Bewildered by insurance quote

[55palfers]

I currently drive a G350 and last May I renewed the insurance for £650.

Thinking of changing my car and had a look at a RAV 4.

Just asked the Meerkats for an insurance quote and the cheapest was almost £1300.

Nothing had changed to affect the quote since May.

Any ideas why the price is so high?

Is it because the RAV is a hybrid and insurers don't like the battery situation do you think? i.e. these cars get written off if battery pack gets damaged despite relatively minor bodywork damage.

[butchstewie]

This?

Claude said:

Your battery theory is plausible but probably not the main reason. The more likely cause is **theft**.

• The RAV4 is one of the UK's most stolen cars.** DVLA data for 2025 had the RAV4 as the fourth most stolen model, with 1,348 taken. That followed 2024, when it entered the top 10 for the first time. Toyota and Lexus had three models in the 2025 top 10: the C-HR, RAV4 and Lexus NX. One insurer reported that just under half of Toyota's theft claims were for the RAV4. Thieves have been taking these cars without the key, and insurers price that in heavily. The effect is bigger in postcodes with a lot of car crime, so the same car can cost very different amounts depending on where it's kept.

• The battery point is real but smaller.** Hybrid repairs, and write-offs after moderate damage, do push costs up. The standard RAV4 hybrid battery is fairly small and sits in a protected spot under the rear seat, though, so it's much less of a problem than a big underfloor EV pack. It would matter more if you're looking at a plug-in version, which has a much larger battery. What Car? notes the current RAV4 is sold only as a plug-in hybrid, so if you quoted on a new one, that may be adding to the price.

• Repair costs in general** also play a part. Modern cameras and radar sensors in the bumpers and windscreen need recalibrating after even small knocks, and that's expensive.

For comparison, Finder's average comprehensive quote for a RAV4 is about £1,011 a year. Your £1,300 is high but in the same range, and it doesn't point to anything unusual about you.

Some ways to bring it down:
- **Quote different versions and years.** Try the self-charging hybrid against the plug-in, and the previous generation against the new one, to see where the price jumps.
- **Check the security details.** Try quotes with a Thatcham-approved tracker, and with the car kept on a driveway or in a garage overnight. Some insurers cut the price a lot for a tracker on high-theft models.
- **Try insurers that aren't on comparison sites.** Direct Line is one, and a broker is another route. Toyota also sells its own insurance, which is worth a quote.
- **Ask your current insurer** what they'd charge to switch the G350 policy to the RAV4. With your history and no claims, they may beat a new-customer quote.

[chip*]

The 5th Gen RAV4 is a popular target for car thieves (via Canbus) so this is likely to be a major cause for the higher premium.

[55palfers]

Thanks chaps.

Never considered it as a high theft car.

Going to look at one this afternoon so I'll quiz the salesman.

[Alex Z]

55palfers said:

Thanks chaps.

Never considered it as a high theft car.

Going to look at one this afternoon so I'll quiz the salesman.

He will tell you he's not aware of them being higher risk, of course you'll be able to get sensibly priced insurance and would you like to buy this lovely RAV4 he has for sale?

[Jamescrs]

RAV4 is also very popular for having the Cat stolen off it, I don't know why but the same also applies to other Toyotas too but obviously the Rav4 being higher is easier access so more vulnerable

[WhiskyDisco]

What is prompting you to swap a G350 for a RAV?

[asfault]

my current insurance wanted £430 to renew previous year was £330 with them.

Meetcats best was £270 with a nobody brand. Went with AA for £350

admiral wanted £950!!!! no idea what they are playing at.

[FilH]

Worked with someone who had a rav 4, dull looking thing nothing interesting about it, but practical for his needs... Was stolen!

Belive its a quick case of pull on the front bumper snap a clip, access the headlight / indicator wiring, plug a magic box in. And car unlocks and starts.

[TwigtheWonderkid]

WhiskyDisco said:

What is prompting you to swap a G350 for a RAV?

He's matured and realises what a knob he looks in the G wagon

Or his wife has had a miracle cure from blindness and refuses to go out in something that looks like 20 washing machines welded together.

(I'm not a fan, btw).

[55palfers]

TwigtheWonderkid said:

He's matured and realises what a knob he looks in the G wagon

Or his wife has had a miracle cure from blindness and refuses to go out in something that looks like 20 washing machines welded together.

(I'm not a fan, btw).

Tosser.

[alscar]

55palfers said:

Thanks chaps.

Never considered it as a high theft car.

Going to look at one this afternoon so I'll quiz the salesman.

Premium simply driven by each Insurers own datasets and after their actuaries have then played with them.

[55palfers]

WhiskyDisco said:

What is prompting you to swap a G350 for a RAV?

I used to do a lot of fishing but my chum died so I don't go so often now. The G would carry tons of gear and was brilliant on muddy riverbanks, etc.

Plus, my wife has had two knee replacements and is finding it a bit challenging to climb up into the vehicle these days.

[OIC]

FilH said:

Belive its a quick case of pull on the front bumper snap a clip, access the headlight / indicator wiring, plug a magic box in. And car unlocks and starts.

Interesting.

My neighbour has a Rav4.

I'll see if he'll let me have a play.

Lol.

[WhiskyDisco]

55palfers said:

WhiskyDisco said:

What is prompting you to swap a G350 for a RAV?

I used to do a lot of fishing but my chum died so I don't go so often now. The G would carry tons of gear and was brilliant on muddy riverbanks, etc.Plus, my wife has had two knee replacements and is finding it a bit challenging to climb up into the vehicle these days.

Thank you. I don't read or hear much said about G Wagons. Loads of people around here drive them, a lot of petrols and a few diesels. I am curious and should take one out for a drive to compare with my 1986 Land Rover 110. Chalk and cheese I expect.

[John D.]

Alex Z said:

55palfers said:

Thanks chaps.

Never considered it as a high theft car.

Going to look at one this afternoon so I'll quiz the salesman.

He will tell you he's not aware of them being higher risk, of course you'll be able to get sensibly priced insurance and would you like to buy this lovely RAV4 he has for sale?

[Rayny]

How long have you owned the G wagen?
Try a quote for the new car, but with the same length of ownership.

[Wacky Racer]

55palfers said:

TwigtheWonderkid said:

He's matured and realises what a knob he looks in the G wagon

Or his wife has had a miracle cure from blindness and refuses to go out in something that looks like 20 washing machines welded together.

(I'm not a fan, btw).

Tosser.

[bloomen]

Price up a Suzuki Across.

Same vehicle.

It might be that much more invisible to thieves. I guess you'll know if the quote is lower.

Lexi have the same problem. Toyota seem deeply unbothered. More sales and parts for them I suppose.