How to Save on Dodge Caliber Insurance in Bakersfield

How long has it been since you sat down and looked for lower-priced Dodge Caliber insurance in Bakersfield? Are you at wits end from not being able to afford to insure your Dodge every month? Your situation is no different than many other California consumers.

A study showed that the vast majority of insurance customers kept buying from the same company for at least four years, and nearly half have never compared rate quotes at all. Consumers in Bakersfield can save hundreds of dollars each year just by shopping around, but they just don’t understand the large savings they would see if they switched.

Due to the abundance of companies to choose from that have cheap insurance for a Dodge Caliber in Bakersfield, it can be challenging to find the cheapest company.

It’s a good habit to do rate comparisons every six months because insurance prices change quite often. Just because you found the best deal on Dodge Caliber insurance in Bakersfield on your last policy you can probably find a lower rate today. Ignore everything you know about insurance because you’re going to learn the proper way to reduce your cost while increasing coverage.

When comparison shopping, there are several ways to compare prices from local Bakersfield car insurance companies. The fastest way to find cheaper Dodge Caliber rates is to perform an online rate comparison.

Online shopping is fast and free, and it makes it obsolete to spend your day driving to each insurance agency near you. Comparing Dodge Caliber insurance rates online has reduced the need for local agents unless you have a need for the professional advice of a local agency. Drivers can find lower rates online and still use a local agent.

It’s important to know that more quotes helps increase your odds of locating the best price. Some insurance companies are not set up to provide rate quotes online, so you need to compare prices from them, too.

The companies in the list below provide free quotes in Bakersfield, CA. If multiple companies are listed, it’s highly recommended you visit two to three different companies to get a more complete price comparison.

Rates and detailed analysis

The coverage table below outlines estimates of rate quotes for Dodge Caliber models. Understanding how car insurance premiums are calculated can be valuable when making decisions when choosing a new policy provider.

Data rating is based on married female driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $250 deductibles, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include claim-free, homeowner, multi-policy, multi-vehicle, and safe-driver. Premium amounts do not factor in specific location which can revise prices significantly.

Auto insurance deductibles

When shopping for auto insurance, a common question is where to set your physical damage deductibles. The comparisons below may help you to understand the differences in price when you buy lower versus higher insurance deductibles. The first data set uses a $250 physical damage deductible and the second set of rates uses a $1,000 deductible.

Prices above based on married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include safe-driver, multi-policy, claim-free, homeowner, and multi-vehicle. Premium amounts do not factor in vehicle garaging location which can lower or raise price quotes substantially.

Based on this data, we can arrive at the conclusion that using a $250 deductible costs roughly $30 more each month or $360 annually across all Dodge Caliber models than buying the higher $1,000 deductible. Because you would be required to pay $750 more if you file a claim with a $1,000 deductible as compared to a $250 deductible, if you tend to have more than 25 months between claims, you would most likely save money if you elect the higher deductible. The table below illustrates an example of how you can decide this on your own policy.

The diagram below demonstrates how deductibles and can affect Dodge Caliber insurance prices for different age groups of insureds. The prices are based on a married female driver, comp and collision included, and no policy discounts are applied.

Auto insurance rates based on gender

The chart below shows the comparison of Dodge Caliber insurance prices for male and female drivers. The data is based on no claims or driving citations, comp and collision included, $250 deductibles, single marital status, and no policy discounts are applied.

Does full coverage make sense?

The information below shows the difference between Dodge Caliber insurance prices with and without full coverage. The information is based on no violations or claims, $500 deductibles, drivers are not married, and no discounts are applied.

When to stop buying physical damage coverage

There is no set rule that is best for determining when to drop physical damage insurance, but there is a general convention. If the yearly cost of full coverage is 10% or more of the settlement you would receive from your company, then you may need to consider dropping full coverage.

For example, let’s pretend your Dodge Caliber replacement cost is $9,000 and you have $1,000 physical damage deductibles. If your vehicle is destroyed, the most you would get paid by your company is $8,000 after the policy deductible has been paid. If premiums are more than $800 a year for full coverage, then it might be time to buy liability only.

There are some situations where eliminating full coverage is not in your best interest. If you still owe a portion of the original loan, you are required to maintain full coverage to protect the lienholder’s interest in the vehicle. Also, if you can’t afford to buy a different vehicle in the even your car is totaled, you should not buy liability only.

Why do I need car insurance?

Despite the fact that car insurance is not cheap in Bakersfield, buying car insurance is not optional due to several reasons.

