How Much Does 2009 Toyota Matrix Insurance Cost?

Trying to find lower insurance coverage rates for your Toyota Matrix? Did you fall for a flashy sales pitch and buy high-priced insurance coverage? It’s quite common and there are lots of residents who feel the same.

Having so many insurance providers from which to choose, it can be challenging to locate the most affordable insurer.

It’s a great practice to take a look at other company’s rates before your next renewal due to the fact that insurance prices are variable and change quite frequently. Even if you got the best deal for Matrix insurance two years ago you will most likely find a better rate today. Forget all the misinformation about insurance coverage because we’re going to show you one of the quickest ways to save money, get proper coverage and the best rates.

The purpose of this article is to teach you the best way to quote coverages and some tips to save money. If you have car insurance now, you will most likely be able to cut costs considerably using these techniques. Although consumers must learn how big insurance companies sell online and apply this information to your search.

Compare quotes for car insurance

To find cheap rates, there are a couple of ways to obtain and compare prices from many available car insurance companies in your state. The easiest way by far to find cheaper Toyota Matrix rates consists of shopping online. This is very easy and can be done in just a few minutes using one of these methods.

  1. The first (and easiest) way to find the lowest comparison rates would be an industry-wide quote request form (click to open form in new window). This easy form keeps you from doing separate forms for each company you want a rate for. One form submission gets prices estimates from multiple low-cost companies.
  2. A less efficient way to compare rate quotes requires you to visit each individual company website to complete their respective quote request forms. For examples sake, we’ll pretend you want to compare prices for Auto-Owners, Progressive and American Family. You would be required to go to each individual site to enter the same coverage data repeatedly, which is why the first method is more popular. For a list of links to companies insuring cars in your area, click here.
  3. The hardest method to compare rates is calling or driving to different agent offices. Comparing online rate quotes reduces the need to sit down with an agent unless you have a need for the trained guidance that you can only get from talking to an agent. However, consumers can get prices online and have a local agent actually service the policy.

You can choose any of those ways to find more affodable coverage, but make sure you compare exactly the same information with every price quote. If your comparisons have different coverage information it will be impossible to decipher which rate is best. Just slight variations in limits can result in a big premium difference. And when quoting car insurance, remember that more quotes helps you find the best price. Not every company does online quotes, so it’s recommended that you also compare price estimates from them, too.

Discounts for affordable auto insurance rates

Auto insurance is easily one of your largest bills, but there may be some discounts that could drop your premiums quite a bit. A few discounts will be applied at the time of purchase, but lesser-known reductions have to be inquired about before you will receive the discount.

  • Homeowners Pay Less – Being a homeowner can save you money because of the fact that having a home is proof of financial responsibility.
  • Military Discounts – Being deployed with a military unit can result in better prices.
  • Good Grades Discount – Being a good student may save you up to 25%. Many companies even apply the discount to college students well after school through age 25.
  • Full Payment Discount – If paying your policy premium upfront instead of making monthly payments you could save 5% or more.
  • New Vehicle Savings – Insuring a new car may earn a small discount due to better safety requirements for newer vehicles.
  • Driver Safety – Completing a driver safety class may get you a small discount and also improve your driving technique.
  • Bundled Policy Discount – If you insure your home and vehicles with one insurance company you could earn a discount of up to 20% and get you cheaper car insurance.

Consumers should know that many deductions do not apply to your bottom line cost. Most only apply to specific coverage prices like medical payments or collision. So even though you would think it’s possible to get free car insurance, companies don’t profit that way.

For a list of providers with the best discounts, click here to view.

Insurance price influencing factors

It’s important that you understand some of the elements that go into determining your insurance rates. When you know what positively or negatively determines premiums, this empowers consumers to make smart changes that can earn you better insurance rates. Many different elements are taken into consideration when premium rates are determined. Most are fairly basic like an MVR report, although some other factors are not as apparent like your continuous coverage and annual miles driven.

The following are some of the factors companies use to determine rates.

  • Lower rates come with age – More experienced drivers are proven to be safer behind the wheel, cost insurance companies less in claims and receive fewer citations.Teenage drivers are statistically proven to be careless and easily distracted when driving so insurance rates are higher.
  • High coverage deductibles equal low rates – Physical damage coverage, aka comp and collision, covers damage that occurs to your Toyota. Some examples of claims that would be covered could be running into the backend of another car, vandalism, and having your car stolen. Physical damage deductibles tell how much you are required to spend if a covered claim is submitted. The higher the amount the insured is willing to pay, the lower your rates will be for Matrix insurance.
  • Battle of the sexes – Statistics have proven that females tend to be a little less risky than males. This data doesn’t prove that females are better drivers. Both sexes cause accidents at about the same rate, but the male of the species cause more damage and cost insurance companies more money. Men also statistically receive more major tickets like DUI and reckless driving. Youthful male drivers are several times more likely to be in an accident and are penalized with high insurance rates.
  • Extra coverages that aren’t used – Insurance policies have a lot of add-on coverages that can add up if you don’t pay attention. Insurance for replacement cost coverage, accidental death, and extra equipment coverage may not be needed and are just wasting money. You may think they are a good idea initially, but if they’re wasting money consider taking them off your policy.
  • Never let your insurance policy lapse – Not maintaining insurance is against the law and companies may charge more for letting your insurance coverage expire. And not only will your rates increase, failure to provide proof of insurance can result in a license revocation or jail time. You could then be forced to prove you have insurance by filing a SR-22 with your state department of motor vehicles.
  • Bundle and save – Many insurance companies give a discount to customers that purchase more than one policy such as combining an auto and homeowners policy. Discounts can be as much as ten percent or more Even with this discount applied, you still need to get quotes from other companies to guarantee you are still saving the most.
  • Where you reside plays a part – Being located in a rural area can be a good thing when shopping for auto insurance. Residents of big cities have much more traffic and a longer drive to work. Fewer drivers on the road means reduced accidents in addition to lower liability claims

Tailor your insurance coverage to you

When it comes to choosing the best insurance coverage, there really is no “best” method to buy coverage. Every insured’s situation is different so your insurance needs to address that. For instance, these questions may help highlight whether you might need an agent’s assistance.

