Cheaper 2003 Toyota RAV4 Car Insurance Rates

Nobody looks forward to buying auto insurance, in particular when they are paying too much. There are many car insurance companies to buy insurance from, and even though it’s nice to have a selection, it can be more difficult to compare company pricing.

You need to get comparison quotes periodically because prices tend to go up over time. Just because you found the best deal on RAV4 coverage a couple years back you can probably find a better price now. Don’t believe everything you read about auto insurance online, so with this article, you’re going to get the easiest ways to slash your auto insurance rates.

This information will teach you the best way to quote coverages and some tips to save money. If you have car insurance now, you will be able to save some money using these techniques. Drivers just need to understand the proper way to shop on the web.

The easiest way to get rate comparisons is to realize most larger insurance companies provide online access to provide you with a free rate quote. To get started, all you need to do is provide a little information such as the year, make and model of vehicles, your job, level of coverage desired, and how old drivers are. Your details is instantly submitted to many different companies and you will receive price estimates instantly to find the best rate.

Do drivers who switch really save $449 a year?

Consumers get pounded daily by advertisements that promise big savings by Allstate and Progressive. All the ads make the same claim that you can save if you change to their company.

But how can every company claim to save you money?

Insurance companies are able to cherry pick for the type of customer that earns them a profit. A good example of a driver they prefer could be over the age of 50, owns a home, and drives less than 10,000 miles a year. A customer who fits that profile will get the preferred rates and most likely will cut their rates substantially.

Potential insureds who fall outside this ideal profile will be charged a higher premium and ends up with business going elsewhere. The ad wording is “people who switch” but not “drivers who get quotes” save that much. That’s why companies can make the claims of big savings.

That is why you should get as many comparisons as possible. Because you never know which insurance companies will fit your personal profile best.

Discounts are basically free money

The cost of insuring your cars can be expensive, but you may find discounts to help bring down the price. Certain discounts will be triggered automatically when you purchase, but a few need to be manually applied prior to receiving the credit. If you don’t get every credit possible, you’re just leaving money on the table.

  • Safe Driver Discount – Drivers who don’t get into accidents can pay as much as 50% less on RAV4 coverage than drivers with accidents.
  • Safety Course Discount – Completing a course teaching defensive driving skills could possibly earn you a 5% discount if you qualify.
  • Auto/Home Discount – If you have multiple policies with the same company you may save approximately 10% to 15%.
  • E-sign – Certain companies may give you up to $50 just for signing your application on their website.
  • Accident Free – Good drivers with no accidents pay less compared to drivers who are more careless.
  • Employee of Federal Government – Simply working for the federal government could cut as much as 10% off on RAV4 coverage with certain companies.
  • Seat Belts Save more than Lives – Using a seat belt and requiring all passengers to buckle their seat belts could cut 10% or more off the personal injury premium cost.
  • Air Bag Discount – Cars that have air bags and/or automatic seat belt systems can get savings up to 30%.
  • One Accident Forgiven – A handful of insurance companies will forgive one accident before raising your premiums if your claims history is clear for a set time period.

Drivers should understand that many deductions do not apply to your bottom line cost. Some only reduce the cost of specific coverages such as physical damage coverage or medical payments. So when it seems like you would end up receiving a 100% discount, insurance companies aren’t that generous. But any discount will reduce your premiums.

For a list of insurance companies offering insurance discounts, click here to view.

Which insurance is the “right” coverage?

When it comes to choosing the best car insurance coverage, there is no single plan that fits everyone. Every situation is different so this has to be addressed. Here are some questions about coverages that could help you determine if you may require specific advice.

  • Do I really need UM/UIM coverage?
  • Is other people’s property covered if stolen from my vehicle?
  • Do I need PIP coverage since I have good health insurance?
  • Can I afford to buy a different vehicle if my 2003 Toyota RAV4 is totaled?
  • Is my babysitter covered when using my vehicle?
  • How much can I save by bundling my policies?
  • Does coverage extend to Mexico or Canada?
  • Can I rent a car in Mexico?

If it’s difficult to answer those questions but you know they apply to you, you may need to chat with 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 It only takes a few minutes and can provide invaluable advice.

Auto insurance coverage information

Knowing the specifics of your policy can help you determine the right coverages and the correct deductibles and limits. The coverage terms in a policy can be difficult to understand and even agents have difficulty translating policy wording. Below you’ll find typical coverages found on most insurance policies.

Comprehensive coverage – Comprehensive insurance coverage will pay to fix damage caused by mother nature, theft, vandalism and other events. You need to pay your deductible first and then insurance will cover the rest of the damage.

Comprehensive can pay for things like hail damage, rock chips in glass, damage from a tornado or hurricane, damage from flooding and a tree branch falling on your vehicle. The maximum amount you can receive from a comprehensive claim is the ACV or actual cash value, so if it’s not worth much more than your deductible consider dropping full coverage.

Collision coverages – Collision coverage will pay to fix damage to your RAV4 from colliding with another vehicle or an object, but not an animal. You will need to pay your deductible then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.

Collision can pay for claims like colliding with a tree, driving through your garage door and colliding with another moving vehicle. Paying for collision coverage can be pricey, so consider dropping it from vehicles that are 8 years or older. It’s also possible to bump up the deductible to bring the cost down.

Medical payments coverage and PIP – Medical payments and Personal Injury Protection insurance kick in for immediate expenses for X-ray expenses, dental work, hospital visits and surgery. They can be used to cover expenses not covered by your health insurance policy or if you do not have health coverage. Coverage applies to you and your occupants as well as any family member struck as a pedestrian. PIP coverage is not universally available and may carry a deductible

Liability coverage – Liability insurance can cover damages or injuries you inflict on other’s property or people. This insurance protects YOU against claims from other people, and doesn’t cover damage to your own property or vehicle.

Liability coverage has three limits: bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident and property damage. As an example, you may have limits of 100/300/100 which stand for $100,000 in coverage for each person’s injuries, a per accident bodily injury limit of $300,000, and property damage coverage for $100,000. Another option is a combined limit which limits claims to one amount with no separate limits for injury or property damage.

Liability coverage pays for things such as loss of income, attorney fees, repair bills for other people’s vehicles, structural damage and bail bonds. How much coverage you buy is a decision to put some thought into, but it’s cheap coverage so purchase as high a limit as you can afford.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage – This protects you and your vehicle’s occupants when the “other guys” either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. Covered claims include injuries to you and your family as well as your vehicle’s damage.

Since many drivers only carry the minimum required liability limits, their limits can quickly be used up. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage should not be overlooked. Frequently the UM/UIM limits are identical to your policy’s liability coverage.

A tidy conclusion

While you’re price shopping online, make sure you don’t buy lower coverage limits just to save a few bucks. There have been many situations where someone sacrificed collision coverage only to regret at claim time that a couple dollars of savings turned into a financial nightmare. The proper strategy is to purchase plenty of coverage at a price you can afford, not the least amount of coverage.

Affordable 2003 Toyota RAV4 insurance is definitely available online and with local insurance agents, and you need to price shop both to have the best chance of lowering rates. Some car insurance companies do not offer the ability to get a quote online and most of the time these regional insurance providers sell through independent agents.

Much more information about car insurance can be found on the following sites: