Save on 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-in Car Insurance Cost

When looking for more affordable insurance, do you get frustrated by the dozens of car insurance providers that you can choose from? You have such a large number of options that it is a difficult challenge to find the best prices.

If you currently have a car insurance policy, you will be able to lower your premiums substantially using these methods. The purpose of this article is to familiarize you with the most effective way to quote insurance and some money-saving tips. Although drivers must learn how insurance companies compete online and use this information to your advantage.

Take policy discounts and save

Companies offering auto insurance don’t list every possible discount very well, so the list below details a few of the more common and the more hidden discounts that you may qualify for.

  • Drive Safe and Save – Drivers without accidents can pay as much as 50% less for Prius Plug-in insurance compared to rates paid by drivers with frequent claims.
  • Early Signing – Some companies provide a discount for switching to them before your current coverage expires. You can save around 10% with this discount.
  • Organization Discounts – Affiliation with a professional or civic organization could trigger savings when shopping for insurance.
  • Drivers Education – Cut your cost by having your teen driver enroll in driver’s education in school or through a local driver safety program.
  • Claim Free – Insureds with no claims or accidents pay much less as compared to drivers with a long claim history.
  • Passenger Safety Discount – Vehicles with factory air bags and/or automatic seat belt systems could see savings of 20 to 30 percent.
  • Onboard Data Collection – People who choose to allow their insurance company to look at driving habits by using a small device installed in their vehicle such as Snapshot from Progressive or Drivewise from Allstate could see a rate decrease if they are good drivers.

Please keep in mind that some of the credits will not apply to your bottom line cost. Most only cut the price of certain insurance coverages like collision or personal injury protection. So when the math indicates adding up those discounts means a free policy, companies wouldn’t make money that way. But all discounts will bring down the amount you pay for coverage.

A list of companies and a selection of discounts can be read below.

  • GEICO offers discounts for anti-theft, federal employee, membership and employees, military active duty, seat belt use, driver training, and air bags.
  • MetLife discounts include defensive driver, accident-free, claim-free, good driver, good student, multi-policy
  • State Farm has discounts for passive restraint, safe vehicle, multiple policy, good driver, Steer Clear safe driver discount, and accident-free.
  • Progressive policyholders can earn discounts including homeowner, online quote discount, continuous coverage, multi-vehicle, good student, multi-policy, and online signing.
  • Mercury Insurance offers discounts including multi-car, type of vehicle, multi-policy, annual mileage, and good student.
  • 21st Century may have discounts that include defensive driver, air bags, early bird, teen driver, student driver, and anti-lock brakes.
  • Allstate includes discounts for auto/life discount, multi-policy, premier plus, farm vehicle, utility vehicle, and safe driver.

When quoting, ask all companies you are considering to apply every possible discount. Some credits may not apply to policyholders in your area. To locate insurance companies that offer multiple discounts, click here to view.

Which policy gives me the best coverage?

When buying the right insurance coverage for your vehicles, there really is not a best way to insure your cars. Coverage needs to be tailored to your specific needs.

These are some specific questions might help in determining whether or not you would benefit from an agent’s advice.

  • Am I covered if I crash into my own garage door?
  • What if I owe more than I can insure my car for?
  • Should I file a claim if it’s only slightly more than my deductible?
  • Will I lose any money if I cancel my policy before it expires?
  • Do I need rental car coverage?
  • What companies insure drivers after a DUI or DWI?
  • Are split liability limits better than a combined single limit?
  • Can I rent a car in Mexico?

If it’s difficult to answer those questions but a few of them apply, you may need to chat with a licensed agent. To find an agent in your area, complete this form.

Big brands don’t always mean big savings

Insurance coverage companies such as State Farm and Allstate regularly use ads on television and other media. All the companies make an identical promise that drivers can save some big amount after switching to them. How is it plausible that every one can cost less than your current company? Here is how they do it.

Insurance companies give the cheapest rates for the type of driver that will be a good risk. For instance, a profitable customer might have to be a female over age 40, has never had a claim, and has a high credit rating. Anybody who matches that profile may get the lowest prices as well as save when they switch companies.

Potential customers who fall outside these standards will have to pay higher premiums with the end result being the customer buying from a different company. The trick companies use is to say “drivers who switch” not “everyone who quotes” save that much money. That’s why insurance companies can confidently make claims that they all have the best premium rates.

This really illustrates why you absolutely need to do a rate comparison at every renewal. It’s impossible to know which insurance coverage company will provide the lowest car insurance rates.

Insurance policy specifics

Knowing the specifics of a insurance policy helps when choosing the best coverages at the best deductibles and correct limits. The coverage terms in a policy can be confusing and coverage can change by endorsement.

Comprehensive insurance

This covers damage from a wide range of events other than collision. A deductible will apply and then insurance will cover the rest of the damage.

Comprehensive coverage protects against claims such as falling objects, damage from a tornado or hurricane, a broken windshield, vandalism and hail damage. The highest amount your insurance company will pay is the actual cash value, so if the vehicle’s value is low consider dropping full coverage.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM)

This protects you and your vehicle when the “other guys” either have no liability insurance or not enough. This coverage pays for injuries to you and your family and damage to your Toyota Prius Plug-in.

Due to the fact that many drivers have only the minimum liability required by law, it only takes a small accident to exceed their coverage. So UM/UIM coverage should not be overlooked. Usually these coverages are similar to your liability insurance amounts.

Liability coverages

This protects you from damages or injuries you inflict on people or other property that is your fault. This coverage protects you from claims by other people, and does not provide coverage for your own vehicle damage or injuries.

It consists of three limits, bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident and property damage. You commonly see policy limits of 25/50/25 which stand for a limit of $25,000 per injured person, a limit of $50,000 in injury protection per accident, and a limit of $25,000 paid for damaged property. Alternatively, you may have a combined limit that pays claims from the same limit rather than limiting it on a per person basis.

Liability insurance covers things like funeral expenses, emergency aid, repair bills for other people’s vehicles and bail bonds. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is up to you, but consider buying as much as you can afford.

Med pay and Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage pay for immediate expenses such as prosthetic devices, surgery, doctor visits and hospital visits. They can be utilized in addition to your health insurance policy or if you lack health insurance entirely. They cover not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants and will also cover being hit by a car walking across the street. PIP coverage is only offered in select states and gives slightly broader coverage than med pay

Collision insurance

Collision insurance pays for damage to your Prius Plug-in caused by collision with a stationary object or other vehicle. You will need to pay your deductible and then insurance will cover the remainder.

Collision insurance covers things such as damaging your car on a curb, sustaining damage from a pot hole and backing into a parked car. Collision is rather expensive coverage, so consider removing coverage from older vehicles. Another option is to raise the deductible to bring the cost down.

Pennies from heaven

Some companies do not provide internet price quotes and these small insurance companies prefer to sell through independent agents. The cheapest 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-in insurance is possible both online and also from your neighborhood agents, so you need to compare both so you have a total pricing picture.

People switch companies for any number of reasons including being labeled a high risk driver, unfair underwriting practices, delays in responding to claim requests or denial of a claim. Regardless of your reason for switching companies, finding a new car insurance company can be easier than you think.

As you restructure your insurance plan, make sure you don’t reduce coverage to reduce premium. There have been many situations where consumers will sacrifice comprehensive coverage or liability limits only to regret that they should have had better coverage. Your goal should be to purchase plenty of coverage for the lowest cost.

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