Finding Cheap Auto Insurance In CaliforniaPosted by Nick Niesen on October 29th, 2010 The state of California is known for its high prices. The cost of living in general is much higher than the cost of living in many other locations. California also requires relatively high levels of auto insurance coverage to be carried, resulting in extremely high insurance premiums. While car insurance rates will always be higher in California than in many other areas, a bit of persistence can result in a significant savings. If you are looking for car insurance in California, be sure to look for and follow general money-saving suggestions on the internet and in consumer magazines. Be sure to shop around carefully as well, as insurance rates may vary immensely from one provider to the next. California insurance companies are permitted to charge based on how much they have paid out in general. Therefore, you may find yourself penalized for someone else?s accidents. Make sure that you are aware of the current California state minimum requirements for insurance coverage levels. Many companies have their own in-house minimums which may be much higher. If you are insuring an old low-value car, you may not need insurance beyond the state requirements, so insist that the company give you this quote. Additional coverage may be necessary depending on your financial resources and whether your car is financed. Discounts are available for groups ranging from retirees to full time students. The best bonuses go to Safe Drivers. Maintaining a clean driving record is the number one thing that you can do to keep your rates as low as possible. Ask your insurance agent whether you qualify for any additional bonuses. If you have the financial resources, consider raising your deductible. Good drivers who are unlikely to have an accident can save significantly on their monthly payments simply by raising their deductibles. Just keep in mind that you will need to be able to afford the deductible if something does happen. While car insurance rates remain high in California and truly cheap car insurance may not exist, it is possible to find insurance that is not outlandishly expensive. Shop around, look for discounts, raise your deductible and drop unneeded coverages. In this way you can find insurance that will cover your needs without breaking your monthly budget. Like it? Share it!More by this author |