Sadly, nearly 70% of drivers have purchased from the same company for at least the last four years, and almost half have never quoted auto insurance rates at all. Consumers in California could save themselves roughly 35% a year by just comparing rate quotes, but they don’t know the big savings they would realize if they switched to a more affordable policy.
If your goal is the lowest price, then the best way to find better pricing on Suzuki Equator insurance is to start doing an annual price comparison from insurers who sell insurance in Bakersfield. Rate comparisons can be done by completing these steps.
- Take a little time to learn about coverages and the factors you can control to keep rates in check. Many risk factors that result in higher rates like traffic violations, accidents, and poor credit history can be eliminated by making minor driving habit or lifestyle changes.
- Obtain price quotes from direct, independent, and exclusive agents. Direct companies and exclusive agencies can only give prices from one company like GEICO or State Farm, while agents who are independent can quote rates for a wide range of insurance providers. View insurance agents
- Compare the new quotes to your current policy and determine if there is any savings. If you can save money and change companies, make sure coverage does not lapse between policies.
- Provide notification to your current agent or company of your decision to cancel the current policy and submit a down payment along with a signed application to the newly selected company. Don’t forget to put the certificate of insurance with the vehicle registration.
One piece of advice is to use identical deductibles and limits on each quote request and and to get quotes from as many different insurance providers as possible. Doing this ensures a level playing field and a good representation of prices.
Most of the larger companies allow you to get coverage prices directly from their websites. Doing online quotes for Suzuki Equator insurance in Bakersfield is fairly straightforward as you just enter the amount of coverage you want into the quote form. Behind the scenes, their quoting system requests your driving record and credit report and quotes a price determined by many factors.
Getting online rates for Suzuki Equator insurance in Bakersfield makes it a lot easier to compare rates and it is imperative to get many rate quotes in order to find affordable rates.
To quickly find out what other companies charge, compare quotes from the companies shown below. If you currently have coverage, we recommend that you enter deductibles and limits exactly as they are listed on your policy. Doing this assures you will receive rate quotes for similar insurance coverage.
The car insurance companies shown below offer free quotes in California. If multiple companies are listed, we suggest you visit several of them in order to find the most affordable rates.
Auto insurance policy discounts for Suzuki Equator insurance in Bakersfield
Auto insurance companies don’t necessarily list the complete list of policy discounts in a way that’s easy to find, so the following is a list of both well-publicized and the more hidden auto insurance savings.
- Military Discounts – Being on active deployment in the military could qualify you for better auto insurance rates.
- Discount for Good Grades – Maintaining excellent grades may save as much as 25% on a Bakersfield auto insurance quote. This discount can apply until age 25.
- Professional Memberships – Belonging to qualifying clubs or civic groups is a good way to get lower rates on your next renewal.
- Theft Prevention System – Anti-theft and alarm system equipped vehicles prevent vehicle theft and will qualify for a discount on a Bakersfield auto insurance quote.
- Federal Government Employee – Active or retired federal employment could cut as much as 10% off but check with your company.
Keep in mind that many deductions do not apply to your bottom line cost. Most only cut individual premiums such as comprehensive or collision. So even though you would think you can get free auto insurance, insurance companies wouldn’t stay in business.
The chart below visualizes the comparison of Suzuki Equator car insurance rates with and without policy discounts. Data assumes a male driver, no claims or driving citations, California state minimum liability limits, comprehensive and collision coverage, and $500 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with safe-driver, marriage, homeowner, claim-free, multi-policy, and multi-car discounts applied.
A list of companies and some of their more popular discounts are included below.
- 21st Century offers discounts including driver training, 55 and older, anti-lock brakes, good student, homeowners, defensive driver, and air bags.
- Progressive offers premium reductions for multi-policy, good student, multi-vehicle, continuous coverage, homeowner, and online signing.
- State Farm policyholders can earn discounts including safe vehicle, multiple autos, Steer Clear safe driver discount, multiple policy, and passive restraint.
