2006 Toyota Prius Insurance Quotes

Trying to find cheaper insurance coverage rates for your Toyota Prius? Nobody I know likes having to buy insurance coverage, especially when they are paying too much.

Because you have many different company options, it can be diffult for consumers to locate the right car insurance company.

You should make it a habit to compare rates once or twice a year because rates are variable and change quite frequently. Just because you found the lowest rates for Prius coverage last year you can probably find a better price now. Starting right now, ignore everything you know about insurance coverage because I’m going to teach you the tricks you need to know to lower your annual insurance bill.

How to Get Insurance Comparison Quotes

The are a couple different ways to compare rate quotes from local insurance companies. By far the easiest way to find the cheapest 2006 Toyota Prius insurance rates involves getting comparison quotes online. It is quite easy and can be accomplished using a couple different methods.

One of the simplest ways to get quotes is a comparison rater form (click to open form in new window). This type of form eliminates the need for repetitive form entry for each company you want a rate for. In just a few minutes this one form compares rates instantly.

A more difficult way to obtain and compare quotes online consists of going to each individual company website to complete their respective quote request forms. For example, let’s say you want to compare Nationwide, Liberty Mutual and Allstate. To get rate quotes you would need to take the time to go to each site and enter your information, which is why the first method is quicker.

For a list of links to companies insuring cars in your area, click here.

It doesn’t matter which method you choose, just make absolute certain that you use the exact same coverages on every quote you get. If you are comparing different liability limits then you won’t be able to truly determine the lowest rate. Quoting even small variations in coverages can result in a big premium difference. It’s important to know that having more price comparisons helps locate the best rates.

Do drivers who switch really save $494 a year?

Car insurance providers like State Farm and Allstate consistently run ads in print and on television. They all make an identical promise that you’ll save big if you change your coverage to them. But how can every company claim to save you money? It’s all in the numbers.

Insurance companies can use profiling for the right customer they prefer to insure. A good example of a profitable customer might be profiled as a mature driver, is a homeowner, and has excellent credit. Any driver who matches those parameters will get very good rates and as a result will probably cut their rates substantially.

Potential insureds who do not match the “perfect” profile will be quoted more money and ends up with business not being written. The ads say “people who switch” not “everybody who quotes” save that kind of money. That’s why insurance companies can advertise the savings. This emphasizes why you absolutely need to compare many company’s rates. It is impossible to predict the company that will fit your personal profile best.

These factors can influence what you pay for Toyota Prius insurance

Consumers need to have an understanding of the different types of things that go into determining insurance rates. Understanding what influences your rates helps enable you to make changes that will entitle you to better insurance rates.

  • Adjust deductibles and save – Physical damage deductibles define the amount you are required to spend if you file a covered claim. Physical damage insurance, also known as collision and other-than-collision, protects your car from damage. Some examples of claims that would be covered would be running into the backend of another car, damage caused by hail, or theft. The more the insured has to pay upfront, the lower your rates will be for Prius coverage.
  • Where you reside plays a part – Being located in a rural area has it’s advantages when buying insurance. Fewer people means reduced accidents as well as less vandalism and auto theft. Drivers who live in large cities tend to have congested traffic and longer commutes to work. Longer commute distances means more change of being in an accident.
  • A clean driving record saves money – Whether or not you get tickets has a huge affect on how much you pay. Only having one ticket can boost insurance rates twenty percent or more. Careful drivers tend to pay less for car insurance than people who have multiple driving citations. Drivers with severe tickets such as reckless driving, hit and run or driving under the influence are required to file a SR-22 with their state DMV in order to drive a vehicle legally.
  • Too many insurance claims drive up costs – Companies provide cheaper rates to insureds who file claims infrequently. If you frequently file small claims, you can pretty much guarantee either higher rates or even cancellation. Car insurance is designed for the large, substantial claims.
  • The more you drive the more you pay – The more you drive in a year the higher your rate. Most companies price each vehicle’s coverage determined by how the vehicle is used. Vehicles left parked in the garage get more affordable rates as compared to vehicles used primarily for driving to work. Make sure your insurance policy is showing the correct driver usage. If your policy improperly rates your Prius can result in significantly higher rates.

Best discounts on 2006 Toyota Prius coverage

Companies don’t necessarily list all their discounts very clearly, so here is a list both the well known and also the lesser-known savings tricks you should be using.

