Want to know an easy way to compare the cheapest car insurance rates in Bakersfield, CA? Bakersfield consumers have a choice when looking for affordable Toyota Prius insurance. They can either waste time driving around trying to get quotes or use the internet to compare rates. There is a better way to shop for car insurance so you’re going to learn the absolute fastest way to get price quotes on a Toyota and find the best price possible from Bakersfield insurance agents and online providers.
Locating the best insurance company for you in Bakersfield is really not that difficult. If you are paying for car insurance now, you stand a good chance to be able to get lower rates using the following tips. Shoppers just have to learn the proper way to compare company rates over the internet.
Getting a cheaper price on Toyota Prius insurance is an easy way to save money. Just spend a few minutes on the computer to compare rates to find the company with low cost Bakersfield auto insurance quotes.
The companies shown below can provide quotes in California. If multiple companies are listed, we suggest you compare several of them in order to find the most affordable rates.
Rates and data analysis
The price information shown below covers a range of insurance premium costs for Toyota Prius models. Being more informed about how insurance policy premiums are determined is important to be able to make decisions on the best policy to buy.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prius | $476 | $844 | $508 | $30 | $152 | $2,010 | $168 |
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Data variables include single female driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $100 deductibles, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include homeowner, safe-driver, multi-policy, claim-free, and multi-vehicle. Premium amounts do not factor in specific Bakersfield garaging location which can increase or decrease insurance rates substantially.
Higher deductibles lower rates
One of the most common insurance questions is the level to set your comp and collision deductibles. The comparisons below outline the rate difference when you select higher and lower comp and collision deductibles. The first set of rates uses a $250 deductible and the second data table uses a $1,000 deductible.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prius | $386 | $576 | $376 | $22 | $112 | $1,497 | $125 |
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| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prius | $238 | $362 | $376 | $22 | $112 | $1,110 | $93 |
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Table data represents married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include claim-free, homeowner, multi-vehicle, safe-driver, and multi-policy. Estimates do not factor in specific garaging location which can revise coverage prices significantly.
Based on the figures above, using a $250 deductible could cost the average driver approximately $32 more each month or $384 each year than requesting the higher $1,000 deductible. Since the policyholder would be required to pay $750 more to settle a claim with a $1,000 deductible as compared to a $250 deductible, if you go at least 23 months between claims, you would save more money if you choose a higher deductible. The table below shows a better example of how this decision is made.
| Average monthly premium for $250 deductibles: | $125 |
| Average monthly premium for $1,000 deductibles (subtract): | – $93 |
| Monthly savings from raising deductible: | $32 |
| Difference between deductibles ($1,000 – $250): | $750 |
| Divide difference by monthly savings: | $750 / $32 |
| Number of months required between physical damage coverage claims in order to save money by choosing the higher deductible | 23 months |
An important thing to remember is that raising deductibles means you will have to cover more of the damage yourself when you have a claim. You need to make sure you have some extra funds in the event you have to pay the higher deductible.
Rate increases following a ticket or accident
The chart below illustrates how violations and at-fault claims can influence Toyota Prius auto insurance rates for each different age group. The premium estimates are based on a single female driver, comprehensive and collision coverage, $100 deductibles, and no additional discounts are factored in.
Liability only or full coverage
The information below illustrates the difference between Toyota Prius car insurance rates with and without full coverage. The premiums assume a clean driving record, no claims, $1,000 deductibles, drivers are single, and no discounts are applied to the premium.
When to buy liability coverage only
There is no definitive formula that is best for determining when to drop full coverage on your policy, but there is a guideline you can consider. If the annual cost of having full coverage is more than 10% of the settlement you would receive from your company, then it’s probably a good time to buy liability coverage only.
For example, let’s assume your Toyota Prius replacement cost is $8,000 and you have $1,000 physical damage deductibles. If your vehicle is totaled, the most your company would pay you is $7,000 after paying your policy deductible. If it’s costing in excess of $700 annually for physical damage coverage, the it may be a good time to stop paying for full coverage.
There are some situations where buying only liability insurance is not financially feasible. If you still owe a portion of the original loan, you are required to maintain full coverage in order to prevent the bank from purchasing higher-priced coverage. Also, if you can’t afford to buy a different vehicle if your current one is damaged, you should not eliminate full coverage.
Choosing the best Prius insurance in California is an important decision
Despite the high insurance cost for a Toyota Prius in Bakersfield, paying for car insurance may be mandatory for several reasons.
First, most states have mandatory liability insurance requirements which means the state requires a specific level of liability coverage in order to drive the car legally. 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.
Second, if your vehicle has a lienholder, almost all lenders will have a requirement that you have physical damage coverage to ensure the loan is repaid in case of a total loss. If coverage lapses or is canceled, the lender may have to buy a policy to insure your Toyota at a much higher rate and force you to pay for it.
Third, insurance safeguards not only your vehicle but also your assets. It also can pay for medical expenses for yourself as well as anyone injured by you. As part of your policy, liability insurance will also pay to defend you if anyone sues you for causing an accident. If damage is caused by hail or an accident, your car insurance policy will pay to restore your vehicle to like-new condition.
The benefits of insuring your car definitely exceed the price paid, particularly when you have a large claim. The average driver in America is overpaying more than $825 a year so shop around at every policy renewal to save money.
Lower Insurance Rates with These Tips
Lots of things are used in the calculation when you get a price on insurance. Some are pretty understandable such as your driving record, although others are not as apparent such as whether you are married or your financial responsibility. One of the most helpful ways to save on insurance is to to have a grasp of the different types of things that come into play when calculating the rates you pay for insurance. When you understand what influences your rates, this allows you to make educated decisions that may result in lower insurance prices.
- Is your vehicle theft-ready? – Owning a car with advanced anti-theft systems can help lower your premiums. Advanced theft deterrents such as tamper alarm systems, vehicle immobilizer technology and General Motors OnStar all aid in stopping auto theft.
- Costs can change based on your address – Being located in less populated areas can be a good thing when talking about insurance. Fewer drivers means less chance of accidents as well as less vandalism and auto theft. Urban drivers tend to have much more traffic and a longer drive to work. Spending more time driving translates into higher accident risk.
- No coverage gaps is important – Not having insurance can get your license suspended and you may have a hard time finding new coverage because you let your coverage cancel without a new policy in place. And not only will insurance be more expensive, being ticketed for driving with no insurance might get you fines or a revoked license.
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Which gender costs less? – The statistics show women are more cautious behind the wheel. It does not mean men are worse drivers. Both genders get in at-fault accidents in similar percentages, but the male of the species cause more damage and cost insurance companies more money. In addition to higher claims, males also get ticketed for serious violations like DWI (DUI) or reckless driving. Male drivers age 16 to 19 tend to get in the most accidents and are penalized with high insurance rates.
The information below illustrates the difference between Toyota Prius annual premium costs for male and female drivers. The rates are based on no accidents or driving violations, full physical damage coverage, $100 deductibles, drivers are not married, and no policy discounts are applied.
- Drive a safer car and pay less – Vehicles with high crash test scores cost less to insure. Safe vehicles have better occupant injury protection and fewer serious injuries means your insurance company pays less and thus lower rates.
- High deductibles cost less – Insurance for physical damage to your car, commonly called comprehensive (or other-than-collision) and collision coverage, is used to repair damage to your Toyota. Some examples of claims that would be covered could be a windshield shattered by a rock, vandalism, and damage caused by flying debris. The deductibles you choose state the amount of money you are willing to pay out-of-pocket if you file a covered claim. The more you pay before a claim is paid (deductible), the bigger discount you will receive.
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Insurance prices and vehicle performance – The performance of the car you are trying to find cheaper insurance for makes a substantial difference in your car insurance bill. Economy passenger cars usually are quite affordable to insure, but your final cost has many other factors.
The data below assumes a single male driver age 30, full coverage with $1000 deductibles, and no discounts or violations. It compares Toyota Prius rates compared to other vehicles that have a range of risk factors.
- More than one policy can earn a discount – Most insurance companies apply lower prices to policyholders that buy multiple policies in the form of a multi-policy discount. Even if you’re getting this discount you still need to get quotes from other companies to help guarantee you have the best rates.
