How to Compare Portland Mercury Mariner Insurance

A recent NerdWallet.com study revealed that a large majority of insurance policyholders have been with the same company for at least four years, and virtually 40% of consumers have never taken the time to shop around. The average driver in Portland could save an average of as much as $1,000 each year just by shopping around, but they don’t believe how much money they would save if they bought a different policy.

Truthfully, the best way to get low-cost Mercury Mariner insurance in Portland is to compare prices once a year from companies that insure vehicles in Oregon.

1. Get a basic knowledge of auto insurance and the things you can change to prevent expensive coverage. Many rating factors that drive up the price such as high-risk driving behaviors and an unacceptable credit score can be remedied by making minor changes to your lifestyle. Keep reading for information to keep prices down and get additional discounts.
2. Compare prices from exclusive agents, independent agents, and direct providers. Exclusive and direct companies can give quotes from a single company like Progressive or Farmers Insurance, while agents who are independent can quote rates for a wide range of companies. Click to view companies
3. Compare the new rate quotes to your current policy premium to see if a cheaper rate is available. If you find a lower rate and buy the policy, make sure there is no coverage gap between policies.

A crucial key to this process is to try to compare the same coverage limits and deductibles on every price quote and and to compare as many carriers as you can. This enables a fair rate comparison and a thorough price selection.

Lower rate quotes by applying discounts

Companies do not list all possible discounts in a way that’s easy to find, so we researched a few of the more well known and the more hidden discounts that may be available. If you check and find you aren’t receiving every discount you deserve, you may be paying too high a price.

• Defensive Driver Discount – Successfully completing a class that teaches safe driver techniques could save 5% or more and make you a better driver.
• Discount for Multiple Policies – If you can combine your auto and home policy and place coverage with the same company you could earn a discount of over 10 percent off each policy depending on the company.
• Discounts for New Vehicles – Insuring a vehicle that is new can save up to 30% since new model year vehicles are generally safer.
• Telematics Devices – Insureds that choose to allow their insurance company to analyze where and when they drive by using a telematics device in their vehicle like Allstate’s Drivewise may see discounts if they show good driving skills.
• Own a Home – Owning a house in Portland can earn you a little savings because of the fact that having a home requires a higher level of personal finance.
• First Accident Forgiveness – This one isn’t a discount, but certain companies may permit one accident without getting socked with a rate hike if you are claim-free for a specific time period.
• Online Discount – Some insurance companies will discount your bill up to fifty bucks for completing your application on their website.
• Pay Early and Save – By making one initial payment instead of paying each month you can avoid the installment charge.

Keep in mind that most discount credits are not given to the entire policy premium. The majority will only reduce individual premiums such as comprehensive or collision. Even though it appears having all the discounts means you get insurance for free, it’s just not the way it works.

The chart below illustrates the comparison of Mercury Mariner car insurance costs with and without discounts applied. The rates are based on a male driver, no claims, a clean driving record, Oregon state minimum liability limits, full physical damage coverage, and $1,000 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with safe-driver, multi-policy, multi-car, marriage, claim-free, and homeowner discounts applied.

Insurance companies that possibly offer these discounts include:

• American Family
• Nationwide
• MetLife
• 21st Century
• Farmers Insurance
• Allstate

When comparing rates, check with each company which credits you are entitled to. Discounts might not be offered in Portland. To see companies who offer free Mercury Mariner insurance quotes in Oregon, follow this link.

How to buy Mercury Mariner insurance in Portland, OR

When comparison shopping, quoting more helps locate more affordable insurance. Some companies don’t provide price estimates online, so it’s necessary to compare quotes from them as well.

The providers in the list below have been selected to offer free rate quotes in Portland, OR. If you want to find the best cheap car insurance in Portland, OR, it’s highly recommended you visit several of them to get a more complete price comparison.

Analysis of Mercury Mariner rates

The coverage table shown below showcases estimates of insurance costs for Mercury Mariner models. Having knowledge of how auto insurance premiums are determined is important to be able to make decisions when shopping your coverage around.

Data rating is based on married female driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $250 deductibles, and Oregon minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include homeowner, multi-vehicle, claim-free, multi-policy, and safe-driver. Price estimates do not factor in specific garaging location which can increase or decrease premium rates greatly.

Car insurance deductibles

One of the hardest decisions when shopping for car insurance is how low should you set your deductibles. The figures shown below determine how much more you’ll pay between high and low physical damage coverage deductibles. The first set of prices uses a $100 deductible and the second data table uses a $1,000 deductible.

Prices based on married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and Oregon minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include claim-free, homeowner, multi-policy, multi-vehicle, and safe-driver. Table data does not factor in specific location which can influence rates significantly.

