Car insurance is an essential financial protection for drivers in Clovis and throughout California. State law requires all drivers to carry minimum levels of liability coverage in case an at-fault accident occurs. Beyond this legal mandate, car insurance also provides valuable benefits like collision coverage for damage to your vehicle. In this article we will discuss affordable car insurance in clovis otosigna.
This article provides an overview of car insurance requirements in Clovis, factors that impact rates, average costs, discounts, major insurers, and tips for saving money. We aim to help Clovis drivers understand their state-mandated minimum coverage, compare providers and policies to fit their budget and needs, and ultimately get the best rate on car insurance legally required for all vehicles on California roads. Whether you’re a new driver, moving to Clovis from out of state, or simply want to lower your current premium, this guide can help you make informed choices to protect yourself on the road.
California State Minimum Car Insurance Requirements
California state law requires all drivers to carry a minimum level of car insurance coverage. This includes:
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Bodily Injury Liability: $15,000 per person / $30,000 per accident minimum. This coverage pays for injuries to others that you cause in an at-fault accident.
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Property Damage Liability: $5,000 minimum. This coverage pays for damage you cause to another person’s vehicle or property in an at-fault accident.
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Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist: $15,000 per person / $30,000 per accident minimum. This coverage protects you if you’re in an accident caused by a driver with no or insufficient insurance.
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Medical Payments (MedPay): $1,000 minimum. This optional coverage pays for medical expenses for you and your passengers after an accident, regardless of fault.
California is an “at-fault” state, meaning the driver responsible for the accident has to pay for any resulting expenses. Having at least the minimum required coverages can protect California drivers from expensive out-of-pocket costs if an at-fault accident occurs. Drivers with assets at risk may consider higher liability limits for added protection.
Factors That Affect Car Insurance Rates in Clovis
There are several key factors that affect how much you’ll pay for car insurance in Clovis.
Age
Age is one of the biggest factors that impacts insurance rates. Teenage drivers under 18 are typically charged the highest rates, as they are considered high-risk drivers due to lack of experience. Drivers between 18-25 will also pay higher premiums. Middle-aged drivers tend to pay the lowest rates.
Driving Record
Your driving history is critical in determining your rates. Getting tickets for speeding, reckless driving, DUIs or at-fault accidents will substantially increase your premiums. Having a clean record with no incidents will qualify you for the lowest rates.
Credit Score
Most insurers use your credit-based insurance score to determine risk and set rates. Maintaining a good credit score typically results in lower premiums. If you have a poor score, you’ll likely pay higher rates.
Location
Your zip code and neighborhood are factored into your premium calculation. Urban areas with high rates of accidents, theft and vandalism tend to have higher insurance rates. Clovis has moderate rates compared to other cities.
Type of Car
The make, model, age and value of your vehicle impacts rates. Sports cars, luxury vehicles and new cars that are expensive to repair and replace will have much higher premiums. Older, less valuable cars will typically have lower rates.
Average Car Insurance Rates in Clovis
The average annual car insurance premium in Clovis is $1,679 for minimum coverage and $2,943 for full coverage. However, rates can vary significantly depending on factors like age, driving record, and type of vehicle.
Average Annual Premiums for Minimum Coverage
- 16-19 years old: $3,056
- 20 years old: $2,520
- 21-24 years old: $2,268
- 25-34 years old: $1,632
- 35-44 years old: $1,512
- 45-54 years old: $1,428
- 55-64 years old: $1,380
- 65+ years old: $1,344
Average Annual Premiums for Full Coverage
- 16-19 years old: $5,412
- 20 years old: $4,536
- 21-24 years old: $4,080
- 25-34 years old: $2,916
- 35-44 years old: $2,700
- 45-54 years old: $2,556
- 55-64 years old: $2,484
- 65+ years old: $2,412
As you can see, rates are significantly higher for teen drivers in the 16-19 age range, due to their lack of experience and higher risk. Rates start decreasing after age 20 and continue to decline slowly as drivers get older. Full coverage rates are about 75% higher on average compared to minimum coverage.
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High-Risk Drivers in Clovis
Drivers are considered high-risk if they are more likely to file a claim due to factors like age, driving record, credit score, or type of vehicle. High-risk drivers face challenges finding affordable coverage in Clovis.
