4+ years writing insurance and personal finance content
MBA from Roosevelt University
Anna leverages her personal finance and insurance knowledge to create educational content that helps people make smart financial decisions.
Featured in
3+ years producing insurance and personal finance content
Main architect of the Insurify Quality Score
Courtney’s deep personal finance knowledge extends beyond insurance to credit cards, consumer lending, and banking. She thrives on creating actionable content.
Featured in
30+ years in financial services
Clinical Professor of Finance, University of San Diego
Dan is a well-recognized and widely quoted financial services expert, regularly appearing in a variety of national and local media as a subject matter expert.
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Updated November 21, 2024
At Insurify, our goal is to help customers compare insurance products and find the best policy for them. We strive to provide open, honest, and unbiased information about the insurance products and services we review. Our hard-working team of data analysts, insurance experts, insurance agents, editors and writers, has put in thousands of hours of research to create the content found on our site.
We do receive compensation when a sale or referral occurs from many of the insurance providers and marketing partners on our site. That may impact which products we display and where they appear on our site. But it does not influence our meticulously researched editorial content, what we write about, or any reviews or recommendations we may make. We do not guarantee favorable reviews or any coverage at all in exchange for compensation.
Table of contents
Bakersfield drivers enjoy lower car insurance rates than drivers in many other California cities. On average, Bakersfield drivers pay $119 per month for a liability-only policy and $262 for full-coverage auto insurance, while California’s averages are $140 a month for liability only and $283 a month for full coverage.
Residents of Bakersfield may have lower premiums because of its lower population and lower crime rate compared to its neighbors in Los Angeles County.[1] Here’s what you need to know about finding cheap car insurance in Bakersfield.
Mile Auto, Sun Coast, and Mercury are the three cheapest insurers for Bakersfield drivers.
Car insurance companies in California can’t use your credit history when determining your premiums.[2]
California’s Low Cost Auto Insurance plan helps qualifying drivers find affordable car insurance.
Best car insurance companies in Bakersfield
The best car insurance depends on your budget, driving record, and car insurance coverage needs. It’s important to compare car insurance quotes from multiple companies to find the best one for you.
Best insurer for liability-only coverage: Mile Auto
User Reviews | 4.2 |
---|---|
IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 7.5 /10 |
Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $54/mo |
Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $97/mo |
Cookie
October 15, 2024
Excellent
Tasha
October 10, 2024
Not pleased
Thomas
October 8, 2024
Mixed Review
Mile Auto specializes in pay-per-mile auto insurance, making it a good option for infrequent drivers in the market for low-cost car insurance. Unlike other insurance companies, it doesn’t offer other types of insurance or discounts.
Cheap rates for low-mileage drivers
Doesn’t use vehicle-tracking devices
No advertised discounts
No mobile app available
Best insurer for military members and veterans: USAA
User Reviews | 4.9 |
---|---|
IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 9.4 /10 |
Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $110/mo |
Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $223/mo |
Drivers appreciate the ease of working with the carrier, competitive rates, and responsive service but dislike the price increases and lack of rideshare add-ons in some areas.
Drivers appreciate the ease of working with the carrier, competitive rates, and responsive service but dislike the price increases and lack of rideshare add-ons in some areas.
Gloria
November 15, 2024
Not Good for Claims
Martin
November 11, 2024
Price Shopping
Rena Sabine
November 8, 2024
Disappointing and inflexible service
USAA offers auto insurance and a number of other insurance products to the military community, which includes active, retired, and reserve members and their families. While USAA’s lineup mainly consists of standard auto policies, it earned an AM Best rating of A++ (Superior) for its financial strength.
Offers usage-based insurance program
Accident forgiveness available
No gap insurance
Restrictive membership requirements
Best insurer for coverage options: State Farm
User Reviews | 4.2 |
---|---|
IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 9.3 /10 |
Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $169/mo |
Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $343/mo |
Drivers appreciate the helpful local agents and initial service but dislike the high prices and frequent rate increases.
