Statistics show that the vast majority of drivers have bought car insurance from the same company for at least the last four years, and nearly 40% of drivers have never compared rates from other carriers. The average driver in California can save hundreds of dollars each year by just comparing quotes, but they underestimate how much they could save if they switched to a cheaper policy.
If you want to save the most money, the best way to save money on BMW 535i insurance is to compare quotes once a year from insurance carriers who sell auto insurance in Fresno. Prices can be compared by following these guidelines.
- It will benefit you to learn about how companies price auto insurance and the factors you can control to lower rates. Many policy risk factors that cause rate increases such as inattentive driving and a bad credit score can be eliminated by making minor changes to your lifestyle. Later in this article we will cover additional tips to prevent rate hikes and find additional discounts.
- Request rate estimates from direct, independent, and exclusive agents. Direct companies and exclusive agencies can provide rates from one company like GEICO and State Farm, while agents who are independent can provide price quotes from multiple insurance companies. Get quotes now
- Compare the new rates to the premium of your current policy to see if switching to a new carrier will save money. If you find a lower rate quote and decide to switch, make sure there is no lapse in coverage.
- Give notification to your current company of your intent to cancel the current policy. Submit the required down payment along with the signed application to your new insurance company. Once the paperwork is finalized, place your new certificate verifying proof of insurance with your vehicle’s registration.
The critical component of shopping around is that you’ll want to compare the same coverage limits and deductibles on each quote request and and to analyze every insurance company. Doing this guarantees a fair price comparison and the best price selection.
Lower rates by qualifying for discounts
Some companies do not advertise every available discount in a way that’s easy to find, so we researched some of the more common and the harder-to-find discounts that may be available.
- Discount for Life Insurance – Select insurance companies reward you with a discounted rate on car insurance if you buy life insurance from them.
- Policy Bundle Discount – If you combine your auto and homeowners policies with the same insurance company you could save up to 20% and get you cheaper 535i insurance.
- Drive Safe and Save – Drivers without accidents may save up to 50% more than less cautious drivers.
- Anti-theft Discount – Vehicles that have factory alarm systems and tracking devices are stolen with less frequency and that can save you a little bit as well.
- Government Employees – Federal government employees can earn a discount up to 10% with a few auto insurance companies.
- No Claim Discounts – Drivers with accident-free driving histories can save substantially in comparison to policyholders that have many claims.
- Senior Discount – If you’re over the age of 55, you may receive a small discount on rates.
- Payment Discounts – By paying your policy upfront rather than paying monthly you may reduce your total bill.
- Data Collection Discounts – People who choose to allow driving data collection to analyze driving habits remotely such as In-Drive from State Farm or Allstate’s Drivewise system might get better premium rates if they show good driving skills.
Discounts lower rates, but many deductions do not apply to the entire policy premium. Some only apply to the cost of specific coverages such as physical damage coverage or medical payments. So when it seems like you could get a free auto insurance policy, auto insurance companies aren’t that generous. But any discount should definitely cut your auto insurance premiums.
The chart below illustrates the difference between BMW 535i yearly insurance costs with and without discounts applied to the policy rates. The prices are based on a female driver, no claims or violations, California state minimum liability limits, full coverage, and $250 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with homeowner, claim-free, multi-car, marriage, multi-policy, and safe-driver discounts applied.
Auto insurance companies that may have these benefits include:
If you want affordable Fresno car insurance quotes, ask each company which discounts they offer. Discounts may not be available in Fresno. To find auto insurance companies that offer discounts in Fresno, click this link.
The most recommended method to compare insurance rates from multiple companies utilizes the fact most insurance companies pay for the opportunity to provide you with free rate quotes. To begin a comparison, all you need to do is give them some information including how many miles driven, your education level, your credit rating estimate, and how old drivers are. The rating information is sent automatically to multiple different insurance companies and you will get price comparisons instantly.
To find the cheapest BMW 535i insurance rates, click here and complete the form.
The providers in the list below provide free quotes in Fresno, CA. To get cheap car insurance in CA, it’s highly recommended you visit two to three different companies in order to get a fair rate comparison.
BMW 535i coverage analysis
The price information displayed next highlights estimates of coverage prices for BMW 535i models. Learning a little about how auto insurance prices are determined can be useful when making decisions on which coverage to buy.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 535I 4-Dr Sedan | $226 | $460 | $416 | $24 | $124 | $1,250 | $104 |
| 535I xDrive Station Wagon | $226 | $460 | $416 | $24 | $124 | $1,250 | $104 |
| 535I GT 4-Dr Sedan | $226 | $460 | $416 | $24 | $124 | $1,250 | $104 |
| 535I xDrive 4-Dr Sedan | $246 | $460 | $416 | $24 | $124 | $1,270 | $106 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
Data based on married female driver age 50, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $1000 deductibles, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include safe-driver, multi-policy, claim-free, homeowner, and multi-vehicle. Price information does not factor in the specific area where the vehicle is garaged which can lower or raise auto insurance rates considerably.
Should you raise deductibles?
One common question asked by Fresno drivers is which deductible level should you buy. The comparison tables below lay out the differences in premium rates between low and high physical damage coverage deductibles. The first data set uses a $250 physical damage coverage deductible and the second pricing table uses a $1,000 deductible.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 535I 4-Dr Sedan | $474 | $882 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,981 | $165 |
| 535I xDrive Station Wagon | $474 | $882 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,981 | $165 |
| 535I GT 4-Dr Sedan | $474 | $882 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,981 | $165 |
| 535I xDrive 4-Dr Sedan | $518 | $882 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $2,025 | $169 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 535I 4-Dr Sedan | $292 | $556 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,448 | $121 |
| 535I xDrive Station Wagon | $292 | $556 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,448 | $121 |
| 535I GT 4-Dr Sedan | $292 | $556 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,448 | $121 |
| 535I xDrive 4-Dr Sedan | $320 | $556 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,476 | $123 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
Data variables include married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include homeowner, safe-driver, multi-policy, claim-free, and multi-vehicle. Rate information does not factor in garaging location in Fresno which can decrease or increase prices substantially.
Based on these figures, using a $250 deductible costs roughly $44 more each month or $528 a year averaged for all 535i models than selecting the higher $1,000 deductible. Because you would be required to pay $750 more if you file a claim with a $1,000 deductible as compared to a $250 deductible, if you tend to go more than 17 months between claim filings, you would come out ahead if you choose a higher deductible. Here is how this decision is made.
| Average monthly premium for $250 deductibles: | $166 |
| Average monthly premium for $1,000 deductibles (subtract): | – $122 |
| Monthly savings from raising deductible: | $44 |
| Difference between deductibles ($1,000 – $250): | $750 |
| Divide difference by monthly savings: | $750 / $44 |
| Number of months required between physical damage coverage claims in order to save money by choosing the higher deductible | 17 months |
Full coverage or liability only
The example below compares BMW 535i car insurance costs with liability coverage only compared to full coverage. The rates are based on no claims, a clean driving record, $250 deductibles, drivers are single, and no discounts are applied to the premium.
When to switch to liability coverage only
There is no exact formula of when to eliminate physical damage coverage, but there is a guideline you can consider. If the yearly cost of full coverage is more than around 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 BMW 535i book value is $8,000 and you have $1,000 policy deductibles. If your vehicle is totaled in an accident, the most your company will settle for is $7,000 after paying your deductible. If you are paying more than $700 annually for full coverage, then it’s probably a good time to buy liability coverage only.
There are some cases where removing full coverage is not a good idea. If you still have a lienholder on your title, you have to maintain full coverage as part of the loan requirements. Also, if you cannot afford to purchase a different vehicle in the event your current vehicle is totaled, you should not remove full coverage.
When do I need an agent’s advice?
Always keep in mind that when comparing adequate coverage, there is no one size fits all plan. Everyone’s situation is a little different so this has to be addressed.
For instance, these questions may help highlight if you might need an agent’s assistance.
- Am I covered when driving someone else’s vehicle?
- What exactly is covered by my policy?
- I don’t drive much so do I pay less?
- Is my cargo covered for damage or theft?
- If I drive on a suspended license am I covered?
- Is my nanny covered when transporting my kids?
- Do I have coverage if I rent a car in Mexico?
- Should I buy only the required California minimum liability coverage?
If you can’t answer these questions but you think they might apply to your situation then you might want to talk to a licensed insurance agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, fill out this quick form or you can go here for a list of companies in your area. It’s fast, free and you can get the answers you need.
