Affordable Insurance for a Ford Taurus in Lubbock

It goes without saying that auto insurance companies want to keep you from comparing rates. Consumers who shop around for cheaper price quotes are inclined to buy a different policy because they have a good chance of finding lower prices. Surprisingly, a recent survey revealed that people who faithfully checked for cheaper rates saved about $865 annually compared to other drivers who never shopped for cheaper rates.

If finding the cheapest price for Ford Taurus insurance in Lubbock is the reason for your visit, then understanding how to find companies and compare insurance can help simplify the task of finding more affordable coverage.

It takes a few minutes, but the best way to get budget Ford Taurus insurance is to begin comparing prices regularly from different companies that insure vehicles in Lubbock.

1. Get a basic knowledge of individual coverages and the factors you can control to keep rates in check. Many rating factors that increase rates like at-fault accidents and a less-than-favorable credit history can be rectified by making minor changes in your lifestyle.
2. Compare price quotes from exclusive agents, independent agents, and direct providers. Direct and exclusive agents can only provide price estimates from one company like Progressive or Allstate, while independent agencies can provide price quotes for a wide range of insurance providers.
3. Compare the price quotes to your current policy to see if switching to a new carrier will save money. If you can save some money and buy the policy, make sure the effective date of the new policy is the same as the expiration date of the old one.
4. Provide written notification to your current company of your decision to cancel the current policy. Submit the completed application along with a down payment to your new carrier. As soon as you can, put the certificate verifying proof of insurance above your visor, in the console, or in the glove compartment.

An important bit of advice to remember is that you’ll want to make sure you compare the same liability limits and deductibles on each price quote and and to get price quotes from as many different companies as possible. Doing this ensures a fair rate comparison and plenty of rates choose from.

Low cost Ford Taurus insurance prices in Lubbock, TX

Many insurance companies make it easy to get coverage prices on the web. The process is possible for anyone because it’s just a matter of typing in the amount of coverage you want into a form. After the form is submitted, the company’s rating system makes automated requests for information on your driving record and credit history and generates pricing information based on many factors. This streamlines rate comparisons, and it’s necessary to compare as many rates as possible in order to get a lower rate.

To find out if lower rates are available, take a look at the companies shown below. If you have coverage now, it’s recommended you enter the coverage information just like they are on your policy. Using the same limits helps guarantee you’re receiving rate comparison quotes for similar coverage.

The auto insurance companies shown below are ready to provide free quotes in Lubbock, TX. In order to find the best car insurance in Lubbock, we recommend you visit several of them in order to find the lowest rates.

Rates and other information

The rate information shown below covers different insurance rates for Ford Taurus models. Being aware of how insurance prices are formulated can assist in making smart choices when comparing insurance rates.

Data based on single female driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $100 deductibles, and Texas minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include claim-free, multi-vehicle, homeowner, safe-driver, and multi-policy. Table data does not factor in specific location which can influence premiums considerably.

How high should deductibles be?

When buying insurance, a common question is which deductibles should you choose. The tables below summarize the difference in cost between high and low coverage deductibles. The first set of prices uses a $250 physical damage coverage deductible and the second pricing table uses a $500 deductible.

Prices based on married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and Texas minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-vehicle, homeowner, safe-driver, multi-policy, and claim-free. Premium amounts do not factor in specific zip code location which can impact insurance rates greatly.

We can estimate from the data above that using a $250 deductible could cost the average driver approximately $17 more each month or $204 each year than opting for the higher $500 deductible. Since you would pay $250 more out-of-pocket with a $500 deductible as compared to a $250 deductible, if you normally go more than 15 months between claim filings, you would probably save some money by going with a higher deductible.

One big caveat is that raising deductibles to get cheaper rates results in more money out-of-pocket if you have a claim. You need to have enough money in the bank in the event you have to pay more to get your vehicle repaired.

Gender-based insurance rates

The information below compares Ford Taurus insurance prices for male and female drivers. The price estimates are based on no claims or driving citations, comprehensive and collision coverage, $250 deductibles, marital status is single, and no other discounts are factored in.

Ford Taurus full coverage rates compared to liability only

The chart below illustrates the difference between Ford Taurus auto insurance costs when comparing full coverage to state minimum liability only. The premiums are based on a clean driving record, no claims, $500 deductibles, drivers are single, and no discounts are applied.

When to buy liability coverage only

There is no set guideline of when to phase out physical damage insurance, but there is a guideline you can consider. If the yearly cost of full coverage is about 10% or more of the replacement cost minus the deductible, then you may need to consider dropping full coverage.

For example, let’s say your Ford Taurus settlement value is $3,000 and you have $1,000 physical damage deductibles. If your vehicle is totaled, you would only receive $2,000 after paying your deductible. If premium cost is more than $200 annually for your policy with full coverage, then you may want to consider only buying liability coverage.

