Everyone knows that car insurance companies want to prevent you from shopping around. Insureds who shop around for the cheapest rate will presumably switch to a new company because there is a great chance of finding a lower rate. A survey found that consumers who compared rates regularly saved $3,400 over four years as compared to drivers who never shopped around for cheaper prices.
If finding the lowest price for insurance in Bakersfield is why you’re reading this, then having an understanding of how to shop and compare insurance premiums can help you be more efficient.
If you want to save the most money, the best way to save on Suzuki Grand Vitara insurance is to annually compare prices from insurance carriers who provide auto insurance in Bakersfield.
First, spend a few minutes and learn about individual coverages and the changes you can make to prevent high rates. Many policy risk factors that are responsible for high rates like careless driving and a negative credit rating can be improved by making minor changes in your lifestyle.
Second, compare prices from exclusive agents, independent agents, and direct providers. Direct companies and exclusive agencies can only quote rates from one company like Progressive or State Farm, while independent agencies can provide prices from many different companies.
Third, compare the new rate quotes to your current policy to see if cheaper Grand Vitara coverage is available in Bakersfield. If you find better rates and switch companies, make sure coverage does not lapse between policies.
Fourth, notify your agent or company of your decision to cancel your current coverage. Submit payment and a completed application for your new policy. As soon as coverage is bound, place the new proof of insurance certificate along with the vehicle’s registration papers.
A key point to remember is to make sure you enter identical coverage information on each quote request and and to get rates from as many companies as you can. This enables a fair rate comparison and the best price quote selection.
Our objective is to let you in on the best methods to compare rates. If you currently have a car insurance policy, you will most likely be able to cut your premiums using the techniques covered below. Nevertheless, California consumers should learn the way companies market on the web.
Smart Buyers Know How to Get Insurance More Affordably
When buying insurance it’s important to understand some of the factors that come into play when calculating the level of your policy premiums. If you have a feel for what controls the rates you pay, this allows you to make good choices that can help you get cheaper rates. Many different elements are used in the calculation when you get your auto insurance bill. Some of the criteria are obvious such as traffic violations, but other criteria are more obscure like your continuous coverage or how safe your car is.
- Liability insurance claims can be big – The liability coverage on your policy provides coverage when you are found to be at fault for causing damage or personal injury in an accident. Your policy’s liability insurance provides for a legal defense starting from day one. This coverage is relatively inexpensive compared to comp and collision, so insureds should have plenty of protection for their assets.
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Rates increase with driving citations – Getting just one moving violation can increase rates substantially. Good drivers pay lower auto insurance prices compared to drivers with tickets. Drivers who have gotten careless violations such as reckless driving, hit and run or driving under the influence may face state-mandated requirements to file a SR-22 with their state’s licensing department in order to legally drive a vehicle.
The chart below demonstrates how speeding tickets and fender-benders drive up Suzuki Grand Vitara insurance costs for different ages of insureds. The price estimates are based on a married female driver, full physical damage coverage, $100 deductibles, and no discounts are taken into consideration.
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Teenage drivers pay more – Inexperience drivers have been known to be inattentive and easily distracted when driving with friends and because of this, their insurance rates are much higher. Adding a first-time driver to your policy can be quite pricey. More experienced drivers are more cautious drivers, tend to cause fewer accidents, and are generally more financially stable.
The data below uses these variables: single driver, full coverage with $500 deductibles, and no discounts or violations.
- Stress out and pay more – Do you have a high-stress occupation? Occupations such as judges, airline pilots, and financial analysts tend to have higher premiums than the average policyholder because of intense work requirements and lots of time spent away from family. On the other hand, careers like scientists, historians and retirees generally pay rates lower than average.
- Marriage can save on insurance – Having a spouse helps lower the price when shopping for insurance. Marriage means you’re more stable financially and statistics show being married results in fewer claims.
- Big cities have higher costs – Living in less populated areas of the country is a positive aspect when it comes to insurance. Drivers in populated areas tend to have more auto accidents and longer commutes to work. Lower population translates into fewer accident claims in addition to lower liability claims.
When price shopping your coverage, having more price comparisons will enable you to find better pricing. Not every company provides online Bakersfield Grand Vitara insurance quotes, so you should also compare price quotes on coverage from those companies, too.