Neighborhood insurance agents
A small number of people prefer to get professional advice from a licensed agent. Experienced insurance agents are trained to spot inefficiencies and help submit paperwork. One of the great benefits of comparing insurance prices online is you may find lower car insurance rates but also keep your business local.
To find an agent, once you fill out this quick form, your coverage information is transmitted to participating agents in Fresno who can give free rate quotes for your coverage. You never need to leave your computer due to the fact that quote results will go directly to your email. If for some reason you want to compare prices from a particular provider, you just need to go to their quote page and complete a quote there.
Finding a good provider is decision based upon more than just the bottom line cost. You should also get answers to these questions.
- Can they give you a list of client referrals?
- Do they have a Better Business Bureau rating in Fresno?
- What are their preferred companies if they are an independent agency?
- Do they offer accident forgiveness?
- Do the companies they represent have a solid financial rating?
If you are searching for a good insurance agency, it can be helpful to understand the different types of agencies that you can choose from. Insurance agencies in Fresno can either be exclusive or independent. Either one can write insurance policies, but we need to point out why they differ because it may have an impact on the kind of agent you use.
Exclusive Agents
Exclusive insurance agents can only place business with one company like State Farm, Allstate, and Farm Bureau. Exclusive agents are unable to compare other company’s rates so they are skilled at selling on more than just price. Exclusive insurance agents are well trained on their company’s products and that can be a competitive advantage. Consumers frequently buy from exclusive agents mostly because of high brand loyalty and strong financial ratings.
The following are Fresno exclusive insurance agents that can give you price quotes.
- Farmers Insurance: Israel Cortes
5446 N Palm Ave #105 – Fresno, CA 93704 – (559) 230-1300 – View Map - Farmers Insurance: Stephen Leonard
1390 N Wishon Ave – Fresno, CA 93728 – (559) 485-0413 – View Map - Farmers Insurance – Jagdeep Singh
4185 W Figarden Dr #101 – Fresno, CA 93722 – (559) 527-5530 – View Map
Independent Agents
Agents that choose to be independent are not limited to a single company and that allows them to write policies with an assortment of companies and find the cheapest insurance rates. If premiums increase, your policy is moved internally which makes it simple for you.
When shopping rates, you absolutely need to compare quotes from independent agents for maximum quote selection. Most independent agents also contract with companies you’ve never heard of that may have much lower rates than larger companies.
Shown below is a short list of independent insurance agents in Fresno who can help you get price quote information.
- Pillar Insurance Partners, LLC
1477 E Shaw Ave #140 – Fresno, CA 93710 – (559) 436-6441 – View Map - Covered California Fresno
4005 N Blackstone Ave #101 – Fresno, CA 93726 – (559) 222-4140 – View Map - Avakian Insurance Services, Inc.
1274 W Hedges Ave – Fresno, CA 93728 – (559) 268-7386 – View Map
Frequent quotes can save
When trying to cut insurance costs, you should never skimp on coverage in order to save money. There are a lot of situations where consumers will sacrifice physical damage coverage and learned later that they should have had better coverage. The aim is to buy enough coverage at a price you can afford while not skimping on critical coverages.
You just learned a lot of techniques to lower your BMW 535i insurance premium rates in Fresno. The key concept to understand is the more you quote Fresno car insurance, the better likelihood of getting inexpensive Fresno car insurance quotes. Drivers may even discover the lowest premium rates are with the smaller companies. They may only write in your state and offer lower prices as compared to the big name companies such as Allstate and Progressive.
Even more information can be read in the articles below:
- Understanding Car Crashes Video (iihs.org)
- Who Has the Cheapest Auto Insurance for Real Estate Agents in Fresno? (FAQ)
- Who Has the Cheapest Auto Insurance Rates for Drivers Requiring a SR22 in Fresno? (FAQ)
- Who Has the Cheapest Car Insurance for a School Permit in Fresno? (FAQ)
- Who Has the Cheapest Car Insurance Quotes for Drivers with a Bad Driving Record in Fresno? (FAQ)
- Who Has Affordable Auto Insurance with Multiple Speeding Tickets in Fresno? (FAQ)
- Protect Yourself Against Auto Theft (Insurance Information Institute)
- What is Covered by an Auto Insurance Policy? (Insurance Information Institute)
- Liability Insurance Coverage (Nationwide)
- Avoiding Deer Collisions (Insurance Information Institute)