  • Do I need to file an SR-22 for a DUI in my state?
  • Is a blown tire covered by insurance?
  • How high should my medical payments coverage be?
  • Am I covered if I crash into my own garage door?
  • Is my Toyota Matrix covered if I use it for business?
  • Can my babysitter drive my car?
  • Am I covered when driving on a suspended license?
  • When should I not file a claim?
  • Why am I be forced to buy a membership to get insurance from some companies?

If you’re not sure about those questions but a few of them apply, then you may want to think about talking to a licensed insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, simply complete this short form or you can go here for a list of companies in your area.

Don’t believe everything you hear

Progressive, Allstate and GEICO constantly bombard you with ads on TV and radio. They all seem to tend to make the same promise that drivers will save a bundle if you just switch to them. How does every company cost less than your current company? This is how they do it.

All companies quote the lowest rates for the type of customer that will add to their bottom line. An example of a driver they prefer may be between 25 and 40, has other policies, and drives less than 10,000 miles a year. A propective insured who fits that profile will get a cheap rate quote and will cut their rates substantially.

Drivers who may not quite match this stringent profile will probably have to pay higher rates which usually ends up with the prospect going elsewhere. The ad wording is “drivers who switch” but not “all drivers who get quotes” can get the lowest rates when switching. That’s the way insurance companies can lure you into getting a quote.

That is why you absolutely need to get price quotes at each policy renewal. It is impossible to guess which company will have better rates than you’re paying now.

Coverage specifics

Learning about specific coverages of your insurance policy can be of help when determining the best coverages and proper limits and deductibles. Policy terminology can be confusing and nobody wants to actually read their policy. Below you’ll find typical coverages available from insurance companies.

UM/UIM (Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist) coverage

Your UM/UIM coverage protects you and your vehicle from other motorists when they are uninsured or don’t have enough coverage. It can pay for hospital bills for your injuries and damage to your Toyota Matrix.

Since a lot of drivers have only the minimum liability required by law, it doesn’t take a major accident to exceed their coverage limits. For this reason, having high UM/UIM coverages is a good idea. Most of the time the UM/UIM limits do not exceed the liability coverage limits.

Liability insurance

This protects you from damages or injuries you inflict on a person or their property in an accident. This coverage protects you from legal claims by others, and doesn’t cover your injuries or vehicle damage.

Split limit liability has three limits of coverage: per person bodily injury, per accident bodily injury, and a property damage limit. You commonly see policy limits of 100/300/100 that means you have $100,000 in coverage for each person’s injuries, $300,000 for the entire accident, and a limit of $100,000 paid for damaged property. Some companies may use one limit called combined single limit (CSL) which combines the three limits into one amount and claims can be made without the split limit restrictions.

Liability coverage pays for things like bail bonds, structural damage and medical expenses. How much coverage you buy is a decision to put some thought into, but you should buy as much as you can afford.

Medical payments and PIP coverage

Coverage for medical payments and/or PIP reimburse you for expenses for things like prosthetic devices, chiropractic care, X-ray expenses, dental work and rehabilitation expenses. The coverages can be used to fill the gap from your health insurance policy or if there is no health insurance coverage. Medical payments and PIP cover not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants as well as any family member struck as a pedestrian. PIP coverage is not available in all states and may carry a deductible

Comprehensive auto coverage

Comprehensive insurance coverage covers damage that is not covered by collision coverage. You need to pay your deductible first then your comprehensive coverage will pay.

Comprehensive insurance covers claims such as damage from flooding, hitting a bird and a tree branch falling on your vehicle. The most you’ll receive from a claim is the cash value of the vehicle, so if the vehicle is not worth much it’s probably time to drop comprehensive insurance.

Auto collision coverage

This coverage covers damage to your Matrix resulting from a collision with an object or car. You first must pay a deductible then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.

Collision insurance covers claims such as sideswiping another vehicle, colliding with another moving vehicle, damaging your car on a curb, crashing into a building and rolling your car. Paying for collision coverage can be pricey, so consider removing coverage from vehicles that are 8 years or older. You can also increase the deductible to save money on collision insurance.

In any little way, save everyday

Affordable 2009 Toyota Matrix insurance is possible both online and from local insurance agents, so you need to shop car insurance with both to have the best rate selection. Some insurance companies may not have online quoting and many times these small insurance companies only sell coverage through independent insurance agents.

When getting car insurance quotes online, it’s a bad idea to sacrifice coverage to reduce premiums. Too many times, someone dropped liability coverage limits only to find out that it was a big error on their part. Your focus should be to find the BEST coverage for the lowest cost and still be able to protect your assets.

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