Would you like to stop overpaying and find more affordable Ford Explorer insurance in Irvine? Trying to find better insurance prices for your Ford Explorer in California can be an all-consuming task, but you can follow our auto insurance buying tips to save time. There is a right way and a wrong way to buy auto insurance and you need to know the proper way to get price quotes for your Ford and find the lowest price.
It’s important to compare premium rates as often as possible since insurance prices are rarely the same from one policy term to another. If you had the best rates on Ford Explorer insurance in Irvine two years ago you can probably find a lower rate today. You can find a lot of wrong information about Explorer insurance out there, but I’m going to show you some tested techniques to lower your auto insurance premiums.
If you have a policy now or need a new policy, follow these tips to get lower rates and still have adequate protection. Pricing affordable policy in Irvine is not as hard as you think. Comparison shoppers just need to know the least time-consuming way to compare rates online from multiple companies.
All the larger car insurance companies such as 21st Century, Allstate and State Farm allow you to get prices from their websites. Comparing Ford Explorer insurance rates online doesn’t take much effort as you just enter the amount of coverage you want on the page. When complete, the system pulls information on your driving record and credit history and generates pricing information based on the information you submitted.
Being able to quote online for Ford Explorer insurance in Irvine makes it a lot easier to compare rates and it’s very important to compare as many rates as possible if you want to find lower-cost prices.
To save time and use this form to compare rates, take a look at the companies shown below. If you currently have coverage, we recommend you type in the coverage information identical to your current policy. This ensures you will get a fair comparison based on the exact same insurance coverage.
The companies shown below are ready to provide price comparisons in California. If you wish to find cheaper auto insurance in California, it’s a good idea that you visit as many as you can to get the best price comparison.
Auto insurance policy discounts you can’t miss
Companies don’t list the entire discount list in a way that’s easy to find, so we break down both well-publicized and also the lesser-known credits available to bring down your rates.
- No Claims – Claim-free drivers are rewarded with significantly better rates on Irvine auto insurance quote compared to accident-prone drivers.
- Drivers Ed for Students – Reduce the cost of insurance for teen drivers by having them enroll and complete driver’s education if offered at their school.
- Home Ownership Discount – Owning a home in Irvine can save you money because maintaining a house shows financial diligence.
- Discount for Low Mileage – Keeping the miles down on your Ford could earn lower auto insurance rates due to less chance of an accident.
- Waiver for an Accident – Not really a discount, but companies like GEICO, Allstate and Liberty Mutual permit an accident before raising your premiums if your claims history is clear for a set time period.
It’s important to understand that some credits don’t apply to the entire cost. The majority will only reduce individual premiums such as liability, collision or medical payments. So despite the fact that it appears you would end up receiving a 100% discount, it doesn’t quite work that way. But any discount will cut your auto insurance premiums.
The diagram below shows the comparison of Ford Explorer premium costs with and without discounts applied. The rates are based on a male driver, no accidents or driving violations, California state minimum liability limits, full physical damage coverage, and $1,000 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with claim-free, multi-car, safe-driver, marriage, homeowner, and multi-policy discounts applied.
If you would like to view auto insurance companies who offer auto insurance discounts in Irvine, follow this link.
Insurance coverage analysis
The data table below outlines estimates of insurance policy prices for Ford Explorer models. Being able to understand how insurance premiums are figured can help customers make informed decisions.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Explorer XLT 2WD | $294 | $464 | $464 | $28 | $138 | $1,388 | $116 |
| Explorer Eddie Bauer 2WD | $294 | $464 | $464 | $28 | $138 | $1,388 | $116 |
| Explorer XLT 4WD | $294 | $464 | $464 | $28 | $138 | $1,388 | $116 |
| Explorer XLT AWD | $294 | $464 | $464 | $28 | $138 | $1,388 | $116 |
| Explorer Eddie Bauer 4WD | $332 | $564 | $464 | $28 | $138 | $1,526 | $127 |
| Explorer Eddie Bauer AWD | $332 | $564 | $464 | $28 | $138 | $1,526 | $127 |
| Explorer Limited 2WD | $332 | $564 | $464 | $28 | $138 | $1,526 | $127 |
| Explorer Limited 4WD | $332 | $564 | $464 | $28 | $138 | $1,526 | $127 |
| Explorer Limited AWD | $332 | $564 | $464 | $28 | $138 | $1,526 | $127 |
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Data rating is based on married female driver age 40, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $250 deductibles, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include homeowner, multi-vehicle, multi-policy, claim-free, and safe-driver. Rate information does not factor in the specific area where the vehicle is garaged which can impact premiums considerably.
