Best cheap car insurance in Sacramento
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In the city of Sacramento, the state capital of California, car insurance is a legal requirement for drivers. In order to drive in this city, you must carry a minimum amount of coverage to protect yourself and others on the road. Sacramento was also ranked as one of the worst cities in the country for drivers in 2019, based on traffic citations and speeding, so aside from the legal requirements, having car insurance in Sacramento is essential.
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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.
Due to factors like the high number of accidents, congested roads and the prevalence of wildfires, most drivers in Sacramento pay higher-than-average rates for car insurance. However, Sacramento drivers can typically find affordable car insurance without opting for a liability-only policy. Bankrate analyzed rate data from Quadrant Information Services, along with customer satisfaction ratings and other information to help you find the best cheap auto insurance policy in Sacramento.
Best car insurance companies in Sacramento
Bankrate uses Quadrant Information Services to obtain current premium information for insurance companies in the Sacramento area. The best insurance carriers in Sacramento were chosen based on average premiums, J.D. Power scores, financial stability, coverage offerings and discount options.
| Insurance company |
J.D. Power score (California) |
Average annual premium for minimum coverage | Average annual premium for full coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geico | 828 / 1,000 | $537 | $1,624 |
| Grange | N/A | $549 | $2,130 |
| AAA | 830/1,000 | $582 | $2,289 |
| Wawanesa | 853/1,000 | $666 | $1,622 |
| Progressive | 819/1,000 | $705 | $1,832 |
Geico
Drivers in Sacramento may want to add Geico to their list of companies to get quotes from. Geico’s premiums are low, and it offers a long list of discounts to help policyholders save even more. You can get discounts for being a military member, a federal employee, a safe driver or a good student, among others. Combine that with Geico’s good customer service scores from J.D. Power, and drivers in Sacramento may find that Geico is a great insurance choice.
Read more: Geico Insurance review
Grange
Grange is not as large as some of the other insurance companies on this list, but that does not stop them from offering low premiums. Grange provides car insurance coverage in only 13 states and offers an array of coverage options and discounts, such as the OnTrack telematics discount, which gives drivers a chance to save on their premiums when they allow an app to track their driving habits.
Read more: Grange Insurance review
AAA
AAA is a membership-based insurance program; to get insurance coverage with the company, you will need to join the club. Annual membership costs between $59 and $119 per year. Even with the membership fee, AAA’s average annual minimum coverage premium is far lower than Sacramento’s overall average annual minimum coverage premium. Additionally, AAA’s travel discounts and roadside service are top features of the membership.
Read more: AAA Insurance review
Wawanesa
Wawanesa started in Canada but has a large presence in California. The company earns first place in the 2021 J.D. Power U.S. Auto Insurance Study in California based on customer’s opinions of its billing process, policy information, claims handling, customer interactions, policy offerings and price. In addition to the high level of service, Wawanesa is the cheapest provider for full coverage car insurance on our list. For Sacramento drivers looking for full coverage, Wawanesa may be worth considering.
Read more: Wawanesa Insurance review
Progressive
Progressive claims drivers who switch save an average of more than $650 per year. The carrier has an extensive list of ways that Sacramento drivers can save on their insurance. Some of the biggest discounts include the Snapshot telematics program, which tracks your driving habits and can qualify you for a discount. There is also a continuous insurance discount that lowers your premiums the longer you have been insured with Progressive or another carrier prior to switching your coverage.
Read more: Progressive Insurance review
Cheapest car insurance in Sacramento
The average cost of car insurance in the state of California is $583 annually for minimum coverage and $2,105 annually for full coverage. The cost of car insurance in Sacramento is higher than the state average. Drivers in the capital can expect to pay an average of $808 per year for minimum coverage and $2,236 per year for full coverage. Drivers in both Sacramento and California pay higher premiums than the national average rates of $565 annually for minimum coverage and $1,674 annually for full coverage.
