Compare Toyota Prius Insurance Quotes in Nashville

The easiest way to get low-cost car insurance rates in Nashville is to make a habit of regularly comparing prices from companies who provide auto insurance in Tennessee. You can compare rates by following these steps.

Step 1: Read about coverages and the changes you can make to prevent rate increases. Many risk factors that result in higher prices such as accidents, careless driving, and a not-so-good credit history can be amended by making minor changes in your lifestyle.

Step 2: Obtain price quotes from exclusive agents, independent agents, and direct providers. Direct and exclusive agents can give quotes from one company like GEICO or State Farm, while independent agents can provide rate quotes from multiple insurance companies. Compare rates now

Step 3: Compare the price quotes to your existing policy to determine if you can save on Prius insurance in Nashville. If you find a lower rate quote and change companies, verify that coverage does not lapse between policies.

Step 4: Provide proper notification to your current company to cancel your current policy. Submit payment along with a signed and completed policy application to the new company. Immediately upon receiving it, safely store the proof of insurance certificate in your vehicle.

The most important part of shopping around is to make sure you’re comparing identical coverage information on each price quote and to quote with as many carriers as you can. This enables a level playing field and the most accurate and complete price analysis.

Everyone knows that auto insurance companies want to keep you from comparing prices. Insureds who get price comparisons are highly likely to buy a different policy because they have good chances of finding a cheaper policy. Surprisingly, a recent survey revealed that drivers who compared rates annually saved over $850 each year compared to policyholders who never shopped around.

If finding the most affordable Toyota Prius insurance is your intention, then having a grasp of the best way to shop and compare auto insurance can make it easier to find better rates.

Insurance policy discounts you can’t miss

Car insurance is not cheap, but you might find some hidden discounts that you may not know about. Some of these discounts will be visible when you complete an application, but a few must be specially asked for before you get the savings. If you’re not getting every credit available, you are throwing money away.

• Responsible Drivers – Safe drivers can save as much as half off their rates than drivers with accidents.
• Military Discounts – Having a family member in the military could qualify you for better insurance rates.
• Federal Employees – Active or retired federal employment could qualify for a slight premium decrease with select insurance companies.
• Distant College Student Discount – Kids who live away from home to go to college and do not take a car to college may be insured at a cheaper rate.
• Onboard Data Collection – Drivers that enable their company to spy on driving habits by using a telematics device in their vehicle such as Allstate’s Drivewise and State Farm’s In-Drive system may get a rate reduction if they are good drivers.
• Paperwork-free – A few companies will provide an incentive just for signing your application on the internet.
• Seat Belts Save more than Lives – Buckling up and requiring all passengers to use a seat belt can save a little off the medical payments premium.
• Safety Course Discount – Taking part in a defensive driving class is a good idea and can lower rates if you qualify.

Policy discounts save money, but most of the big mark downs will not be given to the entire cost. Most only cut the cost of specific coverages such as liability and collision coverage. Despite the fact that it seems like all those discounts means the company will pay you, it just doesn’t work that way.

The chart below shows the comparison of Toyota Prius car insurance costs with and without discounts being applied to the rates. The information is based on a male driver, a clean driving record, no claims, Tennessee state minimum liability limits, full coverage, and $500 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with safe-driver, multi-policy, homeowner, marriage, claim-free, and multi-car discounts applied.

If you would like to view insurers with the best discounts in Nashville, follow this link.

Finding a better price on car insurance is a fairly straight forward process. You just need to spend a little time getting comparison quotes to discover which company has the cheapest Toyota Prius rate quotes.

The companies shown below offer comparison quotes in Tennessee. If multiple companies are listed, we suggest you visit as many as you can in order to get a fair rate comparison.

Analysis of coverages

The price information displayed next showcases estimates of prices for Toyota Prius models. Learning how insurance quotes are determined can assist in making smart policy decisions.

Data variables include married male driver age 40, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $1000 deductibles, and Tennessee minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-policy, multi-vehicle, homeowner, claim-free, and safe-driver. Price estimates do not factor in Nashville location which can revise coverage prices substantially.

Policy deductible comparison

One common question asked by Nashville drivers is how high should your deductibles be. The rates below may help to illustrate the rate fluctuation when you buy lower versus higher policy deductibles. The first rate quote example uses a $250 deductible for comp and collision and the second set of prices uses a $500 deductible.

Prices based on married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and Tennessee minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-vehicle, homeowner, multi-policy, safe-driver, and claim-free. Table data does not factor in the specific area where the vehicle is garaged which can lower or raise premiums substantially.

Based on these figures, using a $250 deductible will cost in the ballpark of $12 more each month or $144 for a full year than buying the higher $500 deductible. Because you would be required to pay $250 more to file a claim with a $500 deductible as compared to a $250 deductible, if you have at a minimum 21 months between claim filings, you would probably be better off if you opt for a higher deductible.

