Find Auto Insurance in Oceanside CA

Who Has the Cheapest Car Insurance Rates in Oceanside?

California has a bad reputation for its traffic issues tied to long commutes. This is even more important when you realize that the time you spend traveling to work every day could impact the price of your auto insurance. Insurers often use such information about an area to determine rates for people who live there.

In Oceanside, the US Census Bureau estimates the average commute time for workers is about 29 minutes. While that may not seem too long, when you consider the city’s population is about 175,742, with the majority of those people traveling to work every day, it becomes clearer that it could become an issue for insurers and it is slightly higher than the national average. The bottom line is that the more time you spend on the road, the higher risk you become to an insurance company. After all, if you aren’t driving, there’s no chance you’ll have an accident.

Another factor that comes into play is auto theft rates. If you live in an area with a high number of auto thefts, your insurer is likely to charge you more. While the National Insurance Crime Bureau does not have specific theft stats for Oceanside, the city is close to the San Diego-Carlsbad metropolitan area, which the NICB ranks as #66 in the nation for auto thefts. This number does not mean good things for your auto insurance rates. California overall has incredibly poor rankings for auto theft, with five of the top ten metropolitan areas in theft rankings located here. Insurers will consider this and use it when determining how much you will pay.

What are the Insurance Requirements in Oceanside?

Every driver in California has the responsibility to carry at least liability insurance, which includes bodily injury and property damage coverage. Liability insurance protects you in a crash by paying another driver for damages you cause in an at-fault accident. However, it does not pay anything for damages you incur.

The State of California Department of Motor Vehicles states that California law requires you to carry a minimum of $5,000 in property damage coverage and $15,000 per person/$30,000 per accident in bodily injury coverage. These limits are quite low when you consider that accident costs can be triple that or more.

Many drivers add higher limits to their coverage. One of your options is to secure coverage for your own damages in an accident, even if you’re at fault. It’s a good idea to consider obtaining coverage against uninsured motorists or underinsured motorists as well, who may be unable to pay for damages they cause to you in an accident.

Cheap Car Insurance in Oceanside by Insurer

While you may want to get the cheapest insurance possible, you should be aware that looking only at the price could be detrimental. What you really need to consider is the coverage. It’s a smart idea to look for the types and limits of coverage you need and then buy according to which company can offer you the best value for your requirements. You want to be sure that any policy you get, regardless of price, will provide you with adequate coverage. Sometimes that is the cheapest, and sometimes it is not.

Use this expert guide to find the best auto insurance companies with the lowest rates.

Low Cost Auto Insurance for Bad Credit in Oceanside

In most states, auto insurance companies can use your credit history to help determine your rates. However, there is good news if you live in California! In this state, they cannot use your credit as a factor to determine policy premiums because it is against the law. This makes it easier for those with credit issues to find the required insurance.

This guide here can help you find the lowest cost car insurance companies near you.

What is the Difference Between Full Coverage and Liability?

What is Liability Only Insurance Coverage?

Liability-only coverage is the cheapest option for automobile insurance. This coverage level only covers vehicles that are not at fault in an accident. Thus, if you carry liability-only coverage and cause an accident, the other driver will be covered by your policy. Any damage done to your car must be covered out of pocket, if at all.

Another way to think of liability insurance is that it protects you from claims made by another driver. Without the protection of insurance, you might be sued if you were to collide with another vehicle.

What Full Coverage Covers

Full Coverage is a commonly used term which covers more than just the damage you might cause in an accident, or the coverage you are liable for. If your policy covers your liability to another vehicle, the damage done to your vehicle (collision insurance), and any incidental damage done to your car by any non-auto elements (comprehensive coverage), then you have a policy that is indeed full coverage. If you have a new car, you may wish to cover it with such a policy, as you might want the peace of mind that any damage will be covered by insurance.

Difference Between the Two Types of Coverage

So, liability-only insurance coverage will pay for what you did to the neighbor’s bumper when you backed into it while rushing to work. It will pay for the hospital visit by a bicyclist you hit who has a broken leg. Liability-only only insurance will pay for the utility panel you hit at the RV resort when you had trouble backing in.

Collision will pay for any damage you did to your own vehicle when you backed into that utility panel at the RV resort. Comprehensive will pay for the damage your vehicle suffered when a tree fell on it in intense rains that weakened the soil.

The difference between liability and full coverage insurance policies is that liability only covers other people and their vehicle if an accident should occur where you are at fault, but, with a full coverage insurance plan, you and your vehicle would also be covered along with other’s and their vehicle as well.

Another difference between the two is that a deductible is associated with full-coverage insurance, but not with liability. There is also a difference in price, where full coverage will cost more than liability insurance.

Garden Grove

Sunnyvale

Bakersfield

Ways to Lower Your Auto Insurance Rates

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

Use this guide to find discounts here.

Here are Some of the Typical Factors that Affect Your Oceanside, CA Car Insurance Premiums

Oceanside drivers are likely to see their insurance rates change over time. There can be many factors, both positive and negative, that impact your regular premiums. One key thing that all drivers face is aging. As you mature as a person and as a driver, your insurance rates are likely to fall. Typically, older drivers are safer drivers. They are less likely to drink and drive, speed, or take unnecessary risks on the road.

Your rates are also dependent, in part, on the type of car you drive. Drivers who love high-powered sports cars will likely spend more for automobile insurance than those who drive less-exciting SUVs and sedans.

Rates are also tied to the deductible on the policy. If you carry collision or comprehensive (full) coverage and opt for a higher deductible, your premiums could be lower. That is, if a tree hits your car, you will pay more up front for the damage to offset the lower premiums you’ve been paying over time.

If you have a bad driving record and need cheap insurance, compare rates here.

Check Out Car Insurance Companies in Oceanside and Reviews

• AAA
• Allstate
• American Family
• Amica
• Costco

• Dairyland
• Esurance
• Farmers
• Geico
• Infinity

• Liberty Mutual
• Metromile
• Nationwide
• Progressive
• State Farm

• The General
• Titan
• Travelers
• USAA