View 1997 Toyota RAV4 Car Insurance Cost

Looking for the cheapest auto insurance rates for your Toyota RAV4? Are you burned out from wondering where the money will come from to pay auto insurance each month? Your situation is no different than many other drivers.

Companies like Progressive, Geico and Farmers Insurance promote their brand names with advertising and it is challenging if not impossible to see past the geckos and flying pigs and effectively compare rates to find the best deal.

If you have car insurance now, you will most likely be able to lower your premiums substantially using this information. Choosing the best insurance company for you is not rocket science. But car owners do need to understand the way companies sell online and apply this information to your search.

The quickest way to compare rates is to understand most insurance companies pay for the opportunity to compare rate quotes. To begin a comparison, all you need to do is provide details like coverage limits, your general credit rating, which vehicles you own, and whether your vehicle is owned or leased. The data is then submitted to insurance carriers in your area and you will get price comparisons instantly to find the best rate.

Do you qualify for discounts?

Auto insurance companies don’t always publicize their entire list of discounts in an easy-to-find place, so we took the time to find both well-publicized and also the more inconspicuous credits available to bring down your rates.

  • Membership in Organizations – Affiliation with a civic or occupational organization could trigger savings on your policy.
  • Discounts for Seat Belt Usage – Drivers who always wear seat belts and also require passengers to use a seat belt could cut 10% or more off the personal injury premium cost.
  • Multi-Vehicle Discounts – Insuring several vehicles on the same car insurance policy can get a discount for every vehicle.
  • One Accident Forgiven – This one isn’t a discount, but companies like Allstate, State Farm and Geico will turn a blind eye to one accident before hitting you with a surcharge so long as you are claim-free before the accident.
  • Telematics Discount – Drivers who elect to allow their car insurance company to scrutinize when and where they use their vehicle by using a small device installed in their vehicle such as Allstate’s Drivewise and State Farm’s In-Drive system could see a rate decrease if they are good drivers.
  • ABS Brakes – Cars, trucks, and SUVs that have anti-lock braking systems have fewer accidents so you can save 10 percent or more.

While discounts sound great, it’s important to understand that most credits do not apply to the overall cost of the policy. A few only apply to individual premiums such as comp or med pay. Despite the fact that it seems like it’s possible to get free car insurance, it’s just not the way it works.

Large car insurance companies and their possible discounts can be read below.

  • State Farm has savings for safe vehicle, accident-free, passive restraint, multiple autos, driver’s education, and Drive Safe & Save.
  • Geico includes discounts for multi-vehicle, anti-lock brakes, defensive driver, membership and employees, and multi-policy.
  • SAFECO policyholders can earn discounts including anti-theft, bundle discounts, drive less, homeowner, teen safe driver, and anti-lock brakes.
  • Farmers Insurance may have discounts that include distant student, alternative fuel, early shopping, bundle discounts, and pay in full.
  • AAA may offer discounts for multi-policy, good driver, multi-car, anti-theft, and education and occupation.
  • USAA discounts include new vehicle, defensive driver, military installation, safe driver, and good student.

If you are trying to find inexpensive auto insurance quotes, ask every prospective company to apply every possible discount. All car insurance discounts may not be available in your area. If you would like to choose from a list of providers with discount car insurance rates, click this link.

Don’t assume everyone needs the same insurance coverage

When buying the best insurance coverage for your vehicles, there really is not a one size fits all plan. Every insured’s situation is different and a cookie cutter policy won’t apply. These are some specific questions might help in determining whether or not you could use an agent’s help.

  • Can I drive in Mexico and have coverage?
  • Do I need roadside assistance coverage?
  • Is other people’s property covered if stolen from my vehicle?
  • Should I file a claim if it’s only slightly more than my deductible?
  • Am I covered when pulling a rental trailer?
  • Do I need PIP (personal injury protection) coverage in my state?
  • Do I need to file an SR-22 for a DUI in my state?
  • Can I still get insurance after a DUI?
  • Can my babysitter drive my car?
  • Are split liability limits better than a combined single limit?

If you’re not sure about those questions, then you may want to think about talking to a licensed insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, fill out this quick form or you can go here for a list of companies in your area.

Eight things that affect your insurance costs

Multiple criteria are used when pricing auto insurance. Some factors are common sense such as your driving history, although some other factors are less apparent like your vehicle usage or your financial responsibility.An important part of buying insurance is that you know the different types of things that aid in calculating your insurance coverage rates. If you know what determines base rates, this empowers consumers to make smart changes that may result in lower premium levels.

