2017 Toyota Highlander Insurance Cost

Perplexed by the dozens of insurance companies in your area? Many other drivers are too. There are so many companies to choose from that it can easily turn into a real difficult job to lower your insurance rates.

It is always a good idea to compare rates before your next renewal because prices trend upward over time. Even if you think you had the best rates for Highlander insurance last year other companies may now be cheaper. Block out anything you think you know about insurance because you’re about to learn the only way to lower your annual insurance bill.

Locating cheaper insurance coverage is quite easy. Basically, anyone who carries insurance coverage will be able to find better rates. But vehicle owners need to learn how big insurance companies market insurance on the web.

Ways to get auto insurance quotes

Comparing auto insurance rates can be a daunting task if you aren’t aware of the best way to get rate quotes. You can waste a few hours (or days) talking to local insurance agents in your area, or you could save time and use online quotes to quickly compare rates.

Many insurance companies belong to an insurance system where prospective buyers enter their coverage request one time, and each participating company then gives them pricing based on the submitted data. This prevents consumers from doing form submissions to every company.

To use this form to compare rates click here (opens in new window).

The only downside to using this type of system is you don’t know exactly the insurers to receive prices from. So if you want to select specific insurance companies to compare prices, we have a listing of low cost auto insurance companies in your area. Click to view list.

How you compare quotes is your choice, just compare identical coverage information on every quote you get. If you enter different values for each quote it will be very difficult to decipher which rate is best. Having just a slight variation in insurance coverages could skew the results. Just keep in mind that more quotes helps you find a better price.

Verify you’re applying every discount

Insurance coverage is neither fun to buy or cheap, but you may find discounts that could drop your premiums quite a bit. Some discounts apply automatically at quote time, but a few must be specifically requested prior to receiving the credit.

ABS Brakes – Cars, trucks, and SUVs equipped with ABS or steering control can stop better under adverse conditions so you can save 10 percent or more.
Passenger Safety Discount – Vehicles equipped with air bags or automatic seat belts may earn rate discounts of more than 20%.
Anti-theft Discount – Vehicles that have factory alarm systems and tracking devices help deter theft and earn discounts up to 10% off your car insurance quote.
Distant Student – Kids who live away from home at college and do not have a car could get you a discount.
Government Employee Discount – Being employed by or retired from a federal job could qualify for a slight premium decrease for Highlander insurance depending on your company.
Discount for Good Grades – Getting good grades may save you up to 25%. Most companies allow this discount until age 25.
Defensive Driver Discounts – Participating in a course teaching defensive driving skills is a good idea and can lower rates if you qualify.
Mature Driver Discount – Drivers over the age of 55 may qualify for reduced rates for Highlander insurance.
Data Collection Discounts – People who choose to allow driving data submission to track driving manner by using a telematics device such as Snapshot from Progressive or Drivewise from Allstate could see a rate decrease if they show good driving skills.

Don’t be shocked that most discount credits are not given to your bottom line cost. Some only apply to specific coverage prices like medical payments or collision. So even though they make it sound like having all the discounts means you get insurance for free, you’re out of luck.

A few of the larger companies and their offered discounts are:

State Farm may offer discounts for anti-theft, multiple policy, passive restraint, good student, defensive driving training, driver’s education, and accident-free.
Esurance offers premium reductions for multi-policy, DriveSense, good driver, online quote, paid-in-full, Switch & Save, and good student.
Progressive may include discounts for multi-policy, good student, online signing, online quote discount, and homeowner.
Liberty Mutual has discounts for hybrid vehicle, new graduate, safety features, newly retired, exclusive group savings, good student, and preferred payment discount.
Auto-Owners Insurance policyholders can earn discounts including student away at school, anti-theft, air bags, multi-policy, paid in full, and multiple vehicles.
Geico offers discounts for air bags, good student, driver training, anti-lock brakes, and multi-vehicle.

When quoting, ask all the companies to apply every possible discount. A few discounts might not be offered on policies everywhere.

When should I discuss my situation with an agent?

When choosing coverage, there isn’t really a “perfect” insurance plan. Everyone’s situation is unique.

For instance, these questions may help you determine whether or not you would benefit from an agent’s advice.

Does my liability insurance cover pulling a trailer or camper?
Why am I required to buy liability insurance?
Am I insured when driving a different vehicle?
Am I covered when driving a rental car?
Is a new car covered when I drive it off the dealer lot?
Does my insurance cover a custom paint job?
When can my company non-renew my policy?
Can I get a multi-policy discount for packaging my home and auto coverage?
Can I afford low physical damage deductibles?
Does my 2017 Toyota Highlander need full coverage?

If you can’t answer these questions but one or more may apply to you, you may need to chat with a licensed agent. To find an agent in your area, take a second and complete this form.

Auto insurance coverage options for a Toyota Highlander

Understanding the coverages of your policy can be of help when determining appropriate coverage for your vehicles. The coverage terms in a policy can be impossible to understand and even agents have difficulty translating policy wording.

Collision coverage

This coverage covers damage to your Highlander from colliding with another car or object. You first must pay a deductible and the rest of the damage will be paid by collision coverage.

Collision can pay for things like backing into a parked car, scraping a guard rail, colliding with another moving vehicle, crashing into a ditch and colliding with a tree. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so consider removing coverage from vehicles that are 8 years or older. It’s also possible to increase the deductible to bring the cost down.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM)

Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage provides protection from other motorists when they either have no liability insurance or not enough. Covered losses include injuries sustained by your vehicle’s occupants as well as your vehicle’s damage.

Due to the fact that many drivers only purchase the least amount of liability that is required, their limits can quickly be used up. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage is a good idea. Frequently these coverages do not exceed the liability coverage limits.

Comprehensive insurance

Comprehensive insurance coverage pays for damage from a wide range of events other than collision. You first have to pay a deductible then your comprehensive coverage will pay.

Comprehensive can pay for claims such as falling objects, hitting a bird and damage from a tornado or hurricane. The highest amount a auto insurance company will pay at claim time is the ACV or actual cash value, so if it’s not worth much more than your deductible consider removing comprehensive coverage.

Med pay and Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage reimburse you for immediate expenses for things like doctor visits, funeral costs and hospital visits. The coverages can be used to fill the gap from your health insurance policy or if you lack health insurance entirely. They cover both the driver and occupants and will also cover if you are hit as a while walking down the street. PIP coverage is not an option in every state and gives slightly broader coverage than med pay

Liability car insurance

This protects you from injuries or damage you cause to people or other property that is your fault. It protects you against other people’s claims, and doesn’t cover damage sustained by your vehicle in an accident.

Coverage consists of three different limits, per person bodily injury, per accident bodily injury, and a property damage limit. You might see limits of 50/100/50 that translate to a limit of $50,000 per injured person, a total of $100,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and a limit of $50,000 paid for damaged property. Another option is a combined single limit or CSL which limits claims to one amount without having the split limit caps.

Liability coverage protects against claims like repair bills for other people’s vehicles, medical expenses, pain and suffering, legal defense fees and emergency aid. How much coverage you buy is a personal decision, but it’s cheap coverage so purchase as much as you can afford.