Lower Your 2012 Toyota Highlander Insurance Quotes

Searching for lower car insurance rates for your Toyota Highlander? Did a good deal turn into an expensive car insurance policy? You’re in good company because many consumers are in the same pinch.

With people having so many options, it can be hard to choose a more affordable insurer.

You need to compare premium rates occasionally because prices are usually higher with each renewal. Even if you got the lowest quotes for Highlander coverage at your last renewal there may be better deals available now. Forget all the misinformation about car insurance because it’s time to teach you one of the best ways to find lower rates on car insurance.

Finding the best rates is not rocket science. If you are paying for car insurance now, you stand a good chance to be able to cut costs considerably using this strategy. Although car owners do need to know the way insurance companies determine prices because it can help you find the best coverage.

Decisions you make can impact your insurance rates

Many things are considered when pricing auto insurance. Some factors are common sense such as your driving record, although others are more transparent such as your credit history or your financial responsibility.

Listed below are some of the things companies use to determine your prices.

• Do you really need roadside assistance? – There are a lot of additional extra coverages that sound like a good idea at the time if you aren’t careful. Coverages like rental car coverage, towing, and additional equipment coverage are examples of these. You may think they are a good idea when discussing your needs, but your money might be better spent on other coverage so remove them from your policy.
• Coverage lapses lead to higher prices – Driving any period of time without insurance is against the law and you will pay a penalty because you let your coverage have a gap. Not only will rates go up, the inability to provide proof of insurance could result in a steep fine or even jail time. Then you may be required to prove you have insurance by filing a SR-22 with your state motor vehicle department to get your license reinstated.
• Women tend to cost less – Over the last 50 years, statistics have shown females are less aggressive when driving. It does not mean men are worse drivers. Women and men are responsible for at-fault accidents in similar numbers, but the male of the species cause more damage. Not only are claims higher, but men get cited for more serious violations like DUI and reckless driving.
• Deter car thieves – Driving a car with an alarm system can save you some money. Theft prevention devices like tamper alarm systems, vehicle immobilizer technology and General Motors OnStar can thwart car theft.
• Better rates on cars with good safety ratings – Vehicles that have high safety ratings get lower rates. Safe vehicles have better occupant injury protection and lower rates of occupant injuries means less money paid by your insurance company which can result in lower premiums.
• High physical damage deductibles equal low rates – Insurance for physical damage to your car, also called ‘full coverage’, helps pay for damage to your vehicle. Examples of covered claims could be collision with another vehicle, hail damage, and burglary. The deductibles you choose state the amount of money you are required to spend in the event of a claim. The larger the amount you’re willing to pay, the less your auto insurance will be for Highlander coverage.

Insurance quotes and discounts

Car insurance companies don’t always advertise the entire discount list in a way that’s easy to find, so the following list contains a few of the more common as well as the least known discounts you could be receiving when you buy insurance coverage online. If you do not double check each discount available, you are throwing money away.

• Driving Data Discount – Insureds that choose to allow their insurance company to study driving manner through the use of a telematics system such as Snapshot from Progressive or Drivewise from Allstate may see discounts if their driving habits are good.
• Membership in Organizations – Being in specific professional or occupational memberships or organizations could qualify you for a break on insurance.
• Senior Citizen Discount – If you’re over the age of 55, you can possibly qualify for better insurance rates for Highlander coverage.
• Waiver for an Accident – but certain companies permit an accident without getting socked with a rate hike so long as you are claim-free prior to the accident.
• Air Bags and Passive Restraints – Vehicles equipped with air bags may get savings of 20 to 30 percent.
• Lower Rates for Military – Having an actively deployed family member could mean lower insurance rates.
• ABS Brakes – Vehicles equipped with ABS or steering control prevent accidents and the ABS can save up to 10%.

Discounts reduce rates, but you should keep in mind that most of the big mark downs will not be given to the overall cost of the policy. Most cut specific coverage prices like medical payments or collision. Even though the math looks like you could get a free insurance policy, insurance companies wouldn’t stay in business.

A few of the larger companies and their offered discounts are:

• Farm Bureau policyholders can earn discounts including safe driver, driver training, good student, multi-vehicle, youthful driver, multi-policy, and renewal discount.
• Liberty Mutual has discounts for new vehicle discount, hybrid vehicle, preferred payment discount, new move discount, multi-car, and newly retired.
• State Farm has savings for Drive Safe & Save, good driver, driver’s education, safe vehicle, accident-free, and multiple autos.
• Auto-Owners Insurance offers discounts for multiple vehicles, group or association, teen driver, air bags, student away at school, and multi-policy.
• Geico may offer discounts for good student, anti-lock brakes, five-year accident-free, air bags, federal employee, multi-policy, and seat belt use.
• SAFECO includes discounts for bundle discounts, accident prevention training, anti-theft, homeowner, and multi-car.

