It’s a known fact that car insurance companies don’t want you to compare rates. Drivers who shop for lower prices will presumably switch auto insurance companies because they stand a good chance of finding a policy with more affordable rates. A recent survey discovered that consumers who made a habit of comparing rate quotes saved about $3,450 over four years as compared to drivers who didn’t regularly shop around.
If finding the cheapest rates on car insurance is your intention, then having an understanding of the best way to quote and compare car insurance can make shopping around easier.
To save the most money, the best way to get budget Lincoln MKZ insurance is to compare quotes once a year from different companies who provide car insurance in Las Vegas.
- Step 1: Get a basic knowledge of how companies set rates and the factors you can control to keep rates in check. Many risk factors that result in higher prices like distracted driving and a less-than-favorable credit history can be eliminated by making small lifestyle or driving habit changes. Read the full article for additional ideas to help keep prices low and get bigger discounts.
- Step 2: Get rate quotes from direct carriers, independent agents, and exclusive agents. Direct and exclusive agents can only provide price estimates from a single company like GEICO and Allstate, while independent agencies can provide price quotes from multiple sources.
- Step 3: Compare the new rate quotes to the premium of your current policy to see if you can save by switching companies. If you find a lower rate quote and switch companies, make sure there is no lapse between the expiration of your current policy and the new one.
- Step 4: Notify your current company to cancel the current policy and submit a down payment and signed policy application to your new company or agent. Once coverage is bound, put the new proof of insurance paperwork in a readily accessible location in your vehicle.
A crucial key to this process is to compare identical coverages on each quote and and to get price quotes from all possible companies. Doing this guarantees a fair rate comparison and many rates to choose from.
Best companies for Lincoln MKZ insurance
The companies shown below are ready to provide free rate quotes in Nevada. If multiple companies are listed, we recommend you get rate quotes from several of them in order to find the most affordable rates.
Lincoln MKZ insurance statistics and information
The data table below highlights a range of coverage costs for Lincoln MKZ models. Learning a little about how auto insurance prices are figured is important for drivers to make informed decisions.
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MKZ 4-Dr Sedan | $258 | $636 | $366 | $22 | $110 | $1,392 | $116 |
MKZ AWD 4-Dr Sedan | $258 | $636 | $366 | $22 | $110 | $1,392 | $116 |
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Table data represents married female driver age 40, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $100 deductibles, and Nevada minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include homeowner, multi-policy, claim-free, multi-vehicle, and safe-driver. Estimates do not factor in specific Las Vegas garaging location which can modify rates greatly.
Policy deductibles
When shopping for insurance, a common question is which deductible level should you buy. The rates below can help illustrate the rate fluctuation when you choose different policy deductibles. The first rate estimation uses a $250 deductible for comp and collision and the second price table uses a $1,000 deductible.
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MKZ 4-Dr Sedan | $268 | $544 | $348 | $20 | $104 | $1,309 | $109 |
MKZ AWD 4-Dr Sedan | $268 | $544 | $348 | $20 | $104 | $1,309 | $109 |
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Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MKZ 4-Dr Sedan | $166 | $342 | $348 | $20 | $104 | $980 | $82 |
MKZ AWD 4-Dr Sedan | $166 | $342 | $348 | $20 | $104 | $980 | $82 |
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Table data represents married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and Nevada minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include claim-free, safe-driver, multi-vehicle, multi-policy, and homeowner. Information does not factor in specific zip code location which can modify premiums noticeably.
Based on this data, using a $250 deductible costs roughly $27 more each month or $324 for a full year than opting for the higher $1,000 deductible. Because you would be required to pay $750 more if you turn in a claim with a $1,000 deductible as compared to a $250 deductible, if you have at least 28 months between claims, you would most likely save money if you opt for a higher deductible.
How to determine when to raise your deductibles
Average monthly premium for $250 deductibles: | $109 |
Average monthly premium for $1,000 deductibles (subtract): | – $82 |
Monthly savings from raising deductible: | $27 |
Difference between deductibles ($1,000 – $250): | $750 |
Divide difference by monthly savings: | $750 / $27 |
Number of months required between physical damage coverage claims in order to save money by choosing the higher deductible | 28 months |
Difference between full coverage and liability only rates
The example below illustrates the comparison of Lincoln MKZ insurance prices with liability coverage only compared to full coverage. The premiums assume no claims, a clean driving record, $250 deductibles, drivers are single, and no discounts are applied to the premium.
When to buy liability coverage only
There is no written rule for dropping physical damage insurance, but there is a general guideline. If the annual cost of coverage is 10% or more of the vehicle’s replacement cost less your deductible, then it could be time to drop full coverage.
For example, let’s assume your Lincoln MKZ replacement value is $3,000 and you have $1,000 policy deductibles. If your vehicle is severely damaged, the most your company will settle for is $2,000 after you pay the deductible. If you are paying over $200 annually for full coverage, then it may be the right time to buy liability only.
There are some scenarios where buying only liability insurance is not in your best interest. If you haven’t satisfied your loan, you have to maintain full coverage to satisfy the loan requirements. Also, if you cannot afford to purchase a different vehicle if your current one is damaged, you should not eliminate full coverage.
Find Lower-cost Auto Insurance with These Tips
Many things are part of the calculation when you quote your car insurance policy. A few of the factors are predictable like an MVR report, although some other factors are less apparent like your vehicle usage or how safe your car is. A large part of saving on auto insurance is knowing a few of the rating criteria that are used to determine your premiums. If you have some idea of what determines base rates, this allows you to make educated decisions that could help you find better auto insurance rates.
Add-on coverages can cost a lot – Insurance companies have many extra add-on coverages that you can buy but may not be useful. Add-on coverages like personal injury protection, towing coverage, and term life insurance are probably not needed. They may seem like a good idea when you first buy your policy, but now you might not need them so remove them from your policy.
High physical damage deductibles reduce prices – Comprehensive and collision coverage deductibles define how much you are required to spend if a claim is determined to be covered. Physical damage protection, also called ‘full coverage’, insures against damage to your car. Some coverage claims could be a windshield broken by a bird, fire damage, and damage from wind. The more you are required to pay out-of-pocket, the better rate you will receive.
Stay claim-free and reduce premiums – Car insurance companies in Nevada give the lowest premiums to policyholders who only file infrequent claims. If you are the type of insured that files lots of claims you can definitely plan on higher rates. Insurance coverage is meant to be used in the event of larger claims.
Tickets drive up prices – Even a single speeding ticket or other violation may increase your cost forty percent or more. Drivers with clean records tend to pay less for car insurance than people who have multiple driving citations. Drivers who have received serious violations such as DUI, reckless driving or excessive speeding may find that they have to to complete a SR-22 with their state’s department of motor vehicles in order to continue driving.
The diagram below shows how traffic citations and at-fault claims can drive up Lincoln MKZ yearly insurance costs for each age group. The price estimates are based on a married male driver, full coverage, $100 deductibles, and no discounts are taken into consideration.
Bad credit hurts insurance prices – Your credit rating is a large factor in your rate calculation. If your credit history can use some improvement, you could potentially save money when insuring your Lincoln MKZ by repairing your credit. Drivers who have very good credit scores tend to file fewer claims and have better driving records than drivers with worse credit.
You might get higher rates if you are single – Being married can actually save you money on your auto insurance policy. Having a spouse may mean you are more mature and responsible and statistics prove married drivers tend to have fewer serious accidents.
Rates can be impacted by your job – Careers such as judges, executives, and financial analysts usually pay the highest rates due to intense work requirements and lots of time spent away from family. On the other hand, professions such as actors, historians and retirees get better rates.