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Loss probability for a Toyota Prius – Companies use past insurance losses as a tool for profitable underwriting. Vehicles that are shown to have high amounts or severity of claims will cost more for specific coverages. The table below outlines the loss history for Toyota Prius vehicles.
For each type of coverage, the statistical loss for all vehicles averaged together is set at 100. Percentage numbers below 100 imply a favorable loss record, while numbers above 100 point to more claims or an increased chance of larger losses than average.
Toyota Prius Insurance Claim Statistics Make and Model Collision Property Damage Comp Personal Injury Medical Payment Bodily Injury Toyota Prius C Hybrid 113 100 87 120 121 113 Toyota Prius Hybrid 101 97 98 103 118 103 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid 98 89 87 106 114 93 Toyota Prius V Hybrid 94 86 88 88 94 97 BETTERAVERAGEWORSEStatistics Source: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for 2013-2015 Model Years
Get discounts to get affordable Bakersfield car insurance rates
Car insurance is neither fun to buy or cheap, but you may qualify for discounts that could help you make your next renewal payment. Certain credits will be shown when you quote, but lesser-known reductions have to be manually applied prior to receiving the credit.
- Discounts for Federal Employees – Being employed by or retired from a federal job may qualify for a discount when you quote Bakersfield auto insurance depending on your car insurance provider.
- Early Payment Discounts – If you can afford to pay the entire bill rather than paying monthly you could save up to 5%.
- First Accident Forgiveness – This one isn’t a discount, but some companies like GEICO, State Farm, and Progressive will turn a blind eye to one accident without the usual rate increase with the catch being you have to be claim-free prior to the accident.
- Paperwork-free – Some larger companies will give a small break shop Bakersfield auto insurance on your computer.
- Life Insurance Discount – Not all companies offer life insurance, but some may give you a lower premium rate if you buy a life insurance policy as well.
- Resident Student – College-age children who attend college more than 100 miles from Bakersfield and won’t have access to an insured vehicle could qualify for this discount.
- 55 and Retired – If you qualify as a senior citizen, you can get a small decrease in premiums.
- Theft Deterrent System – Cars and trucks equipped with anti-theft or alarm systems are stolen with less frequency and therefore earn up to a 10% discount.
- Good Student – Getting good grades may save as much as 25% on a Bakersfield auto insurance quote. Many companies even apply the discount to college students up until you turn 25.
One last thing about discounts, most of the big mark downs will not be given to all coverage premiums. Most only cut individual premiums such as liability, collision or medical payments. Even though it may seem like having all the discounts means you get insurance for free, car insurance companies aren’t that generous.
The chart below shows the difference between Toyota Prius auto insurance costs with and without some available policy discounts. The data is based on a female driver, no claims or violations, California state minimum liability limits, full coverage, and $500 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with homeowner, multi-car, safe-driver, marriage, claim-free, and multi-policy discounts applied.
Car insurance companies that may have these benefits possibly include:
It’s a good idea to ask all companies you are considering which discounts they offer. All car insurance discounts may not apply to policyholders in Bakersfield.
Compare rate quotes but buy from a local Bakersfield insurance agent
A small number of people prefer to get advice from a local agent. Insurance agents can make sure you are properly covered and help file insurance claims. One of the great benefits of comparing rates online is that you can obtain lower premium rates but also keep your business local.
To find an agent, once you fill out this simple form, the quote information is transmitted to participating agents in Bakersfield that give free quotes for your car insurance coverage. You don’t have to search for any insurance agencies as quotes are delivered immediately to your email address. If for some reason you want to compare prices from a specific car insurance provider, don’t hesitate to go to their quote page and give them your coverage information.
Selecting a insurer needs to be determined by more than just the quoted price. Before buying a policy in Bakersfield, get answers to these questions.
- Is every driver in your family covered?
- What is their Better Business Bureau rating?
- Are glass claims handled on-site or do you have to take your vehicle to a repair shop?
- If your car is in the repair shop, do you have coverage for a rental car?
- Do they reduce claim amounts on high mileage vehicles?
- Does the agency provide any after hours assistance?
- Will you work with the agent or an assistant?
- Is the agent and/or agency licensed to do business in California?
