It’s hard to believe, but the vast majority of consumers have stayed with the same insurance company for a minimum of four years, and about 40% of consumers have never even compared rates from other companies. California drivers could cut their rates by as much as $500 a year by just shopping around, but they don’t understand how simple it is to compare rate quotes online.
Truthfully, the best way to find cheaper prices for car insurance rates in Oakland is to do a yearly price comparison from insurers who can sell car insurance in California. Rate comparisons can be done by following these guidelines.
Step 1: Try to comprehend how auto insurance works and the changes you can make to lower rates. Many rating factors that drive up the price like tickets, at-fault accidents, and a bad credit rating can be amended by making lifestyle changes or driving safer.
Step 2: Get rate quotes from direct carriers, independent agents, and exclusive agents. Exclusive and direct companies can only give rate quotes from one company like Progressive or Farmers Insurance, while independent agents can provide price quotes for a wide range of companies.
Step 3: Compare the new rate quotes to the premium of your current policy to see if switching to a new carrier will save money. If you find better rates and switch companies, make sure there is no lapse between the expiration of your current policy and the new one.
The key aspect of shopping around is that you use identical coverage information on every quote request and and to compare as many companies as feasibly possible. Doing this enables the most accurate price comparison and the best price selection.
Best companies for BMW X5 eDrive insurance
The following companies can provide price comparisons in Oakland, CA. If you want to find cheap car insurance in CA, it’s a good idea that you visit several of them to get the best price comparison.
Informed Drivers Save Every Year
Many different elements are used when pricing auto insurance. Some factors are common sense like a motor vehicle report, but other factors are less obvious like where you live or your financial responsibility. One of the most helpful ways to save on auto insurance is to to have a grasp of some of the things that go into determining your policy premiums. When consumers understand what influences your rates, this allows you to make good choices that may result in lower premium levels.
The following are a few of the things companies use to determine your prices.
More people means more accidents – Choosing to live in a small town is a good thing when trying to find low car insurance rates. People in densely populated areas have traffic congestion and more time behind the wheel. Fewer drivers corresponds to lower accident rates in addition to fewer liability claims.
Auto insurance claims cost money – If you tend to file frequent claims, you can expect much higher rates or policy non-renewal. Car insurance companies in California give the best rates to drivers who do not file claims often. Insurance coverage is designed for more catastrophic claims.
Annual mileage and car insurance rates – The higher the mileage driven in a year the more it will cost to insure it. Almost all companies rate vehicles determined by how the vehicle is used. Cars and trucks not used for work or commuting can get a lower rate as compared to vehicles used primarily for driving to work. Double check that your auto insurance policy is showing the right rating data. Improper usage on your X5 eDrive can cost quite a bit.
Gender as a rate factor – The statistics show that women are safer drivers than men. Now that doesn’t mean men are WORSE drivers than women. Men and women are in auto accidents in similar percentages, but men get into accidents with more damage. Not only that, but men also have more aggressive citations like driving under the influence (DUI).
Vehicles with better crash test results cost less to insure – Vehicles with high crash test scores tend to be cheaper to insure. The safest vehicles reduce the chance of injuries and lower injury rates translates directly to fewer claims and more competitive rates for policyholders.
Get cheap rates with discounts
Some companies don’t always advertise the entire discount list very clearly, so the list below contains some of the more common and also the lesser-known ways to save on insurance. If you’re not getting every credit possible, you’re just leaving money on the table.
- Student Discount for Driver Training – Cut your cost by having your teen driver enroll and complete driver’s education in school.
- Anti-theft Discount – Vehicles that have factory alarm systems and tracking devices are less likely to be stolen and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
- Auto/Home Discount – When you have multiple policies with one company they may give you a discount of at least 10% off all policies.
- Military Discounts – Being deployed in the military may qualify for rate reductions.
- Discounts for Multiple Vehicles – Purchasing coverage when you have all your vehicles with the same insurance company can reduce rates for all insured vehicles.
- Safety Course Discount – Passing a course in defensive driving may get you a small discount and also improve your driving technique.
- Senior Citizen Discount – Drivers over the age of 55 may receive a small decrease in premiums.
- Discount for Swiching Early – A few insurance companies give discounts for switching companies before your current coverage expires. You can save around 10% with this discount.
- Paperless Signup – Some companies may give you up to $50 shop Oakland auto insurance on your computer.
As is typical with insurance, most discount credits are not given to the entire cost. Most only reduce individual premiums such as medical payments or collision. So even though they make it sound like you could get a free insurance policy, insurance companies aren’t that generous.
If you would like to choose from a list of insurance companies that offer discounts in Oakland, click here.
Buying from insurance agencies
Some consumers prefer to sit down and talk to an agent and often times that is recommended Most agents can point out coverage gaps and help file insurance claims. One of the best bonuses of comparing insurance online is that you can find lower rates but still work with a licensed agent. Buying insurance from small agencies is important especially in Oakland.
Upon completion of this form (opens in new window), the coverage information gets sent to local insurance agents in Oakland who can give free rate quotes and help you find cheaper coverage. It simplifies rate comparisons since you won’t have to search for an agent since rate quotes are delivered instantly to you. If for some reason you want to quote rates from a specific insurance provider, don’t hesitate to find their quoting web page and fill out the quote form the provide.
Below are Oakland insurers that can give you rate quotes for BMW X5 eDrive insurance in Oakland.
Farmers Insurance – Anthony Sue
3333 Grand Ave #203 – Oakland, CA 94610 – (510) 465-1544 – View Map
Farmers Insurance: Cuong Cao
433 International Blvd – Oakland, CA 94606 – (510) 836-5555 – View Map
Allison, Charlie – State Farm Insurance Agent
7677 Oakport St #530 – Oakland, CA 94621 – (510) 777-0123 – View Map
Jessica Hebert – State Farm Insurance Agent
490 Grand Ave #210 – Oakland, CA 94610 – (510) 653-2900 – View Map
Finding the right insurance company requires you to look at more than just a low price. Get answers to these questions too.
- Has the agent ever had any license suspensions?
- How much experience to they have in personal lines coverages?
- Do the companies they represent have a solid financial rating?
- Is every driver in your family covered?
- What company holds the largest book of business for them?
- Do they reduce claim amounts on high mileage vehicles?
- Where would glass claims be handled in Oakland?
Your auto insurance coverage should be tailored to you
Always remember that when buying the right insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there really isn’t a “perfect” insurance plan. Every situation is different and your policy should reflect that.
For example, these questions can aid in determining whether your personal situation might need an agent’s assistance.
- Are rental cars covered under my policy?
- Which is better, split liability limits or combined limits?
- Do I have ACV or replacement cost coverage?
- What is UM/UIM insurance?
- Which companies will insure high-risk drivers?
- How much liability insurance is required?
- Am I covered when driving a rental car?
If you’re not sure about those questions but a few of them apply then you might want to talk to an insurance agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, fill out this quick form or go to this page to view a list of companies. It’s fast, free and may give you better protection.
Keep this in mind when shopping around
In this article, we covered many ways to compare BMW X5 eDrive insurance auto insurance rates in Oakland. The key thing to remember is the more times you quote, the better chance you’ll have of finding affordable Oakland auto insurance quotes. Drivers may even discover the lowest auto insurance rates come from some of the lesser-known companies. They may only write in your state and offer lower premium rates as compared to the big name companies such as Allstate, GEICO and Progressive.
Some companies don’t offer price quotes online and usually these small insurance companies only sell coverage through independent insurance agencies. Lower-priced car insurance in Oakland can be found on the web and from local insurance agents, and you should compare rates from both to get a complete price analysis.
Additional car insurance information can be found at the links below
- What Determines the Price of My Auto Insurance Policy? (Insurance Information Institute)
- What Insurance is Cheapest for Inexperienced Drivers in Oakland? (FAQ)
- Who Has Affordable Auto Insurance for Felons in Oakland? (FAQ)
- Who Has the Cheapest Oakland Auto Insurance for a Honda Accord? (FAQ)
- Who Has Affordable Car Insurance for High Mileage Drivers in Oakland? (FAQ)
- Who Has Cheap Oakland Car Insurance for Real Estate Agents? (FAQ)
- Rental Reimbursement Coverage (Allstate)
- Vehicle Insurance (Wikipedia)
- New vehicle ratings focus on headlights (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)
- Young Drivers: The High Risk Years Video (iihs.org)