There are some situations where dropping physical damage coverage is not recommended. If you still owe a portion of the original loan, you have to carry full coverage in order to prevent the bank from purchasing higher-priced coverage. Also, if your emergency fund is not enough to purchase a different vehicle in the event your current vehicle is totaled, you should not consider dropping full coverage.

Car insurance is not optional

Even though it can be expensive, car insurance is required by state law in Texas and it also provides benefits you may not be aware of.

• Just about all states have mandatory insurance requirements which means you are required to buy a specific minimum amount of liability if you want to drive legally. In Texas these limits are 30/60/25 which means you must have $30,000 of bodily injury coverage per person, $60,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $25,000 of property damage coverage.
• If you bought your Ford Taurus with a loan, most banks will have a requirement that you carry insurance to ensure the loan is repaid in case of a total loss. If the policy lapses, the bank may buy a policy for your Ford for a much higher rate and force you to reimburse them for the expensive policy.
• Car insurance protects not only your Ford but also your assets. It will also reimburse you for medical transport and hospital expenses for you, your passengers, and anyone else injured in an accident. Liability coverage will also pay for a defense attorney if someone files suit against you as the result of an accident. If your vehicle suffers damage from an accident or hail, collision and comprehensive (also known as other-than-collision) coverage will pay to repair the damage.

The benefits of buying enough insurance greatly outweigh the cost, particularly if you ever have a claim. But the average American driver overpays as much as $800 each year so compare rate quotes once a year at a minimum to save money.

Lubbock Insurance Rates are Influenced by These Factors

Smart consumers have a good feel for the different types of things that help determine the level of your policy premiums. If you have a feel for what influences your rates, this enables you to make decisions that may reward you with lower rates. Lots of factors are used when quoting car insurance. Some of the criteria are obvious like an MVR report, but others are not quite as obvious such as whether you are married or your financial responsibility.

Shown below are some of the factors used by your company to calculate premiums.

Use one insurance company and save – Most larger insurance companies provide lower prices to insureds who have multiple policies with them, otherwise known as a multi-policy discount. Even if you’re getting this discount you may still want to compare other company rates to help ensure you have the lowest rates. Drivers may still find a better deal by buying insurance from more than one company.

Urban areas may pay more – Being located in less populated areas is a good thing if you are looking for the lowest rates. Drivers in populated areas tend to have traffic congestion and more time behind the wheel. Fewer people means less chance of accidents and lower theft and vandalism rates.

Small claims can cost you – If you frequently file small claims, you can definitely plan on either a policy non-renewal or much higher rates. Insurance companies in Texas give cheaper rates to drivers who only file infrequent claims. Your insurance policy is intended for major claims that would cause financial hardship.

Is your vehicle built for speed? – The performance level of the car you own makes a significant difference in determining your rates. Smaller low performance passenger cars usually have the lowest premiums, but there are many factors that impact the final cost.

The following chart is based on a married female driver age 50, full coverage with $250 deductibles, and no discounts or violations. It compares Ford Taurus insurance premiums compared to other models of vehicles that have a range of performances.

Get a ticket, pay higher rates – A bad driving record has a huge affect on how much you pay. Careful drivers pay less for auto insurance than bad drivers. Getting just one moving violation could increase your next policy renewal by as much as thirty percent. Drivers who get severe tickets like DUI or reckless driving may find that they have to to submit a SR-22 form with their state DMV in order to continue driving.

The illustration below illustrates how violations and at-fault fender-benders impact Ford Taurus insurance costs for different categories of driver ages. The rate quotes are based on a married female driver, comp and collision included, $1,000 deductibles, and no additional discounts are factored in.

Job can influence rates – Occupations like military generals, executives, and miners usually pay the highest rates because of job stress and lots of time spent away from family. On the flip side, careers like scientists, engineers and retirees have the lowest average rates.

Ford Taurus claim probability – Companies use claims history when they set coverage costs for each model. Vehicles that are shown to have increased losses will have higher rates for specific coverages. The next table illustrates the actual insurance loss data for Ford Taurus vehicles.

For each coverage category, the claim amount for all vehicles, as a total average, is equal to 100. Values below 100 suggest a better than average loss history, while numbers above 100 indicate more frequent claims or larger claims.

Lower-cost Lubbock car insurance rates with discounts

Car insurance is not inexpensive, but you might already qualify for some discounts to help bring down the price. Some discounts apply automatically when you purchase, but some may not be applied and must be requested specifically before they will apply.

