Top 7 Ways to Get Lower Rates on Ford Explorer Insurance in Las Vegas Nevada

Have you fallen victim to overpriced auto insurance? Trust us, there are many people just like you. Consumers have many insurers to choose from, and although it’s nice to have a selection, lots of choices makes it harder to compare rates.

The purpose of this article is to help educate you on how car insurance quotes work and some tricks to saving. If you currently have car insurance, you will most likely be able to lower your premiums substantially using these methods. Nevada consumers only need to know the tricks to get comparison rates over the internet.

Las Vegas Auto Insurance Comparisons

Finding lower Las Vegas auto insurance rates isn’t really that difficult. Consumers just need to take a few minutes getting comparison quotes online from several insurance companies. This can be done using a couple different methods.

The recommended way consumers can analyze rates is an all-inclusive rate comparison click to view form in new window. This form keeps you from doing boring form submissions to each individual auto insurance company. In just a few minutes this one form will return quotes from all major companies.

A less efficient way to compare rate quotes requires you to visit the website for every company you want to comare to complete their respective quote request forms. For sake of this example, we’ll pretend you want comparison quotes from Progressive, GEICO and Travelers. You would have to visit each site and enter your information, and that’s why the first method is more popular. View a list of links to insurance companies in Las Vegas.

The least recommended method to compare rates is driving to local Las Vegas insurance agencies. Shopping for auto insurance online eliminates the need for an insurance agent unless you want the trained guidance that only a license agent can provide. You can, however, get the lowest quotes online but still have the advice of a local agent and you’ll learn how to do that later.

However you get your quotes, make sure you use apples-to-apples information with every price quote. If each company quotes unequal deductibles or liability limits it’s impossible to determine the lowest rate for your Ford Explorer in Las Vegas.

More discounts equal less premium

Insurance can cost an arm and a leg, but there could be available discounts that many people don’t even know exist. A few discounts will automatically apply at the time you complete a quote, but a few need to be specifically requested prior to receiving the credit. If you don’t get every credit possible, you are paying more than you should be.

Anti-lock Brakes – Anti-lock brake equipped vehicles can reduce accidents and will save you 10% or more.
Drive Safe and Save – Drivers who avoid accidents can get discounts for up to 45% lower rates for Explorer insurance than drivers with accident claims.
Bundle and Save – If you have multiple policies with the same company you may earn 10% to 20% off each policy.
Discount for Good Grades – A discount for being a good student can earn a discount of 20% or more. The good student discount can last up until you turn 25.
Seat Belts Save – Buckling up and requiring all passengers to use their safety belts can save up to 15% off your PIP or medical payments premium.
Life Insurance Discount – Companies who offer life insurance give a discount if you purchase auto and life insurance together.
Drivers Education – Require your teen driver to take driver’s ed class in school.

As a disclaimer on discounts, some of the credits will not apply to the overall cost of the policy. Some only reduce individual premiums such as physical damage coverage or medical payments. So despite the fact that it appears you can get free auto insurance, you won’t be that lucky. Any qualifying discounts will reduce your overall premium however.

Quote online but work with a neighborhood agent

A small number of people just want to talk to a local agent and that is a personal choice. Insurance agents are trained to spot inefficiencies and give you someone to call. The best thing about comparing insurance prices online is you may find better rates but also keep your business local. And supporting small agencies is important especially in Las Vegas.

By using this form (opens in new window), your information is transmitted to agents in your area who will battle for your coverage. There is no need to even leave your home because quoted prices will be sent to the email address you provide. How cool is that?!

Captive agents vs. Independent agents

When searching for local Las Vegas agents, there are a couple of different types of agents that you can select. Las Vegas agents are categorized either independent (non-captive) or captive. Both types can properly insure your vehicles, but it’s worth mentioning how they are different since it may influence buying decisions.

Independent Agencies or Brokers

Independent agencies are not required to write business for one company so they have the ability to put coverage with multiple insurance companies depending on which coverage is best. To move your coverage to a new company, they simply move the coverage in-house and you don’t have to find a new agent. When shopping rates, you should always include multiple independent agents to ensure the widest selection of prices.

Captive Insurance Agents

This type of agents can only write with one company such as State Farm, AAA and Liberty Mutual. They usually cannot give you multiple price quotes so it’s a take it or leave it situation. Captive agents are usually quite knowledgeable on the products they sell which helps them compete with independent agents.

Choosing an insurance agent should depend on more than just a low price. Here are some questions to ask: Las Vegas insurance quotes

Does the agency support the community they serve?
Do they carry Errors and Omissions coverage?
Is assistance available after office hours?
Does the agency have a good rating with the Better Business Bureau?
Are they full-time agents?
Do you have coverage for a rental car if your vehicle is in the repair shop?

Upon getting positive feedback to your questions and an affordable coverage quote, chances are good that you have found an insurance agent that meets your needs to provide auto insurance coverage.

