Explorer Insurance
(And how to get the lowest premiums)
Written by
Rachel Morey is a journalist specializing in making complicated personal finance and insurance subjects easy to understand. She has been writing professionally for nearly a decade and has projects in print, broadcasting, and online. A native Iowan, Rachel has a special fondness for the open roads of rural America.
Reviewed by
Bringing over 15 years of insurance experience, Greg is passionate about helping individuals and businesses understand their insurance options.
Finding the best price when you shop for Ford Explorer insurance is a big concern for many SUV owners. Since there are so many factors that go into your car insurance premiums, it's smart to consult an independent insurance agent. Your agent can shop dozens of insurance companies to find you the best combination of coverage and price.
Not sure where to find an independent insurance agent in your area?
TrustedChoice.com has a find-an-agent tool that can match you with a local independent insurance agent who will walk you through your options and help you find the best coverage for your Ford Explorer.
What Kind of Insurance Do You Need for Your Ford Explorer?
Bodily injury liability: Bodily injury liability coverage protects your finances by paying for costs associated with medical care and recovery for a person injured in an accident you cause. You may be legally required to carry a minimum amount of this type of coverage.
Property damage liability: Property damage liability insurance pays for damage you cause with your Ford Explorer. It's smart to purchase more than the legally required minimum amount since you'll have to pay for damage that exceed the limits of your policy.
Medical payments/Personal injury protection: Your agent can help you understand your options when it comes to medical payments insurance or personal injury protection. In some areas, you'll have to buy some amount of one of these types of coverage. If you are in an accident, this policy pays for covered costs related to physical recovery from the incident for both you and your passengers.
Uninsured motorist coverage: Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is optional, but since you can't control whether the drivers around you are properly insured, it's a good idea to consider adding this coverage to your auto policy. This extra protection pays for vehicle repairs if you are in an accident with someone who doesn't have enough insurance to handle your claim.
Optional Coverage:
Collision: Collision insurance coverage will repair or replace your Explorer if you are in a covered accident with another vehicle. Whether you need collision coverage depends on the age and value of your vehicle. Your agent can help you decide if this coverage is right for you and your Ford Explorer.
Comprehensive: If your Explorer sustains damage caused by a falling tree branch or is vandalized, comprehensive insurance coverage may pay to repair or replace your vehicle. Incidents not covered under your collision policy are often covered with a comprehensive insurance policy. Like other types of insurance coverage, you'll pay the deductible and the insurance company handles the rest of the bill up to your policy limits.
Glass coverage: Replacing a windshield is an unwelcome cost, but you can't put it off without risking a ticket or creating a potentially dangerous driving situation. Glass coverage can help you get a new windshield without having to pay a deductible and often costs just a few dollars each month.
Gap insurance: When you purchase a new Ford Explorer, the dealership offers gap insurance as an add-on in the finance office. If you declined gap insurance, you can still add it to your auto insurance policy with the help of your agent. If you owe more money on your Ford Explorer than its fair market value, you'll have to pay the difference between the insurance settlement and the total amount due to your bank or lease company if the car is a total loss after an accident.
What Affects the Cost of Insurance for Your Ford Explorer?
| Annual mileage: |
| Driving your Ford Explorer more than the average 10,000 to 15,000 miles per year may cause your insurance premiums to go up slightly. |
| Your driving record: |
| Drivers who have an at-fault accident or moving violation on their driving records should expect to pay higher insurance premiums. |
| The value of your vehicle: |
| The Ford Explorer isn't a luxury-level vehicle, but it offers many options than can push the retail price up to luxury-SUV levels. Your agent can help you understand how the value of your Explorer affects your insurance rates. |
Average Ford Explorer Insurance Costs
The average 40-year-old Ford Explorer driver pays $1,308 each year for full coverage auto insurance. Choosing liability-only coverage drops the average annual rate down to $408. High-risk drivers should expect to see average rates climb to over $2,800 per year for full coverage. 16-year-old drivers pay an average of $4,810 per year for full coverage on a Ford Explorer.
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The Safety of Your Ford Explorer
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the 2020 Ford Explorer with all-wheel drive an overall five-star safety rating. 2020 Ford Explorers come with Ford Co-Pilot 360 technology, which contributes to the SUV's overall safety.
How Location Affects Your Ford Explorer Insurance
Because your location has such a dramatic effect on your car insurance premiums, it's crucial to get a personalized quote from your agent. Here's how average Ford Explorer full coverage insurance rates for a 40-year-old driver with a good driving record and a $500 deductible vary from one place to the next:
| Rural Areas: | Small Cities: | Large Cities: |
| $981 | $1,373 | $1,766 |
Additional Factors That Affect Your Ford Explorer Insurance Premiums
Safety features like anti-theft devices
- Age
- Gender
- Deductible
- Credit
Average Cost to Insure a Ford Explorer
| Average annual cost to insure a Ford Explorer with full coverage: | $1,308 |
| Teens: | $4,801 |
| High-risk drivers: | $2,800 |
| High deductibles: | $1,130 |
| Low deductibles: | $1,646 |
| Top three most expensive states for Ford Explorer insurance: | |
| New York, Michigan, and Florida | $1,770 |
| Top three most affordable states for Ford Explorer insurance: | |
| Utah, Ohio, and New Hampshire | $940 |
Top Independent Insurance Carriers That Insure the Ford Explorer
According to a recent US Independent Insurance Agent Satisfaction Study by JD Power, the following companies provide excellent service to their insurance customers:
- Progressive
- Safeco
- Travelers
- Auto-Owners Insurance
Get a Ford Explorer Quote
An independent insurance agent in your area can help you understand which factors create your auto insurance policy premiums. The TrustedChoice.com find-an-agent tool helps you quickly locate an independent agent that's close to where you live. Get started finding the best possible coverage and rates for your Ford Explorer today by contacting an independent insurance agent.
IIHS, Consumer Reports, Quote Inspector, iii.org, JD Power, Car and Driver