Save on Lincoln MKZ Insurance in Bakersfield

The best way to get low-cost Lincoln MKZ insurance in Bakersfield is to compare prices at least once a year from providers in California.

• Step 1: Try to comprehend how companies set rates and the steps you can take to keep rates low. Many risk factors that drive up the price such as at-fault accidents, speeding tickets, and a substandard credit score can be eliminated by making minor changes in your lifestyle.
• Step 2: Get rate quotes from independent agents, exclusive agents, and direct companies. Direct companies and exclusive agencies can only provide price estimates from one company like GEICO or Farmers Insurance, while agents who are independent can provide prices from multiple insurance companies. View companies
• Step 3: Compare the new rates to your current policy and see if there is a cheaper rate. If you find a lower rate and switch companies, make sure there is no lapse between the expiration of your current policy and the new one.
• Step 4: Provide written notification to your current company of your decision to cancel your current auto insurance policy. Submit payment and a signed application to your new agent or company. Once coverage is bound, put the certificate verifying proof of insurance with your registration paperwork.

A valuable tip to remember is that you’ll want to make sure you compare the same amount of coverage on every quote and and to analyze as many companies as feasibly possible. This provides a fair price comparison and the best price selection.

It goes without saying that car insurance companies don’t want you quoting rates from other companies. People who compare rates once a year will probably switch auto insurance companies because there is a good chance of finding lower prices. A recent survey revealed that people who compared prices once a year saved about $70 a month as compared to drivers who never compared rates.

If finding the lowest rates on insurance in Bakersfield is why you’re reading this, knowing how to get free comparison quotes and analyze insurance rates can save time and money.

If you are insured now, you will definitely be able to buy cheaper car insurance using these techniques. Finding affordable car insurance coverage in Bakersfield can be much easier if you know how to start. But California vehicle owners need to have an understanding of how big insurance companies compete online and use this information to your advantage.

How to Lower Your Insurance Rates

Many factors are part of the equation when you quote your car insurance policy. Some are pretty understandable such as your driving history, but other factors are not quite as obvious like where you live or your vehicle rating. When buying car insurance it’s important to understand the factors that help determine your car insurance rates. If you understand what determines premiums, this empowers consumers to make smart changes that will entitle you to big savings.

The list below includes some of the things used by companies to determine your premiums.

High credit equals lower premiums – Credit score is likely to be a major factor in calculating your premium rate. People that have very high credit ratings tend to file fewer claims as compared to drivers with lower credit scores. So if your credit is low, you could save money insuring your Lincoln MKZ if you improve your credit rating.

Do women or men drive better? – Over the last 50 years, statistics have shown women are more cautious behind the wheel. This data doesn’t prove that males are worse at driving than females. Both genders have auto accidents in similar numbers, but the men have costlier accidents. Not only that, but men also get ticketed for serious violations like DUI and reckless driving.

The example below visualizes the comparison of Lincoln MKZ auto insurance costs for male and female drivers. The price estimates are based on no claims or driving violations, full physical damage coverage, $100 deductibles, single status, and no discounts are taken into consideration.

Lower performance equals lower insurance premiums – The type of car you are buying insurance for makes a big difference in your rates. Lower performance four cylinder passenger cars usually are quite affordable to insure, but the cost you end up paying is determined by many additional factors.

The following data assumes a single female driver age 30, full coverage with $500 deductibles, and no discounts or violations. The chart compares Lincoln MKZ insurance rates compared to other makes and models that have different risk factors.

No policy claims equals cheap rates – If you are the type of insured that files lots of claims don’t be surprised to see increased rates or even have your policy non-renewed. Auto insurance companies in California generally give cheaper rates to policyholders who do not file claims often. Insurance coverage is meant to be used in the event of the large, substantial claims.

Rates can drop if you have more than one policy – Most larger companies give lower prices to insureds who consolidate policies with them such as combining an auto and homeowners policy. Discounts can amount to ten or even fifteen percent. Even if you qualify for this discount already, you may still want to get quotes from other companies to confirm you are receiving the best rates possible.

Single vs. married – Having a spouse can get you a discount when shopping for car insurance. It may mean you are more mature and responsible and insurance companies like that married drivers tend to file fewer claims.

Where you live factors in – Residing in less populated areas is a positive aspect when insuring your vehicles. Residents of big cities tend to have traffic congestion and a longer drive to work. Fewer people corresponds to lower accident rates and lower theft and vandalism rates.

How many miles do you drive? – Driving a lot of miles annually the more you will pay for car insurance. The majority of insurers calculate prices based upon how you use the vehicle. Vehicles used primarily for pleasure use can be on a lower rate level than vehicles that have high annual mileage. Incorrect rating for your MKZ may be costing you. Double check that your car insurance policy properly reflects the correct usage, because improper ratings can cost you money.

Lincoln MKZ insurance claim data – Insurers include the past claim trends for vehicles to calculate a price that will offset losses. Models that the statistics show to have higher claim frequency or loss amount will cost more to insure. The table below outlines the collected loss data for Lincoln MKZ vehicles.

For each coverage type, the loss probability for all vehicles, as a total average, is considered to be 100. Percentages below 100 mean the vehicle has better than average losses, while values that are above 100 indicate more frequent losses or larger claims.

Rates and other information

The rate information displayed next covers estimates of insurance premium costs for Lincoln MKZ models. Having a better idea how car insurance prices are figured helps drivers make decisions on the best policy to buy.