When searching for local Bakersfield agents, you must know there are a couple types of insurance agents and how they are slightly different. Car insurance agencies can be described as either independent or exclusive. Either type can sell and service car insurance coverage, but it is important to understand how they are different because it can impact the type of agent you choose.
Exclusive Car Insurance Agents
Agents of this type can only quote rates from one company and some examples include Allstate, Farmers Insurance, State Farm, and AAA. Exclusive agents are unable to place coverage with different providers so if the price isn’t competitive there isn’t much they can do. Exclusive agents are well schooled in insurance sales and that enables them to sell even at higher rates. Drivers often use the same agent mainly due to loyalty to the company rather than having low rates.
Listed below are Bakersfield exclusive insurance agents that can give you comparison quotes.
- Tom Smethurst – State Farm Insurance Agent
13061 Rosedale Hwy a – Bakersfield, CA 93314 – (661) 589-1991 – View Map - Abir M Pulskamp – State Farm Insurance Agent
1100 Mohawk St #240 – Bakersfield, CA 93309 – (661) 322-3338 – View Map - Rosie Schweer – State Farm Insurance Agent
4200 Gosford Rd #103 – Bakersfield, CA 93313 – (661) 396-7961 – View Map
Independent Agents
Independent insurance agents are normally appointed by many insurers so they can quote policies amongst many companies and get you the best rates possible. If your agent finds better pricing, they simply move the coverage in-house which is easy for the insured.
When shopping rates, you will definitely want to include rate quotes from at least one independent agent to have the most options to choose from. They often place coverage with companies that do not advertise much who may have lower rates.
Below are Bakersfield independent insurance agencies willing to provide rate quotes.
- California Canyon Insurance Agency
B, 4900 California Ave #210 – Bakersfield, CA 93309 – (661) 377-2978 – View Map - Stockdale Insurance Agency Inc
1675 Chester Ave #310 – Bakersfield, CA 93301 – (661) 327-3321 – View Map - Covermax Insurance Agency Inc.
1910 E California Ave – Bakersfield, CA 93307 – (661) 363-0645 – View Map
Compare insurance prices regularly to save
When you buy Bakersfield auto insurance online, make sure you don’t buy less coverage just to save a little money. Too many times, someone sacrificed liability coverage limits only to discover later they didn’t purchase enough coverage. The aim is to find the BEST coverage for the lowest cost, but don’t skip important coverages to save money.
We just showed you a lot of ways to reduce Toyota Prius insurance car insurance rates online in Bakersfield. The key thing to remember is the more price quotes you have, the higher the chance of saving money. Drivers may even discover the best car insurance rates are with an unexpected company.
Drivers switch companies for a number of reasons such as high prices, policy non-renewal, an unsatisfactory settlement offer and even lack of trust in their agent. No matter why you want to switch, choosing a new company is not as difficult as it may seem.
Steps to finding low-cost rates for Toyota Prius insurance in Bakersfield
The preferred way to get more affordable Toyota Prius insurance in Bakersfield is to start comparing prices yearly from providers in California.
- Step 1: Gain an understanding of what is in your policy and the measures you can take to lower rates. Many rating criteria that increase rates like traffic violations and a low credit score can be eliminated by improving your driving habits or financial responsibility.
- Step 2: Compare rates from direct carriers, independent agents, and exclusive agents. Direct and exclusive agents can only provide price estimates from a single company like Progressive or Farmers Insurance, while independent agents can quote rates from multiple companies. View companies
- Step 3: Compare the quotes to the price on your current policy and see if you can save money. If you find better rates and buy the policy, ensure coverage does not lapse between policies.
- Step 4: Notify your current company of your intention to cancel your current auto insurance policy. Submit payment along with a signed and completed policy application for your new coverage. Once received, safely store the certificate of insurance with your registration paperwork.
One important bit of advice is to compare the same coverage limits and deductibles on every quote and and to get quotes from as many carriers as you can. Doing this guarantees a fair rate comparison and maximum price selection.
Other information
- Young Drivers: The High Risk Years Video (iihs.org)
- If I File a Claim will My Insurance Go Up? (Insurance Information Institute)
- How do I File a Claim? (Insurance Information Institute)
- Teen Driver Licensing Information (iihs.org)
- Side Impact Crash Tests (iihs.org)