Berkeley CA requires all drivers to carry at least minimum car insurance to legally drive their vehicle on the road. Mostly, drivers who don’t have enough budget prefer to go with the minimum coverage. However, it’s not a good approach because getting some additional coverage is always helpful. Going with additional coverage isn’t expensive all the time. Different ways help you to get cheap car insurance in Berkeley, CA, at a reasonable price.
Insurers assess several things before offering you different affordable car insurance quotes in Berkeley, CA. These factors help them to find out how risky a driver you are. If you are a safe driver, you will have to pay lower rates. High-risk drivers have to pay the highest Berkeley CA car insurance rates because insurers consider them a liability to insure.
All drivers should be familiar with different types of coverages and discounts. You should know which coverage can be helpful in what type of particular situation and how it can affect your annual premiums. Similarly, insurers offer different types of discounts that can reduce your insurance rates dramatically. For getting the right and cheap car insurance in Berkeley, CA, read this guide attentively. Let’s begin…
The Best Cheap Car Insurance Companies In Berkeley CA
Companies use multiple factors to calculate your annual premiums. Some of these factors include driving history, credit score, make and model of the vehicles, driving mileage, age of the driver, etc.
Some factors have more weightage than others. For example, if you have a bad driving history, you will have to pay a huge amount for insurance even if you have a good credit score. It’s because insurers consider a driver with bad driving history a liability to insure. As a result, such drivers have to pay the highest annual premiums.
However, all companies are not equally expensive. Some may still give you some relief in payments if you have a bad driving history. Below are some best car insurance companies in Berkeley, CA, that offer cheap rates:
| Rank | Company | Annual Payment |
| 1 | USAA | $865 |
| 2 | Geico | $971 |
| 3 | American Family | $1,146 |
| 4 | Famers | $1,187 |
| 5 | State Farm | $1,265 |
| 6 | Esurance | $1,389 |
| 7 | Nationwide | $1,452 |
| 8 | Wawanesa | $1,487 |
| 9 | Allstate | $1,561 |
| 10 | SAFECO | $1,643 |
| 11 | Progressive | $1,687 |
| 12 | The Hartford | $1,782 |
| 13 | Liberty Mutual | $1,865 |
| 14 | Mercury | $1,974 |
USAA is the cheapest Berkeley CA car insurance company that may charge you $72 on average per month. However, you may find different rates based on your particular situation. For getting cheap auto insurance in Berkeley, CA, you should shop around to get multiple quotes.
Plus, you should also ask for the discount manual. Try to avail maximum discounts you are eligible for. It will significantly reduce your auto insurance costs. Remember, the coverage that is right for your friends is not necessarily right for you because these rates are based on your particular individual factors.
How To Get Cheap Berkeley CA Car Insurance Quotes?
Auto insurance can be very expensive for you, so you have to spend a lot of money annually on that. You can lower your premiums by following different techniques. Follow the tips below to get cheap auto insurance in Berkeley, CA:
1. Bundle Your Policies
Many of you will have different types of insurance like health and life insurance along with auto insurance. You can reduce Berkeley CA auto insurance by bundling these policies. When you purchase different policies from the same insurer, you become eligible for a multi-policy discount. By availing of that discount, you can get cheap auto insurance in Berkeley, CA.
2. Negotiate with Your Insurer
Negotiations with auto insurance companies don’t work in most cases. However, if you are renewing your policy, try to negotiate with your insurers. If you don’t negotiate at all, you will have a 0% chance of premium reduction. However, if you negotiate, insurers might lower your premiums a little bit.
Before renewing your policy, get multiple affordable car insurance quotes in Berkeley, CA, from different insurers. If another insurance company offers you an affordable deal, talk to your current insurer and threat to leave them. In this way, your insurer may give you a bit of relief in your annual premiums because no company wants to lose its potential customer.
3. Shop Around For Better Car Insurance Rates
Insurers keep changing the insurance rates over time. Therefore, a company that is the cheapest now may not be the cheapest in the future. You should shop around to get several affordable car insurance quotes in Berkeley, CA, to find out reasonable rates.
If any of the best car insurance companies in Berkeley, CA, offers you the cheapest rate, you should switch the company. However, frequent switching insurance companies isn’t a good practice.
4. Learn What Car Insurance Discounts You’re Eligible For
Almost all insurance companies offer different types of discounts that range from small 5% to huge 30%. These discounts can reduce your premiums drastically. For instance, if you have two or more vehicles and insure them from the same insurers, you may get a multi-vehicle discount.
Similarly, if you are under 25 and have good grades in your university, you can get a good student discount. Communicate with your insurance provider and ask for the discount menu. Try to avail all discounts you are eligible for to get cheap auto insurance in Berkeley, CA.
5. Increase Your Deductibles
A deductible is an amount that you need to pay after an accident before your insurance coverage pays for. This amount varies from one insurer to the next and normally ranges from $250 to $1,000. The higher the deductible, the lower the annual premium. Similarly, the premium will go high if you decrease your deductibles.
Before buying any policy, you should ask the agent how the rise in deductible can affect your annual premium. Increasing your deductible may improve your premium by several percentage points. Therefore, increase your deductible for getting cheap car insurance in Berkeley, CA.
