Best cheap car insurance companies in Bakersfield

Based on data from Quadrant Information Services, Bankrate concluded that Wawanesa, Geico and National General are three of the cheapest car insurance companies in Bakersfield, California. Further, our insurance editorial team — which includes licensed agents — analyzed companies’ average rates, coverage availability, AM Best financial strength ratings, J.D. Power customer satisfaction scores and more, then assigned each insurer a Bankrate Score from 0.0 to 5.0. These scores can be used by shoppers to better identify which California insurance companies might be best for them.

Wawanesa

Wawanesa scores well in California with regard to customer satisfaction, while also offering relatively low average rates. Plus, the company has a robust list of add-on coverage options for drivers who want to customize their policies. While Wawanesa does offer some digital convenience, its app is currently only available to Android users. Still, low average rates, high customer satisfaction and extensive coverage options might make Wawanesa worth considering.

Learn more: Wawanesa insurance review

Geico

Geico has been writing car insurance policies for over 75 years. The company offers standard coverage options — including comprehensive, collision, roadside assistance and rental car reimbursement, as well as a significant number of discount opportunities. Its website and app are not as built out as some competitors, but you can pay your bill and file claims online and that’s typically enough for most drivers.

Learn more: Geico insurance review

National General

National General offers standard policies, plus some attractive types of options and add-on coverage. These include roadside assistance, accidental death and dismemberment and an auto protection plan. The company will also permanently guarantee your vehicle’s repairs if you use one of its certified repair shops.

Learn more: National General insurance review

Mercury

On top of the standard coverage options, Mercury offers rideshare insurance, which may be useful for drivers working for platforms such as Uber or Lyft. The company also maintains a stronger local agent network than many of its competitors. Plus, Mercury offers several discounts, as well as a savings program that can reduce your rates based on how little you drive.

Learn more: Mercury insurance review

Progressive

Progressive offers drivers in Bakersfield multiple coverage options and discount opportunities. Drivers on a budget might want to take advantage of the Progressive Snapshot telematics program, which potentially rewards users for good driving behavior. The company also offers a Deductible Savings Bank, which may lower your deductible by $50 for each policy term that you avoid claims. Progressive has an array of digital tools, as well — although it has not been a strong contender for customer satisfaction per J.D. Power.

Learn more: Progressive insurance review

How to get and keep the cheapest car insurance in Bakersfield

The average rate for full coverage in Bakersfield is $2,144 per year, which is 6 percent higher than the national average of $2,014 per year. Fortunately, you may be able to save on your policy by shopping smart.

If you’re looking to find and keep the cheapest car insurance in California, consider these tips:

• Shop around: Experts recommend getting quotes from several different companies. This will allow you to see which one offers you the cheapest rates for the coverage you want. Just make sure to specify the same types of coverage (or as close as possible) and policy limits for each quote so the comparisons are fair.
• Pursue discounts: It’s common for car insurance companies to offer discounts to eligible drivers. Discounts, eligibility requirements and savings amounts typically vary between companies. Check with your insurer regularly to find out which discounts they offer that you might be eligible for.