  • College Student – Youth drivers who attend school more than 100 miles from home and do not have access to a covered vehicle may qualify for this discount.
  • Homeowners Savings – Owning a house may earn you a small savings because maintaining a house shows financial diligence.
  • Drive Safe and Save – Insureds without accidents can get discounts for up to 45% lower rates for Prius coverage than less cautious drivers.
  • Senior Citizens – If you qualify as a senior citizen, you may be able to get better insurance rates for Prius coverage.
  • Anti-theft Discount – Cars that have factory anti-theft systems help deter theft and earn discounts up to 10%.
  • Defensive Driver – Successfully completing a defensive driving course could cut 5% off your bill depending on where you live.
  • Good Student Discount – Performing well in school can save 20 to 25%. Earning this discount can benefit you well after school through age 25.
  • Passive Restraints and Air Bags – Vehicles equipped with air bags and/or automatic seat belt systems can receive discounts of more than 20%.
  • Bundle and Save – If you insure your home and vehicles with the same insurance company you will save at least 10% off all policies.

A little note about advertised discounts, some of the credits will not apply to the entire policy premium. The majority will only reduce the price of certain insurance coverages like physical damage coverage or medical payments. So when the math indicates you can get free auto insurance, companies don’t profit that way.

A partial list of companies that may have some of the above discounts include:

Double check with each company how you can save money. Savings might not be offered everywhere.

Tailor your coverage to you

When choosing the best insurance coverage, there really is not a one size fits all plan. Every situation is different so your insurance should reflect that Here are some questions about coverages that could help you determine whether or not you may require specific advice.

  • Are split liability limits better than a combined single limit?
  • Do I need medical payments coverage since I have good health insurance?
  • If my 2006 Toyota Prius is totaled, can I afford another vehicle?
  • Is my business laptop covered if it gets stolen from my vehicle?
  • Is my state a no-fault state?
  • Exactly who is provided coverage by my policy?

If you’re not sure about those questions, you might consider talking to an insurance agent. If you don’t have a local agent, fill out this quick form or go to this page to view a list of companies.

Insurance policy coverages for a 2006 Toyota Prius

Learning about specific coverages of your policy aids in choosing appropriate coverage at the best deductibles and correct limits. Insurance terms can be ambiguous and reading a policy is terribly boring. Listed below are the usual coverages found on most insurance policies.

Medical payments and PIP coverage

Medical payments and Personal Injury Protection insurance provide coverage for immediate expenses for surgery, dental work, ambulance fees and chiropractic care. They are often used in conjunction with a health insurance policy or if you lack health insurance entirely. Coverage applies to you and your occupants and will also cover any family member struck as a pedestrian. PIP is not universally available and gives slightly broader coverage than med pay

UM/UIM (Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist) coverage

Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage protects you and your vehicle’s occupants when other motorists do not carry enough liability coverage. It can pay for injuries sustained by your vehicle’s occupants as well as damage to your 2006 Toyota Prius.

Due to the fact that many drivers only carry the minimum required liability limits, it doesn’t take a major accident to exceed their coverage limits. For this reason, having high UM/UIM coverages is important protection for you and your family.

Collision coverage protection

Collision insurance will pay to fix damage to your Prius caused by collision with another vehicle or an object, but not an animal. You have to pay a deductible then your collision coverage will kick in.

Collision insurance covers things such as rolling your car, crashing into a building, damaging your car on a curb, sustaining damage from a pot hole and hitting a mailbox. This coverage can be expensive, so consider removing coverage from vehicles that are 8 years or older. You can also raise the deductible to save money on collision insurance.

Comprehensive auto coverage

This coverage pays to fix your vehicle from 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 coverage pays for claims like damage from getting keyed, damage from flooding, hail damage and a broken windshield. The most you’ll receive from a claim is the actual cash value, so if the vehicle’s value is low it’s not worth carrying full coverage.

Auto liability insurance

This coverage will cover damage or injury you incur to other people or property. This coverage protects you against other people’s claims. It does not cover damage sustained by your vehicle in an accident.

Liability coverage has three limits: per person bodily injury, per accident bodily injury, and a property damage limit. You commonly see values of 50/100/50 which stand for $50,000 bodily injury coverage, a total of $100,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $50,000 of coverage for damaged propery.

Liability insurance covers claims like bail bonds, medical expenses and repair costs for stationary objects. How much liability should you purchase? That is up to you, but consider buying as much as you can afford.

One last thing about your coverage

Low-cost 2006 Toyota Prius insurance can be bought on the web and also from your neighborhood agents, and you need to price shop both so you have a total pricing picture. Some insurance coverage companies may not provide you the ability to get quotes online and most of the time these smaller companies sell through independent agents.

When trying to cut insurance costs, don’t be tempted to sacrifice coverage to reduce premiums. There have been many cases where someone dropped comprehensive coverage or liability limits to discover at claim time that the small savings ended up costing them much more. The ultimate goal is to buy a smart amount of coverage for the lowest price, not the least amount of coverage.

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