It’s a known fact that auto insurance companies don’t want you to compare rates. People who shop around for a cheaper policy will most likely move their business because there is a significant possibility of finding a policy with better rates. Surprisingly, a recent survey revealed that drivers who regularly compared rates saved $72 a month compared to drivers who never shopped around.
If saving money on auto insurance in Kansas City is your ultimate goal, then having a good understanding how to get rate quotes and compare coverage rates can save time, money, and frustration.
The most effective way to get budget Ford Escape insurance is to compare prices at least once a year from companies that sell auto insurance in Kansas City.
Step 1: Take a few minutes and learn about how car insurance works and the factors you can control to lower rates. Many policy risk factors that result in higher rates like at-fault accidents and poor credit history can be controlled by being financially responsible and driving safely.
Step 2: Get rate quotes from exclusive agents, independent agents, and direct providers. Exclusive agents and direct companies can give quotes from a single company like GEICO and Allstate, while independent agencies can provide prices from many different companies.
Step 3: Compare the new rate quotes to your existing rates and see if you can save money. If you can save some money and decide to switch, verify that coverage does not lapse between policies.
Step 4: Provide written notification to your current company to cancel your current coverage and submit a down payment along with a completed application to the newly selected company. As soon as coverage is bound, keep your new proof of insurance paperwork in a readily accessible location in your vehicle.
A good tip to remember is to use the same physical damage deductibles and liability limits on every quote request and and to compare as many companies as you can. This guarantees an apples-to-apples comparison and the best price selection.
Lower Your Kansas City Insurance Premiums
When buying auto insurance it’s important to understand the different types of things that are used to determine your policy premiums. If you have a feel for what determines base rates, this helps enable you to make changes that will entitle you to much lower annual insurance costs. Lots of factors are part of the equation when quoting car insurance. Some of the criteria are obvious like an MVR report, but other factors are more transparent such as your marital status or how safe your car is.
The itemized list below are some of the items that factor into rates.
More stress means more cost – Jobs like lawyers, executives, and stock brokers generally pay the highest average rates because of intense work-related stress and lots of time spent away from family. On the other hand, careers like professors, students and the unemployed get better rates.
Never have auto insurance policy lapses – Driving your car without having proper coverage can get your license suspended and companies may charge more for letting your insurance lapse for non-payment. Not only will rates go up, not being able to provide proof of insurance may earn you fines or a revoked license.
Females tend to cost less – Over the last 30 years, statistics show that females tend to be a little less risky than males. However, don’t assume that women are better drivers. They both have accidents in similar percentages, but men get into accidents with more damage. Not only are claims higher, but men get more serious tickets such as DWI and reckless driving. Young males cause the most accidents and thus pay the highest rates.
The diagram below illustrates the difference between Ford Escape car insurance rates for male and female drivers. Data assumes a clean driving record, no claims, comprehensive and collision coverage, $250 deductibles, single marital status, and no discounts are factored in.
Teenagers are high risk – Older, more experienced drivers are viewed as being more responsible, statistically cause fewer accidents, and usually have better credit. Young drivers have been known to be easily distracted with other occupants in the car so they pay higher auto insurance rates.
The following data assumes a single driver, full coverage with $100 deductibles, and no discounts or violations.
Five star IIHS safety rating saves money – Cars with high safety ratings can get you lower premiums. Safe vehicles reduce injuries and lower injury rates means less claims paid and thus lower rates. If the Ford Escape has at least four stars on Safercar.gov or an “acceptable” rating on iihs.org it may be receiving lower rates.
Don’t skimp on liability – Liability insurance provides coverage when you are responsible for damages from an accident. Your policy’s liability insurance provides legal defense up to the limits shown on your policy. This coverage is relatively inexpensive compared to physical damage coverage, so insureds should have plenty of protection for their assets.
Rural areas have lower rates – Having an address in small towns and rural areas is a good thing when buying auto insurance. Fewer people means a lower chance of having an accident in addition to fewer liability claims. Drivers in populated Missouri areas regularly have more aggressive driving styles and longer commute times. More time behind the wheel can result in more accidents.
Insurance losses for a Ford Escape – Companies study historical loss data to calculate a rate that offsets possible losses. Vehicles that the data determines to have higher losses will have higher rates for specific coverages.
