Save on 2013 Toyota Prius Car Insurance Rates

Pretty sure you bought an overpriced car insurance policy? Trust us when we tell you there are a lot of people just like you who feel imprisoned by their car insurance policy.

Because you have many choices, it’s nearly impossible to choose the lowest price car insurance provider.

Reduce insurance rates with these tips

Many different elements are part of the equation when you get a price on insurance. Some are obvious like an MVR report, although some other factors are more obscure like where you live and annual miles driven.

Listed below are some of the items used by your company to calculate prices.

• Experienced drivers pay less – More experienced drivers tend to be more responsible, statistically cause fewer accidents and are safer drivers.Inexperience drivers tend to be inattentive and easily distracted when at the wheel of a vehicle and because of this, their insurance rates are much higher.
• Male rates may be higher – Statistics demonstrate females are less aggressive when driving. It does not mean males are worse at driving than females. Women and men cause auto accidents in similar numbers, but males cause more damage and cost insurance companies more money. Men also get cited for more serious violations like DUI and reckless driving. Youthful male drivers tend to get in the most accidents and thus pay the highest rates.
• Certain jobs raise premiums – Did you know your job can affect your rates? Occupations such as fire fighterspolice officers and medical professionals generally pay higher rates than the rest of us because of stressful work requirements and lots of time spent at work. On the other hand, occupations like professors, students and homemakers have the lowest average rates on Prius coverage.
• Never let your insurance expire – Driving your car without having proper coverage is against the law and insurance companies will penalize you for letting your insurance expire. In addition to paying higher premiums, not being able to provide proof of insurance may result in fines and jail time.
• Marriage is a good thing – Walking down the aisle actually saves money on your insurance bill. Marriage usually means you are more financially stable and it’s proven that married drivers tend to have fewer serious accidents.
• Driving citations drive up premiums – Careful drivers receive lower rates than their less careful counterparts. Getting just one speeding ticket or other violation can boost insurance rates forty percent or more. Drivers who have gotten flagrant violations like hit and run, DWI or reckless driving convictions may need to prove financial responsibility with their state DMV in order to keep their license.
• Bad credit hurts insurance costs – Your credit score factor in calculating your insurance rates. If your credit can use some improvement, you could potentially save money when insuring your 2013 Toyota Prius by improving your rating. Insureds with high credit scores tend to file fewer claims than drivers with lower credit scores.

Cheap insurance coverage rate quotes online

To find low cost auto insurance quotes, there are several ways to obtain and compare prices from lots of insurance coverage companies. The best way to compare rates involves getting comparison quotes online. This can be done in just a few minutes using one of these methods.

• The most efficient way consumers can make multiple comparisons is an all-inclusive rate comparison like this one (opens in new window). This easy form saves time by eliminating multiple quote forms for each company you want a rate for. One quote request compares rates instantly.
• A slightly less efficient method to analyze rates is to take the time to go to the website for every company you want to comare and repeat the quote process again and again. For example, let’s assume you want rates from State Farm, Geico and Travelers. To find out each rate you need to navigate to each company’s site and repeatedly enter your information, which is why most consumers use the first method. To view a list of companies in your area, click here.

Take whichever approach you prefer, but try to keep equivalent quote data for each quote you get. If your comparisons have unequal deductibles or liability limits it will be next to impossible to make a fair comparison for your Toyota Prius. Having just a slight variation in coverage limits could throw off the whole comparison. And when comparing insurance coverage rates, know that more quotes will improve the odds of getting a lower rate. Some smaller insurers to not give quotes online, so it’s important to compare quotes from those companies as well.

Brand name doesn’t guarantee savings

State Farm, Allstate and Geico consistently run ads in print and on television. They all convey the message that drivers will save a bundle if you change to their company. It sounds good, but how can they all save you money? It’s all in the wording.

Many companies have strict underwriting profiles for the type of customer that is profitable for them. For example, a profitable customer could possibly be married and over the age of 30, has other policies, and chooses high deductibles. Any person who fits that profile will qualify for the lowest prices and most likely will cut their rates if they switch.

People who don’t meet the “perfect” profile will have to pay higher premiums and the prospect going elsewhere. If you pay close attention to the ads, they say “people who switch” but not “all drivers who get quotes” save money. This is how companies can make claims like that.

This emphasizes why you really need to compare as many free auto insurance quotes as you can. Because you cannot predict which insurance company will have the lowest rate quotes.

More affordable rates by taking advantage of discounts

Car insurance is not cheap, but you may find discounts that could help you make your next renewal payment. Certain reductions will be credited when you purchase, but once in a while a discount must be specially asked for before they will apply.

• Fewer Miles Equal More Savings – Low mileage vehicles may enable drivers to earn slightly better auto insurancerates than normal.
• Student Discounts – Excelling in school can be rewarded with saving of up to 25%. Many companies even apply the discount to college students up to age 25.
• College Student – Children who are enrolled in a college that is more than 100 miles from home and do not have access to a covered vehicle could get you a discount.
• Driver Training Discounts – Taking part in a course that instructs on driving safety could save 5% or more if you qualify.
• Pay Upfront and Save – By making one initial payment rather than paying monthly you could save up to 5%.
• Multi-car Discount – Buying coverage for multiple cars with the same auto insurance company can get a discount on all vehicles.
• Sign Early and Save – A few larger companies offer discounts for buying a new policy early. This can save 10% or more.

