Car insurance in Bakersfield, California costs around $1,472 annually, or $122 per month. California residents typically pay higher rates than other states, and working with a broker can help you find the coverage you need at a lower cost.

How much does car insurance cost in Bakersfield?

On average, drivers in California pay $1,601 per year, or $133 per month, for a full coverage car insurance policy. In Bakersfield, the same type of policy costs around $1,472 annually, or $122 per month, making it 9% cheaper than the state average.

This is also true if you purchase the state minimum amounts of $15k/$30k/$5k in bodily injury liability and property damage liability coverage—which usually costs around $470 per year. For a minimum liability-only policy, drivers in Bakersfield, CA, pay around 19% less than the state average.

GET MORE THAN THE MINIMUM COVERAGE

While the state minimum costs less initially, California’s mandatory liability limits are lower compared to other states, and if they max out after a serious accident, you could be exposed to lawsuits. Consider a full coverage policy or higher liability limits to protect your assets and future income.

Learn more: Liability vs full coverage car insurance

Why is car insurance so cheap in Bakersfield?

Location plays a large role in calculating your insurance rates—and although Bakersfield has a higher population, it’s one of the lower cities on crash reports for California, with Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, and Sacramento taking the top 4 spots.¹

In the past year, Bakersfield has experienced 1,303 crashes, with 48 resulting in fatalities.²³ With a lower number of crashes, insurance companies view Bakersfield as less of a risk for claims and accidents, thus contributing to the overall cheaper cost of car insurance.

The top car insurance companies in Bakersfield

Jerry recently conducted one of the nation’s largest consumer surveys, asking over 18,000 policyholders about their experience with their current providers. Out of these results, here were the top choices in Bakersfield, CA.

Keep in mind that there is no insurance company that can provide the cheapest rates for all drivers. Car insurance quotes are highly individualized, and you may find savings with a different provider than the ones listed here.

The key to finding car insurance quotes in Bakersfield, CA

To find the most affordable insurance coverage in Bakersfield, you can either contact an insurance agent directly, or work with a broker, like Jerry.

Instead of working with a singular insurer or a small handful of companies, Jerry can help you source quotes from dozens of car insurance providers to help you find tailored rates based on your specific driver profile. Here’s how:

1. Download the app and create a profile: Once you download the app, you can build your driver profile by inputting basic information, such as your name, address, vehicle identification number (VIN), and driving history.
2. Compare coverage options and costs: After your profile is complete, you’ll receive free quotes from eligible car insurance companies in your area. These quotes will be organized by different tiers of coverage so you can compare options and car insurance rates before making a decision.
3. Check out company ratings: Along with pricing, you can also see real reviews and ratings for each company from actual policyholders in the Jerry app.
4. Request your final price: Auto insurance quotes are time-sensitive and change frequently, so once you’ve found your ideal policy, click on “Confirm your rate” and follow the necessary instructions.
5. Make your first payment to activate your policy: Before your policy can begin, you’ll need to make your first initial payment. When it’s accepted, you’ll receive your digital insurance cards in the app, which can be housed in a digital glove box along with any other important documents for your vehicle.

Remember: Your rates will change with your driving record, any time you move locations, or as you age. Any time you experience a shift in your profile, make sure to update your account in the app and compare prices.

WHO’S JERRY?

Jerry is a licensed insurance broker backed by a team of independent insurance agents. We work with over 55 car companies, from big names like Allstate, Nationwide, and Progressive to smaller regional insurers like MAPFRE and Anchor General. Jerry offers quick, legitimate auto coverage options through a top-rated mobile app available through the Apple App Store or Google Play store.

How to save on car insurance in Bakersfield, CA

In comparison to the state and national averages, Bakersfield car insurance costs less—however, that doesn’t mean you can’t continue to save on costs. Here are some of the best strategies to help you lower your car insurance premiums while maintaining adequate protection:

• Keep an eye on discounts: Several of the best car insurance companies provide an array of discounts for a variety of driver profiles, such as good driver, paid in full, and student away from home.
• Bundle your policies: Motorists with multiple different types of policies with the same provider can earn savings by bundling either their homeowners insurance or renters insurance with their California car insurance.
• Raise your deductible: Increasing your deductible beyond the standard $500-$1,000 will lower your car insurance, as insurers won’t need to payout as much in the event of an accident—however, only raise them to a limit you can realistically afford.
• Lower your coverage: In most circumstances, a full coverage policy is your best option to meet your insurance needs while protecting your assets. But if your car is worth less than what you’re paying for full coverage, you may be able to drop down to liability insurance only and save.
• Maintain a clean driving record: Drivers with a DUI or at-fault accident generally pay more for their auto insurance policy than those with a clean record. Practice safe driving habits and track your behavior with telematics to help you earn even more rewards.

Sources

1. https://www.californiaaccidentattorneysblog.com/california-traffic-accident-statistics-for-2022/#:~:text=Overview,3%2C854%20fatalities%20and%20165%2C978%20injuries ↩︎
2. https://tims.berkeley.edu/summary.php?showArea=city&expandTables=false&injury=3&yearRange=5&showMap=crashes
   https://www.ots.ca.gov/media-and-research/data-and-statistics/ ↩︎
3. https://www.californiaaccidentattorneysblog.com/california-traffic-accident-statistics-for-2022/#:~:text=Overview,3%2C854%20fatalities%20and%20165%2C978%20injuries ↩︎

MEET OUR EXPERTS

R.E. Fulton

• Licensed Insurance Agent

R.E. Fulton is an expert insurance writer specializing in car ownership topics from car shopping and loan advice to insurance and repair guides. R.E.’s mission is to create unique and accessible content that helps readers to become more successful and independent car owners. R.E. has written and edited over 900 high-performing articles for Jerry, with an average of 1 million+ views. As a senior writer on Jerry’s editorial team, R.E. draws on over 10 years of experience as a professional writer and digital publishing specialist. Prior to joining Jerry’s editorial team in 2021, R.E. worked as a writing coach at Columbia University, the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), and the University of Rochester. They serve as a managing editor for peer-reviewed history publication Nursing Clio, where their work has appeared regularly since 2015.

Josh Damico

As Vice President of Insurance Operations at Jerry, Josh Damico leads teams across product development, operations and carrier relations, integrating Jerry’s smart and fast car insurance customer experience with that of traditional carriers to help customers find savings and coverage. Josh’s nearly 20 years of insurance-industry experience and knowledge generate partnerships with more than 55 name-brand and specialty insurance partners that enable Jerry to serve customers with all types of vehicle and policy needs.

Previously, Josh held executive roles at Geico, where he had vast regional oversight and leadership opportunities. In his most recent role as director of sales, servicing, and underwriting, Josh developed and executed profit and growth strategy for the New England states and New Jersey.

Josh holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management from Medaille College.

*Illustration only. For all the pricing information presented in this article (including various tables), please note that not all customers find savings and the information is for illustrative purposes only. Savings depend on type of car, location, policy features, driving history and other factors. Drivers who switch through Jerry save over $70/month on average.