Data based on single female driver age 50, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $1000 deductibles, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include safe-driver, multi-policy, multi-vehicle, claim-free, and homeowner. Premium amounts do not factor in vehicle location which can raise or lower coverage rates significantly.

Comparison of policy deductibles

When buying insurance, a common question is what deductibles to buy. The premium rates below may aid in understanding the costs and benefits when you select higher and lower physical damage deductibles. The first set of prices uses a $250 physical damage deductible and the second price grid uses a $1,000 deductible.

Data based on married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include homeowner, multi-vehicle, multi-policy, safe-driver, and claim-free. Rates do not factor in vehicle location which can lower or raise premium rates substantially.

We can estimate from the data above that using a $250 deductible costs about $39 more each month or $468 for a full year averaged for all MKZ models than selecting the higher $1,000 deductible. Since you would pay $750 more if you turn in a claim with a $1,000 deductible as compared to a $250 deductible, if you average at least 19 months between claims, you would probably save some money if you choose a higher deductible.

One thing to note is that increasing deductibles to lower your rates results in a higher out-of-pocket expense when you do file a claim. You will want to have some non-essential savings in the event you need to pay the deductible to have repairs made.

Accidents and violations increase rates

The diagram below shows how traffic citations and at-fault collisions can influence Lincoln MKZ car insurance rates for different insured age categories. The data is based on a single male driver, comprehensive and collision coverage, $1,000 deductibles, and no additional discounts are factored in.

Lincoln MKZ full coverage rates compared to liability only

The chart below visualizes the comparison of Lincoln MKZ car insurance costs when comparing full coverage to state minimum liability only. The rate quotes are based on no tickets, no at-fault accidents, $100 deductibles, drivers are not married, and no additional discounts are factored in.

When to switch to liability coverage only

There is no definitive guideline for eliminating physical damage coverage on your policy, but there is a general convention. If the annual cost of your full coverage insurance is about 10% or more of the replacement cost of your vehicle minus the policy deductible, then you might consider buying liability only.

For example, let’s say your Lincoln MKZ settlement value is $5,000 and you have $1,000 policy deductibles. If your vehicle is damaged in an accident, the most your company will settle for is $4,000 after the deductible is paid. If you are paying in excess of $400 a year for comprehensive and collision coverage, then it may be the right time to buy liability only.

There are some situations where eliminating full coverage is not recommended. If you have an outstanding loan on your vehicle, you are required to maintain full coverage in order to satisfy the requirements of the loan. Also, if you can’t afford to buy a different vehicle if your current one is totaled, you should not buy liability only.

Get cheaper Lincoln MKZ insurance in Bakersfield with discounts

Auto insurance is not an enjoyable expense, but you might already qualify for some discounts that many people don’t even know exist. Some trigger automatically at the time of purchase, but lesser-known reductions have to be manually applied before being credited.

• Senior Citizen Discount – If you qualify as a senior citizen, you can possibly qualify for reduced rates.
• Federal Employees – Having worked for a branch of the government could provide a small rate reduction with certain companies.
• Discounts for Safe Drivers – Insureds who avoid accidents can save up to 40% or more on their Bakersfield auto insurance quote as compared to drivers with claims.
• Good Grades Discount – Being a good student can save 20 to 25%. Earning this discount can benefit you up until you turn 25.
• Theft Prevention Discount – Vehicles that have factory alarm systems and tracking devices are stolen with less frequency and will qualify for a discount on a Bakersfield auto insurance quote.
• New Vehicle Savings – Putting coverage on a new MKZ can get you a discount since new vehicles are generally safer.
• College Student – Youth drivers 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 Passive Restraints – Vehicles equipped with air bags or automatic seat belts could see savings of 20% or more.

As is typical with insurance, most credits do not apply to the overall cost of the policy. Most only apply to specific coverage prices like liability, collision or medical payments. If you do the math and it seems like all those discounts means the company will pay you, insurance companies wouldn’t stay in business. Any amount of discount will bring down your auto insurance premiums.

The diagram below illustrates the difference between Lincoln MKZ insurance prices with and without discounts applied to the rates. The costs are based on a male driver, no accidents or driving violations, California state minimum liability limits, comp and collision included, and $100 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with multi-car, multi-policy, safe-driver, homeowner, claim-free, and marriage discounts applied.

To choose insurance companies that offer some of these discounts in Bakersfield, follow this link.

Affordable car insurance is out there

Discount Lincoln MKZ insurance in Bakersfield is definitely available online in addition to local insurance agencies, and you need to comparison shop both in order to have the best price selection to choose from. A few companies do not offer online quoting and many times these regional carriers prefer to sell through independent agencies.

When you buy Bakersfield auto insurance online, do not sacrifice coverage to reduce premiums. There are many occasions where an accident victim reduced collision coverage and found out when filing a claim that it was a big error on their part. Your strategy should be to buy a smart amount of coverage at the best price, but don’t skip important coverages to save money.

Helpful information

• Teen Driver Licensing Information (iihs.org)
• Who Has the Cheapest Car Insurance Rates for Immigrants in Bakersfield? (FAQ)
• Who Has the Cheapest Bakersfield Car Insurance Quotes for Drivers with Bad Credit? (FAQ)
• Auto Insurance FAQ (Farmers Insurance)
• Get the Right Protection (InsureUonline.org)
• State Car Insurance Guides (GEICO)
• Prom Night Tips for Teen Drivers (State Farm)