- Nationwide may offer discounts for easy pay, family plan, multi-policy, good student, and Farm Bureau membership.
- Esurance may include discounts for homeowner, online shopper, multi-car, defensive driver, and multi-policy.
- The Hartford may have discounts that include defensive driver, air bag, anti-theft, vehicle fuel type, and bundle.
When comparing rates, check with each insurance company which discounts you qualify for. Some credits might not be offered in your state. To see a list of providers that can offer you the previously mentioned discounts in California, click here to view.
Rates and data analysis
The rate information shown below showcases different insurance costs for Suzuki Equator models. Learning as much as possible about how auto insurance premiums are determined can help you make decisions on which coverage to buy.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equator Ext Cab 2WD | $168 | $274 | $456 | $26 | $136 | $1,060 | $88 |
| Equator Ext Cab 2WD | $168 | $274 | $456 | $26 | $136 | $1,060 | $88 |
| Equator Ext Cab 2WD | $192 | $332 | $456 | $26 | $136 | $1,142 | $95 |
| Equator Ext Cab 2WD | $192 | $332 | $456 | $26 | $136 | $1,142 | $95 |
| Equator Ext Cab 4WD | $192 | $332 | $456 | $26 | $136 | $1,142 | $95 |
| Equator Crew Cab 4WD | $216 | $392 | $456 | $26 | $136 | $1,226 | $102 |
| Equator Crew Cab 4WD | $216 | $392 | $456 | $26 | $136 | $1,226 | $102 |
| Equator Crew Cab 4WD | $216 | $392 | $456 | $26 | $136 | $1,226 | $102 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
Data rating is based on married male driver age 40, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $1000 deductibles, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include safe-driver, claim-free, multi-policy, homeowner, and multi-vehicle. Premium amounts do not factor in specific location information which can decrease or increase insurance rates noticeably.
Should you raise deductibles?
One common question asked by Bakersfield drivers is what deductibles to buy. The figures shown below can help illustrate the differences in premium rates between low and high policy deductibles. The first set of rates uses a $250 deductible and the second data table uses a $500 deductible.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equator Ext Cab 2WD | $298 | $472 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,395 | $116 |
| Equator Ext Cab 2WD | $298 | $472 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,395 | $116 |
| Equator Ext Cab 2WD | $342 | $576 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,543 | $129 |
| Equator Ext Cab 2WD | $342 | $576 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,543 | $129 |
| Equator Ext Cab 4WD | $342 | $576 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,543 | $129 |
| Equator Crew Cab 4WD | $386 | $678 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,689 | $141 |
| Equator Crew Cab 4WD | $386 | $678 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,689 | $141 |
| Equator Crew Cab 4WD | $386 | $678 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,689 | $141 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equator Ext Cab 2WD | $242 | $382 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,224 | $102 |
| Equator Ext Cab 2WD | $242 | $382 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,224 | $102 |
| Equator Ext Cab 2WD | $278 | $464 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,342 | $112 |
| Equator Ext Cab 2WD | $278 | $464 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,342 | $112 |
| Equator Ext Cab 4WD | $278 | $464 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,342 | $112 |
| Equator Crew Cab 4WD | $314 | $546 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,460 | $122 |
| Equator Crew Cab 4WD | $314 | $546 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,460 | $122 |
| Equator Crew Cab 4WD | $314 | $546 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,460 | $122 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
Data based on married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-policy, claim-free, safe-driver, homeowner, and multi-vehicle. Price estimates do not factor in the specific area where the vehicle is garaged which can alter coverage rates noticeably.
