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What You Should Know About Car Insurance in Fremont, California
Founded around the Spanish-built Mission San José in 1797, modern-day Fremont incorporated in 1956 when five area cities became one. The name honors John C. Fremont, who served as a governor and then senator. This area saw rapid growth during several distinctive times, including the California Gold Rush in the 1800s, the Silicon Valley tech boom beginning in the 1980s and since then, several well-known factories and manufacturers, including Apple, Cirrus Logic and Tesla have set up shop here.
Although five cities (Centerville, Niles, Irvington, Mission San José, and Warm Springs) combined to form one single city, they retain their own special personalities while the area has grown exponentially around them over the years. For example, the flavor of Niles is entertainment, art and culture, and railways. There are a number of antique and craft stores, and visitors can hop on a weekend train ride through Niles Canyon, an especially popular event during the seasonal holiday “train of lights” event in December.
In the 2020 census, more than 230,000 people called this area home and the median household income is a modest $142,000. The population is mostly a mix of Asian (63%), white (17%) and Hispanic or Latino (13%). With its warm summers and cool, wet winters, families flock to this area. There’s plenty to do, including many parks to visit, a railway to ride and water parks. Just remember, you must have coverage to drive legally in California. InsureOne can help you find the best car insurance plan to protect what’s important at a reasonable price.
How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Fremont, California?
For the bare bones minimum required by the state, drivers pay on average $49 per month. That’s a little less than the state average at $53. It’s also less than the national average which is also $53.
For full coverage (increased liability limits, comprehensive and collision insurance), the average in Fremont is $178 monthly. That’s very close the California’s average of $181 and lower than the national average of $195.
Keep in mind that liability only pays for other drivers’ injuries and damages you cause when you are at fault in a wreck. It does not pay anything for your own expenses. Plus, California’s minimum requirements are low – meaning you could wind up paying out of pocket for anything not covered by your policy.
What Does it Mean if California is an At-Fault State?
California is an at-fault state. This means the expenses from an accident are the responsibility of the person found to be at fault for the event. In the event more than one driver is at fault, the state and courts will divvy up the financial responsibility based on the percentage of fault.
For example, if someone runs a red light and causes an accident, the fault would be theirs, right? Not so fast. If the driver they hit is proven to have been speeding at the time (or violating some other law), they could end up bearing a percentage of fault.
In an at-fault state, your insurance will pony up to pay for the injuries and damages you cause in a covered event – up to your policy limits. Let’s dissect that sentence a little. First, it must be a “covered event.” This means your carrier will only pay if the claim is approved. For example, some insurers may deny the claim if the driver is found to be impaired at the time of the crash.
Up to your policy limits, the second part of the sentence, means whatever limits you choose is how much your insurer will pay. If you choose to carry the absolute minimum required ($15K/$30K/$5K) and you hydroplane into someone’s brand new Lexus, you’ll be paying for any repairs to their car over $5,000. And your own repairs. This is why many drivers increase their liability limits.
If you are looking for the best car coverage to protect what is important, contact your neighborhood InsureOne agent. We will listen to what you need, help you sort through your limit options and research the best plans for you.
Car Insurance Rates Comparison by Zip Code in Fremont
There are six zip codes in the Fremont area, so for this specific factor, most people will average the same amount. Carriers use zip codes to look at how many accidents happen in the area, plus the amount of vehicle crime.
Zip Code | Full Coverage Insurance | Liability Insurance Coverage |
---|---|---|
94536 | $178 | $49 |
94537 | $179 | $47 |
94538 | $179 | $48 |
94539 | $175 | $47 |
94555 | $177 | $47 |
94560 | $178 | $49 |
How Bundling Your Car and Homeowners Insurance Can Save You Money in Fremont
What is bundling? In insurance terms, it is the act of combining two or more policies with the same carrier. There are several reasons why this benefits both you and your insurer, including:
- Bundling saves you and your insurer money and time. It reduces administrative costs for the insurance company and provides you with a discount.
- Bundling shows loyalty and it shows your carrier you like their service and are likely to remain, perhaps even insuring more items with them.
- Bundling makes resolving claims easier for both parties, since there is less policy paperwork to deal with during the event.
Bundling discounts can be up to 25% off in some cases, such as bundling an auto policy with a home insurance package. So, you can save money by bundling in Fremont. You can also save time, a bonus result.
What Types of Car Insurance Discounts are Available in Fremont?
Any business that wants to keep its existing customers and recruit new ones will offer incentives such as discounts, coupons, sales and more. In the case of insurers, that usually takes the form of discounts. They all offer them, but finding out which one offers the most meaningful ones is key to saving money.
In most cases, your carrier will allow you to take two, sometimes three, discounts per account, so it’s important to know what discounts are available and which ones apply to your unique situation. We’ve talked about bundling, one of the best ones available. Another way to save the most is through the good or safe driver discount, usually reserved for those who have not had any blemishes on their driving record for 3-5 years.
Here are a few common discounts and how much they could save on your premiums.
Discount | What It’s Worth |
---|---|
Good or Safe Driver | 10-30% Off |
Affiliation (School, Employer, Team, Military) | 20-25% Off |
Senior (Over the Age of 65) | 15-35% |
Low Mileage | 5% |
Good Student | 15% |
Notable Car Insurance Laws in Fremont
States establish rules and regulations designed to keep the roads safer for everyone who uses them. Some of these regulations are built to handle the aftermath when something happens to harm or injure a driver and their property. This is why there are insurance laws: To help pay for injuries and repairs when someone is injured through somebody else’s actions.
