How Much are Bakersfield Auto Insurance Quotes for First-time Drivers?

The words “cheap” and “insurance” probably shouldn’t be used in the same sentence, especially when you are looking for the best car insurance rates for first-time drivers. Because of the high cost, let’s introduce you to a few of the things that impact auto insurance rates, and find a few ways to take a little off the next policy you buy.

Deciding which insurers offer the lowest-priced car insurance rates for first-time drivers may require more time in order to find the lowest price quote. Each insurer uses their own formula for setting prices, so we will examine the most affordable car insurance companies in California.

We do need to point out that Bakersfield car insurance rates are determined by lots of factors that will increase or decrease the cost of having a policy. Turning one year older, buying a home, or getting a driving violation may cause policy rate changes that can make some companies cheaper than competitors.

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USAA generally has some of the lowest car insurance rates in Bakersfield at around $1,143 a year. This is $508 less than the average premium paid by California drivers of $1,651. Century National, Wawanesa, Nationwide, and CSAA also qualify as some of the lowest-priced Bakersfield, CA car insurance companies.

In the above example, if you currently have coverage with Wawanesa and switched to USAA, you may see an annual premium reduction of in the neighborhood of $38. Drivers with Nationwide could save as much as $70 a year, and CSAA customers might cut rates by $91 a year.

Remember that these premium estimates are averages for all drivers and vehicles in California and and are not figured with a specific zip code for first-time drivers. So the car insurance company that fits you best may not even be in the list above. That underscores the importance of why you need to quote rates from many companies using your own driver information and specific vehicle type.

For new drivers, one of the largest things that are used to help calculate the amount you pay each year for auto insurance is where your residence is in Bakersfield. Areas with increased crime or more people will most likely pay more, whereas more rural areas profit from lower rates.

The table below rates the most expensive areas in California for first-time drivers to buy auto insurance in. Bakersfield is listed at #19 having an annual price of $1,394 on average, which is about $116 each month.

Annual rates are comparative as zip code location can lower or raise auto insurance rates greatly.

The make and model of vehicle you are buying coverage for is a large factor when quoting the most economical coverage for first-time drivers. Vehicles with lots of speed or power, poor safety ratings, or an increased likelihood of liability claims will cost more to insure than safer, lower-performance models.

The next list ranks insurance rates for a number of the most cost-effective vehicles to buy coverage for.

Above prices assume single female driver age 17, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $1,000 deductibles, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include safe-driver, and claim-free. Rate information does not factor in specific location which can revise premiums significantly.

Based upon the rates shown, makes and models like the Honda CR-V, Ford Escape, and Toyota Prius are most likely to be the more affordable vehicles to insure for new drivers. The cost of a car insurance policy will be more expensive just because there is more claim risk for first-time drivers, but generally speaking those particular vehicles will tend to have the best rates available.

The illustration below demonstrates how deductible levels can increase or decrease insurance prices when researching cheap insurance for first-time drivers. The prices are based on a married male driver, full physical damage coverage, and no discounts are applied.

In the chart above, a 50-year-old driver could reduce rates by $308 a year by changing from a $100 deductible to a $500 deductible, or save $466 by using a $1,000 deductible. Youthful drivers, like the 20-year-old, could possibly save $1,026 or more by choosing a higher deductible.

When choosing a higher deductible, it will be necessary to have enough in a savings account to enable you to pay the extra out-of-pocket expense, which deters some people from using high deductibles.

Buying coverage from a highly-rated auto insurance company can be rather challenging considering how many companies are available to choose from in Bakersfield. The information in the lists below may help you select which auto insurers you want to consider when comparing insurance rates for first-time drivers.

The rankings below are for large nationwide companies, so companies that only write business in California or surrounding areas will not be included in the list. To check prices from these top insurers and more, follow this link.

Top 10 Major Car Insurance Companies in Bakersfield Ranked by Value

1. USAA
2. American Family
3. The Hartford
4. AAA of Southern California
5. Titan Insurance
6. The General
7. AAA Insurance
8. State Farm
9. Mercury Insurance
10. Nationwide

Top 10 Major Car Insurance Companies Overall in Bakersfield

1. USAA
2. American Family
3. AAA of Southern California
4. State Farm
5. The Hartford
6. AAA Insurance
7. GEICO
8. The General
9. Titan Insurance
10. Progressive

How to find the cheapest insurance for first-time drivers

It’s not impossible to find cheaper rates, and here are a few money-saving ideas that can help drivers find low-cost coverage.

• Clean up your credit
• Discounts for being claim-free can be substantial
• Raise physical damage deductibles
• Buy your auto and home insurance from the same company and save
• Do not get traffic violations
• Accidents can significantly increase rates
• Comparison shop at least every other year

That last tip is highly valuable, as was pointed out in this write-up. Car insurance rates in Bakersfield change frequently, so don’t be unwilling to buy a policy from a new company if you find a better deal.

Many drivers tend to have loyalty to a certain company, but is isn’t recommended if that stubbornness costs you several hundred dollars every year. Take a couple minutes and compare rates to find cheaper car insurance for first-time drivers.

The Bakersfield, CA, insurance agents below are a good start to help you make a decision which policy fits your needs best, as many consumers aren’t sure which coverage to buy and prefer to have the advice of a professional agent when buying car insurance for new drivers. It’s not always simple to find the best policy on your own, and insurance agents can bring peace of mind knowing your policy gives you sufficient protection if you have a claim. To find a Bakersfield insurance agent near you, click the button following the list.

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