Ford Escape Insurance Quotes in Houston

I doubt anyone looks forward to paying premiums for auto insurance, especially when the cost is too high.

Astonishing but true, the vast majority of auto insurance customers have remained with the same auto insurance company for well over three years, and almost half have never even shopped around for lower-cost coverage. Texas consumers could save 70% each year by just comparing quotes, but they think it’s difficult to compare rates and save money.

Companies like Allstate, Liberty Mutual and State Farm all claim big savings, bombarding you with advertising and it is difficult to see through the cute green geckos and mayhem and effectively compare rates to find the best deal.

It’s smart to compare premium rates on a regular basis because prices go up and down regularly. If you had the best price on Ford Escape insurance in Houston a few years ago there may be better deals available now. Block out anything you think you know about auto insurance because you’re going to get a crash course in the best methods to find better rates and still maintain coverage.

How to buy Ford Escape insurance in Houston, Texas

When shopping for affordable Houston car insurance quotes, there are a couple of ways of comparing price quotes from insurance companies in your area. The easiest way to compare Ford Escape insurance prices is to get quotes online.

It’s so easy to compare quotes online that it makes it obsolete to go to local Houston insurance agencies. Comparing online rate quotes makes this unnecessary unless you require the peace of mind of a licensed agent. It is possible to obtain prices from the web and still use a local agent. Just keep in mind that comparing more rates from different companies gives you a better chance of getting more affordable insurance. Not every company provides price estimates online, so it’s important to also get quotes on coverage from those companies, too.

The companies shown below provide price comparisons in Texas. If multiple companies are listed, we suggest you visit several of them in order to get a fair rate comparison.

Data based on single male driver age 40, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $100 deductibles, and Texas minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-vehicle, safe-driver, multi-policy, homeowner, and claim-free. Premium amounts do not factor in vehicle garaging location which can increase or decrease coverage prices substantially.

Auto insurance deductibles

A question often asked by Houston drivers is where to set your physical damage deductibles. The comparisons below outline the cost difference when you choose different physical damage coverage deductibles. The first data set uses a $250 deductible for comp and collision and the second set of prices uses a $1,000 deductible.

Prices based on married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and Texas minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include claim-free, multi-policy, multi-vehicle, homeowner, and safe-driver. Premium costs do not factor in garaging location in Houston which can influence prices greatly.

Based on the figures above, using a $250 deductible could cost the average driver approximately $24 more each month or $288 annually than quoting the higher $1,000 deductible. Since you would have to pay $750 more out-of-pocket with a $1,000 deductible as compared to a $250 deductible, if you have at a minimum 31 months between claim filings, you would save money if you opt for a higher deductible. Here’s a better example of how you can come to your own conclusion.

Safe drivers Houston pay cheaper rates

The chart below illustrates how speeding tickets and at-fault collisions increase Ford Escape insurance costs for each age group. The premium estimates are based on a single male driver, comp and collision included, $1,000 deductibles, and no discounts are taken into consideration.

Do you qualify for discounts on Ford Escape insurance in Houston?

Not many people think insurance is cheap, but you can get discounts that you may not know about. Certain reductions will be credited at the time of purchase, but some need to be requested specifically before they will apply.

• One Accident Forgiven – This one is not really a discount per se, but certain companies will allow you to have one accident before hitting you with a surcharge so long as you haven’t had any claims for a specific time period.
• Discount for Passive Restraints – Vehicles equipped with air bags or automatic seat belts can qualify for discounts of 20 to 30 percent.
• Defensive Driver Discounts – Completing a defensive driving course can save you 5% or more and also improve your driving technique.
• Anti-theft Discount – Cars and trucks equipped with anti-theft or alarm systems are less likely to be stolen and therefore earn up to a 10% discount.
• Lower Rates for Military – Being deployed in the military may qualify for rate reductions.
• Memberships – Being in a professional or civic organization may earn a discount on your next renewal.
• Early Signing – A few companies offer discounts for signing up before your current Escape insurance policy expires. It could save around 10% when you buy Houston car insurance online.

You should keep in mind that most of the big mark downs will not be given to all coverage premiums. Some only reduce individual premiums such as collision or personal injury protection. So when the math indicates it’s possible to get free car insurance, it doesn’t quite work that way. But all discounts should help lower the cost of coverage.