The following companies have been selected to offer comparison quotes in California. If the list has multiple companies, we suggest you visit several of them to find the most affordable car insurance rates.
Facts and figures for Suzuki Grand Vitara insurance
The table shown below showcases estimates of insurance policy prices for Suzuki Grand Vitara models. Being more informed about how insurance quotes are determined can be of help when making decisions on which coverage to buy.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Vitara 2WD | $428 | $708 | $596 | $36 | $178 | $1,946 | $162 |
| Grand Vitara Premium 2WD | $428 | $834 | $596 | $36 | $178 | $2,072 | $173 |
| Grand Vitara Premium 4WD | $428 | $834 | $596 | $36 | $178 | $2,072 | $173 |
| Grand Vitara Limited 2WD | $428 | $834 | $596 | $36 | $178 | $2,072 | $173 |
| Grand Vitara Special Edition 4WD | $428 | $834 | $596 | $36 | $178 | $2,072 | $173 |
| Grand Vitara XSport 2WD | $428 | $834 | $596 | $36 | $178 | $2,072 | $173 |
| Grand Vitara Limited 4WD | $476 | $834 | $596 | $36 | $178 | $2,120 | $177 |
| Grand Vitara XSport 4WD | $476 | $834 | $596 | $36 | $178 | $2,120 | $177 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
Above prices assume single female driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $250 deductibles, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-policy, safe-driver, claim-free, multi-vehicle, and homeowner. Premium amounts do not factor in vehicle garaging location which can modify prices noticeably.
Physical damage deductibles: Should you raise them?
One of the more difficult decisions when buying insurance is which deductible level should you buy. The premium rates below can help you visualize how much more you’ll pay between low and high coverage deductibles. The first table uses a $250 physical damage deductible and the second price grid uses a $1,000 deductible.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Vitara 2WD | $386 | $576 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,587 | $132 |
| Grand Vitara Premium 2WD | $386 | $678 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,689 | $141 |
| Grand Vitara Premium 4WD | $386 | $678 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,689 | $141 |
| Grand Vitara Limited 2WD | $386 | $678 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,689 | $141 |
| Grand Vitara Special Edition 4WD | $386 | $678 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,689 | $141 |
| Grand Vitara XSport 2WD | $386 | $678 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,689 | $141 |
| Grand Vitara Limited 4WD | $430 | $678 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,733 | $144 |
| Grand Vitara XSport 4WD | $430 | $678 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,733 | $144 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Vitara 2WD | $238 | $362 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,200 | $100 |
| Grand Vitara Premium 2WD | $238 | $426 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,264 | $105 |
| Grand Vitara Premium 4WD | $238 | $426 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,264 | $105 |
| Grand Vitara Limited 2WD | $238 | $426 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,264 | $105 |
| Grand Vitara Special Edition 4WD | $238 | $426 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,264 | $105 |
| Grand Vitara XSport 2WD | $238 | $426 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,264 | $105 |
| Grand Vitara Limited 4WD | $266 | $426 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,292 | $108 |
| Grand Vitara XSport 4WD | $266 | $426 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,292 | $108 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
Data rating is based on married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-vehicle, multi-policy, safe-driver, homeowner, and claim-free. Prices do not factor in specific zip code location which can increase or decrease coverage rates noticeably.
Based on the above data, using a $250 deductible costs approximately $36 more each month or $432 each year averaged for all Grand Vitara models than quoting the higher $1,000 deductible. Due to the fact that you would have to pay $750 more out-of-pocket with a $1,000 deductible as compared to a $250 deductible, if you have more than 21 months between claims, you would most likely save money if you decide on a higher deductible.
Suzuki Grand Vitara insurance rates by age and gender
The chart below shows the difference between Suzuki Grand Vitara annual premium costs for male and female drivers. The rate quotes are based on no accidents or driving violations, comprehensive and collision coverage, $250 deductibles, drivers are not married, and no additional discounts are factored in.
Protect your Suzuki vehicle and other assets
Despite the high cost of buying insurance for a Suzuki Grand Vitara in Bakersfield, maintaining insurance may be mandatory for several reasons.
