Would you like to buy more competitive Ford Flex insurance in Austin? Tired of paying out the nose to keep your car insured? You are no different than most other vehicle owners in Texas.
Astonishing but true, almost 70% of drivers kept buying from the same company for at least four years, and virtually 40% of consumers have never shopped around. Many consumers in Austin could cut their rates by $1,800 a year just by comparing rates, but most undervalue how much money they would save if they changed companies.
Vehicle owners have so many auto insurance companies to choose from, and although it’s nice to have multiple companies, lots of choices makes it harder to find the best rates for your vehicles.
Choosing the most cost-effective auto insurance policy in Austin is actually quite simple. Practically every driver who is required by state law to have auto insurance will most likely get better rates. But Texas vehicle owners must know how companies market insurance on the web because rates are impacted by many factors.
When comparison shopping, more quotes provides better odds of finding lower pricing. Some insurance companies are not set up to provide online rate quotes, so you need to compare rates from them as well.
The providers in the list below offer free quotes in Texas. If several companies are displayed, we suggest you compare several of them in order to get a fair rate comparison.
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Flex SE 2WD | $410 | $728 | $514 | $30 | $154 | $1,836 | $153 |
Flex SEL 2WD | $232 | $462 | $400 | $24 | $120 | $1,238 | $103 |
Flex SEL AWD | $222 | $360 | $388 | $24 | $116 | $1,110 | $93 |
Flex Limited 2WD | $470 | $698 | $500 | $30 | $150 | $1,848 | $154 |
Flex Limited AWD | $318 | $572 | $430 | $26 | $128 | $1,474 | $123 |
Get Your Own Custom Quote Go |
Table data assumes single female driver age 50, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $250 deductibles, and Texas minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-vehicle, homeowner, safe-driver, claim-free, and multi-policy. Premium amounts do not factor in garaging location in Austin which can change premiums considerably.
Males versus Females
The diagram below illustrates the comparison of Ford Flex insurance premiums for male and female drivers. The rates are based on no driving violations, no at-fault accidents, comp and collision included, $1,000 deductibles, single marital status, and no discounts are taken into consideration.
Should you raise deductibles?
One common question asked by Austin drivers is where to set your physical damage deductibles. The figures shown below help summarize how much more you’ll pay when you select higher and lower physical damage deductibles. The first price estimate table uses a $250 physical damage coverage deductible and the second rate table uses a $500 deductible.
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Flex SE 2WD | $332 | $496 | $382 | $22 | $114 | $1,371 | $114 |
Flex SEL 2WD | $332 | $584 | $382 | $22 | $114 | $1,459 | $122 |
Flex SEL AWD | $370 | $584 | $382 | $22 | $114 | $1,497 | $125 |
Flex Limited 2WD | $370 | $584 | $382 | $22 | $114 | $1,497 | $125 |
Flex Limited AWD | $370 | $584 | $382 | $22 | $114 | $1,497 | $125 |
Get Your Own Custom Quote Go |
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Flex SE 2WD | $270 | $400 | $382 | $22 | $114 | $1,188 | $99 |
Flex SEL 2WD | $270 | $472 | $382 | $22 | $114 | $1,260 | $105 |
Flex SEL AWD | $300 | $472 | $382 | $22 | $114 | $1,290 | $108 |
Flex Limited 2WD | $300 | $472 | $382 | $22 | $114 | $1,290 | $108 |
Flex Limited AWD | $300 | $472 | $382 | $22 | $114 | $1,290 | $108 |
Get Your Own Custom Quote Go |
Prices based on married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and Texas minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-policy, safe-driver, homeowner, claim-free, and multi-vehicle. Premium amounts do not factor in the specific area where the vehicle is garaged which can raise or lower coverage prices significantly.
We can estimate from the data above that using a $250 deductible will cost you approximately $16 more each month or $192 annually than opting for the higher $500 deductible. Because you would pay $250 more out of your own pocket with a $500 deductible as compared to a $250 deductible, if you average more than 16 months between claim filings, you would save more money if you decide on a higher deductible. The numbers below show how this decision is made.