6. Consider Pay-per-Mile Insurance
How often you use your vehicle can impact your insurance costs. If you use your vehicle for frequent road trips, there will be a higher chance of an accident. On the flip side, the occasional errand drivers have fewer chances of road accidents and pay less amount. If you are a driver of a later type, you should go with a pay-per-mile program like Metromile for getting cheap auto insurance in Berkeley, CA. In this program, insurers will calculate your premium based on your driving mileage.
7. Take a Defensive Driving Class
All the best auto insurance companies in Berkeley, CA, are chargeless to safe drivers. They encourage drivers to enroll in defensive driving courses by offering them good discounts. After taking this course, insurers will consider you a responsible driver who is not likely to file many claims.
Remember you should confirm this discount from your agent before signing up for your class. The cost of the course and your effort to learn safe driving will translate into huge insurance savings. It is important to note that you should sign up for the accredited course. Because all states have their own rules about these courses, you can check the details of the accredited course of your state on the GEICO website.
8. Install Anti-Theft Devices
If you want to get cheap car insurance in Berkeley, CA, you should invest a little bit amount in anti-theft devices. A vehicle with anti-theft devices has fewer chances of theft. Therefore, you should install anti-theft devices like a steering wheel lock or an alert system to protect your vehicle.
As you lower the chances of theft of your vehicle, insurers will reduce your insurance premiums. A vehicle without anti-theft devices is risky to insure. That’s why insurers charge higher rates for vehicles without anti-theft devices.
Similarly, if you own a vehicle with plenty of safety features like airbags and an automatic braking system, insurers will charge you less. So you should install some anti-theft devices or buy a vehicle with some safety features to get cheap auto insurance in Berkeley, CA.
9. Enroll in a Telematics Program
Have you ever heard about tools like Progressive Snapshot? Well, these tools use a GPS to track the habits of drivers. The telematics program helps insurers to find out how much you drive, how risky you are on the road, your usual driving speed, and how hard you apply brakes, etc.
Based on these factors, insurers figure out how safe a driver you are. If you agree to enroll in a telematics program, insurers will install a monitoring tool to monitor your habits. Then, if you have safe driving habits, they will charge you less. Otherwise, you will have to pay a huge amount for Berkeley car insurance.
10. Improve Your Credit Score
Many drivers think that auto insurance has nothing to deal with their credit score. However, it’s wrong thinking. Today, almost all the best car insurance companies in Berkeley, CA, look for credit scores before calculating your premium.
Because your credit score shows that how financially responsible person you are if you have a low credit score, it will translate into higher premiums. Insurers consider you a financially responsible person if you have a healthy credit score and charge you less. Therefore, you should improve your credit score before getting auto insurance.
Berkeley CA Cheap Car Insurance Quotes For Young Drivers
If you are a young driver, 20 to 25 years old, you may find a hard time getting cheap auto insurance in Berkeley, CA. It’s because insurers consider young drivers riskier due to their less driving experience. Different studies show that young drivers cause more speed-related collisions than older adults. That’s why young drivers have to pay more amount for auto insurance.
However, some insurers still have better rates for young drivers. Below are a few best auto insurance companies in Berkeley, CA, that offer cheap rates to young drivers:
| Company | Annual Payment |
| Wawanesa | $2,158 |
| Grange Insurance Association | $2,241 |
| Progressive | $2,287 |
| Geico | $2,365 |
| Travelers | $2,471 |
| Esurance | $2,548 |
| Nationwide | $2,569 |
| State Farm | $2,671 |
Rates from one company to the next can vary drastically because each insurer uses its unique formula to calculate your premiums. Above all, some insurers offer good student discounts to young drivers. If you are under 25 and have obtained good grades in university, you can be eligible for this discount. This discount can lower your Berkeley CA auto insurance rate significantly.
Berkeley CA Car Insurance For Drivers With A Good Record
All the best car insurance companies in Berkeley, CA, offer the cheapest car insurance to drivers with a good record. Good drivers maintain their driving history without any traffic violation or accident for several consecutive years. Insurers warmly welcome such drivers for auto insurance.
Below are some of the best auto insurance companies in Berkeley, CA, that offer cheap rates to good drivers:
| Insurance Company | Full Coverage |
| Allstate | $1,872 |
| Farmers | $2,146 |
| Progressive | $2,189 |
| Nationwide | $2,275 |
| CSAA | $2,389 |
| American Family | $2,432 |
| State Farm | $2,487 |
| Travelers | $2,561 |
Good drivers can get full coverage at a reasonable price. Full coverage includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage. Good drivers should get full coverage for additional benefits. Because full coverage not only protects you financially after a car accident but also pays for expenses to the damages to the vehicle due to natural disaster.
Allstate is the cheapest company for good drivers that charge only 185.58 per month on average. All the rates listed above are just estimated to give you some idea. You should contact Berkeley CA car insurance companies to get rates according to your particular situation.
Cheapest Minimum Coverage For Young Good Drivers In Berkeley CA
The young age group has to pay the highest amount to buy Berkeley CA auto insurance. It’s because insurers consider young drivers a liability to insure. Because young drivers are not only inexperienced, but usually they drive faster than older adults. That’s why they are more prone to road accidents. As a result, they have to pay more auto insurance premiums.
