I can’t think of anyone who enjoys paying for car insurance, in particular when the cost is too high. Lots of insurance companies contend for your hard-earned dollar, and because of this it can be hard to compare auto insurance companies and get the best coverage at the cheapest price
It’s a great practice to get comparison quotes at least once a year since prices change frequently. Even if you think you had the best rate for Highlander insurance six months ago other companies may now be cheaper. Forget all the misinformation about car insurance because you’re going to get a crash course in the right way to properly buy coverages and cut your premium.
Part of the insurance buying process is learning the factors that come into play when calculating the rates you pay for insurance. When consumers understand what influences your rates, this helps enable you to make changes that can earn you lower rates.
The itemized list below are most of the major factors used by insurance companies to determine rates.
The method we recommend to compare insurance rates from multiple companies is to realize all the major auto insurance companies participate in a system to provide you with free rate quotes. To begin a comparison, all you need to do is provide a small amount of information like what your job is, level of coverage desired, if you have a valid license, and daily mileage. That rating data is then sent to multiple different insurance companies and you should receive rate quotes with very little delay.
Consumers can’t get away from all the ads for cheaper car insurance by companies like Progressive, Geico, Allstate and State Farm. They all make the same claim of big savings if you get a free car insurance quote and switch your coverage to them.
But how can every company charge you a lower premium? You have to listen carefully.
All companies have specific guidelines for the right customer that is profitable for them. A good example of a preferred risk may need to be over the age of 35, insures multiple vehicles, and does not commute to work. A propective insured who matches that profile gets the lowest auto insurance rates and will save when switching.
Potential insureds who are not a match for those criteria may be required to pay a more expensive rate and ends up with the prospect going elsewhere. The ads state “customers who switch” not “everyone who quotes” save that much money. That is how insurance companies can make those claims.
Each company has different criteria, so drivers must compare as many free car insurance quotes as you can. It’s just not possible to know with any certainty which company will provide you with the cheapest prices.
Insurance is not an enjoyable expense, but companies offer discounts to help bring down the price. Many discounts should be triggered at the time of purchase, but some may not be applied and must be asked for prior to getting the savings.
It’s important to note that most discount credits are not given the the whole policy. Some only reduce the cost of specific coverages such as medical payments or collision. So despite the fact that it appears you could get a free insurance policy, you aren’t that lucky. Any amount of discount will help reduce your policy cost.
To see a list of companies offering insurance discounts, click here.
When buying coverage for your personal vehicles, there really is not a “perfect” insurance plan. Your needs are not the same as everyone else’s so this has to be addressed. For example, these questions may help highlight whether you might need professional guidance.
If it’s difficult to answer those questions but you know they apply to you then you might want to talk to a licensed agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, simply complete this short form or you can also visit this page to select a carrier It’s fast, doesn’t cost anything and you can get the answers you need.
Knowing the specifics of your insurance policy can help you determine which coverages you need and the correct deductibles and limits. The terms used in a policy can be difficult to understand and reading a policy is terribly boring. Listed below are the usual coverages available from insurance companies.
Collision coverage will pay to fix damage to your Highlander from colliding with another car or object. You have to pay a deductible then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.
Collision coverage pays for claims like crashing into a building, colliding with another moving vehicle, rolling your car, driving through your garage door and sideswiping another vehicle. This coverage can be expensive, so analyze the benefit of dropping coverage from older vehicles. Drivers also have the option to bump up the deductible to save money on collision insurance.
This protects you from damage or injury you incur to other people or property by causing an accident. This coverage protects you against other people’s claims, and does not provide coverage for your own vehicle damage or injuries.
Split limit liability has three limits of coverage: per person bodily injury, per accident bodily injury, and a property damage limit. You might see liability limits of 100/300/100 that translate to $100,000 in coverage for each person’s injuries, $300,000 for the entire accident, and a total limit of $100,000 for damage to vehicles and property. Occasionally you may see one limit called combined single limit (CSL) that pays claims from the same limit without having the split limit caps.
Liability coverage pays for things like repair costs for stationary objects, funeral expenses, loss of income and legal defense fees. How much coverage you buy is up to you, but it’s cheap coverage so purchase as much as you can afford.
Medical payments and Personal Injury Protection insurance provide coverage for short-term medical expenses such as surgery, X-ray expenses and ambulance fees. They are often used to fill the gap from your health insurance policy or if there is no health insurance coverage. They cover all vehicle occupants and will also cover if you are hit as a while walking down the street. Personal Injury Protection is not available in all states and may carry a deductible
This covers damage that is not covered by collision coverage. You first must pay your deductible and the remainder of the damage will be paid by comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive coverage pays for claims like vandalism, fire damage and rock chips in glass. The maximum payout a insurance company will pay at claim time is the actual cash value, so if the vehicle is not worth much consider removing comprehensive coverage.
This coverage gives you protection when other motorists are uninsured or don’t have enough coverage. This coverage pays for hospital bills for your injuries as well as your vehicle’s damage.
Since a lot of drivers carry very low liability coverage limits, their limits can quickly be used up. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is a good idea. Normally the UM/UIM limits are similar to your liability insurance amounts.
As you shop your coverage around, it’s not a good idea to sacrifice coverage to reduce premiums. There are too many instances where an insured dropped full coverage only to regret that the small savings ended up costing them much more. Your strategy should be to buy the best coverage you can find at an affordable rate while not skimping on critical coverages.
Affordable 2013 Toyota Highlander insurance can be purchased both online and from local insurance agents, and you should compare price quotes from both to have the best chance of lowering rates. Some insurance companies may not have internet price quotes and most of the time these regional carriers sell through independent agents.
For more information, feel free to visit the following helpful articles:
Lucrecia Ferguson
Cheaper not always better. I live on the east side of Idaho Falls, ID. I quoted with Nationwide, Esurance, GEICO, and Auto-Owners for my Highlander and saved $562 a year. Have an at-fault accident tho. They offer free online rate quotes.
Lynda Hubbard
If you have a good history and are close to Dallas, TX, check out 21st Century. They seem to be cheaper.
Aurelia Burgess
Here’s what I found out. I’m in the south part of Mobile, Alabama. Went online for free insurance quotes for a 2013 Toyota Highlander. Ended up at about $230 savings annually. Went with GEICO.
Judy Summers
Just a quick comment on my experience. From north side of Miami, FL. I got free prices from AIG Insurance, MetLife, and Travelers for my Toyota and I’m now saving $50 a month. Insured with Esurance before. I have a couple other vehicles on the policy.
Vernia Booth
If you have a good history and live around Fairbanks, AK, check out Progressive. You might get cheaper rates. Left AIG Insurance to switch. Even increased coverage a bit.
Thomas Hunt
I’m just south of Billings, MT. I don’t recall every quote but I ended up saving about $50 each month. Insured with Liberty Mutual before. Still almost need a second mortgage.
Adam Yang
Cheap car insurance? What’s that? Checking in from Saint Louis, Missouri. Got rates from State Farm, Liberty Mutual, and Esurance for my 2013 Toyota Highlander and saved just over $410 a year.
Carry Roberts
If you have a good history and are close to Cincinnati, OH, check out 21st Century. They seem to be cheaper. Insured with 21st Century before. Thankfully I have a good driving record. They have free quotes online.
Ashlea Poole
Hope my car insurance gets cheaper. Got a quote with MetLife for my Toyota and cut my rates about $200 a year. I get lower rates because of my clean driving record. I got a quote from their website.
Sage Randall
I got decent rates for a 2013 Toyota Highlander in Baltimore, MD. Ended up at about $470 every six months with AAA. They have free quotes online.
Nova Carey
Cheaper not always better. I live on the north side of Newark, DE. Got prices from Sentry, Encompass, State Farm, and Amica for my Toyota and am saving around $430 a year. Good multi-policy discounts.
Talitha Walls
I was with Hanover last year but switched to Allstate. I’m from North Charleston, SC. Good savings if you bundle. LOL
Ninfa Beck
Great site. I’m from Lincoln, NE. Quoted with AIG Insurance, Eastwood, and Mercury for my Highlander and saved $351 a year. Insured with Erie before. I think they have home insurance too.
Jenni Sykes
Live in Nashua, NH. I quoted with Progressive, Liberty Mutual, and Farmers for my Highlander and saved $425 a year. BTW speeding tickets are not good.
Daron Herman
I found affordable 2013 Toyota Highlander insurance from Progressive in Nashua, New Hampshire.
Glayds Solomon
Where is cheaper car insurance? Checking in from Burlington, VT. Went online for free insurance quotes for a 2013 Toyota Highlander. Ended up at about $320 savings annually. Went with State Farm. My new agent seems to be really good. Wish I didn’t have to insure at all.