Save on 2008 Toyota RAV4 Insurance Rates

Looking for better insurance rates for your Toyota RAV4? Searching for the lowest price insurance may at first seem to be somewhat intimidating for consumers new to quoting and price shopping on the web. With so many options of companies in the marketplace, how are consumers expected to possibly compare every company to locate lower insurance premiums?

Consumers need to price shop coverage periodically because insurance rates are rarely the same from one policy term to another. Even if you got the best deal for RAV4 coverage on your last policy a different company probably has better prices today. Forget all the misinformation about insurance because you’re about to learn one of the easiest ways to buy cheaper insurance.

Eight tips to get lower-cost insurance premiums

Many factors are used when premium rates are determined. Most are fairly basic such as your driving record, although others are less apparent such as whether you are married or how financially stable you are.An important part of buying insurance is that you know a few of the rating criteria that go into determining your auto insurance rates. If you have some idea of what influences your rates, this enables you to make decisions that can help you get big savings.

Listed below are a partial list of the pieces auto insurance companies consider when setting your premiums.

  • Age of drivers impacts rates – Older drivers are proven to be safer behind the wheel, cost insurance companies less in claims and get fewer tickets.Youthful drivers are statistically shown to be easily distracted when driving with friends so auto insurance rates are higher.
  • Don’t cut corners with liability coverage – Liability coverage is the protection when you are determined to be liable for causing damage or personal injury in an accident. Liability insurance provides you with a defense in court to attempt to prove you were not liable. Liability is cheap compared to insuring for physical damage coverage, so drivers should make sure they buy enough to cover all assets.
  • Rates and job – Did you know your career choice can influence rates? Occupations like fire fighterspolice officers and miners generally pay higher premiums than the average policyholder due to intense work-related stress and extremely grueling work hours. On the other hand, occupations like scientists, engineers and homemakers have the lowest average rates for RAV4 coverage.
  • Pleasure use or commuting – The higher the mileage driven in a year the more you will pay for auto insurance. The majority of insurers apply a rate based upon how much you drive. Vehicles used primarily for pleasure use get more affordable rates as compared to vehicles used primarily for driving to work. Ask your agent if your auto insurance policy is showing annual mileage, because improper ratings can cost you money. Incorrect rating for your RAV4 may be wasting your money.
  • A policy lapse can increase premiums – Driving without insurance is illegal and companies may charge more for letting your coverage cancel without a new policy in place. In addition to paying higher rates, getting caught without coverage will get you a revoked license or a big fine.
  • Prices and your address – Living in smaller towns and rural areas of the country has definite advantages when shopping for auto insurance. Fewer drivers on the road translates into fewer accident claims. City drivers regularly have congested traffic and higher rates of accident claims. More time commuting means more chance of being in an accident.
  • Better premiums with anti-theft devices – Driving a car with an alarm system can help lower your premiums. Anti-theft devices like GM’s OnStar, tamper alarm systems and vehicle immobilizers can help prevent auto theft and help lower rates.
  • Do you really need to file that auto insurance claims? – If you file a lot of claims you shouldn’t be surprised to get either a policy non-renewal or much higher rates. Insurance companies give cheaper rates to policyholders that do not abuse their auto insurance. Auto insurance is meant to be used in the event of the bigger claims that can’t be paid out-of-pocket.

These discounts can slash car insurance rates

Companies offering auto insurance do not list every possible discount in a way that’s easy to find, so the following is a list of some of the more common and also the more inconspicuous credits available to you.

  • Student Discount for Driver Training – Cut your cost by having your teen driver complete a driver education course in high school.
  • Military Rewards – Being on active duty in the military can result in better prices.
  • Low Mileage Discounts – Keeping the miles down on your Toyota could be rewarded with substantially lower prices.
  • Defensive Driver – Taking a course teaching defensive driving skills could save 5% or more and also improve your driving technique.
  • Telematics Discount – Drivers that enable driving data submission to track driving patterns remotely like Drivewise from Allstate or In-Drive from State Farm might see lower rates if they have good driving habits.
  • Good Grades Discount – Being a good student can be rewarded with saving of up to 25%. Earning this discount can benefit you up to age 25.
  • Membership in Organizations – Being in a qualifying organization could trigger savings on your next car insurance statement.
  • Paperwork-free – Certain car insurance companies may give you up to $50 for completing your application digitally online.
  • Distant College Student Discount – Youth drivers who live away from home at college and do not have access to a covered vehicle can receive lower rates.

Policy discounts save money, but some credits don’t apply to the entire policy premium. Most cut the price of certain insurance coverages like liability and collision coverage. Even though it appears you could get a free car insurance policy, you aren’t that lucky.

A few popular companies and a partial list of their discounts include:

  • Travelers has discounts for early quote, driver training, multi-policy, multi-car, IntelliDrive, good student, and save driver.
  • 21st Century policyholders can earn discounts including student driver, anti-lock brakes, homeowners, good student, driver training, and defensive driver.
  • State Farm discounts include good driver, student away at school, safe vehicle, passive restraint, multiple policy, Steer Clear safe driver discount, and Drive Safe & Save.
  • GEICO offers premium reductions for multi-policy, military active duty, driver training, emergency military deployment, daytime running lights, and five-year accident-free.
  • SAFECO may include discounts for accident prevention training, anti-theft, anti-lock brakes, safe driver, bundle discounts, and teen safety rewards.
  • AAA offers discounts for pay-in-full, anti-theft, good driver, multi-policy, multi-car, AAA membership discount, and education and occupation.

If you need lower rates, check with each insurance company how many discounts you can get. Some discounts might not apply in your state.

When do I need an agent’s advice?

When buying proper insurance coverage for your vehicles, there really is not a “perfect” insurance plan. Everyone’s situation is a little different.

These are some specific questions may help you determine whether or not you would benefit from an agent’s advice.

  • Is a blown tire covered by insurance?
  • Do I have coverage for damage caused while driving under the influence?
  • Does my car insurance cover rental cars?
  • Does my medical payments coverage pay my health insurance deductible?
  • Am I covered when pulling a rental trailer?
  • Am I getting all the discounts available?
  • Can I afford low physical damage deductibles?
  • Are rental cars covered under my policy?

If you can’t answer these questions then you might want to talk to an insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, simply complete this short form.

The coverage is in the details

Knowing the specifics of your policy can be of help when determining the best coverages and the correct deductibles and limits. The terms used in a policy can be confusing and reading a policy is terribly boring.

Medical payments coverage and PIP – Med pay and PIP coverage reimburse you for bills like pain medications, X-ray expenses and chiropractic care. They can be used to cover expenses not covered by your health insurance policy or if you are not covered by health insurance. It covers not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants and also covers if you are hit as a while walking down the street. Personal Injury Protection is not an option in every state but it provides additional coverages not offered by medical payments coverage

Collision – Collision coverage covers damage to your RAV4 resulting from a collision with a stationary object or other vehicle. A deductible applies then your collision coverage will kick in.

Collision insurance covers claims like colliding with another moving vehicle, crashing into a ditch, sideswiping another vehicle, hitting a parking meter and crashing into a building. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so consider removing coverage from vehicles that are 8 years or older. You can also bump up the deductible to bring the cost down.

Liability insurance – Liability coverage provides protection from injuries or damage you cause to people or other property that is your fault. This coverage protects you from legal claims by others, and does not provide coverage for your own vehicle damage or injuries.

It consists of three limits, bodily injury for each person, bodily injury for the entire accident, and a limit for property damage. You commonly see values of 50/100/50 which means $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 coverage pays for things such as loss of income, repair bills for other people’s vehicles, medical expenses, legal defense fees and medical services. How much liability coverage do you need? That is a decision to put some thought into, but it’s cheap coverage so purchase as large an amount as possible.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage – This coverage protects you and your vehicle’s occupants when the “other guys” either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. Covered claims include hospital bills for your injuries and damage to your Toyota RAV4.

Since a lot of drivers carry very low liability coverage limits, their limits can quickly be used up. So UM/UIM coverage is a good idea.

Comprehensive coverage – Comprehensive insurance coverage covers damage caused by mother nature, theft, vandalism and other events. You need to pay your deductible first and then insurance will cover the rest of the damage.

Comprehensive can pay for claims like theft, damage from flooding, hitting a bird, vandalism and hail damage. The highest amount you’ll receive from a claim is the cash value of the vehicle, so if your deductible is as high as the vehicle’s value consider removing comprehensive coverage.

Stretch your dollar

When you buy insurance coverage online, you should never reduce coverage to reduce premium. In too many instances, an accident victim reduced liability limits or collision coverage to discover at claim time that it was a big error on their part. The goal is to find the BEST coverage for the lowest cost while not skimping on critical coverages.

Affordable 2008 Toyota RAV4 insurance is possible both online in addition to many insurance agents, and you need to comparison shop both in order to have the best price selection to choose from. A few companies do not offer online price quotes and these small insurance companies sell through independent agencies.

Insureds switch companies for any number of reasons including high prices, policy non-renewal, poor customer service or extreme rates for teen drivers. It doesn’t matter why you want to switch choosing a new insurance company can be less work than you think.

Helpful information