Below are some companies from where you can get cheap auto insurance in Berkeley, CA:
| Company | Annual Payment |
| Esurance | $742 |
| CSAA | $789 |
| Nationwide | $836 |
| Wawanesa | $875 |
| The Hartford | $894 |
| Geico | $941 |
| Progressive | $956 |
| Travelers | $987 |
Young drivers may get the cheapest rates from Esurance. However, don’t forget to shop around to get reasonable rates. There are plenty of other ways for young drivers to save some amount. How?
- If you are under 25, you can be eligible for a student discount. You can claim this discount from the agent if you have maintained good grades in your university.
- Plus, you should also take safe driving courses suggested by different insurance companies. After completing these courses, you can get a good discount. That can reduce Berkeley CA auto insurance prices.
- Young drivers should add themselves to their parent’s auto insurance policy. Your parents may have to pay a little bit more amount after adding you to their policy, but it will significantly reduce your insurance price.
Best Coverage For Multiple Cars In Berkeley CA Car Insurance
Almost all the best auto insurance companies in Berkeley, CA, offer some discounts when you insure multiple vehicles from them. So if you have two or more vehicles, you should insure them all from the same insurance company.
You can see the average savings in the table given below:
| Number of Cars | Insurance Cost |
| 2 Vehicles | $3,269 |
| 3 Vehicles | $5,145 |
| 4 Vehicles | $6,871 |
The rates listed above don’t necessarily reflect the actual rates. Insurers will calculate your auto insurance premiums based on your particular situation. However, try your best to avail as many discounts as possible. If you have more than two vehicles, insure them from the same insurer and claim for multiple car insurance discounts.
Cheap Auto Insurance Quotes In Berkeley CA By Age
The rates of auto insurance vary from one age group to the next. Teenagers have to pay the highest amount for Berkeley CA auto insurance. Insurance providers consider them less responsible behind the wheel. Different studies show that drivers under 25 cause almost 17% of all road accidents.
However, middle-aged drivers are safer drivers and pay the lowest rates among all age groups. As the age increases, the amount of auto insurance premiums goes down. After the 50s, the amount of auto insurance starts increasing again. You will see a significant hike in rates as age goes up after the 60s.
The chances of accidents increases in senior drivers because of their physical health conditions like vision problem. That’s why insurance providers consider them a liability to insure and charge them more.
Below are different auto insurance rates for different ages group:
| Age of Driver | Insurance Cost |
| 17-19 | $5,782 |
| 20s | $2,454 |
| 30s | $1,371 |
| 40s | $1,128 |
| 50s | $1,143 |
| 60s | $1,251 |
| 70s | $1,483 |
Cheap Car Insurance In Berkeley CA After A Car Accident
After a car accident, all companies raise your annual insurance premiums. However, their viewpoint on how much to raise the amount varies from one company to the next. That’s why shopping around to find the cheapest rate is very crucial for you after an accident.
After an accident, it’s obvious that insurers will start considering you a risky driver. However, the severity of an accident also matters when renewing your rates. For instance, if you are not at fault during an accident, some companies might not increase your premiums, but others might increase a little bit amount.
However, if you cause an accident and some people die in that accident, some companies may double your premiums. Others may even cancel your policies. Here are some best auto insurance companies for drivers after an accident:
| Company | Average Rate |
| State Farm | $1,381 |
| CSAA | $1,465 |
| Geico | $1,589 |
| Liberty Mutual | $1,684 |
| Travelers | $1,765 |
| Progressive | $1,891 |
| Nationwide | $2,165 |
| Farmers | $2,287 |
The above-listed rates don’t necessarily reflect the actual rates. You can ask for affordable car insurance quotes in Berkeley, CA, according to your particular situation.
Who Offers The Cheap Car Insurance Rates In Berkeley CA For Married Couples?
Married couples should contact different companies like Allstate Insurance and Farmers Insurance Group to find affordable car insurance quotes in Berkeley, CA. Here are some good companies for married couples:
| Company | Married couple rates |
| Allstate Insurance | $1,842 |
| Farmers Insurance Group | $1,965 |
| Progressive | $2,149 |
| CSAA Insurance Group, a AAA Insurer | $2,251 |
| Wawanesa | $2,298 |
| American Family | $2,471 |
| Mercury Insurance Group | $2,782 |
| State Farm Insurance Company | $3,164 |
You should not only limit yourself to the above-mentioned companies. Try to get rates from all insurance companies in your area. If you can’t visit them physically, you can get several quotes online. Then, shortlist some companies and visit there physically to make your final deal.
Cheap Auto Insurance Quotes In Berkeley CA After A DUI
Driving under the influence of alcohol or any other drug is a serious crime. It can create a huge hole in your pocket even if you carry additional coverage. For example, you may have to pay a huge fine, court fees, and renewal of your license (authorities may cancel your license after a DUI conviction).
After a DUI conviction, insurance providers will significantly increase your rates. DUI remains in your driving history for so long. Even it can remain in your history permanently. So you will have to pay a massive amount lifetime for Berkeley CA auto insurance.
Here are some car insurance companies in Berkeley, CA, that offer the cheapest rates to drivers with DUI:
| Company | Annual Payment |
| Esurance | $2,389 |
| CSAA | $2,465 |
| Geico | $2,672 |
| MetLife | $2,894 |
| Nationwide | $3,165 |
| Ameriprise | $3,287 |
| Wawanesa | $3,461 |
| State Farm | $3,684 |
Never drive under the influence because life is very precious. You will not only putting your life at risk but others’ lives too. If authorities catch you driving under the influence of any drug, they can cancel your license and put you in jail. Apart from this, insurers will have a good chance to increase your premium. Get different affordable car insurance quotes in Berkeley, CA, for getting reasonable rates.
