It takes a little time, but the best way to find affordable car insurance rates is to do an annual price comparison from companies who sell auto insurance in Oakland. Rates can be compared by following these steps.
- Get an understanding of the coverage provided by your policy and the things you can control to keep rates in check. Many rating factors that cause high rates like traffic violations and a less-than-favorable credit score can be rectified by making minor changes in your lifestyle.
- Get rate quotes from independent agents, exclusive agents, and direct companies. Direct and exclusive agents can provide rates from one company like Progressive and State Farm, while independent agencies can quote rates for a wide range of insurance providers.
- Compare the new rate quotes to your existing policy to see if cheaper Captiva Sport coverage is available. If you find a lower rate quote and change companies, make sure the effective date of the new policy is the same as the expiration date of the old one.
- Notify your current company of your intent to cancel your current coverage. Submit the signed application along with the required initial payment to your new insurance company. Once received, put the new proof of insurance paperwork along with your vehicle registration.
The key aspect of shopping around is to compare the same coverage limits and deductibles on each quote request and and to get prices from as many car insurance companies as possible. Doing this ensures an accurate price comparison and a thorough selection of prices.
It goes without saying that auto insurance companies don’t want you to look for cheaper rates. Drivers who shop around once a year will presumably switch to a new company because there are good odds of finding a lower rate. A recent survey revealed that people who routinely shopped for cheaper coverage saved on average $860 a year as compared to drivers who don’t regularly compare prices.
If finding the cheapest price on Chevy Captiva Sport insurance in Oakland is your goal, learning the best way to shop and compare coverages can help you succeed in finding affordable rates.
If you have a policy now, you will surely be able to reduce premiums using the ideas you’re about to read. Locating the most cost-effective auto insurance policy in Oakland is actually quite simple. Nevertheless, California consumers should learn how insurance companies compete online because it varies considerably.
Best Chevy Captiva Sport insurance rates in California
The providers in the list below are our best choices to provide comparison quotes in Oakland, CA. If multiple companies are listed, we suggest you visit several of them to find the most competitive auto insurance rates.
Save money with these discounts
Companies that sell car insurance don’t always publicize all discounts in an easy-to-find place, so we break down some of the more common as well as some of the hidden ways to save on insurance.
- Defensive Driving Course – Taking time to complete a course in safe driver could save 5% or more depending on where you live.
- Seat Belts Save – Drivers who require all vehicle occupants to buckle their seat belts can save up to 15% on the medical payments or PIP coverage costs.
- Paper-free Discount – A handful of insurance companies may give you up to $50 for signing up on your computer.
- No Claims – Claim-free drivers can save substantially as opposed to drivers with a long claim history.
- Multi-Vehicle Discounts – Purchasing coverage when you have several vehicles on one policy can get a discount for every vehicle.
- Waiver for an Accident – This isn’t a discount exactly, but some companies like State Farm and Progressive will allow you to have one accident before hitting you with a surcharge so long as you haven’t had any claims prior to the accident.
- New Car Discount – Putting insurance coverage on a new Captiva Sport can cost up to 25% less compared to insuring an older model.
- Good Drivers – Drivers without accidents can get discounts for up to 45% lower rates compared to rates paid by drivers with frequent claims.
- Multiple Policy Discount – If you combine your auto and homeowners policies with one insurance company you could earn a discount of up to 20% and get you cheap Captiva Sport insurance.
Discounts lower rates, but most discount credits are not given to the overall cost of the policy. Most only reduce the cost of specific coverages such as physical damage coverage or medical payments. Even though it may seem like you can get free auto insurance, companies wouldn’t make money that way.
Some of the larger companies who may offer these benefits include:
It’s a good idea to ask all the companies which discounts can lower your rates. Savings may not apply to policies in your state. To choose companies that have a full spectrum of discounts in Oakland, click here.
Oakland Insurance Prices are Influenced by These Factors
Many different elements are part of the calculation when premium rates are determined. Some are pretty understandable such as traffic violations, although others are not as apparent such as your credit history or your commute time. A large part of saving on insurance is knowing the factors that go into determining insurance rates. If you have a feel for what controls the rates you pay, this enables you to make decisions that can help you get big savings.
Rates go up with performance – The performance level of the car, truck or SUV you need to insure makes a big difference in determining your rates. Smaller low performance passenger vehicles receive the most favorable rates, but your final cost has many other factors.
