The Best Guide to Finding Low Cost Auto Insurance in Fresno, CA

Auto insurance in Fresno, CA can be expensive, with average annual premiums over $1,800. But paying less for car insurance is possible when you know how to find the lowest rates.

This comprehensive guide explains everything you need to know about getting cheap car insurance quotes in Fresno. Read on to discover:

• Average insurance costs in Fresno
• Main factors that determine your rate
• Tips to lower your premium
• Minimum coverage requirements in CA
• The best low cost car insurance providers in Fresno

Follow the tips below to save hundreds of dollars a year on Fresno auto insurance!

Average Cost of Car Insurance in Fresno

How much is car insurance in Fresno? Here are the average annual premiums for drivers:

• Minimum coverage: $955
• Full coverage: $1,873
• After an accident: $2,316
• After a DUI: $3,764

As you can see, rates can nearly quadruple if you have incidents like accidents and DUIs on your record. But even drivers with a clean history face high costs, with minimum coverage averaging almost $1,000 a year.

Fortunately, there are many ways to find cheap car insurance in Fresno, which we’ll explore next.

Major Factors That Affect Your Car Insurance Rates

Car insurance companies set premiums based on risk factors like these:

Driving Record: Drivers with past incidents like speeding tickets, at-fault accidents, or DUIs are considered high-risk. Having a clean record saves the most.

Age: Teen and elderly drivers tend to pay the highest premiums. Drivers aged 30-65 tend to pay the least.

Vehicle Type: Insuring sports cars, luxury vehicles and SUVs costs more than insuring sedans and economy cars.

Credit History: California allows using credit when setting rates. Poor credit equals higher premiums.

Location: Insurance costs more in urban areas of Fresno versus rural outskirts.

Annual Mileage: Drivers with longer commutes and high annual mileage have a greater risk of accidents.

Coverage Levels: Minimum liability coverage costs less than comprehensive and collision coverage.

Now that you know the major factors that determine premiums, let’s look at proven ways to lower your car insurance costs in Fresno.

Clever Tips to Save on Fresno Car Insurance

Here are smart strategies to help you find the cheapest car insurance in Fresno:

• Compare quotes from at least 5 different insurers to find the lowest rate. Rates can vary over $1,000 between companies.

• Ask about discounts like good driver, good student, defensive driving course completion, low mileage, multi-policy, and anti-theft device. Every discount helps lower your premium.

• Raise deductibles for comprehensive and collision to $500 or $1,000 to reduce premiums by 10-30%.

• Drop comprehensive/collision if you drive an older vehicle. Keeping just liability coverage costs less.

• Improve your credit score since better credit leads to lower rates in CA.

• Enroll in usage-based programs and drive safely to qualify for policy discounts.

• Opt for OEM parts instead of aftermarket parts to avoid insurer surcharges on repairs.

• Buy used vehicles since they cost less to insure than new models.

• Increase liability limits above minimums to get available discounts for showing financial responsibility.

Using one or more of these strategies can help save you hundreds of dollars a year on Fresno auto insurance!

California Minimum Car Insurance Requirements

California law requires all drivers to carry:

• Bodily Injury Liability: $15,000 per person / $30,000 per accident
• Property Damage Liability: $5,000
• Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury: $15,000 per person / $30,000 per accident

However, experts recommend getting more than the legal minimums for better protection:

• Bodily Injury Liability: $100,000 per person / $300,000 per accident
• Property Damage Liability: $50,000
• Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury: $100,000 per person / $300,000 per accident
• Comprehensive: $500 deductible
• Collision: $500 deductible

Before choosing coverage limits, check with your lender, as they may require more. Next, let’s look at some of the top low cost car insurance providers in Fresno.

The Best Low Cost Auto Insurance Providers in Fresno

Here are some of the best insurers offering the cheapest car insurance rates in Fresno:

Geico

• Average annual premium: $1,168
• Discounts offered: defensive driving, good student, anti-theft, anti-lock brakes, daytime running lights, seat belt use
• Pros: Low rates and extensive discounts
• Cons: Less local agent support

Progressive

• Average annual premium: $1,285
• Discounts offered: continuous insurance, good driver, online quote, multi-policy, pay-in-full
• Pros: Name-your-price tool finds lowest customized rate
• Cons: Rates increase significantly after an accident

State Farm

• Average annual premium: $1,307
• Discounts offered: safe driver, defensive driving, good student, anti-theft, multi-car
• Pros: Large network of local agents provide personalized service
• Cons: Rates tend to be higher for drivers under 25

Mercury Insurance

• Average annual premium: $1,532
• Discounts offered: multi-car, renters insurance, anti-theft, good driver
• Pros: Low rates for young drivers; online quotes
• Cons: Limited nationwide presence

AAA

• Average annual premium: $1,692
• Discounts offered: AAA membership, accident-free, anti-theft, multi-car
• Pros: Bundled insurance rates for AAA members; local agents
• Cons: Low number of discounts compared to competitors

To find the lowest premium, get free quotes from several carriers to compare. Rates can vary significantly, so shopping around for the best deal is key.

How to Get the Cheapest Car Insurance in Fresno

Here are simple steps to make sure you’re getting the lowest rates on Fresno car insurance:

1. Compare quotes from national and regional insurance providers. Get quotes online, through agents, and directly from insurer websites.

2. Review all available discounts with each insurer and ask how to qualify for savings.

3. Consider usage-based programs to get discounted rates for safe driving habits.

4. Raise deductibles and drop unnecessary coverage to lower premium costs.

5. Improve your credit score to get the best rates if insurers check your credit.

6. Ask about discounts like multi-policy, good driver, defensive driving, and new driver training.

7. Maintain a clean driving record and improve record over time to qualify for the best discounts.

8. Compare quotes every renewal cycle as new insurers enter the market and competition changes.

Finding affordable car insurance in Fresno is possible when you follow these tips and tricks. Get started today collecting free quotes to enjoy huge savings!