Lower Your 1997 Lexus ES 300 Insurance Cost

Feel like you have an overpriced insurance coverage policy? It’s quite common and you’re not the only one.

You have so many insurers to choose from, and even though it’s nice to be able to choose, it can be more challenging to locate the cheapest rates.

It’s smart to do price comparisons every six months because prices change regularly. If you had the lowest price for ES 300 coverage two years ago there is a good chance you can find better rates now. Block out anything you think you know about insurance coverage because you’re about to learn how to use the internet to properly buy coverages while reducing your premium.

How to compare insurance quotes

To find affordable auto insurance quotes, there are several ways of comparing rate quotes from lots of insurance companies. By far the easiest way to find affordable Lexus ES 300 insurance rates is to get quotes online. This is quite simple and can be completed using a couple different methods.

  1. One of the best ways to find the lowest comparison rates is an all-inclusive rate comparison click to view form in new window. This quick form eliminates the need for separate quotation requests for each price estimate. One quote request will return quotes from all major companies.
  2. A more time consuming way to find better pricing requires a trip to the website for every company you want to comare to complete their respective quote request forms. For instance, let’s assume you need rates from Nationwide, Liberty Mutual and Allstate. To get rate quotes you would need to navigate to each company’s site and punch in your information repeatedly, which can be really labor intensive.

    For a list of links to insurance companies in your area, click here.

  3. Even if you have time, the least recommended method of getting rate comparisons is driving around to insurance agencies in your area. The ability to quote online makes this unnecessary unless you want the professional advice that you can only get from talking to an agent. However, consumers can comparison shop your insurance online and still use a local agent.

Which method you use is up to you, but make sure you use equivalent coverage limits and deductibles on every quote. If you have different deductibles it will be nearly impossible to decipher which rate is best. Even a minor difference in limits may cause a big price difference. And when price shopping your coverage, comparing a wide range of rates increases your odds of finding the best price. Some smaller insurers to not give online price quotes, so you should also compare rates from them as well.

Auto insurance policy discounts

Companies do not list all disounts very clearly, so the list below gives a summary of a few of the more well known as well as the least known credits that may apply to you.

  • Defensive Driving Course – Completing a course that instructs on driving safety may get you a small discount and also improve your driving technique.
  • Early Signing – A few companies offer discounts for switching policies prior to the expiration date on your current policy. You could save around 10% when you buy auto insurance online.
  • Accident Forgiveness Coverage – This isn’t a discount exactly, but companies like State Farm and Allstate will let one accident slide before they charge you more for coverage so long as you are claim-free for a certain period of time.
  • Multiple Policy Discount – If you have multiple policies with the same company you could earn a discount of up to 20% off your total premium.
  • Multi-car Discount – Having several vehicles on one policy could earn a price break for each car.
  • Discount for New Cars – Buying a new car instead of a used car can get you a discount since newer vehicles are generally safer.
  • Military Deployment Discount – Having an actively deployed family member could qualify you for better prices.
  • Good Driver Discounts – Drivers who don’t get into accidents could pay up to 40% less for ES 300 coverage than drivers with accident claims.
  • Student Driver Training – Reduce the cost of insurance for teen drivers by having them enroll and complete driver’s education as it will make them better drivers and lower rates.

One thing to note about discounts is that some of the credits will not apply to the entire policy premium. Most only reduce specific coverage prices like liability and collision coverage. So even though you would think you could get a free auto insurance policy, companies wouldn’t make money that way.

Large auto insurance companies and the discounts they provide are:

  • American Family discounts include good student, air bags, accident-free, Steer into Savings, and multi-vehicle.
  • Farm Bureau may have discounts that include 55 and retired, safe driver, good student, renewal discount, and multi-policy.
  • State Farm offers discounts including good student, defensive driving training, anti-theft, multiple policy, safe vehicle, and driver’s education.
  • Travelers has savings for good student, student away at school, home ownership, new car, multi-car, hybrid/electric vehicle, and continuous insurance.
  • The Hartford has discounts for air bag, bundle, vehicle fuel type, good student, anti-theft, and driver training.
  • GEICO may offer discounts for military active duty, daytime running lights, good student, multi-vehicle, multi-policy, and membership and employees.
  • Progressive includes discounts for online signing, multi-policy, good student, continuous coverage, multi-vehicle, homeowner, and online quote discount.