Based on this data, we can arrive at the conclusion that using a $100 deductible will cost in the ballpark of $33 more each month or $396 for a full year averaged for all Mariner models than selecting the higher $1,000 deductible. Because you would pay $900 more out-of-pocket with a $1,000 deductible as compared to a $100 deductible, if you average at least 27 months between claim filings, you would save more money by going with a higher deductible.

The illustration below illustrates how your deductible choice and can increase or decrease Mercury Mariner insurance premiums for each different age category. The data is based on a married male driver, comprehensive and collision coverage, and no policy discounts are applied.

How accidents and violations affect rates

The illustration below demonstrates how citations and fender-benders drive up Mercury Mariner insurance prices for different age categories. The information is based on a single female driver, full physical damage coverage, $500 deductibles, and no discounts are taken into consideration.

Full coverage rates vs. liability-only in Portland

The example below compares Mercury Mariner yearly insurance costs with full coverage compared to only the Oregon minimum liability coverage. The data assumes no accidents, no driving violations, $500 deductibles, single status, and no policy discounts are applied.

When to stop buying physical damage coverage

There is no set guideline for excluding full coverage on your policy, but there is a guideline you can use. If the yearly cost of comp and collision coverage is 10% or more of the vehicle’s replacement cost less your deductible, then you might want to think about dropping full coverage.

For example, let’s assume your Mercury Mariner settlement value is $6,000 and you have $1,000 policy deductibles. If your vehicle is totaled in an accident, the most you would receive is $5,000 after paying your deductible. If it’s costing in excess of $500 a year to have full coverage, then you may want to consider only buying liability coverage.

There are some circumstances where dropping physical damage coverage is not in your best interest. If you still owe a portion of the original loan, you must maintain physical damage coverage in order to prevent your loan from defaulting. Also, if you can’t afford to buy a different vehicle in the event your current vehicle is totaled, you should not opt for liability only.

Insurance Price Influencing Factors

Many things are part of the equation when pricing auto insurance. Some factors are common sense like your driving record, but other criteria are not quite as obvious such as whether you are married and annual miles driven.

• Gender impacts rates – The statistics show that men are more aggressive behind the wheel. Now that doesn’t mean women are better drivers. Both genders cause auto accidents at about the same rate, but guys cause more damage. Not only are claims higher, but men receive more major tickets like driving under the influence (DUI).

  The diagram below visualizes the comparison of Mercury Mariner car insurance rates for male and female drivers. The price estimates are based on no accidents or driving violations, comp and collision included, $100 deductibles, marital status is single, and no other discounts are factored in.

• Save by driving cars with good safety ratings – Cars with five star safety ratings tend to be cheaper to insure. These vehicles reduce the chance of injuries and any reduction in injury severity means less money paid by your insurance company and thus lower rates. If your Mercury Mariner scored better than an “acceptable” rating on the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety website or four stars on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website it may be receiving lower rates.
• Liability coverage – The liability section of your policy is the protection if you are found liable for causing damage or personal injury in an accident. It will provide you with a defense in court which can cost thousands of dollars. This coverage is relatively inexpensive compared to other policy coverages, so drivers should buy more than the minimum limits required by law.

• Age of drivers impacts costs – Older drivers have been proven to be more responsible, tend to cause fewer accidents, and tend to be get fewer driving tickets. Beginning drivers are known to be inattentive when driving and because of this, their car insurance rates are much higher.

  The following chart is based on a single driver, full coverage with $1000 deductibles, and no discounts or violations.

• Performance affects premiums – The performance of the car you own makes a huge difference in your car insurance bill. The best insurance prices are for lower performance four cylinder passenger cars, but the final cost of insurance is determined by many other factors.

  The following chart assumes a single male driver age 30, full coverage with $500 deductibles, and no discounts or violations. It compares Mercury Mariner rates compared to other models that have different performance risks.

• Commute or pleasure use – The higher the miles on your Mercury annually the higher your rates will be. Many insurance companies calculate rates determined by how the vehicle is used. Autos left parked in the garage get more affordable rates than those that get driven frequently. It’s always a good idea to double check that your car insurance policy is rated on annual mileage. Incorrect rating for your Mariner is just wasting money.
• Reserve car insurance claims for larger damages – Car insurance companies in Oregon generally give better rates to people who are not frequent claim filers. If you’re an insured who likes to file claims you can expect either higher rates or even cancellation. Your car insurance is designed for claims that you cannot pay yourself.

Do I need special coverages?

When quoting and choosing proper insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there really isn’t a single plan that fits everyone. Your needs are unique to you and your insurance should be unique as well. Here are some questions about coverages that may help you determine if your situation may require specific advice.

