How long has it been since you sat down and looked for the cheapest Ford Explorer Sport Trac insurance in Baltimore? Getting the lowest price Baltimore Ford Explorer Sport Trac insurance quotes on the internet might appear overwhelming for drivers new to shopping for insurance on the internet. With so many insurance agents and insurers to choose from, how can you effectively compare every one to find better car insurance prices?
Steps to saving on Ford Explorer Sport Trac insurance in Baltimore
The recommended way to get low-cost Ford Explorer Sport Trac insurance is to annually compare prices from insurers that insure vehicles in Baltimore.
Step 1: Learn about how insurance works and the things you can change to prevent rate increases. Many rating criteria that result in higher prices like inattentive driving and a poor credit score can be controlled by being financially responsible and driving safely. Continue reading for the details to prevent high prices and find additional discounts.
Step 2: Request price quotes from exclusive agents, independent agents, and direct providers. Direct companies and exclusive agencies can only provide price estimates from one company like GEICO and Allstate, while independent agencies can quote prices from multiple companies.
Step 3: Compare the new rate quotes to your current policy premium to see if cheaper Explorer Sport Trac coverage is available. If you can save some money and make a switch, verify that coverage does not lapse between policies.
One important bit of advice is to use the same level of coverage on every quote request and and to get prices from all possible companies. This helps ensure the most accurate price comparison and plenty of rates choose from.
Amazingly, over 70% of drivers kept buying from the same company for a minimum of four years, and just under half have never shopped around. With the average premium in Maryland being $1,500, drivers could cut their rates by $800 a year, but they feel it’s too difficult to compare rate quotes online.
It is always a good idea to quote other rates periodically due to the fact that insurance prices are variable and change quite frequently. Even if you think you had the best price on Ford Explorer Sport Trac insurance in Baltimore six months ago other companies may now be cheaper. You can find a lot of wrong information about Explorer Sport Trac insurance online, but by reading this article, you’re going to learn some tested techniques to save money.
If you are paying for car insurance now, you will most likely be able to get lower rates using the techniques covered below. Obtaining price quotes for affordable auto insurance coverage in Baltimore is not as hard as you may think. Nevertheless, Maryland consumers must know how big insurance companies determine how much to charge and use it to find better rates.
How Insurance Providers Calculate Ford Explorer Sport Trac Insurance Rates
Lots of things are considered when you get your auto insurance bill. A few of the factors are predictable such as your driving history, but other factors are not as apparent like where you live or your commute time. One of the most helpful ways to save on insurance is to to have a grasp of the factors that help determine your insurance rates. When consumers understand what controls the rates you pay, this enables informed choices that will entitle you to big savings.
Pay more by driving carelessly – Attentive drivers pay lower auto insurance prices than their less careful counterparts. Even one chargeable violation can increase rates by twenty percent. Drivers with dangerous tickets such as DUI or reckless driving may need to file a SR-22 with their state’s department of motor vehicles in order to legally drive a vehicle.
The example below demonstrates how citations and at-fault fender-benders can affect Ford Explorer Sport Trac car insurance rates for different age groups of insureds. The premium estimates are based on a single female driver, full coverage, $250 deductibles, and no discounts are factored in.
Only buy what you need – Insurance companies have many extra coverages that can waste your money but may not be useful. Insurance for rental car coverage, accident forgiveness, and extra life insurance coverage are probably not needed. They may seem like a good idea at first, but now you might not need them so think about removing them and cutting costs.
File policy claims and pay more – If you frequently file small claims, don’t be surprised to see increased rates or even have your policy non-renewed. Companies in Maryland generally give the best rates to drivers that do not abuse their auto insurance. Your car insurance is intended for claims that pose a financial burden.
Teenagers are high risk – Mature drivers are proven to be safer behind the wheel, cause fewer claims and accidents, and tend to be get fewer driving tickets. Drivers with little experience are proven to be inattentive when at the wheel of a vehicle and because of this, their insurance rates are much higher.
The next chart is based on a single driver, full coverage with $250 deductibles, and no discounts or violations.
Drive lots and pay more – The higher the miles on your Ford in a year the more you will pay for insurance. The majority of insurers charge to insure your cars based on how the vehicle is used. Autos that sit idle most of the time receive better premium rates than vehicles that have high annual mileage. Improper usage on your Explorer Sport Trac may be wasting your money. Ask your agent if your insurance declarations sheet is rated on how each vehicle is driven.
When comparison shopping, there are several ways of comparing rates from different Baltimore insurance companies. The recommended way to lower the rate you pay for Ford Explorer Sport Trac insurance involves getting comparison quotes online.
