The easiest way to get more affordable car insurance rates in Bakersfield is to start comparing rates regularly from companies that insure vehicles in California. You can shop around by completing these steps.
Step 1: Get a basic knowledge of what coverages are included in your policy and the factors you can control to prevent high rates. Many factors that result in higher rates such as at-fault accidents and an unacceptable credit score can be rectified by improving your driving habits or financial responsibility.
Step 2: Compare price quotes from exclusive agents, independent agents, and direct providers. Direct companies and exclusive agencies can only give rate quotes from one company like Progressive or State Farm, while independent agents can give you price quotes for a wide range of insurance providers. View prices
Step 3: Compare the new rate quotes to the premium of your current policy to see if you can save by switching companies. If you find a better price and decide to switch, make sure there is no lapse in coverage.
Step 4: Notify your company or agent of your intent to cancel your existing policy and submit the signed application along with the required initial payment for your new policy. Once coverage is bound, store the proof of insurance certificate along with the vehicle’s registration papers.
The key aspect of shopping around is that you use similar coverage information on each quote and to quote with as many companies as you can. Doing this provides a level playing field and maximum price selection.
It’s safe to assume that auto insurance companies don’t want you shop around. People who shop for lower rates will presumably switch to a new company because they have a good chance of finding a policy with better rates. A study showed that drivers who compared rates once a year saved on average $70 a month compared to drivers who never shopped for cheaper rates.
If finding the most affordable auto insurance is your target objective, then learning about how to shop and compare cheaper coverage can make it easier to find better rates.
When price shopping your coverage, quoting more increases the chance that you will find the best price.
The following companies are ready to provide comparison quotes in Bakersfield, CA. If the list has multiple companies, we suggest you get prices from several of them to get the best price comparison.
Insurance coverage details
The coverage table shown next outlines a range of insurance policy prices for Volvo C70 models. Learning how auto insurance policy rates are determined can help drivers make smart choices when comparing insurance rates.
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
C70 T5 2-Dr Convertible | $332 | $698 | $330 | $20 | $98 | $1,478 | $123 |
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Price data assumes single male driver age 50, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $250 deductibles, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-policy, homeowner, safe-driver, claim-free, and multi-vehicle. Rate quotes do not factor in Bakersfield location which can increase or decrease coverage rates significantly.
Men versus women drivers and insurance cost
The information below shows the difference between Volvo C70 car insurance costs for male and female drivers. The information is based on no claims or driving citations, comprehensive and collision coverage, $100 deductibles, drivers are not married, and no discounts are applied.
Full coverage rates vs. liability-only
The information below compares Volvo C70 auto insurance rates with and without physical damage coverage, medical payments, and uninsured/under-insured motorist coverage. The information is based on no accidents or driving violations, $250 deductibles, single marital status, and no discounts are factored in.
Should you pay for full coverage or liability only?
There is no set rule to drop comp and collision coverage, but there is a general guideline you can use. If the yearly cost for physical damage coverage is 10% or more of the replacement cost of your vehicle minus the policy deductible, the it may be a good time to stop paying for full coverage.
For example, let’s pretend your Volvo C70 settlement value is $6,000 and you have $1,000 deductibles. If your vehicle is severely damaged, the most you would get paid by your company is $5,000 after paying the physical damage deductible. If you are paying in excess of $500 annually for full coverage, then it may be the right time to buy liability only.
There are some circumstances where dropping physical damage coverage is not recommended. If you still owe a portion of the original loan, you must maintain physical damage coverage in order to keep the loan. Also, if you cannot afford to purchase a different vehicle in the event your current vehicle is totaled, you should not drop full coverage.
Insurance in California serves several purposes
Despite the high cost, insuring your vehicle is required by state law in California and it also provides benefits you may not be aware of.
- The majority of states have compulsory liability insurance requirements which means state laws require specific minimum amounts of liability insurance in order to drive the car. 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 your Volvo has a lienholder, almost every bank will make it a condition of the loan that you carry insurance to guarantee loan repayment. If you cancel or allow the policy to lapse, the lender may insure your Volvo at a much higher premium rate and force you to reimburse them a much higher amount than you were paying before.
- Insurance protects both your assets and your vehicle. It will also provide coverage for medical bills incurred in an accident. Liability coverage, the one required by state law, also pays expenses related to your legal defense if you cause an accident and are sued. If you have damage to your Volvo as the result of the weather or an accident, comprehensive and/or collision insurance will pay to restore your vehicle to like-new condition.
