It’s an obvious assumption that insurance companies don’t want their policyholders to compare prices. People who shop around for cheaper rates are likely to switch to a new company because there is a significant possibility of finding a lower-priced company. A survey found that consumers who compared price quotes annually saved as much as $850 each year as compared to drivers who never shopped around for better prices.
If finding the best rates on insurance in Oakland is your ultimate goal, then understanding how to shop and compare coverages can help simplify the task of finding more affordable coverage.
The best way to get low-cost Chevy Bolt EV insurance is to do an annual price comparison from insurance carriers who sell auto insurance in Oakland. You can compare rates by completing these steps.
- Read about coverages and the changes you can make to keep rates down. Many factors that cause high rates such as traffic citations, accidents, and an imperfect credit rating can be controlled by making lifestyle changes or driving safer. Later in this article we will cover more information to help prevent high rates and get discounts that may be available to you.
- Compare prices from direct, independent, and exclusive agents. Direct and exclusive agents can only give rate quotes from one company like Progressive and State Farm, while independent agencies can quote rates for a wide range of insurance providers. Begin your rate comparison
- Compare the new quotes to your current policy premium and determine if there is any savings. If you find a better price and make a switch, make sure there is no lapse in coverage.
- Give proper notification to your current agent or company to cancel the current policy. Submit a down payment along with a signed application to the newly selected company. When you receive it, place your new certificate verifying coverage with the vehicle registration.
One thing to remember is that you’ll want to make sure you compare the same deductibles and limits on every quote request and and to get prices from as many carriers as you can. Doing this enables a fair price comparison and the best price selection.
Auto insurance policy discounts for Chevy Bolt EV insurance in Oakland
Companies offering auto insurance don’t necessarily list the entire discount list very well, so below is a list both well-publicized as well as the least known discounts you could be receiving when you buy Oakland car insurance online.
- Braking Control Discount – Cars, trucks, and SUVs with ABS and/or traction control prevent accidents so companies give up to a 10% discount.
- Discount for Life Insurance – Not all companies offer life insurance, but some may give you a discount if you purchase a life policy as well.
- Paperless Signup – A few larger online companies give back up to $50 simply for signing online.
- Multi-Vehicle Discounts – Buying insurance for several vehicles on a single policy can reduce the rates for all insured vehicles.
- No Charge for an Accident – This isn’t a discount exactly, but certain companies may permit one accident without raising rates as long as you don’t have any claims before the accident.
- Anti-theft Discount – Cars, trucks, and SUVs that have factory anti-theft systems are less likely to be stolen and that can save you a little bit as well.
- Renewal Discounts – A few auto insurance companies allow discounts for switching to them early. It’s a savings of about 10%.
- Defensive Driver Discount – Passing a defensive driving course could cut 5% off your bill if you qualify.
It’s important to note that some of the credits will not apply to the overall cost of the policy. Most only apply to the price of certain insurance coverages like liability and collision coverage. Despite the fact that it seems like having all the discounts means you get insurance for free, insurance companies wouldn’t stay in business.
Insurance companies that may offer quotes with these money-saving discounts may include but are not limited to:
If you are trying to find low cost Oakland car insurance quotes, ask all the companies how you can save money. Some discounts listed above may not be offered in your state. To see a list of auto insurance companies with discount auto insurance rates in Oakland, click here.
Most major insurance companies like State Farm, GEICO and Progressive make it easy to get prices for coverage on the web. Obtaining pricing for Chevy Bolt EV insurance in Oakland doesn’t take a lot of time because it’s just a matter of typing in your coverage preferences into the quote form. Upon sending the form, their rating system makes automated requests for reports for credit and driving violations and provides a quote based on these factors. This helps simplify price comparisons, and it’s absolutely necessary to perform this step in order to find cheaper prices.
To save time and find out what other companies charge, compare rates from the companies below. To compare your current rates, we recommend you duplicate coverages and limits exactly as they are listed on your policy. Using the same limits helps guarantee you will receive a fair comparison for similar insurance coverage.
The car insurance companies shown below are our best choices to provide free rate quotes in Oakland, CA. To locate the best cheap car insurance in Oakland, it’s highly recommended you get price quotes from several of them to find the cheapest car insurance rates.
Different people need different auto insurance coverages
When quoting and comparing adequate coverage for your personal vehicles, there really is no cookie cutter policy. Everyone’s needs are different.
For instance, these questions can aid in determining whether you might need professional guidance.
- What is PIP insurance?
- Is my son or daughter covered when driving my car?
- Will filing a claim cost me more?
- Is my camper covered by my car insurance policy?
- Is a blown tire covered by insurance?
- Where can I find DUI or SR-22 insurance?
- How do I file an SR-22 for a DUI in California?
- Does my insurance cover my expensive audio equipment?
- Does having multiple vehicles earn me a discount?
