If you want to save the most money, the best way to get cheaper car insurance rates is to regularly compare prices from insurance carriers that insure vehicles in Charlotte.
- Step 1: Spend some time learning about individual coverages and the changes you can make to keep rates low. Many factors that cause high rates such as distracted driving and a negative credit score can be amended by improving your driving habits or financial responsibility.
- Step 2: Compare prices from direct carriers, independent agents, and exclusive agents. Exclusive and direct companies can provide rates from one company like Progressive or Farmers Insurance, while agents who are independent can give you price quotes for a wide range of companies.
- Step 3: Compare the quotes to the premium of your current policy to see if a cheaper price is available in Charlotte. If you find a lower rate and change companies, make sure the effective date of the new policy is the same as the expiration date of the old one.
- Step 4: Notify your company or agent of your intent to cancel your current coverage and submit a completed application and payment for the new coverage. As soon as you have the new policy, keep your new proof of insurance paperwork with the vehicle registration.
One piece of advice is that you’ll want to compare the same amount of coverage on each quote request and and to get price quotes from as many auto insurance providers as possible. Doing this provides a fair rate comparison and a complete price analysis.
It’s shocking but most insurance customers have been with the same company for over three years, and almost 40% of drivers have never compared rates to find cheap insurance. Many consumers in North Carolina could save 10% every year by just comparing rate quotes, but they don’t know the actual amount they would save if they just switched companies.
When shopping for Toyota FJ Cruiser insurance in Charlotte there are multiple ways of comparing rates from different companies. The quickest method to do a complete rate comparison is to get quotes online.
When price shopping your coverage, obtaining a wide range of quotes provides better odds of finding a lower rate. Some insurance companies are not set up to provide price estimates online, so you need to compare price estimates on coverage from those companies, too.
The providers in the list below have been selected to offer free quotes in Charlotte, NC. If your goal is to find the best cheap auto insurance in NC, we suggest you click on several of them to get the best price comparison.
Coverage statistics and figures
The coverage information displayed next highlights a range of rate quotes for Toyota FJ Cruiser models. Understanding how rates are figured can help drivers make smart choices when selecting a policy.
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FJ Cruiser 2WD | $116 | $164 | $282 | $16 | $84 | $662 | $55 |
FJ Cruiser 4WD | $128 | $164 | $282 | $16 | $84 | $674 | $56 |
Get Your Own Custom Quote Go |
Prices above based on single female driver age 50, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $1000 deductibles, and North Carolina minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include homeowner, multi-vehicle, multi-policy, safe-driver, and claim-free. Estimates do not factor in Charlotte location which can change prices greatly.
Raise deductibles and save
One of the more difficult decisions when buying insurance is the level to set your comp and collision deductibles. The rates shown below may help to conceptualize the rate difference of buying low and high deductibles. The first data set uses a $100 deductible for physical damage and the second price table uses a $500 deductible.
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FJ Cruiser 2WD | $242 | $318 | $250 | $14 | $74 | $923 | $77 |
FJ Cruiser 4WD | $270 | $318 | $250 | $14 | $74 | $951 | $79 |
Get Your Own Custom Quote Go |
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FJ Cruiser 2WD | $176 | $214 | $250 | $14 | $74 | $728 | $61 |
FJ Cruiser 4WD | $196 | $214 | $250 | $14 | $74 | $748 | $62 |
Get Your Own Custom Quote Go |
Cost estimates assume married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and North Carolina minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include safe-driver, multi-vehicle, homeowner, claim-free, and multi-policy. Rate quotes do not factor in specific location which can revise rates noticeably.
We can derive from the above data that using a $100 deductible could cost the average driver approximately $16 more each month or $192 annually averaged for all FJ Cruiser models than requesting the higher $500 deductible. Because you would be required to pay $400 more out-of-pocket with a $500 deductible as compared to a $100 deductible, if you normally average at least 25 months between claim filings, you would save more money if you opt for a higher deductible.
How to decide to raise your deductibles
Average monthly premium for $100 deductibles: | $78 |
Average monthly premium for $500 deductibles (subtract): | – $62 |
Monthly savings from raising deductible: | $16 |
Difference between deductibles ($500 – $100): | $400 |
Divide difference by monthly savings: | $400 / $16 |
Number of months required between physical damage coverage claims in order to save money by choosing the higher deductible | 25 months |
An important thing to remember is that raising deductibles means you will have to pay more of your own money if you have a claim. You need to have some money saved in the event you have to pay more for the deductible.