  • Teenagers vs. older drivers – Mature drivers are viewed as being more responsible, are lower risk to insure and get fewer tickets.Young drivers are statistically proven to be inattentive and easily distracted when behind the wheel so insurance coverage rates are higher.
  • Liability protection limits are a factor – The liability coverage on your policy provides coverage if you are determined to be liable for causing personal injury or damage in an accident. This coverage provides you with a defense in court which can cost a lot. It is affordable coverage compared to insuring for physical damage coverage, so insureds should have plenty of protection for their assets.
  • Drive fewer miles and save – The more miles you rack up on your Toyota in a year the more it will cost to insure it. The majority of insurers rate vehicles based upon how the vehicle is primarily used. Vehicles not used for work or commuting get more affordable rates as compared to vehicles used primarily for driving to work. An improperly rated RAV4 can cost quite a bit. It’s a smart idea to ensure your insurance coverage declarations sheet is showing the proper vehicle usage.
  • Policy add-ons add up – There are a ton of extra coverages that may not really be needed if you don’t pay attention. Coverages for rental car reimbursement, towing, and extra life insurance coverage may not be needed and are just wasting money. These coverages may sound good when talking to your agent, but your needs may have changed so remove them and pocket the money.
  • Improve your credit score and save – An insured’s credit history will be a significant factor in determining your rates. Insureds with excellent credit scores tend to be better drivers and file fewer claims than drivers with worse credit. If your credit history leaves room for improvement, you could be paying less to insure your 1997 Toyota RAV4 by improving your credit score.
  • Prices may be higher where you live – Choosing to live in small towns and rural areas can be a good thing when talking about insurance coverage. People who live in big cities regularly have more road rage incidents and more time behind the wheel. Fewer drivers on the road means fewer accidents in addition to fewer liability claims.
  • Gender and insurance coverage – Statistics demonstrate women tend to be less risk to insure than men. However, don’t assume that women are BETTER drivers than men. Females and males cause accidents at a similar rate, but males cause more damage and cost insurance companies more money. Not only are claims higher, but men get more serious tickets such as reckless driving.
  • Prices and occupation – Occupations such as judges, architects and financial analysts tend to have higher rates than average because of stressful work requirements and lengthy work days. Other occupations like farmers, historians and performers pay the least on RAV4 coverage.

Insurance savings promises

Popular insurance providers such as Progressive, Allstate and Geico constantly bombard you with ads on television and other media. All the companies seem to make the promise about how much you will save if you just switch your coverage. That’s great but how can every company sell you cheaper insurance coverage? You have to listen carefully.

Insurance companies have specific criteria for the type of insured that is profitable for them. One example of a driver they prefer might have to be a married male, has other policies, and drives a safe vehicle. Someone that meets those criteria will get a cheap rate quote and will also save when switching.

People who are not a match for the “perfect” profile may be forced to pay a higher rate and this results in business not being written. The ad wording is “customers who switch” not “everyone that quotes” save money. That’s why insurance companies can confidently claim big savings. Because each company has a different risk profile, it’s extremely important to compare as many free auto insurance quotes as you can. Because you never know the company that will give you lower premium rates than your current company.

Information about specific coverages

Understanding the coverages of a insurance policy aids in choosing which coverages you need for your vehicles. Policy terminology can be confusing and nobody wants to actually read their policy. Shown next are the usual coverages found on most insurance policies.

Medical expense coverage

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage reimburse you for immediate expenses for X-ray expenses, doctor visits, dental work and funeral costs. The coverages can be used in conjunction with a health insurance program or if you are not covered by health insurance. It covers you and your occupants and will also cover if you are hit as a while walking down the street. Personal Injury Protection is not an option in every state but it provides additional coverages not offered by medical payments coverage

Uninsured or underinsured coverage

This coverage protects you and your vehicle when other motorists do not carry enough liability coverage. Covered claims include hospital bills for your injuries and also any damage incurred to your Toyota RAV4.

Because many people only carry the minimum required liability limits, their liability coverage can quickly be exhausted. So UM/UIM coverage is important protection for you and your family.

Liability

Liability insurance will cover damage that occurs to people or other property that is your fault. It protects you from legal claims by others. It does not 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 liability limits of 50/100/50 that means you have a $50,000 limit per person for injuries, a total of $100,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and property damage coverage for $50,000.

Liability coverage protects against claims like pain and suffering, legal defense fees and bail bonds. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is your choice, but consider buying as large an amount as possible.

Comprehensive protection

This pays to fix your vehicle from damage caused by mother nature, theft, vandalism and other events. You first have to pay a deductible then the remaining damage will be covered by your comprehensive coverage.

Comprehensive insurance covers things such as vandalism, a broken windshield, hitting a bird and fire damage. The most a insurance company will pay at claim time is the market value of your vehicle, so if your deductible is as high as the vehicle’s value consider removing comprehensive coverage.

Collision insurance

Collision insurance covers damage to your RAV4 resulting from colliding with a stationary object or other vehicle. You have to pay a deductible then your collision coverage will kick in.

Collision can pay for things like colliding with another moving vehicle, hitting a mailbox, backing into a parked car and hitting a parking meter. Collision is rather expensive coverage, so consider dropping it from older vehicles. It’s also possible to raise the deductible in order to get cheaper collision rates.

Feed the piggy bank

When searching for low cost auto insurance quotes, do not buy less coverage just to save a little money. There are many occasions where someone dropped uninsured motorist or liability limits to discover at claim time that the savings was not a smart move. Your objective should be to purchase a proper amount of coverage at the best price but still have enough coverage for asset protection.

In this article, we covered some good ideas how you can shop for 1997 Toyota RAV4 insurance online. It’s most important to understand that the more providers you compare, the better chance you’ll have of finding cheaper auto insurance. Consumers could even find that the lowest prices come from the smaller companies. These companies can often insure niche markets at a lower cost as compared to the big name companies such as Progressive or Geico.

Additional insurance coverage information can be read at the links below