It would sure be easy if we could simply give you the name of the exact car insurance company that has the most affordable insurance in California. Unfortunately, it’s just not that easy, as there are a whole slew of unknown elements like if you own or rent your home, the crash test ratings of your vehicle, the neighborhood you live in, and if you have a spouse, that all impact the cost of your policy. The information below covers these things and will hopefully give the reader a jump start in finding the best auto insurance.
The vehicle model you are trying to insure is one of the largest factors that determines whether or not you find economical coverage for drivers under 21. Vehicles with lower acceleration and performance, an excellent safety record, or a low likelihood of having liability claims will cost quite a bit less to insure than adrenaline junky models. The table below showcases insurance prices for a number of the most affordable automobiles to buy insurance for.
Vehicle Make and Model | Estimated Cost for Full Coverage |
---|---|
Honda Accord LX 4-Dr Sedan | $2,288 |
Ford Escape XLT 2WD | $2,296 |
Honda CR-V EX-L 2WD | $2,321 |
Ford F-150 XL Regular Cab 2WD | $2,343 |
Ford Edge SE 2WD | $2,512 |
Toyota Prius | $2,527 |
Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer 2WD | $2,546 |
Dodge Grand Caravan CV | $2,553 |
Chevrolet Impala LS | $2,684 |
Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid | $2,718 |
Nissan Altima 2.5 4-Dr Sedan | $2,724 |
Chevrolet Equinox LT AWD | $2,718 |
Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 2WD | $2,726 |
Toyota RAV4 Sport 4WD | $2,718 |
Toyota Tacoma Double Cab 4WD | $2,751 |
Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport 4WD 4-Dr | $2,761 |
Ford Focus SES 4-Dr Sedan | $2,853 |
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Data rating is based on single male driver age 20, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $1,000 deductibles, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include claim-free, and safe-driver. Prices do not factor in zip code location which can revise price quotes greatly.
By looking at the data, we can conclude that makes and models like the Honda Accord, Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Ford F-150, and Ford Edge should be some of the cheapest vehicles to insure for minors. The cost of a car insurance policy will be more expensive just because there is more exposure for drivers under 21, but in general those specific models will have the cheapest auto insurance rates possible.
One of the more important things that help determine insurance cost is where you choose to live. Larger areas tend to pay slightly more, whereas areas with lower crime rates and fewer weather claims tend to receive cheaper rates.
The information below rates the priciest cities in California for drivers under 21 to purchase car insurance in. Bakersfield is ranked at #21 with an annual cost of $1,381 for car insurance, which is around $115 each month.
Rank | City | Premium Per Year |
---|---|---|
1 | Los Angeles | $2,146 |
2 | Glendale | $2,121 |
3 | San Francisco | $1,763 |
4 | Oakland | $1,738 |
5 | Sacramento | $1,720 |
6 | San Bernardino | $1,644 |
7 | Long Beach | $1,626 |
8 | Santa Clarita | $1,580 |
9 | Stockton | $1,556 |
10 | Garden Grove | $1,554 |
11 | Riverside | $1,527 |
12 | Fontana | $1,519 |
13 | Moreno Valley | $1,491 |
14 | Modesto | $1,487 |
15 | Santa Ana | $1,483 |
16 | Fresno | $1,472 |
17 | Anaheim | $1,430 |
18 | Huntington Beach | $1,402 |
19 | San Jose | $1,395 |
20 | Fremont | $1,389 |
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Premium amounts are approximated as the specific geographic location can alter coverage prices significantly.
Does it make sense to buy full coverage?
Paying less for car insurance is important to the majority of vehicle owners, and one way to buy cheaper insurance for drivers under 21 is to not pay for full coverage. The information below illustrates the difference between car insurance costs with liability coverage only compared to full coverage. Data assumes a clean driving record, no at-fault accidents, $500 deductibles, marital status is single, and no additional discounts are factored in.
Averaged for all ages 20 through 70, comp and collision coverage costs an additional $2,075 per year over and above liability only. That is a large expense which might make you wonder if buying full coverage is a good investment. There isn’t a written rule for dropping physical damage insurance, but there is a general guideline. If the annual cost of your full coverage insurance is more than about 10% of replacement cost minus your deductible, then it might be time to buy liability only.
There are some cases where buying only liability insurance is not financially feasible. If you haven’t paid off your loan, you must maintain physical damage coverage in order to prevent the bank from purchasing higher-priced coverage. Also, if your savings is not enough to buy a different vehicle in the even your car is totaled, you should not remove full coverage.
The diagram below shows how choosing a deductible can impact insurance prices when trying to find cheap insurance for drivers under 21. The prices are based on a single male driver, full coverage, and no discounts are taken into consideration.
In the chart above, a 40-year-old driver could lower their car insurance rates by $492 a year by increasing from a $100 deductible up to a $500 deductible, or save $738 by using a $1,000 deductible. Even younger drivers, like the 20-year-old, could lower their rates as much as $1,640 or more by using a higher deductible. When raising deductibles, it is necessary to have enough funds in savings to offset the extra out-of-pocket expense, which is the main drawback of higher deductibles.
Chances are good that you’re overpaying for Bakersfield car insurance
California car insurance rates are impacted by many things that control the price of coverage. Simply turning a year older, buying a different home, or getting a ticket for running a stop sign can trigger price changes resulting in some companies being cheaper in comparison to the competition.
In addition, companies amend pricing every year as an adjustment for underwriting gains or losses. Significantly higher losses may cause more expensive premiums, while a profitable period may cause cheaper Bakersfield car insurance rates.
The bar chart below demonstrates which company has the cheapest car insurance in Bakersfield, CA for a 30-year-old male driver with no prior accidents, a clean driving record, and a good credit history. If we look at prices based on his current risk profile, USAA might quote the most affordable car insurance rates in Bakersfield at $1,211 per year. This is $440 less than the average rate paid by California drivers of $1,651. Century National, Wawanesa, CSAA, and Nationwide also make the list of the cheapest Bakersfield, CA auto insurance companies.
The next chart shows rates after we give the driver in the first example some claims, a lower credit rating, and a speeding citation. Since each auto insurance company has a different formula for determining rates in each state, comparing insurance quotes may now present a significantly different list of affordable Bakersfield car insurance companies as shown below.
Grange now has the cheapest auto insurance in Bakersfield with GEICO, Mercury, Allied, and Progressive now rounding out the top five. This example proves why it is critical to compare as many rates as possible when trying to find the cheapest insurance quotes for drivers under 21. Car insurance prices are calculated by many different factors and can decrease or increase without notice, so the best price six months ago may now cost much more than other companies.
The auto insurance agents in Bakersfield shown below can help you determine which car insurance company is the best fit, since some people have coverage questions and would like to have professional advice when shopping for the best coverage for minors. It can be complicated to find the cheapest auto insurance company, so insurance agents can provide peace of mind knowing your coverage gives you adequate protection in case of an accident or claim.
To find an agent closest to you, click the button following the list.
Lorena Magana Insurance Agency, Inc.
4141 Ming Ave – Bakersfield, CA 93309 – (559) 783-9550
Allstate Insurance: Shannon Hill
2500 New Stine Rd Ste 101 – Bakersfield, CA 93309 – (661) 836-1136
Allstate Insurance: Diana Martinez
6300 White Ln T – Bakersfield, CA 93309 – (661) 827-8800