Just know that most discounts do not apply to all coverage premiums. Some only apply to specific coverage prices like liability and collision coverage. Despite the appearance that it’s possible to get free car insurance, company stockholders wouldn’t be very happy. Any qualifying discounts will positively reduce the cost of your policy.

Some companies who might offer these discounts may include but are not limited to:

• American Family
• Farm Bureau
• State Farm
• Travelers
• The Hartford
• Geico
• Progressive

When comparing rates, check with every prospective company which discounts you may be entitled to. Some of the discounts discussed earlier might not apply in your state. To choose insurers that can offer you the previously mentioned discounts, follow this link.

How much auto insurance do I need?

When buying the right insurance coverage for your vehicles, there really is no single plan that fits everyone. Everyone’s needs are different and a cookie cutter policy won’t apply. These are some specific questions may help you determine whether your personal situation would benefit from an agent’s advice.

• What companies insure drivers after a DUI or DWI?
• Do I benefit by insuring my home with the same company?
• When should I drop full coverage on my 2013 Toyota Prius?
• Is my state a no-fault state?
• Can I rent a car in Mexico?
• Is pleasure use cheaper than using my 2013 Toyota Prius to commute?
• Why am I required to get a high-risk car insurance policy?
• Will I be non-renewed for getting a DUI or other conviction?
• Am I covered if my car is in a flood?
• Is my trailer covered?

If you’re not sure about those questions but you know they apply to you, you may need to chat with a licensed agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, fill out this quick form or you can also visit this page to select a carrier

Coverages available on your policy

Knowing the specifics of your car insurance policy helps when choosing the right coverages and proper limits and deductibles. Policy terminology can be impossible to understand and reading a policy is terribly boring. Listed below are the usual coverages offered by car insurance companies.

UM/UIM Coverage – Your UM/UIM coverage provides protection from other drivers when they do not carry enough liability coverage. Covered claims include medical payments for you and your occupants as well as damage to your Toyota Prius.

Due to the fact that many drivers carry very low liability coverage limits, their limits can quickly be used up. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is important protection for you and your family. Most of the time these limits are similar to your liability insurance amounts.

Comprehensive or Other Than Collision – This will pay to fix damage caused by mother nature, theft, vandalism and other events. You first must pay your deductible and the remainder of the damage will be paid by comprehensive coverage.

Comprehensive insurance covers things such as theft, damage from flooding, hitting a bird, damage from getting keyed and damage from a tornado or hurricane. The maximum payout a car insurance company will pay at claim time is the market value of your vehicle, so if the vehicle’s value is low consider dropping full coverage.

Liability – Liability coverage provides protection from injuries or damage you cause to other’s property or people that is your fault. This insurance protects YOU from legal claims by others. Liability doesn’t cover your own vehicle damage or injuries.

Liability coverage has three limits: bodily injury for each person injured, bodily injury for the entire accident and a property damage limit. Your policy might show policy limits of 100/300/100 which means $100,000 bodily injury coverage, $300,000 for the entire accident, and a limit of $100,000 paid for damaged property. Some companies may use one number which is a combined single limit that pays claims from the same limit and claims can be made without the split limit restrictions.

Liability coverage protects against things such as legal defense fees, medical services, funeral expenses and structural damage. How much liability should you purchase? That is your choice, but it’s cheap coverage so purchase as high a limit as you can afford.

Medical costs insurance – Coverage for medical payments and/or PIP provide coverage for expenses like X-ray expenses, nursing services and pain medications. They are used to cover expenses not covered by your health insurance policy or if you are not covered by health insurance. Medical payments and PIP cover you and your occupants in addition to being hit by a car walking across the street. Personal Injury Protection is not an option in every state but can be used in place of medical payments coverage

Collision – This coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage from colliding with a stationary object or other vehicle. You will need to pay your deductible then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.

Collision coverage protects against things such as colliding with a tree, damaging your car on a curb and scraping a guard rail. Collision is rather expensive coverage, so consider removing coverage from vehicles that are 8 years or older. Another option is to choose a higher deductible to bring the cost down.

In any little way, save everyday

The cheapest 2013 Toyota Prius insurance is definitely available both online and with local insurance agents, and you should compare rates from both in order to have the best chance of saving money. There are still a few companies who may not offer price quotes online and these regional insurance providers provide coverage only through independent agents.

As you shop your coverage around, don’t be tempted to buy poor coverage just to save money. There are a lot of situations where consumers will sacrifice collision coverage only to discover later that the savings was not a smart move. The proper strategy is to buy enough coverage at the best price.

More tips and info about insurance is available in the articles below:

• Anti-Lock Brake FAQ (iihs.org)
• Collision Coverage (Liberty Mutual)
• Choosing a Car for Your Teen (State Farm)
• Auto Insurance FAQ (Farmers Insurance)
• How do I File a Claim? (Insurance Information Insitute)
• Smart Auto Insurance Tips (Insurance Information Insitute)