How to Save on Bakersfield Lexus ES 350 Insurance

Shockingly, almost 70% of drivers renewed their policy with the same company for at least the last four years, and roughly 40% of drivers have never compared car insurance rates at all. Consumers in California could save roughly $470 every year just by comparing rates, but they just don’t understand the rate savings if they bought a different policy.

Truthfully, the best way to find discount car insurance rates is to make a habit of regularly comparing prices from insurance carriers in Bakersfield.

• First, get a basic knowledge of how companies set rates and the steps you can take to drop your rates. Many risk factors that cause rate increases like at-fault accidents and a substandard credit history can be remedied by making minor changes in your lifestyle.
• Second, obtain price quotes from independent agents, exclusive agents, and direct companies. Direct companies and exclusive agencies can only provide price estimates from a single company like GEICO or Allstate, while independent agencies can provide rate quotes from multiple insurance companies.
• Third, compare the new rates to the price on your current policy to determine if you can save on ES 350 insurance. If you can save some money and buy the policy, make sure there is no lapse between the expiration of your current policy and the new one.
• Fourth, notify your company or agent of your intent to cancel your current coverage. Submit payment along with a signed and completed policy application to the newly selected company. Once received, put the proof of insurance paperwork along with the vehicle’s registration papers.

One tip to remember is to try to compare the same physical damage deductibles and liability limits on each price quote and and to get price quotes from every company you can. This provides a fair price comparison and the best price selection.

Buying the cheapest auto insurance in Bakersfield is really not that difficult. If you have a policy now, you will surely be able to get lower rates using the techniques covered below. But California car owners must comprehend how big insurance companies calculate their prices and use this information to your advantage.

Best companies for competitive Lexus ES 350 insurance in California

The providers in the list below can provide price comparisons in California. If more than one company is shown, we recommend you visit two to three different companies in order to get a fair rate comparison.

Lexus ES 350 coverage statistics

The price information shown next outlines different coverage costs for Lexus ES 350 models. Having a better idea how insurance rates are figured can help drivers make smart policy decisions.

Price data assumes single female driver age 50, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $500 deductibles, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include homeowner, multi-vehicle, multi-policy, claim-free, and safe-driver. Premium amounts do not factor in Bakersfield location which can lower or raise premium rates significantly.

An analysis of deductible level

A question often asked by Bakersfield drivers is the level to set your comp and collision deductibles. The comparison tables below may help to illustrate how much more rates are between low and high comp and collision deductibles. The first rate comparisons uses a $100 deductible for physical damage and the second rate table uses a $1,000 deductible.

Table data assumes married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-policy, multi-vehicle, homeowner, claim-free, and safe-driver. Rate quotes do not factor in specific zip code location which can decrease or increase coverage prices considerably.

We can estimate from the data above that using a $100 deductible costs an average of $56 more each month or $672 each year than requesting the higher $1,000 deductible. Because you would be required to pay $900 more out of your own pocket with a $1,000 deductible as compared to a $100 deductible, if you normally go at a minimum 16 months between claims, you would save more money by selecting a higher deductible.

Price comparison of only insuring for liability

The information below illustrates the comparison of Lexus ES 350 annual premium costs with full physical damage coverage and with liability coverage only. The prices are based on no claims or violations, $100 deductibles, drivers are single, and no other discounts are factored in.

Should you be buying full coverage?

There is no written rule that is best for determining when to drop physical damage coverage on your policy, but there is a guideline you can consider. If the annual cost of your full coverage insurance is more than about 10% of the vehicle’s replacement cost less your deductible, then you might consider buying liability only.

For example, let’s pretend your Lexus ES 350 replacement cost is $5,000 and you have $1,000 deductibles. If your vehicle is damaged in an accident, you would only receive $4,000 after you pay the deductible. If you are paying in excess of $400 a year for physical damage coverage, then it’s probably a good time to buy liability coverage only.

There are some cases where dropping physical damage coverage is not financially feasible. If you still owe a portion of the original loan, you have to keep full coverage as part of the loan conditions. Also, if you don’t have enough money to buy a different vehicle in the event your current vehicle is totaled, you should not buy liability only.

Companies offer money-saving discounts on Lexus ES 350 insurance in Bakersfield

Companies offering auto insurance don’t always list the complete list of policy discounts very well, so the following is a list of a few of the more well known and also the lesser-known discounts that you can inquire about if you buy Bakersfield auto insurance online.

• Distant Student Discount – College-age children living away from Bakersfield attending college and do not have access to a covered vehicle could qualify for this discount.
• Theft Deterrent – Vehicles that have factory alarm systems and tracking devices have a lower chance of being stolen and will save you 10% or more on ES 350 insurance in Bakersfield.
• Drive Safe and Save – Drivers without accidents may receive a discount up to 45% compared to accident prone drivers.
• Discount for Passive Restraints – Factory air bags may earn rate discounts as much as 30%.
• Military Discounts – Being deployed in the military could qualify you for better rates.
• Professional Memberships – Joining a civic or occupational organization in Bakersfield is a good way to get lower rates on your next car insurance statement.
• Multi-Vehicle Discounts – Having more than one vehicle with the same company can reduce rates for all insured vehicles.
• Driver Education Discount – Reduce the cost of insurance for teen drivers by having them successfully complete driver’s ed class as it can save substantially.

One thing to note about discounts is that some of the credits will not apply to the entire cost. Most only cut the cost of specific coverages such as medical payments or collision. Even though it may seem like having all the discounts means you get insurance for free, you won’t be that lucky.

