with. If you have a need to compare prices from a particular provider, you would need to jump over to their website and fill out the quote form the provide.
Deciding on an insurer requires more thought than just the bottom line cost. Here are some questions you might want to ask.
- If you have an accident, are you able to get your vehicle repaired at the shop of your choice?
- Does the quote include credit and driving reports?
- Do you need full coverage on every vehicle?
- Are aftermarket or OEM parts used to repair vehicles?
- What insurance company do they write the most business with?
- What will you get paid if your car is a total loss? How is that amount determined?
If you want a reputable insurance agent or broker, it’s important to understand the different types of agents that you can select. Agencies in Indianapolis can be categorized as either exclusive or independent agents depending on their company appointments.
Exclusive Insurance Agents
These type of agents have only one company to place business with and examples are Farmers Insurance, State Farm, Allstate, and AAA. Exclusive agents cannot compare rates from other companies so you might not find the best rates. Exclusive insurance agents receive a lot of sales training on the products they sell which helps them sell on service rather than price.
Below are exclusive agents in Indianapolis that are able to give price quotes.
Allstate Insurance: Scott Verbarg
6120 E Thompson Rd Ste B – Indianapolis, IN 46237 – (317) 802-1550 – View Map
American Family Insurance – Brian Ciesil
1398 Shadeland Ave Ste 2233 – Indianapolis, IN 46219 – (317) 353-6225 – View Map
Jim Crinklaw – State Farm Insurance Agent
9423 Pendleton Pike – Indianapolis, IN 46236 – (317) 897-6129 – View Map
Independent Insurance Agencies
Agents of this type are not limited to a single company and that gives them the ability to insure amongst many companies and help determine which has the cheapest rates. If prices rise, an independent agent can move your coverage and you don’t have to switch agencies. If you need cheaper insurance rates, we recommend you check rates from several independent agencies to get the most accurate price comparison.
Shown below are independent insurance agents in Indianapolis that are able to give comparison quotes.
A. I. King Insurance Agency, Inc.
8604 Allisonville Rd #210 – Indianapolis, IN 46250 – (317) 841-6004 – View Map
Walker and Associates Insurance Agency
7364 E Washington St – Indianapolis, IN 46219 – (317) 353-8000 – View Map
Gregory and Appel Insurance
1402 N Capitol Ave #400 – Indianapolis, IN 46202 – (317) 634-7491 – View Map