- Almost all states have mandatory liability insurance requirements which means the state requires specific limits of liability insurance coverage in order to license the vehicle. 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 took out a loan on your Grand Vitara, almost every bank will make it a condition of the loan that you have physical damage coverage to guarantee loan repayment. If you cancel or allow the policy to lapse, the bank may buy a policy for your Suzuki at a significantly higher premium and require you to pay for the much more expensive policy.
- Insurance safeguards both your Suzuki and your assets. It will also reimburse you for hospital and medical expenses for not only you but also any passengers injured in an accident. One of the most valuable coverages, liability insurance, will also pay to defend you if someone files suit against you as the result of an accident. If you have damage to your Suzuki as the result of the weather or an accident, your auto insurance policy will pay all costs to repair after the deductible has been paid.
The benefits of carrying adequate insurance greatly outweigh the cost, particularly when you have a large claim. The average driver in California is wasting up to $850 per year so we recommend shopping around every year to ensure rates are competitive.
Discounts mean cheaper rates for Suzuki Grand Vitara insurance in Bakersfield
Some companies do not advertise every policy discount very well, so the next list breaks down some of the best known and also the more inconspicuous ways to save on auto insurance.
- Discount for Swiching Early – A few insurance companies allow discounts for signing up before your current expiration date. You may see this discount when you get Bakersfield auto insurance quotes online.
- No Claim Discounts – Insureds with no claims or accidents are rewarded with significantly better rates on Bakersfield auto insurance quote in comparison to drivers with a long claim history.
- Theft Deterrent Discount – Cars optioned with advanced anti-theft systems are stolen less frequently and therefore earn up to a 10% discount.
- Passive Restraints – Options like air bags or automatic seat belts could see savings of 25 to 30%.
- Smart Student Discounts – Performing well in school could provide a savings of up to 20% or more. The good student discount can last up until you turn 25.
- Multiple Policy Discount – If you combine your home and auto policies and place coverage with the same company you will save at least 10% off all policies.
- Seat Belts Save – Forcing all vehicle occupants to fasten their seat belts could save 15% on the premium charged for medical payments and/or PIP.
- Payment Method – If you pay your entire premium ahead of time instead of monthly or quarterly installments you can actually save on your bill.
- Discount for Life Insurance – Not every insurance company offers life insurance, but if they do you may earn a lower rate if you buy life insurance from them.
It’s important to understand that most discount credits are not given to all coverage premiums. Most only apply to specific coverage prices like comp or med pay. So when the math indicates all those discounts means the company will pay you, companies wouldn’t make money that way.
The illustration below compares Suzuki Grand Vitara insurance prices with and without discounts applied to the premium. The prices are based on a male driver, no claims or driving citations, 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 marriage, claim-free, multi-policy, safe-driver, multi-car, and homeowner discounts applied.
A few popular companies and some of their more popular discounts are included below.
- American Family has savings for air bags, TimeAway discount, good driver, Steer into Savings, good student, and bundled insurance.
- State Farm offers premium reductions for multiple policy, accident-free, good student, driver’s education, multiple autos, student away at school, and Steer Clear safe driver discount.
- 21st Century offers discounts including homeowners, automatic seat belts, air bags, student driver, theft prevention, and 55 and older.
- Travelers may have discounts that include IntelliDrive, payment discounts, save driver, home ownership, new car, and good student.
- GEICO discounts include military active duty, emergency military deployment, anti-theft, air bags, multi-vehicle, seat belt use, and good student.
Double check with each company which discounts you qualify for. Some discounts might not be offered on policies in your area.
Auto insurance agents near you
A lot of people still prefer to sit down and talk to an agent and that is recommended in a lot of cases One of the best bonuses of getting online price quotes is you may find the best rates but also keep your business local. Supporting local agents is still important in Bakersfield.
To make it easy to find an agent, after completing this short form, your insurance data gets sent to agents in your area who can give free rate quotes for your coverage. There is no reason to do any legwork because prices are sent straight to your inbox. You can find the lowest rates and a licensed agent to talk to. If you need to get a rate quote from a specific car insurance provider, you would need to find their quoting web page and complete a quote there.
If you want to use a reputable insurance agent or broker, it can be helpful to understand the different agency structures and how they are slightly different. Car insurance agencies are classified as either exclusive or independent.
