Cheaper 2003 Mercury Mountaineer Insurance Rates

Searching for cheaper car insurance rates? Consumers have options when looking for the lowest priced Mercury Mountaineer insurance. You can either waste hours struggling with agents trying to get quotes or leverage the internet to make rate comparisons.

There is a right way and a wrong way to shop for car insurance so you’re going to learn the best way to quote coverages for a new or used Mercury and get the cheapest rates.

You need to compare prices once or twice a year because insurance rates fluctuate regularly. If you had the lowest rates for Mountaineer coverage two years ago you can probably find a better price now. Ignore everything you know about car insurance because you’re about to find out the easiest way to save money, get proper deductibles and limits, all at the lowest rate.

This article will help you learn how to get online quotes and some tricks to saving. If you currently have a car insurance policy, you stand a good chance to be able to cut costs considerably using these tips. Consumers only need an understanding of the tricks to get comparison rates online.

Why you might be paying too much to insure your Mercury Mountaineer

It’s important that you understand some of the elements that play a part in calculating the rates you pay for auto insurance. Having a good understanding of what impacts premium levels enables informed choices that could result in better auto insurance rates.

Shown below are some of the items auto insurance companies consider when setting premiums.

  • Marriage pays dividends – Having a spouse actually saves money on your auto insurance policy. Having a spouse usually means you are more mature it has been statistically shown that married drivers get in fewer accidents.
  • Little extras can really add up – There are a ton of additional coverages you can purchase when buying auto insurance. Things like vanishing deductibles, better glass coverage and additional equipment coverage may be costing you every month. They may seem like a good idea initially, but now you might not need them so remove them from your policy.
  • High deductibles save money – Insurance for physical damage to your car, termed comprehensive and collision coverage on your policy, protects your Mercury from damage. Some examples of claims that would be covered are colliding with a building, damage from fire, and burglary. The deductibles are the amount of money you are required to spend before your auto insurance pays a claim. The more expense the insured has to pay upfront, the less your company will charge you for insurance for Mountaineer coverage.
  • Proper usage rating affects rates – Driving more miles each year the more you’ll pay to insure your vehicle. Almost all companies price each vehicle’s coverage based on how the vehicle is used. Vehicles not used for work or commuting receive lower rates compared to those used for work or business. Ask your agent if your auto insurance coverage shows the proper vehicle usage, because improper ratings can cost you money. Incorrect usage on your Mountaineer can result in significantly higher rates.
  • Choose a safe vehicle and save – Cars with high safety ratings tend to have better insurance rates. These vehicles reduce injuries and better occupant protection means less money paid by your insurance company passed on to you as lower rates. If your Mercury Mountaineer is rated at least four stars on Safercar.gov or an “acceptable” rating on iihs.org you may qualify for a discount.
  • How your age affects price – Teen drivers have a tendency to be careless and easily distracted when behind the wheel so they pay higher auto insurance rates. Older insureds are more cautious drivers, statistically cause fewer accidents and are safer drivers.
  • Theft deterrents lower rates – Purchasing a vehicle that has an advanced theft prevention system can help lower your rates. Anti-theft devices such as tamper alarm systems, vehicle immobilizer technology and General Motors OnStar all aid in stopping your car from being stolen.
  • High credit ratings translate to low rates – A driver’s credit history is a huge factor in determining what you pay for auto insurance. Therefore, if your credit score is not that good, you could save money insuring your 2003 Mercury Mountaineer by improving your credit score. People with high credit ratings tend to be more responsible than drivers who have lower credit scores.

Compare Insurance Coverage Costs

Finding lower insurance coverage rates isn’t really that difficult. Just take a few minutes comparing rates online with multiple companies. This can be done in just a few minutes using one of these methods.

  1. One of the simplest ways to find the lowest comparison rates is a comparison rater form like this one (opens in new window). This easy form eliminates the need for multiple quote forms for every insurance coverage company. A single form compares rates from insurance coverage companies with the best prices. Recommended for those who want to invest the least amount of time.
  2. A less efficient way to get quotes online is to manually visit each individual company website to complete a price quote. For example, we’ll pretend you want to compare USAA, Liberty Mutual and American Family. You would have to take the time to go to each site and enter your information, which is why the first method is quicker. For a handy list of car insurance company links in your area, click here.
  3. The hardest method to compare rates is to drive around to and from local insurance agencies. Buying insurance online makes this process obsolete unless you require the professional guidance that only a license agent can provide. Drivers can comparison shop online and get advice from an agent in your area and you’ll learn how to do that later.

Which method you use is up to you, but make absolute certain that you use apples-to-apples deductibles and coverage limits for each price quote. If each company quotes differing limits it’s not possible to make an equal comparison.

Drivers who switch save $458 a year? Really?

Consumers can’t get away from ads for cheaper car insurance from companies such as 21st Century, Allstate and State Farm. All the companies make the same claim that you’ll save big if you move your policy.

How can each company claim to save you money? It’s all in the numbers.

Different companies have a preferred profile for the driver that makes them money. For instance, a desirable insured could be between the ages of 30 and 50, has no driving citations, and drives less than 10,000 miles a year. A propective insured that hits that “sweet spot” gets the lowest rates and most likely will save a lot of money.

Consumers who don’t meet the requirements must pay higher premiums which usually ends up with the customer not buying. The ads state “people who switch” not “everyone that quotes” save that much. That is how companies can truthfully make the claims of big savings.

