If you want to save money, the best way to get affordable auto insurance rates in Bakersfield is to make a habit of comparing prices annually from insurance carriers that sell auto insurance in California.
- Try to learn a little about how insurance companies determine prices and the steps you can take to keep rates down. Many policy risk factors that result in higher rates such as traffic tickets, fender benders, and a negative credit history can be rectified by making minor changes in your lifestyle. Later in this article we will cover additional ideas to help find cheaper rates and find discounts that may have been missed.
- Get rate quotes from direct, independent, and exclusive agents. Direct companies and exclusive agencies can only give prices from one company like Progressive and State Farm, while agents who are independent can provide rate quotes for a wide range of insurance providers.
- Compare the new rate quotes to your existing rates and determine if cheaper Transit Connect coverage is available in Bakersfield. If you can save money, make sure coverage is continuous and does not lapse.
- Give notification to your agent or company of your decision to cancel your current auto insurance policy and submit the application along with any required down payment for your new policy. As soon as you can, place your new certificate verifying proof of insurance with the vehicle registration.
The key aspect of shopping around is that you’ll want to make sure you compare similar deductibles and liability limits on every price quote and and to compare as many auto insurance providers as possible. Doing this ensures an accurate price comparison and the best price selection.
Anyone knows that auto insurance companies don’t want you quoting rates from other companies. Insureds who shop around annually are inclined to switch companies because they have good chances of finding a cheaper policy. A recent auto insurance study discovered that consumers who compared rates regularly saved as much as $70 a month as compared to drivers who never compared other company’s rates.
If finding the most affordable auto insurance is the reason you’re reading this, knowing how to get price quotes and compare insurance coverage can make the process more efficient.
Best companies for Ford Transit Connect insurance
The companies shown below offer quotes in Bakersfield, CA. If multiple companies are listed, it’s highly recommended you compare several of them to get the cheapest price.
Ford Transit Connect coverage statistics
The data table shown next highlights detailed analysis of prices for Ford Transit Connect models. Having a better idea how insurance quotes are calculated can help you make smart choices when purchasing an insurance policy.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transit Connect XL 2WD | $318 | $776 | $574 | $34 | $172 | $1,874 | $156 |
| Transit Connect XLT 2WD | $318 | $776 | $574 | $34 | $172 | $1,874 | $156 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
Table data represents single female driver age 40, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $100 deductibles, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include safe-driver, claim-free, multi-vehicle, homeowner, and multi-policy. Estimates do not factor in specific location information which can affect prices significantly.
Policy deductible comparison
A question often asked by Bakersfield drivers is which deductibles should you choose. The rates shown below determine the difference in cost when you select higher and lower coverage deductibles. The first price estimate table uses a $100 deductible for comprehensive and collision coverage and the second set of prices uses a $1,000 deductible.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transit Connect XL 2WD | $332 | $686 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,643 | $137 |
| Transit Connect XLT 2WD | $332 | $686 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,643 | $137 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transit Connect XL 2WD | $184 | $362 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,146 | $96 |
| Transit Connect XLT 2WD | $184 | $362 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,146 | $96 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
Prices based on married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-vehicle, safe-driver, multi-policy, homeowner, and claim-free. Price estimates do not factor in garaging location in Bakersfield which can lower or raise premium rates greatly.
Using the data above, we can ascertain that using a $100 deductible will cost you approximately $41 more each month or $492 each year than buying the higher $1,000 deductible. Since you would pay $900 more out-of-pocket with a $1,000 deductible as compared to a $100 deductible, if you usually have at least 22 months between claims, you would more than likely save some money if you elect the higher deductible.
How to decide to raise your deductibles
| Average monthly premium for $100 deductibles: | $137 |
| Average monthly premium for $1,000 deductibles (subtract): | – $96 |
| Monthly savings from raising deductible: | $41 |
| Difference between deductibles ($1,000 – $100): | $900 |
| Divide difference by monthly savings: | $900 / $41 |
| Number of months required between physical damage coverage claims in order to save money by choosing the higher deductible | 22 months |
Difference between full coverage and liability only rates
The chart below shows the comparison of Ford Transit Connect insurance costs with and without full coverage. The costs are based on no tickets, no at-fault accidents, $100 deductibles, drivers are not married, and no policy discounts are applied.