Save mileage and save money – The more miles you rack up on your Chevy each year the higher your rate. Most companies charge to insure your cars based on how the vehicle is used. Cars left parked in the garage cost less to insure than those used for commuting. It’s a good idea to make sure your insurance policy is showing the correct usage. Having the wrong rating on your Captiva Sport can result in significantly higher rates.
Cheaper premiums for prior coverage – Not having insurance is against the law and any future policy may cost more because you let your insurance expire. Not only will you pay higher rates, the inability to provide proof of insurance could result in a steep fine or even jail time. You could then be forced to submit proof of financial responsibility or a SR-22 with the California department of motor vehicles.
Do you qualify for a multi-policy discount? – Lots of insurance companies afford discounts to clients that buy multiple policies. It’s known as a multi-policy discount. This can amount to ten or even fifteen percent. Even though this discount sounds good, you still need to get quotes from other companies to ensure the best deal.
Chevy Captiva Sport insurance claim data – Car insurance companies analyze past claim statistics when determining insurance costs. Models that are shown to have higher claim amounts or frequency will have higher premium rates. The table below illustrates the historical loss data for Chevy Captiva Sport vehicles.
For each policy coverage type, the statistical loss for all vehicles averaged together is set at 100. Numbers shown that are under 100 suggest a positive loss record, while numbers above 100 indicate frequent claims or tendency to have higher losses.
| Specific Chevrolet Model | Collision | Property Damage | Comp | Personal Injury | Medical Payment | Bodily Injury |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Captiva Sport 4dr 2WD | 89 | 95 | 88 | 123 | 115 | 105 |
Data Source: iihs.org (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) for 2013-2015 Model Years
Do I just need basic coverages?
Always remember that when buying the best insurance coverage for your vehicles, there really is no perfect coverage plan. Everyone’s situation is unique.
For instance, these questions can help discover whether or not you would benefit from professional advice.
- Am I covered if I hit my neighbor’s mailbox?
- Which companies will insure high-risk drivers?
- Does my insurance cover a custom paint job?
- Am I covered when pulling a rental trailer?
- How do I file an SR-22 for a DUI in California?
- I have a DUI can I still get coverage?
- Is my dog or cat covered if injured in an accident?
- Do I need an umbrella policy?
- Will my insurance pay for OEM parts?
If it’s difficult to answer those questions, you might consider talking to an agent. To find an agent in your area, fill out this quick form.
When to talk to a local insurance agent
Some consumers would prefer to sit down with an agent and doing so can bring peace of mind The biggest benefit of comparing car insurance online is that you can obtain cheap rate quotes and still buy from a local agent. Buying from and supporting neighborhood agents is still important in Oakland.
By using this quick form, the coverage information gets sent to participating agents in Oakland that give free quotes for your insurance coverage. You won’t even need to do any legwork since price quotes are sent instantly to you. You can most likely find cheaper rates without having to waste a lot of time. If for some reason you want to compare prices from a specific insurance company, just jump over to their website and fill out the quote form the provide.
Exclusive agents vs. Independent agents
When researching a local Oakland insurance agency, you should know the different agency structures and how they can service your needs differently. Agents in Oakland are either exclusive or independent (non-exclusive).
Independent Agents (or Brokers)
Agents in the independent channel are not locked into one company so as a result can place your coverage with a variety of different insurance companies and find you the best rates. If premiums increase, an independent agent can move your coverage and you can keep the same agent.
If you need cheaper car insurance rates, you absolutely need to include price quotes from several independent insurance agents to ensure the widest selection of prices.
Listed below is a list of independent agents in Oakland who can help you get competitive price quotes.
Film Casualty Insurance Agency
3246 Ettie St #23 – Oakland, CA 94608 – (619) 578-3048 – View Map
Cook Disharoon and Greathouse Insurance Brokers
1942 Embarcadero – Oakland, CA 94606 – (510) 437-1900 – View Map
JCB Insurance Services
6427 Westover Dr – Oakland, CA 94611 – (510) 336-3490 – View Map
Exclusive Agents
These agents are contracted to one company and some examples include State Farm, Allstate and AAA. They generally cannot place coverage with different providers so they are skilled at selling on more than just price. They are usually quite knowledgeable on their company’s products which helps them sell insurance even at higher premiums.
The following is a list of exclusive agencies in Oakland that can give you rate quotes.