Driving violations and accidents
The illustration below highlights how speeding tickets and at-fault accidents can affect Toyota FJ Cruiser insurance rates for different age groups. The premiums are based on a single male driver, full physical damage coverage, $500 deductibles, and no policy discounts are applied.
Toyota FJ Cruiser full coverage rates compared to liability only
The illustration below compares Toyota FJ Cruiser yearly insurance costs with full coverage compared to only the North Carolina minimum liability coverage. The premium estimates are based on no accidents, no driving violations, $1,000 deductibles, single status, and no other discounts are factored in.
When to stop buying full coverage
There is no specific rule for phasing out physical damage coverage on your policy, but there is a broad guideline. If the annual cost of having full coverage is more than about 10% of the vehicle’s replacement cost less your deductible, then you may want to consider only buying liability coverage.
For example, let’s say your Toyota FJ Cruiser book value is $4,000 and you have $1,000 physical damage deductibles. If your vehicle is totaled, the most your company will settle for is $3,000 after paying the physical damage deductible. If you are paying over $300 a year for physical damage coverage, the it may be a good time to stop paying for full coverage.
There are some scenarios where eliminating full coverage is not recommended. If you have an outstanding loan on your vehicle, you have to maintain full coverage to protect the lienholder’s interest in the vehicle. Also, if you cannot afford to purchase a different vehicle if your current one is in an accident, you should not opt for liability only.
Earn discounts to get lower-cost Charlotte auto insurance rates
Not too many consumers would say auto insurance is affordable, but you might find some hidden discounts that you may not even be aware of. Some of these discounts will be visible when you quote, but some may not be applied and must be asked about before you get the savings.
- Good Driver Discounts – Insureds without accidents can get discounts for up to 45% lower rates compared to accident prone drivers.
- Driver’s Education for Students – Make teen driver coverage more affordable by requiring them to enroll and complete driver’s education if it’s offered in school.
- Student Discounts – Being a good student may save you up to 25%. The discount lasts up to age 25.
- Data Collection Discounts – Insureds who allow driving data collection to analyze their driving habits remotely such as Snapshot from Progressive or Drivewise from Allstate may get a rate reduction if they show good driving skills.
- Fewer Miles Equal More Savings – Low annual miles can qualify you for lower prices due to less chance of an accident.
- Multiple Cars – Buying a policy with several vehicles on one policy could earn a price break for each car.
- ABS Braking Discount – Cars, trucks, and SUVs equipped with ABS or steering control prevent accidents and earn discounts up to 10%.
- Theft Deterrent System – Cars and trucks that have factory anti-theft systems prevent vehicle theft so companies will give you a small discount.
As a footnote on discounts, some credits don’t apply to your bottom line cost. Most cut specific coverage prices like liability, collision or medical payments. So when it seems like you could get a free auto insurance policy, company stockholders wouldn’t be very happy.
The information below compares Toyota FJ Cruiser auto insurance rates with and without discounts applied to the policy rates. The prices are based on a male driver, no accidents or driving violations, North Carolina state minimum liability limits, comprehensive and collision coverage, and $250 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with multi-car, claim-free, marriage, multi-policy, safe-driver, and homeowner discounts applied.
A list of auto insurance companies and a selection of discounts include:
- GEICO has discounts for anti-lock brakes, anti-theft, five-year accident-free, membership and employees, good student, military active duty, and multi-policy.
- SAFECO has savings for homeowner, teen safety rewards, anti-theft, teen safe driver, safe driver, multi-car, and accident prevention training.
- State Farm offers discounts including driver’s education, defensive driving training, passive restraint, multiple autos, Drive Safe & Save, good driver, and accident-free.
- MetLife offers premium reductions for defensive driver, multi-policy, accident-free, claim-free, good driver, and good student.
- 21st Century may offer discounts for 55 and older, automatic seat belts, air bags, homeowners, theft prevention, and good student.
- Progressive may include discounts for online signing, good student, multi-policy, multi-vehicle, and homeowner.
When getting a coverage quote, ask every insurance company what discounts are available to you. All car insurance discounts may not apply in every state. If you would like to choose from a list of insurers who offer online Toyota FJ Cruiser insurance quotes in North Carolina, click this link.
Buying the right FJ Cruiser insurance in North Carolina is an important decision
Even though it’s not necessarily cheap to insure a Toyota in Charlotte, paying for insurance serves several important purposes.
First, almost all states have minimum liability requirements which means it is punishable by state law to not carry a specific minimum amount of liability if you drive a vehicle. In North Carolina these limits are 30/60/25 which means you must have $30,000 of bodily injury coverage per person, $60,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $25,000 of property damage coverage.
