Save Money on Toyota Camry Insurance in San Diego

If you’re looking for more affordable insurance online, do you get confused by the wide range of auto insurance sources in San Diego? California consumers have such a large number of options that it can be a difficult mission to find better prices for Toyota Camry insurance in San Diego. If you live there, you know that San Diego is a great city to live in, but expensive auto insurance can make it hard for many residents to afford enough coverage.

Shocking but true, over 70% of consumers have purchased from the same company for more than four years, and 38% of customers have never taken the time to shop around. San Diego consumers could pocket up to 35% a year just by getting comparison quotes, but they underestimate the rate savings if they moved their coverage to a different company.

Do you qualify for discounts?

Car insurance companies do not list all their discounts very well, so the following list contains some of the best known and the more hidden discounts that you may qualify for. If you check and find you aren’t receiving every discount you qualify for, you are paying more than you should be.

• Memberships – Participating in certain professional organizations may earn a discount on your next renewal.
• Auto/Home Discount – When you have multiple policies and place coverage with the same company you may save up to 20% off your total Camry insurance premium.
• E-sign – A few larger online companies will give a small break for signing up online.
• Early Switch Discount – Some companies provide a discount for signing up prior to your current Camry insurance policy expiration. The savings is around 10%.
• Telematics Discount – Insureds who allow data collection to track driving manner by installing a telematics device like Allstate’s Drivewise could save a few bucks if they are good drivers.
• Anti-lock Brake System – Cars with ABS and/or traction control prevent accidents so you can save 10 percent or more.
• Good Student Discount – Excelling in school can be rewarded with saving of up to 25%. You can use this discount normally up to age 25.
• Student Driver Training – Cut your cost by having your teen driver successfully take a driver’s education course as it can save substantially.
• Anti-theft System – Anti-theft and alarm system equipped vehicles help deter theft and will qualify for a discount on a San Diego auto insurance quote.
• Senior Citizen Discount – Seniors may qualify for a slight reduction on a San Diego auto insurance quote.

One thing to note about discounts is that most credits do not apply to all coverage premiums. The majority will only reduce specific coverage prices like liability, collision or medical payments. So when it seems like it’s possible to get free car insurance, it doesn’t quite work that way.

Car insurance companies who may offer these money-saving discounts are:

• State Farm
• GEICO
• SAFECO
• Farmers Insurance
• AAA
• USAA

Check with each insurance company what discounts are available to you. A few discounts may not apply to policyholders in San Diego. If you would like to see a list of car insurance companies that offer multiple discounts in California, follow this link.

The fastest way that we advise to compare rate quotes for Toyota Camry insurance in San Diego is to know most insurance companies will pay a fee to quote your coverage. The only thing you need to do is give the companies some data such as your job, how many miles driven, types of safety features, and if you lease or own. That rating data is sent automatically to many different companies and you will get price comparisons instantly.

To compare affordable Toyota Camry insurance rates now, click here and enter your zip code.

The companies in the list below have been selected to offer price comparisons in San Diego, CA. If multiple companies are shown, we recommend you click on several of them to get the best price comparison.

Table data assumes single female driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $1,000 deductibles, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include safe-driver, claim-free, homeowner, multi-vehicle, and multi-policy. Information does not factor in San Diego location which can impact insurance rates significantly.

Auto insurance deductibles

One of the hardest decisions when shopping for auto insurance is the level to set your comp and collision deductibles. The premium rates below can help show the differences in premium rates of buying low and high policy deductibles. The first rate comparisons uses a $250 deductible for comp and collision and the second data table uses a $1,000 deductible.

Data based on married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include homeowner, multi-policy, multi-vehicle, claim-free, and safe-driver. Prices do not factor in garaging location in San Diego which can revise auto insurance rates considerably.

Based on this data, we can arrive at the conclusion that using a $250 deductible would cost the average driver about $34 more each month or $408 annually than requesting the higher $1,000 deductible. Since the policyholder would be required to pay $750 more out-of-pocket with a $1,000 deductible as compared to a $250 deductible, if you average at a minimum 22 months between claim filings, you would save more money if you elect the higher deductible.

Cost difference between full coverage and liability

The illustration below examines Toyota Camry annual premium costs when comparing full coverage to state minimum liability only. The data is based on a clean driving record, no claims, $250 deductibles, married male driver, and no additional discounts are factored in.

When to stop buying full coverage

There is no written rule to exclude full coverage on your policy, but there is a guideline you can consider. If the annual cost of your full coverage insurance is more than about 10% of any settlement you would receive from your insurance company, then it might be time to buy liability only.

