Save Money on Ford Ranger Insurance in Chicago

How long have you put off shopping around for cheaper car insurance rates in Chicago, IL? Chicago drivers have options when trying to find affordable Ford Ranger insurance. They can either waste time driving around to get rate comparisons or leverage the internet to make rate comparisons.

There are both good and bad ways to shop for car insurance and you need to know the absolute fastest way to quote coverages for a new or used Ford and get the best price possible either online or from Chicago insurance agents.

Remarkably, a study showed that the vast majority of consumers in Illinois kept their coverage with the same car insurance company for a minimum of four years, and approximately 38% of consumers have never compared car insurance rates at all. Drivers in America could save an average of roughly 46.5% each year by just shopping around, but they just don’t understand how easy it is to go online and compare rates.

Consumers should take time to compare premium rates on a regular basis because car insurance rates change quite often. Just because you had the best premium rates on Ford Ranger insurance in Chicago last year you may be paying too much now. Don’t believe everything you read about Ranger insurance on the web, but in this article, you’re going to get some great ideas on how to find affordable car insurance in Chicago.

If you’re already insured or are just looking to switch companies, use these money-saving tips to get lower rates while maintaining coverages. This article’s goal is to instruct you on how car insurance companies work and some tricks to saving. Smart buyers only need to know the proper way to compare rates instantly.

How to lower your Ford Ranger insurance cost in Chicago

The companies in the list below provide quotes in Chicago, IL. If several companies are displayed, we suggest you visit two to three different companies in order to get a fair rate comparison.

Prices above based on married female driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $500 deductibles, and Illinois minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-policy, safe-driver, claim-free, homeowner, and multi-vehicle. Rate information does not factor in your specific Chicago location which can influence coverage prices considerably.

Annual premiums for males versus females

The example below illustrates the difference between Ford Ranger insurance costs for male and female drivers. The premiums assume a clean driving record, no at-fault accidents, full physical damage coverage, $250 deductibles, drivers are not married, and no discounts are applied.

Policy deductible comparison

A question often asked by Chicago drivers is how high should the physical damage coverage deductibles be. The following insurance rates may aid in understanding the price difference between low and high comp and collision deductibles. The first rate table uses a $100 deductible for comprehensive and collision coverage and the second set of rates uses a $500 deductible.

Data based on married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and Illinois minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-policy, multi-vehicle, safe-driver, homeowner, and claim-free. Premium amounts do not factor in the specific area where the vehicle is garaged which can impact premiums greatly.

Based on the data above, we can derive that using a $100 deductible will cost you roughly $17 more each month or $204 each year than choosing the higher $500 deductible. Since you would pay $400 more to settle a claim with a $500 deductible as compared to a $100 deductible, if you tend to go more than 24 months between claims, you would probably be better off if you choose a higher deductible.

An important sidenote is that a higher deductible level means you will have to pay more out-of-pocket when you have a claim. It will be required that you have some savings in the bank in order to pay the higher deductible in order to repair your vehicle.

Comparison of full coverage and liability-only policies

The chart below shows the difference between Ford Ranger auto insurance rates with and without physical damage coverage, medical payments, and uninsured/under-insured motorist coverage. The rate quotes are based on no claims or driving violations, $100 deductibles, married male driver, and no discounts are factored in.

When to stop buying comprehensive and collision coverage

There is no set rule for excluding comprehensive and collision coverage on your policy, but there is a general guideline. If the annual cost of your full coverage insurance is more than about 10% of any settlement you would receive from your insurance company, the it may be a good time to stop paying for full coverage.

For example, let’s pretend your Ford Ranger settlement value is $7,000 and you have $1,000 full coverage deductibles. If your vehicle is totaled, you would only receive $6,000 after paying the physical damage deductible. If premiums are more than $600 a year to have full coverage, then it might be time to consider dropping full coverage.

There are some conditions where dropping physical damage coverage is not a good plan. If you still have a loan on your vehicle, you must maintain physical damage coverage to protect the lienholder’s interest. Also, if you can’t afford to buy a different vehicle if your current one is damaged, you should not opt for liability only.

Take policy discounts and save on Ford Ranger insurance in Chicago

Companies do not advertise every possible discount very clearly, so we took the time to find some of the more common as well as some of the hidden credits available to you. If you aren’t receiving every discount available, it’s possible you qualify for a lower rate.

• Drive Safe and Save – Insureds who avoid accidents may receive a discount up to 45% compared to rates paid by drivers with frequent claims.
• Seat Belts Save – Using a seat belt and requiring all passengers to buckle their seat belts could cut 10% or more off the personal injury premium cost.
• Driver Training Discounts – Completing a driver safety class is a good idea and can lower rates if your company offers it.
• Good Student – This discount could provide a savings of up to 20% or more. Earning this discount can benefit you until age 25.
• Federal Employees – Active or retired federal employment can save as much as 8% with select insurance companies.
• Include Life Insurance and Save – Insurance carriers who offer life insurance give better prices if you take out some life insurance in addition to your auto policy.
• Home Ownership Discount – Just owning your own home can help you save on auto insurance due to the fact that maintaining a home is proof of financial responsibility.
• Discount for New Cars – Buying a new car model can save up to 30% since newer models have better safety ratings.

