2008 Toyota Prius Car Insurance Rates

Searching for cheaper auto insurance rates for your Toyota Prius? Nobody that owns a car looks forward to paying for auto insurance, in particular when they could find better rates elsewhere. Multiple auto insurance companies compete for your insurance dollar, and it can be difficult to compare rates and get the best coverage at the cheapest price

Discounts for affordable car insurance rates

Car insurance is not cheap nor is it fun to buy but there may be some discounts that could drop your premiums quite a bit. A few discounts will automatically apply at the time of quoting, but lesser-known reductions have to be asked for in order for you to get them.

  • Accident Forgiveness – Not necessarily a discount, but some insurance companies will allow you to have one accident before your rates go up if you are claim-free for a specific time period.
  • Multi-car Discount – Buying a policy with more than one vehicle on one policy qualifies for this discount.
  • E-sign – A few larger online companies give back up to $50 get auto insurance on the internet.
  • Seat Belt Usage – Drivers who require all occupants to buckle up may be able to save a few bucks on the medical payments or PIP coverage costs.
  • Organization Discounts – Affiliation with specific professional or occupational memberships or organizations is a good way to get lower rates when shopping for car insurance.
  • Military Rewards – Having a family member in the military may qualify for rate reductions.
  • Theft Deterent – Cars, trucks, and SUVs with anti-theft systems have a lower chance of being stolen and will save you 10% or more.
  • Auto/Life Discount – Some insurance carriers give a discounted price on car insurance if you buy a life insurance policy as well.
  • Federal Employees – Employees or retirees of the government could provide a small rate reduction for Prius insurance depending on your company.
  • Anti-lock Brakes – Cars that have steering control and anti-lock brakes can avoid accidents and the ABS can save up to 10%.

It’s important to understand that most discount credits are not given to the overall cost of the policy. The majority will only reduce individual premiums such as collision or personal injury protection. Just because it seems like you would end up receiving a 100% discount, companies don’t profit that way.

Some of the larger companies who may offer these money-saving discounts possibly include:

If you need lower rates, check with all the companies how many discounts you can get. Savings may not be available everywhere.

How to compare insurance coverage quotes

Finding a better price on insurance coverage is actually quite simple. Drivers just need to take a couple of minutes to compare free auto insurance quotes to discover which company has the cheapest auto insurance quotes. This can easily be done by using one of the methods below.

  • The best way to get the best comparison quotes is a comparison rater form click to view form in new window. This method saves time by eliminating separate forms for each company. One simple form gets coverage cost estimates from multiple companies.
  • A more time consuming way to find lower rates is to manually visit the website of each company and complete a new quote form. For example, we’ll assume you want comparison quotes from GEICO, Safeco and GMAC. To get each rate you have to navigate to each company’s site and repeatedly type in your coverage information, which is why the first method is quicker. To view a list of companies in your area, click here.

Whichever way you choose to compare rates, ensure you’re using the same coverage limits and deductibles on every price quote you get. If your comparisons have higher or lower deductibles you can’t possibly find the best deal for your Toyota Prius.

Six things that determine your insurance prices

Many different elements are considered when pricing auto insurance. A few of the factors are predictable such as your driving record, but other criteria are more obscure such as whether you are married or your vehicle rating.

  • Your occupation can affect rates – Did you know that where you work can have an impact on rates? Occupations such as doctorsair traffic controllers and accountants are shown to have higher rates than average because of intense work situations and lots of time spent at work. On the flip side, jobs such as farmers, students and the unemployed generally pay rates lower than average for Prius insurance.
  • Combine policies and save – Lots of insurance coverage companies will give a discount to people who carry more than one policy. It’s known as a multi-policy discount. Even with this discount applied, it’s always a smart idea to shop around to make sure you are getting the best deal.
  • Rates increase with driving citations – Your driving record influences premium rates substantially. Careful drivers pay less for auto insurance compared to bad drivers. Just one ticket could increase your next policy renewal forty percent or more. Drivers who have gotten serious violations like DUI or reckless driving are required to submit a SR-22 form with their state motor vehicle department in order to legally drive.
  • Use but don’t abuse your insurance – If you frequently file small claims, you can look forward to higher premiums or even policy non-renewal. Insurance companies award lower rates to insureds who file claims infrequently. Your insurance policy is meant to be used in the event of the large, substantial claims.
  • How much liability insurance – Liability coverage will afford coverage when you are ruled to be at fault for personal injury or accident damage. It provides legal defense up to the limits shown on your policy. Liability insurance is pretty cheap compared to insuring for physical damage coverage, so do not skimp.
  • Single drivers take more risk – Walking down the aisle can actually save you money on insurance coverage. It is viewed as being more financially stable and insurance companies like that drivers who are married are more cautious.