When quoting auto insurance, remember that quoting more helps you find the best rates. Some smaller insurers do not give rate quotes online, so it’s important to compare price quotes from those companies as well.
The companies shown below provide free rate quotes in Baltimore, MD. To get cheap auto insurance in Baltimore, we suggest you visit two to three different companies in order to get a fair rate comparison.
Analysis of coverages
The information shown next outlines estimates of rate quotes for Ford Explorer Sport Trac models. Having a better idea how premiums are determined can help customers make informed coverage decisions.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Explorer Sport Trac XLT 2WD | $348 | $518 | $532 | $32 | $160 | $1,590 | $133 |
| Explorer Sport Trac Limited 2WD | $398 | $518 | $532 | $32 | $160 | $1,640 | $137 |
| Explorer Sport Trac XLT 4WD | $398 | $518 | $532 | $32 | $160 | $1,640 | $137 |
| Explorer Sport Trac Limited 4WD | $450 | $632 | $532 | $32 | $160 | $1,806 | $151 |
| Explorer Sport Trac Limited AWD | $450 | $632 | $532 | $32 | $160 | $1,806 | $151 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
Prices based on single male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $100 deductibles, and Maryland minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include claim-free, homeowner, multi-vehicle, multi-policy, and safe-driver. Rate information does not factor in vehicle garaging location which can affect auto insurance rates noticeably.
Choosing deductibles
When shopping for insurance, a common question is how high should the physical damage deductibles be. The data tables below show the price difference between high and low physical damage coverage deductibles. The first price estimate table uses a $250 deductible for comprehensive and collision coverage and the second price table uses a $500 deductible.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Explorer Sport Trac XLT 2WD | $274 | $434 | $406 | $24 | $122 | $1,285 | $107 |
| Explorer Sport Trac Limited 2WD | $314 | $434 | $406 | $24 | $122 | $1,325 | $110 |
| Explorer Sport Trac XLT 4WD | $314 | $434 | $406 | $24 | $122 | $1,325 | $110 |
| Explorer Sport Trac Limited 4WD | $354 | $528 | $406 | $24 | $122 | $1,459 | $122 |
| Explorer Sport Trac Limited AWD | $354 | $528 | $406 | $24 | $122 | $1,459 | $122 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Explorer Sport Trac XLT 2WD | $222 | $350 | $406 | $24 | $122 | $1,124 | $94 |
| Explorer Sport Trac Limited 2WD | $256 | $350 | $406 | $24 | $122 | $1,158 | $97 |
| Explorer Sport Trac XLT 4WD | $256 | $350 | $406 | $24 | $122 | $1,158 | $97 |
| Explorer Sport Trac Limited 4WD | $288 | $426 | $406 | $24 | $122 | $1,266 | $106 |
| Explorer Sport Trac Limited AWD | $288 | $426 | $406 | $24 | $122 | $1,266 | $106 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
Prices based on married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and Maryland minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-policy, homeowner, safe-driver, multi-vehicle, and claim-free. Premium costs do not factor in specific zip code location which can affect premium rates noticeably.
Based on these figures, using a $250 deductible costs about $14 more each month or $168 annually across all Ford Explorer Sport Trac models than selecting the higher $500 deductible. Since the policyholder would be required to pay $250 more to settle a claim with a $500 deductible as compared to a $250 deductible, if you normally go at least 18 months between claims, you would probably come out ahead if you opt for a higher deductible.
How to calculate deductible break even period
| Average monthly premium for $250 deductibles: | $114 |
| Average monthly premium for $500 deductibles (subtract): | – $100 |
| Monthly savings from raising deductible: | $14 |
| Difference between deductibles ($500 – $250): | $250 |
| Divide difference by monthly savings: | $250 / $14 |
| Number of months required between physical damage coverage claims in order to save money by choosing the higher deductible | 18 months |
The chart below highlights how deductible choice and can impact Ford Explorer Sport Trac insurance premiums for different age groups of insureds. The price estimates are based on a single male driver, full coverage, and no discounts are taken into consideration.
Males versus Females
The information below shows the difference between Ford Explorer Sport Trac insurance costs for male and female drivers. The premiums assume no claims, a clean driving record, full coverage, $100 deductibles, drivers are single, and no other discounts are factored in.
Comparison of full coverage and liability-only policies
The example below visualizes the comparison of Ford Explorer Sport Trac insurance rates with full physical damage coverage and with liability coverage only. The data is based on a clean driving record, no claims, $100 deductibles, marital status is single, and no additional discounts are factored in.
Should you pay for full coverage?
There is no written rule to stop buying comprehensive and collision coverage on your policy, but there is a guideline you can consider. If the annual cost of having full coverage is about 10% or more of the vehicle’s replacement cost less your deductible, then you may need to consider dropping full coverage.