The information below shows the difference between Lexus ES 350 car insurance costs with and without discounts. The data is based on a female driver, no violations or 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, marriage, claim-free, homeowner, safe-driver, and multi-car discounts applied.

Large car insurance companies and a partial list of their discounts are included below.

• State Farm may include discounts for good student, safe vehicle, passive restraint, Steer Clear safe driver discount, defensive driving training, multiple policy, and multiple autos.
• GEICO offers discounts including multi-vehicle, military active duty, anti-theft, anti-lock brakes, driver training, and federal employee.
• SAFECO discounts include drive less, teen safe driver, accident prevention training, anti-lock brakes, bundle discounts, and safe driver.
• Farmers Insurance includes discounts for teen driver, early shopping, alternative fuel, business and professional, and distant student.
• AAA may offer discounts for pay-in-full, good student, AAA membership discount, education and occupation, anti-theft, multi-policy, and multi-car.
• USAA offers discounts for multi-policy, loyalty savings, safe driver, annual mileage, and defensive driver.

When quoting, ask every company the best way to save money. Some discounts may not be offered everywhere.

Local Bakersfield insurance agencies

Many drivers prefer to get advice from a local agent and often times that is recommended One of the best bonuses of getting online price quotes is that drivers can save money and get the lowest rates and still buy from a local agent.

Upon completion of this form (opens in new window), the coverage information gets sent to agents in your area who will gladly provide quotes and help you find cheaper coverage. You never need to contact any insurance agencies as quotes are delivered immediately to your email address. You can find better rates AND an agent nearby. If you want to get a rate quote from a specific insurance company, just navigate to their website and give them your coverage information.

Picking a insurer shouldn’t rely on just the bottom line cost. Get answers to these questions too.

• Can you choose the body shop in case repairs are needed?
• Will one accident increase rates?
• How many years of experience in personal auto insurance do they have?
• Are there any hidden costs in their price quote and does it include driving and credit history?
• Do they receive special compensation for putting your coverage with one company over another?

Listed below is a list of insurers in Bakersfield willing to provide rate quotes for Lexus ES 350 insurance in Bakersfield.

View more agents

Insurance policy specifics

Learning about specific coverages of your policy helps when choosing the right coverages at the best deductibles and correct limits. The terms used in a policy can be confusing and even agents have difficulty translating policy wording. Shown next are typical coverage types offered by insurance companies.

Liability insurance

Liability coverage provides protection from injuries or damage you cause to other’s property or people by causing an accident. It protects you from claims by other people, and does not provide coverage for your own vehicle damage or injuries.

Coverage consists of three different limits, bodily injury for each person injured, bodily injury for the entire accident and a property damage limit. Your policy might show values of 15/30/5 that means you have a $15,000 limit per person for injuries, a total of $30,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $5,000 of coverage for damaged property.

Liability insurance covers things like medical services, structural damage, court costs, funeral expenses and attorney fees. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is up to you, but consider buying as large an amount as possible. California state minimum liability requirements are 15/30/5 but you should think about purchasing more coverage.

The illustration below shows why the minimum limit may not be high enough to adequately cover claims.

Uninsured and underinsured coverage

This gives you protection when the “other guys” either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. Covered claims include injuries sustained by your vehicle’s occupants and damage to your Lexus ES 350.

Due to the fact that many California drivers only purchase the least amount of liability that is required (California limits are 15/30/5), it doesn’t take a major accident to exceed their coverage limits. So UM/UIM coverage is very important.

Collision protection

This pays to fix your vehicle from damage resulting from colliding with another vehicle or an object, but not an animal. You have to pay a deductible and the rest of the damage will be paid by collision coverage.

Collision coverage protects against things like backing into a parked car, driving through your garage door, colliding with another moving vehicle, sustaining damage from a pot hole and hitting a mailbox. Collision is rather expensive coverage, so consider dropping it from vehicles that are older. It’s also possible to raise the deductible on your ES 350 to bring the cost down.

Comprehensive coverages

This will pay to fix damage from a wide range of events other than collision. A deductible will apply then your comprehensive coverage will pay.

Comprehensive coverage protects against things like damage from a tornado or hurricane, a broken windshield, fire damage, falling objects and rock chips in glass. The highest amount you can receive from a comprehensive claim is the market value of your vehicle, so if it’s not worth much more than your deductible it’s not worth carrying full coverage.

Coverage for medical payments

Coverage for medical payments and/or PIP reimburse you for expenses for things like X-ray expenses, EMT expenses and ambulance fees. They are used in conjunction with a health insurance policy or if you are not covered by health insurance. It covers both the driver and occupants and also covers any family member struck as a pedestrian. Personal Injury Protection is not available in all states and may carry a deductible

Insurance savings summarized

Throughout this article, we presented a lot of techniques to lower your Lexus ES 350 insurance car insurance rates in Bakersfield. The key thing to remember is the more you quote Bakersfield auto insurance, the better chance you’ll have of finding the cheapest Lexus ES 350 rate quotes. You may even find the lowest priced insurance comes from a small mutual company. Regional companies often have lower premium rates on specific markets than the large multi-state companies such as Progressive and GEICO.

When trying to cut insurance costs, it’s not a good idea to skimp on coverage in order to save money. In many cases, an accident victim reduced liability coverage limits and discovered at claim time that their decision to reduce coverage ended up costing them more. Your goal is to get the best coverage possible at the best cost and still be able to protect your assets.

More information

• Should I Buy a New or Used Car? (Allstate)
• How Much are Bakersfield Car Insurance Quotes for 18 Year Olds? (FAQ)
• Distracted Driving (Insurance Information Institute)
• Uninsured Motorist Statistics (Insurance Information Institute)