Insurance costs are higher for high performance vehicles – The make and model of the vehicle you own makes a substantial difference in determining your rates. The lowest premiums tend to be for lower cost passenger vehicles, but your final cost has many other factors.
The following chart uses these variables: married male driver age 50, full coverage with $100 deductibles, and no discounts or violations. It shows Lincoln MKZ insurance rates compared to other vehicles that have a range of performance risks.
Loss probability for a Lincoln MKZ – Auto insurance companies study historical loss data when they set coverage costs for each model. Vehicles that statistically have higher frequency or amount of claims will be charged more to insure. The table below demonstrates the actual insurance loss data for Lincoln MKZ vehicles.
For each type of coverage, the claim probability for all vehicles, regardless of manufacturer or model, is represented as 100. Values that are below 100 suggest a better than average loss history, while values that are 100 or greater point to more frequent losses or an increased probability of a larger loss.
Vehicle Make and Model | Collision | Property Damage | Comp | Personal Injury | Medical Payment | Bodily Injury |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lincoln MKZ 4dr 2WD | 137 | 85 | 107 | 95 | 89 | 75 |
Lincoln MKZ 4dr 4WD | 140 | 82 | 126 | 99 | ||
Lincoln MKZ Hybrid 4dr | 148 | 84 | 100 | 74 | 82 | 76 |
Empty fields indicate not enough data collected
Statistics Source: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for 2013-2015 Model Years
Discounts mean cheaper rates for Lincoln MKZ insurance in Las Vegas
Insurance can cost an arm and a leg, but there are discounts available to cut the cost considerably. Certain reductions will be credited at the time of quoting, but a few need to be asked for before they will apply.
- Good Student – Getting good grades can be rewarded with saving of up to 25%. Most companies allow this discount well after school through age 25.
- Full Payment Discount – By paying your policy upfront instead of making monthly payments you may have a lower total premium amount.
- Senior Discount – Drivers that qualify as senior citizens could receive reduced rates.
- Own a Home – Simply owning a home may trigger a policy discount on insurance since owning and maintaining a home requires a higher level of personal finance.
- Early Switch Discount – A few companies give discounts for switching to them before your current coverage expires. This can save 10% or more.
- One Accident Forgiven – This one is not really a discount per se, but a few companies such as GEICO and Liberty Mutual will let one accident slide before raising your premiums with the catch being you have to be claim-free before the accident.
- Low Miles Discount – Driving less could qualify for cheaper premium rates.
- Club Memberships – Joining certain professional organizations could qualify you for a break on your next insurance statement.
Discounts save money, but please remember that most of the big mark downs will not be given to all coverage premiums. Most only cut individual premiums such as liability and collision coverage. Just because you may think you could get a free insurance policy, it’s just not the way it works.
The example below shows the comparison of Lincoln MKZ yearly insurance costs with and without discounts applied. The information is based on a female driver, a clean driving record, no at-fault accidents, Nevada state minimum liability limits, full coverage, and $250 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with marriage, homeowner, safe-driver, multi-car, claim-free, and multi-policy discounts applied.
To view insurance companies that provide some of the discounts listed above in Las Vegas, click here.
When to have guidance from an agent
Some consumers would rather get professional advice from a licensed agent and doing so can bring peace of mind Experienced insurance agents can help you choose the best coverages and help you file claims. An additional benefit of comparing insurance prices online is you can get cheap auto insurance rates and still have an agent to talk to.
Once you complete this simple form, the quote information is sent to agents in your area who will give you quotes to get your business. You won’t even need to find an agent on your own as quotes are delivered immediately to you. In the event you want to get a comparison quote from a specific insurance company, you would need to jump over to their website and complete a quote there.
Choosing the best company requires more thought than just a low price. Here are some questions to ask:
- Does the agency have a current Errors and Omissions policy?
- Will your rates increase after a single accident?
- Do the agents have professional certifications like CPCU or CIC?
- If they are an independent agency in Las Vegas, which companies do they recommend?