When to switch to liability coverage only
There is no set rule for dropping full coverage, but there is a general guideline you can use. If the yearly cost of comp and collision coverage is 10% or more of the settlement you would receive from your company, then it might be time to consider dropping full coverage.
For example, let’s pretend your Ford Transit Connect settlement value is $8,000 and you have $1,000 physical damage deductibles. If your vehicle is destroyed, the most your company would pay you is $7,000 after paying your policy deductible. If you are paying over $700 annually to have full coverage, the it may be a good time to stop paying for full coverage.
There are some cases where eliminating full coverage is not advised. If you still have a loan on your vehicle, you are required to maintain full coverage to protect the lienholder’s interest. Also, if you don’t have enough money to buy a different vehicle in the even your car is totaled, you should not opt for liability only.
Discount Bakersfield insurance rates
Not many people think insurance is cheap, but discounts can save money and there are some available that many people don’t even know exist. Certain credits will be shown when you quote, but once in a while a discount must be inquired about before they will apply.
- Drive Safe and Save – Drivers who avoid accidents can get discounts for up to 45% lower rates than less cautious drivers.
- Resident Student – Older children who are enrolled in a college that is more than 100 miles from Bakersfield and leave their car at home can receive lower rates.
- Discount for Life Insurance – Larger insurance companies have a small discount if you purchase a life policy as well.
- Homeowners Savings – Simply owning a home can save a few bucks since home ownership means you have a higher level of financial diligence.
- Government Employees – Active or former government employment may reduce rates when you quote Bakersfield auto insurance depending on your company.
As a footnote on discounts, most discounts do not apply to all coverage premiums. Some only reduce individual premiums such as medical payments or collision. So despite the fact that it appears all those discounts means the company will pay you, company stockholders wouldn’t be very happy.
The information below illustrates the comparison of Ford Transit Connect car insurance costs with and without discounts applied to the premium. The premiums are based on a male driver, no accidents, no driving violations, California state minimum liability limits, full physical damage coverage, and $100 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with marriage, multi-car, claim-free, homeowner, safe-driver, and multi-policy discounts applied.
Larger insurance companies and a summarized list of policyholder discounts include:
- State Farm offers premium reductions for accident-free, driver’s education, multiple autos, good driver, passive restraint, and good student.
- Farmers Insurance includes discounts for homeowner, pay in full, electronic funds transfer, business and professional, youthful driver, and bundle discounts.
- Progressive discounts include good student, online quote discount, continuous coverage, multi-vehicle, online signing, and multi-policy.
- GEICO may have discounts that include membership and employees, seat belt use, military active duty, multi-policy, driver training, and air bags.
- Auto-Owners Insurance may offer discounts for anti-theft, safe driver, student away at school, anti-lock brakes, and paperless.
- The Hartford has discounts for driver training, anti-theft, vehicle fuel type, good student, defensive driver, bundle, and air bag.
- Farm Bureau has savings for youthful driver, safe driver, multi-vehicle, 55 and retired, renewal discount, and driver training.
- USAA offers discounts for new vehicle, loyalty savings, defensive driver, annual mileage, military installation, good student, and safe driver.
When getting a coverage quote, ask all companies you are considering to give you their best rates. Discounts may not be available in Bakersfield. If you would like to view companies with significant discounts in Bakersfield, click here to view.
Auto insurance agents can help
Many people would prefer to talk to a local agent and often times that is recommended Good insurance agents can answer important questions and give you someone to call. One of the benefits of price shopping on the web is that drivers can save money and get lower rates and still choose a local agent. Supporting neighborhood agents is especially important in Bakersfield.
Once you complete this form (opens in new window), the coverage information is instantly submitted to local insurance agents in Bakersfield who will give you bids for your business. It makes it easy because there is no need to visit any agencies since rate quotes are delivered immediately to your email address. In the event you want to get a comparison quote from a specific company, don’t hesitate to search and find their rate quote page and submit a quote form there.
Auto insurance agents in Bakersfield come in two varieties
If you want local Bakersfield agents, you should know the types of agencies and how they function. Car insurance agencies are categorized either independent or exclusive. Both can insure your vehicles, but it’s important to point out the differences because it can impact the selection process.
Independent Car Insurance Agents
Agents in the independent channel are not required to write business for one company so they have the ability to put coverage with many different companies and find the cheapest rate. If your agent finds better pricing, they simply move your policy to a different company and that require little work on your part.
When comparing car insurance rates, we highly recommend that you include rate quotes from a few independent agents in order to compare the most rates. Many can place coverage with lesser-known insurance companies which may provide better rates.
Below are Bakersfield independent agents that can possibly get you price quotes.
- Clifford and Bradford Insurance Agency
1515 20th St – Bakersfield, CA 93301 – (661) 283-8100 – View Map - Paul Sheldon Insurance and Benefits Planning
5251 Office Park Dr #100 – Bakersfield, CA 93309 – (661) 398-2298 – View Map - Covermax Insurance Agency Inc.
1910 E California Ave – Bakersfield, CA 93307 – (661) 363-0645 – View Map
Exclusive Car Insurance Agents
Exclusive agents are contracted to one company and some examples include AAA, State Farm, Farmers Insurance, and Allstate. They usually cannot compare other company’s rates so keep that in mind. Exclusive insurance agents are very knowledgeable on what they offer which can be an advantage. Many people purchase coverage from exclusives mainly due to the brand name and the convenience of having all coverages with one company.
The following are exclusive agencies in Bakersfield willing to provide rate quotes.
- Keith Goree – State Farm Insurance Agent
11350 Ming Ave #230 – Bakersfield, CA 93311 – (661) 663-9000 – View Map - State Farm: Janet Hopkins
1528 18th St – Bakersfield, CA 93301 – (661) 327-8621 – View Map - Abir M Pulskamp – State Farm Insurance Agent
1100 Mohawk St #240 – Bakersfield, CA 93309 – (661) 322-3338 – View Map
Picking a insurance agent requires you to look at more than just the quoted price. Some important questions to ask are:
- How long have they worked with personal auto insurance coverage?
- Do you need full coverage on every vehicle?
- Do they review policy coverages at every renewal?
- What company do they have the most business with?
- How many companies do they write for?
- Are you getting all the discounts the company offers?
- If independent agents, which companies do they recommend?
- Does the agency support the community they serve?
If you get good responses to all your questions as well as offering an affordable quote, chances are good that you have found an auto insurance agent that meets the requirements to insure your vehicles.
Cheaper car insurance is a realistic goal
As you shop your coverage around, it’s not a good idea to buy poor coverage just to save money. There are a lot of situations where an insured dropped physical damage coverage only to regret at claim time that they should have had better coverage. The goal is to buy the best coverage you can find at the best price, but don’t skip important coverages to save money.
Consumers switch companies for a number of reasons such as delays in responding to claim requests, being labeled a high risk driver, lack of trust in their agent or even poor customer service. It doesn’t matter what your reason, finding a great new company is actually quite simple.
Throughout this article, we presented quite a bit of information on how to reduce Ford Transit Connect insurance prices online in Bakersfield. The most important thing to understand is the more providers you compare, the better likelihood of getting cheaper Bakersfield auto insurance quotes. Consumers could even find that the biggest savings come from the smaller companies.
Additional car insurance information can be read at the links below
- What does Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Cover? (Allstate)
- Who Has Cheap Car Insurance Quotes with Multiple Speeding Tickets in Bakersfield? (FAQ)
- How Much is Bakersfield Auto Insurance for 19 Year Olds? (FAQ)
- Who Has the Cheapest Auto Insurance Rates for Safe Drivers in Bakersfield? (FAQ)
- Who Has the Cheapest Bakersfield Auto Insurance for Real Estate Agents? (FAQ)
- What Car Insurance is Cheapest for a Honda Pilot in Bakersfield? (FAQ)
- How to Avoid Staged Accidents (State Farm)
- Honda warning system reduces insurance claims (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)
- Five Steps to Filing an Auto Insurance Claim (Insurance Information Institute)
- Cellphones, Texting and Driving (iihs.org)