If you are trying to find cheaper auto insurance quotes, ask each insurance company how you can save money. Savings might not be offered on policies in your area. To see a list of auto insurance companies with discount rates, follow this link.

Smart buyers can save money

Many factors are taken into consideration when you get your auto insurance bill. Some factors are common sense like your driving record, but others are not as apparent like your continuous coverage or your commute time.The best way to find cheaper insurance coverage is to take a look at a few of the rating criteria that are used to determine your policy premiums. When consumers understand what determines premiums, this allows you to make educated decisions that could help you find lower insurance coverage prices.

The following are some of the major factors used by your company to calculate premiums.

  • How your age affects rates – Youthful drivers are known to be easily distracted in a vehicle and because of this, their insurance coverage rates are much higher. More mature drivers are viewed as being more responsible, cost insurance companies less in claims and get fewer tickets.
  • Gender and insurance coverage prices – Over time, data shows that women are safer drivers than men. However, don’t assume that men are worse drivers. Males and females tend to get into at-fault accidents in similar numbers, but the males tend to have more serious accidents. Not only are claims higher, but men get cited for more serious violations like DWI (DUI) or reckless driving.
  • Safety ratings are a factor – Vehicles with good safety scores can get you lower premiums. Highly rated vehicles help reduce the chance of injuries in an accident and better occupant protection translates directly to fewer claims and cheaper rates on your policy. If your Lexus ES 300 scored at minimum four stars on Safercar.gov you are probably receiving a discount.
  • Careless driving leads to higher prices – Good drivers have lower premiums compared to drivers with tickets. Even one citation may cause rates to rise by as much as thirty percent. People who have severe violations such as DUI, reckless driving or excessive speeding are required to maintain a SR-22 with their state’s licensing department in order to drive a vehicle legally.
  • Poor credit can mean higher premiums – Having a good credit score is a big factor in determining what you pay for insurance coverage. If your credit is not that good, you may save money insuring your 1997 Lexus ES 300 if you improve your credit rating. Consumers who have very high credit ratings tend to be better risks to insure as compared to drivers with lower ratings.
  • If you don’t need it don’t buy it – There are a ton of extra coverages that can add up if you don’t pay attention. Things like rental car reimbursement, towing coverage, and membership fees may be wasting your money. These coverages may sound good when deciding what coverages you need, but if you don’t need them get rid of them and save.
  • Consolidate home and auto and save – Some insurance companies allow a discount to insureds who buy several policies from them. It’s known as a multi-policy discount. Discounts can add up to five, ten or even twenty percent. If you currently are using one company, it’s always a smart idea to compare other insurance prices to help ensure you have the lowest rates.
  • Discounts for alarms and GPS tracking – Purchasing a vehicle with anti-theft technology or alarm system can get you a discount on your insurance coverage. Systems that thwart theives such as LoJack tracking devices, vehicle tamper alarm systems or GM’s OnStar system all help prevent your vehicle from being stolen.

How do I know if I need professional advice?

When it comes to buying proper insurance coverage, there really is no “perfect” insurance plan. Coverage needs to be tailored to your specific needs and a cookie cutter policy won’t apply. For instance, these questions might help in determining if you might need professional guidance.

  • How does medical payments coverage work?
  • Where can I find DUI or SR-22 insurance?
  • Is business equipment covered while in my vehicle?
  • Does coverage extend to Mexico or Canada?
  • How much liability do I need to cover my assets?
  • Do I need rental car coverage?
  • Should I drop comprehensive coverage on older vehicles?

If you can’t answer these questions but a few of them apply, you may need to chat with an agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, simply complete this short form or click here for a list of insurance companies in your area.

