It’s amazing but a large majority of car insurance policyholders in California have remained with the same car insurance company for at least four years, and almost half have never quoted car insurance rates at all. U.S. consumers could save $859 each year just by comparing rates, but they just feel it’s too hard to find cheaper car insurance rates.
If you want to find the absolute lowest rates, then the best way to get cheaper auto insurance rates in Fresno is to begin comparing prices regularly from insurance carriers who sell insurance in California.
Step 1: Learn about the coverage provided by your policy and the modifications you can make to keep rates low. Many risk factors that are responsible for high rates such as speeding tickets, accidents and a negative credit rating can be rectified by paying attention to minor details. Read the full article for more information to prevent rate hikes and find possible discounts that are available.
Step 2: Request rate estimates from direct, independent, and exclusive agents. Direct companies and exclusive agencies can provide rates from one company like GEICO and Allstate, while agents who are independent can provide price quotes for a wide range of companies.
Step 3: Compare the new rates to your current policy premium to determine if switching companies saves money. If you find a better price and change companies, make sure there is no lapse in coverage.
Step 4: Provide adequate notice to your current company of your intent to cancel your current coverage. Submit a down payment along with a completed application to the new insurer. Once the paperwork is finalized, keep your new certificate verifying coverage with your vehicle’s registration.
An essential thing to point out is to use the same amount of coverage on every quote and to quote with as many auto insurance providers as possible. Doing this provides an apples-to-apples comparison and a complete selection of prices.
If you are already insured or want to find a cheaper company, you can use this information to lower your rates and possibly find even better coverage. Locating the best rates in Fresno can be easy if you know a few tricks. Drivers just have to learn the proper methods to compare different rates online.
Save money by getting discounts
Properly insuring your vehicles can get expensive, but you might already qualify for some discounts that you may not know about. Some discounts will apply at the time of quoting, but some must be specifically requested before you get the savings.
- Braking Control Discount – Anti-lock brake equipped vehicles are safer to drive and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
- New Vehicle Savings – Buying a new car model may earn a small discount since new model year vehicles are generally safer.
- Student Driver Training – Cut your cost by having your teen driver enroll in driver’s education in school.
- Air Bags and Passive Restraints – Options like air bags or automatic seat belts can receive discounts as much as 30%.
- Low Miles Discount – Driving less may allow you to get lower premium rates due to less chance of an accident.
- Multi-policy Discount – If you can bundle your homeowners and auto insurance and insure them with the same company you could save nearly 15% which can help you find inexpensive Mitsubishi Lancer insurance in Fresno.
- Memberships – Affiliation with certain professional organizations could earn you a nice discount on your next car insurance statement.
- Good Driver Discount – Drivers without accidents could pay up to 40% less than their less cautious counterparts.
- Defensive Driving Course – Taking time to complete a driver safety course could possibly earn you a 5% discount and make you a better driver.
- Good Grades Discount – Being a good student can save 20 to 25%. The good student discount can last up until you turn 25.
You can save money using discounts, but some of the credits will not apply to all coverage premiums. Some only reduce specific coverage prices like medical payments or collision. If you do the math and it seems like all those discounts means the company will pay you, it doesn’t quite work that way. But any discount should definitely cut your overall bill.
The example below shows the difference between Mitsubishi Lancer insurance costs with and without discounts applied. The data is based on a female driver, no violations or accidents, California state minimum liability limits, comprehensive and collision coverage, and $250 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with claim-free, multi-car, homeowner, marriage, safe-driver, and multi-policy discounts applied.
A few of the larger companies and their possible discounts are included below.
- State Farm has savings for Steer Clear safe driver discount, safe vehicle, defensive driving training, multiple autos, Drive Safe & Save, driver’s education, and accident-free.
- GEICO may include discounts for emergency military deployment, military active duty, seat belt use, five-year accident-free, and anti-lock brakes.
- Progressive offers discounts for multi-policy, good student, online quote discount, online signing, homeowner, continuous coverage, and multi-vehicle.
- 21st Century offers premium reductions for homeowners, automatic seat belts, good student, student driver, and defensive driver.
- American Family has discounts for early bird, Steer into Savings, good student, TimeAway discount, accident-free, bundled insurance, and air bags.
- The Hartford offers discounts including air bag, bundle, driver training, defensive driver, anti-theft, and good student.