For example, let’s assume your Toyota Camry replacement value is $7,000 and you have $1,000 deductibles. If your vehicle is severely damaged, the most your company would pay you is $6,000 after paying your policy deductible. If you are paying in excess of $600 annually for physical damage coverage, then it might be time to buy liability only.

There are some circumstances where only buying liability is not in your best interest. If you still owe a portion of the original loan, you have to keep full coverage in order to prevent the bank from purchasing higher-priced coverage. Also, if you cannot afford to purchase a different vehicle if your current one is in an accident, you should not drop full coverage.

Six Things That Determine Your Insurance Premiums

It’s important that you understand the rating factors that aid in calculating your policy premiums. When consumers understand what determines premiums, this allows you to make educated decisions that may result in cheaper rates.

You might want pay the minor insurance claims yourself – Auto insurance companies in California award cheaper rates to insureds who are claim-free. If you frequently file small claims, you can pretty much guarantee much higher rates or policy non-renewal. Auto insurance is designed for claims that you cannot pay yourself.

More miles equals more premium – Driving a lot of miles in a year’s time the more it will cost to insure it. A lot of companies charge rates based upon how the vehicle is primarily used. Autos that have low annual miles receive better premium rates than those that get driven frequently. Ask your agent if your insurance coverage correctly shows the proper vehicle usage, because improper ratings can cost you money. Having an incorrect usage rating on your Camry may be costing you.

Better credit means lower rates – Having a bad credit score factor in determining what you pay for insurance. People with excellent credit scores tend to file fewer claims than those with lower ratings. If your credit rating is not that good, you could potentially save money when insuring your Toyota Camry by taking the time to improve your credit score.

What type of car, truck or SUV do you drive? – The make and model of the car you need insurance for makes a huge difference in your car insurance bill. Because the Toyota Camry is considered a sedan, insurance will be about the same compared to average rates in San Diego. Lower performance four cylinder passenger cars generally have the cheapest insurance rates, but your final cost has many other factors.

Your liability limits – The liability section of your policy provides coverage when you are found to be at fault for causing damage or personal injury in an accident. It provides legal defense coverage to defend your case. This coverage is relatively inexpensive compared to physical damage coverage, so drivers should make sure they buy enough to cover all assets.

More traffic equals higher costs – Residing in smaller towns and rural areas of the country has definite advantages when trying to find low car insurance rates. Lower population translates into fewer accidents in addition to lower liability claims People in densely populated areas have to deal with more traffic problems and much longer commute distances. More time on the road means higher likelihood of an accident.

Insurance loss probability for a Toyota Camry – Companies study historical loss data to calculate a rate that will offset any claims. Vehicles that are shown to have higher prevalence or dollar amount of losses will have a higher premium rate.

The table below illustrates the loss history for Toyota Camry vehicles. For each type of coverage, the statistical loss for all vehicles, regardless of make or model, is represented as 100. Percentage values below 100 suggest a positive loss record, while numbers above 100 indicate higher probability of having a loss or statistically larger claims.

Insurance agents can help

When it comes to buying the right insurance coverage for your vehicles, there really isn’t a single plan that fits everyone. Every insured’s situation is different and a cookie cutter policy won’t apply. These are some specific questions could help you determine whether your personal situation would benefit from professional advice.

• Does my insurance cover my expensive audio equipment?
• Do I pay less for low miles?
• What if I total my Toyota Camry and owe more than it’s worth?
• How high should my uninsured/underinsured coverage be in California?
• How do I buy GAP insurance?
• Is my vehicle covered by my employer’s policy when using it for work?
• How high should my medical payments coverage be?

If it’s difficult to answer those questions but you think they might apply to your situation, you may need to chat with an insurance agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, complete this form or go to this page to view a list of companies.

Local San Diego insurance agents

Many drivers still prefer to have an agent’s advice. One of the great benefits of comparing auto insurance online is that you can find cheaper premium rates and still buy from a local agent. And providing support for local agents is especially important in San Diego.

To find an agent, once you fill out this simple form, your insurance data gets sent to participating agents in San Diego who will give you bids for your coverage. You never need to contact any agents because quoted prices will be sent to the email address you provide. Get lower rates and a licensed agent to talk to. If for some reason you want to compare rates from a specific insurance company, feel free to search and find their rate quote page and submit a quote form there.

If you’re trying to find a reliable agent, there are two different types of agencies and how they function. Insurance agencies in San Diego can either be independent agents or exclusive agents.

