Find Car Insurance in Merced, California

What You Should Know About Car Insurance in Merced, CA

Founded in 1872, Merced sits in the center of the Golden State. What was originally a produce-processing center is now a full-blown city with employment opportunities, lots of nature, education, and an appealing housing market. Its population increased by more than 25% between 2000 and 2020.

Merced puts residents within driving distance of cities such as Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Jose, Fresno, and San Francisco, as well as breathtaking nature preserves such as Yosemite National Park and Sierra National Forest. But this city has its own bragging rights with sites such as Lake Yosemite, Merced National Wildlife Refuge, and the University of California, which has over 9,000 students.

Merced also has a downtown offering municipal services, culture, arts, and a vibrant nightlife. Before you hop into your car to enjoy the city and its hot spots, let an expert help you protect your vehicle with the best auto insurance for an excellent price.

How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Merced, California?

The cost of obtaining car insurance in California depends on the type of policy you need. Full coverage policies that cover your vehicle from damages both while you are driving and while it is parked cost an average of $2,291. State minimum liability, which covers the state’s basic requirements, costs $636 on average. National averages are slightly lower at $2,014 for full and $622 for minimum liability policies.

What Does Full Coverage vs. Minimum Liability Mean?

There are several types of insurance policies available, catering to the needs and personal preferences of each driver.

Some drivers just want to obtain the minimum coverage required by law so they can drive their car legally. For them, a state minimum liability plan would suffice. This policy would only cover them for damages they cause to others in an accident, up to their coverage limits. Their insurer would not pay for their own vehicle if they were at fault for a crash.

Other drivers want to protect their vehicles from as many situations as possible. They would be more interested in a full coverage policy, which offers liability, comprehensive, and collision coverage. With such a policy, the insurer pays for the insured’s car even if they were at fault, as well as for many other instances where there is no other party who will pay for damages. For example, if an uninsured driver crashes into them or their car is damaged by a flood.

Minimum liability is the cheaper option, but you should also consider the protection you get. If you only fulfill California’s basic requirements, you will only obtain $5,000 in property damage. That means if you are at fault for a crash and the damages to other parties total $15,000, you would have to pay the $10,000 out of pocket, plus whatever it costs to repair your own car.

Affordable Car Insurance Rates Comparison by Cities in California

Check out the chart below for a comparison of the average monthly premiums in various California cities.

City	Full Coverage Insurance	Liability Insurance Coverage
Merced	$130	$93
Fresno	$200	$104
Modesto	$201	$66
Santa Cruz	$150	$99
Stockton	$209	$96

What Types of Car Insurance Discounts Are Available in Merced?

Bundling is just the beginning. InsureOne has many types of discounts that can help lower your premiums. While not every insurer offers them, and you might not qualify for some, it never hurts to ask. Here are five that might be available:

• Premium Upfront Discount
• Loyalty Discount
• Anti-Theft Discount
• Multi-Car Discount
• Low-Mileage Discount

Notable Car Insurance Laws in Merced

Merced does not have any specific car insurance laws. Municipalities in the Golden State rely on California’s comprehensive set of auto coverage regulations.

What Are the Mandatory Car Insurance Requirements in Merced?

It is illegal to drive a car unless you have the state’s mandatory coverage. California law requires every driver to obtain a 15/30/5 minimum liability policy. That means you must have the following at a minimum:

• $15,000 of bodily injury coverage per person to cover medical or funeral costs in an accident you cause
• $30,000 aggregate bodily injury protection per accident for medical or funeral for more than one person in a crash
• $5,000 to cover property damages you cause in an accident

What Is the Penalty for Driving Without Insurance in Merced?

The state takes driving while uninsured very seriously. You cannot register your vehicle without coverage, and if you stop paying your premiums, the DMV will revoke your registration. If an officer catches you on the road without a minimum liability policy, they might impound your car and/or suspend your driving privileges. You will also be subject to the following:

• A fine of $100 to $200 for your first offense
• A fine of $200 to $500 for your second offense
• Additional penalties, as determined by the court

Do Merced-Specific Laws Play a Role in Determining Your Insurance Premiums?

The state’s minimum auto coverage requirements help keep policies affordable. Many states require much higher levels of coverage, which increases premium costs. But primarily, insurers look at many details about you, your car, and your preference to determine your rates. These are some details they review before they can give you an accurate quote:

• Your vehicle’s safety rating: Your car has safety features that help prevent you from crashing or getting hurt. The safer your car is, the less your insurer will charge you.
• The class of vehicle you drive: Cars are considered more or less dangerous depending on who typically drives them. A sports car might have a higher penchant for accidents versus a minivan, which is usually a family car.
• The replacement cost of your vehicle: If you have full coverage and cause an accident that totals your car, your insurer will have to replace it, so they base your premiums on the potential tab they might face.
• Your policy options: You can get higher levels of coverage if you choose, such as 24/7 roadside assistance or rental car reimbursement, but that will cost you more money as well.
• Increased liability coverage: Similarly, the state only requires you to get a 15/30/5 policy. You might want to increase your property damage portion to $50,000. That might be an excellent decision, but it will also increase your premiums.

Auto Insurance Rates for Young Drivers vs. Older People in Merced

Inexperienced drivers are not as safe as their experienced counterparts, so insurers charge them significantly more than others. An 18-year-old male in Merced, 95340, will pay about $400 monthly for full coverage, while a 40-year-old will pay approximately $158.

As drivers get older, insurers start seeing them as slightly more of a risk and will increase their premiums. For this reason, a 75-year-old male will pay about $171 on average in the same zip code.

Regardless of your age, our expert agents at InsureOne will help you find the best auto insurance in Merced with customizable options that best meet your needs.

How Many Car Accidents Happen in Merced Per Year?

The California Office of Traffic Safety keeps bodily harm and fatality statistics. In 2021, there were 660 injuries or deaths due to car accidents in Merced. The following chart shows how some other cities in the Golden State compare.

City	Injuries or Fatalities Resulting from Crashes, 2021
Merced	660
Fresno	1,351
Modesto	1,999
Santa Cruz	147
Stockton	1,705

How Many Uninsured/Underinsured Motorists Are in Merced?

Specific local stats are currently unavailable, but in 2022, 17% of Californians did not have any insurance at all. This puts the state at number 11 in the nation. The national average was 14%, which is also too high. Ask an agent what you can do to protect yourself financially in case an uninsured or underinsured driver crashes your car.