Best cheap car insurance in Bakersfield
The Bankrate promise
At Bankrate, we strive to help you make smarter financial decisions. To help readers understand how insurance affects their finances, we have licensed insurance professionals on staff who have spent a combined 47 years in the auto, home and life insurance industries. While we adhere to strict , this post may contain references to products from our partners. Here's an explanation of . Our content is backed by Coverage.com, LLC, a licensed entity (NPN: 19966249). For more information, please see our .
Drivers in Bakersfield, California, pay an average of $693 annually for minimum auto insurance and $1,984 annually for a full coverage policy. This is higher than the national average ($626 and $1,647 for the same options), which means drivers in Bakersfield need access to the best cheap coverage options for maximum savings and coverage.
Compare auto insurance rates
Save on auto insurance with quotes from trusted providers like:
Drivers switch & save an average of $750+/year
Are you overpaying for auto insurance?
Safe drivers choose Allstate®
Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.
Compare auto insurance rates
Save on auto insurance with quotes from trusted providers like:
Drivers switch & save an average of $750+/year
Are you overpaying for auto insurance?
Safe drivers choose Allstate®
Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.
Bankrate has reviewed a number of carriers to determine which ones offer not only competitive pricing but also the best coverage options, discounts and financial strength for drivers in one of California’s most populated cities.
Best car insurance companies in Bakersfield
Bankrate reviewed several popular carriers and compared them to determine which are the best. We also evaluated the 2021 J.D. Power overall customer satisfaction survey results among Californians, and 2021 rates for minimum and full coverage from Quadrant Information Services.
While Farmers and Nationwide had lower J.D. Power scores, both carriers offer a wide range of coverage options and discounts. Geico, Wawanesa and Progressive both offer highly competitive rates while also scoring high on the J.D. Power list.
| Insurance company | J.D. Power Score (California region) |
Average annual premium for minimum coverage | Average annual premium for full coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Farmers | 811 / 1,000 | $796 | $2,048 |
| Nationwide | 786 / 1,000 | $686 | $2,083 |
| Geico | 828 / 1,000 | $480 | $1,509 |
| Progressive | 819 / 1,000 | $652 | $1,781 |
| Wawanesa | 853 / 1,000 | $606 | $1,508 |
Farmers
Farmers, which is one of the largest auto insurance providers in the U.S., offers drivers a wide range of policy customization options and discounts, including competitive rates. Farmers’ website claims it can save you up to $467 by switching your auto insurance to be with them, with additional savings if you bundle your policies with them. The carrier is not the cheapest of the companies that made the list but provides plenty of opportunities for Bakersfield drivers who want to customize coverage.
Nationwide
Although Nationwide is not the highest ranking on the 2021 J.D. Power survey, the carrier offers a number of ways to customize your auto insurance policy. Nationwide offers unique coverage options, such as gap coverage or accident forgiveness. This is in addition to discounts like accident-free savings or multi-policy discounts to help you save even more on your premiums. If you like using a mobile app, the Nationwide app is highly rated and available for complete policy management like submitting claims and calling for roadside assistance.
Geico
Geico has been writing auto insurance policies for over 75 years and continues to show strength in the popular auto insurance market as the second-largest private passenger policy provider. Geico offers numerous policy options, including comprehensive, collision, roadside assistance and car rental reimbursement, as well as a great number of discounts. The website and app are not as full-featured as other carriers’ but Geico ranks as one of the highest with J.D. Power scores in California, indicating strong customer service marks too.
Progressive
Progressive, with over 12% of market share in the United States, offers drivers in Bakersfield multiple coverage options, discounts and high customer ratings. Drivers on a strict budget may want to take advantage of Progressive’s most significant discounts. Enroll for Snapshot and let Progressive track your driving. You could receive premium discounts based on safe driving habits. In addition, Progressive has a deductible savings bank that lowers your deductible $50 every year you avoid claims.
Wawanesa
Wawanesa is rated as the #1 car insurance company in California in J.D. Power’s 2021 study. Bakersfield drivers rank Wawanesa high for customer service and an efficient claims process. Besides stellar customer support, Wawanesa’s full car insurance package is the cheapest at $1,508 per year. This may be good news for drivers who lease or finance their vehicles and are required by their lenders to carry full car insurance. However, mobile users may find the app could use improvement — it has not received a major update since 2015.