Careless driving habits raise auto insurance rates

The information below highlights how speeding tickets and at-fault accidents can raise Toyota Prius car insurance costs for different categories of driver ages. The prices are based on a single female driver, comp and collision included, $500 deductibles, and no discounts are applied.

Males versus Females

The chart below compares Toyota Prius insurance costs for male and female drivers. The costs are based on no violations or accidents, full physical damage coverage, $500 deductibles, single status, and no discounts are applied to the premium.

Rate comparison of full coverage and liability-only

The example below shows the comparison of Toyota Prius insurance rates with full coverage and liability only. The rate quotes are based on a clean driving record, no claims, $100 deductibles, single marital status, and no policy discounts are applied.

When to stop buying comprehensive and collision coverage

There is no set rule for eliminating comprehensive and collision coverage on your policy, but there is a general guideline you can use. If the annual cost of your full coverage insurance is more than 10% of the vehicle’s replacement cost less your deductible, then it could be time to drop full coverage.

For example, let’s assume your Toyota Prius book value is $9,000 and you have $1,000 full coverage deductibles. If your vehicle is destroyed, the most your company would pay you is $8,000 after paying the physical damage deductible. If you are paying in excess of $800 annually for full coverage, then you might consider buying liability only.

There are some cases where eliminating full coverage is not a good idea. If you still have a lienholder on your title, you have to maintain full coverage in order to prevent the bank from purchasing higher-priced coverage. Also, if your finances do not allow you to purchase a different vehicle if your current one is in an accident, you should not drop full coverage.

You are unique and your car insurance should be too

When quoting and comparing a policy, there really is no “best” method to buy coverage. Your needs are not the same as everyone else’s.

For instance, these questions might help in determining if your situation would benefit from professional advice.

• Is my vehicle covered by my employer’s policy when using it for work?
• How much cheaper are high deductibles?
• What is the minimum liability in Tennessee?
• Are rock-chip repairs free?
• Do I need replacement cost coverage?
• Is my teen driver covered when they drive my company car?

If you don’t know the answers to these questions, you may need to chat with a licensed insurance agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, take a second and complete this form. It’s fast, free and can help protect your family.

Exclusive versus independent insurance agencies

A lot of people still prefer to get advice from a local agent and that is OK! Agents can help you build your policy and will help you if you have claims. A good thing about comparing insurance online is that you can obtain lower prices and still have a local agent.

After filling out this form (opens in new window), your information is submitted to insurance agents in Nashville who will gladly provide quotes for your insurance coverage. You never need to find an agent on your own due to the fact that quote results will go directly to you. If you need to quote rates from one company in particular, you just need to navigate to their website and complete a quote there.

Finding the right insurer is decision based upon more than just a low price. Any agent in Nashville should be willing to answer these questions.

• Will a damage claim use OEM or aftermarket replacement parts?
• If your car is totaled, how to they determine the replacement cost?
• Do they offer claims assistance after hours?
• Do they get extra compensation for selling add-on coverages?
• Is the agent and/or agency licensed to do business in Tennessee?
• Are they full-time agents?
• Do they write coverage based solely on cost?
• Where would glass claims be handled in Nashville?

When researching a good insurance agency, it helps to know the two types of agencies that you can select. Insurance agencies in Nashville can either be exclusive or independent (non-exclusive). Either one can properly insure your vehicles, but it’s worth mentioning how they are different since it can affect which agent you choose.

Exclusive Insurance Agencies

Exclusive insurance agents work for only one company and examples are Farmers Insurance, State Farm, or Allstate. They are unable to provide rate quotes from other companies so they really need to provide good service. These agents are well schooled on their company’s products which can be an advantage. Some consumers prefer to buy from the same agent for years primarily because of the brand rather than low price.

Shown below is a list of exclusive insurance agents in Nashville that are able to give rate quotes.

• Farmers Insurance – Greg Nelson
  217 Old Hickory Blvd – Nashville, TN 37221 – (615) 646-3333 – View Map
• Phill Pharr – State Farm Insurance Agent
  5814 Nolensville Pike #108 – Nashville, TN 37211 – (615) 832-0897 – View Map
• Mike Maclean – State Farm Insurance Agent
  3922 Gallatin Pike – Nashville, TN 37216 – (615) 891-1241 – View Map

More Nashville agents

Independent Agents

Agents in the independent channel do not work for one specific company so they can insure your vehicles through many companies and get the cheapest rates. If premiums increase, they simply switch companies in-house which requires no work on your part.

When comparison shopping, you will definitely want to get several quotes from several independent agencies to get the most accurate price comparison. They often place coverage with small mutual carriers that may have much lower rates than larger companies.

Below are independent agents in Nashville who can help you get comparison quotes.

