2009 Toyota RAV4 Insurance Rates – 9 Tips to Save

I can’t think of anyone who likes having to buy insurance coverage, particularly when they are paying too much. Companies like Progressive, Geico and Farmers Insurance all promote huge savings with advertising and it is challenging if not impossible to separate fact from fiction and take the time to shop coverage around.

Consumers need to quote other rates periodically because prices go up and down regularly. Just because you found the best deal on RAV4 insurance a couple years back you will most likely find a better premium rate today. Forget all the misinformation about insurance coverage because I’m going to let you in on the secrets to the best methods to find the best coverage while lowering your premiums.

Discount auto insurance quotes

Insuring your fleet can be pricey, but you might be missing out on some discounts to cut the cost considerably. Some discounts apply automatically when you complete an application, but some may not be applied and must be requested specifically in order for you to get them. If they aren’t giving you every credit possible, you could be getting lower rates.

• Life Insurance – Not every insurance company offers life insurance, but if they do you may earn a small discount if you purchase some life insurance too.
• Homeowners Pay Less – Just being a homeowner can earn you a little savings due to the fact that maintaining a home requires a higher level of personal finance.
• Smart Student Discounts – This discount can save 20 to 25%. You can use this discount normally up until you turn 25.
• Pay Early and Save – If you pay your entire premium ahead of time instead of monthly or quarterly installments you can actually save on your bill.
• Military Deployment Discount – Being on active deployment in the military could be rewarded with lower rates.
• Paperwork-free – A few larger online companies provide a small discount for completing your application on your computer.
• Club Memberships – Joining qualifying clubs or civic groups may earn a discount on your next renewal.
• Multi-policy Discount – When you have multiple policies with one insurance company you could save at least 10 to 15 percent or more.
• Mature Driver Discount – Drivers over the age of 55 are able to get lower premium rates on RAV4 insurance.

It’s important to understand that most credits do not apply to your bottom line cost. Most only cut the cost of specific coverages such as liability, collision or medical payments. If you do the math and it seems like you can get free auto insurance, auto insurance companies aren’t that generous. But all discounts will reduce the amount you have to pay.

If you would like to choose from a list of insurers with the best auto insurance discounts, click here.

Tailor your auto insurance coverage to you

When buying proper insurance coverage, there is no one size fits all plan. Every insured’s situation is different and a cookie cutter policy won’t apply. Here are some questions about coverages that can aid in determining if you could use an agent’s help.

• Where can I find DUI or SR-22 insurance?
• I don’t drive much so do I pay less?
• Are my friends covered when driving my 2009 Toyota RAV4?
• What are the financial responsibility laws in my state?
• Am I covered when driving in Canada or Mexico?
• How much underlying liability do I need for an umbrella policy?
• Is my cargo covered for damage or theft?
• What if I don’t agree with a claim settlement offer?

If you can’t answer these questions but you think they might apply to your situation, then you may want to think about talking to an agent. If you don’t have a local agent, simply complete this short form or click here for a list of auto insurance companies in your area. It is quick, free and can help protect your family.

Can you really save $481 a year?

Consumers constantly see and hear ads that claim the cheapest rates from companies such as Allstate, Geico and Progressive. All the companies state the claim that drivers will save a bundle if you change your policy.

Is it even possible that every company can charge less that you’re paying now? Here is the trick they use.

Insurance coverage companies have strict underwriting profiles for the driver that will generate a profit. A good example of a profitable risk profile might have to be between 30 and 50, has a low-risk occupation, and insures a new vehicle. Any person who fits those characteristics will get low car insurance rates and as a result will probably cut their rates substantially.

Drivers who don’t measure up to the ideal profile will probably be forced to pay higher prices with the end result being business going elsewhere. The trick companies use is to say “customers who switch” but not “all drivers who get quotes” save that much when switching. This is how companies can truthfully make those claims.

This really emphasizes why you should compare quotes as often as possible. Because you cannot predict with any certainty which company will fit your personal profile best.

Insurance coverage basics

Knowing the specifics of a insurance policy helps when choosing which coverages you need and the correct deductibles and limits. The terms used in a policy can be impossible to understand and coverage can change by endorsement. These are the normal coverages available from insurance companies.

Comprehensive or Other Than Collision

This coverage covers damage from a wide range of events other than collision. You first must pay your deductible and then insurance will cover the rest of the damage.

Comprehensive coverage pays for things such as damage from getting keyed, hitting a deer and falling objects. The most you can receive from a comprehensive claim is the market value of your vehicle, so if your deductible is as high as the vehicle’s value it’s not worth carrying full coverage.

Medical costs insurance

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage pay for expenses for pain medications, prosthetic devices, funeral costs and dental work. They can be utilized in addition to your health insurance policy or if you lack health insurance entirely. They cover all vehicle occupants in addition to any family member struck as a pedestrian. Personal injury protection coverage is not universally available but can be used in place of medical payments coverage

UM/UIM Coverage

Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage protects you and your vehicle’s occupants when the “other guys” are uninsured or don’t have enough coverage. Covered losses include medical payments for you and your occupants and damage to your Toyota RAV4.

Due to the fact that many drivers carry very low liability coverage limits, it only takes a small accident to exceed their coverage. For this reason, having high UM/UIM coverages is important protection for you and your family. Normally your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverages are identical to your policy’s liability coverage.

Coverage for collisions

This coverage pays for damage to your RAV4 resulting from colliding with a stationary object or other vehicle. You first must pay a deductible and then insurance will cover the remainder.

Collision can pay for things like driving through your garage door, rolling your car, scraping a guard rail and sideswiping another vehicle. Collision is rather expensive coverage, so you might think about dropping it from vehicles that are 8 years or older. You can also bump up the deductible to bring the cost down.

Auto liability insurance

This coverage protects you from damage or injury you incur to other’s property or people that is your fault. This insurance protects YOU against claims from other people, and doesn’t cover your own vehicle damage or injuries.

It consists of three limits, bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident and property damage. Your policy might show policy limits of 50/100/50 that translate to a $50,000 limit per person for injuries, $100,000 for the entire accident, and a limit of $50,000 paid for damaged property. Occasionally you may see a combined limit which provides one coverage limit and claims can be made without the split limit restrictions.

Liability coverage pays for claims such as attorney fees, legal defense fees and medical expenses. How much coverage you buy is up to you, but you should buy as large an amount as possible.

Shop smart and save

As you restructure your insurance plan, make sure you don’t buy lower coverage limits just to save a few bucks. There are many occasions where an insured cut liability coverage limits to discover at claim time that their decision to reduce coverage ended up costing them more. Your focus should be to buy enough coverage for the lowest price while not skimping on critical coverages.

We just presented a lot of information how to lower your 2009 Toyota RAV4 insurance premium rates. The most important thing to understand is the more companies you get prices for, the better your comparison will be. You may be surprised to find that the lowest premium rates come from the least-expected company. Some small companies may often insure only within specific states and give getter rates as compared to the big name companies such as Allstate, Geico and Progressive.

Helpful resources

• Electronic Stability Control FAQ (iihs.org)
• Crash Avoidance Technologies FAQ (iihs.org)
• What are my Rights when Filing a Claim? (Insurance Information Insitute)
• Distracted Driving Extends Beyond Texting (State Farm)