Average monthly premium for $250 deductibles: | $122 |
Average monthly premium for $500 deductibles (subtract): | – $106 |
Monthly savings from raising deductible: | $16 |
Difference between deductibles ($500 – $250): | $250 |
Divide difference by monthly savings: | $250 / $16 |
Number of months required between physical damage coverage claims in order to save money by choosing the higher deductible | 16 months |
An important thing to remember is that a higher deductible means you will have to pay more out-of-pocket when you have a comprehensive or collision claim. You need to make sure you have some extra savings in the event you need to pay the higher deductible in order to repair your vehicle.
Ford Flex full coverage rates compared to liability only
The example below illustrates the difference between Ford Flex insurance costs when comparing full coverage to state minimum liability only. Data assumes no claims, a clean driving record, $500 deductibles, married female driver, and no discounts are applied.
Should you buy full coverage or liability only?
There is no exact rule of when to phase out physical damage coverage, but there is a broad guideline. If the annual cost of your full coverage insurance is about 10% or more of replacement cost minus your deductible, then you may need to consider dropping full coverage.
For example, let’s say your Ford Flex replacement cost is $3,000 and you have $1,000 policy deductibles. If your vehicle is damaged in an accident, the most you would receive is $2,000 after the deductible is paid. If premium cost is more than $200 a year for comprehensive and collision coverage, then it might be time to buy liability only.
There are some conditions where only buying liability is not recommended. If you haven’t paid off your loan, you are required to maintain full coverage as part of the loan requirements. Also, if you can’t afford to buy a different vehicle in the event your current vehicle is totaled, you should not eliminate full coverage.
Buying the right Ford Flex insurance in Texas is an important decision
Despite the high insurance cost for a Ford Flex in Austin, auto insurance is required for several reasons.
First, just about all states have compulsory liability insurance requirements which means you are required to buy a specific minimum amount of liability coverage if you don’t want to risk a ticket. In Texas these limits are 30/60/25 which means you must have $30,000 of bodily injury coverage per person, $60,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $25,000 of property damage coverage.
Second, if your Ford Flex has a loan, it’s guaranteed your bank will stipulate that you have full coverage to ensure the loan is repaid in case of a total loss. If you cancel or allow the policy to lapse, the bank may insure your Ford for a lot more money and force you to pay much more than you were paying before.
Third, auto insurance protects not only your Ford but also your financial assets. It will also reimburse you for medical expenses for both you and anyone you injure as the result of an accident. One of the most valuable coverages, liability insurance, also covers legal expenses if you cause an accident and are sued. If you have damage to your Ford as the result of the weather or an accident, comprehensive (other-than-collision) and collision coverage will pay to repair the damage.
The benefits of carrying enough insurance more than cancel out the cost, particularly for liability claims. According to a 2015 survey, the average American driver is overpaying over $820 a year so smart consumers compare quotes every year to ensure rates are inline.
Get Lower-cost Insurance Costs by Understanding These Factors
Many factors are considered when quoting car insurance. A few of the factors are predictable such as traffic violations, but other factors are more obscure like your continuous coverage or how safe your car is. A large part of saving on car insurance is knowing the rating factors that aid in calculating car insurance rates. When you understand what determines premiums, this empowers consumers to make smart changes that may reward you with better car insurance rates.
Shown below are just a few of the factors car insurance companies consider when setting your rates.
Females tend to be lower risk – Statistics show women are more cautious behind the wheel. Now that doesn’t mean men are worse drivers. Both genders tend to get into at-fault accidents in similar numbers, but males cause more damage and cost insurance companies more money. Men also tend to receive more costly citations such as DWI and reckless driving.
Alarm systems lower premiums – Choosing a vehicle with an alarm system can earn a premium discount. Advanced theft deterrents like tamper alarm systems, vehicle immobilizer technology and General Motors OnStar all hinder your car from being stolen.
See if your company offers a multi-policy discount – Most larger insurance companies apply better rates to people that have more than one policy in the form of a multi-policy discount. Discounts can be 10 percent or more. If you currently are using one company, you still need to get quotes from other companies to help guarantee you have the best rates.
Buy a safe car and pay less – Safer cars are cheaper to insure. The safest vehicles reduce the chance of injuries and lower injury rates means lower claim amounts and thus lower rates. If the Ford Flex earned at least four stars on Safercar.gov you may qualify for a discount.
Premiums and your address – Having an address in a small town has definite advantages when it comes to car insurance. Fewer drivers on the road corresponds to lower accident rates as well as less vandalism and auto theft. People who live in big cities have more aggressive driving styles and much longer commute distances. Longer commute distances means more chance of being in an accident.