It’s important to note that most discount credits are not given to the entire cost. A few only apply to individual premiums such as comprehensive or collision. So when it seems like you would end up receiving a 100% discount, that’s just not realistic.

To see a list of providers with the best discounts in Illinois, click here.

Insurance agents can give valuable advice

A small number of people still like to talk to a local agent and that is recommended in a lot of cases Good insurance agents can help you choose the best coverages and help in the event of a claim. One of the great benefits of comparing car insurance online is you may find lower premium rates and still have a local agent. Buying from and supporting neighborhood insurance agencies is especially important in Chicago.

Once you complete this short form, your coverage information is immediately sent to local insurance agents that can provide free Chicago auto insurance quotes for your insurance coverage. It’s much easier because you don’t need to do any legwork due to the fact that quote results will go to your email. In the event you want to quote rates from a particular provider, feel free to jump over to their website and give them your coverage information.

When finding a reputable insurance agent or broker, it’s helpful to know the types of agencies and how they can quote your rates. Agents in Chicago may be either independent agents or exclusive agents depending on their employer. Either type can write car insurance policies, but it’s good to learn the difference between them since it may influence your selection of an agent.

Independent Car Insurance Agencies or Brokers

Agents that choose to be independent are not required to write business for one company so they can insure your vehicles with multiple insurance companies and help determine which has the cheapest rates. If you want to switch companies, an independent agent can move your coverage and you don’t have to do anything. When comparison shopping, you absolutely need to get insurance quotes from several independent insurance agents to have the best price comparison. They often place coverage with small mutual carriers which may have better rates.

Featured below are Chicago independent insurance agencies who may be able to give you pricing information.

• Serpe Insurance Agency
  2538 N Lincoln Ave – Chicago, IL 60614 – (773) 871-0808 – View Map
• Thomas Ward Insurance Group
  707 W Willow St – Chicago, IL 60614 – (312) 254-1500 – View Map
• Riehn Insurance
  4541 N Lincoln Ave – Chicago, IL 60625 – (773) 561-4200 – View Map

More Chicago agents

Exclusive Insurance Agents

Agents that choose to be exclusive can only provide one company’s prices and examples are AAA, Allstate, and State Farm. Exclusive agents are unable to shop your coverage around so they really need to provide good service. Exclusive agents are well trained on what they offer which helps overcome the inability to quote other rates. Drivers often purchase coverage from exclusives mainly due to the brand legacy instead of buying on price only.

Listed below is a short list of exclusive insurance agents in Chicago willing to provide price quotes.

• Mark Mackey – State Farm Insurance Agent
  3338 W Foster Ave – Chicago, IL 60625 – (773) 604-4334 – View Map
• Vivian Valtas – State Farm Insurance Agent
  6108 S Archer Ave – Chicago, IL 60638 – (773) 582-3322 – View Map
• Gus Andrade – State Farm Insurance Agent
  4355 W 26th St – Chicago, IL 60623 – (773) 521-0216 – View Map

More Chicago agents

Choosing an auto insurance agent requires more thought than just the bottom line cost. Below are some questions you should ask.

• How much experience to they have in personal lines coverages?
• What company holds the largest book of business for them?
• Has the agent ever had any license suspensions?
• Do clients work directly with the agent or are most inquiries handled by a CSR?
• How much can you save by raising your physical damage deductibles?
• Are they able to provide referrals?
• What insurance companies do they recommend if they are an independent agent?

Which is the best insurance?

When buying proper insurance coverage, there really is not a single plan that fits everyone. Everyone’s situation is a little different so this has to be addressed.
For instance, these questions might help in determining whether or not you might need professional guidance.

• Do I need PIP coverage since I have good health insurance?
• Do I need replacement cost coverage?
• When do I need to add a new car to my policy?
• How much liability insurance is required?
• Is a blown tire covered by insurance?
• Am I covered when driving someone else’s vehicle?
• Are my tools covered if they get stolen from my vehicle?
• How can I force my company to pay a claim?
• Does low annual mileage earn a discount?

If you’re not sure about those questions but one or more may apply to you then you might want to talk to a licensed insurance agent. If you don’t have a local agent, take a second and complete this form or you can go here for a list of companies in your area. It only takes a few minutes and you can get the answers you need.

Eight Things That Determine Your Insurance Costs

It’s important that you understand the factors that come into play when calculating the rates you pay for auto insurance. When you understand what determines premiums, this empowers consumers to make smart changes that can earn you lower auto insurance prices. Lots of things are considered when quoting car insurance. Some of the criteria are obvious like an MVR report, but others are not quite as obvious like your continuous coverage or how financially stable you are.

