Penny Pincher Insurance for your Ford Cougar
If comparing car insurance was easy, most of us would do it more often. But the reality is, it's a chore for most people and we seem to always end up paying more than we want to. Insuring your Ford Cougar is probably no exception.
Step One: Compare Multiple Rates
If it's been a few years since you shopped for car insurance, you might still think the only way to buy is from a local agent. Welcome to the NEW way to buy car insurance!
Getting online rate quotes for a Ford Cougar from all the major insurance companies is very easy and only requires you to enter your information once.
To begin, click on the link below and complete the short form. It only takes a few minutes and it's helpful to have your current policy handy if you have one.
Use the Same Coverages! It's really important that when doing multiple quotes for your Cougar that you use identical coverages for liability, comprehensive and collision. If you use different values, it's impossible to determine which company has the lower rates.
Step Two: How to Insure your Cougar for Less
After completing step one above, you can now learn some of the other ways to slash your Cougar insurance costs.
- Members of many professional organizations can receive discounts on car insurance, and if you're a senior citizen, that could earn you an additional discount.
- Check your credit rating each year and address any problem areas. Higher credit scores mean lower car insurance rates.
- Ask your insurance company if there is a discount for completing a driver's safety course. It may get you up to a 10% discount at your next renewal.
- If your Ford is equipped with safety features such as airbags, anti-lock brakes or a security system, insurance companies will often give a minor discount for those.
- Consider using higher deductibles for physical damage coverages like comprehensive and collision. Higher deductibles save money since you're willing to pay more out-of-pocket at claim time.
- Vehicles that tend to get stolen or have high repair costs will cost you more to insure. If your Cougar falls into either category, it could cost you.
- Smaller claims that hardly exceed your deductible are better off not being filed with your insurance company. Policyholders with no claims enjoy lower rates than those who frequently file claims.
- Most insurance companies will give you a discount on your car insurance if you also own a home. Some go even farther and give you discounts if you package your homeowners and auto insurance with them.
- Speeding not only costs you a fine, a single ticket will raise your car insurance rates for up to three years. Slow down and be a safe driver and you'll pay lower rates.
- Every parent dreads the day when their teenager gets added to their policy. If you are a teenager, or if you have one on your policy, expect to pay significantly more each year.
- Having any gaps in coverage (known as a lapse) is bad in the eyes of any insurance company. Make sure you keep coverage in force at all times by synchronizing the expiration and effective dates of your policies.
Step Three: Choose a Company and Bind Coverage
Once you have compared identical rate quotes for your Cougar and made a decision on deductibles, coverages and other policy options, you are ready to buy your policy with the new company.
The key thing to keep in mind when buying a new policy is you do not want your old policy to lapse. Make sure the effective date of the new policy is on or before the expiration date of your current policy.
If the Ford Cougar is a new purchase and you haven't had car insurance before, make sure you have coverage in place before driving off the lot. If you have other vehicles already covered, then you will have coverage for the new vehicle. If your current policy has any vehicle with full coverage (comprehensive and collision), then your new Cougar will have that coverage extended to it. If you only have liability coverage on your policy, then you have no physical damage coverage on your new purchase.
The proof-of-insurance card that is required by state law to be carried in your vehicle can be printed out upon completion of your car insurance policy. If an SR-22 is required due to a reckless driving conviction, DUI or conviction of driving without insurance, make sure your new company is aware of that. Not filing a court-ordered SR-22 can result in suspension of your driver's license.
Additional Insurance Information
The Insurance Information Institute website has a great library of car insurance topics that cover claims, replacement parts, rental cars and more.
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