Find Car Insurance in Riverside, California
What You Should Know About Car Insurance in Riverside, CA
Located about an hour east of Los Angeles, Riverside is a suburban municipality that benefits from being within driving distance of a big city. The city’s citrus industry dates back to its inception in 1870, and residents and visitors can learn its history at California Citrus State Historic Park. Massive economic development efforts over the years have led to burgeoning government, education, manufacturing, and retail industries.
With a population of over 300,000, Riverside is one of the most populous municipalities in the state. The city works diligently to preserve its past by designating sites like the Mission Inn Hotel and Spa, where presidents and celebrities have stayed, married, and honeymooned since its original construction in 1876, as historic landmarks. Traverse and enjoy the town after contacting expert agents who are waiting to help you find the best auto insurance at the best price in California.
How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Riverside, California?
The cost of car insurance in California is not overly expensive, but it does cost slightly more than in other parts of the country. A minimum liability policy costs an average of $636 in this state compared to the national average of $622, and full coverage costs $2,291 versus $2,014 nationally.
What Does Full Coverage vs. Minimum Liability Mean?
Full coverage and minimum liability are two popular types of policies that people choose. The first, full coverage, provides a high level of protection. If you get such a policy, your insurer would pay for almost any instance in which your car gets damaged. This includes if you were at fault for an accident, if an uninsured driver crashes into your vehicle, or even if your car gets stolen or hit by a hit-and-run driver.
Minimum liability is on the other end of the spectrum. It only provides the bare minimum coverage required by your state. This policy is more for people looking for affordability over higher levels of protection. It is a more budget-friendly option but will not cover your own vehicle when you cause an accident, and it typically comes with low amounts of coverage for damages you cause to others. In some cases, drivers with this type of policy may end up having to pay out of pocket for losses they cause in a crash.
Affordable Car Insurance Rates Comparison by Cities in Riverside
The city you live in plays a major role in your premium costs. This table shows average monthly premiums in Riverside compared to several other California cities.
City | Full Coverage Insurance | Liability Insurance Coverage |
---|---|---|
Riverside | $153 | $93 |
Modesto | $201 | $66 |
Chico | $187 | $51 |
San Bernadino | $215 | $96 |
Long Beach | $163 | $109 |
How Bundling Your Car and Homeowners Insurance Can Save You Money in Riverside
Bundling is when you use a single carrier for more than one type of coverage, like auto and homeowners insurance. Many people do this because it helps them manage their various policies. It is easier to deal with one company rather than giving your information and discussing your details and preferences with multiple insurers. It is also simpler to pay your bills to a single insurance company.
But insurers also appreciate when you bring them more business than just one policy. In return, they give you a reduced rate for all the policies you obtain through them. For example, if you get both homeowners insurance and auto coverage from the same carrier, you might save as much as 25% on both. Every insurer treats bundling policies differently, so you have to shop around to maximize your savings. Although it is difficult to get the most out of this type of discount, InsureOne’s expert agents will do all that work for you. They will customize a policy that gets you the highest bundling discount available based on your situation.
What Types of Car Insurance Discounts Are Available in Riverside?
There are many other types of discounts available. Carriers offer these for a variety of reasons. When your InsureOne agent delivers your quote, ask them if they can lower your premiums further through discounts. Here are some they might have available:
- Paid-in-full discount
- Paperless billing discount
- Auto-pay discount
- Loyalty discount
- Safety feature discount
Notable Car Insurance Laws in Riverside
Below are some California laws and regulations that affect every city in the state, including Riverside.
What Are the Mandatory Car Insurance Requirements in Riverside?
You cannot operate a vehicle on public roads without having at least some basic coverage in case you cause an accident. The Golden State’s standards are fairly low compared to other states and include the following:
- $15,000 of liability coverage for bodily injury per person
- $30,000 of liability for bodily injury per accident
- $5,000 for property damage
What Is the Penalty for Driving Without Insurance in Riverside?
If you are caught driving without at least a minimum liability policy, you may be subject to the following:
- $100 to $200 fine for a first offense
- $200 to $500 fine for a second offense
- License suspension
- Vehicle impoundment
- Additional penalties or fines
Do Riverside-Specific Laws Play a Role in Determining Your Insurance Premiums?
Riverside does not have its own laws that affect your premiums, but these are some of the factors that might:
- Accident rates: Insurers use statistics to determine premiums. If there are many accidents in your area, your carrier will raise your rates because they are more likely to have to pay a claim for you.
- Theft rates: The same applies to theft rates — if statistics show that cars are stolen more often in your area than in other neighborhoods, your insurer will ask for higher premiums.
- Type of vehicle: Car segments are somewhat of an indication regarding the likelihood of you filing a claim. For example, a minivan is considered less likely to cause an accident since it is a family car that is typically driven responsibly.
- Amount of coverage: You might find California’s minimum liability requirements too low and full coverage a bit costly. You can choose something in between, with premiums varying based on the exact level you choose.
- Claims history: If you have filed claims in the past, insurers will assume you are more likely to file a claim versus someone who has never filed a claim, so they will charge you more for your coverage.
Insurance That Helps You Prepare for the Future
Without auto coverage, every time you drive your vehicle, you would have to worry about not being able to afford the consequences of getting into an accident. What would happen if you caused a significant amount of damage to others? Or if an uninsured driver crashed into you? The costs could be exorbitant — well beyond your means.
What level of coverage you should get is another question. But even a moderate policy will remove the need for you to budget an undefined dollar amount to cover mishaps that might occur on the road. To determine the right amount of coverage to obtain, turn to our InsureOne expert agents, who can help you find the best auto insurance with customizable options that best meet your needs.
Typical Driving Conditions in Riverside
Although the Riverside Transit Agency provides public transportation, people in this city drive a lot to work and to the strip malls where they shop. There is lots of local congestion during the morning and afternoon commute, and the 215 cuts through Riverside, so be careful as you drive through the city during those times.
In addition, as with other parts of the state, extreme heat could cause irritated drivers to make poor decisions, so make sure to drive defensively from May through October since Riverside has a more extended period of heat spells than other areas.
How Many Car Accidents Happen in Riverside Per Year?
The California Office of Traffic Safety reports the following 2021 statistics for accidents that led to injuries or fatalities:
City | Injuries or Fatalities Resulting from Crashes |
---|---|
Riverside | 1,802 |
Modesto | 1,999 |
Chico | 304 |
San Bernadino | 1,433 |
Long Beach | 3,433 |
How Many Uninsured/Underinsured Motorists Are in Riverside?
According to the Insurance Information Institute, 17% of California drivers were uninsured in 2022.
Get Covered by the Best Car Insurance in Riverside, California Today
InsureOne is a concierge, one-stop shop for all your coverage needs. There are many options for cost savings with high-quality carriers who offer the best protection available, and we will do all the work necessary to match you with the company and policy that covers your needs.
Our expert agents prepare unique, personalized packages to save you time and money. Contact us by stopping by one of our offices, calling us at (800) 836-2240, or visiting our website.