Cheapest car insurance in Bakersfield
Bakersfield is more expensive than the national average of $565 per year for minimum coverage and $1,674 for full coverage, but less than the average of Californians, which sees rates of $733 and $2,065 respectively. This means the search for cheapest car insurance rates in Bakersfield is highly important so you do not overpay for the coverage you need.
Bankrate reviewed the rates of several popular carriers and found quite a few offer competitive rates, high customer service ratings and discounts. For instance, Geico has the least expensive rates for minimum coverage while ranking as one of the highest among Californians with the J.D. Power 2020 study. Capital insurance provides lower rates while also offering numerous coverage and discount options for drivers in California. Other carriers, such as AAA and Grange, offer lower rates and multiple discounts for maximum savings.
| Insurance company | Average annual premium for minimum coverage | Average annual premium for full coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Capital | $730 | $1,590 |
| Geico | $480 | $1,509 |
| AAA | $543 | $1,766 |
| Grange | $498 | $1,713 |
| State Farm | $679 | $1,990 |
Bakersfield insurance requirements
California law requires drivers in Bakersfield to carry 15/30/5 worth of liability coverage. This means drivers must have:
- $15,000 for injury or death per person
- $30,000 for injury or death per accident
- $5,000 for damage to property per accident
Only purchasing the minimum car insurance in California may save you on your premiums, but could cost you more financially in the long run. For instance, California is ranked 10th in the nation for highest number of uninsured drivers. By adding uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage to your policy, you can receive additional medical payment and property damage payments if you are involved in an accident with someone who does not have insurance.
Car insurance discounts in Bakersfield
Car insurance rates in Bakersfield are more expensive than the national average, which means you want to find as many discounts as possible in order to avoid overpaying on your car insurance. Bakersfield residents have access to a wide range of discounts, including:
- Multi-policy: If you have another insurance product with a carrier, such as homeowners or renters insurance, ask about the discount you could potentially receive for also purchasing an auto policy.
- Defensive driving: Several carriers offer additional savings if you take an approved defensive driving course so you can improve your driving safety skills and potentially save on premiums at the same time.
- Good student: If you are a student at one of California’s many colleges and universities, or high schools, then ask about savings for maintaining good grades.
- New vehicle: If you drive a newer vehicle, you may be able to save on your premiums with a new vehicle discount.
These are only a handful of ways to save each year. Another option is to compare multiple carriers, since coverages and rates can vary greatly from one company to the next. You can also save further by asking for a higher deductible, or out-of-pocket costs, for your policy. The higher your deductible, the lower your premiums which means a greater chance of savings.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best car insurance company in Bakersfield?
There are a number of factors to consider when pinpointing the best car insurance in Bakersfield. It is helpful to review customer service ratings, rates, discounts and digital assets, among other factors, to determine which is best for you.
How much does car insurance in Bakersfield cost?
The average rates for car insurance in Bakersfield are $693 annually for minimum coverage and $1,984 for full policies. However, your rates are determined by obtaining a quote, and it is based on a number of personal factors. Factors such as your age, vehicle type and driving record are all used to determine your exact quote.
What is the difference between minimum and full car insurance?
Minimum car insurance is cheaper because it only includes the state-required liability coverage that pays for damages to others. Full car insurance adds coverage for your vehicle (comprehensive and collision) in case your car also needs repairs or replacement.
How much car insurance do I need in Bakersfield?
The minimum amount of insurance to legally drive in Bakersfield is liability coverage of $15,000 for injury/death per person and $30,000 per accident, as well as $5,000 for property damage per accident. However, minimum coverage does not provide any financial protection for your vehicle and passengers. Upgrading to full coverage may be wise.
Methodology
Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze 2021 rates for all ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quoted rates are based on a 40-year-old male and female driver with a clean driving record, good credit and the following full coverage limits:
- $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $50,000 property damage liability per accident
- $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
- $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
- $500 collision deductible
- $500 comprehensive deductible
To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverages that meet each state’s requirements. Our base profile drivers own a 2019 Toyota Camry, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually.
These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes.
Related Articles