What are the Mandatory Car Insurance Requirements in Fremont?
The minimum legal requirement for car insurance in California is:
- Bodily Injury Liability: $15,000 for one person and $30,000 for two or more people per accident
- Property Damage Liability: $5,000 per accident
Breaking this down means if you choose these bare minimums, your insurer will kick in these amounts to help pay for a covered event where you are at fault. Using the same example as above, a driver hydroplanes during a rainstorm into someone’s brand new Lexus. With these minimums, that driver’s insurance company will pay $5,000 for repairs to the Lexus (and none for your own damages). With today’s repair bills, that probably won’t go far. You’ll be responsible for the rest (and your assets can be seized to help pay for it).
The same definition applies to bodily injury liability. With medical costs rising, $15,000 may sound like a lot, but if someone you injure in a car accident has to take an ambulance ride and spend several nights in the hospital, you’ll be looking at a lot more than $15K in bills.
This is why many drivers choose to increase the levels of coverage. A knowledgeable InsureOne agent can help you decide how much coverage you need and will shop around for you, so you don’t have to spend your valuable time comparing quotes.
What is the Penalty for Driving without Insurance in Fremont?
You now know some of the reasons why it is illegal to drive without insurance in California. Driving without is an offense that can bring financial consequences beyond what your coverage would have cost in the first place.
Fines begin at $100 and go up from there. If that’s not enough, California also assigns penalty assessment fees that can raise that amount to $400. California also reserves the right to impound your vehicle.
California also takes part in the “no pay, no play” regulations. This means if you are in an accident caused by someone with insurance, you will not be able to sue them for non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering.
Overall, driving without coverage may turn out much more expensive than just buying car insurance before you get behind the wheel.
Factors That Determine Your Insurance Premiums in Fremont
Many different factors are used to arrive at the best car insurance quote. Providers use their own algorithms to come to a price based on each applicant’s unique attributes. Here are some of those factors:
- Age: The lowest rates are usually reserved for drivers in their 30s, 40s and 50s. Younger drivers and older motorists historically have more claims, due to inexperience on the one end and failing vision and health on the other end.
- Driving Record: One of the most important factors is your driving history. Keep your record clean of claims, tickets and accidents to receive the best rates.
- Location: Those who live in quiet, less traveled areas will receive a lower quote than those who frequently drive in more congested, accident heavy places.
- Vehicle: Choosing a car with high safety ratings and easy-to-find parts will get you a lower rate than a vehicle that needs expensive, foreign parts.
Here’s What You Need to Know When Driving in California
There are a wide range of driving conditions in the Golden State. You may face blizzards in the mountains of the north or heat-related issues in the central deserts. Along with those challenges, California has some traffic laws that may be new to you. Here are some tips:
- If you meet a driver on one of the winding, scenic one-lane roads in California’s beautiful forests, the vehicle facing downhill must backup until the driver facing uphill can pass.
- Drivers must turn on their headlights 30 minutes after sunset and keep them on until 30 minutes before sunrise.
- If you have your windshield wipers on due to weather conditions, you must also have on your low beam headlights.
- You can make a left turn on a red light only if you are going from one one-way road to another one-way road.
Typical Driving Conditions in Fremont
Fremont is mild, with warm, clear summers and a short winter season that can get wet and cool. A large majority of Fremont residents are employed at the Tesla factory, so you’ll want to avoid that area during shift changes. All across the world, temperatures are rising due to global warming so use these 7 tips to protect your car during this historic heat.
How Many Car Accidents Happen in Fremont Per Year?
The California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) reported 575 fatal and injury crashes in Fremont in 2021. Of that, alcohol was a factor in 56. Speeding contributed to 75 accidents.
Crash Category | VICTIMS KILLED & INJURED | OTS RANKING |
---|---|---|
Total Fatal and Injury | 575 | 48/60 |
Alcohol Involved | 56 | 53/60 |
Motorcycles | 21 | 57/60 |
Pedestrians | 35 | 47/60 |
Bicycle | 53 | 16/60 |
How Many Uninsured/Underinsured Motorists are in Fremont?
Of the 575 fatal and injury accidents reported in Fremont in 2021, 32 of those are attributed to hit and run drivers. California, and particularly San Francisco, ranks very high in the number of uninsured motorists on the road. This is true across the country, where one out of every seven drivers are driving either uninsured or underinsured (will not have enough to pay for your injuries and damages if they hit you).
One way to combat this is to purchase uninsured motorist coverage as an add-on. It is typically inexpensive, costing pennies per day. That’s a small price to pay for peace of mind.
Ask your neighborhood InsureOne agent about adding it to your policy.
Get Covered by the Best Car Insurance in Fremont, CA Today
At InsureOne, we are focused on finding you the best coverage, with customized options, so you have the right plan at the right price. Our plans are flexible – we bend to meet you, not the other way around. Plus, we do the shopping for you so you can spend some time with the family taking a railroad trip through Niles Canyon or hanging out at Aqua Adventure Water Park.
Find out why your neighbors in Fremont are buying their insurance from InsureOne. Get a quote online, visit us at an office near you, or call us at (800) 836-2240 for a quote.