Based on the figures above, using a $250 deductible will cost in the ballpark of $17 more each month or $204 annually than buying the higher $500 deductible. Because you would be required to pay $250 more to file a claim with a $500 deductible as compared to a $250 deductible, if you have at least 15 months between claims, you would come out ahead if you decide on a higher deductible. The illustration below shows the way you can make your own decision.
| Average monthly premium for $250 deductibles: | $130 |
| Average monthly premium for $500 deductibles (subtract): | – $113 |
| Monthly savings from raising deductible: | $17 |
| Difference between deductibles ($500 – $250): | $250 |
| Divide difference by monthly savings: | $250 / $17 |
| Number of months required between physical damage coverage claims in order to save money by choosing the higher deductible | 15 months |
The illustration below illustrates how choosing a deductible and can affect Suzuki Equator insurance prices for each different age group. The rates are based on a married male driver, comprehensive and collision coverage, and no policy discounts are applied.
Suzuki Equator Insurance Cost Factors
Part of the auto insurance buying process is learning some of the factors that are used to determine your premiums. If you know what impacts premium levels, this allows you to make good choices that could result in much lower annual insurance costs.
Listed below are a partial list of the pieces used by insurance companies to determine premiums.
- Being married equates to better rates – Having a significant other may earn you lower rates on your policy. It means you’re more mature and statistics show married drivers get in fewer accidents.
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Men drivers tend to cost more – Over time, data shows that women are safer drivers than men. The data does not necessarily mean that females are better at driving than males. Women and men are in at-fault accidents at a similar rate, but the male of the species cause more damage and cost insurance companies more money. Not only that, but men also receive more costly citations such as reckless driving.
The chart below compares Suzuki Equator car insurance rates for male and female drivers. The data assumes no accidents, no driving violations, full coverage, $500 deductibles, drivers are not married, and no policy discounts are applied.
- Liability insurance is cheap – Liability insurance provides coverage if you are responsible for causing damage or personal injury in an accident. It provides legal defense coverage to attempt to prove you were not liable. This coverage is relatively inexpensive when compared with rates for comp and collision, so drivers should buy more than the minimum limits required by law.
- Annual miles impacts costs – The more miles you rack up on your Suzuki in a year the more it will cost to insure it. The majority of insurers calculate rates based upon how you use the vehicle. Cars and trucks that sit idle most of the time get more affordable rates than vehicles that have high annual mileage. Incorrect rating for your Equator may be wasting your money. Ask your agent if your declarations sheet is showing annual mileage, because improper ratings can cost you money.
- Raising coverage deductibles lowers premiums – Physical damage coverage, also known as collision and other-than-collision, helps pay for damage to your vehicle. Some coverage claims could be a windshield shattered by a rock, collision with an animal, and having your car stolen. Comp and collision deductibles are the amount of money you are willing to pay if a covered claim is submitted. The larger the amount the insured has to pay upfront, the lower your rates will be.
- Your employer may affect rates – Occupations like doctors, executives, and accountants are shown to have higher rates than average attributed to high stress levels and incredibly demanding work hours. On the flip side, occupations like farmers, athletes and homemakers generally pay rates lower than average.
Auto insurance agents can help
Some people just want to talk to a local agent and there is nothing wrong with that. Good agents can help determine the best coverages and help file insurance claims. An additional benefit of getting online price quotes is you may find cheaper car insurance rates but still work with a licensed agent.
After completing this form (opens in new window), your information is transmitted to participating agents in Bakersfield who will give you quotes for your business. You won’t even need to even leave your home since rate quotes are delivered instantly to you. In the event you want to compare prices from one company in particular, just search and find their rate quote page to submit a rate quote request.
Picking a insurer is decision based upon more than just a cheap quote. Get answers to these questions too.
- Will your rates increase after a single accident?
- Are there any hidden costs in their price quote and does it include driving and credit history?
- Does the company use OEM repair parts?
- By raising physical damage deductibles, how much would you save?
- Did they already check your driving record and credit reports?
Pick the best auto insurance agent in Bakersfield for you
If you want to buy insurance from a reputable insurance agent or broker, it helps to know the two different types of agents that you can select. Insurance agents in Bakersfield are considered either exclusive or independent agents depending on their company appointments. Both insure your vehicles properly, but it’s important to know the differences since it may influence your selection of an agent.
