If you want to save money, the best way to get more affordable Mercury Mariner insurance in Fort Wayne is to start doing an annual price comparison from insurance carriers in Indiana.
- It will benefit you to learn about how insurance companies determine prices and the things you can control to prevent expensive coverage. Many factors that increase rates such as inattentive driving and a bad credit score can be amended by making minor driving habit or lifestyle changes. Read the full article for tips to get low prices and get additional discounts that may be available.
- Request price quotes from direct carriers, independent agents, and exclusive agents. Direct companies and exclusive agencies can only provide price estimates from one company like Progressive or Allstate, while agents who are independent can provide rate quotes from multiple companies. Find a Fort Wayne insurance agent
- Compare the new rates to your current policy to see if switching to a new carrier will save money. If you find better rates, make sure coverage is continuous and does not lapse.
A tip to remember is to try to compare the same physical damage deductibles and liability limits on every quote and to quote with as many companies as possible. Doing this helps ensure a fair rate comparison and the best rate selection.
It’s safe to assume that insurance companies want to keep you from shopping around. Insureds who compare rates at least once a year will most likely switch companies because there is a great chance of finding lower rate quotes. Remarkably, a study showed that drivers who regularly compared rates saved over $3,450 over four years compared to people who never shopped around for lower prices.
If finding the cheapest price for Mercury Mariner insurance is the reason for your visit, then knowing the best way to quote and compare insurance rates can help make the process easier.
The goal of this article is to instruct you on the best methods to compare rates and some money-saving tips. If you already have coverage, you should be able to shop for the lowest rates using this information. Smart shoppers just have to know the best way to buy insurance from multiple carriers.
Finding a better price on insurance is not rocket science. The only requirement is to spend a few minutes on the computer comparing rate quotes to find out which insurance company has affordable Fort Wayne auto insurance quotes.
Doing online price quotes comparisons is so easy that it makes it obsolete to drive to each insurance agency near you. Comparing online rate quotes eliminates the middleman unless you require the professional advice that you can only get from talking to an agent. Drivers can comparison shop your insurance online but still have the advice of a local agent.
The companies in the list below provide quotes in Fort Wayne, IN. To buy the best auto insurance in Indiana, we recommend you visit two to three different companies in order to get a fair rate comparison.
Coverage statistics and figures
The premium table shown next outlines different insurance prices for Mercury Mariner models. Being able to understand how car insurance prices are figured is important to be able to make smart choices when buying a car insurance policy.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mariner 2WD | $186 | $294 | $270 | $16 | $80 | $846 | $71 |
| Mariner Premier 2WD | $186 | $358 | $270 | $16 | $80 | $910 | $76 |
| Mariner AWD | $186 | $358 | $270 | $16 | $80 | $910 | $76 |
| Mariner Hybrid 2WD | $186 | $422 | $318 | $18 | $94 | $1,038 | $87 |
| Mariner Premier AWD | $210 | $358 | $270 | $16 | $80 | $934 | $78 |
| Mariner Hybrid AWD | $210 | $422 | $318 | $18 | $94 | $1,062 | $89 |
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Prices above based on single female driver age 50, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $250 deductibles, and Indiana minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include safe-driver, multi-vehicle, multi-policy, homeowner, and claim-free. Premium costs do not factor in specific Fort Wayne garaging location which can impact premium rates greatly.
An analysis of deductible level
One of the most common insurance questions is what deductibles to buy. The tables below may help to conceptualize the rate fluctuation when you select higher and lower comp and collision deductibles. The first set of rates uses a $100 comprehensive and collision deductible and the second rate table uses a $1,000 deductible.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mariner 2WD | $242 | $358 | $238 | $14 | $72 | $949 | $79 |
| Mariner Premier 2WD | $242 | $436 | $238 | $14 | $72 | $1,027 | $86 |
| Mariner AWD | $242 | $436 | $238 | $14 | $72 | $1,027 | $86 |
| Mariner Hybrid 2WD | $242 | $514 | $280 | $16 | $84 | $1,161 | $97 |
| Mariner Premier AWD | $272 | $436 | $238 | $14 | $72 | $1,057 | $88 |
| Mariner Hybrid AWD | $272 | $514 | $280 | $16 | $84 | $1,191 | $99 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mariner 2WD | $134 | $188 | $238 | $14 | $72 | $646 | $54 |
| Mariner Premier 2WD | $134 | $230 | $238 | $14 | $72 | $688 | $57 |
| Mariner AWD | $134 | $230 | $238 | $14 | $72 | $688 | $57 |
| Mariner Hybrid 2WD | $134 | $270 | $280 | $16 | $84 | $784 | $65 |
| Mariner Premier AWD | $152 | $230 | $238 | $14 | $72 | $706 | $59 |
| Mariner Hybrid AWD | $152 | $270 | $280 | $16 | $84 | $802 | $67 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
Cost estimates assume married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and Indiana minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-vehicle, claim-free, multi-policy, homeowner, and safe-driver. Estimates do not factor in your specific Fort Wayne location which can modify coverage prices noticeably.