State Farm: Grantland Bailey
2115 MacArthur Blvd – Oakland, CA 94602 – (510) 482-7700 – View Map
Farmers Insurance – Anthony Sue
3333 Grand Ave #203 – Oakland, CA 94610 – (510) 465-1544 – View Map
Farmers Insurance – Scott Halbrook
1433 Leimert Blvd – Oakland, CA 94602 – (510) 531-1432 – View Map
Deciding on a insurance agency requires you to look at more than just the bottom line cost. Any agent in Oakland should have no problem answering these questions:
- What company holds the largest book of business for them?
- Do the coverages you’re quoting properly cover your vehicle?
- Do clients work directly with the agent or are most inquiries handled by a CSR?
- If you raise deductibles, how much can you save?
- Who is covered by the car insurance policy?
- If your car is in the repair shop, do you have coverage for a rental car?
- Will the quote change when the policy is issued?
- Are they in the agency full-time?
If you get good responses to these questions in addition to an acceptable price estimate, you’ve probably found an auto insurance agent that is reliable enough to adequately provide car insurance. Keep in mind it’s your policy and you can cancel your policy whenever you want so never feel you are locked into a specific agent with no way out.
What is the best car insurance company in Oakland?
Buying coverage from a good quality insurer can be difficult considering how many companies there are in Oakland. The company information displayed below may help you pick which auto insurance companies to look at when comparing rate quotes.
| Company | Value | Customer Service | Claims | Customer Satisfaction | A.M Best Rating | Overall Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USAA | 98 | 100 | 100 | 94% | A++ | 98.6 |
| American Family | 98 | 89 | 100 | 86% | A | 95.4 |
| AAA of Southern California | 91 | 94 | 97 | 92% | A+ | 94.1 |
| State Farm | 88 | 93 | 96 | 90% | A++ | 92.4 |
| The Hartford | 94 | 92 | 90 | 89% | A+ | 91.7 |
| AAA Insurance | 88 | 89 | 95 | 91% | A | 91.2 |
| GEICO | 84 | 93 | 93 | 89% | A++ | 90.3 |
| The General | 89 | 91 | 89 | 88% | A- | 90 |
| Titan Insurance | 90 | 87 | 91 | 95% | A+ | 89.6 |
| Progressive | 84 | 91 | 93 | 87% | A+ | 89.5 |
| Mercury Insurance | 88 | 91 | 90 | 85% | A+ | 89.4 |
| Allstate | 85 | 90 | 92 | 88% | A+ | 89.3 |
| Nationwide | 87 | 88 | 84 | 90% | A+ | 88.7 |
| Liberty Mutual | 84 | 87 | 93 | 88% | A | 88.5 |
| 21st Century | 85 | 86 | 87 | 88% | A | 86.7 |
| Esurance | 85 | 80 | 95 | 87% | A+ | 85.9 |
| Safeco | 85 | 85 | 85 | 86% | A | 85.8 |
| Travelers | 80 | 87 | 87 | 83% | A++ | 85.2 |
| Farmers Insurance | 78 | 87 | 88 | 79% | A | 84.3 |
| Compare Rates Now Go | ||||||
Data Source: Insure.com Best Car Insurance Companies
Don’t give up on cheap rates
When trying to cut insurance costs, you should never skimp on coverage in order to save money. In many instances, drivers have reduced physical damage coverage to discover at claim time they didn’t purchase enough coverage. Your strategy should be to get the best coverage possible at the best possible price while not skimping on critical coverages.
A few companies may not have the ability to get quotes online and many times these small insurance companies only sell through independent agencies. Discount Chevy Captiva Sport insurance can be found from both online companies and with local Oakland insurance agents, so you need to compare both to get a complete price analysis.
You just learned many ways to save on Chevy Captiva Sport insurance in Oakland. The key concept to understand is the more rate comparisons you have, the better chance you’ll have of finding low cost Oakland car insurance quotes. You may even be surprised to find that the lowest rates come from the smaller companies.
Even more information can be read at these sites:
- Booster Seat Ratings (iihs.org)
- What Insurance is Cheapest for a 20 Year Old Female in Oakland? (FAQ)
- What Car Insurance is Cheapest for Low Mileage Drivers in Oakland? (FAQ)
- What Insurance is Cheapest for a School Permit in Oakland? (FAQ)
- Who Has Affordable Car Insurance for a Nissan Versa in Oakland? (FAQ)
- What Car Insurance is Cheapest for a Honda Civic in Oakland? (FAQ)
- Side airbags reduce rollover fatalities (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)
- Teen Driving Statistics (iihs.org)