Best car insurance in Bakersfield, CA (2024)

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Rachael BrennanSenior Editor & Licensed Auto Insurance ExpertRachael Brennan is a senior editor and a licensed auto insurance expert at Policygenius. Her work has also been featured in MoneyGeek, Clearsurance, Adweek, Boston Globe, The Ladders, and AutoInsurance.com.

Edited by

Anna SwartzAnna SwartzSenior Managing EditorAnna Swartz is a senior managing editor who specializes in home, auto, renters, and disability insurance at Policygenius. Previously, she was a senior staff writer at Mic and a writer at The Dodo. Her work has also appeared in Salon, HuffPost, MSN, AOL, and Heeb.
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Ian Bloom, CFP®, RLP®Ian Bloom, CFP®, RLP®Certified Financial PlannerIan Bloom, CFP®, RLP®, is a certified financial planner and a member of the Financial Review Council at Policygenius. Previously, he was a financial advisor at MetLife and MassMutual.

Updated|3 min read

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The average cost of a full coverage car insurance in Bakersfield is $1,814 per year, which is $23 cheaper than the state average of $1,837. Car insurance rates in California are higher than the national average, but that doesn’t mean you can’t save money on your car insurance.

Ready to shop car insurance?

Comparing rates between multiple companies is the best way to save money on car insurance. Our experts at Policygenius can help you compare quotes to find the right coverage for you.

Key Takeaways

  • Wawanesa has the lowest average rate for full coverage in Bakersfield with average rates of $928 per year.

  • The cheapest ZIP code for car insurance in Bakersfield was 93312 at $1,711

  • California minimum liability requirements are $15,000 per person/$30,000 per person in bodily injury liability and $5,000 in property damage liability

Methodology & why you can trust our rates

Policygenius has analyzed car insurance rates provided by Quadrant Information Services for every ZIP code in all 50 states plus Washington, D.C. For full coverage policies, the following coverage limits were used:

  • Bodily injury liability: $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident

  • Property damage liability: $50,000

  • Uninsured/underinsured motorist: $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident

  • Comprehensive: $500 deductible

  • Collision: $500 deductible

In some cases, additional coverages were added where required by state or insurer.

Rates for overall average rate, rates by ZIP code, and cheapest companies determined using averages for single drivers ages 30, 35, and 45. Our sample vehicle was a 2017 Toyota Camry LE driven 10,000 miles/year.

Rates for driving violations and “Poor” credit determined using average rates for a single male 30-year-old driver with a credit score under 578.

Some carriers may be represented by affiliates or subsidiaries. Rates provided are a sample of costs. Your actual quotes may differ.

Cheapest car insurance companies in Bakersfield, CA

There are a number of factors that can impact your insurance rates, including your personal driving history, ZIP code, your age, and which insurance company you use. Because each insurance company has their own standard for setting rates, two companies can have noticeably different rates for the exact same coverage.

Company

Average cost

JD Power Rating

Wawanesa

$77/month

--

National General Insurance

$109/month

838

GEICO

$114/month

874

USAA

$125/month

890

Mercury Insurance

$127/month

830

Cheapest car insurance rates by ZIP code in Bakersfield, CA

Your ZIP code can have a significant impact on your car insurance rates. Rates in a given ZIP code are determined by a number of factors, including the number of accidents, traffic tickets, and car thefts reported. Other factors can influence rates in your ZIP code as well, like the amount of available street parking.

Below are the average rates based on ZIP code in Bakersfield.

ZIP code

Average cost

93312

$1,711

93306

$1,761

93305

$1,791

93311

$1,813

93309

$1,819

93307

$1,841

93313

$1,844

93301

$1,862

93304

$1,880

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Choosing the right car insurance company in Bakersfield, CA

The best car insurance in Bakersfield is the most affordable coverage that meets your needs — so the right company will be different for every driver. Our insurance experts at Policygenius can help you get the right policy at the right price.

Car insurance rates for drivers with driving violations in Bakersfield, CA

Because your driving history is such a large factor when it comes to setting your rates, a single accident or driving violation can cause a significant jump in your rates. Keeping your driving record clean is one of the most effective ways to avoid paying too much for your car insurance.

Violation

Wawanesa

National General Insurance

GEICO

USAA

Mercury Insurance

At-fault accident

$1,439

$1,979

$2,510

$2,153

$2,653

Suspended license

$1,351

$1,883

$2,514

$3,127

$2,527

Open container

$1,689

$1,410

$3,513

$3,327

$2,527

Expired registration

$1,351

$1,410

$2,269

$1,691

$2,020

Driving without lights

$1,351

$1,410

$2,269

$1,544

$2,020

Running a red light

$1,351

$1,410

$2,269

$1,691

$2,020

Following too closely

$1,351

$1,410

$2,269

$1,691

$2,020

Hit and run

$1,689

$1,883

$2,514

$3,540

$2,527

Not-at-fault accident

$955

$1,349

$1,396

$1,544

$1,532

Passing a school bus

$1,351

$1,410

$2,269

$2,273

$2,020

Reckless driving

$1,689

$1,883

$2,514

$2,662

$2,527

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Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI in Bakersfield, CA

Drivers in Bakersfield should expect to pay more for their car insurance if they get a DUI or DWI. The average driver in Bakersfield pays $1,814 per year for car insurance, but drivers with a DUI on their record will pay a whopping $5,223 per year, which is 187% higher than the rates for drivers without a DUI.

But drivers with a DUI can save money on car insurance by comparing quotes from multiple companies. We found that the lowest rates for drivers with a DUI in Bakersfield are with Wawanesa, National General, and Mercury Insurance.

Company

Rates for drivers with DUIs

Wawanesa

$1,689

National General Insurance

$1,837

Mercury Insurance

$2,527

GEICO

$3,513

USAA

$4,425

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket in Bakersfield, CA

Getting a speeding ticket or other moving violation in Bakersfield can also cause your car insurance rates to go up; the average cost of insurance for a driver with a speeding ticket is $2,788 per year.

We found that Wawanesa, National General, and USAA offer the lowest rates for drivers with a speeding ticket in Bakersfield.

Company

Rates for drivers with speeding tickets

Wawanesa

$1,351

National General Insurance

$1,410

USAA

$1,691

Mercury Insurance

$2,020

GEICO

$2,181

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with bad credit in Bakersfield, CA

While many states allow insurance companies to use your credit scores to help set your insurance rates, California has laws that prevent insurance companies from determining your rates based on your credit score. Because of these state laws, your credit score won’t impact your rates in Bakersfield.

Ready to shop car insurance?

Buying car insurance in Bakersfield, CA

California law requires all vehicle owners to carry some form of liability insurance, including:

  • Motor vehicle liability insurance policy

  • Cash deposit of $35,000 with DMV

  • DMV-issued self-insurance certificate

  • Surety bond for $35,000 from a company licensed to do business in California

If you don’t have a cash deposit, self-insurance certificate, or a surety bond, you are required to carry the state minimum levels of liability insurance:

  • $15,000 per person/$30,000 per accident for bodily injury liability

  • $5,000 for property damage liability

California minimum insurance requirements are very low, which means it is possible that you could be in an accident that causes more damage than your insurance covers if you only carry the required minimum insurance. It is important to carry as much liability insurance as you can afford to make sure you are protected in the event of an at-fault accident. Drivers who can’t afford to repair or replace their vehicle out-of-pocket in the event of an accident should also carry comprehensive and collision coverage.

How to get cheap car insurance in Bakersfield, CA

Most car insurance companies offer similar discounts that drivers in Bakersfield will be able to take advantage of, including:

  • Good student discount

  • Bundling discount

  • Group/employer/professional discount

  • Safe driver discount

  • Accident free discount

  • Low mileage discount

  • Military discount

If a discounted rate still isn’t enough, you might be able to take advantage of California’s Low Cost Auto Insurance program.

Frequently asked questions

Is car insurance expensive in California?

Drivers in California pay an average of $1,837 per year for car insurance, which $199 more than the national average. The easiest way for drivers in California to save money on car insurance is to compare quotes from multiple companies.

Does my gender impact my insurance rates in CA?

Gender doesn’t impact your rates in California because the state made it illegal for policy providers to use gender when setting insurance rates. Several other states have similar laws, including Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Carolina and Pennsylvania.

What is the best car insurance for new drivers in California?

The most affordable coverage in California is Wawanesa, but just because they are the most affordable doesn’t necessarily mean they will meet your needs. It is important to compare quotes from multiple companies to find a plan that is right for you.

How much is car insurance per month in California?

The average cost of car insurance in California is $153 per month, or $1,837 per year.

Author

Rachael Brennan is a senior editor and a licensed auto insurance expert at Policygenius. Her work has also been featured in MoneyGeek, Clearsurance, Adweek, Boston Globe, The Ladders, and AutoInsurance.com.

Editor

Anna Swartz is a senior managing editor who specializes in home, auto, renters, and disability insurance at Policygenius. Previously, she was a senior staff writer at Mic and a writer at The Dodo. Her work has also appeared in Salon, HuffPost, MSN, AOL, and Heeb.

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