The next table illustrates the collected loss data for Ford Escape vehicles. For each policy coverage, the statistical loss for all vehicles combined as an average is set at 100. Numbers under 100 imply a favorable loss record, while numbers above 100 point to more claims or statistically larger losses.
| Vehicle Model | Collision | Property Damage | Comp | Personal Injury | Medical Payment | Bodily Injury |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Escape 4dr 2WD | 80 | 91 | 83 | 94 | 94 | 92 |
| Ford Escape 4dr 4WD | 81 | 84 | 94 | 85 | 90 | 77 |
Data Source: iihs.org (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) for 2013-2015 Model Years
Many insurance companies give coverage prices directly from their websites. This process is quite easy as you simply type in your personal and coverage information on the page. After you complete the form, their system makes automated requests for your driving record and credit report and returns a price based on the information you submitted.
This makes it a lot easier to compare rates and it’s absolutely necessary to do this in order to get a better rate.
To save time and find out how much you can save on insurance, compare rate quotes from the providers shown below. If you have a policy now, it’s recommended you type in coverages and limits identical to your current policy. Using the same limits helps guarantee you will have a fair comparison based on the exact same insurance coverage.
The companies in the list below have been selected to offer free quotes in Missouri. To locate cheaper auto insurance in Kansas City, MO, we suggest you visit as many as you can to find the lowest auto insurance rates.
Coverage information
The data table shown next outlines a range of insurance prices for Ford Escape models. Having insight into how insurance prices are figured can aid in making smart buying decisions.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Escape XLS 2WD | $164 | $262 | $234 | $14 | $70 | $744 | $62 |
| Escape XLS 4WD | $164 | $262 | $234 | $14 | $70 | $744 | $62 |
| Escape XLT 2WD | $164 | $262 | $234 | $14 | $70 | $744 | $62 |
| Escape Limited 2WD | $188 | $262 | $234 | $14 | $70 | $768 | $64 |
| Escape XLT 4WD | $188 | $262 | $234 | $14 | $70 | $768 | $64 |
| Escape Limited 4WD | $188 | $320 | $234 | $14 | $70 | $826 | $69 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
Above prices assume married male driver age 40, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $250 deductibles, and Missouri minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include safe-driver, claim-free, homeowner, multi-policy, and multi-vehicle. Price information does not factor in Kansas City location which can alter premium rates significantly.
The diagram below demonstrates how choosing different deductibles and can influence Ford Escape insurance costs for each age group. The rates are based on a married female driver, comp and collision included, and no other discounts are factored in.
Difference between liability only and full coverage rates
The diagram below shows the difference between Ford Escape yearly insurance costs when comparing full coverage to liability only. The information is based on no driving violations, no at-fault accidents, $250 deductibles, drivers are not married, and no discounts are applied.
When to stop buying physical damage coverage
There is no set guideline of when to phase out comprehensive and collision coverage on your policy, but there is a general guideline you can use. If the annual cost of your full coverage insurance is more than around 10% of replacement cost minus your deductible, then it’s probably a good time to buy liability coverage only.
For example, let’s say your Ford Escape claim settlement value is $4,000 and you have $1,000 deductibles. If your vehicle is damaged in an accident, the most your company would pay you is $3,000 after the deductible is paid. If premium cost is more than $300 a year for your policy with full coverage, the it may be a good time to stop paying for full coverage.
There are some conditions where buying only liability insurance is not in your best interest. If you still have a loan on your vehicle, you are required to maintain full coverage in order to keep the loan. Also, if your emergency fund is not enough to purchase a different vehicle if your current one is in an accident, you should maintain full coverage.
Choosing vehicle insurance is an important decision
Despite the high insurance cost for a Ford Escape in Kansas City, auto insurance is a good idea for several reasons.
First, most states have compulsory liability insurance requirements which means state laws require specific minimum amounts of liability coverage if you want to drive legally. In Missouri these limits are 25/50/10 which means you must have $25,000 of bodily injury coverage per person, $50,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $10,000 of property damage coverage.
Second, if you have a loan on your car, most lenders will force you to have comprehensive coverage to guarantee loan repayment. If you default on your policy, the lender may insure your Ford at an extremely high rate and require you to reimburse them a much higher amount than you were paying before.
Third, insurance protects not only your vehicle but also your assets. It also can pay for medical bills for yourself as well as anyone injured by you. Liability insurance, one of your policy coverages, also pays expenses related to your legal defense if you are sued as the result of your driving. If your vehicle suffers damage from an accident or hail, comprehensive and collision coverage will pay to repair the damage minus the deductible amount.
The benefits of having insurance are definitely more than the cost, particularly if you ever have a claim. According to a recent study, the average American driver is wasting up to $750 every year so compare rate quotes at every policy renewal to be sure current rates are still competitive.
Discounts mean cheaper rates for Ford Escape insurance in Kansas City
Car insurance can cost a lot, but you might be missing out on some discounts to cut the cost considerably. Many discounts should be triggered at the time you complete a quote, but a few need to be inquired about before you will receive the discount.
- Drive Safe and Save – Insureds without accidents can get discounts for up to 45% lower rates compared to accident prone drivers.
- Military Discounts – Being on active deployment in the military could trigger a small discount.
- Early Renewal Discounts – A few insurance companies allow discounts for buying a new policy prior to the expiration date on your current Escape insurance policy. This discount can save up to 10%.
- Multi-Vehicle Discounts – Buying a policy with several vehicles with the same company can get a discount for every vehicle.
- 55 and Retired – Mature drivers may qualify for a slight reduction on a Kansas City car insurance quote.
- Paper-free Discount – A handful of companies will give you a small discount get Kansas City car insurance digitally online.
- Theft Deterrent System – Anti-theft and alarm system equipped vehicles prevent vehicle theft and will save you 10% or more on Escape insurance in Kansas City.
- Federal Employees – Active or retired federal employment may reduce rates when you quote Kansas City car insurance with select insurance companies.
A quick disclaimer, many deductions do not apply to the overall cost of the policy. Most only apply to the cost of specific coverages such as liability and collision coverage. Even though the math looks like you can get free auto insurance, that’s just not realistic. Any amount of discount will help reduce the amount you pay for coverage.
The diagram below shows the comparison of Ford Escape yearly insurance costs with and without discounts applied to the policy rates. The premiums are based on a male driver, no accidents or driving violations, Missouri state minimum liability limits, full physical damage coverage, and $500 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with multi-car, homeowner, safe-driver, marriage, multi-policy, and claim-free discounts applied.
Popular car insurance companies and their possible discounts are:
- Farm Bureau may have discounts that include good student, youthful driver, driver training, multi-policy, safe driver, and renewal discount.
- State Farm includes discounts for good student, driver’s education, Steer Clear safe driver discount, student away at school, multiple policy, accident-free, and safe vehicle.
- Progressive offers premium reductions for multi-vehicle, multi-policy, online quote discount, online signing, and homeowner.
- Allstate has savings for auto/life discount, anti-lock brakes, safe driver, teenSMART discount, and eSmart discount.
- Nationwide discounts include easy pay, business or organization, multi-policy, family plan, anti-theft, good student, and Farm Bureau membership.
- MetLife has discounts for good driver, good student, defensive driver, claim-free, multi-policy, accident-free
Before you buy a policy, ask all the companies what discounts are available to you. Savings may not apply everywhere.
When do I need to contact a local insurance agent?
A small number of people would rather visit with an insurance agent and there is nothing wrong with that. Good agents can help determine the best coverages and help submit paperwork. One of the benefits of getting free rate quotes online is you can get lower car insurance rates and still choose a local agent.
Once you complete this simple form, the coverage information is emailed to local insurance agents who want to provide quotes for your auto insurance coverage. There is no reason to visit any agencies due to the fact that quote results will go directly to your email. If you need to quote rates from one company in particular, feel free to find their quoting web page and give them your coverage information.
Finding the right insurance company should include more criteria than just the quoted price. You should also get answers to these questions.
- If you raise deductibles, how much can you save?
- If your car is in the repair shop, do you have coverage for a rental car?
- Are they full-time agents?
- Can glass repairs be made at your home?
- Are they able to influence company decisions when a claim is filed?
- Are you getting all the discounts the company offers?
- How long has their agency been open in Kansas City?
- Is the agent properly licensed in Missouri?
When narrowing the list to find a good Kansas City insurance agent, it helps to know the two different types of agencies and how they can quote your rates. Agencies in Kansas City can be described as either independent agents or exclusive agents. Both insure your vehicles, but we need to point out the differences because it may have an impact on which type of agent you select.
