Cheap 2016 Toyota Prius Insurance Quotes

Looking for better insurance coverage rates for your Toyota Prius? Scraping up a payment for overpriced Toyota Prius insurance can dwindle your checking account, especially in this economy. Shopping your coverage around is free, only takes a few minutes, and is a good way to reduce premiums and put more money in your pocket.

Many insurers vie for your business, and it can be difficult to compare rates to discover the definitive best rates possible.

You should take the time to check insurance coverage prices yearly because rates go up and down regularly. Despite the fact that you may have had the lowest price on Prius insurance a couple years back a different company probably has better rates today. Ignore everything you know about insurance coverage because I’m going to let you in on the secrets to the fastest and easiest way to find great coverage at a great price.

Comprehensive Auto Insurance Comparison

The are a couple different ways to compare rate quotes from different insurance companies. The fastest way to find competitive 2016 Toyota Prius insurance rates involves getting comparison quotes online. This can be done in several different ways.

  1. One of the simplest ways to get the best comparison quotes would be an industry-wide quote request form like this one (opens in new window). This easy form keeps you from doing repetitive form submissions to each individual auto insurance company. Completing one form will return price quotes from multiple low-cost companies.
  2. Another way to shop for auto insurance online requires you to visit the website for each individual company and request a quote. For sake of this example, let’s assume you want comparison quotes from Allstate, Esurance and GEICO. To get each rate you have to take the time to go to each site and enter your information, and that’s why the first method is more popular. For a list of links to companies insuring cars in your area, click here.
  3. The hardest method to get comparison rates is driving around to local insurance agencies. The internet makes this process obsolete unless you prefer the trained guidance that only a license agent can provide. You can, however, find lower rates online and get advice from an agent in your area and we’ll touch on that later.

It’s your choice how you get your quotes, but ensure you’re using identical coverages and limits on every quote. If you are comparing different values for each quote you will not be able to determine the best price for your Toyota Prius. Having just a slight variation in coverage limits can mean a large discrepancy in price. And when comparing auto insurance rates, know that having more price comparisons provides better odds of finding a lower rate.

The insurance coverage bait and switch

Companies like Allstate and Progressive regularly use ads on TV and radio. All the ads say the same thing that you’ll save big if you move your coverage to them. How do they all say the same thing?

Insurance companies have a certain “appetite” for the driver that is profitable for them. For example, a preferred risk might be profiled as between the ages of 40 and 55, a clean driving record, and drives less than 10,000 miles a year. A customer getting a price quote that hits that “sweet spot” will get the preferred rates and is almost guaranteed to save when switching.

Potential insureds who don’t measure up to this ideal profile will be charged a higher premium and ends up with business not being written. Company advertisements say “people who switch” not “people who quote” save that much money. That’s why insurance companies can advertise the way they do.

That is why drivers should get as many quotes as possible. You cannot predict which insurance coverage company will fit your personal profile best.

Toyota Prius insurance rates consist of many parts

Consumers need to have an understanding of the different types of things that help determine insurance rates. When you know what positively or negatively influences your rates empowers consumers to make smart changes that can help you get much lower annual insurance costs.

  • An active claims history can cost you – If you frequently file small claims, you can pretty much guarantee either higher rates or even cancellation. Auto insurance companies award lower rates to people who are claim-free. Car insurance is meant to be used in the event of the large, substantial claims.
  • Lower rates with optional equipment – Purchasing a vehicle that has an advanced theft prevention system can help bring down rates. Theft prevention features such as GM’s OnStar, tamper alarm systems and vehicle immobilizers all aid in stopping your car from being stolen.
  • Clean credit earns discounts – A driver’s credit score is a big factor in calculating your insurance rates. If your credit history is lower than you’d like, you could pay less to insure your 2016 Toyota Prius by improving your credit score. Consumers who have good credit tend to be less risk to insure than those with poor credit.
  • High deductibles save money – Insurance for physical damage to your car, also known as collision and other-than-collision, protects your Toyota from damage. Examples of covered claims could be running into the backend of another car, damage caused by hail, or theft. The deductibles are the amount of money you are willing to pay out-of-pocket before your insurance pays a claim. The more you’re willing to pay, the lower your rates will be on Prius insurance.
  • Safer cars cost less to insure – Safer cars are cheaper to insure. These vehicles protect occupants better and lower injury rates means lower claim amounts and more competitive rates for policyholders. If the Toyota Prius scored better than an “acceptable” rating on the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety website you are probably receiving a discount.

Lower rates by qualifying for discounts

The price of auto insurance can be rather high, but there are discounts available to reduce the price significantly. Certain discounts will be applied at quote time, but less common discounts must be specially asked for prior to receiving the credit.

