How Much Does 1997 Toyota RAV4 Car Insurance Cost?

Shoppers have options when shopping for low-cost Toyota RAV4 insurance. You can either spend your time driving around trying to get quotes or leverage the internet to make rate comparisons.

There is a better way to shop for insurance coverage and we’ll show you the absolute fastest way to compare rates for a new or used Toyota and get the lowest possible price from local insurance agents and online providers.

It’s a good habit to compare rates at least once a year since insurance rates tend to go up over time. Just because you had the lowest price for RAV4 insurance a couple years back there may be better deals available now. There is a lot of bad information regarding insurance coverage on the internet, so by reading this article, you’re going to learn some proven techniques to slash your insurance coverage rates.

How to Lower Your Insurance Coverage Cost

Getting a cheaper price on 1997 Toyota RAV4 insurance is surprisingly easy. The only requirement is to spend a few minutes comparing rates from different insurance companies. This is very easy and can be done in a couple of different ways.

  1. The first (and easiest) way to get the best comparison quotes would be an industry-wide quote request form like this one (opens in new window). This type of form saves time by eliminating multiple quote forms for each company you want a rate for. Filling out one form gets you coverage quotes from many national carriers.It’s the quickest way to get rates.
  2. A harder way to shop for insurance coverage online is to take the time to go to each company’s website to complete their respective quote request forms. For instance, we’ll pretend you want to compare State Farm, Farmers and Progressive. To find out each rate you need to go to every website to enter your coverage information, which is why the first method is more popular. For a list of links to companies insuring cars in your area, click here.

It’s up to you which method you use, but make sure you use identical coverage information for every company. If you have unequal deductibles or liability limits you can’t possibly truly determine the lowest rate.

Don’t miss out on these money-saving discounts

Insuring your vehicles can cost a lot, but you may find discounts that many people don’t even know exist. Larger premium reductions will be automatically applied when you get a quote, but lesser-known reductions have to be requested specifically before you get the savings. If you’re not getting every credit you qualify for, you are paying more than you should be.

  • Defensive Driver – Completing a defensive driving course could possibly earn you a 5% discount depending on where you live.
  • Life Insurance – Some companies give a discount if you purchase life insurance.
  • Anti-theft Discount – Anti-theft and alarm systems help deter theft and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
  • Memberships – Participating in a civic or occupational organization is a good way to get lower rates on your policy for RAV4 insurance.
  • Early Signing – Some companies give discounts for switching to them before your current policy expires. This can save 10% or more.
  • Passive Restraints and Air Bags – Cars that have air bags and/or automatic seat belt systems can receive discounts up to 30%.
  • Drivers Education – Have your child take driver’s ed class in high school.
  • Braking Control Discount – Cars that have steering control and anti-lock brakes prevent accidents and therefore earn up to a 10% discount.

Drivers should understand that most discounts do not apply to the entire cost. Some only apply to the cost of specific coverages such as liability, collision or medical payments. So despite the fact that it appears it’s possible to get free car insurance, companies wouldn’t make money that way. Any qualifying discounts will cut the amount you have to pay.

For a list of insurance companies with discount insurance coverage rates, click here to view.

Toyota RAV4 premiums are determined by many factors

Consumers need to have an understanding of the rating factors that go into determining the rates you pay for auto insurance. Knowing what impacts premium levels empowers consumers to make smart changes that will entitle you to big savings.

Listed below are a partial list of the pieces used by your company to calculate prices.

  • Extra coverages can waste money – There are a lot of add-on coverages that you can buy on your auto insurance policy. Things like personal injury protection, towing coverage and motor club memberships may be costing you every month. These may sound like a good investment initially, but if you don’t need them remove them from your policy.
  • Safe vehicles cost less to insure – Safer cars tend to have better insurance rates. These vehicles result in less severe injuries and better occupant protection means less money paid by your insurance company passed on to you as lower rates. If the Toyota RAV4 is rated at least four stars on Safercar.gov or an “acceptable” rating on iihs.org it is probably cheaper to insure.
  • Battle of the sexes – The statistics show women are more cautious behind the wheel. That doesn’t necessarily mean that women are better drivers. Men and women tend to get into accidents at a similar rate, but the males cause more damage. They also get cited for more serious violations such as DWI and reckless driving. Young males are the most expensive to insure and therefore have the most expensive auto insurance rates.
  • Special features that cut premiums – Driving a car that has an advanced theft prevention system can help lower your rates. Theft prevention features like tamper alarm systems, vehicle immobilizer technology and General Motors OnStar all hinder auto theft.
  • Adjust deductibles and save – The deductibles represent how much money you are required to spend out-of-pocket in the event of a claim. Physical damage coverage, termed comprehensive and collision coverage on your policy, covers damage that occurs to your car. A few examples of covered claims could be colliding with a building, vandalism, and burglary. The more money you have to pay, the less your company will charge you for insurance for RAV4 insurance.
  • Where you reside plays a part – Being located in less populated areas can be a good thing when insuring your vehicles. Drivers who live in large cities have much more traffic and longer commute times. Less people living in that area means a lower chance of having an accident.
  • Having a spouse can save you money – Having a wife or husband actually saves money when buying auto insurance. Marriage translates into being more mature and it’s proven that married drivers get in fewer accidents.
  • Never go without insurance – Letting your insurance expire will be a fast way to increase your auto insurance rates. Not only will rates go up, getting caught without coverage may earn you a revoked license or a big fine.Then you may be required to submit proof of financial responsibility or a SR-22 with your state department of motor vehicles.