• Is my vehicle covered by my employer’s policy when using it for work?
• Do I have coverage when pulling a U-Haul trailer?
• Does insurance cover damages from a DUI accident?
• Will my Mercury Mariner be repaired with OEM or aftermarket parts?
• How do I file an SR-22 for a DUI in Oregon?
• Should I pay a claim out-of-pocket?
• Exactly who is provided coverage by my policy?
• Is pleasure use cheaper than using my Mercury Mariner to commute?

If you can’t answer these questions, then you may want to think about talking to an agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, fill out this quick form or click here for a list of insurance companies in your area.

Local agents and auto insurance

Many people would prefer to go talk to an agent and that can be a smart move A nice benefit of getting free rate quotes online is that you can find cheap rate quotes but still work with a licensed agent.

Once you complete this quick form, your coverage information is transmitted to insurance agents in Portland that give free quotes to get your business. You never need to leave your house because quoted prices will be sent to your email. You can find lower rates and a licensed agent to work with. If you want to get a price quote from a specific company, you can always visit that company’s website and complete a quote there.

Finding the right provider needs to be determined by more than just the premium amount. Some important questions to ask are:

• Is working in the agency their full-time job?
• Did they already check your driving record and credit reports?
• Does the agency have a good rating with the Better Business Bureau?
• Does the agent help file claims?
• Are there any hidden costs in their price quote and does it include driving and credit history?
• If you have an accident, are you able to get your vehicle repaired at the shop of your choice?

When finding a reputable insurance agent or broker, there are two types of insurance agents and how they differ in how they can insure your vehicles. Agents in Portland can be categorized as either independent agents or exclusive agents depending on their employer.

Exclusive Insurance Agencies

These agents can only provide pricing for a single company and some examples include Allstate, State Farm and Farm Bureau. They are unable to provide rate quotes from other companies so it’s a take it or leave it situation. Exclusive insurance agents are well schooled on the products they sell and that enables them to sell even at higher rates.

Shown below is a list of exclusive agencies in Portland who can help you get comparison quotes.

More insurance agents

Independent Agencies or Brokers

Agents in the independent channel do not work for one specific company so as a result can place your coverage through lots of different companies and find you cheaper rates. If you want to switch companies, the business is moved internally and you stay with the same agent.

When comparing rates, we highly recommend that you get quotes from multiple independent agents so that you have a good selection of quotes to compare.

The following is a short list of independent insurance agencies in Portland willing to provide price quote information.

More insurance agents

Three reasons to insure your Mercury vehicle

Despite the fact that insurance is not cheap in Portland, insurance is required by state law in Oregon and it also provides benefits you may not be aware of.

• Most states have mandatory liability insurance requirements which means you are required to buy a minimum amount of liability in order to get the vehicle licensed. In Oregon these limits are 25/50/20 which means you must have $25,000 of bodily injury coverage per person, $50,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $20,000 of property damage coverage.
• If you bought your Mercury Mariner with a loan, almost every bank will have a requirement that you buy full coverage to guarantee their interest in the vehicle. If the policy lapses, the bank may buy a policy for your Mercury at a significantly higher premium and force you to reimburse them much more than you were paying before.
• Insurance protects not only your Mercury Mariner but also your financial assets. It will also cover medical transport and hospital expenses incurred in an accident. Liability insurance also pays for attorney fees and expenses if you are sued as the result of an accident. If your Mercury gets damaged, comprehensive and collision coverage will pay to repair the damage minus the deductible amount.

The benefits of carrying enough insurance greatly outweigh the cost, particularly when you have a large claim. The average driver in America is wasting up to $850 per year so compare rate quotes every year to be sure current rates are still competitive.

Be persistent to save money

We covered many ways to lower your Mercury Mariner insurance premium rates in Portland. The key thing to remember is the more price quotes you have, the better your comparison will be. You may even be surprised to find that the most savings is with some of the smallest insurance companies. Regional companies can often insure niche markets at a lower cost as compared to the big name companies such as GEICO and State Farm.

While you’re price shopping online, never reduce needed coverages to save money. In too many instances, drivers have reduced comprehensive coverage or liability limits only to regret at claim time that the savings was not a smart move. Your goal is to buy the best coverage you can find for the lowest price while still protecting your assets.

More information can be found at these links:

• Choosing an Insurance Company (Insurance Information Institute)
• What Car Insurance is Cheapest for Ride Shares in Portland? (FAQ)
• Who Has Cheap Auto Insurance for Unemployed Drivers in Portland? (FAQ)
• Who Has the Cheapest Car Insurance for Drivers with Bad Credit in Portland? (FAQ)
• Who Has Cheap Auto Insurance for Teenage Females in Portland? (FAQ)
• Vehicle Size and Weight FAQ (iihs.org)
• Bodily Injury Coverage (Liberty Mutual)
• Older Driver Statistics (Insurance Information Institute)
• What are my Rights when Filing a Claim? (Insurance Information Institute)