2000 Toyota 4Runner Insurance Quotes – 8 Tricks for Cheaper Rates

Being forced to pay for expensive insurance premiums can stress out your checking account and put a big crunch on your finances.

With people having so many online and local companies to choose from, it can be hard to pick the most affordable insurance company.

Finding the best rates is not that difficult. If you currently have a car insurance policy, you should be able to reduce your rates substantially using this strategy. But vehicle owners should learn how the larger insurance companies sell online and apply this information to your search.

Are you getting every discount?

Companies offering auto insurance don’t always list every discount they offer very clearly, so we break down both well-publicized as well as some of the hidden credits available to you.

• Buy New and Save – Putting insurance coverage on a new car can get you a discount because new vehicles are generally safer.
• Discount for Good Grades – This discount can save 20 to 25%. You can use this discount normally well after school through age 25.
• Seat Belt Discounts – Drivers who require all occupants to buckle up before driving could cut 10% or more off the medical payments premium.
• Payment Method – If paying your policy premium upfront rather than spreading payments over time you can avoid monthly service charges.
• Lower Rates for Military – Having a deployed family member could be rewarded with lower rates.
• Defensive Driver Discounts – Completing a defensive driver class could save 5% or more depending on where you live.
• ABS Brakes – Cars and trucks with anti-lock braking systems prevent accidents so companies give up to a 10% discount.
• Auto/Home Discount – When you combine your homeowners and auto insurance and insure them with the same company you could earn a discount of as much as 10 to 15 percent.

Please keep in mind that most discount credits are not given to all coverage premiums. A few only apply to the price of certain insurance coverages like liability, collision or medical payments. So when the math indicates adding up those discounts means a free policy, that’s just not realistic.

Some companies that may offer quotes with these discounts are:

• Geico
• Travelers
• Farm Bureau
• Liberty Mutual
• American Family
• Progressive

When quoting, ask every company to give you their best rates. Discounts might not be offered on policies in your area. To see a list of providers with discount insurance rates, follow this link.

Buy car insurance online

There are a variety of methods to compare car insurance quotes, and some are more efficient than others. You can waste hours talking about coverages with local insurance agents in your area, or you could use the web to maximize your effort.

All the larger companies are enrolled in a marketplace that enables customers to complete one form, and at least one company can provide price quotes. This saves time by eliminating form submissions for each company you want a rate for. To compare rates now click here to open in new window.

The one downside to comparing rates this way is you can’t choose which insurance companies you want to price. So if you want to select from a list of companies to request quotes from, we have assembled a list of the cheapest car insurance companies in your area. Click here for list of insurance companies.

It’s your choice how you get your quotes, but be certain you are entering nearly identical coverage data for each comparison quote. If each company quotes different values for each quote you will not be able to truly determine the lowest rate. Quoting even small variations in coverages can result in a big premium difference. It’s important to know that obtaining a wide range of quotes helps increase your odds of locating a lower rate.

When in doubt talk to an agent

When choosing adequate coverage, there isn’t really a “best” method to buy coverage. Every situation is different and a cookie cutter policy won’t apply. For instance, these questions can help discover if your situation might need an agent’s assistance.

• How do I file an SR-22 for a DUI in my state?
• Can I get a multi-policy discount for packaging my home and auto coverage?
• What is UM/UIM insurance?
• Is rental equipment covered for theft or damage?
• What is high-risk coverage and where do I buy it?
• Is my babysitter covered when using my vehicle?
• When would I need rental car insurance?

If you don’t know the answers to these questions, you might consider talking to a licensed agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, take a second and complete this form or you can also visit this page to select a carrier

Specifics of your insurance policy

Knowing the specifics of a insurance policy can be of help when determining appropriate coverage and the correct deductibles and limits. Policy terminology can be impossible to understand and coverage can change by endorsement. Shown next are typical coverages found on the average insurance policy.

Comprehensive auto coverage

Comprehensive insurance coverage covers damage that is not covered by collision coverage. You first have to pay a deductible and the remainder of the damage will be paid by comprehensive coverage.

Comprehensive can pay for things such as rock chips in glass, falling objects and theft. The maximum payout you can receive from a comprehensive claim is the ACV or actual cash value, so if the vehicle is not worth much consider removing comprehensive coverage.

Liability insurance

Liability insurance can cover damage that occurs to people or other property by causing an accident. This insurance protects YOU from claims by other people, and doesn’t cover damage sustained by your vehicle in an accident.

Liability coverage has three limits: bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident and property damage. You might see limits of 100/300/100 which means $100,000 in coverage for each person’s injuries, a per accident bodily injury limit of $300,000, and a total limit of $100,000 for damage to vehicles and property.

Liability coverage protects against claims like medical services, repair costs for stationary objects, court costs and loss of income. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is a decision to put some thought into, but consider buying higher limits if possible.

Auto collision coverage

Collision coverage will pay to fix damage to your 4Runner caused by collision with another car or object. You have to pay a deductible then your collision coverage will kick in.

Collision coverage pays for things such as crashing into a building, damaging your car on a curb, backing into a parked car and driving through your garage door. Collision is rather expensive coverage, so analyze the benefit of dropping coverage from older vehicles. Another option is to raise the deductible to save money on collision insurance.

Medical payments and PIP coverage

Med pay and PIP coverage kick in for short-term medical expenses for things like surgery, pain medications and dental work. They are used in conjunction with a health insurance policy or if you are not covered by health insurance. Medical payments and PIP cover both the driver and occupants in addition to being hit by a car walking across the street. Personal injury protection coverage is not universally available and may carry a deductible

UM/UIM (Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist) coverage

Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage provides protection from other motorists when they do not carry enough liability coverage. Covered losses include hospital bills for your injuries and also any damage incurred to your 2000 Toyota 4Runner.

Because many people carry very low liability coverage limits, it only takes a small accident to exceed their coverage. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage is important protection for you and your family.

Be a money saver!

More affordable car insurance can be bought from both online companies as well as from insurance agents, and you should be comparing both so you have a total pricing picture. Some companies don’t offer online quoting and these small, regional companies sell through independent insurance agencies.

While you’re price shopping online, you should never buy less coverage just to save a little money. There have been many situations where consumers will sacrifice full coverage only to discover later that the savings was not a smart move. The aim is to purchase a proper amount of coverage at the best price but still have enough coverage for asset protection.

Additional detailed information can be found by following these links:

• Keeping Children Safe in Crashes Video (iihs.org)
• Who Has Cheap Cincinnati Car Insurance Quotes for a Toyota 4Runner? (QuoteCincinnati.com)
• What if I Can’t Find Coverage? (Insurance Information Insitute)
• Credit Impacts Car Insurance Rates (State Farm)
• How to Avoid Staged Accidents (State Farm)