Stay claim-free and lower car insurance rates – If you file a lot of claims you can expect much higher rates or policy non-renewal. Companies in Texas generally give the best rates to insureds who do not file claims often. Your car insurance is intended for the bigger claims that can’t be paid out-of-pocket.
High performance equals high prices – The make and model of the car, truck or SUV you need insurance for makes a significant difference in your car insurance bill. Since the Ford Flex is classified as a crossover, insurance will be slightly more when compared to the average rates in Austin. Lower cost passenger vehicles usually have the lowest premiums, but other factors influence the final cost greatly.
What are your physical damage deductibles? – The deductibles you choose define the amount you are willing to pay if a claim is determined to be covered. Insurance for physical damage, also known as collision and other-than-collision, is used to repair damage to your car. Examples of covered claims would be collision with another vehicle, fire damage, and damage caused by road hazards. The more of the claim you are required to pay out-of-pocket, the better rate you will receive.
Insurance loss data for a Ford Flex – Auto insurance companies analyze claim trends for every vehicle to calculate a price that will offset losses. Vehicles that historically have increased claim numbers or amounts will have higher rates for specific coverages.
The table below illustrates the historical loss data for Ford Flex vehicles. For each policy coverage type, the claim probability for all vehicles compiled together is represented as 100. Numbers below 100 represent a good loss history, while numbers that are greater than 100 indicate a higher chance of having a claim or a tendency for claims to be larger.
Auto Insurance Loss Data for Ford Flex Models
Specific Ford Model | Collision | Property Damage | Comp | Personal Injury | Medical Payment | Bodily Injury |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ford Flex 4dr 2WD | 89 | 84 | 107 | 91 | 100 | 87 |
Ford Flex 4dr 4WD | 105 | 84 | 119 | 77 | 79 | 75 |
Data Source: iihs.org (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) for 2013-2015 Model Years
Save money with these price cutting discounts
Insurance can be prohibitively expensive, but companies offer discounts that you may not even be aware of. Many discounts should be triggered at the time of purchase, but some may not be applied and must be specially asked for prior to getting the savings.
- Discounts for Good Drivers – Safe drivers can pay as much as 50% less compared to accident prone drivers.
- Low Mileage – Driving less may allow you to get substantially lower premium rates.
- Discounts for Seat Belt Usage – Buckling up and requiring all passengers to use a seat belt can save a little off the PIP or medical payment premium.
- Discounts for Federal Employees – Active or retired federal employment may reduce rates when you quote Austin auto insurance but check with your company.
- Data Collection Discounts – Austin drivers who agree to allow data collection to look at driving habits by using a telematics device in their vehicle such as Allstate’s Drivewise and State Farm’s In-Drive system could see a rate decrease if their driving habits are good.
- Multi-car Discount – Insuring multiple vehicles with one company can reduce the rates for all insured vehicles.
- ABS Braking Discount – Vehicles with ABS and/or traction control are much safer to drive so companies give up to a 10% discount.
Discounts reduce rates, but you should keep in mind that most discounts do not apply to all coverage premiums. The majority will only reduce individual premiums such as liability and collision coverage. Even though it may seem like all the discounts add up to a free policy, you won’t be that lucky.
A partial list of companies that possibly offer these discounts possibly include:
Check with each company or agent what discounts are available to you. Discounts might not be offered in every state.
Which is the best auto insurance?
When quoting and choosing the right insurance coverage for your vehicles, there really is no one size fits all plan. Your needs are unique to you.
Here are some questions about coverages that might point out if you would benefit from professional advice.
- Can I afford to pay high deductible claims out of pocket?
- Can my teen driver be rated on a liability-only vehicle?
- What is motorclub and do I need it?
- What discounts do I qualify for?
- Do I benefit by insuring my home with the same company?
- Am I covered if I hit someone who is not insured?
- I have a DUI can I still get coverage?
- Do I need replacement cost coverage on my Ford Flex?
- Should I rate my vehicle as business use?
If you don’t know the answers to these questions but a few of them apply then you might want to talk to a licensed insurance agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, simply complete this short form.
Car insurance agents can find coverage gaps
A small number of people prefer to buy from a local agent. One of the great benefits of getting free rate quotes online is you may find cheap rate quotes and also buy local.