Cheap Car Insurance In Berkeley CA After For A Speeding Ticket
Over speeding is another type of traffic violation that can negatively impact your good driving history. If you have plenty of speeding tickets in your driving record, insurers will raise your insurance rates. It’s because overspeeding makes you a risky driver and increases the chances of accidents.
If you only get a speeding ticket, it won’t increase your rates so much. However, if you cause an at-fault accident due to overspeeding, you will see a significant hike in your annual premiums. If you have got a speeding ticket, below are some of the best auto insurance companies in Berkeley, CA:
| Company | Annual Payment |
| Esurance | $1,261 |
| GEICO | $1,342 |
| Wawanesa | $1,389 |
| State Farm | $1,476 |
| Travelers | $1,589 |
| CSAA | $1,641 |
| Liberty Mutual | $1,687 |
| AAA | $1,795 |
The rates listed above are only estimates and for comparison only. You can contact different companies for multiple affordable car insurance quotes in Berkeley, CA.
Cheap Auto Insurance Quotes In Berkeley CA For Minimum Coverage
Drivers in almost all states in the USA need to carry at least liability coverage to legally drive vehicles on the road. If you don’t want to go with additional coverages, it’s still mandatory for you to carry minimum coverage, i.e., liability coverage.
For getting minimum coverage, you will have to pay the lowest average rates. For instance, Esurance charges only $642 on average for minimum coverage. However, your rates can go up or down based on your specific situation.
Here are some best car insurance companies in Berkeley, CA, that offer the cheapest rates for minimum coverage:
| Company | Annual Payment |
| Esurance | $642 |
| State Farm | $689 |
| Nationwide | $754 |
| Wawanesa | $842 |
| Mercury | $891 |
| Geico | $946 |
| Progressive | $982 |
| MetLife | $1,149 |
Many drivers only get minimum coverage to legally drive their vehicles on the road. However, it’s not recommended to go with this coverage. You can go with minimum coverage if you don’t use your vehicle for frequent road trips. Or you are a teenager because you will have to pay a hefty amount for additional coverages. Otherwise, getting minimum coverage can create a great dent in your bank account in the event of a severe accident.
Cheap Car Insurance Companies In Berkeley CA For Drivers With Bad Credit Score
A few years back, insurance providers didn’t use credit scores for calculating insurance premiums. However, the state has allowed insurers to use it as a factor to calculate premiums because a credit score portrays that whether you are a financially sensible person or not.
If you are a financially sensible person, i.e., have a healthy credit score, you will get cheap rates as compared to those with a bad credit score. If you have a poor credit score, below are some best car insurance companies in Berkeley, CA for you:
| Company | Annual Payment |
| Esurance | $1,471 |
| CSAA | $1,534 |
| Travelers | $1,587 |
| MetLife | $1,642 |
| CSAA | $1,689 |
| Liberty Mutual | $1,751 |
| Wawanesa | $1,798 |
| State Farm | $1,862 |
Your credit score should be 700 or above to get good rates. Drivers with a good credit score are less likely to file an insurance claim. According to Experian, the average credit score of the state is 725, which is very good. So drivers should get quotes from at least five companies for getting cheap car insurance in Berkeley, CA.
Cheapest Car Insurance Companies In Berkeley CA For Seniors
After teenagers, the senior drivers have to pay the highest amount for auto insurance. It’s because of their physical health conditions, such as vision problems and slower reflexes.
Here are some of the best auto insurance companies that offer the cheapest rate to senior drivers:
| Company | Annual Payment |
| Ensurance | $1,165 |
| MetLife | $1,241 |
| Geico | $1,289 |
| Progressive | $1,351 |
| Travelers | $1,452 |
| CSAA | $1,498 |
| Wawanesa | $1,561 |
| State Farm | $1,672 |
There are plenty of ways for senior drivers to reduce their annual premiums:
- Seniors should get a vehicle with different safety and security features. Some of the features include airbags, automatic braking, etc. Such features reduce the chances of an accident. As a result, insurers charge them less.
- Another important way for seniors to get cheap rates is by taking a safe driving course. Insurers will reduce their premium after completion of the course.
How To Buy Car Insurance In Berkeley CA?
Buying cheap car insurance in Berkeley, CA, is not that difficult. All you need to know is the basics of this process. Follow the steps below to buy car insurance in Berkeley, CA:
- Pick a Policy: First and foremost, you need to choose the right coverage according to your need and budget. For example, you can either go with the minimum coverage or get some additional ones.
- Fill out an application: After choosing the right coverage, you need to fill out the form with detailed personal information. Insurers won’t calculate your premiums until you provide your personal information.
- Decide how you want to shop: You can buy a policy either online from a marketplace or directly from an insurance provider. If you want to buy it directly from the providers, you should first shop around to get different quotes. Then, you should approach a company with a reasonable company to make the final deal.
- Gather Your Information: Insurers use different types of factors to calculate your insurance premiums. For example, they will ask for your driving history, credit score, your date of birth, make and model of your vehicle, etc. You will have to provide these details to your insurers for getting quotes.
- Compare your quotes: As soon as you provide the required data, insurers will calculate premiums according to their defined formula. Get quotes from different companies and compare their rates and services.