Using the premium rates above, we can conclude that using a $100 deductible costs roughly $29 more each month or $348 for a full year than choosing the higher $1,000 deductible. Because you would pay $900 more to file a claim with a $1,000 deductible as compared to a $100 deductible, if you tend to have more than 31 months between claim filings, you would save more money going with the higher deductible.
How to calculate deductible break even point
| Average monthly premium for $100 deductibles: | $89 |
| Average monthly premium for $1,000 deductibles (subtract): | – $60 |
| Monthly savings from raising deductible: | $29 |
| Difference between deductibles ($1,000 – $100): | $900 |
| Divide difference by monthly savings: | $900 / $29 |
| Number of months required between physical damage coverage claims in order to save money by choosing the higher deductible | 31 months |
The illustration below highlights how deductible choice and can increase or decrease Mercury Mariner yearly insurance costs for each age group. The rate quotes are based on a married male driver, full physical damage coverage, and no discounts are factored in.
Full coverage rates vs. liability-only in Fort Wayne
The example below illustrates the comparison of Mercury Mariner auto insurance costs with full physical damage coverage compared to only buying the minimum liability limits required in Indiana. The costs are based on a clean driving record, no at-fault accidents, $250 deductibles, drivers are single, and no discounts are taken into consideration.
When to drop comprehensive and collision coverage
There is no specific rule that works best for making the decision to drop full coverage on your policy, but there is a general convention. If the annual cost of having full coverage is more than 10% of the vehicle’s replacement cost less your deductible, then it may be the right time to buy liability only.
For example, let’s assume your Mercury Mariner book value is $4,000 and you have $1,000 deductibles. If your vehicle is totaled, the most your company will settle for is $3,000 after paying your policy deductible. If premiums are more than $300 a year for your policy with full coverage, then it might be time to consider dropping full coverage.
There are some situations where only buying liability is not a good plan. If you have an outstanding loan on your vehicle, you are required to maintain full coverage in order to keep the loan. Also, if your savings is not enough to buy a different vehicle in case of an accident, you should not consider dropping full coverage.
Here’s why insurance is not optional
Despite the high insurance cost for a Mercury Mariner in Fort Wayne, buying insurance is required in Indiana but it also protects you in many ways.
First, most states have mandatory insurance requirements which means it is punishable by state law to not carry a specific level of liability protection in order to license the vehicle. In Indiana 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 bought your Mercury Mariner with a loan, more than likely the lender will require you to carry insurance to ensure they get paid if you total the vehicle. If the policy lapses, the bank or lender will purchase a policy for your Mercury at a more expensive rate and require you to reimburse them the higher price.
Third, insurance preserves both your vehicle and your assets. It will also cover medical transport and hospital expenses incurred in an accident. One policy coverage, liability insurance, will also pay for a defense attorney if you are named as a defendant in an auto accident. If your car is damaged in a storm or accident, your policy will cover the repair costs.
The benefits of carrying enough insurance definitely exceed the price paid, particularly if you ever have a claim. Unknowingly, the average driver is currently overpaying as much as $700 annually so compare rates at every renewal to help ensure money is not being wasted.
You Can Change Your Insurance Rates
Lots of factors are taken into consideration when you get a price on insurance. A few of the factors are predictable like an MVR report, although some other factors are not as apparent such as whether you are married or your vehicle rating. The best way to find cheaper insurance is to take a look at some of the factors that come into play when calculating your premiums. If you have some idea of what impacts premium levels, this allows you to make educated decisions that may result in lower insurance prices.
The items below are some of the factors companies use to determine prices.
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Insurance rates and driver gender – Over time, data shows females are less aggressive when driving. That doesn’t necessarily mean that women are better drivers. Both sexes are responsible for auto accidents at a similar rate, but men cause more damage. Men also tend to receive more costly citations such as DWI and reckless driving. Youthful male drivers tend to get in the most accidents and are penalized with high insurance rates.
The chart below compares Mercury Mariner annual premium costs for male and female drivers. The costs are based on no accidents or driving violations, comprehensive and collision coverage, $1,000 deductibles, drivers are not married, and no policy discounts are applied.
- Always keep your coverage in force – Having a gap between insurance policy dates will be a sure-fire way to bump up your insurance costs. And not only will your rates increase, the inability to provide proof of insurance may result in a fine, jail time, or a revoked license.
- Your liability coverage limits – Your insurance policy’s liability coverage will protect you when you are found to be at fault for causing personal injury or damage in an accident. Your policy’s liability insurance provides for a legal defense to defend your case. Liability insurance is pretty cheap as compared to coverage for physical damage, so drivers should buy more than the minimum limits required by law.
