Truthfully, the best way to find cheaper car insurance rates is to compare prices annually from providers in Fresno. You can shop around by following these guidelines.
Step 1: Spend some time learning about how car insurance works and the modifications you can make to keep rates low. Many risk factors that result in higher prices such as distracted driving and a less-than-favorable credit history can be eliminated by making lifestyle changes or driving safer. Keep reading for the details to help find cheaper rates and get additional discounts that may have been overlooked.
Step 2: Compare rates from exclusive agents, independent agents, and direct providers. Exclusive and direct companies can provide rates from one company like Progressive and State Farm, while independent agents can provide price quotes from multiple insurance companies. Begin your rate comparison
Step 3: Compare the new rates to your existing policy to see if you can save by switching companies. If you find a better price and change companies, verify that coverage does not lapse between policies.
Step 4: Give notification to your agent or company of your intent to cancel your current car insurance policy. Submit the completed application along with a down payment to your new insurance company. Once coverage is bound, place the new proof of insurance paperwork above your visor, in the console, or in the glove compartment.
The most important part of shopping around is to use the same deductibles and limits on every quote and and to look at as many car insurance companies as possible. Doing this enables a fair rate comparison and the best price selection.
Smart shoppers know that auto insurance companies don’t want customers comparing rates. People who shop around for cheaper rates are inclined to switch to a new company because the odds are good of finding a cheaper policy. A recent survey revealed that people who compared rates regularly saved about $865 annually as compared to drivers who don’t regularly compare prices.
If finding the best price on insurance is the reason you’re here, then having some knowledge of how to compare insurance premiums can save time and make the process easier.
If you have a policy now or need new coverage, you can learn to get lower rates and possibly find even better coverage. Locating the best rates in Fresno is actually very simple if you learn how to start. Smart buyers only need to know the most efficient way to get comparison rates on the web.
The companies in the list below can provide price quotes in Fresno, CA. If you want to find the best cheap auto insurance in Fresno, CA, we suggest you visit as many as you can in order to find the most competitive rates.
Best reasons to buy insurance in California
Despite the high cost of buying insurance for a Scion tC in Fresno, maintaining insurance is required in California but it also protects you in many ways.
- The majority of states have minimum liability requirements which means it is punishable by state law to not carry a minimum amount of liability protection in order to license the vehicle. 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 guaranteed your bank will require you to have insurance to protect their interest in the vehicle. If coverage lapses or is canceled, the lender may insure your Scion at a much higher rate and require you to reimburse them for the expensive policy.
- Insurance protects both your assets and your vehicle. Insurance will pay for hospital and medical expenses for both you and anyone you injure as the result of an accident. Liability insurance also covers all legal expenses up to the policy limit if someone files suit against you as the result of an accident. If you have damage to your Scion as the result of the weather or an accident, collision and comprehensive coverages will pay to have it repaired.
The benefits of carrying adequate insurance greatly outweigh the cost, specifically if you ever have a liability claim. Despite what companies tell you, the average driver is currently overpaying as much as $855 a year so compare rate quotes each time the policy renews to ensure rates are inline.
Coverage statistics and figures
The data table below outlines detailed analysis of insurance premium costs for Scion tC models. Learning as much as possible about how car insurance prices are determined is important for you to make decisions on the best policy coverages.
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TC 2-Dr Hatchback | $162 | $408 | $520 | $30 | $156 | $1,276 | $106 |
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Table data represents married female driver age 50, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $1000 deductibles, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-policy, multi-vehicle, safe-driver, homeowner, and claim-free. Prices do not factor in specific zip code location which can revise premium rates significantly.
Deductible analysis
When buying car insurance, a common question is where to set your physical damage deductibles. The premium rates below illustrate the difference in cost between low and high physical damage coverage deductibles. The first rate estimation uses a $250 physical damage coverage deductible and the second set of prices uses a $500 deductible.
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TC 2-Dr Hatchback | $342 | $780 | $552 | $32 | $166 | $1,897 | $158 |
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Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TC 2-Dr Hatchback | $278 | $630 | $552 | $32 | $166 | $1,658 | $138 |
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Prices above based on 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. Rate quotes do not factor in vehicle location which can revise rates significantly.
Based on the data above, we can derive that using a $250 deductible will cost you about $20 more each month or $240 a year across all Scion tC models than buying the higher $500 deductible. Because you would be required to pay $250 more if you turn in a claim with a $500 deductible as compared to a $250 deductible, if you tend to go at least 13 months between claims, you would probably save some money by selecting a higher deductible.
