Lower Your 1997 Mercury Cougar Insurance Cost

Are you at wits end from robbing Peter to pay Paul to pay your auto insurance bill each month? You’re in the same situation as many other consumers.

There are many insurers to pick from, and although it’s a good thing to have a selection, more choices can make it harder to compare rates and cut insurance costs.

It’s a good habit to check auto insurance prices occasionally since insurance rates are adjusted regularly by insurance companies. Just because you had the best rate for Cougar insurance a few years ago you may be paying too much now. There is a lot of bad advice regarding auto insurance out there, but you can learn a lot of great tips on how to lower your auto insurance rates.

Finding the best rates is easy if you know what you’re doing. Just about anyone who shops for car insurance will be able to find better rates. Although car owners do need to understand the way companies market insurance on the web and apply this information to your search.

Compare insurance coverage rates

To find the best insurance coverage rates, there are several ways to compare prices from insurance coverage companies in your area. The quickest method to find competitive Mercury Cougar insurance rates is to use the internet to compare rates. It’s really quite simple and can be done in several different ways.

Experts agree that the best way to find the lowest comparison rates is a comparison rater form (click to open form in new window). This easy form eliminates the need for a different quote for each price estimate. One quote request will return price quotes from many national carriers.

A more time consuming way to analyze rates requires you to visit the website of each company to complete a price quote. For sake of this example, let’s say you need rates from Progressive, Allstate and American Family. To do that, you would have to visit each site to enter the same coverage data repeatedly, which can take a lot of time.

For a list of companies in your area, click here.

Compare rates however you want, just try to keep exactly the same quote data on every quote. If you have higher or lower deductibles then you won’t be able to decipher which rate is best. Quoting even small variations in coverages can result in a big premium difference. Keep in mind that having more price comparisons helps locate more affordable rates. Some companies don’t provide quotes online, so you should also compare prices from those companies as well.

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But the ad said I’d save 15% in 15 minutes!

Respected companies like Progressive, Geico, Allstate and State Farm seem to constantly run television and radio advertisements. They all try to convey promises about saving some big amount if you move your policy. How is it possible that every company can offer drivers better rates? It’s all in how they say it.

Insurance companies have specific criteria for the driver that will generate a profit. For instance, this type of insured could be between the ages of 30 and 45, carries high limits, and drives less than 10,000 miles a year. A driver that fits those parameters will probably get the lowest prices and is almost guaranteed to pay quite a bit less when switching companies.

Drivers who do not meet this ideal profile will probably be forced to pay a higher rate and this can result in business not being written. The ads state “people that switch” but not “all drivers who get quotes” can get the lowest rates when switching. That is how insurance companies can advertise the way they do. Because every company is different, you really should compare free insurance quotes often. It’s impossible to know the company that will provide the lowest car insurance rates.

Find cheaper car insurance with these tips

When buying car insurance it’s important to understand some of the things that help determine the price you pay for car insurance. If you understand what controls the rates you pay, this enables informed choices that could help you find big savings. Lots of things are part of the calculation when quoting car insurance. Some are obvious like your driving record, but some are less obvious like where you live or your financial responsibility.

The itemized list below are some of the things companies use to determine rates.

• Do you save by driving less? – The more miles you rack up on your Mercury in a year’s time the more you’ll pay to insure it. A lot of insurance companies rate vehicles based upon how you use the vehicle. Cars that are left in the garage can get a lower rate than those used for commuting. Double check that your vehicle rating is rated on annual mileage. Having an incorrect usage rating on your Cougar can result in significantly higher rates.
• Your career may increase car insurance rates – Jobs such as military personnelair traffic controllers and financial analysts usually pay higher premium rates attributed to job stress and lots of time spent away from family. On the flip side, jobs such as professors, students and performers receive lower rates for Cougar insurance.
• Getting married pays dividends – Having a spouse can actually save you money on your policy. Marriage demonstrates that you tend to be less irresponsible and it’s statistically proven that married drivers tend to have fewer serious accidents.
• Multiple policies with one company – Many insurance companies provide discounts to buyers that buy multiple policies in the form of a multi-policy discount. Even with this discount applied, it’s still a good idea to check prices from other companies to help guarantee you have the best rates.
• Gender is a factor – Statistics have proven that females take fewer risks when driving. Now that doesn’t mean men are WORSE drivers than women. Both genders cause accidents at about the same rate, but males cause more damage and cost insurance companies more money. Men also get cited for more serious violations such as reckless driving. Teenage male drivers are several times more likely to be in an accident and thus pay the highest rates.
• Safer the car lower the rate – Safe vehicles tend to be cheaper to insure. Safer cars have better occupant injury protection and reduced instances of injuries means your insurance company pays less which can result in lower premiums. If your Mercury Cougar has at least four stars on Safercar.gov or an “acceptable” rating on iihs.org it may be receiving lower rates.
• Why do you need liability? – The liability coverage on your policy provides coverage when you are ruled to be at fault for causing damage or personal injury in an accident. It will provide legal defense coverage to attempt to prove you were not liable. It is affordable coverage compared to insuring for physical damage coverage, so drivers should buy more than the minimum limits required by law.

Insurance coverage rates and discounts

Insuring your vehicles can cost a lot, but you might already qualify for some discounts that you may not even be aware of. Many discounts should be triggered at quote time, but some may not be applied and must be requested specifically before being credited. If they aren’t giving you every credit possible, you could be getting lower rates.

• Discount for Swiching Early – Some larger companies give discounts for switching companies prior to your current policy expiring. You may see this discount when you get insurance quotes online.
• Good Driver Discount – Insureds without accidents can pay as much as 50% less for Cougar insurance than their less cautious counterparts.
• Good Student Discount – This discount could provide a savings of up to 20% or more. The good student discount can last up to age 25.
• Safety Restraint Discount – Drivers who require all occupants to use their safety belts can save up to 10 percent (depending on the company) off the medical payments premium.
• Driver’s Ed – Require your teen driver to enroll in driver’s education in school or through a local driver safety program.
• Accident Free – Drivers with accident-free driving histories can earn big discounts when compared to frequent claim filers.
• Multiple Policy Discount – When you have multiple policies with the same insurance company you may earn over 10 percent off each policy depending on the company.

A little disclaimer on discounts, most of the big mark downs will not be given to the entire cost. A few only apply to individual premiums such as liability and collision coverage. So when the math indicates having all the discounts means you get insurance for free, it’s just not the way it works.

Some of the larger companies that may offer quotes with some of the above discounts are:

• Progressive
• The Hartford
• Mercury Insurance
• Geico
• AAA
• State Farm

If you are trying to find inexpensive insurance quotes, ask each company or agent which discounts you may be entitled to. Some discounts may not be available in your area. For a list of insurance companies who offer free insurance coverage quotes, click here to view.

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Situations that may require an agent’s advice

When it comes to choosing the best car insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there is no one size fits all plan. Every insured’s situation is different and your policy should reflect that. For example, these questions can help discover whether you will benefit from professional help.

• When would I need rental car insurance?
• Does car insurance cover theft of personal property?
• Am I covered if my car is in a flood?
• Why am I be forced to buy a membership to get insurance from some companies?
• How do I file an SR-22 for a DUI in my state?
• Do I need PIP (personal injury protection) coverage in my state?
• Is a blown tire covered by insurance?

If you’re not sure about those questions but a few of them apply, you may need to chat with an insurance agent. If you don’t have a local agent, complete this form or go to this page to view a list of companies.

Auto insurance specifics

Learning about specific coverages of your policy can help you determine which coverages you need at the best deductibles and correct limits. The terms used in a policy can be confusing and coverage can change by endorsement. Listed below are typical coverages offered by auto insurance companies.

Comprehensive insurance

This coverage pays for damage caused by mother nature, theft, vandalism and other events. A deductible will apply then your comprehensive coverage will pay.

Comprehensive insurance covers things such as a tree branch falling on your vehicle, damage from a tornado or hurricane, damage from flooding, falling objects and damage from getting keyed. The highest amount a auto insurance company will pay at claim time is the market value of your vehicle, so if the vehicle’s value is low consider removing comprehensive coverage.

Collision coverage

This pays to fix your vehicle from damage resulting from a collision with another car or object. You will need to pay your deductible then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.

Collision coverage protects against claims like crashing into a ditch, sideswiping another vehicle, sustaining damage from a pot hole and hitting a parking meter. This coverage can be expensive, so you might think about dropping it from vehicles that are older. Drivers also have the option to raise the deductible to bring the cost down.

Coverage for liability

This will cover injuries or damage you cause to other people or property in an accident. This insurance protects YOU from legal claims by others. It does not cover your own vehicle damage or injuries.

It consists of three limits, bodily injury for each person, bodily injury for the entire accident, and a limit for property damage. You commonly see limits of 50/100/50 which stand for $50,000 in coverage for each person’s injuries, a total of $100,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and a limit of $50,000 paid for damaged property.

Liability insurance covers things like emergency aid, legal defense fees, funeral expenses and court costs. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is your choice, but it’s cheap coverage so purchase higher limits if possible.

Med pay and Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage reimburse you for short-term medical expenses for EMT expenses, prosthetic devices, rehabilitation expenses and funeral costs. They can be used in conjunction with a health insurance policy or if you are not covered by health insurance. Coverage applies to you and your occupants and will also cover if you are hit as a while walking down the street. PIP coverage is not an option in every state but can be used in place of medical payments coverage

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM)

Your UM/UIM coverage protects you and your vehicle from other drivers when they either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. Covered losses include injuries to you and your family as well as your vehicle’s damage.

Since many drivers carry very low liability coverage limits, their limits can quickly be used up. So UM/UIM coverage should not be overlooked.

Never pay more for less

Lower-priced auto insurance is possible on the web and from local insurance agents, and you should compare price quotes from both to have the best rate selection. Some insurance companies may not have online quoting and most of the time these smaller companies work with independent insurance agencies.

When trying to cut insurance costs, it’s a bad idea to reduce needed coverages to save money. There have been many situations where drivers have reduced collision coverage only to find out that their decision to reduce coverage ended up costing them more. Your objective should be to buy the best coverage you can find at the best price, not the least amount of coverage.

Even more information is available in these articles:

• Rental Reimbursement Coverage (Allstate)
• Prom Night Tips for Teen Drivers (State Farm)
• Anti-Lock Brake FAQ (iihs.org)
• Red Light Cameras (State Farm)
• Can I Drive Legally without Insurance? (Insurance Information Insitute)
• Uninsured Motorist Statistics (Insurance Information Insitute)

Enter your zip code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.

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