• Almost all states have minimum mandated liability insurance limits which means state laws require a specific minimum amount of liability protection 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 you have a lien on your vehicle, it’s guaranteed your bank will require that you buy insurance to guarantee their interest in the vehicle. If you do not keep the policy in force, the lender may insure your Dodge at a much higher rate and require you to reimburse them for it.
• Insurance protects not only your vehicle but also your financial assets. It will also cover medical bills that are the result of an accident. Liability coverage, the one required by state law, will also pay to defend you if you are sued as the result of an accident. If your car is damaged in a storm or accident, your policy will cover the damage repairs after a deductible is paid.

The benefits of carrying adequate insurance outweigh the cost, especially with large liability claims. According to a survey of 1,000 drivers, the average driver is wasting up to $700 annually so compare quotes from several companies at every policy renewal to be sure current rates are still competitive.

Get Cheap Insurance Premiums by Understanding These Factors

Multiple criteria are used in the calculation when you get a price on insurance. Some of the criteria are obvious like your driving record, but other criteria are not quite as obvious like your vehicle usage or your commute time.

• Long commutes cost more – The higher the mileage driven every year the more you will pay for insurance. Most insurance companies price each vehicle’s coverage based upon how much you drive. Vehicles that are left in the garage can get a lower rate than those used for commuting. Ask your agent if your vehicle rating is showing the correct usage for each vehicle. Having an incorrect usage rating on your Caliber is just wasting money.
• Insurance policy lapses raise prices – Having a gap between insurance policy dates can be a quick way to pay more for insurance. In addition to paying higher premiums, the inability to provide proof of insurance could result in a fine, jail time, or a revoked license. Then you may be required to submit proof of financial responsibility or a SR-22 with the California DMV.
• Protect yourself with liability insurance – A critical coverage on your policy, liability insurance will afford coverage in the event that you are ruled to be at fault for an accident. Liability provides you with a defense in court up to the limits shown on your policy. This coverage is relatively inexpensive when compared to the cost of physical damage coverage, so drivers should buy more than the minimum limits required by law.
• Safer occupants lowers rates – Vehicles with good safety scores tend to have better insurance rates. The safest vehicles result in less severe injuries and any reduction in injury severity translates directly to fewer claims which can mean better rates for you.
• Improve your credit history – Your credit rating can be a huge factor in determining what you pay. If your credit can be improved, you may save money insuring your Dodge Caliber by improving your rating. Insureds with high credit scores tend to be more responsible and file fewer claims than drivers with bad credit.

• The type of vehicle makes a difference – The make and model of the car or truck you are trying to find cheaper insurance for makes a significant difference in your rates. The lowest rates tend to be for lower performance four cylinder passenger vehicles, but there are many factors that impact the final cost.

  The chart below uses these assumptions: single female driver age 50, full coverage with $500 deductibles, and no discounts or violations. It illustrates Dodge Caliber insurance rates compared to other makes and models that have a range of performance rating factors.

Save money with these discounts

Car insurance is not cheap, but there may be some discounts that you may not even know about. Many discounts should be triggered when you get a quote, but occasionally some discounts must be asked for before being credited. If you check and find you aren’t receiving every discount you qualify for, you could be getting lower rates.

• Own a Home and Save – Just being a homeowner can help you save on insurance because it shows financial diligence.
• Buy New and Save – Buying a new car instead of a used Caliber is cheaper because new vehicles are generally safer.
• Braking Control Discount – Anti-lock brake equipped vehicles have fewer accidents and therefore earn up to a 10% discount.
• Drivers Ed for Students – Require your teen driver to enroll and complete driver’s education if offered at their school.
• Good Student Discount – A discount for being a good student can save 20 to 25%. Many companies even apply the discount to college students up until you turn 25.

One thing to note about discounts is that most credits do not apply to the overall cost of the policy. Some only apply to individual premiums such as medical payments or collision. So when the math indicates it’s possible to get free car insurance, companies wouldn’t make money that way. Any amount of discount will positively reduce your premiums.

The diagram below shows the difference between Dodge Caliber insurance costs with and without discounts applied to the premium. The rate quotes are based on a female driver, no tickets, no at-fault accidents, California state minimum liability limits, comprehensive and collision coverage, and $250 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with multi-policy, safe-driver, marriage, claim-free, homeowner, and multi-car discounts applied.

To see companies who offer free Dodge Caliber insurance quotes in Bakersfield, click this link.