Drivers appreciate the helpful local agents and initial service but dislike the high prices and frequent rate increases.
Charles
November 19, 2024
New Car Price
Ronald
November 19, 2024
State Farm Experience: 35 Years+
David
November 19, 2024
Too expensive
State Farm has been in the auto insurance industry for more than 100 years and offers car, home, and life insurance. Customers can choose from a wide array of standard and non-standard insurance coverages and save some money on their premiums through a variety of discounts.
Strong financial strength ratings
Rideshare car insurance coverage available
No gap insurance
Must work with a local agent to purchase a policy
How to get the cheapest car insurance in Bakersfield
Coverage options, policy specifics, and other factors vary by car insurance company. Here’s how you can find affordable coverage in Bakersfield:
Shop around. Get quotes from at least three different companies to determine the most affordable option for your unique situation. Before you move forward with the cheapest insurer, research its customer satisfaction and financial strength ratings to make sure it’s a reputable company.
Look into usage-based insurance. If you’re retired or a remote worker and don’t drive often, pay-per-mile insurance is worth exploring. You’ll only pay for the miles you drive plus a monthly base rate.
Look for discounts. Most auto insurers offer a variety of discounts. A few examples include bundling discounts, loyalty discounts, anti-theft device discounts, and safe driving discounts.
Drive responsibly. A driving history with speeding tickets, DUIs, and other incidents can raise your car insurance premiums. Be sure to drive safely at all times and follow traffic laws.
Cheapest liability-only car insurance in Bakersfield: Mile Auto
You must have the minimum liability car insurance to drive legally in California. This type of coverage pays for the other driver’s property damage and injuries when you cause an accident. Because it’s the minimum amount of car insurance required to drive, it’s typically the cheapest auto policy type you can purchase in California. But a liability-only policy won't cover your vehicle if it's damaged in an accident you cause, or if it's stolen or vandalized.
The table below shows the cheapest liability-only car insurance companies in Bakersfield, California.
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Monthly Quote ▲▼ |
---|---|
Mile Auto | $54 |
Sun Coast | $85 |
Mercury | $93 |
Anchor | $97 |
USAA | $110 |
National General | $119 |
Direct Auto | $137 |
GEICO | $147 |
Allstate | $152 |
Farmers | $157 |
State Farm | $169 |
Travelers | $177 |
21st Century | $194 |
Bristol West | $207 |
Nationwide | $239 |
Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Bakersfield: Mile Auto
Full-coverage car insurance typically includes liability, collision, and comprehensive insurance. Your lender will likely require a full-coverage policy if you finance or lease your vehicle. Because full-coverage auto policies include more coverages, you can expect to pay more on average than you would with a liability-only policy.
Despite full-coverage insurance’s higher cost, you can start your search with the cheapest auto insurance companies in Bakersfield below.
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Monthly Quote ▲▼ |
---|---|
Mile Auto | $97 |
Mercury | $171 |
Sun Coast | $206 |
USAA | $223 |
Anchor | $259 |
National General | $296 |
GEICO | $298 |
Allstate | $308 |
Farmers | $317 |
Direct Auto | $319 |
State Farm | $343 |
Travelers | $361 |
Bristol West | $371 |
21st Century | $393 |
Nationwide | $485 |
Cheapest recent rates near Bakersfield, California
Recent Bakersfield, California car insurance prices for Nissan, Dodge, Honda , and more.
*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around Bakersfield, California within the last 10 days. Last updated on November 21, 2024
*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around Bakersfield, California within the last 10 days. Last updated on November 21, 2024
Car insurance requirements in California
California is an at-fault — or tort — state, which means the at-fault driver must cover the damage and injuries they cause to drivers or passengers in another vehicle. The state requires drivers to carry bodily injury and property damage liability coverage, but drivers may purchase additional coverage for extra protection. Those who fail to show proof of insurance may face legal and financial consequences.
