It’s a known fact that insurance companies don’t want their policyholders to compare prices. Drivers who shop around for cheaper rates are inclined to switch car insurance companies because the odds are good of getting low-cost coverage. A recent study showed that consumers who compared prices regularly saved approximately $865 annually compared to people who never compared other company’s rates.
If finding the best rates on Chevy Trax insurance in Oakland is why you’re reading this, then having an understanding of how to compare cheaper coverage can make it easier for you to save money.
If you want to save money, the best way to find the cheapest price for car insurance rates is to compare prices annually from providers who provide auto insurance in Oakland.
- Take a few minutes and learn about individual coverages and the steps you can take to drop your rates. Many rating factors that drive up the price like at-fault accidents and a bad credit rating can be amended by making small lifestyle or driving habit changes. This article gives information to get cheaper rates and find additional discounts.
- Compare prices from exclusive agents, independent agents, and direct providers. Exclusive and direct companies can only quote rates from one company like GEICO or State Farm, while independent agents can provide prices from multiple sources.
- Compare the new rate quotes to your existing coverage to see if cheaper Trax coverage is available in Oakland. If you can save some money, make sure the effective date of the new policy is the same as the expiration date of the old one.
A good piece of advice is that you use the same liability limits and deductibles on every price quote and and to get price estimates from all possible companies. This ensures a level playing field and maximum price selection.
The companies in the list below are our best choices to provide price comparisons in California. If your goal is to find the cheapest auto insurance in Oakland, it’s highly recommended you visit as many as you can to find the lowest auto insurance rates.
Buying the right Chevy Trax insurance in California is an important decision
Despite the high cost, auto insurance is required for several reasons.
First, the majority of states have minimum liability requirements which means the state requires a specific level of liability insurance in order to license the vehicle. In California these limits are 15/30/5 which means you must have $15,000 of bodily injury coverage per person, $30,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $5,000 of property damage coverage.
Second, if you bought your car with a loan, more than likely the lender will make it mandatory that you have full coverage to ensure the loan is repaid in case of a total loss. If you default on your policy, the bank or lender will purchase a policy for your Chevy at a much higher premium rate and require you to fork over a much higher amount than you were paying before.
Third, insurance protects both your Chevy Trax and your personal assets. Insurance will also pay for many types of medical costs for not only you but also any passengers injured in an accident. Liability insurance, one of your policy coverages, will also pay to defend you if you are named as a defendant in an auto accident. If your car is damaged in a storm or accident, your policy will cover the damage repairs after a deductible is paid.
The benefits of insuring your Trax outweigh the cost, particularly for liability claims. According to a 2015 survey, the average American driver is overpaying over $825 a year so compare rate quotes at every policy renewal to make sure the price is not too high.
These discounts can cut Chevy Trax insurance rates
Auto insurance is neither fun to buy or cheap, but you can get discounts that can dramatically reduce your bill. Larger premium reductions will be automatically applied at the time of purchase, but a few need to be asked for before you will receive the discount.
- Low Mileage Discounts – Fewer annual miles on your Chevy can qualify you for discounted auto insurance rates on garaged vehicles.
- Discount for New Cars – Insuring a new Trax can get you a discount due to better safety requirements for newer vehicles.
- First Accident Forgiveness – This one isn’t a discount, but a few companies such as Progressive and Allstate will let one accident slide without getting socked with a rate hike as long as you don’t have any claims prior to the accident.
- Data Collection Discounts – Insureds who allow driving data submission to spy on where and when they drive by using a telematic data system like Allstate’s Drivewise could possibly reduce rates if they are good drivers.
- Oakland Homeowners Discount – Owning a house in Oakland can earn you a little savings because of the fact that having a home means you have a higher level of financial diligence.
- Payment Discounts – If paying your policy premium upfront rather than paying in monthly installments you could save 5% or more.
It’s important to note that most of the big mark downs will not be given to your bottom line cost. Most only reduce the price of certain insurance coverages like comprehensive or collision. So even though they make it sound like you can get free auto insurance, it doesn’t quite work that way.
The best auto insurance companies and a summarized list of policyholder discounts include:
- State Farm may include discounts for Drive Safe & Save, multiple autos, driver’s education, passive restraint, and Steer Clear safe driver discount.
- Liberty Mutual offers premium reductions for exclusive group savings, preferred payment discount, new move discount, good student, newly married, multi-policy, and hybrid vehicle.
- American Family discounts include defensive driver, TimeAway discount, air bags, mySafetyValet, Steer into Savings, early bird, and accident-free.
- Progressive may offer discounts for continuous coverage, homeowner, multi-policy, multi-vehicle, online quote discount, online signing, and good student.
- Farmers Insurance includes discounts for pay in full, switch companies, good student, teen driver, business and professional, distant student, and electronic funds transfer.
- Auto-Owners Insurance policyholders can earn discounts including good student, anti-theft, paid in full, mature driver, and multiple vehicles.
- SAFECO has savings for safe driver, teen safety rewards, accident prevention training, bundle discounts, anti-theft, anti-lock brakes, and drive less.
When quoting, ask every company how many discounts you can get. Discounts might not be offered on policies in Oakland.
What is the best car insurance coverage?
When choosing the best car insurance coverage, there is no cookie cutter policy. Everyone’s situation is a little different so your insurance should reflect that
For example, these questions might help in determining whether you might need an agent’s assistance.
- Should I put collision coverage on all my vehicles?
- What is GAP insurance?
- Does coverage follow the driver or the vehicle?
- Do I need an umbrella policy?
- Why am I be forced to buy a membership to get insurance from some companies?
- Why am I required to buy high-risk coverage?
- What companies insure drivers after a DUI or DWI?
- Does my policy cover me if I wreck while driving under the influence?
- Is my nanny covered when transporting my kids?
- Is water damage covered by my policy?
If you can’t answer these questions but one or more may apply to you, you might consider talking to an agent. To find an agent in your area, simply complete this short form or click here for a list of car insurance companies in your area. It’s fast, doesn’t cost anything and may give you better protection.
Ratings for California car insurance companies
Buying coverage from a highly-rated car insurance company is difficult considering how many companies sell insurance in Oakland. The ranking information shown next can help you decide which companies to look at putting your business with.
Top 10 Oakland Car Insurance Companies Overall
- USAA
- American Family
- AAA of Southern California
- State Farm
- The Hartford
- AAA Insurance
- GEICO
- The General
- Titan Insurance
- Progressive
Top 10 Oakland Car Insurance Companies Ranked by Value
- USAA
- American Family
- The Hartford
- AAA of Southern California
- Titan Insurance
- The General
- AAA Insurance
- State Farm
- Mercury Insurance
- Nationwide