Are you tired of scraping the payment together to buy car insurance? You’re in the same situation as most other car owners in Texas. Lots of insurers contend for your hard-earned dollar, so it’s not easy to compare every insurer to discover the definitive best price available.
You should take the time to get comparison quotes occasionally due to the fact that insurance rates trend upward over time. If you had the lowest price for Sienna coverage two years ago a different company probably has better rates today. Forget anything you know (or think you know) about auto insurance because we’re going to demonstrate how to use online quotes to reduce your cost while improving coverage.
If you have a current auto insurance policy or are shopping for new coverage, you can learn to reduce the price you pay while maintaining coverages. Finding affordable coverage is quite easy. Texas consumers only need an understanding of the proper way to compare prices online.
Toyota Sienna rates are complex
It’s important that you understand the rating factors that go into determining your auto insurance rates. Having a good understanding of what influences your rates helps enable you to make changes that could result in much lower annual insurance costs.
- How credit affects auto insurance rates – A driver’s credit history is a big factor in determining what you pay for auto insurance. So if your credit rating is not that good, you could pay less to insure your Toyota Sienna by improving your rating. People with good credit tend to be more responsible as compared to drivers with lower credit scores.
- More claims means more premium – If you file claims often, you can definitely plan on either higher rates or even cancellation. Insurance companies in Texas give cheaper rates to insureds who do not rely on their insurance for small claims. Car insurance is meant to be used in the event of major claims that would cause financial hardship.
- More than one policy can earn a discount – Most auto insurance companies provide better rates to customers who have multiple policies with them such as combining an auto and homeowners policy. Discounts can amount to ten or even up to twenty percent in some cases. If you currently are using one company, it’s still a good idea to comparison shop to ensure the best deal. You may still be able to find better rates by buying auto insurance from a different company.
- Your car’s features help determine rates – Purchasing a vehicle that has an advanced theft prevention system can help bring down rates. Anti-theft devices such as LoJack tracking devices, vehicle tamper alarm systems or GM’s OnStar system all aid in stopping your car from being stolen.
- Your location affects your rates – Choosing to live in less populated areas is a positive aspect when talking about auto insurance. Drivers in populated areas tend to have more traffic problems and a longer drive to work. Less people living in that area translates into fewer accidents and a lower car theft rate.
- Do men or women drive better? – Statistics show that women are safer drivers than men. However, this does not mean women are better drivers. Men and women tend to get into accidents at about the same rate, but men have costlier accidents. Men also get cited for more serious violations such as DWI and reckless driving. Young males are several times more likely to be in an accident and therefore have the most expensive auto insurance rates.
- Drive a safer car and pay less – Vehicles with good safety scores tend to have better insurance rates. Safer cars protect occupants better and lower injury rates translates into fewer and smaller insurance claims and lower rates for you. If your Toyota Sienna earned at least four stars on Safercar.gov you are probably receiving a discount.
Comprehensive Auto Insurance Comparison in Texas
Reducing your Toyota Sienna insurance rates is surprisingly easy. Drivers just need to spend a little time to compare quotes online from several insurance companies. This can be done using a couple different methods.
The first (and easiest) way to get quotes is to use a rate comparison form (click to open form in new window). This type of form keeps you from doing repetitive form entry for each company. Taking the time to complete one form gets rate comparisons from auto insurance companies with the best prices.
A harder way to get comparison quotes is going to the website of each company and complete a new quote form. For example, we’ll assume you want to compare Liberty Mutual, 21st Century and Allstate. To get each rate you have to spend time on each company’s site and enter your information, which is why the first method is quicker.
For a list of links to insurance companies in your area, click here.
The least recommended method of getting rate comparisons is to waste gas driving to and from local insurance agencies. The internet makes this process obsolete unless you have a need for the professional guidance only provided by licensed agents. Drivers can price shop your coverage online but still have the advice of a local agent and we’ll cover that in a bit.
Whichever method you choose, ensure you are comparing apples-to-apples coverage limits for each price quote. If you are comparing higher or lower deductibles you will not be able to make an equal comparison.
Ads can be misleading
Consumers can’t get away from ads for the lowest price auto insurance by companies like Allstate and Progressive. They all make the same claim of big savings after switching to them.
But how can every company make the same claim?
Insurance companies have a preferred profile for the type of driver that earns them a profit. A good example of a profitable customer might be profiled as over the age of 40, owns a home, and has excellent credit. A propective insured who fits that profile will get very good rates and therefore will cut their rates substantially.
Potential insureds who do not match the requirements must pay a higher premium which leads to business going elsewhere. The ads say “drivers who switch” not “people who quote” save that kind of money. That’s why insurance companies can claim big savings. This illustrates why drivers must get as many quotes as possible. It is impossible to predict the company that will provide you with the cheapest rates.
Are you getting all your discounts?
Auto insurance companies don’t always publicize every available discount very clearly, so here is a list both well-publicized and the more hidden discounts you could be receiving. If you’re not getting every credit you qualify for, you’re just leaving money on the table.