To find an agent, once you fill out this short form, your coverage information is instantly submitted to insurance agents in Austin that can give you free Austin auto insurance quotes for your coverage. It’s much easier because you don’t need to find an agent on your own due to the fact that quote results will go immediately to you. You can find better rates and a licensed agent to work with. If you have a need to get a price quote for a specific company, feel free to search and find their rate quote page and give them your coverage information.
Choosing a company should depend on more than just a cheap price. The following questions are important to ask.
- How often do they review coverages?
- Does their agency support local causes in Austin?
- Will they give you a referral list?
- How will an accident affect your rates?
- Do they have cheaper tiers of coverage?
Austin auto insurance agents come in two flavors
If you need to find a local agent, there are two different types of agencies and how they operate. Insurance agencies in Austin can be described as either independent agents or exclusive agents.
Exclusive Insurance Agencies
Exclusive agents can only place business with one company like Farmers Insurance, State Farm, Allstate, and AAA. They generally cannot place coverage with different providers so you need to shop around if the rates are high. These agents are usually well trained on their company’s products which helps offset the inability to provide other markets.
Listed below is a list of exclusive agencies in Austin that can give you comparison quotes.
Karen Easterling – State Farm Insurance Agent
2711 W Anderson Ln #201 – Austin, TX 78757 – (512) 454-4784 – View Map
Allstate Insurance: Fleming and Conway Agency
3435 Greystone Dr Ste 107 – Austin, TX 78731 – (512) 345-0005 – View Map
Allstate Insurance: Homero Escobar
730 W Stassney Ln Ste 230 – Austin, TX 78745 – (512) 443-9598 – View Map
Independent Insurance Agents
Independent insurance agents are not limited to a single company so they can write business through many companies and get the cheapest rates. If you are not satisfied with one company, your agent can switch companies and that require little work on your part.
When comparing rate quotes, you absolutely need to compare quotes from a few independent agents to get the most accurate price comparison.
The following is a short list of independent agencies in Austin that are able to give rate quotes.
All Texas Insurance
6700 Middle Fiskville Rd # 303 – Austin, TX 78752 – (512) 459-7979 – View Map
Austin Insurance Group
9705 Burnet Rd #314 – Austin, TX 78758 – (512) 339-2901 – View Map
Stanley Insurance Agency
512 W Stassney Ln #113 – Austin, TX 78745 – (512) 445-5555 – View Map
After talking to the agent and getting answers to your satisfaction to all your questions and a good coverage price, most likely you have located an auto insurance agent that meets the requirements to properly insure your vehicles. But keep in mind you can always cancel your coverage at any time so don’t think that you’re stuck with a policy for the full policy term.
Insurance savings summarized
As you quote Austin auto insurance, it’s a bad idea to reduce coverage to reduce premium. There have been many cases where an insured dropped comprehensive coverage or liability limits and found out when filing a claim that the savings was not a smart move. Your aim should be to purchase a proper amount of coverage at the lowest possible cost but still have enough coverage for asset protection.
In this article, we presented a lot of tips how to reduce Ford Flex insurance rates online in Austin. The key thing to remember is the more providers you compare, the better chance you’ll have of finding inexpensive Austin auto insurance quotes. Consumers could even find that the best price on insurance is with a lesser-known regional company.
Consumers switch companies for a variety of reasons including extreme rates for teen drivers, being labeled a high risk driver, high rates after DUI convictions or policy non-renewal. It doesn’t matter why you want to switch choosing a new company is not as hard as you think.
More tips and info about insurance is available in these articles:
- State Car Insurance Guides (GEICO)
- Who Has Affordable Austin Auto Insurance for Drivers Requiring a SR22? (FAQ)
- Who Has Cheap Austin Car Insurance Rates for Uninsured Drivers? (FAQ)
- How Much are Austin Car Insurance Quotes for a Toyota Camry? (FAQ)
- Who Has the Cheapest Auto Insurance After a Speeding Ticket in Austin? (FAQ)
- Who Has the Cheapest Auto Insurance for Drivers with Bad Credit in Austin? (FAQ)
- What Auto Insurance is Cheapest for First-time Drivers in Austin? (FAQ)
- Who Has Cheap Car Insurance Quotes for a Honda Civic in Austin? (FAQ)
- Anti-Lock Brake FAQ (iihs.org)
- Preventing Carjacking and Theft (Insurance Information Institute)
- Collision Coverage (Liberty Mutual)
- Get the Right Protection (InsureUonline.org)