If it’s difficult to answer those questions, you might consider talking to an insurance agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, simply complete this short form. It is quick, free and may give you better protection.
Get rate quotes but work with a local neighborhood Oakland car insurance agent
Certain consumers still like to visit with an insurance agent and that is a smart decision Agents can help determine the best coverages and help you file claims. An additional benefit of comparing rates online is the fact that you can find lower premium rates and still have an agent to talk to. And providing support for neighborhood insurance agencies is important especially in Oakland.
To make it easy to find an agent, after completing this short form, the coverage information gets sent to participating agents in Oakland that give free quotes for your coverage. There is no reason to do any legwork because quoted prices will be sent to you instantly. If for some reason you want to compare prices from a specific car insurance provider, you just need to visit that company’s website and give them your coverage information.
When looking for a reliable agent, there are a couple of different types of agents and how they work. Oakland agents can be described as either exclusive or independent agents depending on their company appointments. Either type can provide car insurance policies, but it’s good to learn the differences because it can influence which agent you choose.
Independent Agencies or Brokers
These type of agents are normally appointed by many insurers so they can quote policies with an assortment of companies depending on which coverage is best. If they find a lower price, they can switch companies in-house and you don’t have to find a new agent.
If you need lower rates, we recommend you get quotes from several independent insurance agents to get the best comparison.
Featured below are Oakland independent insurance agents that may be able to provide free price quotes.
Film Casualty Insurance Agency
3246 Ettie St #23 – Oakland, CA 94608 – (619) 578-3048 – View Map
Susan Bernosky – Strahan Ins Services Inc
5940 College Ave a – Oakland, CA 94618 – (510) 450-9051 – View Map
On My Way Insurance
320 10th St – Oakland, CA 94607 – (510) 893-3298 – View Map
Exclusive Insurance Agencies
These type of agents can usually just insure with one company and some examples include State Farm or Allstate. They generally cannot provide rate quotes from other companies so you need to shop around if the rates are high. Exclusive agents are well schooled on their products and sales techniques and that allows them to sell at a higher price point.
The following are Oakland exclusive agencies that are able to give price quote information.
Farmers Insurance – Lilian Cabrera
1324 Fruitvale Ave – Oakland, CA 94601 – (510) 436-6900 – View Map
Farmers Insurance – Jimmie Oliver
1800 55th Ave – Oakland, CA 94621 – (510) 517-7663 – View Map
Frank Sanchez – State Farm Agent
5301 Claremont Ave – Oakland, CA 94618 – (510) 658-2722 – View Map
Picking the best insurance agency requires more thought than just a cheap quote. The questions below may impact your decision as well.
- Will vehicle repairs be made with aftermarket parts or OEM replacement parts?
- If you are a high risk driver, do they have special markets for your coverage?
- Do they reduce claim amounts on high mileage vehicles?
- When do they do policy reviews?
- Does the company allow you to choose your own collision repair facility?
- Do they offer accident forgiveness?
Best auto insurance company in California
Insuring your vehicle with the best auto insurance provider can be a challenge considering how many different companies sell coverage in California. The rank data in the next section may help you analyze which insurers to look at when shopping around.
Top 10 Oakland Car Insurance Companies Ranked by Customer Service
- AAA of Southern California
- GEICO
- State Farm
- The Hartford
- Mercury Insurance
- The General
- Progressive
- Allstate
- AAA Insurance
- American Family
Final considerations
Consumers leave their current company for any number of reasons including unfair underwriting practices, lack of trust in their agent, questionable increases in premium or even delays in responding to claim requests. Regardless of your reason, switching companies can be easier than you think.
Budget-conscious Chevy Bolt EV insurance is available from both online companies in addition to local insurance agencies, and you need to comparison shop both in order to have the best chance of saving money. Some insurance providers do not offer online quoting and most of the time these regional carriers only sell through independent agents.
As you shop your coverage around, you should never buy poor coverage just to save money. There have been many situations where drivers have reduced uninsured motorist or liability limits only to discover later that it was a big mistake. Your goal is to get the best coverage possible at the best cost, but do not skimp to save money.
Helpful information
- Rental Reimbursement Coverage (Allstate)
- How Much is Oakland Car Insurance for 18 Year Olds? (FAQ)
- Who Has Cheap Auto Insurance Quotes for Teenage Males in Oakland? (FAQ)
- Who Has Affordable Car Insurance Rates for Handicapped Drivers in Oakland? (FAQ)
- Who Has the Cheapest Oakland Auto Insurance Quotes for Drivers Under 25? (FAQ)
- Who Has Affordable Car Insurance for High Mileage Drivers in Oakland? (FAQ)
- Who Has Cheap Auto Insurance for a Subaru Outback in Oakland? (FAQ)
- Auto Insurance FAQ (Farmers Insurance)
- Should I Buy a New or Used Car? (Allstate)
- Teen Driver Licensing Information (iihs.org)