- Cancel your old coverage: Don’t cancel your old policy until you get a new one. After choosing the right company that meets your requirement, you can cancel your old policy. Make sure to cancel your old coverage when getting the new coverage. Both things happen on the same day.
- Choose coverage amounts: You have to buy at least the minimum coverage to fulfill the legal requirement of the state. However, you can get higher limits if you can afford your additional safety.
Average Cost Of Car Insurance In Berkeley CA
Drivers in Berkeley pay more insurance premiums as compared to others in the state. The average cost of auto insurance is around $1,941 in Berkeley, which is the highest in the state. You can reduce this cost by availing of maximum discounts.
What Are The Different Types Of Berkeley CA Auto Insurance Coverage?
In one of the previous sections, you have learned how to buy car insurance in Berkeley, CA. The first and foremost step to buy a car insurance policy is to choose the right type of coverage.
How to choose the right type of coverage? You can only choose the appropriate coverage if you are familiar with all of them. For instance, you should know which coverage is helpful in what type of situation. By keeping the particular situation in your mind, you can choose the right coverage.
Let’s have a brief overview of all popular types of auto insurance coverages.
1. Original parts replacement
Many drivers don’t know what replacement parts will be used for repairing after an accident. That’s why most repairers use third-party parts instead of original ones and charge you an amount equal to the price of genuine parts.
Original parts replacement coverage protects you from such fraudulent activity. It ensures to provide you original parts after an accident. This coverage is worth buying if you have an expensive vehicle.
2. Comprehensive insurance
Comprehensive insurance pays for the damages to the vehicle caused by vandalism, falling objects, fire, and other natural disasters. In case of a collision with another vehicle, it will not be responsible for paying for it (collision insurance will pay if you carry it).
Although it’s not mandatory to carry, you should get it if you live in an area with frequent natural disasters. Sometimes, you park your vehicle under a tree. The tree falls on your vehicle due to a disastrous hurricane. If you don’t carry this coverage, you will be at a great loss. However, you may drop it if you have an old vehicle or an insufficient budget.
3. Major parts replacement coverage
If you cause an accident, you might need to replace different parts of your vehicle like battery, tire, and brakes, etc. If you carry only liability coverage, it will compensate for the losses of an affected driver but won’t pay for your damages. What will you do? Repairing of wear and tear of your vehicle can create a big hole in your pocket.
In such a situation, major parts replacement coverage steps in to protect you. It will cover the expenses of all major parts replacement on your behalf.
4. Uninsured motorist insurance
In case of an accident, at-fault driver’s liability insurance covers the expenses of a driver with no-fault. What if you are at no fault and the at-fault driver doesn’t have liability insurance coverage? Who will pay you?
Uninsured motorist insurance protects you against an uninsured driver. Most drivers pair it with underinsured motorist insurance. However, you don’t need to necessarily go with this coverage because it is a must for all drivers in the state to carry liability coverage.
5. Gap insurance
All new cars depreciate quickly and lose almost 20% of their value within a year. In such a situation, your car insurance settlement may be insufficient to cover the cost of your loan.
If you total your car in a road accident, gap insurance will step in to fill the gap between the depreciated value and owes value on the car. It is worth buying if you have a new vehicle.
6. Rental reimbursement insurance
Let’s say you own a single car. After an accident, you take your car to a workshop for repair. At the same time, you need to deal with an extremely important matter. What will you do?
You may get another car for rent to continue your work. But, you will have to pay this rent from your own pocket. If you carry rental reimbursement insurance, it will pay the rent on your behalf. Remember, it won’t pay if your car is at the workshop for routine repairing.
7. Classic car insurance
Classic car insurance coverage meets the requirement of vintage and classic car collectors. Each insurance providers have their own criteria to define a classic car. However, 25 to 30 years old car usually falls in the category of classic cars.
If you own cars like exotic and hot rods, you can go with this coverage. Before getting this coverage, confirm from the agent that whether your vehicle falls in the list of classic cars or not. If it is a classic car, you can go with this coverage. Otherwise, paying for this coverage is worthless.
8. Medical payments coverage
After an accident, you may have to pay a hefty amount for medical treatment. This coverage pays for your medical expenses regardless of who was at fault during an accident. The coverage remains active either you get injured in an accident during walking or traveling into public transports or in your friends’ car. It covers different types of expenses ranging from hospital visits to doctor fees and from X-Rays to surgery.
Further, the services you can get under this coverage also vary from one insurance provider to the next. For example, some insurers may pay for emergency technicians fees, funeral costs, and ambulance fares. However, other companies may not pay for these expenses even if you own medical payments coverage.
9. Collision insurance
Collision coverage is one of the most important coverages you should buy if you can afford it. It is somehow opposite to the liability coverage. If you cause an accident, it will pay for the damages to your vehicle. But liability coverage will only compensate the losses of the third-party driver in such a situation.
You should carry both liability and collision coverages. In case of an accident, if you were not at fault, a driver who caused the accident would pay for your injuries and damages to the vehicle. On the flip side, if you cause the accident, liability coverage will compensate third-party losses, and collision coverage will pay for your losses.
10. Towing and labor insurance
As the name suggests, this coverage offers different services like oil or gas delivery, jump starts, lockout assistance, and tire change, etc. This coverage is worth buying if you have an old vehicle and frequent breakdown occurs.