If your priority is to find the lowest-priced car insurance possible, you may want to take a look at the following companies. These companies offer some of the cheapest premiums in Sacramento:
| Insurance company | Average annual premium for minimum coverage | Average annual premium for full coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Geico | $537 | $1,624 |
| AAA | $582 | $2,289 |
| Progressive | $705 | $1,832 |
| Mercury | $706 | $1,831 |
| State Farm | $725 | $2,064 |
Geico and Progressive have similar offerings and are both well-known as reliable, affordable carriers. AAA provides car insurance packed with features such as roadside service, but a club membership is required. Mercury is best for basic, no-frills car insurance. State Farm is the best option when you prefer to work face-to-face with a local insurance agent to find customized coverage.
Keep in mind that car insurance is more than just the premium. You might also want to consider reviewing a company’s coverage and discount options, customer service reviews and financial strength when shopping for car insurance.
Sacramento insurance requirements
Like most states, California requires that drivers carry at least a minimum amount of liability coverage. To drive legally in the Golden State, you must have at least the following limits of liability coverage on your car insurance policy:
- $15,000 in bodily injury per person
- $30,000 in bodily injury per accident
- $5,000 for property damage
If you financed your vehicle with a loan or a lease, your bank will likely require you to carry full coverage insurance, which includes comprehensive coverage and collision coverage. Even if you do not have a loan or lease, you may want to consider full coverage so that you have coverage for damages to your own vehicle.
If you financed your vehicle with a loan or a lease, your bank will likely require you to carry full coverage insurance, which includes comprehensive and collision coverages. Even if you do not have a loan or lease, you may want to consider full coverage so that you have coverage for damages to your own vehicle.
Car insurance discounts in Sacramento
Sacramento drivers pay higher-than-average insurance rates, but there are ways to lower the cost of your auto insurance. Some common discounts in the Sacramento area are:
- Safe driver: Avoiding tickets, accidents and claims may help you to save you money on car insurance.
- Telematics discounts: If your company offers a telematics program, you may have the chance to download a tracking app or install a plug-in device that analyzes your driving habits. Based on the information received from the program, you may qualify for a discount.
- Multi-policy: If you have renters, condo or homeowners insurance, you may consider getting your property insurance from the same company that you have your auto insurance with. Many companies offer discounts for bundling multiple insurance products.
Each company offers different discounts, so the best way to ensure that you are taking advantage of as many as possible is to talk to a licensed agent or representative from your insurance company.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best car insurance company?
Based on Bankrate’s research, the best car insurance companies in Sacramento are Geico, Wawanesa, AAA, Progressive and Grange. However, every driver is different. The only way to find the best insurance company for you is to obtain insurance quotes from several different insurance providers and compare them. This way, you can find a company that will give you the coverage you need at the best price.
How much does car insurance in Sacramento cost?
In Sacramento, the average driver pays $2,236 annually for a full coverage insurance policy and $808 annually for a minimum coverage policy. These rates are much higher than the average annual premiums in California and the average annual rates nationally. Keep in mind, though, that car insurance rates are personalized. You could pay more or less than average based on your age, driving record, policies, deductibles, your car’s make and model, and the insurance company you choose.
How much car insurance do I need in Sacramento?
To legally drive in Sacramento, you will need a minimum amount of liability insurance. California requires drivers to carry at least $15,000 in bodily injury per person coverage, $30,000 in bodily injury per accident coverage and $5,000 for property damage coverage. You may want to consider purchasing higher liability limits or even full coverage to better protect yourself. Talking to an insurance agent may be the best way to determine how much coverage you need.
Does car insurance in Sacramento cover wildfires?
If your car is damaged or destroyed in a wildfire, your auto insurance policy may cover the damages, but only if you have a full coverage policy. Full coverage insurance includes comprehensive coverage, which typically pays for your vehicle’s repairs after a non-collision event, like theft and natural disasters. If your vehicle is destroyed in a fire and have full coverage insurance, your insurance company will likely provide a payout that you can use to purchase a new one.
Methodology
Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze 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 sample drivers own a 2019 Toyota Camry, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually.
These are sample rates and should be used for comparative purposes only. Your quotes may be different.
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