Who Else Wants Low Cost Auto Insurance California?

Low Cost Auto Insurance  California – Best and Fairest

Auto insurance in California is required by law. Just as in every part of the US, it is now required to have auto insurance if you intend to own and operate a vehicle in the state of California. And, beautiful as California is, getting auto insurance in California can make you wonder whether you have selected the right place to live!  That is because California auto insurance is among the most costly in the country.

Low Cost Auto Insurance California – Shop Around

So, for the best value California auto insurance, it pays to shop around.

Use a free website like Quote Wizard or 2Insure4Less to get a handful of quotes from different insurance companies.

Low Cost Auto Insurance California – State Minimums

If you’re looking for California auto insurance, there are some things you have to know before you start your search.

Each state sets its own minimum insurance requirements.  In California, the minimums are 15-30-15.  In plain words, that means there are 3 minimum coverages required by California law.

Bodily Injury Liability per individual – $15,000

Bodily Injury Liability per accident – $30,000

Property Damage Liability per accident – $15,000

If you have purchased a new vehicle or had any complicated medical procedures done lately, you can understand that these minimum amounts will not go very far.  So, if you choose to go with these minimums, understand that you are leaving yourself open to significant financial setback, if you are involved in a serious multiple-car accident which is determined to be your fault.

Raising you liability coverage to reasonable levels is not that expensive and could save you from the poor house.  I recommend at least 100/300/100.

Low Cost Auto Insurance California – Other Coverage to Consider

The above minimums provide only liability coverage.  They do not cover injuries to you and damages to your car.

To provide for you and your car, the following coverage should be considered.

  • Collision – Covers damage to your car from collision.
  • Comprehensive – Covers your car for damages caused by vandalism, fire, animal impact and acts of God, as well as theft.
  • Personal Injury Protection – Covers you and your passengers for bodily injuries and death, if you are at fault.
  • Uninsured Motorist – If the party causing the accident is underinsured, this insurance will cover the shortfall relating to you and your car.
  • Gap insurance – Insures you for the difference between the loan amount on your vehicle and actual market value.  Will be required by your bank, if you finance or lease a vehicle.

Low Cost Auto Insurance California – Cost Savings

Once you identify the levels of coverage you want, you can start looking for ways to lower your insurance costs.

1.  One way to reduce your California auto insurance costs is eliminate coverage you do not need.  If the amount you spend yearly for collision and comprehensive coverage is greater than the value of your car, you may wish to consider dropping collision and comprehensive insurance.

2.  Other strategy would be to look at your deductible amount.  As an example, increasing your deductible from $100 to $2,000 can mean as much as 25% savings on your collision and comprehensive premiums.  The average deductible is around $500, but $1,000 deductibles are becoming more common.

How much are you willing to pay out of your pocket, if your car needs repair or is deemed to be a total loss?  That’s a good rule of thumb for setting your deductible.

3.  What about your driving record itself?  Do you have a lot of tickets?  If so, taking a drivers education course will reduce your premiums with many insurers.

4.  Another factor that is used to identify your California auto insurance rate is where you reside.  For people living in a high crime rate area, you will not receive as cheap auto insurance quote as someone who lives in a safer area.