- AAA may offer discounts for good student, pay-in-full, education and occupation, AAA membership discount, multi-car, anti-theft, and multi-policy.
Before buying, ask all companies you are considering the best way to save money. Some of the earlier mentioned discounts might not be available to policyholders in Fresno. If you would like to view insurers with the best discounts in Fresno, click this link.
Reducing your Mitsubishi Lancer insurance rates doesn’t have to be difficult. Drivers just need to spend a few minutes on the computer comparing rate quotes from some recommended companies.
It’s so easy to compare price quotes online that it takes the place of having to go to insurance agents’ offices. Comparing online rate quotes has made agencies unnecessary unless you want the professional abilities that can only be provided by a licensed insurance agent. It is possible with some companies get the lowest quotes online but purchase the actual policy in an agency.
The companies in the list below are our best choices to provide price comparisons in Fresno, CA. In order to find cheap car insurance in Fresno, we recommend you visit several of them to get the lowest price.
Insurance coverage analysis
The coverage information shown below highlights different insurance costs for Mitsubishi Lancer models. Understanding more about how insurance premiums are established can be valuable when making decisions on the best policy to buy.
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lancer DE | $272 | $426 | $578 | $34 | $174 | $1,484 | $124 |
Lancer ES | $272 | $426 | $578 | $34 | $174 | $1,484 | $124 |
Lancer GTS | $302 | $490 | $578 | $34 | $174 | $1,578 | $132 |
Lancer Sportback GTS | $302 | $490 | $578 | $34 | $174 | $1,578 | $132 |
Lancer RALLIART | $334 | $556 | $578 | $34 | $174 | $1,676 | $140 |
Lancer Sportback Ralliart | $334 | $556 | $578 | $34 | $174 | $1,676 | $140 |
Get Your Own Custom Quote Go |
Data based on single male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $1000 deductibles, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-policy, homeowner, claim-free, multi-vehicle, and safe-driver. Premium amounts do not factor in vehicle location which can raise or lower prices substantially.
Analysis of deductible levels
The hardest decision when buying coverage is where should you set your physical damage deductibles. The premium rates below summarize the differences in price when you buy lower versus higher policy deductibles. The first pricing table uses a $100 deductible for comprehensive and collision coverage and the second pricing table uses a $1,000 deductible.
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lancer DE | $430 | $810 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,865 | $155 |
Lancer ES | $430 | $810 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,865 | $155 |
Lancer GTS | $478 | $932 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $2,035 | $170 |
Lancer Sportback GTS | $478 | $932 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $2,035 | $170 |
Lancer RALLIART | $528 | $1054 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $2,207 | $184 |
Lancer Sportback Ralliart | $528 | $1054 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $2,207 | $184 |
Get Your Own Custom Quote Go |
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lancer DE | $238 | $426 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,264 | $105 |
Lancer ES | $238 | $426 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,264 | $105 |
Lancer GTS | $266 | $490 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,356 | $113 |
Lancer Sportback GTS | $266 | $490 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,356 | $113 |
Lancer RALLIART | $292 | $556 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,448 | $121 |
Lancer Sportback Ralliart | $292 | $556 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,448 | $121 |
Get Your Own Custom Quote Go |
Price data assumes married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include claim-free, safe-driver, homeowner, multi-vehicle, and multi-policy. Table data does not factor in specific zip code location which can affect coverage prices significantly.
Based on these figures, using a $100 deductible will cost you about $57 more each month or $684 every year averaged for all Lancer models than choosing the higher $1,000 deductible. Since the policyholder would be required to pay $900 more if you turn in a claim with a $1,000 deductible as compared to a $100 deductible, if you average at least 16 months between claims, you would come out ahead if you decide on a higher deductible.
The example below shows how different deductible levels and can change Mitsubishi Lancer insurance rates for different categories of driver ages. The prices are based on a single female driver, comprehensive and collision coverage, and no additional discounts are factored in.
How careless driving impacts auto insurance rates
The information below illustrates how traffic citations and at-fault fender-benders can impact Mitsubishi Lancer yearly insurance costs for different ages of insureds. The premiums assume a single male driver, comp and collision included, $250 deductibles, and no additional discounts are factored in.
Mitsubishi Lancer full coverage rates compared to liability only
The information below compares Mitsubishi Lancer premium costs with full coverage and liability only. The information is based on no driving violations, no at-fault accidents, $100 deductibles, drivers are single, and no policy discounts are applied.