Independent Car Insurance Agents (or Brokers)
These type of agents can sell policies from many different companies and that allows them to write policies with an assortment of companies depending on which coverage is best. If they quote lower rates, an independent agent can move your coverage and you can keep the same agent.
If you are comparing car insurance prices, you should always get rate quotes from a few independent agents to get the best comparison. They often place coverage with small regional insurance companies which may provide better rates.
Shown below is a short list of independent agents in Bakersfield who may provide free price quotes.
- NSE Insurance Agencies, Inc.
5330 Office Center Ct # 69 – Bakersfield, CA 93309 – (661) 327-0620 – View Map - Baldwin Georgenton Insurance
4200 Truxtun Ave # 102 – Bakersfield, CA 93309 – (661) 327-8010 – View Map - Nationwide Insurance: Michaud Insurance Agency Inc
201 California Ave – Bakersfield, CA 93304 – (661) 633-9900 – View Map
Exclusive Car Insurance Agencies
Exclusive agents work for only one company such as Allstate, AAA, Farmers Insurance, and State Farm. Exclusive agents are unable to compare rates from other companies so they have no alternatives for high prices. They are usually well trained in insurance sales and that enables them to sell even at higher rates. Some insured continue to buy from exclusive agents mainly due to the brand and the convenience of having a single billing for all their coverages.
Below is a short list of exclusive insurance agencies in Bakersfield willing to provide price quote information.
- Kelli Davis – State Farm Insurance Agent
2665 Calloway Dr #206 – Bakersfield, CA 93312 – (661) 829-1011 – View Map - Mike Brazzell – State Farm Insurance Agent
3721 Columbus St – Bakersfield, CA 93306 – (661) 872-7770 – View Map - Dawn Fore – State Farm Insurance Agent
4801 Truxtun Ave #200 – Bakersfield, CA 93309 – (661) 324-2300 – View Map
Choosing the best insurance agency needs to be determined by more than just the quoted price. You should also get answers to these questions.
- Does the agent recommend any additional coverage?
- Does the agent have professional designations like CIC, CPCU or AIC?
- Does the quote include credit and driving reports?
- Where would glass claims be handled in Bakersfield?
- Which companies do they recommend if they are an independent agency?
- How is replacement cost determined on your vehicle?
- How will an accident affect your rates?
Once you have received reasonable responses for all questions you ask as well as offering an affordable quote, you’ve probably found an insurance agency that meets the criteria to provide car insurance coverage.
Which auto insurance company is best in Bakersfield?
Choosing the right insurance company can be rather challenging considering how many different companies sell coverage in California. The rank data listed below can help you decide which companies to look at purchasing a policy from.
Top 10 Bakersfield Car Insurance Companies Ranked by Customer Satisfaction
- Titan Insurance – 95%
- USAA – 94%
- AAA of Southern California – 92%
- AAA Insurance – 91%
- Nationwide – 90%
- State Farm – 90%
- The Hartford – 89%
- GEICO – 89%
- The General – 88%
- 21st Century – 88%
Smart consumers save more
Cheap Suzuki Grand Vitara insurance in Bakersfield is definitely available both online and from local insurance agents, so get free Bakersfield auto insurance quotes from both of them so you have a total pricing picture. Some insurance companies may not have internet price quotes and these small, regional companies only sell coverage through independent agents.
Consumers change insurance companies for many reasons like being labeled a high risk driver, delays in paying claims, unfair underwriting practices or not issuing a premium refund. Regardless of your reason for switching companies, finding the right insurance provider is not as hard as you think.
When you buy Bakersfield auto insurance online, make sure you don’t reduce coverage to reduce premium. There are many occasions where an insured cut collision coverage to discover at claim time that the savings was not a smart move. Your goal should be to purchase plenty of coverage for the lowest cost but still have enough coverage for asset protection.
More information
- Eight Auto Insurance Myths (Insurance Information Institute)
- Who Has Cheap Bakersfield Car Insurance Quotes for a Jeep Grand Cherokee? (FAQ)
- Who Has Cheap Auto Insurance Quotes for Uber Drivers in Bakersfield? (FAQ)
- Warning systems don’t curb driver distraction (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)
- Auto Insurance Basics (Insurance Information Institute)
- Insurance losses by make and model (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)