11. Personal Injury Protection Insurance
Many states require drivers to carry personal injury protection insurance or PIP to legally drive vehicles on the road. Though it’s not a legal requirement in this state, you can still carry it if you can afford it.
PIP can cover up to 80% of your medical and other expenses, depending on the limits of your policy. However, it only pays for your injuries regardless of who caused the accident. It remains active if you get injured while walking on the roadside or traveling in your friends’ car.
12. Liability Coverage
Liability insurance is the only required coverage to carry in Berkeley, CA. Driving without this coverage is a crime in the state. You will have to pay a huge fine or even go to jail if authorities catch you driving without this coverage.
If you cause an accident, this coverage will cover the expenses of injuries and damages to the vehicle of the affected party. If their expenses exceed the limit you carry, you will have to pay the amount from your pocket. That’s why it’s good to carry much higher limits than the minimum limits.
13. Underinsured Motorist Insurance
Underinsured motorist insurance protects you against an at-fault driver with insufficient liability coverage limits. When a driver hits your vehicle, his/ her liability coverage has to pay for your injuries and damages to the vehicle. What if the at-fault driver has insufficient limits?
In such a situation, this coverage will compensate your losses against drivers with insufficient liability coverage. Instead of buying uninsured motorist insurance in Berkeley, you should buy underinsured motorist insurance for your safety.
14. New Car Replacement
What if you purchase a new car and that has been totaled or stolen? How much loss will you suffer? In this situation, new car replacement coverage steps in to protect you financially.
This coverage pays the amount of a brand-new car with the same make and model if you have totaled your car in an accident. However, insurers will pay minus the deductible from the total costs.
You may need to pay a huge amount to get this coverage. Therefore, you should only get it if your budget allows you or you have an expensive vehicle.
15. Roadside Assistance
Roadside assistance coverage helps you when a roadside breakdown occurs. You can avail of different services like towing, flat tire, etc., under this coverage. However, if you have already purchased towing and labor insurance, don’t opt for this coverage. Plus, it’s only worth buying if you have an old vehicle.
Is Berkeley CA Auto Insurance A No-Fault?
Like many other states, Berkeley, CA, follows the traditional fault-based system. It means a driver who causes an accident will have to compensate the affected party.
If you are a driver, passenger, or pedestrian who have suffered in the accident, you can take different action to compensate your losses. These losses include medical bills, pain, and suffering, property damage, etc. Here are three ways to file a claim in a no-fault state:
- You can claim from your own insurance provider to compensate your losses if you have the right coverage.
- Another way is to pursue a third-party claim through the liability coverage of third-party drivers.
- You can also file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver for personal injuries or property damage.
How Car Insurance Rates Are Calculated In Berkeley CA?
It can be frustrating for you to understand how insurance providers calculate your auto insurance rates. Almost all companies ask for the same type of data to calculate annual premiums. But each company charges differently. Why?
The reason behind the different calculations is that there is no exact formula to calculate the premiums. All companies use multiple factors to calculate your quote price. And, each company gives unique weightage to each factor which results in different quotes value.
Here are some factors companies use to calculate affordable car insurance quotes in Berkeley, CA:
- Your driving history
- Credit score
- Driving mileage
- Marital status
- Make and model of the vehicle
- Location
- Your age
- How many types of coverage do you cover?
Some companies may give more weightage to marital status as compared to others. In this way, their rates vary from one insurer to the next.
Further, each company offers different types of discounts. For example, if you have two vehicles and you insure your vehicle from the same insurer, your insurers may offer you a good discount. And, this discount can range from 5% to 30%. Due to this huge discount difference, you may get different rates from different companies.
How To Save Money On Berkeley CA Auto Insurance For Teens?
In almost all states, teenagers have to pay the highest amount for auto insurance. It’s because they are riskier than older adult drivers. However, there are still plenty of ways for teens to save some money. Let’s discuss them all one by one…
Pay Entire Payment at Once
Teens can get a good discount if they pay their entire policy premium at once. When they make their payment in multiple installments, they have to pay more. You can see a drop in rates if you pay the entire rate at once.
Take advantage of Telematics.
It’s not always the case that all teens are risky drivers. Many of them may have safe driving habits. If you are one of them, you can take advantage of telematics. Telematics is a program that monitors the driving habits of a driver.
If you agree to go with this program, insurance companies will install a device to monitor your habits. These habits include how fast you drive, how hard you apply brakes, how attentively you drive, how many hours you drive the car daily, etc. They then use that monitored data to calculate the auto insurance price.
Low-Mileage Discount
All best auto insurance companies in Berkeley, CA, discourage drivers from unnecessary road trips. For this purpose, they offer a low-mileage discount to those drivers with less driving mileage. So teens can get a pay-per-mile discount for lowering their premiums.
Take a Safe Driving Course
Almost all the best car insurance companies in Berkeley, CA, encourage drivers to take a safe driving course. In this course, you learn different defensive driving skills that make you a less risky driver on the road. As a reward, drivers get a good discount that can reduce their annual premiums.
Own a Car with Some Safety Features
A vehicle with plenty of safety features reduces the chances of an accident significantly. Further, in case of an accident, these features protect you from serious injuries. Due to this reason, insurers charge less for vehicles with some safety features like airbags and automatic braking.