The benefits of buying insurance are without a doubt worth the cost, specifically if you ever have a liability claim. According to a survey of 1,000 drivers, the average driver overpays as much as $820 a year so you should quote and compare rates each time the policy renews to save money.
Informed Drivers Can Lower Insurance Rates
An important part of buying insurance is that you know some of the things that go into determining insurance rates. When consumers understand what impacts premium levels, this allows you to make educated decisions that may reward you with cheaper rates.
The list below includes a partial list of the pieces insurance companies consider when setting premiums.
More policies can equal more savings – Some companies provide discounts to policyholders that have more than one policy in the form of a multi-policy discount. Even with this discount, drivers will still want to shop around to guarantee you are still saving the most. You may still find a better deal by buying insurance from more than one company.
Only buy coverage you need – Insurance policies have a lot of optional add-on coverages that can add up on your C70 policy. Coverages like vanishing deductibles, towing coverage, and term life insurance could be just wasting money. These may sound like a good investment when discussing your needs, but if they’re wasting money eliminate them to save money.
Marriage is a good thing – Walking down the aisle may earn you lower rates on your insurance bill. It generally demonstrates drivers are more responsible and statistics show married drivers tend to have fewer serious accidents.
More traffic means higher claims – Having an address in a rural area can be a good thing when buying insurance. Fewer drivers means a lower chance of having an accident and lower theft and vandalism rates. People in densely populated areas tend to have more road rage incidents and longer commutes to work. More time on the road translates into higher accident risk.
Low deductibles can be expensive – Comp and collision deductibles define the amount the insured will be required to pay before a claim is paid by your company. Insurance for physical damage, otherwise known as comp (or other than collision) and collision, insures against damage to your car. Some coverage claims are colliding with a stationary object, collision with a deer, and damage from wind. The more you choose to pay out-of-pocket, the less your insurance will be.
Fewer miles means better costs – The higher the miles on your Volvo in a year the more you’ll pay to insure it. Almost all companies apply a rate partially by how you use the vehicle. Vehicles that do not get driven very much qualify for better rates than cars that get driven a lot. It’s always a good idea to double check that your vehicle rating is rated on how each vehicle is driven. An improperly rated C70 can result in significantly higher rates.
Do I need special coverages?
When it comes to insurance from an agent or online, there is no “best” method to buy coverage. Your financial needs are unique and your car insurance should unique, too.
For example, these questions may help you determine if your situation might need professional guidance.
- Does my liability insurance cover pulling a trailer or camper?
- Are split liability limits better than a combined single limit?
- Does coverage extend to my business vehicle?
- Does my Volvo C70 need full coverage?
- I have good health insurance, so how much medical payments coverage do I need?
- Does my Volvo C70 qualify for pleasure use?
- Should I drop comprehensive coverage on older vehicles?
- What does roadside assistance cover?
- Why am I be forced to buy a membership to get insurance from some companies?
- When does my teenage driver need to be added to my policy?
If you can’t answer these questions but you know they apply to you, you might consider talking to a licensed agent. To find an agent in your area, take a second and complete this form or you can also visit this page to select a carrier
More comparisons equals cheap rates
As you restructure your insurance plan, don’t be tempted to buy poor coverage just to save money. There have been many situations where someone dropped physical damage coverage and discovered at claim time that the small savings ended up costing them much more. Your goal should be to purchase plenty of coverage at a price you can afford, not the least amount of coverage.
Discount Volvo C70 insurance in Bakersfield is definitely available on the web in addition to local insurance agencies, so you need to shop Bakersfield auto insurance with both to have the best chance of lowering rates. Some insurance companies do not offer price quotes online and many times these regional carriers work with independent insurance agents.
Helpful information
- Auto Insurance Basics (Insurance Information Institute)
- Who Has Affordable Car Insurance Rates for a Toyota Camry in Bakersfield? (FAQ)
- How Much are Car Insurance Rates for 17 Year Olds in Bakersfield? (FAQ)
- What Insurance is Cheapest for Inexperienced Drivers in Bakersfield? (FAQ)
- Who Has Cheap Bakersfield Car Insurance for College Students? (FAQ)
- Collision Coverage (Liberty Mutual)
- Auto Insurance FAQ (Farmers Insurance)