2017 Toyota Highlander Car Insurance Rates

Trying to find the cheapest insurance coverage rates for your Toyota Highlander? Finding cheap coverage rates for insurance coverage is always difficult for drivers who have little experience online rate comparisons. With such a large choice of online companies, it can easily turn into a challenge to find cheaper coverage rates.

Consumers need to price shop coverage as often as possible because insurance prices are usually higher with each renewal. Even if you think you had the best rates on Highlander insurance a few years ago a different company probably has better premium rates today. Forget all the misinformation about insurance coverage because it’s time to teach you the best way to find lower rates on insurance coverage.

If you are paying for car insurance now, you will most likely be able to lower your premiums substantially using these tips. The purpose of this post is to instruct you on how car insurance quotes work and some money-saving tips. But vehicle owners benefit from understanding the way insurance companies determine prices.

How to buy auto insurance

There are a lot of ways to shop for auto insurance, but one way is easier and takes less work. You could waste a few hours talking about coverages with insurance companies in your area, or you could save time and use online quoting to quickly compare rates.

Many companies take part in a program where insurance shoppers enter their coverage request one time, and each company can provide price quotes. This prevents consumers from doing quote requests to each individual auto insurance company.

To compare pricing click here to start a free quote.

One minor caviat to doing it this way is you can’t choose the providers you want pricing from. So if you prefer to pick specific insurance companies for rate comparison, we have a page of low cost auto insurance companies in your area. Click to view list.

It doesn’t matter which method you choose, just compare nearly identical coverage limits and deductibles with each company. If each company quotes different data it will be impossible to make a fair comparison for your Toyota Highlander. Slightly different coverages can make a big difference in price. Keep in mind that making a lot of price comparisons helps locate a lower rate.

Ads can be misleading

Geico, State Farm and Progressive consistently run television, radio, and online ads. All the ads advertise the message about saving some big amount if you move your coverage. How does each company charge you a lower premium? Here is the trick they use.

All the different companies have strict underwriting profiles for the type of insured that will not have excessive claims. For example, a desirable risk should be between the ages of 40 and 55, has had continuous coverage, and drives a safe vehicle. Any customer who matches that profile gets the lowest rates as well as save a lot if they switch.

Potential insureds who cannot meet those standards may be required to pay a higher rate and ends up with the driver buying from a lower-cost company. If you listen closely, the ads state “customers that switch” not “everybody who quotes” save the amount stated. This is how insurance companies can confidently make the claims of big savings.

Each company has different criteria, so you really need to get a wide range of price quotes. It is just not possible to predict the company that will have better car insurance rates than you’re paying now.

How car insurance companies calculate Toyota Highlander insurance costs

The best way to find cheaper car insurance is to take a look at the factors that are used to determine your policy premiums. If you have a feel for what influences your rates, this enables you to make decisions that may result in much lower annual insurance costs.

The items below are a few of the things used by insurance companies to determine your rate level.

  • Marriage is a bonus – Having a significant other can get you a discount when buying car insurance. Having a significant other generally demonstrates drivers are less irresponsible and it’s proven that married drivers get in fewer accidents.
  • More than one policy can earn a discount – Lots of companies allow a discount to people who carry more than one policy, otherwise known as a multi-policy discount. Even if you qualify for this discount already, consumers should still comparison shop to confirm you are receiving the best rates possible. Drivers may still find better rates by splitting coverages up.
  • Small coverages can add up – Policies have add-on coverages you can purchase if you aren’t careful. Coverages like replacement cost coverage, high-cost glass coverage, and membership fees are examples of these. The coverages may be enticing when you first buy your policy, but your money might be better spent on other coverage so consider taking them off your policy.
  • Pleasure use or commuting – The higher the mileage driven annually the higher the price you pay to insure it. Most insurance companies rate vehicles based on how the vehicle is used. Cars and trucks that are left in the garage can get a lower rate than those that get driven frequently. Improper usage on your Highlander is just wasting money. It’s always a good idea to double check that your vehicle rating reflects the right rating data.
  • Driving citations drive up prices – Having a single driving citation can boost insurance rates twenty percent or more. Careful drivers get better rates than bad drivers. Drivers unfortunate enough to have serious violations such as reckless driving or DUI may need to complete a SR-22 with their state motor vehicle department in order to drive a vehicle legally.
  • Better credit means lower premiums – Credit score is a big factor in determining what you pay for car insurance. If your credit rating is low, you could pay less to insure your 2017 Toyota Highlander if you clean up your credit. Drivers with high credit ratings tend to be better risks to insure than those with bad credit.
  • Higher rates for policy lapses – Not having insurance is illegal and you may have a hard time finding new coverage because you let your coverage cancel without a new policy in place. In addition to paying higher rates, failure to provide proof of insurance might get you a fine, jail time, or a revoked license.
  • Liability insurance risk factors in – The liability coverage on your policy provides coverage in the event that you are determined to be liable for physical damage or personal injury to other. Your liability coverage provides legal defense which can cost a lot. Carrying liability coverage is mandatory and cheap when compared with rates for comp and collision, so drivers should carry high limits.

Get cheaper auto insurance with discounts

Companies don’t always publicize every discount they offer very well, so the list below gives a summary of a few of the more common and also the lesser-known credits available to you.