This illustrates why you need to compare many company’s rates. Because you never know which insurance companies will fit your personal profile best.

Get lower rates on 2003 Mercury Mountaineer insurance

Properly insuring your vehicles can get expensive, but there are discounts available that you may not even be aware of. Some discounts apply automatically at the time you complete a quote, but a few must be asked about before being credited. If you don’t get every credit available, you’re just leaving money on the table.

  • Organization Discounts – Participating in a professional or civic organization could qualify you for a break on auto insurance for Mountaineer coverage.
  • Pay Upfront and Save – If paying your policy premium upfront instead of monthly or quarterly installments you could save 5% or more.
  • Anti-theft Discount – Vehicles with anti-theft systems are stolen less frequently and earn discounts up to 10%.
  • Save with a New Car – Buying coverage on a new vehicle can be considerably cheaper due to better safety requirements for new cars.
  • Anti-lock Brake System – Vehicles with anti-lock braking systems can avoid accidents and will save you 10% or more.
  • Safe Drivers – Insureds without accidents can get discounts for up to 45% lower rates for Mountaineer coverage than less cautious drivers.
  • Military Discounts – Having a family member in the military could mean lower rates.

Consumers should know that most discounts do not apply to the entire cost. Most cut specific coverage prices like liability, collision or medical payments. So when the math indicates adding up those discounts means a free policy, you’re out of luck. Any qualifying discounts will reduce your premiums.

For a list of companies offering auto insurance discounts, click here to view.

Tailor your coverage to you

When choosing coverage for your vehicles, there really is no “perfect” insurance plan. Every insured’s situation is different.

These are some specific questions may help highlight whether you might need professional guidance.

  • What companies insure drivers after a DUI or DWI?
  • What vehicles should carry emergency assistance coverage?
  • Am I covered if hit by an uninsured driver?
  • If my 2003 Mercury Mountaineer is totaled, can I afford another vehicle?
  • How can I get my company to pay me more for my totalled car?
  • How can I get high-risk coverage after a DUI?
  • Why am I be forced to buy a membership to get insurance from some companies?

If it’s difficult to answer those questions, you might consider talking to a licensed agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, take a second and complete this form. It’s fast, free and can help protect your family.

Insurance coverage options for a 2003 Mercury Mountaineer

Having a good grasp of insurance can be of help when determining the right coverages and proper limits and deductibles. Policy terminology can be impossible to understand and even agents have difficulty translating policy wording.

Comprehensive coverage

This covers damage caused by mother nature, theft, vandalism and other events. You need to pay your deductible first and then insurance will cover the rest of the damage.

Comprehensive coverage pays for claims like hitting a deer, rock chips in glass, damage from flooding and hitting a bird. The highest amount a insurance company will pay at claim time is the ACV or actual cash value, so if the vehicle’s value is low consider dropping full coverage.

Medical payments coverage and PIP

Coverage for medical payments and/or PIP pay for bills for things like X-ray expenses, chiropractic care and rehabilitation expenses. The coverages can be used in conjunction with a health insurance policy or if you are not covered by health insurance. Medical payments and PIP cover you and your occupants in addition to getting struck while a pedestrian. Personal Injury Protection is only offered in select states but can be used in place of medical payments coverage

Liability auto insurance

This coverage protects you from injuries or damage you cause to other people or property in an accident. This insurance protects YOU against other people’s claims. It does not cover damage to your own property or vehicle.

It consists of three limits, bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident and property damage. As an example, you may have values of 100/300/100 which stand for $100,000 bodily injury coverage, $300,000 for the entire accident, and $100,000 of coverage for damaged propery. Another option is one limit called combined single limit (CSL) which combines the three limits into one amount and claims can be made without the split limit restrictions.

Liability coverage pays for claims such as medical expenses, emergency aid, attorney fees, pain and suffering and funeral expenses. How much coverage you buy is a decision to put some thought into, but it’s cheap coverage so purchase as much as you can afford.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage

Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage gives you protection from other drivers when they are uninsured or don’t have enough coverage. It can pay for hospital bills for your injuries and damage to your Mercury Mountaineer.

Since a lot of drivers only purchase the least amount of liability that is required, their liability coverage can quickly be exhausted. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage is a good idea. Usually these coverages are similar to your liability insurance amounts.

Auto collision coverage

This covers damage to your Mountaineer resulting from a collision with an object or car. You have to pay a deductible and then insurance will cover the remainder.

Collision can pay for claims such as driving through your garage door, hitting a parking meter and sustaining damage from a pot hole. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so analyze the benefit of dropping coverage from vehicles that are 8 years or older. It’s also possible to raise the deductible in order to get cheaper collision rates.

Shop around and save

Throughout this article, we presented a lot of techniques to reduce 2003 Mercury Mountaineer insurance prices online. It’s most important to understand that the more price quotes you have, the more likely it is that you will get a better rate. You may be surprised to find that the lowest rates come from a smaller regional carrier.

When trying to cut insurance costs, it’s not a good idea to skimp on coverage in order to save money. In too many instances, consumers will sacrifice physical damage coverage only to regret that the small savings ended up costing them much more. Your aim should be to buy enough coverage for the lowest price, not the least amount of coverage.

The cheapest insurance is possible online and with local insurance agents, and you need to price shop both to have the best rate selection. A few companies do not offer online price quotes and these regional insurance providers work with independent agents.

More information can be found at the links below