When to eliminate full coverage
There is no set guideline to drop physical damage coverage, but there is a guideline you can use. If the yearly cost of comp and collision coverage is more than 10% of replacement cost minus your deductible, then it might be time to consider dropping full coverage.
For example, let’s pretend your Mitsubishi Lancer replacement value is $9,000 and you have $1,000 deductibles. If your vehicle is severely damaged, the most your company would pay you is $8,000 after the deductible is paid. If you are currently paying more than $800 annually for full coverage, then it’s probably a good time to buy liability coverage only.
There are some cases where dropping physical damage coverage is not a good idea. If you haven’t paid off your loan, you must maintain physical damage coverage in order to keep the loan. Also, if you don’t have enough money to buy a different vehicle in case of an accident, you should not consider dropping full coverage.
Five Tips to Get Cheaper Fresno Insurance Rates
Consumers need to have an understanding of some of the factors that are used to determine your premiums. When consumers understand what impacts premium levels, this empowers consumers to make smart changes that will entitle you to much lower annual insurance costs.
The itemized list below are a few of the things used by your company to calculate your prices.
Save money by having excellent credit – Credit score factor in determining what you pay. People that have high credit scores tend to file fewer claims and have better driving records than drivers who have worse credit. So if your credit can be improved, you may save money insuring your Mitsubishi Lancer by repairing your credit.
Commute or pleasure use – Driving more miles annually the higher the price you pay to insure it. A lot of companies price each vehicle’s coverage based upon how you use the vehicle. Cars and trucks that are left in the garage get more affordable rates as compared to vehicles used primarily for driving to work. Ask your agent if your car insurance policy states the correct usage for each vehicle, because improper ratings can cost you money. Improper usage on your Lancer is throwing money out the window.
A policy lapse can increase prices – Driving with no insurance can get you a ticket and you may have a hard time finding new coverage because you let your insurance expire. Not only will rates go up, the inability to provide proof of insurance may earn you a hefty fine and possibly a revoked license.
Combine policies to earn discounts – Most major insurers afford better rates to customers that purchase more than one policy, otherwise known as a multi-policy discount. Even if you already get this discount, it’s in your best interest to shop around to guarantee you are still saving the most.
Performance makes a difference – The performance level of the car or truck you own makes a substantial difference in your rates. The lowest rates will normally be found when insuring economy passenger cars, but the final cost of insurance is determined by many other factors.
The data below uses these variables: single female driver age 30, full coverage with $1000 deductibles, and no discounts or violations. It shows Mitsubishi Lancer insurance rates compared to other models that have a range of performances.
Mitsubishi Lancer insurance loss statistics – Insurers factor in historical loss data to determine a price that will be profitable for them. Vehicles that have a trend towards higher claims will have a higher cost to insure.
The next table illustrates the insurance loss data for Mitsubishi Lancer vehicles. For each insurance policy coverage type, the statistical loss for all vehicles, regardless of manufacturer or model, is represented as 100. Percentage numbers below 100 represent a good loss history, while values that are above 100 point to more claims or an increased probability of a larger loss.
Vehicle Make and Model | Collision | Property Damage | Comp | Personal Injury | Medical Payment | Bodily Injury |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mitsubishi Lancer 2WD | 153 | 146 | 127 | 192 | 218 | 172 |
Mitsubishi Lancer 4WD | 149 | 131 | 148 | 135 | ||
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 4WD | 225 | 123 | 221 |
Empty fields indicate not enough data collected
Statistics Source: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for 2013-2015 Model Years
Comparing quotes from local Fresno insurance agents
Some consumers prefer to go talk to an agent. Professional insurance agents can make sure you are properly covered and help submit paperwork. One of the benefits of comparing insurance prices online is that drivers can save money and get lower prices but also keep your business local.
After filling out this simple form, the coverage information gets sent to agents in your area who want to provide quotes for your car insurance coverage. There is no need to contact an agency since price quotes are sent to your email. If you wish to quote rates from one company in particular, you would need to visit that company’s website and complete a quote there.
Deciding on a provider is decision based upon more than just a low price. Here are some questions to ask:
- Does the agency support the community they serve?
- Can glass repairs be made at your home?
- Do they prorate repair cost based on vehicle mileage?
- Which family members are covered?
- Can you get a list of referrals?
- What is the financial rating for the quoted company?
- Are there any extra charges for paying monthly?
If you want to use a good insurance agency, there are two different agency structures that you can select. Agents are classified as either independent agents or exclusive agents. Either can insure your vehicles properly, but it’s worth mentioning how they are different since it can affect the selection process.
Exclusive Agencies
Exclusive agencies normally can only provide a single company’s rates like American Family, State Farm, and AAA. Exclusive agents cannot provide rate quotes from other companies so they have to upsell other benefits. Exclusive insurance agents receive a lot of sales training on the products they sell which helps overcome the inability to quote other rates.
Shown below are Fresno exclusive agencies who can help you get rate quotes.
Greg Caves – State Farm Insurance Agent
7740 N Fresno St #103 – Fresno, CA 93720 – (559) 435-7500 – View Map
Janean Wolfe – State Farm Insurance Agent
7089 N Marks Ave #105 – Fresno, CA 93711 – (559) 432-6392 – View Map
Farmers Insurance: Israel Cortes
5446 N Palm Ave #105 – Fresno, CA 93704 – (559) 230-1300 – View Map
Independent Insurance Agents
These type of agents are not restricted to one company so they can insure your vehicles with any number of different companies and get the cheapest rates. If they find a cheaper price, the agent simply finds a different carrier which makes it simple for you.
When comparing rates, you definitely need to get quotes from multiple independent agents for the best price selection.
Listed below are independent agencies in Fresno willing to provide price quote information.
Dalena Benik and Associates Insurance
6740 N. West Street #108 – Fresno, CA 93711 – (559) 578-3022 – View Map
New Horizon Insurance Services- Fresno
7543 N Ingram Ave #105 – Fresno, CA 93711 – (559) 244-6644 – View Map
Avakian Insurance Services, Inc.
1274 W Hedges Ave – Fresno, CA 93728 – (559) 268-7386 – View Map
Protect more than your Lancer
Even though Fresno Lancer insurance rates can get expensive, maintaining insurance is mandatory in California but it also protects more than you think.
- The majority of states have minimum mandated liability insurance limits which means state laws require specific minimum amounts of liability protection in order to drive the car legally. 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 your Mitsubishi Lancer has a lienholder, it’s guaranteed your bank will require you to have full coverage to protect their interest in the vehicle. If you let the policy lapse, the bank may buy a policy for your Mitsubishi at a much higher rate and force you to pay for it.
- Auto insurance preserves both your car and your assets. It will also cover medical expenses for not only you but also any passengers injured in an accident. Liability coverage, the one required by state law, also pays expenses related to your legal defense if anyone sues you for causing an accident. If your car is damaged in a storm or accident, your policy will pay to restore your vehicle to like-new condition.
The benefits of insuring your Lancer are definitely more than the cost, especially for larger claims. Today the average American driver is currently overpaying as much as $820 a year so shop around at every renewal to ensure rates are inline.
What is YOUR best insurance company?
You just read some good ideas how you can shop for Mitsubishi Lancer insurance online. The key thing to remember is the more you quote Fresno auto insurance, the higher the chance of saving money. You may even be surprised to find that the lowest priced car insurance comes from some of the lesser-known companies. These smaller insurers may often insure only within specific states and give better rates compared to the large companies like Allstate or State Farm.
While you’re price shopping online, it’s not a good idea to sacrifice coverage to reduce premiums. There have been many cases where drivers have reduced full coverage and discovered at claim time they didn’t purchase enough coverage. Your objective should be to find the BEST coverage for the lowest price while not skimping on critical coverages.
For more information, take a look at these articles:
- Young Drivers: The High Risk Years Video (iihs.org)
- Who Has Affordable Fresno Auto Insurance for 16 Year Olds? (FAQ)
- Who Has Affordable Auto Insurance for State Employees in Fresno? (FAQ)
- What Insurance is Cheapest for a Jeep Wrangler in Fresno? (FAQ)
- How Much are Car Insurance Rates for Infrequent Drivers in Fresno? (FAQ)
- How Much is Auto Insurance for a Nissan Versa in Fresno? (FAQ)
- How to Avoid Common Accidents (State Farm)
- If I File a Claim will My Insurance Go Up? (Insurance Information Institute)
- Collision Coverage (Liberty Mutual)