Which Company Has the Lowest Cost of Car Insurance in Sacramento?

The state capital of California, Sacramento’s population is a little more than 500,000. For every resident of Sacramento who is over 16 years old and holds a job, it takes an average of 25.6 minutes to commute between their home and their place of work. When it comes to auto thefts, the city ranks 40th in the nation, with 9,381 thefts in 2018. This works out to a rate of 400.01.

The loss of a vehicle to theft costs the vehicle owner and their insurance company a significant amount of money. After filing a claim for auto theft, the owner has to be “made whole” again. That is, they need to be reimbursed for a portion of the car’s worth so they can find and buy another vehicle, even if it’s used. To keep from suffering under the weight of thefts that take place during the year, insurance companies tend to raise the amount of their customers’ premiums as vehicle thefts in an area increase so that they are able to continue providing coverage to all of their customers.

The volume of car thefts in California is a huge contributor to the costs of individual insurance premiums. Places with fewer thefts and/or fewer accidents have lower overall premiums.

How Much Auto Insurance Coverage is Needed for Sacramento Drivers?

If you drive a sedan and have no traffic tickets, your insurance is likely to cost you less per year. Depending on which insurance provider you choose, you’ll receive different quotes for your annual premium—and it’s up to you to choose the plan you want.

However, as with other states in the US, California does impose a minimum amount of car insurance for those who drive on CA roads. This is for the protection of drivers in general. California follows a 15/30/5 model, meaning they require $15,000 coverage for a single person injured, $30,000 coverage for multiple persons injured, and $5,000 coverage for possible property damage.

Most Expensive and Least Expensive Insurance Rates by Zip Code

Cheap Car Insurance in Sacramento by Insurer

As you and your spouse look for an insurance plan that’s affordable for both of your vehicles, keep in mind that insuring two vehicles costs more than insuring just one. You may also have one or two tickets on your driving record(s), which will affect your annual premium.

With a good driving history, your premium will be lower than it would be for someone who has tickets on their record. If you don’t put too many miles on your vehicle in one calendar year, you’ll also pay a lower annual premium. If you are past 25 years of age and you’re a female, you’ll also have a lower premium; this is because insurance companies view younger males under age 25 as a higher accident risk.

Look at the vehicle you’re driving. If it isn’t a sports car, you’ll also pay less. Sports cars and other expensive vehicle models cost more to buy and they also cost more to insure.

Compare all car insurance company rates near you here.

Low Cost Auto Insurance for Bad Credit in Sacramento

California doesn’t allow insurance companies in the state to factor in credit scores for people who are looking for an affordable insurance plan. If you are a young male who has a traffic ticket on his record, but who drives a sedan, you’re looking at lower insurance premiums than others—especially if you opt for liability only, the state minimum.

Want to know how your credit score affects your insurance rates, click here to learn more.

Full Coverage Vs. Liability, Which is Best For You?

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 does Full Coverage Insurance Cover?

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

Liability coverage kicks in when you back up and hit a kid on a skateboard you did not see. It will also pay for a gate you run into and damage.

Collision insurance pays out when you back into a large rock at a campground, denting your pickup’s tailgate. It will pay to get the tailgate repaired.

Comprehensive coverage will pay for the repair costs when something flies out of the back of a semi-truck and you end up with a cracked windshield.

Average Annual Car Insurance Rates in California by City

Additional cities in California you can check out.

Car Insurance Discounts to Lower Your Policy Rates

Find additional ways to save on your Sacramento car insurance premiums with these insurance discounts:

  • Avoid Accidents:

    When your record is clear of at-fault accidents, insurers see you as a better financial risk. Thus, your premiums will be lower.

  • Don’t Speed:

    If you have one or more speeding tickets, your insurance rates will be higher. This is because high speeds are associated with accidents, and if you speed you are more likely to be deemed at-fault in an accident.

  • Shop Around:

    There are at least twenty auto insurance companies currently active in Sacramento. Their premium rates are spread over a wide range, so be sure to compare prices and make sure you get the best, and most affordable, policy for you.

  • Comprehensive Insurance Packages:

    Insurance companies like when you use them for more than simple auto insurance. Thus, they frequently offer packages that include homeowner’s insurance, or other policies, on the same account. When you opt for one of these comprehensive policies, the company is often able to lower your automobile premium as part of the deal.

  • Multiple Vehicles:

    Similar to purchasing a comprehensive insurance package, combining multiple vehicles on the same policy results in lower premiums. Consider this a bulk purchase for your auto insurance.

  • Military and Student Discounts:

    Sometimes insurance companies have special discounts for certain demographics, like active military or students.

Get the best discounts for car insurance using our expert guide.

Here are Some of the Typical Factors that Affect Your Sacramento, CA 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.

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

Helpful Sacramento, California Vehicle Resources:

Live Traffic Accidents by City
http://cad.chp.ca.gov/traffic.aspx

DMV in California (Find Locations, Vehicle Registration, Titles and Insurance Info)
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/vehicle-registration/

Rideshare
https://www.lyft.com/rider/cities/sacramento-ca

Get a quote1.855.283.2631