  • Senior Citizens – Older drivers may qualify for a small decrease in premiums on Prius insurance.
  • Military Discounts – Having a family member in the military can result in better rates.
  • Discount for Swiching Early – Some companies give discounts for switching policies prior to your current policy expiration. The savings is around 10%.
  • Homeowners Savings – Simply owning a home may earn you a small savings because owning a home shows financial diligence.
  • Safe Driver Discount – Drivers who avoid accidents may receive a discount up to 45% less on Prius insurance than less cautious drivers.
  • Good Student – Getting good grades can be rewarded with saving of up to 25%. The discount lasts well after school through age 25.
  • Payment Method – If you pay your bill all at once rather than paying monthly you could save 5% or more.
  • Discount for Life Insurance – Select insurance companies reward you with a break if you buy life insurance from them.
  • Use Seat Belts – Buckling up and requiring all passengers to wear their seat belts can save 10% or more off the personal injury premium cost.
  • Student in College – Youth drivers who live away from home and do not have access to a covered vehicle may be able to be covered for less.

A little note about advertised discounts, most of the big mark downs will not be given to the entire policy premium. Most only cut specific coverage prices like physical damage coverage or medical payments. Just because it seems like adding up those discounts means a free policy, companies don’t profit that way. But all discounts will help reduce your overall premium however.

For a list of insurance companies with discount insurance coverage rates, follow this link.

Car insurance is unique, just like you

When choosing adequate coverage, there is no “best” method to buy coverage. Each situation is unique so your insurance should reflect that For instance, these questions could help you determine whether or not you would benefit from professional advice.

  • Am I covered when delivering products for my home-based business?
  • If I drive on a suspended license am I covered?
  • Do I really need UM/UIM coverage?
  • What is the rate difference between pleasure use and commuting?
  • Am I covered when driving someone else’s vehicle?
  • Am I covered when driving a rental car?

If you don’t know the answers to these questions, then you may want to think about talking to a licensed agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, take a second and complete this form or you can also visit this page to select a carrier

Specific coverages for a 2016 Toyota Prius

Learning about specific coverages of insurance can help you determine appropriate coverage at the best deductibles and correct limits. Insurance terms can be impossible to understand and nobody wants to actually read their policy. These are the usual coverages found on most insurance policies.

Auto collision coverage

Collision insurance pays for damage to your Prius caused by collision 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 such as crashing into a building, crashing into a ditch, sideswiping another vehicle, colliding with another moving vehicle and backing into a parked car. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so consider removing coverage from vehicles that are older. Another option is to raise the deductible to save money on collision insurance.

Insurance for medical payments

Med pay and PIP coverage reimburse you for immediate expenses like EMT expenses, rehabilitation expenses, dental work, funeral costs and doctor visits. They are often used to fill the gap from your health insurance policy or if you are not covered by health insurance. They cover you and your occupants as well as if you are hit as a while walking down the street. Personal injury protection coverage is not universally available and gives slightly broader coverage than med pay

Liability auto insurance

Liability coverage can cover injuries or damage you cause to other people or property that is your fault. It protects you from claims by other people, and doesn’t cover your injuries or vehicle damage.

Coverage consists of three different limits, bodily injury for each person, bodily injury for the entire accident, and a limit for property damage. Your policy might show policy limits of 50/100/50 which stand for $50,000 in coverage for each person’s injuries, a per accident bodily injury limit of $100,000, and a limit of $50,000 paid for damaged property. Alternatively, you may have a combined limit which combines the three limits into one amount rather than limiting it on a per person basis.

Liability coverage protects against claims such as medical services, emergency aid, funeral expenses and court costs. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is your choice, but you should buy as high a limit as you can afford.

Uninsured Motorist or Underinsured Motorist insurance

Your UM/UIM coverage provides protection when other motorists either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. This coverage pays for injuries to you and your family as well as your vehicle’s damage.

Because many people 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. Most of the time these limits are identical to your policy’s liability coverage.

Comprehensive coverage (or Other than Collision)

Comprehensive insurance coverage covers damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. You first must pay your deductible and the remainder of the damage will be paid by comprehensive coverage.

Comprehensive coverage pays for things such as hitting a bird, theft and vandalism. The maximum payout a insurance company will pay at claim time is the cash value of the vehicle, so if your deductible is as high as the vehicle’s value it’s not worth carrying full coverage.

Don’t be a big spender

When you buy insurance online, it’s not a good idea to buy lower coverage limits just to save a few bucks. In many cases, consumers will sacrifice comprehensive coverage or liability limits and found out when filing a claim that the savings was not a smart move. Your aim should be to purchase a proper amount of coverage at a price you can afford, not the least amount of coverage.

In this article, we covered a lot of ways to save on 2016 Toyota Prius insurance. The most important thing to understand is the more times you quote, the higher the chance of saving money. Drivers may discover the lowest premiums are with an unexpected company. Smaller companies can often insure niche markets at a lower cost as compared to the big name companies such as State Farm and Allstate.

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