Do I need special coverages?

When choosing the best auto insurance coverage, there really is not a “perfect” insurance plan. Everyone’s needs are different.

For instance, these questions might point out whether you might need an agent’s assistance.

  • Does insurance cover damages from a DUI accident?
  • Is my 1997 Toyota RAV4 covered for flood damage?
  • Do I need rental car coverage?
  • Is a new car covered when I drive it off the dealer lot?
  • Is a blown tire covered by insurance?
  • Are split liability limits better than a combined single limit?
  • Does coverage extend to a rental car in a foreign country?

If you’re not sure about those questions but you know they apply to you, you may need to chat with a licensed insurance agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, fill out this quick form. It’s fast, free and may give you better protection.

Detailed coverages of your insurance policy

Learning about specific coverages of your insurance policy helps when choosing which coverages you need and proper limits and deductibles. The terms used in a policy can be difficult to understand and reading a policy is terribly boring.

Auto collision coverage

Collision coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage from colliding with a stationary object or other vehicle. You first must pay a deductible then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.

Collision insurance covers things like scraping a guard rail, colliding with a tree and colliding with another moving vehicle. Collision is rather expensive coverage, so consider dropping it from vehicles that are older. You can also choose a higher deductible to bring the cost down.

Coverage for medical payments

Med pay and PIP coverage kick in for bills such as EMT expenses, ambulance fees, nursing services and hospital visits. They are used to cover expenses not covered by your health insurance program or if you are not covered by health insurance. It covers all vehicle occupants and will also cover if you are hit as a while walking down the street. PIP coverage is only offered in select states but it provides additional coverages not offered by medical payments coverage

Comprehensive coverages

This pays for damage from a wide range of events other than collision. You first have to pay a deductible and then insurance will cover the rest of the damage.

Comprehensive coverage pays for claims like hitting a bird, vandalism, fire damage and falling objects. The maximum payout a insurance company will pay at claim time is the ACV or actual cash value, so if the vehicle’s value is low consider dropping full coverage.

Liability coverage

Liability coverage will cover injuries or damage you cause to people or other property in an accident. It protects you from claims by other people, and does not provide coverage for your injuries or vehicle damage.

It consists of three limits, bodily injury for each person, bodily injury for the entire accident, and a limit for property damage. As an example, you may have policy limits of 25/50/25 which stand for a $25,000 limit per person for injuries, a total of $50,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and a limit of $25,000 paid for damaged property. Alternatively, you may have one number which is a combined single limit which combines the three limits into one amount rather than limiting it on a per person basis.

Liability insurance covers claims such as legal defense fees, attorney fees and pain and suffering. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is your choice, but it’s cheap coverage so purchase higher limits if possible.

Uninsured and underinsured coverage

Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage provides protection when the “other guys” do not carry enough liability coverage. Covered claims include hospital bills for your injuries as well as damage to your Toyota RAV4.

Because many people carry very low liability coverage limits, their limits can quickly be used up. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage is very important. Usually these limits are set the same as your liablity limits.

Don’t be a big spender

Insureds who switch companies do it for a variety of reasons including denial of a claim, unfair underwriting practices, poor customer service and even high rates after DUI convictions. No matter why you want to switch, finding a new insurance coverage company can be easier than you think.

Discount 1997 Toyota RAV4 insurance is attainable on the web in addition to many insurance agents, and you should compare price quotes from both to get a complete price analysis. Some insurance companies do not provide online price quotes and usually these small, regional companies provide coverage only through local independent agents.

When shopping online for insurance coverage, it’s a bad idea to buy less coverage just to save a little money. In many cases, drivers have reduced physical damage coverage and discovered at claim time that it was a big error on their part. Your goal should be to find the BEST coverage at the best price.

Additional insurance coverage information can be read below: