Prius Insurance

[paco-shalom]

As seen recently in the news, Travellers insurance is giving a discount to hybrid owners in many states. As soon as I move to one of those states, I plan to call for a quote.

For now, I'm dealing with the increase of about $200 with Geico when I traded my 1996 Volvo for the 2005 Prius (full coverage). The only new safety features I got in the Prius were the side-curtain airbags and VSC.

[marjflowers]

I'm with Progressive -- over the Internet NOT from an agent, that was $1200 more a year than buying on the IInternet.

I've got a disasterous driving record, and I pay$1100/6 months for full coverage with low deductables. I consider myself lucky.

[goodsam]

I traded a 2005 Scion TC for my 2006 Prius...kept the same coverage and the price went up 1 cent.

[hockeybrat]

I went from a 1992 Camry that was broken into twice. With the same coverage, the Prius will come out about $20 more each month.

[kirbinster]

While it is nice to hear what people in various places are paying -- the numbers are meaningless as insurance rates vary greatly by state. You could probably insure a $100,000 car cheaper in ND than you can insure a Prius in NJ. Rates can also vary greatly by city versus farm area in a given state. Rates are based on exposure.

[daniel]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(heliotropehead @ Apr 4 2006, 07:24 AM) [snapback]234697[/snapback]</div>

I'm now with Progressive and paying half of what I was paying with State Farm... that's with identical coverage, as well.
[/b]

May be identical numbers, but insurance is worthless if they don't pay out. Some companies charge less, and then fight you tooth and nail when you have a claim.


<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(marjflowers @ Apr 4 2006, 05:54 AM) [snapback]234639[/snapback]</div>

When I traded in my 2005 Corolla for a 2006 Prius, my insurance premium for 6 months actually was $30 cheaper fro identucal coverage. How cool is that?!?
[/b]

I'm guessing it's due to theft risk. The Prius is harder to steal, and less in demand for parts. A thief who steals a Prius to sell whole, would have to replace the computer in order to have working keyfobs (unless he can steal an original fob with the car), and if he plans to ship the car to Mexico to sell, the market is essentially non-existent because there are no dealers set up to service it there.

My rates went up, but that's because my old car was an '89 Civic, too old to be worth much.

[diemonde]

In The Netherlands (Europe) I got an ever better suprise. I was looking into insurrances when a car magazine came in with very good news. One insurance company is giving 15% extra off on Hybrid vehicles. That's because, in The Netherlands don't know if it's also true in the rest of the world, most Prius owners are people between 40 and 60 years and they drive without doing to much damage so they figured that this group of drivers has to get the 15% extra off.
For me it's extra nice as I am 28 and I do not get extra money off for non-claiming years (that's because I only just got my license). Because that insurance company is a lot cheaper in the first place then most I can keept the 400 euro's I would normally pay more with other insurance companies.
I think the 15% off has also to do with the fact that stealing a Prius would be pointless as Daniel said.
And about breaking in: just do not leave anything in the car!

[benighted]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(heliotropehead @ Apr 4 2006, 08:24 AM) [snapback]234697[/snapback]</div>

I'm now with Progressive and paying half of what I was paying with State Farm... that's with identical coverage, as well.
[/b]

I was paying $1300 for 6 months with Progressive but I switched to Esurance and now pay about $950 for 6 months for the same coverage. I'm 23 with a clean driving record, only 2 more years to go before I can get cheap insurance.

[mssmith95]

If you belong to Costco, then the least expensive insurance is through the Costco/Ameriprise insurance program. They were at least $200/year less then all of the others you guys have mentioned. They are pretty picky though, and I think you have to have a pretty clean record. Also, if their home insurance is great...and you get a better discount if you sign up for both. You have to be a Costco member though. Phone number is 888-404-5365.

[cdavid]

I have USAA and switching from my 2004 Accord EX V6 to my 06 prius was about $60 a year more expensive (Total of $660/year, $500 deductable collision, 250 comp).