Tailor your insurance coverage to you

When buying the best insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there really is not a perfect coverage plan. Everyone’s needs are different and your policy should reflect that. For example, these questions could help you determine if your insurance needs may require specific advice.

  • What is the minimum liability in my state?
  • Do I need higher collision deductibles?
  • Do I need replacement cost coverage on my 2008 Toyota Prius?
  • Can my babysitter drive my car?
  • Does my insurance cover a custom paint job?
  • Do I have coverage for damage caused while driving under the influence?

If you’re not sure about those questions but you know they apply to you, you might consider talking to a licensed agent. To find an agent in your area, simply complete this short form or you can also visit this page to select a carrier It’s fast, free and you can get the answers you need.

Parts of your auto insurance policy

Understanding the coverages of a auto insurance policy can be of help when determining the right coverages at the best deductibles and correct limits. Auto insurance terms can be ambiguous and coverage can change by endorsement. Below you’ll find typical coverage types found on the average auto insurance policy.

Liability coverage – Liability insurance can cover damages or injuries you inflict on other people or property. This insurance protects YOU against other people’s claims. It does not cover your own vehicle damage or injuries.

Split limit liability has three limits of coverage: bodily injury for each person injured, bodily injury for the entire accident and a property damage limit. You might see limits of 25/50/25 that means you have a $25,000 limit per person for injuries, $50,000 for the entire accident, and a limit of $25,000 paid for damaged property. Some companies may use a combined single limit or CSL which limits claims to one amount with no separate limits for injury or property damage.

Liability coverage pays for things like loss of income, attorney fees, legal defense fees and emergency aid. How much liability coverage do you need? That is a personal decision, but it’s cheap coverage so purchase higher limits if possible.

Coverage for medical payments – Medical payments and Personal Injury Protection insurance kick in for bills for things like doctor visits, EMT expenses and dental work. The coverages can be utilized in addition to your health insurance policy or if you are not covered by health insurance. Medical payments and PIP cover all vehicle occupants in addition to being hit by a car walking across the street. Personal injury protection coverage is only offered in select states and gives slightly broader coverage than med pay

Comprehensive coverages – This covers damage caused by mother nature, theft, vandalism and other events. A deductible will apply and then insurance will cover the rest of the damage.

Comprehensive can pay for things such as fire damage, damage from a tornado or hurricane and damage from flooding. The most you’ll receive from a claim is the market value of your vehicle, so if the vehicle is not worth much consider dropping full coverage.

Uninsured and underinsured coverage – This coverage provides protection from other motorists when they either have no liability insurance or not enough. This coverage pays for hospital bills for your injuries and damage to your Toyota Prius.

Because many people only carry the minimum required liability limits, their limits can quickly be used up. For this reason, having high UM/UIM coverages should not be overlooked. Usually your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverages are set the same as your liablity limits.

Collision coverage – This coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage resulting from a collision with another vehicle or an object, but not an animal. A deductible applies then your collision coverage will kick in.

Collision can pay for claims like colliding with another moving vehicle, hitting a mailbox, rolling your car, crashing into a ditch and crashing into a building. Collision is rather expensive coverage, so consider removing coverage from vehicles that are older. You can also choose a higher deductible in order to get cheaper collision rates.

More comparisons equals lower rates

While you’re price shopping online, it’s a bad idea to skimp on critical coverages to save a buck or two. There are a lot of situations where an insured cut collision coverage and learned later that a couple dollars of savings turned into a financial nightmare. The goal is to buy enough coverage at the lowest possible cost while not skimping on critical coverages.

Cheap 2008 Toyota Prius insurance can be found both online and from local agencies, so you need to quote auto insurance with both so you have a total pricing picture. Some insurance companies may not have price quotes online and these regional insurance providers only sell coverage through independent agencies.

More tips and info about auto insurance can be found at these sites: