2018 Toyota Highlander Car Insurance Rates – 6 Tips for Cheapest Quotes

No one in their right mind anticipates paying for insurance, especially when they are aware that the cost is way too high. Because you have many options when it comes to insurance, it is very difficult to choose a more affordable company.

Save a ton with these six discounts

Companies don’t list every discount in a way that’s easy to find, so here is a list a few of the more common and also the more inconspicuous discounts that you may qualify for.

  • Good Student – Maintaining excellent grades can earn a discount of 20% or more. Most companies allow this discount up until you turn 25.
  • Clubs and Organizations – Having an affiliation with a civic or occupational organization could earn you a nice discount on your next renewal.
  • Senior Citizen Discount – Older drivers are able to get a discount up to 10% on Highlander insurance.
  • Seat Belt Discounts – Drivers who require all occupants to buckle up before driving could cut 10% or more on the medical payments or PIP coverage costs.
  • Own a Home and Save – Just being a homeowner may trigger a policy discount on car insurance because of the fact that having a home is proof that your finances are in order.
  • Discounts for Good Drivers – Insureds without accidents may receive a discount up to 45% on Highlander insurance than less cautious drivers.

As a sidenote, most discounts do not apply to the overall cost of the policy. Most only reduce individual premiums such as physical damage coverage or medical payments. Just because you may think all the discounts add up to a free policy, that’s just not realistic. But any discount will definitely reduce the amount you have to pay.

Some companies that may offer policyholders some of the above discounts are:

Double check with every insurance company which discounts you may be entitled to. Some credits might not be offered on policies in your state. To locate providers that offer some of these discounts, click here.

Car insurance can be complex

When buying coverage, there isn’t really a “best” method to buy coverage. Everyone’s situation is unique and your policy should reflect that. Here are some questions about coverages that may help you determine if your situation would benefit from professional advice.

  • What is the difference between comprehensive and collision coverage?
  • What are the best liability limits?
  • Am I covered when driving in Canada or Mexico?
  • Will I be non-renewed for getting a DUI or other conviction?
  • What is covered by UM/UIM coverage?
  • Do I need special endorsements for business use of my vehicle?
  • Will my vehicle be repaired with OEM or aftermarket parts?
  • Is upholstery damage covered by car insurance?
  • Are rock chip repairs covered?

If you don’t know the answers to these questions but one or more may apply to you, then you may want to think about talking to a licensed insurance agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, complete this form or you can go here for a list of companies in your area. It only takes a few minutes and can help protect your family.

Be skeptical of insurance ads

Consumers can’t avoid all the ads that claim the best rates from the likes of Allstate, GEICO and Progressive. All the companies convey the message that people will save if you switch to them.

How do they all claim to save you money? This is how they do it.

All companies have underwriting criteria for the type of driver that will generate a profit. For example, a driver they prefer may be over the age of 50, has no claims, and drives a safe vehicle. Any customer who matches those parameters receives the best prices and as a result will probably save a lot if they switch.

Potential customers who cannot meet this ideal profile may be forced to pay higher prices which usually ends up with business going elsewhere. The ad wording is “customers that switch” but not “everyone who gets a quote” save that much when switching. That’s the way insurance companies can confidently make those claims. That is why drivers must compare as many free auto insurance quotes as you can. It is impossible to predict which insurance companies will be your best fit.

What insurance coverages do you need?

Learning about specific coverages of a insurance policy helps when choosing which coverages you need for your vehicles. The terms used in a policy can be difficult to understand and coverage can change by endorsement. Below you’ll find typical coverages found on the average insurance policy.

Liability coverages

This coverage protects you from damages or injuries you inflict on people or other property in an accident. This coverage protects you against claims from other people. It does not cover damage sustained by your vehicle in an accident.

Liability coverage has three limits: bodily injury for each person, bodily injury for the entire accident, and a limit for property damage. You commonly see policy limits of 50/100/50 which stand for $50,000 bodily injury coverage, $100,000 for the entire accident, and a total limit of $50,000 for damage to vehicles and property.

Liability coverage protects against claims like legal defense fees, repair costs for stationary objects and funeral expenses. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is your choice, but buy as high a limit as you can afford.

UM/UIM Coverage

Your UM/UIM coverage protects you and your vehicle’s occupants from other motorists when they are uninsured or don’t have enough coverage. Covered losses include injuries to you and your family and also any damage incurred to your Toyota Highlander.

Because many people only purchase the least amount of liability that is required, it doesn’t take a major accident to exceed their coverage limits. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage is important protection for you and your family.

Comprehensive or Other Than Collision

This will pay to fix damage from a wide range of events other than collision. You first have to pay a deductible then the remaining damage will be covered by your comprehensive coverage.

Comprehensive coverage protects against things such as vandalism, damage from flooding and falling objects. The most a insurance company will pay at claim time is the actual cash value, so if the vehicle’s value is low it’s not worth carrying full coverage.

Medical costs insurance

Coverage for medical payments and/or PIP reimburse you for immediate expenses such as X-ray expenses, nursing services, EMT expenses, funeral costs and hospital visits. They are utilized in addition to your health insurance program or if you are not covered by health insurance. They cover all vehicle occupants and will also cover being hit by a car walking across the street. PIP coverage is not available in all states but it provides additional coverages not offered by medical payments coverage

Collision coverage protection

Collision insurance pays to fix your vehicle from damage resulting from a collision with an object or car. A deductible applies then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.

Collision insurance covers things like crashing into a building, damaging your car on a curb, colliding with a tree, backing into a parked car and hitting a mailbox. Collision is rather expensive coverage, so consider removing coverage from lower value vehicles. Another option is to raise the deductible to bring the cost down.

Knowledge is power

You just read a lot of ways to compare 2018 Toyota Highlander insurance premium rates online. The key concept to understand is the more quotes you get, the higher the chance of saving money. Consumers may even find the best price on insurance is with a lesser-known regional company. These smaller insurers may often insure only within specific states and give getter rates than the large multi-state companies such as Progressive or GEICO.

As you quote auto insurance, you should never skimp on coverage in order to save money. There are too many instances where someone sacrificed liability limits or collision coverage and learned later they didn’t purchase enough coverage. The proper strategy is to find the BEST coverage at the best cost, but do not sacrifice coverage to save money.

For more information, take a look at the resources below: