Save Money on Kia Rio Insurance in Bakersfield

The easiest way to find cheaper quotes for car insurance rates in Bakersfield is to compare prices at least once a year from insurance carriers in California. This can be done by following these steps.

Step 1: Get a basic knowledge of car insurance and the measures you can control to prevent high rates. Many rating criteria that result in higher rates like inattentive driving and an unacceptable credit score can be improved by making minor driving habit or lifestyle changes.

Step 2: Get rate quotes from independent agents, exclusive agents, and direct companies. Direct companies and exclusive agencies can only give prices from one company like GEICO and Allstate, while independent agents can quote rates for a wide range of insurance providers. Compare rates now

Step 3: Compare the quotes to your existing rates to see if switching to a new carrier will save money. If you can save some money, make sure the effective date of the new policy is the same as the expiration date of the old one.

One tip to remember is to use identical limits and deductibles on every price quote and to quote with as many different companies as possible. This helps ensure an apples-to-apples comparison and the best price quote selection.

Everyone knows that auto insurance companies want to keep you from shopping around. Drivers who get price quotes annually are likely to switch companies because the odds are good of finding lower rate quotes. A recent auto insurance study revealed that people who compared prices once a year saved on average $3,400 over four years as compared to drivers who never compared rates.

If finding low prices for Kia Rio insurance in Bakersfield is your objective, then understanding the best way to quote and compare coverages can help make the process easier and more efficient.

Finding cheap auto insurance prices can be surprisingly simple. Consumers just need to take a couple of minutes to compare rate quotes to discover which company has the cheapest Kia Rio rate quotes.

Comparing free rate quotes online is easy and it, takes the place of having to physically go to local insurance agencies. The fact that you can get quotes online eliminates the need for an insurance agent unless you have a need for the professional advice of a local agent. It is possible with some companies get the lowest quotes online but purchase the actual policy in an agency.

The companies in the list below are ready to provide free quotes in Bakersfield, CA. If more than one company is shown, we suggest you visit two to three different companies to get a more complete price comparison.

Car insurance statistics and figures

The information shown below highlights estimates of coverage prices for Kia Rio models. Having knowledge of how insurance prices are established is important for you to make decisions when shopping around.

Premium data assumes single female driver age 40, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $1000 deductibles, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include homeowner, safe-driver, multi-policy, multi-vehicle, and claim-free. Rate information does not factor in garaging location in Bakersfield which can lower or raise rates considerably.

Policy deductible comparison

One of the hardest decisions when shopping for car insurance is how high or low should comp and collision deductibles be. The rates shown below may help to conceptualize the rate fluctuation between low and high policy deductibles. The first set of prices uses a $100 comprehensive and collision deductible and the second pricing table uses a $1,000 deductible.

Cost estimates assume married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-vehicle, claim-free, safe-driver, homeowner, and multi-policy. Premium costs do not factor in specific location which can lower or raise insurance rates considerably.

Using the data above, we can ascertain that using a $100 deductible costs about $44 more each month or $528 each year across all Kia Rio models than buying the higher $1,000 deductible. Because you would pay $900 more if you file a claim with a $1,000 deductible as compared to a $100 deductible, if you tend to have at a minimum 20 months between claims, you would probably save some money going with the higher deductible.

One thing to be aware of is that raising deductibles means you will have to cover more of the damage yourself when you do file a claim. That will require enough money put aside in the event you have to pay the higher deductible in order to repair your vehicle.

Violations and accidents raise rates

The example below demonstrates how citations and at-fault claims raise Kia Rio insurance prices for different age groups of insureds. The data is based on a married female driver, full coverage, $250 deductibles, and no discounts are factored in.

Comparison of full coverage and liability-only policies

The illustration below shows the comparison of Kia Rio insurance costs with full coverage and liability only. The rates are based on no tickets, no at-fault accidents, $250 deductibles, drivers are not married, and no other discounts are factored in.

When to stop buying physical damage coverage

There is no definitive formula to delete comp and collision coverage, but there is a guideline you can consider. If the annual cost of having full coverage is more than around 10% of the vehicle’s replacement cost less your deductible, then it might be time to buy liability only.

For example, let’s assume your Kia Rio settlement value is $5,000 and you have $1,000 physical damage deductibles. If your vehicle is destroyed, the most you would get paid by your company is $4,000 after the policy deductible has been paid. If you are paying over $400 annually for full coverage, then you might want to think about dropping full coverage.

There are some circumstances where buying only liability insurance is not advised. If you haven’t satisfied your loan, you must maintain physical damage coverage to protect the lienholder’s interest in the vehicle. Also, if your emergency fund is not enough to purchase a different vehicle in the even your car is totaled, you should not drop full coverage.

Lower rates by qualifying for discounts

Insurance can be prohibitively expensive, but there’s a good chance there are discounts that could drop your premiums quite a bit. Certain discounts will be applied when you purchase, but once in a while a discount must be specially asked for prior to receiving the credit.

• Anti-lock Brake System – Vehicles that have anti-lock braking systems are safer to drive and therefore earn up to a 10% discount.
• Passive Restraint Discount – Options like air bags and/or automatic seat belt systems could see savings of 20% or more.
• Seat Belt Discounts – Drivers who require all occupants to buckle their seat belts can save up to 10 percent (depending on the company) off the medical payments premium.
• Active Military Service – Being on active duty in the military could trigger a small discount.
• Mature Driver Discount – Seniors can get a small discount on rates.

A quick disclaimer, most discount credits are not given to the entire policy premium. Most only apply to specific coverage prices like comp or med pay. So even though you would think you could get a free car insurance policy, nobody gets a free ride.

The chart below illustrates the comparison of Kia Rio car insurance costs with and without some available policy discounts. The price estimates are based on a female driver, no tickets, no at-fault accidents, California state minimum liability limits, full physical damage coverage, and $500 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with homeowner, safe-driver, multi-car, claim-free, marriage, and multi-policy discounts applied.

The best car insurance companies and some of the discounts include:

• State Farm has discounts for passive restraint, accident-free, student away at school, multiple autos, safe vehicle, and driver’s education.
• Liberty Mutual discounts include multi-policy, exclusive group savings, hybrid vehicle, teen driver discount, preferred payment discount, safety features, and new move discount.
• American Family may have discounts that include TimeAway discount, Steer into Savings, air bags, good driver, bundled insurance, multi-vehicle, and early bird.
• Progressive includes discounts for online quote discount, multi-vehicle, online signing, continuous coverage, homeowner, multi-policy, and good student.
• Farmers Insurance offers discounts including alternative fuel, early shopping, electronic funds transfer, business and professional, and distant student.
• Auto-Owners Insurance may offer discounts for group or association, air bags, multiple vehicles, mature driver, student away at school, and anti-lock brakes.
• SAFECO may include discounts for multi-car, anti-theft, homeowner, safe driver, bundle discounts, accident prevention training, and teen safety rewards.

Check with every insurance company to give you their best rates. Depending on the company, some discounts might not be offered on policies in Bakersfield. To choose companies that have a full spectrum of discounts in Bakersfield, follow this link.

Three good reasons to insure your Kia vehicle

Despite the potentially high cost of Kia Rio insurance, maintaining insurance is required in California but it also protects you in many ways.

• Just about all states have mandatory insurance requirements which means the state requires a minimum amount of liability insurance if you don’t want to risk a ticket. 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 have a lien on your vehicle, it’s most likely the lender will make it mandatory that you have insurance to guarantee their interest in the vehicle. If coverage lapses or is canceled, the lender may insure your Kia at a more expensive rate and require you to pay for it.
• Auto insurance preserves not only your car but also your assets. It will also cover hospital and medical expenses for you, your passengers, and anyone else injured in an accident. One of the most valuable coverages, liability insurance, also covers legal expenses if you are sued as the result of an accident. If your Kia gets damaged, your auto insurance policy will pay to have it repaired.

The benefits of having insurance greatly outweigh the cost, especially if you ever need it. The average driver in California overpays as much as $700 annually so you should quote your policy with other companies at least once a year to make sure the price is not too high.

How to find a good California car insurance company

Choosing the top insurance company can be challenging considering how many different insurance companies sell coverage in Bakersfield. The information below could help you decide which auto insurers to look at when shopping your coverage around.

Top 10 Bakersfield Car Insurance Companies Ranked by Customer Satisfaction

1. Titan Insurance – 95%
2. USAA – 94%
3. AAA of Southern California – 92%
4. AAA Insurance – 91%
5. Nationwide – 90%
6. State Farm – 90%
7. The Hartford – 89%
8. GEICO – 89%
9. The General – 88%
10. 21st Century – 88%

Top 10 Bakersfield Car Insurance Companies Ranked by Value

1. USAA
2. American Family
3. The Hartford
4. AAA of Southern California
5. Titan Insurance
6. The General
7. AAA Insurance
8. State Farm
9. Mercury Insurance
10. Nationwide

Your insurance coverage should be tailored to you

When quoting and choosing your policy, there really is not a “perfect” insurance plan. Everyone’s needs are different.

These are some specific questions might point out whether your personal situation might need an agent’s assistance.

• How can I get the company to pay a claim?
• Am I covered if my car is in a flood?
• How much cheaper are high deductibles?
• Is my Kia Rio covered for smoke damage?
• Should I get collision insurance on every vehicle?
• Is a new car covered when I drive it off the dealer lot?
• What are the financial responsibility laws in my state?
• When should my teen driver be added to my policy?
• Should I have combined single limit or split liability limits?
• How high should my medical payments coverage be?

If it’s difficult to answer those questions, you may need to chat with a licensed insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, fill out this quick form. It only takes a few minutes and can provide invaluable advice.

Buying from insurance agents

Many people prefer to talk to an insurance agent and that is OK! Professional agents are highly skilled in risk management and help file insurance claims. A nice benefit of comparing rates online is that you can find better rates and still choose a local agent. Supporting neighborhood agents is definitely important in Bakersfield.

To help locate an agent, after submitting this quick form, the coverage information is submitted to agents in your area who want to provide quotes and help you find cheaper coverage. It makes it easy because there is no need to drive around since price quotes are sent to you. In the event you want to get a rate quote for a specific company, you would need to search and find their rate quote page and complete a quote there.

When looking for a good Bakersfield insurance agent, there are a couple of types of insurance agents and how they differ in how they quote coverages. Agents can either be independent (non-exclusive) or exclusive. Either one can write policy coverage, but it’s important to know the difference in how they write coverage since it may influence which agent you choose.

Independent Insurance Agents (or Brokers)

These agents are not required to write business for one company so they have the ability to put coverage with multiple insurance companies depending on which coverage is best. To move your coverage to a new company, they can switch companies in-house which requires no work on your part.

When searching for an agent, it’s a good idea to get several quotes from several independent agencies for maximum quote selection.

Featured below is a short list of independent insurance agents in Bakersfield that can give you comparison quotes.

More insurance agents

Exclusive Insurance Agencies

These type of agents can only provide one company’s prices such as State Farm, Allstate, or Farmers Insurance. These agents are not able to provide rate quotes from other companies so you need to shop around if the rates are high. Exclusive insurance agents are usually quite knowledgeable on what they offer which helps them compete with independent agents.

Listed below is a short list of exclusive agencies in Bakersfield that are able to give comparison quotes.

More insurance agents

Finding the right auto insurance agent should include more criteria than just a cheap price. Ask your prospective agent these questions:

• Do they get extra compensation for selling add-on coverages?
• Are claim adjusters local or do you have to take your car somewhere else?
• Is there any savings for paying the full premium?
• What are their preferred companies if they are an independent agency?
• Do they have cheaper tiers of coverage?
• Is there a 24/7 contact number?