Cheaper 1997 Ford Probe Insurance Quotes

Have you had enough of trying to scrape together enough money to insure your Ford every month? You’re in the same situation as millions of other consumers. Because there are so many options when it comes to insurance, it can be impossible to find the lowest cost company.

The purpose of this post is to help educate you on how to get online quotes and some money-saving tips. If you are paying for car insurance now, you will be able to lower your premiums substantially using these techniques. Drivers only need to know the proper methods to compare rates online.

Compare Insurance Coverage Costs

Finding a lower price on 1997 Ford Probe insurance can be relatively painless. Drivers just need to spend a little time getting comparison quotes from different insurance companies. This is very easy and can be done using a couple different methods.

  1. The recommended way to get quotes for comparison is a comparison rater form like this one (opens in new window). This method prevents you from having to do boring form submissions to each individual insurance coverage company. Filling out one form compares rates instantly.
  2. A less efficient way to get comparison quotes consists of visiting each company website and request a quote. For instance, we’ll assume you want to compare State Farm, Farmers and GMAC. To get each rate you have to spend time on each company’s site and enter your information, which is why the first method is more popular. For a handy list of car insurance company links in your area, click here.

It’s up to you which method you use, but ensure you’re using apples-to-apples coverages and limits with every price quote. If you compare different values for each quote it’s not possible to find the best deal for your Ford Probe.

How can Allstate and Progressive save drivers who switch?

Consumers can’t get away from ads for cheaper car insurance by Allstate and Progressive. They all seem to make the same claim about savings after switching to their company.

How do they all make almost identical claims?

Different companies have a preferred profile for the type of customer they prefer to insure. A good example of a driver they prefer might be between 30 and 50, is a homeowner, and drives less than 10,000 miles a year. Any driver who fits that profile will get very good rates and therefore will save quite a bit of money when switching.

Potential customers who do not match this ideal profile must pay higher rates and this can result in the customer not buying. The ad wording is “customers who switch” not “everyone that quotes” save money. This is how insurance companies can confidently make those claims.

This illustrates why it is so important to get as many comparisons as possible. It’s just too difficult to predict which company will have the lowest Ford Probe insurance rates.

Elements that influence Ford Probe insurance rates

Smart consumers have a good feel for the factors that come into play when calculating the rates you pay for insurance. When you know what positively or negatively determines base rates allows you to make educated decisions that could result in better insurance rates.

The list below includes a partial list of the pieces companies use to determine premiums.

  • Do you know your deductibles? – The deductibles represent how much money you are willing to pay before a claim is paid by your company. Physical damage insurance, otherwise known as comp (or other than collision) and collision, is used to repair damage to your car. A few examples of covered claims are colliding with a building, collision with an animal, and rolling your vehicle. The more you have to pay, the less your insurance will be for Probe coverage.
  • Pleasure use saves money – Driving more miles in a year’s time the more you will pay for insurance. The majority of insurers rate vehicles based on their usage. Vehicles that are left in the garage qualify for better rates than those used for commuting. If your policy improperly rates your Probe may be costing you. Verify your insurance coverage is rated on the proper vehicle usage.
  • A clean driving record saves money – Your driving record has a lot to do with how much you pay for insurance. Careful drivers receive lower rates than people who have multiple driving citations. Just one moving violation can boost insurance rates forty percent or more. Drivers who get severe violations such as reckless driving, hit and run or driving under the influence may be required to file a proof of financial responsibility form (SR-22) to the state department of motor vehicles in order to drive a vehicle legally.
  • Safer occupants lowers premiums – Cars with high safety ratings get lower rates. The safest vehicles have better occupant injury protection and any reduction in injury severity translates into fewer and smaller insurance claims passed on to you as lower rates. If your Ford Probe earned at least four stars on Safercar.gov or an “acceptable” rating on iihs.org it may be receiving lower rates.
  • More people means more accidents – Living in a small town has it’s advantages when it comes to insurance. Fewer people means a lower chance of having an accident as well as less vandalism and auto theft. Urban drivers have to deal with congested traffic and a longer drive to work. More time on the road means higher likelihood of an accident.

How much can you save with discounts?

Insurance can cost an arm and a leg, buy you may qualify for discounts to help bring down the price. Larger premium reductions will be automatically applied when you purchase, but some may not be applied and must be requested specifically in order for you to get them. If you’re not getting every credit you deserve, you’re just leaving money on the table.

  • Life Insurance Discount – Larger companies have a discount if you purchase a life insurance policy as well.
  • Early Signing – Select companies give a discount for signing up prior to your current policy expiration. This can save 10% or more.
  • Seat Belts Save more than Lives – Using a seat belt and requiring all passengers to wear their seat belts could save 15% off your PIP or medical payments premium.
  • Clubs and Organizations – Being a member of a qualifying organization could trigger savings on car insurance for Probe coverage.
  • No Accidents – Claim-free drivers pay less when compared to frequent claim filers.
  • Fewer Miles Equal More Savings – Fewer annual miles on your Ford could qualify for a substantially lower rate.
  • Save over 55 – Mature drivers may qualify for a discount up to 10% for Probe coverage.
  • Anti-lock Brake Discount – Vehicles equipped with ABS or steering control prevent accidents and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
  • Accident Waiver – A handful of insurance companies permit an accident before raising your premiums if your claims history is clear for a certain period of time.
  • Drivers Ed for Students – Cut your cost by having your teen driver complete a driver education course in high school.

Drivers should understand that some of the credits will not apply to the entire policy premium. Some only reduce individual premiums such as collision or personal injury protection. Even though it may seem like all the discounts add up to a free policy, it doesn’t quite work that way. But all discounts will reduce your overall premium however.

Insurance companies that may have these money-saving discounts are:

It’s a good idea to ask every prospective company what discounts are available to you. Savings might not apply in your area.

How much car insurance do I need?

When it comes to choosing coverage for your vehicles, there really is not a “best” method to buy coverage. Coverage needs to be tailored to your specific needs and a cookie cutter policy won’t apply. These are some specific questions could help you determine whether your personal situation would benefit from an agent’s advice.

  • Is my ex-spouse still covered by my policy?
  • Should I carry comprehensive and collision coverage?
  • Is borrowed equipment or tools covered if stolen or damaged?
  • Why is insurance for a teen driver so high?
  • When should my teen driver be added to my policy?
  • Do I really need UM/UIM coverage?

If you can’t answer these questions, you might consider talking to a licensed insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, fill out this quick form or you can go here for a list of companies in your area. It is quick, free and can provide invaluable advice.

Coverages available on your auto insurance policy

Understanding the coverages of your auto insurance policy can help you determine the right coverages and the correct deductibles and limits. Policy terminology can be confusing and reading a policy is terribly boring. Shown next are the normal coverages found on most auto insurance policies.

Liability car insurance – Liability insurance provides protection from injuries or damage you cause to other people or property. This insurance protects YOU against other people’s claims, and doesn’t cover your injuries or vehicle damage.

Liability coverage has three limits: bodily injury for each person, bodily injury for the entire accident, and a limit for property damage. As an example, you may have limits of 25/50/25 that translate to $25,000 in coverage for each person’s injuries, a limit of $50,000 in injury protection per accident, and property damage coverage for $25,000. Another option is a combined single limit or CSL which combines the three limits into one amount and claims can be made without the split limit restrictions.

Liability can pay for claims such as court costs, pain and suffering and medical services. How much coverage you buy is your choice, but it’s cheap coverage so purchase as high a limit as you can afford.

Medical payments and PIP coverage – Med pay and PIP coverage provide coverage for expenses for things like prosthetic devices, chiropractic care and nursing services. They can be used to cover expenses not covered by your health insurance program or if you are not covered by health insurance. Medical payments and PIP cover you and your occupants as well as if you are hit as a while walking down the street. PIP is not an option in every state and may carry a deductible

Comprehensive auto coverage – Comprehensive insurance coverage covers damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. A deductible will apply then the remaining damage will be covered by your comprehensive coverage.

Comprehensive can pay for things like a broken windshield, hitting a deer, vandalism, hail damage and theft. The highest amount you can receive from a comprehensive claim is the market value of your vehicle, so if it’s not worth much more than your deductible it’s probably time to drop comprehensive insurance.

UM/UIM (Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist) coverage – This coverage protects you and your vehicle when the “other guys” either have no liability insurance or not enough. Covered losses include hospital bills for your injuries and also any damage incurred to your Ford Probe.

Because many people have only the minimum liability required by law, their limits can quickly be used up. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage is a good idea. Normally your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverages do not exceed the liability coverage limits.

Collision coverages – Collision insurance covers damage to your Probe resulting from colliding with an object or car. A deductible applies and the rest of the damage will be paid by collision coverage.

Collision can pay for things like scraping a guard rail, colliding with another moving vehicle and sideswiping another vehicle. Collision is rather expensive coverage, so consider dropping it from vehicles that are older. It’s also possible to increase the deductible to bring the cost down.

Online plus local equals savings

When buying insurance coverage, you should never sacrifice coverage to reduce premiums. In too many instances, consumers will sacrifice full coverage only to find out that the small savings ended up costing them much more. The proper strategy is to buy the best coverage you can find for the lowest price while still protecting your assets.

Lower-priced 1997 Ford Probe insurance is attainable both online as well as from independent agents, so you should compare both to have the best rate selection. There are still a few companies who don’t offer online price quotes and usually these small, regional companies provide coverage only through local independent agents.

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