Affordable Insurance for a Toyota Tacoma in Boston

When looking for lower-cost insurance, do you get confused by the number of insurance providers available to you? Many other drivers are too. Consumers have such a large number of options that it can turn into a ton of work to find better prices for Toyota Tacoma insurance in Boston. Everyone knows Boston is a great city to live in, but high insurance prices can make it nearly impossible to pay for enough insurance coverage.

We don’t have to point out that fact that insurance companies don’t want you shop around. Insureds who get comparison quotes once a year are very likely to buy a new policy because the odds are good of finding lower prices. A survey found that people who compared prices once a year saved $3,400 over four years compared to those who never compared other company’s rates.

If saving money on insurance in Boston is your ultimate target, then learning about how to shop and compare insurance coverage can make it simple to find affordable coverage.

Toyota Tacoma insurance rate analysis

The coverage information shown below highlights estimates of rate quotes for Toyota Tacoma models. Understanding how car insurance premiums are figured can help drivers make informed decisions.

Table data assumes married male driver age 50, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $500 deductibles, and Massachusetts minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include safe-driver, multi-vehicle, multi-policy, homeowner, and claim-free. Prices do not factor in your specific Boston location which can lower or raise auto insurance rates substantially.

Analysis of deductible levels

The hardest decision when buying coverage is at what level do you set your deductibles. The premium rates below help summarize the differences in price between low and high coverage deductibles. The first set of prices uses a $100 deductible for comp and collision and the second set of prices uses a $1,000 deductible.

Data rating is based on married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and Massachusetts minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include homeowner, multi-policy, claim-free, safe-driver, and multi-vehicle. Prices do not factor in specific Boston garaging location which can decrease or increase premium rates considerably.

Based on this data, using a $100 deductible costs about $33 more each month or $396 annually than buying the higher $1,000 deductible. Due to the fact that you would have to pay $900 more to settle a claim with a $1,000 deductible as compared to a $100 deductible, if you usually have at a minimum 27 months between claims, you would more than likely save some money if you decide on a higher deductible.

Cost of full coverage

The information below illustrates the comparison of Toyota Tacoma insurance rates with and without physical damage coverage, medical payments, and uninsured/under-insured motorist coverage. The price estimates are based on no violations or accidents, $1,000 deductibles, single status, and no policy discounts are applied.

When to drop comprehensive and collision coverage

There is no specific rule to drop full coverage on your policy, but there is a guideline you can use. If the annual cost of your full coverage insurance is more than about 10% of the replacement cost of your vehicle minus the policy deductible, then you might want to consider buying only liability coverage.

For example, let’s say your Toyota Tacoma replacement cost is $3,000 and you have $1,000 physical damage deductibles. If your vehicle is severely damaged, the most you would receive is $2,000 after the deductible is paid. If premiums are more than $200 a year for your policy with full coverage, then you might consider buying liability only.

There are some cases where eliminating full coverage is not recommended. If you haven’t paid off your loan, you must maintain physical damage coverage in order to keep the loan. Also, if your emergency fund is not enough to purchase a different vehicle if your current one is totaled, you should not opt for liability only.

You Can Change Your Insurance Prices

Lots of things are part of the calculation when you quote your car insurance policy. Some of the criteria are obvious such as your driving history, although some other factors are not quite as obvious like where you live or your commute time. The best way to find cheaper auto insurance is to take a look at a few of the rating criteria that help calculate the rates you pay for auto insurance. When you know what positively or negatively impacts premium levels, this empowers consumers to make smart changes that will entitle you to lower rates.

Shown below are a few of the “ingredients” used by companies to determine your rate level.

• Having a spouse is a good thing – Your spouse may save some money on auto insurance. Having a spouse generally demonstrates drivers are more mature and responsible and it’s statistically proven that married drivers get in fewer accidents.
• Low credit rating equals high costs – Credit history is a large factor in determining what you pay. Therefore, if your credit rating can be improved, you could be paying less to insure your Toyota Tacoma by improving your rating. People that have very good credit scores tend to file fewer claims than drivers who have poor credit.

• Tickets inflate costs – Whether or not you get tickets has a big impact on rates. Attentive drivers get better rates than their less careful counterparts. Having just one citation may cause rates to rise twenty percent or more. Drivers who have gotten flagrant tickets like DWI, reckless driving or hit and run convictions may find that they have to to maintain a SR-22 with the DMV in their state in order to legally drive a vehicle.

  The diagram below demonstrates how citations and accidents can affect Toyota Tacoma car insurance rates for different age groups. The premium estimates are based on a married female driver, comp and collision included, $1,000 deductibles, and no other discounts are factored in.

• Pleasure use saves money – The more you drive in a year’s time the higher the price you pay to insure it. Many insurance companies rate vehicles based on their usage. Autos that sit idle most of the time can get a lower rate than those that get driven frequently. Make sure your auto insurance policy is showing annual mileage, because improper ratings can cost you money. An improperly rated Tacoma is throwing money out the window.
• Vehicle options can affect auto insurance rates – Choosing to buy a car with an alarm system can save you a little every year. Systems that thwart thieves like OnStar found on GM vehicles, advanced tracking like LoJack, and vehicle immobilization systems can thwart auto theft.
• Always have auto insurance – Not having insurance can get you a ticket and your next policy will cost more because you let your insurance coverage expire. And not only will your rates increase, failure to provide proof of insurance can result in a fine, jail time, or a revoked license. You may have to file a SR-22 with the Massachusetts motor vehicle department to get your license reinstated.