Different people need different coverages

When it comes to buying the best auto insurance coverage, there really is no perfect coverage plan. Your needs are not the same as everyone else’s and your policy should reflect that. Here are some questions about coverages that could help you determine whether or not you may require specific advice.

Which companies will insure high-risk drivers?
Who is covered by my policy?
What are the best liability limits?
Do I really need UM/UIM coverage?
Should I buy only the required Nevada minimum liability coverage?
What can I do if my company won’t pay a claim?
Am I covered when driving someone else’s vehicle?
Do I need rental car coverage?
Am I covered when using my vehicle for business?
Is my dog or cat covered if injured in an accident?

If it’s difficult to answer those questions, then you may want to think about talking to an insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, complete this form or go to this page to view a list of companies. It is quick, free and can help protect your family.

Do drivers who switch really save?

Nevada drivers get pounded daily by advertisements that promise big savings from the likes of Progressive, Allstate and GEICO. They all have a common claim of big savings if you move your coverage to them.

But how can every company say the same thing? It’s all in the numbers.

All companies are able to cherry pick for the type of customer that makes them money. An example of a profitable customer could be between 30 and 50, has no tickets, and has a short commute. A propective insured who fits that profile receives the best rates and as a result will probably save when they switch companies.

Potential customers who do not match this ideal profile will have to pay higher rates and this can result in business not being written. Company advertisements say “drivers who switch” not “everybody who quotes” save money. This is how companies can truthfully claim big savings.

Because of the profiling, you absolutely need to get quotes from several different companies. It’s just too difficult to predict which company will provide you with the cheapest rates.

Parts of your auto insurance policy

Understanding the coverages of a auto insurance policy can help you determine the right coverages and proper limits and deductibles. The terms used in a policy can be confusing and reading a policy is terribly boring. Below you’ll find the normal coverages found on the average auto insurance policy.

Liability auto insurance – This protects you from damages or injuries you inflict on people or other property that is your fault. It protects you against other people’s claims. It does not cover damage sustained by your vehicle in an accident.

Coverage consists of three different limits, per person bodily injury, per accident bodily injury, and a property damage limit. As an example, you may have liability limits of 50/100/50 which means $50,000 bodily injury coverage, $100,000 for the entire accident, and a total limit of $50,000 for damage to vehicles and property. Alternatively, you may have one limit called combined single limit (CSL) which limits claims to one amount and claims can be made without the split limit restrictions.

Liability insurance covers things such as funeral expenses, attorney fees, repair bills for other people’s vehicles, bail bonds and emergency aid. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is up to you, but it’s cheap coverage so purchase as much as you can afford. Nevada requires drivers to carry at least 15,000/30,000/10,000 but you should think about purchasing more coverage.

Collision coverages – This pays to fix your vehicle from damage resulting from a collision with a stationary object or other vehicle. You have to pay a deductible then your collision coverage will kick in.

Collision coverage protects against things such as sustaining damage from a pot hole, colliding with a tree, crashing into a ditch and crashing into a building. This coverage can be expensive, so you might think about dropping it from lower value vehicles. Drivers also have the option to raise the deductible to get cheaper collision coverage.

Comprehensive coverages – This coverage covers damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. A deductible will apply and the remainder of the damage will be paid by comprehensive coverage.

Comprehensive coverage protects against claims like damage from flooding, vandalism, rock chips in glass, damage from a tornado or hurricane and hitting a bird. The maximum amount you’ll receive from a claim is the market value of your vehicle, so if the vehicle’s value is low it’s not worth carrying full coverage.

Coverage for medical payments – Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage reimburse you for short-term medical expenses like ambulance fees, hospital visits, rehabilitation expenses, surgery and EMT expenses. They are used in conjunction with a health insurance policy or if you lack health insurance entirely. They cover not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants and also covers being hit by a car walking across the street. Personal injury protection coverage is not available in all states but it provides additional coverages not offered by medical payments coverage

Uninsured and underinsured coverage – Your UM/UIM coverage gives you protection when the “other guys” either have no liability insurance or not enough. Covered losses include injuries sustained by your vehicle’s occupants and also any damage incurred to your Ford Explorer.

Since many Nevada drivers only purchase the least amount of liability that is required (15/30/10), their liability coverage can quickly be exhausted. For this reason, having high UM/UIM coverages should not be overlooked. Most of the time these coverages do not exceed the liability coverage limits.

Compare but don’t skimp

We’ve covered a lot of techniques to save on Ford Explorer insurance. The most important thing to understand is the more rate comparisons you have, the more likely it is that you will get a better rate. Consumers may even find the biggest savings come from a small local company. These companies may have significantly lower rates on certain market segments than the large multi-state companies such as State Farm or Progressive.

Affordable Ford Explorer insurance is attainable on the web and also from your neighborhood Las Vegas agents, and you need to price shop both to have the best rate selection. Some insurance providers may not provide the ability to get a quote online and these smaller companies work with independent agents.

Learn more today

Additional auto insurance information is located on the website for the Nevada Division of Insurance located here. Nevada consumers can view agent and company licensing information, read industry bulletins, and get help finding coverage.