Car insurance in the media

Car insurance providers like GEICO, State Farm and Progressive consistently run ads on TV and radio. They all advertise claims about how much you will save if you move your coverage. How do they all charge less that you’re paying now? It’s all in the words they use.

Insurance providers look for specific characteristics for the type of driver that is profitable for them. For example, a profitable risk profile could be between the ages of 30 and 50, has had continuous coverage, and does not commute to work. Anyone who meets those qualifications is entitled to the best price and will probably pay quite a bit less when switching companies.

People who do not fit those criteria may be required to pay more expensive rates which usually ends up with the customer not buying. If you listen closely, the ads state “people that switch” not “everyone that quotes” can save as much as they claim. This is how companies can lure you into getting a quote. Because of the profiling, you need to do a price quote comparison at every renewal. Because you never know which car insurance company will give you lower rates than your current company.

Educate yourself about auto insurance coverages

Knowing the specifics of a auto insurance policy can help you determine which coverages you need at the best deductibles and correct limits. Auto insurance terms can be difficult to understand and even agents have difficulty translating policy wording. These are typical coverage types offered by auto insurance companies.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM)

This coverage gives you protection when the “other guys” are uninsured or don’t have enough coverage. It can pay for injuries to you and your family as well as your vehicle’s damage.

Because many people only purchase the least amount of liability that is required, it only takes a small accident to exceed their coverage. So UM/UIM coverage is important protection for you and your family.

Comprehensive insurance

This coverage will pay to fix damage that is not covered by collision coverage. A deductible will apply and then insurance will cover the rest of the damage.

Comprehensive insurance covers claims such as a tree branch falling on your vehicle, hitting a deer, hail damage and a broken windshield. The most you can receive from a comprehensive claim is the actual cash value, so if it’s not worth much more than your deductible consider dropping full coverage.

Liability car insurance

This coverage provides protection from damage or injury you incur to other’s property or people by causing an accident. This insurance protects YOU from legal claims by others, and doesn’t cover your injuries or vehicle damage.

Coverage consists of three different limits, bodily injury for each person, bodily injury for the entire accident, and a limit for property damage. Your policy might show values of 50/100/50 that translate to $50,000 bodily injury coverage, a limit of $100,000 in injury protection per accident, and a total limit of $50,000 for damage to vehicles and property.

Liability insurance covers claims such as legal defense fees, bail bonds and loss of income. How much liability coverage do you need? That is up to you, but you should buy higher limits if possible.

Collision coverage

Collision coverage covers damage to your ES 300 from colliding with a stationary object or other vehicle. You first must pay a deductible then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.

Collision can pay for claims like crashing into a ditch, crashing into a building, scraping a guard rail, colliding with a tree and hitting a mailbox. This coverage can be expensive, so analyze the benefit of dropping coverage from vehicles that are older. Another option is to raise the deductible to save money on collision insurance.

Med pay and Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage provide coverage for bills such as EMT expenses, ambulance fees and surgery. They are used to cover expenses not covered by your health insurance plan or if you do not have health coverage. Medical payments and PIP cover not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants and will also cover if you are hit as a while walking down the street. Personal Injury Protection is not available in all states but can be used in place of medical payments coverage

Save your hard earned cash

Affordable 1997 Lexus ES 300 insurance can be purchased from both online companies as well as from insurance agents, so you need to quote auto insurance with both to have the best chance of lowering rates. A few companies may not provide the ability to get quotes online and these small, regional companies prefer to sell through independent agencies.

When shopping online for car insurance, make sure you don’t skimp on critical coverages to save a buck or two. There are many occasions where someone dropped physical damage coverage to discover at claim time that the savings was not a smart move. The ultimate goal is to purchase plenty of coverage at the best possible price while still protecting your assets.

In this article, we covered quite a bit of information on how to compare 1997 Lexus ES 300 insurance rates online. The key thing to remember is the more providers you compare, the better your comparison will be. Consumers may even find the best price on car insurance is with a small mutual company. Regional companies may only write in your state and offer lower auto insurance rates than their larger competitors like Progressive or GEICO.

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