Irresponsible driving raises your rates
The diagram below demonstrates how traffic citations and accident claims drive up Scion tC car insurance costs for different age categories. The prices are based on a single male driver, full physical damage coverage, $100 deductibles, and no discounts are taken into consideration.
Cost difference between full coverage and liability
The example below compares Scion tC auto insurance rates with and without physical damage coverage, medical payments, and uninsured/under-insured motorist coverage. The rate quotes are based on no claims or violations, $100 deductibles, single marital status, and no discounts are factored in.
When to stop buying physical damage coverage
There is no exact formula to stop buying full coverage, but there is a general school of thought. If the yearly cost of comp and collision coverage is more than 10% of the replacement cost of your vehicle minus the policy deductible, then you might want to consider buying only liability coverage.
For example, let’s say your Scion tC replacement cost is $4,000 and you have $1,000 physical damage deductibles. If your vehicle is damaged in an accident, the most your company would pay you is $3,000 after paying your deductible. If you are paying more than $300 a year for your policy with full coverage, then it’s probably a good time to buy liability coverage only.
There are some conditions where only buying liability is not a good plan. If you still owe money on your vehicle, you have to maintain full coverage in order to satisfy the requirements of the loan. Also, if your savings is not enough to buy a different vehicle in the even your car is totaled, you should not remove full coverage.
Cheaper Fresno car insurance rates with discounts
Auto insurance companies do not list all possible discounts in an easy-to-find place, so the next list breaks down a few of the more common and the more hidden credits that may apply to you.
- Air Bags and Passive Restraints – Cars that have air bags and/or automatic seat belt systems can receive discounts of more than 20%.
- Driver Safety – Completing a course that instructs on driving safety could possibly earn you a 5% discount and easily pay for the cost of the class.
- Discounts for Seat Belt Usage – Buckling up and requiring all passengers to use their safety belts could save 15% off the medical payments premium.
- Bundle and Save – If you combine your auto and home policies with one company they may give you a discount of nearly 15% which can help you find cheaper tC insurance.
- Paperwork-free – Many insurance companies will provide an incentive for buying a policy and signing up on your computer.
- Theft Prevention System – Vehicles that have factory alarm systems and tracking devices have a lower chance of being stolen so companies will give you a small discount.
- Early Payment Discounts – If you pay your bill all at once rather than paying in monthly installments you could save up to 5%.
- Cautious Driver Discounts – Safe drivers may receive a discount up to 45% than drivers with accident claims.
- First Accident Forgiveness – Not really a discount, but some insurance companies will allow you to have one accident before hitting you with a surcharge if you have no claims prior to being involved in the accident.
- Save over 55 – If you’re over the age of 55, you are able to get a small decrease in premiums.
Policy discounts save money, but some credits don’t apply to the overall cost of the policy. Most only reduce the cost of specific coverages such as liability, collision or medical payments. So even though it sounds like adding up those discounts means a free policy, nobody gets a free ride. But all discounts will positively reduce your policy cost.
The diagram below shows the difference between Scion tC annual premium costs with and without discounts applied to the policy premium. The prices are based on a male driver, no claims or violations, California state minimum liability limits, full coverage, and $500 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with multi-car, claim-free, marriage, multi-policy, homeowner, and safe-driver discounts applied.
A list of companies and the discounts they provide are outlined below.
- State Farm has savings for defensive driving training, passive restraint, student away at school, multiple autos, anti-theft, and safe vehicle.
- American Family may include discounts for Steer into Savings, defensive driver, mySafetyValet, multi-vehicle, early bird, good driver, and good student.
- AAA has discounts for pay-in-full, AAA membership discount, good student, good driver, education and occupation, and anti-theft.
- GEICO offers discounts for federal employee, multi-vehicle, anti-theft, driver training, and seat belt use.
- Mercury Insurance policyholders can earn discounts including multi-policy, multi-car, good student, accident-free, and type of vehicle.
- Farmers Insurance discounts include distant student, business and professional, youthful driver, switch companies, and multi-car.
- Progressive offers premium reductions for homeowner, online signing, good student, multi-vehicle, and online quote discount.
Before you buy a policy, ask each company or agent what discounts are available to you. Depending on the company, some discounts may not be available in Fresno.