• Raising physical damage deductibles lowers premiums – Comprehensive and collision coverage deductibles are the amount of money you are willing to pay before a claim is paid by your company. Insurance for physical damage to your car, also called comprehensive and collision insurance, protects your car from damage. Some examples of covered claims would be a windshield broken by a bird, fire damage, or theft of your vehicle. The higher the amount you choose to pay out-of-pocket, the bigger discount you will receive.
• Responsible credit means lower prices – An insured’s credit score is a large factor in calculating your auto insurance rates. Insureds with excellent credit tend to file fewer claims than drivers who have bad credit. Therefore, if your credit history can use some improvement, you could pay less to insure your Ford Ranger if you clean up your credit.
• Discounts for auto and home policies – Many insurance companies provide discounts to clients who have multiple policies with them in the form of a multi-policy discount. Even though this discount sounds good, you still need to compare Ford Ranger rates in Chicago to help guarantee you have the best rates. You may still be able to save money by buying auto insurance from a different company.
• Cheaper to insure women? – Over the last 50 years, statistics have shown that men are more aggressive behind the wheel. That doesn’t necessarily mean that women are BETTER drivers than men. Men and women have at-fault accidents at a similar rate, but males have accidents that have higher claims. Men also receive more costly citations such as reckless driving.
• Theft deterrents save – Owning a car with a theft deterrent system can save you some money. Advanced theft deterrents such as tamper alarm systems, vehicle immobilizer technology and General Motors OnStar all help stop your vehicle from being stolen.
• Prices impacted by your city – Being located in areas with lower population is a good thing when shopping for auto insurance. Less people living in that area means a lower chance of having an accident in addition to lower liability claims Drivers in populated Illinois areas tend to have more aggressive driving styles and more severe claims. More time on the road can result in more accidents.
• Pleasure use saves money – Driving more miles annually the more you’ll pay to insure it. A lot of insurance companies charge to insure your cars based on how the vehicle is used. Cars and trucks that have low annual miles can be on a lower rate level than cars that get driven a lot. Verify your auto insurance declarations sheet shows the proper vehicle usage, because it can save money. An improperly rated Ranger is just wasting money.
• Lower premiums with uninterrupted coverage – Driving your car without having proper coverage is a misdemeanor and you may have a hard time finding new coverage because you let your insurance lapse for non-payment. Not only will you pay more, getting caught without coverage could result in fines or a revoked license. You may then be required to submit proof of financial responsibility or a SR-22 with the Illinois DMV.

Three main reasons to buy car insurance

Even though Chicago Ranger insurance rates can get expensive, car insurance may be required for several reasons.

First, just about all states have compulsory liability insurance requirements which means it is punishable by state law to not carry a specific minimum amount of liability if you want to drive legally. In Illinois these limits are 20/40/15 which means you must have $20,000 of bodily injury coverage per person, $40,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $15,000 of property damage coverage.

Second, if your Ford Ranger has a lien holder, more than likely the lender will make it mandatory that you buy insurance to guarantee payment of the loan. If you do not pay your insurance premiums, the lender may have to buy a policy to insure your Ford for a much higher rate and force you to pay the higher price.

Third, car insurance preserves both your assets and your Ford Ranger. It will also pay for medical bills for you, your passengers, and anyone else injured in an accident. One of the most valuable coverages, liability insurance, will also pay attorney fees if you cause an accident and are sued. If you receive damage to your vehicle caused by a storm or accident, your car insurance policy will pay to restore your vehicle to like-new condition.

The benefits of insuring your Ranger outweigh the cost, especially for larger claims. According to a survey of 1,000 drivers, the average driver overpays more than $869 every year so you should quote rates once a year at a minimum to make sure the price is not too high.

You can lower your car insurance rates

As you go through the steps to switch your coverage, it’s not a good idea to reduce coverage to reduce premium. In many cases, someone sacrificed uninsured motorist or liability limits and learned later that it was a big error on their part. Your goal should be to find the BEST coverage at a price you can afford while not skimping on critical coverages.

We just presented quite a bit of information on how to save on Ford Ranger insurance in Chicago. The most important thing to understand is the more companies you get rates for, the higher your chance of finding the cheapest Ford Ranger rate quotes. Consumers could even find that the best prices are with a small mutual company. Some small companies may often insure only within specific states and give better rates than their larger competitors like Allstate and Progressive.

Cost effective Ford Ranger insurance can be found from both online companies in addition to local insurance agencies, so you need to shop Chicago auto insurance with both to get a complete price analysis. A few companies may not offer the ability to get quotes online and many times these smaller providers only sell through independent insurance agents.

More tips and info about car insurance can be found in these articles:

• Understanding your Policy (NAIC.org)
• How Much are Chicago Auto Insurance Quotes for Used Cars? (FAQ)
• Who Has Cheap Chicago Auto Insurance for Drivers with a Bad Driving Record? (FAQ)
• Who Has Affordable Chicago Auto Insurance Rates for a Learners Permit? (FAQ)
• Who Has Affordable Chicago Car Insurance Rates for Good Students? (FAQ)
• Who Has Cheap Car Insurance Quotes for Uninsured Drivers in Chicago? (FAQ)
• Who Has the Cheapest Auto Insurance Quotes for Homeowners in Chicago? (FAQ)
• Credit Impacts Car Insurance Rates (State Farm)
• Pickups fall short in headlight tests (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)
• Distracted Driving Extends Beyond Texting (State Farm)
• How to Avoid Staged Accidents (State Farm)