- High claims frequency drives up prices – If you are the type of insured that files lots of claims you shouldn’t be surprised to get increased rates or even have your policy non-renewed. Auto insurance companies in Indiana give the best rates to people who are not frequent claim filers. Insurance coverage is intended for more catastrophic claims.
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Youthful drivers pay higher premiums – Inexperience drivers are proven to be easily distracted with other occupants in the car so insurance rates are higher. Older people are shown to be more cautious, tend to file fewer claims, and get fewer tickets.
The following chart uses these variables: single driver, full coverage with $500 deductibles, and no discounts or violations.
- Big city or small town – Residing in smaller towns and rural areas of the country has definite advantages when it comes to insurance. People who live in big cities tend to have more road rage incidents and longer commutes to work. Fewer people corresponds to lower accident rates.
- Optional features that cut rates – Owning a car with a theft deterrent system can help lower your rates. Theft prevention features like vehicle immobilizer systems, OnStar, and tracking devices like LoJack can help prevent your vehicle from being stolen.
- Infrequent drivers can save – The more you drive your Mercury in a year the more it will cost to insure it. Most companies apply a rate based on how the vehicle is used. Vehicles that do not get driven very much can be on a lower rate level than those that get driven frequently. An incorrectly rated Mariner may be costing you higher rates. It’s always a good idea to double check that your insurance declarations sheet correctly shows the right rating data, because it can save money.
Best car insurance company in Fort Wayne
Ending up with a high-quality insurance company can be difficult considering how many companies sell coverage in Fort Wayne. The company rank data shown below can help you pick which car insurance companies to look at comparing rates from.
| Company | Value | Customer Service | Claims | Customer Satisfaction | A.M Best Rating | Overall Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USAA | 99 | 100 | 90 | 92% | A++ | 97.4 |
| 21st Century | 89 | 86 | 100 | 88% | A | 92.7 |
| GEICO | 97 | 91 | 88 | 85% | A++ | 92.5 |
| Nationwide | 88 | 94 | 91 | 88% | A+ | 91.3 |
| AAA Insurance | 93 | 87 | 88 | 87% | A | 90.8 |
| Liberty Mutual | 91 | 91 | 92 | 87% | A | 90.7 |
| Safeco Insurance | 90 | 93 | 88 | 86% | A | 90.2 |
| State Farm | 91 | 94 | 80 | 88% | A++ | 90.2 |
| Travelers | 89 | 91 | 94 | 79% | A++ | 90.1 |
| American Family | 88 | 92 | 83 | 88% | A | 89.4 |
| Titan Insurance | 89 | 91 | 83 | 86% | A+ | 89.3 |
| Allstate | 90 | 90 | 84 | 85% | A+ | 89.1 |
| Progressive | 83 | 85 | 99 | 87% | A+ | 88.7 |
| Erie Insurance | 92 | 90 | 82 | 88% | A+ | 88.5 |
| The Hartford | 87 | 89 | 84 | 87% | A+ | 88 |
| Esurance | 84 | 88 | 85 | 83% | A+ | 86 |
| Farmers Insurance | 79 | 88 | 84 | 87% | A | 84.7 |
| The General | 88 | 80 | 85 | 80% | A- | 84.5 |
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Data Source: Insure.com Best Car Insurance Companies
Persistence will pay off
You just read many ways to save on Mercury Mariner insurance in Fort Wayne. The key concept to understand is the more quotes you get, the more likely it is that you will get a better rate. Consumers may even find the lowest premium rates come from a small local company. They can often provide lower prices in certain areas compared to the large companies like Progressive or GEICO.
As you restructure your insurance plan, it’s a bad idea to buy poor coverage just to save money. In many instances, an accident victim reduced full coverage and discovered at claim time that the few dollars in savings costed them thousands. Your objective should be to get the best coverage possible at an affordable rate but still have enough coverage for asset protection.
Cost effective Mercury Mariner insurance can be sourced on the web and with local Fort Wayne insurance agents, so you need to shop Fort Wayne auto insurance with both in order to have the best chance of saving money. There are still a few companies who don’t offer online quoting and these smaller providers provide coverage only through independent insurance agents.
To learn more, feel free to visit the articles below:
- How to shop for a safer car (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)
- Who Has the Cheapest Auto Insurance for 18 Year Olds in Fort Wayne? (FAQ)
- What Insurance is Cheapest for a Chevrolet Equinox in Fort Wayne? (FAQ)
- Who Has Affordable Fort Wayne Auto Insurance for Low Income Drivers? (FAQ)
- Who Has the Cheapest Car Insurance for Teachers in Fort Wayne? (FAQ)
- Liability Insurance Coverage (Nationwide)
- Parking Tips to Reduce Door Dings (State Farm)