Agree to Renew Your Policy Automatically
Some companies offer a bit cheaper rates if you agree to renew your policy automatically. You can save a little money by availing of this offer.
Avail Student Discounts
Many best auto insurance companies in Berkeley, CA, offer good students discounts. Teens can be eligible for this discount if they maintain good grades in school or college. Students have to prove that they have good grades before insurance companies avail of this discount.
Increase Your Deductibles
Deductibles are the amount that you have to pay in the event of an accident before insurers step in. Increasing the deductibles reduce your premiums and vice versa. You should raise your deductibles if you afford them to reduce insurance costs.
Add Your Policy Into Your Parents Policy
The above tips greatly reduce your Berkeley CA auto insurance costs. For your ease, you can add your vehicle to your parent’s insurance policy. It will increase the rates of your parents a little bit. But, it will significantly reduce your premiums.
You should talk to the agent and ask for any other way to reduce your premiums. Buying multi-policy (bundling your auto insurance policy with other insurance types like health insurance) can also reduce your cost. All tips can save a little bit amount for you, and you will end up with huge savings.
Does Motorcycle Insurance In Berkeley CA Have The Same Coverage As Car Insurance?
Motorcycles and cars are two vastly different types of vehicles. However, both have almost the same or similar insurance needs. The main purpose of auto insurance is to protect drivers, passengers, vehicles, other properties in the event of an accident.
Here are some shared insurance coverages between motorcycles and cars:
- Liability Coverage: It covers the expenses of both bodily injuries and damages to the vehicle. At-fault driver’s liability coverage will compensate for the losses of affected drivers.
- Comprehensive Coverage: It compensates for the damages to the vehicles, i.e., cars and bikes caused by natural disasters and vandalism like hail, lightning, fire, wind, explosion, etc.
- Collision Coverage: In case of a collision with a vehicle or bike, it will compensate your losses regardless of who caused the accident.
- Medical Payments Coverage: This coverage pays for different types of medical expenses of drivers and passengers, no matter who is at fault.
- Uninsured/ Underinsured Motorist Coverage: There is a slight difference between both coverages. Uninsured coverage protects you against a driver who doesn’t have liability coverage at all to pay your expenses in case of an accident. And, underinsured motorist coverage protects you against a driver who doesn’t even have liability coverage.
Required Coverages
Each state has different requirements for car and motorcycle insurance. In some states, there are no legal minimum requirements for motorcycles. However, in some other states, the minimum requirements are the same for both types of vehicles.
- Each injured person will receive $30,000 from the liability coverage of the at-fault driver.
- Liability coverage of at-fault drivers will pay $60,000 for bodily injury per accident.
- Plus, liability coverage will pay for $25,000 for property damage.
Difference in Coverages
You will find a slight difference between motorcycle and car insurance coverages. You can customize motorcycles in a way you can’t customize your cars. For example, you can add sidecars and wear safety equipment like helmets. That’s why motorcyclists need to buy additional coverage to cover some upgrades.
Another difference in coverage between both types of coverage is guest passenger liability. This coverage is only available for motorcycles. It covers the medical expenses of your passengers if you cause the accident. This coverage is not the same as personal injury protection or medical payment coverage. Because these coverages compensate for injuries regardless of who caused the accident, in simple words, guest passenger liability coverage of at-fault drivers will pay for the medical expenses of passengers.
Is Motorcycle Insurance More Expensive than Car Insurance?
Though a motorcycle is quite famous for being dangerous, its insurance cost is still lower than other vehicles like cars and vans. It’s because of the small size of a motorcycle, and its spare parts are not as expensive as cars parts are.
What Is An SR-22 Form?
Many people consider SR-22 a type of insurance. However, it’s not. SR-22 is a certificate from your insurer that indicates that you carry insurance coverage. You can consider it proof of carrying insurance coverage. A judge might ask for this certificate if you were involved in a traffic violation. Usually, you have to pay around a $25 fee to get this SR-22 certificate, and it will be valid for around three years.
Who Needs SR-22 Insurance?
There are different types of people who need SR-22 insurance. For example, those people who are convicted for traffic violations need an SR-22. Traffic violation includes DUI, overspeeding, and something similar based on the law of the state where you live.
The drivers with speeding tickets or any other traffic violation are high-risk drivers. A serious traffic violation can lead you to the cancellation of your license. A judge can ask you to carry more than the standard state minimum liability insurance. Plus, you need to have SR22 as proof that you have higher limits of liability insurance to get your license back. After getting SR22, you will be able to bring your vehicle on the road.
How Long Do I Need An SR-22?
In most states, SR-22 remains in your insurance between 1 and 3 years. After this period, the insurance provider has no longer needs to submit this certificate to keep your license valid.
If you want SR22 to remain active, you should keep paying your car insurance premiums. As soon as you cancel your insurance policy, the SR22 will no longer be active. As a result, your license will be suspended as well. To get your license back, you will have to buy insurance coverage again, or you will have to file an SR22 again.
If you commit a traffic violation again after getting SR22, you will have to get SR22 for a longer duration to continue your driving privileges. For renewing SR22, you should fill the form a certain number of days in advance.
What Is Non-Owner SR-22 Insurance?
Non-owner SR-22 insurance is for a person who drives a car that he/ she doesn’t own. Many people consider non-owner SR-22 insurance as an operator’s certificate. You will need to carry this insurance if your license has been suspended.