Driving violations and accidents
The example below shows how violations and at-fault accidents increase Ford Explorer insurance prices for each age group. The premiums assume a single male driver, comprehensive and collision coverage, $500 deductibles, and no additional discounts are factored in.
Do I need an insurance agent?
Many people still prefer to visit with an insurance agent and doing so can bring peace of mind Professional agents are very good at helping people manage risk and help in the event of a claim. The biggest benefit of comparing insurance online is the fact that you can find cheap rate quotes but still work with a licensed agent.
To help locate an agent, after submitting this form (opens in new window), your coverage information is submitted to local insurance agents in Irvine who can give free rate quotes for your coverage. There is no need to find an agent as quotes are delivered directly to you. In the event you want to compare prices from a specific insurance company, just find their quoting web page and fill out the quote form the provide.
Choosing the best insurance company shouldn’t rely on just the price. These are some questions you should get answers to.
- How many years of experience in personal auto insurance do they have?
- Will the company cover a rental car if your car is getting fixed?
- Who are their largest clients?
- Will the agent help in case of a claim?
- Does the company have a solid financial rating?
How to know if you need help
Always keep in mind that when comparing a policy for your personal vehicles, there really is no perfect coverage plan. Every situation is different and a cookie cutter policy won’t apply.
Here are some questions about coverages that could help you determine whether your personal situation might need professional guidance.
- What if I owe more than I can insure my car for?
- When can my company non-renew my policy?
- Am I covered when pulling a rental trailer?
- Should I buy more coverage than the required California minimum liability coverage?
- Am I covered by my spouse’s policy after a separation?
- Should I carry comprehensive and collision coverage?
- Can I get a multi-policy discount?
- Should I have combined single limit or split liability limits?
- What is an SR-22 filing?
- Why am I required to buy liability insurance?
If you can’t answer these questions, then you may want to think about talking to a licensed insurance agent. If you don’t have a local agent, fill out this quick form or you can go here for a list of companies in your area. It is quick, free and may give you better protection.
Irvine Insurance Costs are Influenced by These Factors
Lots of factors are used in the calculation when premium rates are determined. Some are pretty understandable like a motor vehicle report, but other factors are less obvious like where you live or your vehicle rating.
Continuous coverage lowers prices – Having an insurance coverage lapse is a sure-fire way to drive up your policy premiums. Not only will you pay more, getting caught without coverage may result in fines or a revoked license. You may then be required to submit proof of financial responsibility or a SR-22 with the California motor vehicle department.
Low deductibles cost more – Coverage for physical damage, termed comprehensive and collision coverage on your policy, is used to repair damage to your vehicle. Some examples of claims that would be covered are a broken windshield, hail damage, and damage caused by flying debris. Physical damage deductibles are how much you are willing to pay out-of-pocket if a covered claim is submitted. The more expense you have to pay, the lower your rates will be.
Lower rates with alarms and GPS tracking – Owning a car that has an advanced theft prevention system can get you a discount on your auto insurance. Anti-theft features such as GM’s OnStar, tamper alarm systems and vehicle immobilizers help track and prevent your vehicle from being stolen.
Drive fewer miles and save – The more you drive annually the more it will cost to insure it. A lot of companies calculate prices based upon how you use the vehicle. Cars and trucks used primarily for pleasure use cost less to insure compared to those used for work or business. Make sure your auto insurance coverage is showing the correct usage for each vehicle, because improper ratings can cost you money. A policy that improperly rates your Explorer is just wasting money.
Credit score impacts premiums – Having a good credit history can be an important factor in determining your rates. If your credit leaves room for improvement, you could potentially save money when insuring your Ford Explorer by repairing your credit. Drivers who have excellent credit tend to be less risk to insure than those with bad credit.
Pay more if you have a long commute – Residing in small towns and rural areas has definite advantages when talking about auto insurance. Fewer people corresponds to lower accident rates in addition to fewer liability claims. Drivers who live in large California cities regularly have more auto accidents and longer commutes to work. The longer drive time means more chance of being in an accident.
Insurance loss data for Ford Explorer vehicles – Companies use past loss statistics for each vehicle to help determine the rate you pay. Models that are shown to have high amounts or severity of claims will cost more for specific coverages. The table below shows the actual insurance loss data for Ford Explorer vehicles.