  • No Accidents – Insureds who avoid accidents and claims have much lower rates compared to frequent claim filers.
  • Club Memberships – Participating in a professional or civic organization may earn a discount when shopping for auto insurance.
  • Buy New and Save – Buying auto insurance coverage on a new vehicle can save up to 30% because newer models keep occupants safer.
  • Good Students Pay Less – Being a good student can save 20 to 25%. The discount lasts up until you turn 25.
  • Theft Deterent System – Cars equipped with tracking devices and advanced anti-theft systems have a lower chance of being stolen so companies will give you a small discount.
  • E-sign Discounts – Certain insurance companies will give you a small discount for buying your policy over the internet.
  • Payment Discounts – By paying your policy upfront instead of making monthly payments you can actually save on your bill.
  • Driver Education Discount – Have your child participate in a local driver’s education class if it’s offered in school.
  • Sign Early and Save – A few larger companies allow discounts for switching companies before your current expiration date. The savings is around 10%.
  • Senior Citizen Rates – Seniors may receive a discount up to 10% on Highlander insurance.

Policy discounts save money, but most credits do not apply to the entire cost. A few only apply to individual premiums such as liability, collision or medical payments. Even though it may seem like you can get free auto insurance, nobody gets a free ride.

A list of auto insurance companies and some of the discounts are outlined below.

  • The Hartford includes discounts for bundle, defensive driver, anti-theft, vehicle fuel type, driver training, and good student.
  • American Family may include discounts for mySafetyValet, early bird, good student, accident-free, TimeAway discount, Steer into Savings, and multi-vehicle.
  • Progressive policyholders can earn discounts including homeowner, multi-policy, online quote discount, online signing, continuous coverage, good student, and multi-vehicle.
  • Travelers discounts include payment discounts, multi-car, early quote, home ownership, new car, and multi-policy.
  • Farmers Insurance offers discounts including bundle discounts, early shopping, homeowner, pay in full, and youthful driver.
  • USAA may offer discounts for multi-policy, annual mileage, multi-vehicle, good student, vehicle storage, safe driver, and defensive driver.
  • Liberty Mutual may have discounts that include preferred payment discount, hybrid vehicle, safety features, exclusive group savings, new graduate, and newly retired.

If you want the cheapest car insurance quotes, ask all the companies how you can save money. Some discounts listed above might not be available to policyholders in your area.

Tailor your car insurance coverage to you

When buying proper insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there isn’t really a single plan that fits everyone. Everyone’s situation is unique.

For example, these questions may help highlight if you might need an agent’s assistance.

  • Why do I only qualify for high-risk insurance?
  • Is my trailer covered?
  • Why am I be forced to buy a membership to get insurance from some companies?
  • What if I owe more than I can insure my car for?
  • How can I get my company to pay me more for my totalled car?
  • Will my vehicle be repaired with OEM or aftermarket parts?
  • Do I need PIP coverage since I have good health insurance?
  • When can my company non-renew my policy?
  • Should I buy full coverage?

If you can’t answer these questions, you may need to chat with an insurance agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, complete this form.

Car insurance coverages for a 2017 Toyota Highlander

Knowing the specifics of insurance can help you determine which coverages you need and the correct deductibles and limits. Policy terminology can be confusing and reading a policy is terribly boring.

Liability coverages

This can cover damage or injury you incur to a person or their property by causing an accident. This coverage protects you from legal claims by others, and doesn’t cover damage sustained by your vehicle in an accident.

It consists of three limits, bodily injury for each person injured, bodily injury for the entire accident and a property damage limit. You commonly see values of 100/300/100 which means a $100,000 limit per person for injuries, $300,000 for the entire accident, and property damage coverage for $100,000. Some companies may use one limit called combined single limit (CSL) which provides one coverage limit and claims can be made without the split limit restrictions.

Liability coverage pays for claims like funeral expenses, bail bonds, medical services and medical expenses. How much liability coverage do you need? That is your choice, but you should buy as much as you can afford.

Medical payments coverage and PIP

Coverage for medical payments and/or PIP kick in for immediate expenses like chiropractic care, hospital visits and doctor visits. They can be 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 and also covers any family member struck as a pedestrian. Personal injury protection coverage is not an option in every state but it provides additional coverages not offered by medical payments coverage

Collision protection

Collision insurance pays to fix your vehicle from damage resulting from a collision with another vehicle or an object, but not an animal. A deductible applies and the rest of the damage will be paid by collision coverage.

Collision can pay for claims like driving through your garage door, colliding with another moving vehicle, hitting a parking meter and backing into a parked car. Collision is rather expensive coverage, so consider removing coverage from vehicles that are 8 years or older. You can also raise the deductible to bring the cost down.

Comprehensive coverage

Comprehensive insurance covers damage caused by mother nature, theft, vandalism and other events. You first must pay your deductible and then insurance will cover the rest of the damage.

Comprehensive can pay for things like damage from flooding, hitting a deer and fire damage. The maximum payout you can receive from a comprehensive claim is the market value of your vehicle, so if your deductible is as high as the vehicle’s value it’s probably time to drop comprehensive insurance.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage

Your UM/UIM coverage provides protection when the “other guys” do not carry enough liability coverage. Covered losses include hospital bills for your injuries as well as damage to your Toyota Highlander.

Due to the fact that many drivers only purchase the least amount of liability that is required, their limits can quickly be used up. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is important protection for you and your family. Normally these coverages are similar to your liability insurance amounts.

Power to the consumer

You just learned many tips how you can reduce 2017 Toyota Highlander insurance rates online. The key concept to understand is the more price quotes you have, the higher your chance of finding the cheapest car insurance. You may be surprised to find that the lowest rates are with some of the smallest insurance companies.

Low-cost 2017 Toyota Highlander insurance can be found both online and from local insurance agents, so you should compare both in order to have the best chance of saving money. Some insurance companies may not offer the ability to get a quote online and usually these smaller providers work with local independent agencies.

Insureds switch companies for any number of reasons including extreme rates for teen drivers, not issuing a premium refund, policy cancellation and delays in responding to claim requests. It doesn’t matter what your reason, finding a new car insurance company can be pretty painless.

To learn more, take a look at the following helpful articles: