What is the Average Cost of Car Insurance in Gilbert?

Are you a new driver in Gilbert, AZ? Whether you just moved to the state or are receiving a state driver’s license for the first time, taking time to become familiar with Arizona’s auto insurance laws is helpful and necessary.

In order to register a vehicle in this state, you are required to have auto insurance. This is true for cars, trucks, motorcycles, golf carts, and even mopeds. Fortunately, there are many insurance companies authorized to do business in Arizona, so you shouldn’t have any trouble finding an option that fits your needs and budget.

The best way to begin is by gaining a better understanding of how insurance coverage is priced. Most companies determine their rates by assessing a number of factors, including but not necessarily limited to:

  • Personal Driving History
  • Credit History
  • Population Density
  • Commute Time
  • Risk of Auto Theft

Drivers in cities with lower populations tend to pay lower auto insurance premiums. This is likely due to the assumption that fewer cars on the roads mean fewer accidents. Insurance companies make their decisions based on risk factors. Conversely, it’s not uncommon for insurers to charge customers more for coverage when they live in a more densely populated location. While guidelines vary, rates are often higher when there are than 5,000 people per square mile. With 254,114 living in Gilbert, AZ in 2019, the city had an approximate population of 3,067 per square mile. As this is below the average, drivers in this area could see lower costs for their insurance.

Insurance companies are also known to take commute times into consideration when establishing rates. Because less time on the road leaves fewer opportunities for accidents to occur, shorter travel times to work often helps keep rates lower. It can vary, but residents who live in cities with commutes exceeding the national average of 26.6 minutes often have higher insurance premiums. From 2014 to 2018, the average commute time for workers 16 years and older in Gilbert, AZ was 27.6 minutes. This is only slightly above the national average, so it may not be significant enough to make a difference in insurance premiums.

The frequency of auto theft can also impact the cost of insurance. This will likely make a positive difference for drivers in Gilbert, as the risk of theft is negligible. In fact, the city is not even included in the National Insurance Crime Bureau’s (NICBs) 2018 Hot Spots Report Map.

What Insurance Coverage is Needed for Drivers in Gilbert

As previously mentioned, Arizona requires every motor vehicle operated to be covered by insurance through a company authorized to do business in the state. If your policy is cancelled or lapses, your insurance company will automatically notify the MVD. Failing to maintain the necessary insurance can lead to suspension of your vehicle registration and/or diver license.

While drivers are free and encouraged to select coverage that meets their specific needs, all plans must include a minimum of:

Bodily Injury Liability

Drivers must have a minimum of $25,000 of coverage for one person injured and $50,000 for two or more persons injured per accident.

Property Damage Liability

Drivers must also have a minimum of $15,000 of coverage for property damage per accident.

You are allowed, and even encouraged, to acquire additional coverage as needed, as the minimum may not be enough to fully protect you, your passengers, and your property. Always strive to select a plan fits your unique situation best.

Most Expensive and Least Expensive Insurance Rates by Zip Code

Cheap Car Insurance in Gilbert by Insurer

As with other goods and services, some companies offer lower rates than others. Keep this in mind as you decide which insurers to consider. While local rates vary, Geico, State Farm Mutual, and Progressive tend to be some of the cheapest solutions throughout the state. However, it’s best if you do not limit your options to these only. Finding a good rate is optimal, but other factors are important as well. Make sure the provider you choose also has good service ratings, customer reviews, and the coverage you need.

Find cheap car insurance quotes with this expert guide.

Low Cost Auto Insurance for Bad Credit in Gilbert

Unfortunately, bad credit can impact the cost of auto insurance in Arizona. That does not mean, however, that it is impossible to find coverage at a reasonable price. As discussed, there are many factors that help to determine a person’s insurance premiums and some companies charge less than others. The best course of action for drivers in this situation is to request multiple quotes from a variety of insurers. Geico may be a good place to start, as this company does tend to offer some of the best rates for those with poor credit.

Learn more on finding low cost car insurance rates with poor credit.

Differences Between the Two Main Coverages

Liability Only Insurance Coverage

Liability-only coverage means that you are only paying to cover the cost of damage that you do to other people and their property in the event you are at fault in an accident. It covers the costs of medical bills for people you injure or repair costs for property you damage.

It is a good idea to carry more liability insurance than these minimum amounts required by the state of {location-state} because you will be personally financially liable if you are in an accident and cause more damage to people or property than the state’s minimum required coverage levels.

What is Full Coverage?

Full coverage insurance not only covers the cost of the people and things you might harm when you are in an accident that is your fault. It also covers the cost of any repairs that your property or vehicle might need if you are in an accident that is your fault.

There are two main types of coverage beyond liability coverage:

Collision – This type of insurance covers the cost of repairs to your vehicle or your property that you might damage in an accident in which you are at fault.

Comprehensive – This type of insurance covers the repair costs for your vehicle when one of those unusual things happen that are outside of your control, like weather-related damage to your vehicle, theft, vandalism, and deer stepping in front of your vehicle as you drive.

What You Need to Know About the Differences Between the Car Insurance Types

The difference between full and liability coverage is quite dramatic. With liability, insurers gamble that they will only have to pay for one car in an accident. With a comprehensive or full coverage policy, insurance companies know that they are taking on more liability exposure and so their rates reflect the increased risk. In the case of a comprehensive policy, they might even have to cover claims for damages that don’t arise from a traffic incident.

Average Annual Car Insurance Rates in Arizona by City

Additional cities in Arizona you can check out.

Tempe

Surprise

Ways to Lower Your Auto Insurance Rates

Save on Your Insurance Policy Rates With These Discounts in Gilbert:

  • A good driving record

    Being a safe driver is the best way to keep your auto insurance cost down; the fewer accidents you have the less you will pay.

  • Shop around for quotes

    Insurance rates can vary substantially from company to company, which is why you will need to shop around and get quotes from each company. Most companies will give you a fast, free quote online.

  • Raise your deductible

    If you are considering getting a full-coverage plan, you can ask for a higher deductible to lower your monthly cost. The higher the deductible the lower your price will be.

  • Save on bundling

    You can save some money on auto insurance by bundling. Getting both auto insurance protections along with something like homeowners’ insurance in one plan will cost less than if you were to get separate plans.

  • Establish a good credit report

    Insurance companies base your cost on many factors, including what’s in your credit report, so, the better your credit report is, the lower your auto insurance costs will be.

  • Reduce the miles you drive daily

    Reducing how many miles you drive daily can also help cut auto insurance costs. You might consider car-pooling, taking a bus, or getting places the old-fashioned way – walk.

To learn more about the common and uncommon driver discounts, click here.

What are the Factors that Affect Your Gilbert AZ Car Insurance Premiums

Your car insurance rates can change over time. One of the most reliable factors that will impact your premiums is your age. The older you are, the lower your insurance premiums should be. You may also find your rates vary depending on the car you drive. Sports cars or jeeps may incur higher premiums, while SUVs and sedans are cheaper to insure.

Rates are also impacted by your gender and age, though young women will have lower rates than their same-aged male friends. Actuarial tables show that young drivers are more prone to speeding, alcohol infractions, and accidents than older people, as are young males rather than females.

You can also reduce your regular premium payments by opting for a higher deductible on your collision and comprehensive coverage packages. You can also opt to pay your premium in a larger, single payment every six months rather than spreading the premium out over monthly payments.

Learn how citations can affect your insurance premiums here.

Helpful Gilbert, Arizona Vehicle Resources:

Live Traffic and Accidents
https://www.viamichelin.com/web/Traffic/Traffic_info-Gilbert-_-Arizona-United_States

DMV (Find Locations, Vehicle Registration, Titles and Insurance Info)
https://azdot.gov/content/mesa-gilbert-cdl

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