Lower Your 1997 Toyota RAV4 Insurance Cost

Searching for better insurance rates for your Toyota RAV4? Locating better insurance prices for a new or used Toyota RAV4 can be a lot of work, but you can use these tips to make it easier.

There is a better way to shop for insurance so you’re going to learn the best way to get price quotes for a Toyota and locate the lowest price from local insurance agents and online providers.

If you have insurance now or need a new policy, you can learn to reduce the price you pay while maintaining coverages. Pricing affordable auto insurance coverage is easy if you know what you’re doing. Drivers only need to know the tricks to compare price quotes online.

Pay less by taking advantage of discounts

Insuring your fleet can be pricey, buy you may qualify for discounts to help offset the cost. Most are applied when you purchase, but some may not be applied and must be specifically requested before being credited. If you aren’t receiving every discount available, you are paying more than you should be.

  • Auto/Life Discount – Companies who offer life insurance give lower rates if you buy life insurance from them.
  • Pay Upfront and Save – By paying your policy upfront instead of making monthly payments you could save up to 5%.
  • Student Driver Training – Make teen driver coverage more affordable by requiring them to take driver’s ed class in school.
  • Employee of Federal Government – Active or retired federal employment can earn a discount up to 10% on RAV4 coverage with certain companies.
  • Multiple Cars – Having all your vehicles on one policy qualifies for this discount.
  • Early Switch Discount – Some companies give discounts for signing up prior to your current policy expiration. It’s a savings of about 10%.
  • Save with a New Car – Buying coverage on a new vehicle can be considerably cheaper compared to insuring an older model.

Drivers should understand that most discount credits are not given to your bottom line cost. Most only cut the price of certain insurance coverages like liability, collision or medical payments. So even though it sounds like you could get a free car insurance policy, car insurance companies aren’t that generous. But all discounts will reduce your premiums.

Companies that may have some of the above discounts may include but are not limited to:

It’s a good idea to ask all companies you are considering what discounts are available to you. Savings may not apply in your state.

How to Compare Auto Insurance Costs

Finding a better price on auto insurance is not a difficult process. The only requirement is to take the time getting comparison quotes from different insurance companies. This can be accomplished using a couple different methods.

  1. The first (and easiest) way to get the best comparison quotes is to use a rate comparison form (click to open form in new window). This type of form keeps you from doing multiple quote forms for every auto insurance company. One quote request will get you rate comparisons instantly. Recommended for those who want to invest the least amount of time.
  2. A more time consuming way to compare prices requires visiting each company website to complete their respective quote request forms. For example, we’ll pretend you want comparison quotes from Geico, Safeco and Progressive. To get each rate you have to visit each site to enter your coverage information, which is why the first method is quicker. For a list of links to insurance companies in your area, click here.
  3. The least efficient method to get comparison rates is driving to different agent offices. The internet has reduced the need for local agents unless you want the personal advice only provided by licensed agents. It is possible to price shop online but buy from a local insurance agent and we’ll cover that in a bit.

Which method you use is up to you, but make absolute certain that you use exactly the same deductibles and coverage limits on every quote you get. If you have unequal deductibles or liability limits then you won’t be able to determine the lowest rate for your Toyota RAV4.

Toyota RAV4 insurance rates have many determining factors

An important part of buying insurance is that you know the factors that play a part in calculating the price you pay for car insurance. Having a good understanding of what determines base rates enables informed choices that may reward you with big savings.

  • Poor driving leads to higher costs – Drivers with clean records have lower premiums compared to drivers with tickets. Even one ticket may increase your cost twenty percent or more. Drivers with flagrant tickets such as hit and run, DWI or reckless driving convictions are required to file a SR-22 to the state department of motor vehicles in order to keep their license.
  • Car features impact rates – Choosing a vehicle that has an advanced theft prevention system can help bring down rates. Theft prevention devices such as tamper alarm systems, vehicle immobilizer technology and General Motors OnStar can thwart auto theft.
  • One company can mean more discounts – Most insurance companies provide better rates to policyholders who consolidate policies with them in the form of a multi-policy discount. Even with this discount, you may still want to comparison shop to confirm you are receiving the best rates possible.
  • Don’t cancel a policy without a new one in place – Letting your insurance expire is a sure-fire way to trigger a rate increase. And not only will insurance be more expensive, but being ticketed for driving with no insurance will get you a revoked license or a big fine.
  • Safer cars are cheaper to insure – Safer cars can get you lower premiums. Safe vehicles result in less severe injuries and lower injury rates translates into fewer and smaller insurance claims and thus lower rates. If the Toyota RAV4 earned at least an “acceptable” rating on the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety website or four stars on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website you may qualify for a discount.
  • Better credit scores mean better rates – A driver’s credit score is a huge factor in your rate calculation. So if your credit score is lower than you’d like, you could pay less to insure your 1997 Toyota RAV4 by repairing your credit. Drivers who have high credit ratings tend to be better drivers and file fewer claims than those with poor credit.
  • Mature drivers pay less – Older insureds are viewed as being more responsible, statistically cause fewer accidents and are safer drivers. Teen drivers tend to be less responsible when behind the wheel and because of this, their car insurance rates are much higher.
  • The more you drive the more you pay – Driving more miles every year the more you’ll pay to insure your vehicle. Most insurance companies apply a rate based on how the vehicle is used. Vehicles left parked in the garage qualify for better rates compared to those used for work or business. Make sure your car insurance coverage properly reflects the proper vehicle usage. Incorrect usage on your RAV4 can result in significantly higher rates.

Your coverage should be tailored to you

When it comes to choosing coverage, there isn’t really a cookie cutter policy. Every insured’s situation is different.

For instance, these questions can aid in determining whether or not you might need professional guidance.

  • Can I afford low physical damage deductibles?
  • Does having multiple vehicles earn me a discount?
  • What can I do if my company denied a claim?
  • Is a blown tire covered by insurance?
  • Does my insurance cover damage caused when ticketed for reckless driving?
  • What is medical payments coverage?

If you can’t answer these questions then you might want to talk to an insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, take a second and complete this form. It is quick, free and can help protect your family.

Coverage specifics

Knowing the specifics of your car insurance policy aids in choosing appropriate coverage at the best deductibles and correct limits. Car insurance terms can be confusing and reading a policy is terribly boring.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM)

Your UM/UIM coverage gives you protection when the “other guys” either have no liability insurance or not enough. This coverage pays for injuries sustained by your vehicle’s occupants and also any damage incurred to your Toyota RAV4.

Because many people only purchase the least amount of liability that is required, it only takes a small accident to exceed their coverage. For this reason, having high UM/UIM coverages should not be overlooked. Most of the time these coverages do not exceed the liability coverage limits.

Comprehensive insurance

Comprehensive insurance coverage pays for damage that is not covered by collision coverage. You need to pay your deductible first and then insurance will cover the rest of the damage.

Comprehensive coverage pays for things such as damage from flooding, theft, vandalism and a tree branch falling on your vehicle. The highest amount a car insurance company will pay at claim time is the ACV or actual cash value, so if your deductible is as high as the vehicle’s value consider dropping full coverage.

Collision protection

Collision coverage pays for damage to your RAV4 resulting from a collision with another car or object. You first must pay a deductible then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.

Collision coverage protects against things such as driving through your garage door, sustaining damage from a pot hole, backing into a parked car, hitting a parking meter and hitting a mailbox. This coverage can be expensive, so analyze the benefit of dropping coverage from lower value vehicles. Drivers also have the option to choose a higher deductible in order to get cheaper collision rates.

Med pay and Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage pay for bills for funeral costs, nursing services, hospital visits and prosthetic devices. They are often used in conjunction with a health insurance policy or if you do not have health coverage. Coverage applies to both the driver and occupants and will also cover being hit by a car walking across the street. Personal Injury Protection is only offered in select states and gives slightly broader coverage than med pay

Liability car insurance

This provides protection from damage or injury you incur to people or other property. This insurance protects YOU against claims from other people. It does not cover your injuries or vehicle damage.

Liability coverage has three limits: bodily injury for each person, bodily injury for the entire accident, and a limit for property damage. Your policy might show liability limits of 25/50/25 that means you have $25,000 bodily injury coverage, a limit of $50,000 in injury protection per accident, and a total limit of $25,000 for damage to vehicles and property. Another option is a combined single limit or CSL that pays claims from the same limit with no separate limits for injury or property damage.

Liability coverage protects against claims like structural damage, repair bills for other people’s vehicles, attorney fees and legal defense fees. How much coverage you buy is your choice, but you should buy as much as you can afford.

Online plus local equals savings

Cheaper 1997 Toyota RAV4 insurance can be sourced online as well as from independent agents, and you should compare price quotes from both in order to have the best chance of saving money. Some insurance providers don’t offer online quoting and most of the time these smaller companies sell through independent agents.

In this article, we covered a lot of techniques to save on insurance. It’s most important to understand that the more quotes you get, the higher the chance of saving money. Consumers could even find that the lowest premiums are with a small mutual company.

As you shop your coverage around, it’s a bad idea to reduce needed coverages to save money. There have been many cases where an accident victim reduced liability coverage limits and found out when filing a claim that the savings was not a smart move. Your focus should be to buy a smart amount of coverage at an affordable rate while still protecting your assets.

More detailed car insurance information is available at these sites: