2001 Toyota RAV4 Car Insurance Cost

Trying to find lower car insurance rates for your Toyota RAV4? Did you fall for a flashy sales pitch and buy high-priced car insurance? Believe me when I say many consumers are feeling buyer’s remorse and feel like there’s no way out. Many car insurance companies vie for your business, and it can be difficult to compare rates and get the best coverage at the best price available.

Consumers should take time to get comparison quotes quite often because prices trend upward over time. If you had the best deal on RAV4 coverage two years ago you can probably find a better price now. Starting now, forget anything you know (or think you know) about car insurance because I’m going to teach you the fastest and easiest way to save on car insurance.

How to Get Insurance Coverage Comparison Quotes

Getting a cheaper price on 2001 Toyota RAV4 insurance isn’t really that difficult. Just take a couple of minutes to compare rate quotes online from several insurance companies. This can be done using a couple different methods.

The most efficient way to get quotes would be an industry-wide quote request form like this one (opens in new window). This easy form saves time by eliminating multiple quote forms for every insurance coverage company. A single form will return price quotes from several companies.

Another way to find lower rates requires visiting the website for each individual company and request a quote. For example, we’ll pretend you want comparison quotes from Auto-Owners, State Farm and Farmers. You would have to visit each site and enter your policy data, which is why the first method is quicker. For a handy list of car insurance company links in your area, click here.

The least recommended way to get comparison rates is to spend your day driving to and from local insurance agencies. The ability to buy insurance online eliminates the need for an insurance agent unless you want the personal advice that only a license agent can provide. Drivers can obtain prices from the web but still have the advice of a local agent and we’ll talk about that later.

Whichever way you use, make darn sure you compare identical coverages and limits for each price quote. If you compare different deductibles you will not be able to determine the lowest rate for your Toyota RAV4.

There’s no such thing as the perfect policy

When it comes to choosing the right insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there isn’t really a best way to insure your cars. Every situation is different so your insurance should reflect that For example, these questions might point out if you would benefit from professional advice.

Is there coverage for injuries to my pets?
Which companies will insure high-risk drivers?
Do I have coverage for damage caused while driving under the influence?
Am I covered if I hit a deer?
What is UM/UIM insurance?
What vehicles should carry emergency assistance coverage?
Do I need PIP (personal injury protection) coverage in my state?
Are rental cars covered under my policy?

If you’re not sure about those questions but you know they apply to you, then you may want to think about talking to an insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, take a second and complete this form or go to this page to view a list of companies. It’s fast, doesn’t cost anything and can provide invaluable advice.

Car insurance coverages explained

Knowing the specifics of your car insurance policy can help you determine the right coverages and the correct deductibles and limits. Policy terminology can be ambiguous and nobody wants to actually read their policy. Shown next are typical coverages available from car insurance companies.

Auto collision coverage

Collision insurance covers damage to your RAV4 resulting from a collision with an object or car. You will need to pay your deductible then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.

Collision coverage pays for claims such as colliding with another moving vehicle, colliding with a tree, crashing into a ditch and backing into a parked car. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so analyze the benefit of dropping coverage from lower value vehicles. Another option is to bump up the deductible in order to get cheaper collision rates.

Liability coverages

Liability insurance provides protection from damage that occurs to other’s property or people that is your fault. It protects YOU against other people’s claims, and does not provide coverage for your own vehicle damage or injuries.

Coverage consists of three different limits, bodily injury for each person injured, bodily injury for the entire accident and a property damage limit. As an example, you may have limits of 25/50/25 that translate to a $25,000 limit per person for injuries, a limit of $50,000 in injury protection per accident, and property damage coverage for $25,000. Some companies may use a combined single limit or CSL which provides one coverage limit and claims can be made without the split limit restrictions.

Liability can pay for things like funeral expenses, structural damage, pain and suffering and medical expenses. How much liability coverage do you need? That is a personal decision, but it’s cheap coverage so purchase higher limits if possible.

Medical expense coverage

Med pay and PIP coverage provide coverage for immediate expenses such as nursing services, dental work, prosthetic devices, hospital visits and doctor visits. They can be used in conjunction with a health insurance policy or if you lack health insurance entirely. It covers all vehicle occupants as well as if you are hit as a while walking down the street. PIP is not universally available and may carry a deductible

Uninsured or underinsured coverage

Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage protects you and your vehicle when the “other guys” either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. Covered claims include medical payments for you and your occupants as well as your vehicle’s damage.

Because many people have only the minimum liability required by law, it only takes a small accident to exceed their coverage. So UM/UIM coverage is a good idea. Usually your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverages are identical to your policy’s liability coverage.

Comprehensive protection

Comprehensive insurance covers damage from a wide range of events other than collision. You need to pay your deductible first and then insurance will cover the rest of the damage.

Comprehensive can pay for things like hitting a deer, a broken windshield, a tree branch falling on your vehicle and damage from a tornado or hurricane. The maximum amount you can receive from a comprehensive claim is the actual cash value, so if it’s not worth much more than your deductible consider dropping full coverage.