Exclusive Insurance Agencies
These type of agents can only provide one company’s prices and some examples include American Family, State Farm, and Allstate. They usually cannot provide prices from multiple companies so it’s a take it or leave it situation. They receive extensive training on sales techniques and that can be a competitive advantage. Many people buy from exclusive agents primarily because of the brand legacy rather than having low rates.
The following is a list of exclusive agents in Bakersfield willing to provide price quotes.
- Allstate Insurance: Lee Hernandez
1801 21st St Ste 3 – Bakersfield, CA 93301 – (661) 327-7761 – View Map - Abir M Pulskamp – State Farm Insurance Agent
1100 Mohawk St #240 – Bakersfield, CA 93309 – (661) 322-3338 – View Map - Keith Stonebraker – State Farm Insurance Agent
4600 Ashe Rd #308 – Bakersfield, CA 93313 – (661) 664-9663 – View Map
Independent Insurance Agents
Agents that elect to be independent are not restricted to one company so they can insure your vehicles through many companies and find the cheapest insurance rates. If you want to switch companies, the agent simply finds a different carrier and the insured can keep the same agent.
When searching for an agent, you absolutely need to get insurance quotes from several independent insurance agents to maximize your price options. They often place coverage with lesser-known insurance companies which may provide better rates.
Shown below is a short list of independent agents in Bakersfield that can give you price quotes.
- Nationwide Insurance: Mountain Pacific Insurance And Financial Services
3100 19th St #250 – Bakersfield, CA 93301 – (661) 873-4780 – View Map - Paul Sheldon Insurance and Benefits Planning
5251 Office Park Dr #100 – Bakersfield, CA 93309 – (661) 398-2298 – View Map - Hay Insurance Agency Inc.
4921 Calloway Dr # 101 – Bakersfield, CA 93312 – (661) 829-8933 – View Map
Bakersfield auto insurance companies
Picking a high-quality company can be a challenge considering how many different companies sell coverage in California. The company information shown next may help you choose which auto insurers to look at comparing prices from.
Top 10 Bakersfield Car Insurance Companies Ranked by Value
- USAA
- American Family
- The Hartford
- AAA of Southern California
- Titan Insurance
- The General
- AAA Insurance
- State Farm
- Mercury Insurance
- Nationwide
Top 10 Bakersfield Car Insurance Companies Ranked by Claims Service
- AAA of Southern California
- State Farm
- Esurance
- AAA Insurance
- Progressive
- Liberty Mutual
- GEICO
- Allstate
- Titan Insurance
- The Hartford
Smart consumers save more
There are still a few companies who may not provide the ability to get quotes online and these small, regional companies prefer to sell through independent insurance agents. Cheap Suzuki Equator insurance in Bakersfield is possible from both online companies as well as from insurance agents, so you need to compare both to have the best selection.
Insureds switch companies for a variety of reasons including policy cancellation, policy non-renewal, high rates after DUI convictions and even extreme rates for teen drivers. Whatever your reason, switching auto insurance companies can be easy and end up saving you some money.
As you prepare to switch companies, don’t be tempted to buy lower coverage limits just to save a few bucks. There are many occasions where an accident victim reduced uninsured motorist or liability limits only to regret they didn’t have enough coverage. Your objective should be to find the BEST coverage for the lowest price, but do not sacrifice coverage to save money.
For more information, link through to the resources below:
- Understanding your Policy (NAIC.org)
- What is the Cheapest Car Insurance in Bakersfield, California? (FAQ)
- How Much are Car Insurance Quotes for a Hyundai Elantra in Bakersfield? (FAQ)
- Who Has Affordable Auto Insurance Quotes for Good Drivers in Bakersfield? (FAQ)
- Understanding Rental Car Insurance (Insurance Information Institute)
- Auto Insurance 101 (About.com)
- Distracted Driving Statistics (Insurance Information Institute)