Here are California’s minimum insurance requirements:[3]
Coverage ▲▼ | Minimum Requirements ▲▼ |
---|---|
Bodily injury liability | $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident |
Property damage liability | $5,000 per accident |
California liability limits are increasing on Jan. 1, 2025, to 30/60/15. This translates to $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident for bodily injury liability and $15,000 per accident for property damage liability.[4]
Coverage beyond the minimum liability amounts is optional for drivers in Bakersfield, but they can add more protection in various situations. Here are some optional auto policies you might want to consider:
Comprehensive coverage
This protects you from non-accident incidents that damage your vehicle, like vandalism or hitting an animal.
Collision coverage
If your car needs repairs or a replacement after an accident with another vehicle or object, collision coverage will kick in, no matter who’s at fault.
Uninsured motorist coverage
Uninsured motorist coverage will come in handy if you get into an accident with an uninsured driver.
Medical payments coverage
Medical payments insurance is a lot like personal injury protection (PIP) coverage and can cover your medical bills after an accident, even if you’re responsible for it.
Gap coverage
If you have an auto loan, gap insurance can cover the difference between your loan balance and your insurance settlement after a total loss.
California’s low-cost auto insurance plan
California’s Low Cost Automobile Insurance program (CLCA) helps qualifying drivers afford car insurance. The eligibility requirements for the program are:
Have a valid California driver’s license
Meet income eligibility requirements
Own a vehicle valued at $25,000 or less
Be at least 16 years old
Have a good driving record or be a new driver
Liability auto insurance through the CLCA program costs $232 to $932 a year, depending on the county. However, drivers can purchase additional coverages like uninsured/underinsured motorist and medical payments insurance for an extra $37 to $107 a year. You can learn more and apply for the California car insurance program at MyLowCostAuto.com.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident
Incidents like at-fault accidents, speeding tickets, and driving under the influence (DUI) convictions on your record can have a significant effect on your car insurance premiums. Bakersfield drivers with clean records lock in the lowest premiums, and high-risk drivers typically pay higher rates. But even with a poor driving record, you may be able to find affordable car insurance for your coverage needs and budget.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket: Mile Auto
Bakersfield reported 246 speed-related crashes that resulted in injuries or fatalities in 2020.[5] Because speeding can lead to accidents, speeding tickets often result in higher car insurance costs.
Bakersfield drivers with speeding tickets see average car insurance rates of $338 per month for full coverage and $154 for liability-only policies. Here are the cheapest minimum-coverage car insurance quotes for drivers with a speeding ticket in Bakersfield, California.
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Clean Record ▲▼ | With Ticket ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Mile Auto | $54 | $68 |
Sun Coast | $85 | $110 |
Mercury | $93 | $124 |
Anchor | $97 | $119 |
USAA | $110 | $137 |
National General | $119 | $149 |
Direct Auto | $137 | $170 |
GEICO | $147 | $183 |
Allstate | $152 | $189 |
Farmers | $157 | $194 |
State Farm | $169 | $208 |
Travelers | $177 | $222 |
21st Century | $194 | $250 |
Bristol West | $207 | $259 |
Nationwide | $239 | $300 |
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident: Mile Auto
In 2020, Bakersfield, California, reported almost 2,000 fatalities and injuries from car crashes.[5] If you’re responsible for an accident, you can expect to pay more for a car insurance policy in Bakersfield.
The average cost of car insurance in Bakersfield after an accident is $319 for full coverage and $145 for minimum coverage. But if you need affordable car insurance after causing an accident, start by comparing the cheapest companies in Bakersfield below.
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Clean Record ▲▼ | With Accident ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Mile Auto | $54 | $69 |
Sun Coast | $85 | $103 |
Mercury | $93 | $125 |
Anchor | $97 | $129 |
USAA | $110 | $137 |
National General | $119 | $148 |
Direct Auto | $137 | $175 |
GEICO | $147 | $183 |
Allstate | $152 | $189 |
Farmers | $157 | $195 |
State Farm | $169 | $209 |
Travelers | $177 | $222 |
21st Century | $194 | $248 |
Bristol West | $207 | $257 |
Nationwide | $239 | $300 |
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI: Mile Auto
California takes DUI offenses seriously, and the state could require SR-22 insurance after a DUI conviction. That’s why a DUI often results in fines, jail time, higher auto insurance premiums, and even auto policy non-renewal.[6] Because this conviction typically results in higher rates and makes you a high-risk driver, it can be difficult to find cheap car insurance with a DUI on your record.
On average, Bakersfield drivers with DUIs face monthly car insurance rates of $371 for full coverage and $169 for liability-only policies. Here are the cheapest car insurance companies in Bakersfield for drivers with a DUI.
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Clean Record ▲▼ | With DUI ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Mile Auto | $54 | $83 |
Sun Coast | $85 | $120 |
Mercury | $93 | $131 |
Anchor | $97 | $149 |
USAA | $110 | $169 |
National General | $119 | $182 |
Direct Auto | $137 | $210 |
GEICO | $147 | $225 |
Allstate | $152 | $233 |
Farmers | $157 | $241 |
State Farm | $169 | $259 |
Travelers | $177 | $271 |
21st Century | $194 | $297 |
Bristol West | $207 | $317 |
Nationwide | $239 | $366 |
Cheapest car insurance for seniors: Mile Auto
Compared to younger drivers, senior drivers have higher car accident mortality rates. Average rates typically decrease around age 35 and increase a bit around age 70 due to changes in eyesight, hearing, and reaction times.[7]
The average monthly cost of car insurance for senior drivers in Bakersfield is $229 for full coverage and $104 for liability-only policies. However, senior drivers experience lower average premiums in general and can find the cheapest quotes in Bakersfield from the companies below.
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Full Coverage ▲▼ | Liability Only ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Mile Auto | $76 | $42 |
Mercury | $139 | $76 |
Sun Coast | $180 | $74 |
USAA | $184 | $91 |
Anchor | $208 | $78 |
National General | $234 | $94 |
GEICO | $245 | $121 |
Allstate | $255 | $126 |
Farmers | $255 | $126 |
Direct Auto | $256 | $110 |
State Farm | $275 | $135 |
Travelers | $291 | $143 |
21st Century | $303 | $150 |
Bristol West | $306 | $171 |
Nationwide | $374 | $184 |
Cheapest car insurance for teens: Mile Auto
“Teenagers pay more for insurance because they cause a lot of damage and bodily injury as a result of car accidents,” says Earl Jones, insurance agent and owner of Earl L. Jones Insurance Agency. “They also have no history of driving that proves they are responsible behind the wheel.”
To lower their auto insurance costs, teens can stay on their parents’ insurance or take advantage of good student discounts that insurers offer. Bakersfield teens on their own policies see average rates of $417 per month for full coverage car insurance and $189 for liability only. Here are the auto insurance companies with the lowest premiums for teenagers and young adults in Bakersfield.
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Full Coverage ▲▼ | Liability Only ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Mile Auto | $183 | $102 |
Mercury | $293 | $159 |
Sun Coast | $328 | $135 |
USAA | $362 | $178 |
Anchor | $426 | $160 |
GEICO | $460 | $227 |
Allstate | $532 | $263 |
Farmers | $537 | $266 |
Direct Auto | $566 | $243 |
National General | $567 | $228 |
State Farm | $571 | $281 |
Bristol West | $605 | $337 |
Travelers | $634 | $311 |
21st Century | $645 | $318 |
Nationwide | $821 | $404 |
Is car insurance more expensive in Bakersfield?