- Does the company have a solid financial rating?
Exclusive and independent Las Vegas car insurance agents
If you are searching for a local Las Vegas insurance agent, you should know the types of insurance agents and how they can write your policy. Auto insurance policy providers can either be exclusive or independent agents depending on their company appointments. Either type can handle auto insurance, but it’s worth mentioning the subtle differences since it could factor into which agent you choose.
Exclusive Agencies
Exclusive agencies write business for a single company like Allstate and State Farm. These agents are not able to give you multiple price quotes so you need to shop around if the rates are high. Exclusive agents are usually quite knowledgeable in insurance sales which helps them sell on service rather than price.
Listed below are exclusive insurance agents in Las Vegas who may provide you with price quotes.
State Farm Insurance: Nancy Kim
2213 Paradise Rd – Las Vegas, NV 89104 – (702) 685-4888 – View Map
GEICO Insurance Agent
3315 W Craig Rd #110 – North Las Vegas, NV 89032 – (702) 643-0057 – View Map
Tom Ferrier – State Farm Insurance Agent
7528 Westcliff Dr – Las Vegas, NV 89145 – (702) 255-7770 – View Map
Independent Agents
Agents of this type often have affiliation with several companies so they have the ability to put coverage through lots of different companies and help determine which has the cheapest rates. If you are not satisfied with one company, they simply switch companies in-house and you don’t have to do anything. If you need lower rates, you absolutely need to compare quotes from independent agents so that you can do a thorough price comparison.
Listed below are independent insurance agents in Las Vegas willing to provide price quote information.
A Dependable Insurance Agency
7150 N Durango Dr #130 – Las Vegas, NV 89149 – (702) 880-9000 – View Map
Safeguard Insurance LLC
5225 S Durango Dr – Las Vegas, NV 89113 – (702) 638-0022 – View Map
Superior Insurance
2511 Stewart Ave – Las Vegas, NV 89101 – (702) 721-7575 – View Map
Do I just need basic coverages?
When it comes to buying the right insurance coverage for your vehicles, there is no cookie cutter policy. Everyone’s situation is a little different and your auto insurance should be unique as well.
Here are some questions about coverages that could help you determine if your situation might need an agent’s assistance.
- Are rock chip repairs covered?
- Should I buy only the required Nevada minimum liability coverage?
- Is a driver training discount available?
- Does my liability insurance cover pulling a trailer or camper?
- Are rock-chip repairs free?
- Is a fancy paint job covered?
If it’s difficult to answer those questions, then you may want to think about talking to an agent. If you don’t have a local agent, take a second and complete this form or click here for a list of auto insurance companies in your area. It’s fast, doesn’t cost anything and may give you better protection.
More comparisons equals cheaper rates
A few companies don’t offer online rate quotes and usually these small insurance companies prefer to sell through independent insurance agencies. Affordable Lincoln MKZ insurance in Las Vegas can be bought from both online companies in addition to many Las Vegas insurance agents, so you need to compare both to get a complete price analysis.
We just covered some good ideas how to get a better price on Lincoln MKZ insurance in Las Vegas. It’s most important to understand that the more rate comparisons you have, the better your comparison will be. Drivers may even discover the best price on car insurance is with the smaller companies. These companies may cover specific market segments cheaper as compared to the big name companies such as Allstate or State Farm.
Additional car insurance information is available on the following sites:
- What to do at the Scene of an Accident (Insurance Information Institute)
- How Much is Car Insurance for Lyft Drivers in Las Vegas? (FAQ)
- Who Has the Cheapest Car Insurance Rates for a Dodge Ram in Las Vegas? (FAQ)
- Where can I buy Insurance? (Insurance Information Institute)
- Reducing Your Risks in a Car Crash Video (iihs.org)
- How to Avoid Buying a Flooded Car (Insurance Information Institute)
- Safe Vehicles for Teens (iihs.org)