2009 Toyota Matrix Insurance Rates – 7 Tips to Save

Tired of being strong-armed to buy car insurance? You are no different than many other drivers. Insurance companies such as Allstate and Progressive all promote huge savings with ads and it is challenging if not impossible to separate fact from fiction and do the work needed to find the best deal.

Consumers need to check insurance coverage prices at least once a year because rates go up and down regularly. Just because you found the best deal for Matrix insurance six months ago you may be paying too much now. Starting now, forget anything you know (or think you know) about insurance coverage because we’re going to show you the right way to find better rates and still maintain coverage.

Discounts to lower 2009 Toyota Matrix insurance rates

Car insurance companies do not list all available discounts in a way that’s easy to find, so the following is a list of both the well known and the more hidden car insurance savings. If you aren’t receiving every discount possible, you’re paying more than you need to.

  • Military Discounts – Having a family member in the military could be rewarded with lower premiums.
  • Senior Citizens – If you qualify as a senior citizen, you may qualify for better car insurance rates for Matrix insurance.
  • Student Driver Training – Require your teen driver to take driver’s ed class in high school.
  • Early Switch Discount – Some companies give discounts for switching to them prior to your current policy expiration. It’s a savings of about 10%.
  • Clubs and Organizations – Affiliation with a qualifying organization is a good way to get lower rates on your policy for Matrix insurance.
  • Accident Free – Drivers who don’t have accidents can save substantially compared to drivers who are more careless.
  • Good Student – Performing well in school can be rewarded with saving of up to 25%. Earning this discount can benefit you up until you turn 25.

A little note about advertised discounts, some credits don’t apply the the whole policy. Most only reduce the cost of specific coverages such as comprehensive or collision. So when it seems like you can get free auto insurance, companies wouldn’t make money that way.

For a list of companies who offer car insurance discounts, click this link.

Tailor your coverage to you

When it comes to buying the best insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there really is not a “best” method to buy coverage. Everyone’s situation is a little different and your policy should reflect that. For example, these questions may help you determine whether your personal situation could use an agent’s help.

  • Is my Toyota Matrix covered if I use it for business?
  • I don’t drive much so do I pay less?
  • Am I covered if hit by an uninsured driver?
  • Am I covered when renting a car or should I buy coverage from the car rental agency?
  • When should I remove comp and collision on my 2009 Toyota Matrix?
  • Am I covered when driving a rental car?
  • When would I need additional glass coverage?
  • Is my trailer covered?

If you can’t answer these questions but a few of them apply then you might want to talk 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 It is quick, free and can provide invaluable advice.

Coverages available on your policy

Knowing the specifics of a insurance policy helps when choosing appropriate coverage and the correct deductibles and limits. The coverage terms in a policy can be ambiguous and even agents have difficulty translating policy wording. Below you’ll find typical coverages found on the average insurance policy.

Uninsured and underinsured coverage

Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage gives you protection when the “other guys” do not carry enough liability coverage. It can pay for hospital bills for your injuries as well as damage to your Toyota Matrix.

Due to the fact that many drivers only purchase the least amount of liability that is required, it only takes a small accident to exceed their coverage. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage is important protection for you and your family.

Comprehensive coverages

Comprehensive insurance coverage pays for damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. You need to pay your deductible first then your comprehensive coverage will pay.

Comprehensive coverage protects against things such as a broken windshield, damage from getting keyed, vandalism and fire damage. The maximum payout you can receive from a comprehensive claim is the ACV or actual cash value, so if your deductible is as high as the vehicle’s value consider removing comprehensive coverage.

Coverage for medical payments

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage reimburse you for expenses like ambulance fees, dental work, chiropractic care and nursing services. They are utilized in addition to your health insurance program or if you do not have health coverage. They cover you and your occupants and will also cover being hit by a car walking across the street. Personal injury protection coverage is not an option in every state but it provides additional coverages not offered by medical payments coverage

Coverage for collisions

Collision coverage will pay to fix damage to your Matrix from colliding with another vehicle or an object, but not an animal. You have to pay a deductible then your collision coverage will kick in.

Collision can pay for claims like damaging your car on a curb, hitting a mailbox, rolling your car, backing into a parked car and crashing into a building. Paying for collision coverage can be pricey, so you might think about dropping it from vehicles that are 8 years or older. It’s also possible to raise the deductible to get cheaper collision coverage.

Liability car insurance

Liability coverage can cover injuries or damage you cause to a person or their property that is your fault. This coverage protects you against claims from other people. Liability doesn’t cover damage sustained by your vehicle in an accident.

Coverage consists of three different limits, per person bodily injury, per accident bodily injury, and a property damage limit. As an example, you may have policy limits of 50/100/50 which stand for a limit of $50,000 per injured person, a per accident bodily injury limit of $100,000, and a limit of $50,000 paid for damaged property.

Liability coverage protects against claims such as repair costs for stationary objects, medical services, medical expenses and structural damage. How much liability should you purchase? That is up to you, but it’s cheap coverage so purchase as large an amount as possible.

Cheaper insurance is a realistic goal

We just covered some good ideas how you can get a better price on 2009 Toyota Matrix insurance. The key thing to remember is the more rate comparisons you have, the better your comparison will be. Drivers may discover the biggest savings come from a small mutual company. Smaller companies can often provide lower rates in certain areas as compared to the big name companies such as Progressive and GEICO.

As you prepare to switch companies, make sure you don’t sacrifice coverage to reduce premiums. In many cases, an accident victim reduced physical damage coverage and discovered at claim time that the savings was not a smart move. Your strategy should be to find the BEST coverage at the best price while still protecting your assets.

Much more information about insurance is available at the links below