What You Should Know About Car Insurance in Sacramento, California

With its proximity to the wild Sierra Nevada Mountains, as well as a city filled with culture and history, Sacramento offers the best of both worlds. City planners gave thought to how the city should look and feel and that’s one reason the nickname is “City of Trees” – due to more than 5 million California sycamores, Fremont cottonwoods and other trees throughout the area.

The town has been around for long enough to have played a part in the California Gold Rush. History buffs can walk through Old Sacramento, with its wooden sidewalks and horse-drawn carriages to get a taste of what the wild west was really like. Those who like to explore the dining and drinking options in a city will like the fact that Sacramento is a craft beer hub with plenty of local breweries competing for the taste buds of ale aficionados. Those who appreciate local, farm-sourced food will also find this city appealing, since it is know as the “Farm-to-Fork Capital.”

Sacramento is home to many festivals throughout the year, but before you drive to attend one, be sure you have California-compliance auto coverage. At InsureOne, agents are standing by to help you find the best car insurance at flexible costs.

How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Sacramento, California?

If you choose to go with the basic liability insurance minimum required in the state, the average cost is $647 annually. That’s pretty close to what the average is nationwide at $644. Just keep in mind that it won’t do much for your injuries and repairs if you cause an accident, although it will help to pay those costs for other drivers affected by your actions.

For more protection, some Californians pony up for full coverage, which includes liability plus comprehensive and collision. That way, if you cause an accident, your own repairs will be handled. Full coverage average about $2,663 in the Golden State, compared to $2,314 on average nationally.

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Reasons Why Insurance is So Expensive in California

California has a higher cost of living compared to many states. The state offers its residents plenty of reasons to live there, but it comes at a cost. And because it’s such a beautiful place, the population is very dense in many places, leading to higher traffic volume, which in turn results in more accidents and claims for insurance companies.

With that and natural disasters like wildfires and earthquakes, California insurers have steadily increased insurance costs and some have departed the state entirely. You can still find the best auto insurance available with your friendly InsureOne agent.

Car Insurance Rates Comparison by Zip Code in Sacramento

Part of your premium is decided by where exactly you live in Sacramento, right down to the zip code. Here’s a look at some zip codes in the Sacramento area with their monthly average costs.

Zip Code Full Coverage Insurance Liability Insurance Coverage
94203 $223 $63
94250 $223 $63
94262 $223 $63
94294 $223 $63
95823 $217 $60

How Bundling Your Car and Homeowners Insurance Can Save You Money in Sacramento

When you show your insurer, you have confidence in them by allowing them to insure you for two or more items, they will reward you with a discount. For example, when you bundle your home insurance with your auto coverage, you could see up to 20% off. If you are a renter, bundling your renters insurance with your car can lead to up to 15% off your package.

Saving money isn’t the only reason to bundle. Bundling means less paperwork, less policies to manage and less to do when a claim needs to be filed. It doesn’t stop with just your home and your vehicles. Bundling options grow with you as your life changes over time, so go ahead and add those bike, boat, life and even RV policies. Ask your neighborhood agent what bundles are available.

What Types of Car Insurance Discounts are Available in Sacramento?

Bundling is not the only way to save money on your policies. Most insurers offer a variety of discounts you can apply to your premium to make that cost a little friendlier. Be sure and check in with your agent periodically and especially if your life changes. For example, if you start working from home, maybe you can add a discount of low annual mileage. Here are some other popular ones:

  • Customer Retention Discount
  • Anti-Theft Discount
  • Military Discount
  • Senior Citizen Discount
  • Auto Pay Discount
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Notable Car Insurance Laws in Sacramento

Just as in most states and cities in America, California has rules and regulations regulating automobile coverage. Some apply to the insurance companies and some apply to the consumers. While California sets the base rates an insurer can charge, they are free to increase those costs to a certain limit. Likewise, the Golden State also sets a minimum requirement for how much car coverage drivers must carry.

What are the Mandatory Car Insurance Requirements in Sacramento?

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

Keep in mind that although most drivers are free to choose this minimum, it won’t go far if you cause an accident. Most cars today cost more than $5,000 to repair after a serious accident. Anything over that amount comes out of your own pocket and you can be sued if you are unable to pay. Your liability also will not cover your own injuries and damages.

What is the Penalty for Driving without Insurance in Sacramento?

If you get pulled over by law enforcement in Sacramento and are unable to provide documentation of your policy, you can experience legal and financial consequences.

First-time offenders may receive a ticket and will pay a one-time fine between $100 and $200. Second-time offenders will pay between $200 and $500, plus additional penalty assessments that can raise these fines to $520 to $1,300.

Factors That Determine Your Insurance Premiums in Sacramento

Insurers use a complicated algorithm to determine the cost of each individual policy they quote for car and other types of insurance. This is why every customer gets a different premium cost. Here are a few of those factors:

  • Age and Gender: Your age and even your gender play a role in your premium cost. Teenagers have the highest rates – and male teens have higher rates than females. Lowest rates belong to married people in the 40s and 50s who have established a safe driving record.
  • Driving Record: Next to age and possibly as important is your driving record. Safe drivers with clean records have the lowest rates, while those with a spotty record will pay more. Shop around to find the best rates.
  • What You Drive: Those who drive safe and reliable vehicles will pay less than those who own luxury or exotic vehicles which cost more to repair. Cars prone to theft are higher, as are cars that lend themselves to risky driving behavior, such as sports cars.
  • Where You Live: If you live in a congested area with a higher frequency of accidents and crime, you’ll pay more than someone who lives in a less populated place.
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Here’s What You Need to Know When Driving in California

From cities on the southern border with Mexico to rugged mountains in the far north, California has it all. Deserts, beaches and much more stretch in between these two extremes. Driving in California has its challenges, including dealing with very crowded highways and surface streets.

Depending on where you plan to drive in the Golden State, you may be dealing with winding, twisting roads and snowfall or you may have a stunning coastline on one side of the road. Thick forests can present vision challenges in the case of wildfires. Driving within the posted speed limit, as well as obeying the hands-free laws, will ensure you make it to your destination safely.

The auto coverage you choose will help protect you financially if something does happen. InsureOne offers white-glove service, so you have the best insurance with flexible options.

Typical Driving Conditions in Sacramento

In the summer months, drivers in this part of the state are exposed to increased heat, fire and rain. It can also get windy here which can make things worse if visibility is already affected.

In the winter months, snow is highly unlikely but not completely impossible although it shouldn’t impact driving by much. Sacramento has mild winters, but rain increases in January and can lead to mudslides.

Due to its population numbers, it can be difficult to drive around Sacramento – with plenty of traffic jams, construction and other obstacles on or near the roadways.

How Many Car Accidents Happen in Sacramento Per Year?

Over the last three years, there have been 184 fatal motor vehicle crashes in Sacramento. In 2021, the California Office of Traffic Safety reported some grim statistics about Sacramento County. A total of 916 people were arrested for DUI.

Crash Category VICTIMS KILLED & INJURED OTS RANKING
Total Fatal and Injury 4296 1/15
Alcohol Involved 508 1/15
Motorcycles 213 2/15
Pedestrians 238 4/15
Bicycle 182 3/15

 

How Many Uninsured/Underinsured Motorists are in Sacramento?

Sacramento has been ranked #5 on the 10 least insured cities in the United States. It shares this dubious distinction with Detroit, MI – also ranked #5. Luckily, however, the chances of getting into an accident are slightly lower than the national average. California, overall, puts its numbers of drivers who are on the road illegally with no insurance at 16.6%.

One way to combat being surrounded by drivers with no insurance (or not enough) is to purchase uninsured motorist coverage. It’s not required in California, but it’s not expensive when you consider the cost of having your vehicle totaled by someone who has no coverage. Ask your local agent about adding it to your policy.

Get Covered by the Best Car Insurance in Sacramento, CA Today

Shopping around and comparing prices is the best way to find low-cost auto insurance. But who has time for that? The good news is the agents at InsureOne are happy to do it for you. They’ll listen to what you want and need and research plenty of companies for you, providing you with a list of options to choose from so you get the best package.

We save you time and money by researching plans and pricing and presenting a selection of options that best suit your needs. Get a quote online, visit us at an office near you, or call us at (800) 836-2240 for a quote.