For each policy coverage, the statistical loss for all vehicles, regardless of manufacturer or model, is set at 100. Numbers shown that are under 100 suggest losses that are better than average, while values over 100 indicate more frequent losses or an increased chance of a larger loss.
| Vehicle Model | Collision | Property Damage | Comp | Personal Injury | Medical Payment | Bodily Injury |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Explorer 4dr 2WD | 80 | 90 | 79 | 75 | 70 | 82 |
| Ford Explorer 4dr 4WD | 94 | 94 | 97 | 75 | 70 | 85 |
Data Source: iihs.org (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) for 2013-2015 Model Years
It may be expensive, but it’s not optional
Despite the high cost, buying insurance is mandatory in California but it also protects more than you think.
First, the majority of states have mandatory liability insurance requirements which means state laws require a specific level of liability insurance in order to drive the car legally. In California 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 your car has a loan, most lenders will make it mandatory that you have physical damage coverage to ensure loan repayment if the vehicle is totaled. If you let the policy lapse, the lender may have to buy a policy to insure your Ford at a more expensive rate and require you to pay the higher premium.
Third, insurance preserves not only your Ford but also your financial assets. It also can pay for all forms of medical expenses for both you and anyone you injure as the result of an accident. Liability coverage will also pay to defend you if anyone sues you for causing an accident. If mother nature or an accident damages your car, comprehensive and/or collision insurance will pay to repair the damage minus the deductible amount.
The benefits of carrying adequate insurance more than cancel out the cost, especially when you need to use it. Unknowingly, the average driver overpays as much as $820 a year so compare rate quotes every year to ensure rates are competitive.
Irvine auto insurance company ratings
Buying coverage from the top insurance provider is difficult considering how many choices drivers have in Irvine. The company information shown below may help you decide which auto insurers you want to consider comparing price quotes from.
Top 10 Irvine Car Insurance Companies Overall
- USAA
- American Family
- AAA of Southern California
- State Farm
- The Hartford
- AAA Insurance
- GEICO
- The General
- Titan Insurance
- Progressive
Do the work, save more money
Some insurance companies may not provide internet price quotes and usually these regional insurance providers only sell coverage through local independent agencies. Low-cost Ford Explorer insurance in Irvine is definitely available online in addition to local insurance agencies, so you need to compare both to get a complete price analysis.
You just read a lot of techniques to lower your Ford Explorer insurance premium rates in Irvine. The key thing to remember is the more providers you compare, the better your chances of lowering your prices. You may even find the lowest premium rates are with a company that doesn’t do a lot of advertising. Smaller companies often have lower prices on specific markets as compared to the big name companies such as Allstate, GEICO and Progressive.
How to buy affordable Ford Explorer insurance in Irvine
If you want to save the most money, the best way to get budget Ford Explorer insurance is to start doing a yearly price comparison from companies who sell auto insurance in Irvine. Drivers can shop around by completing these steps.
- Read and learn about what coverages are included in your policy and the modifications you can make to prevent expensive coverage. Many risk factors that result in higher prices such as traffic tickets, fender benders, and a negative credit rating can be remedied by making minor driving habit or lifestyle changes.
- Request price quotes from direct carriers, independent agents, and exclusive agents. Direct and exclusive agents can only quote rates from one company like Progressive or Allstate, while agents who are independent can give you price quotes from many different companies.
- Compare the price quotes to the premium of your current policy to determine if you can save on Explorer insurance. If you can save money, make sure coverage does not lapse between policies.
- Give proper notification to your current agent or company to cancel the current policy. Submit payment along with a signed and completed policy application to the new company. As soon as coverage is bound, place your new proof of insurance paperwork in an easily accessible location in your vehicle.
A key point to remember is to make sure you enter the same coverage limits and deductibles on every quote and and to get prices from as many companies as possible. This guarantees an apples-to-apples comparison and the best rate selection.
More tips and info about car insurance is available by following these links:
- Vehicle Insurance (Wikipedia)
- Who Has the Cheapest Irvine Car Insurance Rates for a Subaru Outback? (FAQ)
- How Much are Car Insurance Quotes for a 20 Year Old Female in Irvine? (FAQ)
- Who Has Affordable Irvine Auto Insurance Quotes for a Jeep Grand Cherokee? (FAQ)
- Auto Insurance FAQ (Farmers Insurance)
- Side Impact Crash Tests (iihs.org)
- Higher speed limits cause more fatalities (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)
- Can I Drive Legally without Insurance? (Insurance Information Institute)