Independent Agents (or Brokers)

Agents that choose to be independent are not employed by one company so they can quote policies through many companies and find you the best rates. To transfer your coverage to a different company, they simply switch companies in-house and you don’t have to do anything. When searching for an agent, you will definitely want to include price quotes from several independent agencies to maximize your price options. Most also write with less well-known companies who may have lower rates.

The following is a short list of independent agencies in San Diego who may be able to give you rate quotes.

• Nationwide Insurance: Richard Turner Insurance Agency
  3443 Camino del Rio S #221 – San Diego, CA 92108 – (619) 296-6222 – View Map
• Nationwide Insurance: Keith Jackson Insurance Agency Inc
  1081 Camino del Rio S Ste 210 – San Diego, CA 92108 – (916) 742-6995 – View Map
• San Diego Insurance
  4411 Mercury St #105b – San Diego, CA 92111 – (858) 565-6695 – View Map

More insurance agents

Exclusive Insurance Agents

Exclusive insurance agents can usually just insure with one company and some examples include AAA, State Farm, Farmers Insurance, and Allstate. These agents are unable to provide prices from multiple companies so if the price isn’t competitive there isn’t much they can do. These agents receive a lot of sales training on sales techniques which helps offset the inability to provide other markets. Some consumers prefer to purchase coverage from exclusives mostly because of high brand loyalty rather than low rates.

Below is a list of exclusive insurance agents in San Diego that can give you comparison quotes.

• Albert Quiroga – State Farm Insurance Agent
  8240 Mira Mesa Blvd G – San Diego, CA 92126 – (858) 695-8000 – View Map
• Dave Murphy – State Farm Insurance Agent
  12121 Scripps Summit Dr Ste 100 – San Diego, CA 92131 – (858) 621-6681 – View Map
• Rick Wiese – State Farm Insurance Agent
  2333 Camino del Rio S – San Diego, CA 92108 – (619) 293-7211 – View Map

More insurance agents

Deciding on an insurance agency shouldn’t rely on just the bottom line cost. Below are some questions you should ask.

• Do they get extra compensation for selling add-on coverages?
• Does the agent have professional designations like CIC, CPCU or AIC?
• Is there a Errors and Omissions policy in force?
• How long have they been in business?
• Are they actively involved in the community?
• Does the agency have a positive business rating?

Once you have good responses to any questions you may have and an affordable coverage quote, you’ve probably found an insurance agent that meets the requirements to adequately provide auto insurance. It’s important to know that policyholders can terminate your policy any time you want so don’t think that you are obligated to any specific company indefinitely.

Insuring your Toyota vehicle just makes sense

Even though it can be expensive, paying for auto insurance is mandatory in California but it also protects more than you think.

• Most states have mandatory insurance requirements which means state laws require a specific level of liability insurance if you drive a vehicle. In California these limits are 15/30/5 which means you must have $15,000 of bodily injury coverage per person, $30,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $5,000 of property damage coverage.
• If you have a lien on your vehicle, more than likely the lender will force you to have comprehensive coverage to ensure loan repayment if the vehicle is totalled. If you default on your policy, the bank may insure your Toyota at a much higher rate and force you to pay much more than you were paying before.
• Insurance safeguards both your Toyota Camry and your assets. Insurance will pay for many types of medical costs that are the result of an accident. Liability coverage, the one required by state law, also covers legal expenses if someone files suit against you as the result of an accident. If you have damage to your Toyota as the result of the weather or an accident, comprehensive and collision coverage will pay to restore your vehicle to like-new condition.

The benefits of carrying adequate insurance more than offset the price you pay, especially if you ever need it. But the average driver in California overpays as much as $750 every year so we recommend shopping around at every renewal to ensure rates are competitive.

You can find affordable coverage

The cheapest Toyota Camry insurance in San Diego is possible online and from local agencies, so you should be comparing quotes from both in order to have the best price selection to choose from. There are still a few companies who do not offer online quoting and many times these regional insurance providers provide coverage only through independent agents.

When getting San Diego auto insurance quotes online, do not reduce needed coverages to save money. There are too many instances where an accident victim reduced physical damage coverage only to find out that it was a big error on their part. The goal is to buy enough coverage for the lowest cost, but do not skimp to save money.

For more information, take a look at the articles below:

• Anti-Lock Brake FAQ (iihs.org)
• What Insurance is Cheapest for Safe Drivers in San Diego? (FAQ)
• Who Has Cheap San Diego Auto Insurance for Business Use? (FAQ)
• Preventing Carjacking and Theft (Insurance Information Institute)
• Rental Reimbursement Coverage (Allstate)
• Choosing a Car for Your Teen (State Farm)
• Get the Right Protection (InsureUonline.org)