- Bundle and Save – If you insure your home and vehicles with the same insurance company you may earn at least 10% off all policies.
- Low Mileage Discounts – Keeping the miles down on your Toyota could be rewarded with discounted rates on garaged vehicles.
- Claim Free – Claim-free drivers can save substantially as compared to accident-prone drivers.
- Early Switch Discount – Some insurance companies reward drivers for signing up before your current expiration date. It’s a savings of about 10%.
- Distant Student – Any of your kids who are attending college without a vehicle on campus can be insured at a reduced rate.
- New Vehicle Savings – Adding a new car to your policy can be considerably cheaper since new cars are generally safer.
- Employee of Federal Government – Employees or retirees of the government could cut as much as 10% off for Sienna coverage with select insurance companies.
- Theft Prevention Discount – Vehicles with anti-theft systems help deter theft and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
- Homeowners Pay Less – Simply owning a home may earn you a small savings because maintaining a house is proof that your finances are in order.
- Sign Online – Certain companies will discount your bill up to fifty bucks just for signing your application online.
As a disclaimer on discounts, most of the big mark downs will not be given to your bottom line cost. Most only cut the cost of specific coverages such as liability and collision coverage. So even though they make it sound like you can get free auto insurance, you’re out of luck.
To choose insurance companies with discount auto insurance rates in Texas, follow this link.
Buying auto insurance from a local agent
Some consumers would prefer to buy from a licensed agent and there is nothing wrong with that. Professional agents can point out coverage gaps and help file insurance claims. The best thing about getting online price quotes is the fact that you can find the best rates and still have an agent to talk to.
By using this simple form, your insurance coverage information is transmitted to insurance agents who will compete for your insurance coverage. You won’t need to leave your house since price quotes are sent directly to your email. It doesn’t get any easier!
Deciding on a company requires more thought than just the premium amount. Agents should be asked these questions:
- Can they give you a list of client referrals?
- Do they have any clout with companies to ensure a fair claim settlement?
- Who are their largest clients?
- Is working in the agency their full-time job?
- How much can you save by raising your physical damage deductibles?
- Do they regularly work with personal auto policies?
- Will their companies depreciate repairs to your car based on the mileage?
- Will you be dealing directly with the agent or with a Custom Service Representative (CSR)?
Texas insurance agents come in two flavors
When searching for a reliable agent, you must know there are a couple different agency structures to choose from. Agencies in Texas are classified as either captive or independent. Either one can properly insure your vehicles, but it’s good to learn how they differ because it can impact your agent selection.
Captive Agents
Captive agencies can only write with one company and some examples include Allstate, State Farm and Farmers Insurance. They are unable to give you multiple price quotes so keep that in mind. Captive agents receive extensive training on their products and sales techniques and that can be a competitive advantage.
Independent Agents
Independent insurance agents do not work for one specific company so they have the ability to put coverage with lots of companies enabling the ability to shop coverage around. If you are not satisfied with one company, the business is moved internally and you don’t have to find a new agent.
When comparing rates, you should always get quotes from at least one independent agent to get the best comparison.
For a full directory of Texas agencies, visit this page.
Once you have received answers to your satisfaction to your questions and an affordable coverage quote, you may have just found an auto insurance agent that is a good match to properly insure your vehicles.
But I don’t know anything about car insurance
When it comes to buying coverage for your vehicles, there isn’t really a best way to insure your cars. Everyone’s needs are different and your policy should reflect that. These are some specific questions can aid in determining if you will benefit from professional help.
- Are split liability limits better than a combined single limit?
- Is my teen driver covered when they drive my company car?
- What should my uninsured motorist coverage limits be in Texas?
- Does my Toyota Sienna need full coverage?
- Where can I get insurance after a DUI in Texas?
- Is my vehicle covered by my employer’s policy when using it for work?
If it’s difficult to answer those questions but one or more may apply to you, you may need to chat with an insurance agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, simply complete this short form or go to this page to view a list of companies. It is quick, free and may give you better protection.
Additional detailed information is available at the Texas Department of Insurance website. Texas drivers can learn about insurance regulations, file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, and view agent and company licensing information.
Also read more on this page for auto insurance prices in Texas and this directory of Texas insurance agents.
One last thing
When buying insurance coverage, it’s not a good idea to buy less coverage just to save a little money. There have been many situations where an accident victim reduced liability coverage limits only to regret at claim time that it was a big mistake. Your focus should be to find the BEST coverage at an affordable rate.
The cheapest Toyota Sienna insurance can be purchased both online in addition to many Texas insurance agents, and you need to comparison shop both to have the best chance of lowering rates. There are still a few companies who do not provide online price quotes and most of the time these regional insurance providers sell through independent agents.
We just covered some good ideas how to save on Toyota Sienna insurance. The most important thing to understand is the more companies you get rates for, the more likely it is that you will get a better rate. You may even discover the lowest premiums are with a smaller regional carrier. These smaller insurers can often provide lower rates in certain areas than the large multi-state companies such as State Farm and Allstate.