• Low Mileage – Fewer annual miles on your Ford can earn slightly better car insurance rates than normal.
• Discounts for Safe Drivers – Insureds who avoid accidents could pay up to 40% less compared to rates paid by drivers with frequent claims.
• Mature Driver Discount – Drivers over the age of 55 are able to get a small discount on rates.
• Bundled Policy Discount – If you insure your home and vehicles and insure them both with the same insurance company you could get a discount of nearly 15% which can help you find cheaper Taurus insurance.
• Use Seat Belts – Drivers who always wear seat belts and also require passengers to use their safety belts can save up to 15% on the medical payments or PIP coverage costs.
• Discounts for Multiple Vehicles – Buying coverage for primary and secondary vehicles on one policy can get a discount on all vehicles.
• Professional Organizations – Being in a qualifying organization may earn a discount when shopping for car insurance.
• Distant College Student Discount – Youth drivers who are enrolled in higher education away from home and do not have access to a covered vehicle may qualify for this discount.
• Discounts for Federal Employees – Simply working for the federal government may reduce rates when you quote Lubbock auto insurance with a few car insurance companies.
• Passive Restraints – Factory options such as air bags and/or automatic seat belt systems can qualify for discounts of 25 to 30%.

Remember that some credits don’t apply to the entire cost. Some only reduce the cost of specific coverages such as comprehensive or collision. Even though the math looks like you would end up receiving a 100% discount, you won’t be that lucky.

The diagram below visualizes the comparison of Ford Taurus yearly insurance costs with and without discounts applied to the rates. The data assumes a male driver, no violations or accidents, Texas state minimum liability limits, comprehensive and collision coverage, and $100 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with safe-driver, multi-policy, multi-car, claim-free, marriage, and homeowner discounts applied.

To choose insurance companies who offer online Ford Taurus insurance quotes in Lubbock, follow this link.

Compare rates but buy from a local Lubbock insurance agency

Certain consumers would rather talk to an insurance agent and that can be a great decision An additional benefit of price shopping on the web is that you can find lower rates but still work with a licensed agent.

To make it easy to find an agent, after completing this form (opens in new window), the quote information is sent to agents in your area that give free quotes for your business. It’s much easier because you don’t need to search for an agent since price quotes are sent directly to your email. You can find the lowest rates without the usual hassles of price shopping. If you have a need to get a rate quote from a specific insurance company, feel free to go to their quote page and fill out their quote form.

Selecting an company should include more criteria than just the quoted price. Here are some questions you might want to ask.

• Are there any discounts for paying up front?
• Does the agency support the community they serve?
• Do they write coverage based solely on cost?
• Has the agent ever had any license suspensions?
• Did they already check your driving record and credit reports?
• Can you choose the body shop in case repairs are needed?
• Does the company use OEM repair parts?

If you prefer to buy car insurance from a reliable insurance agency, it’s helpful to know the different types of agents and how they can write your policy. Insurance agencies in Lubbock can be described as either independent or exclusive depending on the company they work for.

Exclusive Car Insurance Agencies

Exclusive insurance agents have only one company to place business with and examples are State Farm or Allstate. Exclusive agencies are unable to shop your coverage around so they have to upsell other benefits. Exclusive insurance agents are well schooled on their company’s products which aids in selling service over price.

Listed below are Lubbock exclusive insurance agencies willing to provide rate quotes.

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Independent Car Insurance Agents

Agents that choose to be independent are not employed by one company so as a result can place your coverage with lots of companies and potentially find a lower price. If premiums increase, your agent can switch companies without you having to go to a different agency. When comparing rates, it’s recommended you include rate quotes from several independent insurance agents for maximum quote selection.

The following is a list of independent insurance agents in Lubbock willing to provide comparison quotes.

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More comparisons equals cheaper rates

Lower-priced auto insurance in Lubbock can be sourced online in addition to many Lubbock insurance agents, so you need to quote Lubbock auto insurance with both in order to have the best price selection to choose from. Some insurance providers may not provide rate quotes online and these small insurance companies sell through local independent agencies.

While you’re price shopping online, it’s very important that you do not sacrifice coverage to reduce premiums. There are a lot of situations where someone sacrificed liability coverage limits only to regret that a couple dollars of savings turned into a financial nightmare. The goal is to purchase a proper amount of coverage at an affordable rate.

Additional information is located at these links:

• Keeping Children Safe in Crashes Video (iihs.org)
• How Much are Car Insurance Rates for a 20 Year Old Female in Lubbock? (FAQ)
• Who Has Affordable Auto Insurance Quotes for Unemployed Drivers in Lubbock? (FAQ)
• Who Has Cheap Car Insurance for Used Cars in Lubbock? (FAQ)
• What Auto Insurance is Cheapest for Low Mileage Drivers in Lubbock? (FAQ)
• Cellphones, Texting and Driving (iihs.org)
• Auto Insurance 101 (About.com)
• Information for Teen Drivers (GEICO)