When in doubt talk to an agent

When buying your policy for your vehicles, there really is no best way to insure your cars. Your situation is unique so your insurance should reflect that
Here are some questions about coverages that might point out whether your personal situation would benefit from an agent’s advice.

• If my Dodge Caliber is totaled, can I afford another vehicle?
• Is my state a no-fault state?
• What are good deductibles for a Dodge Caliber?
• Is there a penalty for late payment?
• Is there coverage for my trailer?
• When would I need rental car insurance?
• What exactly is covered by my policy?
• Am I covered if I back into my garage door?

If you don’t know the answers to these questions then you might want to talk to an agent. To find an agent in your area, simply complete this short form or click here for a list of car insurance companies in your area.

Local Bakersfield auto insurance agents

Certain consumers would prefer to talk to a local agent and that can be a great decision The biggest benefit of comparing rate quotes online is the fact that you can find cheap auto insurance rates and still buy from a local agent. Supporting small agencies is important especially in Bakersfield.

To help locate an agent, after submitting this simple form, your insurance coverage information is transmitted to local insurance agents in Bakersfield that can provide free Bakersfield auto insurance quotes and help you find cheaper coverage. You won’t even need to search for any insurance agencies because quoted prices will be sent immediately to you. It’s the lowest rates and an insurance agent to talk to. If you have a need to get a rate quote from a specific company, don’t hesitate to jump over to their website and submit a quote form there.

Finding the right insurer requires more thought than just a cheap price quote. Any good agent in Bakersfield should know the answers to these questions.

• Does the quote include credit and driving reports?
• Are all drivers listed on the coverage quote?
• Do they get extra compensation for selling add-on coverages?
• Do they specialize in personal lines coverage in Bakersfield?
• If your car is in the repair shop, do you have coverage for a rental car?
• Do they make recommendations based only on price?
• What insurance company do they write the most business with?

Insurance savings summarized

More affordable insurance in Bakersfield can be purchased from both online companies in addition to many Bakersfield insurance agents, so you should compare both in order to have the best chance of saving money. There are still a few companies who do not provide the ability to get quotes online and many times these small insurance companies only sell through independent insurance agencies.

As you restructure your insurance plan, it’s not a good idea to buy lower coverage limits just to save a few bucks. In many cases, consumers will sacrifice uninsured motorist or liability limits only to regret that they should have had better coverage. Your goal is to purchase plenty of coverage at the best price but still have enough coverage for asset protection.

In this article, we presented quite a bit of information on how to shop for Dodge Caliber insurance online. The key thing to remember is the more you quote Bakersfield auto insurance, the better chance you’ll have of finding affordable Dodge Caliber insurance quotes. You may even find the best price on insurance is with a lesser-known regional company. Some small companies may often insure only within specific states and give better rates than their larger competitors like State Farm, GEICO and Nationwide.

Steps to finding lower priced Dodge Caliber insurance in Bakersfield

It takes a few minutes, but the best way to get the cheapest car insurance rates in Bakersfield is to regularly compare quotes from providers in California. You can compare rates by completing these steps.

1. Try to learn about what is in your policy and the changes you can make to drop your rates. Many rating factors that drive up the price like accidents, traffic tickets, and a lousy credit rating can be eliminated by making minor changes to your lifestyle.
2. Quote rates from exclusive agents, independent agents, and direct providers. Direct and exclusive agents can only provide price estimates from a single company like GEICO or Farmers Insurance, while independent agencies can provide price quotes from multiple companies. Begin your rate comparison
3. Compare the new rate quotes to your current policy premium and determine if there is any savings. If you find a better price and change companies, make sure coverage does not lapse between policies.

A tip to remember is to make sure you’re comparing similar coverage information on every quote request and and to get quotes from as many different companies as possible. This enables a fair price comparison and a thorough price selection.

To read more, take a look at the following helpful articles:

• Speed and Speed Limit FAQ (iihs.org)
• Who Has Cheap Auto Insurance Quotes for Uber Drivers in Bakersfield? (FAQ)
• Who Has Cheap Car Insurance Quotes for Drivers with a Bad Driving Record in Bakersfield? (FAQ)
• When is the Right Time to Switch Car Insurance Companies? (Allstate)
• Auto Insurance Basics (Insurance Information Institute)
• Uninsured Motorists: Threats on the Road (Insurance Information Institute)
• Eight Auto Insurance Myths (Insurance Information Institute)