Second, if your vehicle has a lienholder, it’s guaranteed your bank will require that you have physical damage coverage to ensure they get paid if you total the vehicle. If you let the policy lapse, the bank may insure your Toyota for a much higher rate and force you to pay for it.
Third, insurance protects not only your vehicle but also your assets. It will also provide coverage for medical transport and hospital expenses for you, your passengers, and anyone else injured in an accident. Liability insurance, one of your policy coverages, also pays expenses related to your legal defense in the event you are sued. If mother nature or an accident damages your car, your insurance policy will cover the damage repairs after a deductible is paid.
The benefits of having insurance are definitely more than the cost, specifically if you ever have a liability claim. As of last year, the average driver in North Carolina is overpaying more than $865 each year so it’s recommended you shop around at least once a year to make sure the price is not too high.
When in doubt talk to an agent
When it comes to buying your policy, there really is no one-size-fits-all type of policy. Everyone’s needs are different.
For instance, these questions could help you determine whether you may require specific advice.
- Can my teen driver be rated on a liability-only vehicle?
- How can I get my company to pay me more for my totaled car?
- Should I put collision coverage on all my vehicles?
- If my car is totaled with they pay enough to replace it?
- Do I need roadside assistance coverage?
- Is other people’s property covered if stolen from my vehicle?
- Can my teen drive my company car?
- Is there coverage for injuries to my pets?
- Is my vehicle covered by my employer’s policy when using it for work?
- Is my cargo covered for damage or theft?
If you don’t know the answers to these questions but a few of them apply then you might want to talk to a licensed agent. To find an agent in your area, take a second and complete this form.
Local Charlotte insurance agents
A lot of people prefer to buy from a licensed agent and often times that is recommended The best thing about comparing auto insurance online is that drivers can save money and get better rates and still have an agent to talk to.
For easy comparison, once you complete this quick form, your information is sent to insurance agents in Charlotte who will return price quotes for your coverage. It simplifies rate comparisons since you won’t have to search for any insurance agencies because quoted prices will be sent instantly to you. You’ll get the best rates without having to waste a lot of time. If you wish to get a rate quote from a specific insurance company, feel free to search and find their rate quote page and give them your coverage information.
Finding the right insurer should depend on more than just a cheap quote. These are some questions you should get answers to.
- What is the financial rating for the quoted company?
- Can they give you a list of client referrals?
- How would your car be valued if totaled?
- Can glass repairs be made at your home?
- Does the company have a local claim office in Charlotte?
- Do they feel the quoted coverages are adequate?
Pick the best car insurance agent in Charlotte for you
If you want to buy auto insurance from a reputable insurance agent or broker, there are two different types of agents and how they operate. Auto insurance agencies may be either exclusive or independent (non-exclusive).
Exclusive Auto Insurance Agents
These type of agents work for only one company and some examples include AAA, Allstate, State Farm, or Farmers Insurance. Exclusive agents cannot provide rate quotes from other companies so they really need to provide good service. These agents are usually quite knowledgeable on what they offer which helps overcome the inability to quote other rates. Some consumers prefer to buy from exclusive agents mainly due to the brand name rather than low rates.
Listed below are exclusive agents in Charlotte willing to provide price quote information.
- Allstate Insurance: John Rose
6853 Fairview Rd c – Charlotte, NC 28210 – (704) 366-7779 – View Map - Roger Craig – State Farm Insurance Agent
1427 Emerywood Dr – Charlotte, NC 28210 – (704) 553-2327 – View Map - Michael Pritchard – State Farm Insurance Agent
8633 Monroe Rd d – Charlotte, NC 28212 – (704) 535-2292 – View Map
Independent Agents
Independent agencies do not sell for just one brand so they have the ability to put coverage with many different companies and help determine which has the cheapest rates. If they find a lower price, your policy is moved internally which makes it simple for you.
When comparing rates, you will want to contact at least one independent agent to maximize your price options. Most independent agents also contract with small regional insurance companies who may have lower rates.
The following is a short list of independent insurance agents in Charlotte who can help you get price quote information.
- Honeycutt Insurance Agency
3121 Springbank Ln F – Charlotte, NC 28226 – (704) 752-8233 – View Map - Swimmer Insurance Agency
725 Providence Rd #100 – Charlotte, NC 28207 – (704) 333-6694 – View Map - Johnson Insurance Management, LLC
3220 Wilkinson Boulevard Ste A3 – Charlotte, NC 28208 – (704) 394-7327 – View Map