• Mills Insurance
  4525 Harding Pike Ste 244 – Nashville, TN 37205 – (615) 620-4452 – View Map
• Sturdivant Insurance
  1400 Forrest Ave – Nashville, TN 37206 – (615) 943-4962 – View Map
• Varallo Insurance Agency
  296 White Bridge Pike – Nashville, TN 37209 – (615) 352-5747 – View Map

More Nashville agents

Three good reasons to insure your Prius

Despite the potentially high cost of Toyota Prius insurance, insuring your vehicle may be required and benefits you in several ways.

• Most states have mandatory insurance requirements which means the state requires a specific minimum amount of liability insurance in order to drive the car legally. In Tennessee these limits are 25/50/15 which means you must have $25,000 of bodily injury coverage per person, $50,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $15,000 of property damage coverage.
• If you bought your Toyota Prius with a loan, most lenders will require that you buy insurance to ensure the loan is repaid in case of a total loss. If coverage lapses or is canceled, the bank will be required to insure your Toyota for a lot more money and require you to pay the higher premium.
• Insurance safeguards not only your Toyota but also your assets. It will also provide coverage for many types of medical costs incurred in an accident. As part of your policy, liability insurance will also pay for a defense attorney if anyone sues you for causing an accident. If your Toyota gets damaged, comprehensive and/or collision insurance will cover the repair costs.

The benefits of insuring your car more than cancel out the cost, particularly when you have a large claim. But the average driver in Tennessee is wasting up to $820 a year so compare rates each time the policy renews to save money.

Educate yourself about auto insurance coverages

Understanding the coverages of a auto insurance policy can help you determine the right coverages for your vehicles. Policy terminology can be difficult to understand and coverage can change by endorsement.

Liability insurance – This coverage can cover injuries or damage you cause to people or other property that is your fault. This insurance protects YOU from legal claims by others. It does not cover your own vehicle damage or injuries.

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 values of 25/50/15 which stand for $25,000 in coverage for each person’s injuries, a per accident bodily injury limit of $50,000, and a limit of $15,000 paid for damaged property.

Liability insurance covers things such as attorney fees, bail bonds and court costs. How much liability should you purchase? That is up to you, but buy as high a limit as you can afford. Tennessee state minimum liability requirements are 25/50/15 but drivers should carry more coverage.

The illustration below demonstrates why the minimum limit may not be high enough to cover claims.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage – This coverage gives you protection from other drivers when they do not carry enough liability coverage. This coverage pays for medical payments for you and your occupants as well as your vehicle’s damage.

Since a lot of drivers only purchase the least amount of liability that is required (Tennessee limits are 25/50/15), their limits can quickly be used up. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage is a good idea.

Collision coverage – Collision coverage will pay to fix damage to your Prius caused by collision with a stationary object or other vehicle. A deductible applies and then insurance will cover the remainder.

Collision insurance covers things such as damaging your car on a curb, sustaining damage from a pot hole, backing into a parked car, sideswiping another vehicle and crashing into a building. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so consider removing coverage from vehicles that are older. Another option is to choose a higher deductible on your Prius to bring the cost down.

Comprehensive coverage – Comprehensive insurance coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage caused by mother nature, theft, vandalism and other events. A deductible will apply then your comprehensive coverage will pay.

Comprehensive coverage protects against claims such as hitting a bird, fire damage, a tree branch falling on your vehicle and a broken windshield. The most you’ll receive from a claim is the actual cash value, so if the vehicle is not worth much it’s probably time to drop comprehensive insurance.

Medical payments coverage and PIP – Medical payments and Personal Injury Protection insurance provide coverage for immediate expenses for hospital visits, doctor visits, nursing services, chiropractic care and X-ray expenses. They can be used in conjunction with a health insurance policy or if you lack health insurance entirely. It covers both the driver and occupants as well as any family member struck as a pedestrian. Personal Injury Protection is not an option in every state but it provides additional coverages not offered by medical payments coverage

Cheaper car insurance is out there

Drivers change insurance companies for many reasons like high rates after DUI convictions, policy cancellation, not issuing a premium refund or high prices. Regardless of your reason, finding a great new company can be less work than you think.

Throughout this article, we presented many ideas to save on Toyota Prius insurance in Nashville. The key thing to remember is the more rate comparisons you have, the more likely it is that you will get a better rate. You may even be surprised to find that the biggest savings come from the smaller companies.

Lower-priced Toyota Prius insurance in Nashville can be bought both online and from local agencies, and you need to comparison shop both to get a complete price analysis. Some car insurance companies don’t offer online price quotes and these smaller companies only sell coverage through independent agents.

More resources

• Side Impact Crash Tests (iihs.org)
• Who Has the Cheapest Auto Insurance for Single Moms in Nashville? (FAQ)
• What Auto Insurance is Cheapest for Uninsured Drivers in Nashville? (FAQ)
• New head restraint design cuts injuries (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)
• Rearview cameras reduce backing crashes (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)