Before buying, ask every prospective company which discounts you qualify for. Some discounts may not be offered in your area. To locate insurance companies with discount insurance rates, click here.

Do drivers who switch really save $419 a year?

Companies like State Farm and Allstate endlessly run ads on television and other media. They all seem to say the same thing that drivers will save a bundle just by moving your policy. Is it even possible that every company can cost less than your current company? This is the trick they use.

Different companies give the best rates for the type of insured that earns them the most money. A good example of a preferred risk should be a mature driver, has had continuous coverage, and has a high credit rating. Any person who fits that profile receive the lowest rate quotes and will save a lot of money.

Potential insureds who fall outside this ideal profile will get more expensive rates which translates to the driver buying from a lower-cost company. The trick is to say “drivers who switch” but not “everyone who gets a quote” save money. That’s why insurance companies can lure you into getting a quote. That is why it is so important to get a wide range of price quotes. Because you cannot predict which insurance coverage company will fit your personal profile best.

Situations that may require an agent’s advice

When it comes to choosing the best car insurance coverage, there is no cookie cutter policy. Every insured’s situation is different and a cookie cutter policy won’t apply. For instance, these questions can aid in determining if your insurance needs may require specific advice.

• I don’t drive much so do I pay less?
• Is pleasure use cheaper than using my 2012 Toyota Highlander to commute?
• Am I covered by my employer’s commercial auto policy when driving my personal car for business?
• Does my 2012 Toyota Highlander qualify for pleasure use?
• Does my insurance cover my expensive audio equipment?
• When should I buy a commercial auto policy?
• What is covered by UM/UIM coverage?

If you’re not sure about those questions but you think they might apply to your situation, then you may want to think about talking to a licensed agent. To find an agent in your area, fill out this quick form or you can also visit this page to select a carrier

Car insurance coverage information

Knowing the specifics of insurance aids in choosing appropriate coverage and the correct deductibles and limits. Insurance terms can be confusing and nobody wants to actually read their policy. These are typical coverages available from insurance companies.

UM/UIM (Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist) coverage

This coverage gives you protection from other drivers when they either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. Covered claims include injuries to you and your family and damage to your Toyota Highlander.

Due to the fact that many drivers only purchase the least amount of liability that is required, their liability coverage can quickly be exhausted. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage is a good idea.

Auto collision coverage

Collision insurance pays to fix your vehicle from damage caused by collision with another vehicle or an object, but not an animal. You will need to pay your deductible and the rest of the damage will be paid by collision coverage.

Collision can pay for things like colliding with another moving vehicle, crashing into a ditch, sideswiping another vehicle, backing into a parked car and damaging your car on a curb. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so you might think about dropping it from vehicles that are older. You can also raise the deductible to save money on collision insurance.

Liability auto insurance

Liability coverage can cover injuries or damage you cause to other’s property or people by causing an accident. This coverage protects you from claims by other people, and doesn’t cover damage to your own property or vehicle.

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 commonly see limits of 25/50/25 that means you have 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.

Liability coverage protects against claims such as emergency aid, bail bonds, repair bills for other people’s vehicles, attorney fees and loss of income. How much liability coverage do you need? That is your choice, but it’s cheap coverage so purchase as high a limit as you can afford.

Comprehensive auto coverage

Comprehensive insurance pays to fix your vehicle from damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. A deductible will apply then the remaining damage will be covered by your comprehensive coverage.

Comprehensive coverage protects against claims like falling objects, damage from getting keyed, vandalism, hail damage and hitting a deer. The maximum payout a insurance company will pay at claim time is the market value of your vehicle, so if it’s not worth much more than your deductible it’s probably time to drop comprehensive insurance.

Medical payments and PIP coverage

Medical payments and Personal Injury Protection insurance provide coverage for bills such as dental work, funeral costs, pain medications and X-ray expenses. They can be used to cover expenses not covered by your health insurance plan or if you do not have health coverage. Medical payments and PIP cover all vehicle occupants and also covers if you are hit as a while walking down the street. PIP is only offered in select states and may carry a deductible

Quote more. Save more.

As you shop your coverage around, it’s a bad idea to buy lower coverage limits just to save a few bucks. There are a lot of situations where consumers will sacrifice comprehensive coverage or liability limits to discover at claim time that the few dollars in savings costed them thousands. Your strategy should be to get the best coverage possible for the lowest cost while still protecting your assets.

Budget-friendly auto insurance can be purchased both online as well as from independent agents, so you should compare both to have the best chance of lowering rates. Some insurance providers may not provide the ability to get a quote online and most of the time these regional carriers work with independent agencies.

To read more, link through to these articles:

• Coverage Information (Progressive Insurance)
• How Much are Dallas Auto Insurance Rates for a Toyota Highlander? (DallasCoverage.com)
• Side Impact Crash Tests (iihs.org)
• Top Signs Your Brakes are Giving Out (State Farm)
• Auto Insurance 101 (About.com)