• Costs go up with performance – The make and model of the car you are buying insurance for makes a big difference in your premium level. The most favorable rates are generally reserved for lower performance four cylinder passenger vehicles, but there are many factors that impact the final cost.

  The next chart assumes a married male driver age 20, full coverage with $250 deductibles, and no discounts or violations. The chart compares Toyota Tacoma rates compared to other models of vehicles that have a range of performance rating factors.

• Safer cars lower rates – Cars with five star safety ratings tend to be cheaper to insure. Vehicles built for safety result in less severe injuries and fewer injuries translates into fewer and smaller insurance claims and more competitive rates for policyholders.

• Toyota Tacoma historical loss data – Insurance companies take into consideration historical loss data for every vehicle in order to profitably underwrite each model. Models that are shown to have higher frequency or amount of claims will have higher rates for specific coverages. The table below shows the compiled insurance loss statistics for Toyota Tacoma vehicles.

  For each type of coverage, the statistical loss for all vehicles, regardless of manufacturer or model, is represented as 100. Values under 100 represent a good loss history, while values that are 100 or greater indicate higher probability of having a loss or statistically larger claims.

  
  

  Toyota Tacoma Insurance Loss Statistics

  Vehicle Model	Collision	Property Damage	Comp	Personal Injury	Medical Payment	Bodily Injury
  Toyota Tacoma Double Cab 2WD	79	109	70	77	76	92
  Toyota Tacoma Double Cab 4WD	82	104	84	64	56	77
  Toyota Tacoma Double Cab LWB 2WD	87	108	74			96
  Toyota Tacoma Double Cab LWB 4WD	84	104	88	68	57	79
  Toyota Tacoma Xtra Cab 2WD	80	105	60	86	75	96
  Toyota Tacoma Xtra Cab 4WD	71	90	77	48	51	65

  BETTER

  AVERAGE

  WORSE

  Empty fields indicate not enough data collected
  Statistics from IIHS.org for 2013-2015 Model Years

Auto insurance companies ranked

Picking a highly-rated insurance provider can be difficult considering how many choices drivers have in Boston. The company information shown next may help you pick which auto insurance companies to look at shopping prices with.

Top 10 Boston Car Insurance Companies Overall

1. The General
2. Mercury Insurance
3. Titan Insurance
4. The Hartford
5. Progressive
6. Travelers
7. State Farm
8. Farmers Insurance
9. Safeco Insurance
10. USAA

Top 10 Boston Car Insurance Companies by A.M. Best Rank

1. USAA – A++
2. GEICO – A++
3. Travelers – A++
4. State Farm – A++
5. Allstate – A+
6. Nationwide – A+
7. Esurance – A+
8. Progressive – A+
9. The Hartford – A+
10. Mercury Insurance – A+

Don’t give up on cheaper premiums

Lower-priced insurance in Boston can be found both online as well as from independent agents in Boston, and you should compare rates from both in order to have the best price selection to choose from. Some companies may not provide rates over the internet and these smaller companies provide coverage only through local independent agents.

While you’re price shopping online, don’t be tempted to buy poor coverage just to save money. Too many times, drivers have reduced liability coverage limits only to discover later that their decision to reduce coverage ended up costing them more. Your goal should be to purchase plenty of coverage at the lowest possible cost, but don’t skip important coverages to save money.

How to find cheaper Toyota Tacoma insurance in Boston

Truthfully, the best way to get more affordable car insurance rates is to do an annual price comparison from different companies in Boston. Rates can be compared by following these steps.

1. Learn about how companies price auto insurance and the things you can control to prevent expensive coverage. Many risk factors that cause rate increases such as tickets, at-fault accidents, and a not-so-good credit history can be remedied by improving your driving habits or financial responsibility.
2. Compare rates from independent agents, exclusive agents, and direct companies. Direct and exclusive agents can only quote rates from one company like Progressive or Farmers Insurance, while agents who are independent can quote rates from many different companies. View prices
3. Compare the quotes to your existing rates to see if a cheaper rate is available. If you find a better price and buy the policy, make sure there is no lapse in coverage.
4. Provide notification to your current agent or company of your decision to cancel your current auto insurance policy. Submit a completed application and payment for the new policy. As soon as you have the new policy, keep your new certificate verifying proof of insurance in an easily accessible location.

A key point to remember is to compare identical deductibles and limits on each quote and and to get price estimates from as many auto insurance providers as possible. This ensures a fair price comparison and a complete rate analysis.

Additional detailed information can be read by following these links:

• What is Full Coverage? (Allstate)
• Who Has the Cheapest Car Insurance Quotes for Seniors in Boston? (FAQ)
• Who Has Cheap Auto Insurance Rates for a Nissan Rogue in Boston? (FAQ)
• Who Has Cheap Boston Auto Insurance Rates for Drivers with a DUI? (FAQ)
• How Much is Auto Insurance for Felons in Boston? (FAQ)
• What Auto Insurance is Cheapest for Handicapped Drivers in Boston? (FAQ)
• Who Has the Cheapest Auto Insurance for a Ford Explorer in Boston? (FAQ)
• Steps to Take After an Auto Accident (Insurance Information Institute)
• Tread Depth and Tire Safety (State Farm)