For example, let’s assume your Ford Explorer Sport Trac replacement cost is $7,000 and you have $1,000 full coverage deductibles. If your vehicle is destroyed, the most your company will settle for is $6,000 after you pay the deductible. If premium cost is more than $600 a year for your policy with full coverage, then it’s probably a good time to buy liability coverage only.
There are a few cases where removing full coverage is not recommended. If you have an outstanding loan on your vehicle, you must maintain physical damage coverage to satisfy the loan requirements. Also, if your savings is not enough to buy a different vehicle if your current one is damaged, you should not consider dropping full coverage.
Car insurance just makes sense
Despite the high cost of buying insurance for a Ford Explorer Sport Trac in Baltimore, paying for car insurance is required in Maryland but also provides important benefits.
- Almost all states have minimum liability requirements which means it is punishable by state law to not carry a minimum amount of liability protection in order to get the vehicle licensed. In Maryland these limits are 30/60/15 which means you must have $30,000 of bodily injury coverage per person, $60,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $15,000 of property damage coverage.
- If you bought your Ford with a loan, almost every bank will make it mandatory that you buy full coverage to guarantee payment of the loan. If you default on your policy, the lender may insure your Ford at an extremely high rate and force you to pay a much higher amount than you were paying before.
- Insurance protects both your vehicle and your assets. It will also reimburse you for most medical and hospital costs for yourself as well as anyone injured by you. One policy coverage, liability insurance, will also pay for a defense attorney if you are sued as the result of your driving. If your car is damaged in a storm or accident, collision and comprehensive coverages will pay to repair the damage minus the deductible amount.
The benefits of insuring your car definitely exceed the price paid, especially if you ever need it. In a recent study of 1,000 drivers, the average customer overpays as much as $830 a year so smart consumers compare quotes at least once a year to ensure rates are inline.
Insurance policy discounts for Ford Explorer Sport Trac insurance in Baltimore
Some companies do not list every available discount in a way that’s easy to find, so the list below contains a few of the more well known as well as the least known credits that may apply to you.
- Switch and Save Discount – A few insurance companies give discounts for switching companies prior to the expiration date on your current Explorer Sport Trac insurance policy. You can save around 10% with this discount.
- Auto/Life Discount – Not all companies offer life insurance, but some may give you a small discount if you purchase auto and life insurance together.
- Pay Early and Save – By paying your entire bill at once rather than paying in monthly installments you could save 5% or more.
- Discount for Multiple Policies – When you have multiple policies and place coverage with the same company you could get a discount of as much as 10 to 15 percent.
- Claim-Free Discount – Baltimore drivers who stay claim-free get the best insurance rates when compared to insureds who have frequent claims or accidents.
- Discount for Low Mileage – Low mileage vehicles could qualify for substantially lower rates.
- Senior Discount – If you’re over the age of 55, you can get a small discount on rates.
- Club Memberships – Being a member of qualifying clubs or civic groups is a good way to get lower rates when getting a Baltimore auto insurance quote.
- Cautious Drivers – Insureds without accidents could pay up to 40% less compared to accident prone drivers.
As a footnote on discounts, many deductions do not apply to the overall cost of the policy. Some only apply to the cost of specific coverages such as liability and collision coverage. Even though the math looks like all those discounts means the company will pay you, it’s just not the way it works. But all discounts will help lower your insurance premiums.
The chart below shows the comparison of Ford Explorer Sport Trac yearly insurance costs with and without discounts applied to the rates. The information is based on a male driver, no claims, a clean driving record, Maryland state minimum liability limits, full coverage, and $500 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with marriage, safe-driver, multi-car, homeowner, claim-free, and multi-policy discounts applied.
If you would like to choose from a list of insurance companies that offer some of these discounts in Baltimore, click here to view.
Buying from car insurance agents
Some consumers would rather go talk to an agent and that is recommended in a lot of cases A nice benefit of getting free rate quotes online is you may find cheap rate quotes and still choose a local agent.
After filling out this quick form, the coverage information is immediately sent to insurance agents in Baltimore who will gladly provide quotes and help you find cheaper coverage. It’s much easier because you don’t need to even leave your home due to the fact that quote results will go directly to your email. You can get cheaper car insurance rates and a licensed agent to talk to. If for some reason you want to get a price quote from one company in particular, just visit that company’s website and fill out the quote form the provide.
Finding a good insurance company needs to be determined by more than just the premium amount. These are valid questions to ask:
- Do they have designations such as AIC, CPCU, or CIC?
- What are the financial ratings for the companies they represent?
- Are they able to provide referrals?
- Does the quote include credit and driving reports?
- Are there any extra charges for paying monthly?
- Do they offer rental car reimbursement?
Shown below are agents in Baltimore that can give you price quotes for Ford Explorer Sport Trac insurance in Baltimore.
- Kennedy Ins Agency – Progressive Insurance
410 Ingleside Ave – Baltimore, MD 21214 – (410) 719-6006 – View Map - Allstate Insurance: Shanda Hayden
7200 Eastern Ave a – Baltimore, MD 21224 – (410) 282-7863 – View Map - Allstate Insurance: Jim Craig
2829 O’Donnell St – Baltimore, MD 21224 – (410) 522-6100 – View Map - Vince Vanneman – State Farm Insurance Agent
1055 Taylor Ave Ste 112 – Baltimore, MD 21286 – (410) 321-0101 – View Map
Best auto insurance company in Baltimore
Choosing a highly-rated insurance company can be challenging considering how many companies sell insurance in Baltimore. The company information shown below may help you select which coverage providers to look at comparing prices from.
Top 10 Baltimore Car Insurance Companies Ranked by Value
- Mercury Insurance
- Travelers
- American Family
- AAA Insurance
- Safeco Insurance
- Progressive
- The Hartford
- The General
- 21st Century
- Esurance
Top 10 Baltimore Car Insurance Companies Ranked by Claims Service
- Travelers
- Nationwide
- Allstate
- State Farm
- Liberty Mutual
- GEICO
- American Family
- Esurance
- Titan Insurance
- AAA Insurance
Your insurance coverage should be tailored to you
When it comes to buying a policy, there is no cookie cutter policy. Everyone’s situation is unique and your insurance should unique, too.
These are some specific questions may help you determine if your insurance needs will benefit from professional help.
- Am I covered if I crash into my own garage door?
- Is rental equipment covered for theft or damage?
- What if a claim settlement is too low?
- Do I need to call my car insurance company before buying a new car?
- What is medical payments coverage?
- When can I cancel my policy?
- Is my nanny covered when transporting my kids?
If you’re not sure about those questions but you know they apply to you then you might want to talk to a licensed agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, complete this form or you can also visit this page to select a carrier
Affordable rates are available
We just presented some good ideas how to compare Ford Explorer Sport Trac insurance car insurance rates in Baltimore. The key concept to understand is the more rate quotes you have, the better your chances of lowering your premium rates. You may even discover the lowest car insurance rates are with the smaller companies. Smaller companies may have significantly lower premium rates on certain market segments than their larger competitors like Allstate, GEICO and Progressive.
Cheaper insurance in Baltimore is attainable online and also from your neighborhood Baltimore agents, so you should compare both to have the best selection. Some insurance providers may not offer the ability to get a quote online and these small, regional companies work with independent agencies.
As you prepare to switch companies, you should never reduce needed coverages to save money. Too many times, someone sacrificed collision coverage only to regret that the small savings ended up costing them much more. The goal is to buy the best coverage you can find at the best cost, not the least amount of coverage.
How to buy low-cost Ford Explorer Sport Trac insurance in Baltimore
The recommended way to get the cheapest Ford Explorer Sport Trac insurance in Baltimore is to make a habit of comparing prices annually from companies who can sell car insurance in Maryland.
- Gain an understanding of how insurance works and the factors you can control to drop your rates. Many policy risk factors that are responsible for high rates like inattentive driving and poor credit rating can be improved by paying attention to minor details.
- Request price quotes from direct, independent, and exclusive agents. Exclusive agents and direct companies can only give rate quotes from a single company like Progressive or Farmers Insurance, while agents who are independent can provide rate quotes for a wide range of companies.
- Compare the new quotes to your existing policy and determine if there is any savings. If you find a better price and buy the policy, verify that coverage does not lapse between policies.
- Notify your agent or company of your decision to cancel your current coverage and submit the required down payment along with the signed application to your new carrier. Once received, safely store the certificate verifying proof of insurance with your registration paperwork.
An important part of this process is to compare the same amount of coverage on each price quote and and to analyze as many different companies as possible. Doing this enables an accurate price comparison and a complete selection of prices.
To read more, take a look at the articles below:
- Warning systems don’t curb driver distraction (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)
- Who Has Affordable Baltimore Auto Insurance for Veterans? (FAQ)
- Who Has the Cheapest Auto Insurance for Postal Workers in Baltimore? (FAQ)
- What Insurance is Cheapest for Young Drivers in Baltimore? (FAQ)
- How Much are Baltimore Auto Insurance Rates for Drivers with Bad Credit? (FAQ)
- How Much are Baltimore Auto Insurance Quotes for Drivers with a DUI? (FAQ)
- Teen Driver Licensing Information (iihs.org)
- How to Avoid Common Accidents (State Farm)