The average cost of a liability-only auto policy in the U.S. is $104 per month. Full-coverage insurance runs $204 per month, on average. Fortunately, car insurance in Bakersfield is usually cheaper than the national average.
Car insurance premiums vary by city and ZIP code within California, due to factors like population, accident rates, and theft rates.[8] For example, premiums in Anaheim, Long Beach, and Sacramento are higher than in Bakersfield.
More cities in California
Here’s a look at average monthly quotes for auto policies in other cities in California compared to Bakersfield.
City ▲▼ | Full Coverage ▲▼ | Liability Only ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Anaheim | $296 | $152 |
Fresno | $258 | $130 |
Glendale | $449 | $241 |
Long Beach | $317 | $152 |
Los Angeles | $401 | $211 |
Modesto | $285 | $147 |
Oakland | $351 | $153 |
Riverside | $269 | $142 |
Sacramento | $307 | $145 |
San Diego | $252 | $122 |
San Francisco | $329 | $149 |
San Jose | $270 | $131 |
Bakersfield car insurance FAQs
Explore how age and gender affect car insurance costs to better understand how insurers determine your premiums, and learn more about Bakersfield car insurance with the answers to common questions below.
How much is car insurance in Bakersfield?
The average cost of car insurance in Bakersfield is $119 a month for liability only and $262 a month for full-coverage insurance. Your costs may be more or less than the average based on factors like your age, gender, driving record, and the type of vehicle you drive.
What are the cheapest car insurance companies in Bakersfield?
Mile Auto, Sun Coast, and Mercury are the cheapest insurers in Bakersfield. Mile Auto's liability-only rates start at $54 per month. Sun Coast, and Mercury have liability rates as low as $85 and $93 per month, respectively.
What are the best car insurance companies in Bakersfield?
Some of the best car insurance companies in Bakersfield are Mile Auto, State Farm, and USAA. These companies have strong customer satisfaction and A.M. best ratings, as well as high Insurify Quality Scores. However, the best car insurance company for you depends on your coverage needs, driver profile, and budget, so it’s important to compare quotes from multiple companies before purchasing a policy.
Can credit history affect your car insurance rates in California?
No. Your credit history can’t affect your car insurance rates in California.[2] This means that if you have poor credit, you won’t pay more for auto insurance than someone with good credit, if all other factors are the same.
What happens if you drive without insurance in California?
California requires drivers to purchase 15/30/5 minimum car insurance requirements. Failure to maintain this coverage could result in citations, fines, vehicle registration suspension, vehicle impoundment, and personal financial liability for accidents you cause.[9]
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 50+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).
Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:
- Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
- Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
- No additional coverage
- Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
- Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
Related articles
More cities in California
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau. "QuickFacts: Bakersfield city, California."
- Federal Trade Commission. "Credit-Based Insurance Scores: Impacts on Consumers of Automobile Insurance."
- California DMV. "Auto Insurance Requirements."
- California Legislative Information. "SB-1107 Vehicles: insurance.."
- California Office of Traffic Safety. "Crash Rankings Results."
- III. "Do auto insurance premiums go up after a claim?."
- III. "Senior driving safety and insurance tips."
- III. "What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?."
- California DMV. "Insurance Requirements for Vehicle Registration."
Anna Baluch is a Cleveland-based personal finance and insurance expert. With an MBA from Roosevelt University, she enjoys writing educational content that helps people make smart financial decisions. Her work can be seen across the internet on many publications, including Freedom Debt Relief, Credit Karma, RateGenius, and the Balance. Connect with Anna on LinkedIn.
3+ years producing insurance and personal finance content
Main architect of the Insurify Quality Score
Courtney’s deep personal finance knowledge extends beyond insurance to credit cards, consumer lending, and banking. She thrives on creating actionable content.
Featured in
30+ years in financial services
Clinical Professor of Finance, University of San Diego
Dan is a well-recognized and widely quoted financial services expert, regularly appearing in a variety of national and local media as a subject matter expert.
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.