Companies and some of the discounts are included below.

• State Farm has discounts for passive restraint, anti-theft, multiple policy, Steer Clear safe driver discount, and student away at school.
• Farmers Insurance includes discounts for electronic funds transfer, early shopping, teen driver, distant student, youthful driver, and multi-car.
• Progressive may offer discounts for homeowner, online quote discount, multi-policy, continuous coverage, good student, online signing, and multi-vehicle.
• GEICO offers discounts including daytime running lights, defensive driver, air bags, multi-policy, good student, and emergency military deployment.
• Auto-Owners Insurance may have discounts that include student away at school, safe vehicle, anti-theft, group or association, company car, and safe driver.
• The Hartford has savings for good student, anti-theft, defensive driver, vehicle fuel type, bundle, air bag, and driver training.
• Farm Bureau offers premium reductions for renewal discount, multi-vehicle, multi-policy, safe driver, driver training, and 55 and retired.
• USAA discounts include new vehicle, driver training, vehicle storage, annual mileage, family discount, and loyalty savings.

If you need lower rates, check with each company which discounts you may be entitled to. Discounts may not apply to policyholders in your state. If you would like to view insurers with discount auto insurance rates in Texas, click here.

It may be expensive, but it’s not optional

Despite the fact that insurance is not cheap in Houston, insurance may be required and benefits you in several ways.

• Almost all states have minimum mandated liability insurance limits which means it is punishable by state law to not carry a specific level of liability in order to license the vehicle. 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 your vehicle has a loan, most banks will make it mandatory that you carry insurance to guarantee their interest in the vehicle. If the policy lapses, the lender will be forced to insure your Ford for a much higher rate and require you to pay for the much more expensive policy.
• Insurance preserves not only your car but also your financial assets. It will also pay for all forms of medical expenses for you, your passengers, and anyone else injured in an accident. Liability insurance also pays for attorney fees and expenses in the event you are sued. If your vehicle suffers damage from an accident or hail, your policy will pay to repair the damage.

The benefits of carrying enough insurance definitely exceed the price paid, particularly if you ever have a claim. In a recent study of 1,000 drivers, the average customer is wasting up to $820 a year so it’s very important to do a rate comparison at least once a year to be sure current rates are still competitive.

What if I want to buy from local Houston car insurance agents?

A lot of people would prefer to sit down with an agent and often times that is recommended One of the best bonuses of getting online price quotes is you can get cheap car insurance quotes and still have a local agent.

To find an agent, once you fill out this quick form, your coverage information is sent to companies in Houston who can give free rate quotes and help you find cheaper coverage. There is no reason to contact any agents since price quotes are sent to your email. Get lower rates and a licensed agent to talk to. In the event you want to compare prices from one company in particular, you just need to visit that company’s website and fill out the quote form the provide.

Selecting an insurer is decision based upon more than just a cheap price quote. Any agent in Houston should have no problem answering these questions:

• Does the agency have a current Errors and Omissions policy?
• Is there a local claims center in Houston?
• In the event of vehicle damage, can you pick the collision repair facility?
• How many years have they been established?
• Which family members are covered?
• Are aftermarket or OEM parts used to repair vehicles?
• Are they involved in claim handling?
• Do they have advanced training designations such as CPCU, AAI, AIC, or CIC?

The type of auto insurance agent you choose is important

If you want to use an insurance agent, it helps to know the two types of insurance agents and how they can quote your rates. Car insurance agents are classified as either independent agents or exclusive agents depending on their employer.

Exclusive Agencies

Exclusive agents can only place business with one company and some examples include Allstate, Farmers Insurance or State Farm. They usually cannot compare other company’s rates so they are skilled at selling on more than just price. Exclusive agencies receive a lot of sales training on their company’s products which helps them compete with independent agents.

Listed below are Houston exclusive insurance agencies that can give you price quote information.

View more Houston agents

Independent Agents

Independent insurance agents do not work for one specific company so they can quote policies with multiple insurance companies enabling the ability to shop coverage around. To move your coverage to a new company, your policy is moved internally without you having to go to a different agency. When comparing car insurance prices, you absolutely need to check rates from several independent agencies so that you can do a thorough price comparison.

Listed below are Houston independent insurance agencies willing to provide price quotes.

View more Houston agents