Exclusive Agencies
Agents in the exclusive channel have only one company to place business with and some examples include Farmers Insurance and State Farm. They generally cannot place coverage with different providers so always compare other rates. Exclusive agents receive extensive training on what they offer which helps offset the inability to provide other markets. Consumers frequently choose to use a exclusive agent primarily because of the brand name and solid financial strength.
The following is a short list of exclusive agents in Kansas City willing to provide comparison quotes.
- American Family Insurance – Mike Faeth
110 NW Barry Rd Ste 203 – Kansas City, MO 64155 – (816) 436-6603 – View Map - State Farm: Bret Farrar
6406 E 87th St #103 – Kansas City, MO 64138 – (816) 333-4445 – View Map - Allstate Insurance: Steve Marshall
7000 NW Prairie View Rd Ste 100 – Kansas City, MO 64151 – (816) 587-5200 – View Map
Independent Agents (or Brokers)
Independent agents can sell policies from many different companies and that allows them to write policies through many companies and find you the best rates. If prices rise, your policy is moved internally and you can keep the same agent. When comparing auto insurance rates, it’s recommended you get several quotes from multiple independent agents to maximize your price options. They also have the ability to place coverage with less well-known companies which can save you money.
Shown below are Kansas City independent insurance agents willing to provide price quotes.
- ABBA Insurance, LLC
315 E 18th Ave – Kansas City, MO 64116 – (816) 454-8833 – View Map - Chris Jones Insurance Agency
435 Nichols Rd #200 Kansas City, MO 64112 – Kansas City, MO 64112 – (816) 479-0212 – View Map - Heartland Insurance Agency, Inc.
7301 Mission Rd #242, Prairie Village, KS 66208 – Prairie Village, MO 66208 – (800) 701-5909 – View Map
Kansas City auto insurance companies
Finding the top company is hard considering how many companies there are to choose from in Missouri. The rank data listed below can help you choose which providers to look at when comparing rate quotes.
Top 10 Kansas City Car Insurance Companies by A.M. Best Rank
- USAA – A++
- GEICO – A++
- Travelers – A++
- State Farm – A++
- Allstate – A+
- Progressive – A+
- Mercury Insurance – A+
- The Hartford – A+
- Nationwide – A+
- Esurance – A+
Top 10 Kansas City Car Insurance Companies Ranked by Value
- USAA
- GEICO
- AAA Insurance
- State Farm
- Liberty Mutual
- Allstate
- Safeco Insurance
- 21st Century
- Travelers
- Titan Insurance
How much car insurance do I need?
When it comes to proper insurance coverage, there really isn’t a “best” method to buy coverage. Everyone’s situation is a little different and your car insurance should unique, too.
For instance, these questions can help discover if your insurance needs would benefit from professional advice.
- Am I missing any policy discounts?
- When can my company non-renew my policy?
- Does coverage extend to Mexico or Canada?
- Can I insure my car for more than it’s worth?
- What vehicles should carry emergency assistance coverage?
- How long can I keep a teen driver on my policy?
- Do they offer discounts for home and auto coverage?
If you can’t answer these questions, you may need to chat with an insurance agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, simply complete this short form or go to this page to view a list of companies. It’s fast, doesn’t cost anything and may give you better protection.
More quotes mean more car insurance savings
In this article, we presented many ideas to find cheaper Ford Escape insurance in Kansas City. The key concept to understand is the more price quotes you have, the higher your chance of finding cheaper Kansas City car insurance quotes. You may even be surprised to find that the lowest premium rates are with a smaller regional carrier. These companies may often insure only within specific states and give better rates compared to the large companies like GEICO and State Farm.
Budget-conscious Ford Escape insurance is possible on the web and also from your neighborhood Kansas City agents, so you should be comparing quotes from both in order to have the best chance of saving money. There are still a few companies who do not offer rate quotes online and many times these smaller providers prefer to sell through independent insurance agencies.
Additional detailed information is located by following these links:
- Understanding Limits and Deductibles (Allstate)
- How Much is Auto Insurance for a Ford F-150 in Kansas City? (FAQ)
- Who Has Cheap Auto Insurance Quotes for Business Use in Kansas City? (FAQ)
- How Much are Auto Insurance Quotes for a Toyota Corolla in Kansas City? (FAQ)
- Your Car has been Stolen: Now What? (Allstate)
- Car Insurance for Teen Drivers with Divorced Parents (Allstate)
- Car Insurance: When not to Skimp (BankRate.com)
- Insurance Losses by Make and Model (iihs.org)