You need to carry this insurance until you get your license back. Non-owner insurance is somehow similar to liability coverage that covers the expenses of a third party if you cause the accident. However, a person who owns the car will pay for his own passengers’ injuries and damages to the vehicle. That’s why non-owner insurance is a bit cheaper than liability coverage.
What Is Recommended f-For Berkeley CA Car Insurance Coverage?
Liability coverage is the basic auto insurance requirement in almost all states except New Hampshire and Virginia. It has two types as follows:
- Bodily injury liability insurance: It covers the cost of bodily injuries of drivers and passengers of the affected part. And, the liability coverage of a driver who causes the accident will pay for the expenses.
- Property damage liability insurance: It pays for the damages to the property of an affected party. For example, if you are at fault, your liability coverage will pay for third-party’s property damage.
Here are some other optional coverages that you should need to carry for your additional safety:
- Comprehensive insurance coverage: It covers the comprehensive damages to your vehicle. For example, it will pay for the damages to the vehicle caused by fire, vandalism, wind, etc.
- Collision insurance coverage: It pays for the damages to the vehicle in the event of a collision with another vehicle, no matter who was at fault.
- Full coverage insurance: Full coverage is the combination of liability, comprehensive, and collision coverages. It covers almost all types of damages to your vehicle, third-party vehicle, and bodily injuries.
If you have enough budget, you should go with full coverage for additional safety. Plus, carrying underinsured motorists and medical payment insurance can be very helpful.
Car Insurance Berkeley CA Questions And Answered
What does No-Fault insurance mean?
In a no-fault insurance policy, policyholders and passengers get benefits in case of an accident, no matter who caused the accident. The policy covers different medical expenses, lost wages, and rehabilitation of injured parties. Due to this, people can’t sue the driver (policyholder) for injuries unless they meet certain criteria.
What is Liability Only Coverage?
Liability coverage is the legal requirement for all drivers in the state. In case of an accident, at fault drivers’ liability coverage will compensate the losses of the affected party. The losses include injuries, damages to the vehicles, and other property damages.
Each state has different minimum requirements of insurance limits. In some states, liability coverages limits are 15/30/25, which means $15,000 for injury coverage per person, $30,000 for injuries of all persons, and $25,000 for property damages.
If you want to get cheap car insurance in Berkeley, CA, you can go with liability-only coverage. After carrying this, you can bring your vehicle on the road. Authorities won’t take any action against you unless you cause an accident and damages and injuries expenses exceed your liability coverage.
Do car insurance companies offer military discounts?
Some best car insurance companies in Berkeley, CA, offer military discounts to military personals and their families. For example, military personals can get this discount from USAA. However, all Berkeley CA car insurance companies don’t offer this discount.
When can you drop full coverage insurance?
You shouldn’t drop full coverage insurance if you have enough budget. However, you can drop it if you own an old car. Plus, if you live in an area where natural disasters don’t frequently occur, you can skip it.
What happens if I don’t have uninsured motorist coverage?
Uninsured motorist coverage protects you against a driver with no liability insurance at all. In Berkeley, CA, all drivers must carry it. That’s why almost all drivers in the state carry liability coverage. If you don’t have this coverage, you might not be at great risk. However, in an unfortunate situation, if an uninsured driver hits you, it can cost you thousands of dollars.
What does Full Coverage Insurance Cover?
Full coverage is the combination of liability, collision, and comprehensive coverages. If you combine all these coverages into a single one, that will be full coverage. Liability coverage steps in if you are at fault in an accident. It will cover the medical expenses as well as damages to the vehicles of the affected party.
Collision coverage steps in if you collide with a vehicle, no matter who caused the accident. It will pay you for the damages to your vehicle. Remember, liability coverage covers the expenses of the third-party driver and doesn’t pay for your losses. On the flip side, collision coverage covers your expense but don’t pay for third-party drivers.
Comprehensive coverage steps in when your vehicle is affected by natural disasters, fire, vandalism, etc. It means this coverage is helpful for off-road accidents.
How much liability insurance do I need?
If you don’t have enough budget, you can only fulfill the minimum liability insurance limits by the state. However, it’s good to carry a higher limit to protect your savings in case of a severe accident. If you cause an accident and the expenses exceed your liability coverage limits, you will have to pay the rest of the amount from your own pocket. It will create a massive hole in your pocket.
For instance, you are at fault in an accident. In this accident, the third-party car gets totaled, and passengers get serious injuries. Now, you need almost $50,000 for medical expenses and another $50,000 to compensate for the damages to the vehicle. Will you be able to pay this amount if you have the minimum limits of liability coverage?
You should have enough liability insurance limits to cover the expenses of the affected party. Generally, getting higher liability limits is a smart decision because it will protect you from huge losses in the event of an accident. Instead of going with cheap auto insurance in Berkeley, CA, you should prefer your financial safety first.
Do I need full coverage on a financed car?
Yes, you need to have full coverage if you have a financed car. If you are a reputable lender, you will need drivers with a loan to purchase collision and comprehensive coverage for their cars. Liability coverage is a legal requirement for Berkeley CA car insurance. Therefore, you will need comprehensive, collision, and liability coverage, i.e., full coverage for your financed car. If you find full coverage a bit expensive, you should shop around and get multiple affordable car insurance quotes in Berkeley, CA. In this way, you can find the best auto insurance companies in Berkeley, CA.