Definition
High-risk drivers include:
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Teenagers – drivers aged 16-19 are more likely to get into accidents due to inexperience. Premiums are very high for teens.
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Elderly drivers – drivers over 70 may have slower reflexes and higher accident rates. Premiums tend to increase with age.
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Drivers with poor credit – those with credit scores below 580 often pay more for insurance. Poor credit correlates with higher claims.
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Drivers with violations – speeding tickets, DUIs, at-fault accidents result in much higher premiums. Some violations like DUIs may prevent coverage.
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Drivers of high-performance cars – insuring luxury, sports cars costs more due to higher repair costs, injury claims.
Challenges Finding Affordable Coverage
High-risk drivers in Clovis struggle to find affordable coverage due to:
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Limited options – few insurers willing to cover high-risk drivers.
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Very high rates – premiums 2-3x higher than average drivers. Teen rates can be 5-10x higher.
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Difficulty qualifying – some drivers may not qualify if violations are too severe.
Options
High-risk drivers have options to find more affordable car insurance:
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Ask about discounts – taking defensive driver courses, maintaining good grades, adding safety features.
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Increase deductibles to lower premiums.
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Compare many insurers to find the best rate.
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Consider usage-based programs (telematics) to demonstrate safe driving.
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Ask about payment plans if needed to make premiums affordable.
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For teens, get on parents’ policy or buy an older used car to save.
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Improve credit score and driving record over time to eventually qualify for lower regular rates.
Discounts Available from Clovis Car Insurers
Drivers in Clovis have several options to reduce their car insurance premiums. Here are some of the common discounts offered by insurers in the city:
Good Driver Discount
Insurers offer significant discounts for drivers with a clean record free of accidents, traffic violations, or claims. Maintaining a good driving history is the easiest way to save on car insurance in Clovis.
Good Student Discount
Full-time high school or college students who maintain a B average or above qualify for a good student discount. This usually provides around 10% off premiums.
Multi-Policy Discount
Purchasing auto insurance from the same company that provides your home or renters insurance can reduce premiums by up to 15%. Bundling multiple policies together makes you a more valuable customer.
Anti-Theft Discount
Cars with anti-theft devices like alarms and ignition disabling technology are less likely to get stolen. Adding these safety features can lower your Clovis premiums.
Usage-Based Discount
Insurers offer discounts for drivers who don’t use their car frequently. Keeping mileage low, or installing a telematics device to prove safe driving habits, can substantially reduce premium costs.
Taking advantage of available discounts in Clovis is the most effective way to save money on car insurance. Ask your provider what discounts you may qualify for.
Clovis Car Insurance Companies
Clovis drivers have access to a wide range of car insurance companies to choose from. Here are some of the major insurers with a large market share in Clovis:
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State Farm: The largest auto insurer in California, State Farm has a strong presence in Clovis. They offer a range of policies and discounts.
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GEICO: This national company is one of the biggest advertisers in Clovis and focuses on low rates. GEICO has local agents as well as online/phone customer service.
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Allstate: Known for quality coverage and popular discounts like safe driver and new car. Allstate agents in Clovis can provide quotes.
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Farmers Insurance: Regional insurer with many Clovis agents. Farmers offers competitive rates and has been in business over 80 years.
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AAA: Membership organization with quality coverage options for Clovis drivers. AAA has strong financial ratings.
Some other options for local insurers in the Clovis area include companies like Golden State Insurance and Granite Insurance. These smaller insurers focus on providing personalized service and building relationships with customers in the community.
When getting Clovis car insurance quotes, be sure to compare rates from national brands, regional players and local insurance companies. Consider coverage, discounts and customer service when choosing the right insurer.
How to Save Money on Clovis Car Insurance
One of the best ways to save money on car insurance in Clovis is to compare quotes from multiple insurers. Get quotes from large national insurers as well as local and regional companies. Compare the same coverage levels and deductibles across the quotes to find the lowest price. You may find the cheapest rates vary quite a bit from company to company.
Raising your deductibles can lower your premiums substantially. Going from a $500 deductible to a $1,000 deductible could save you 10-20% or more. Just be sure you have enough savings to cover the higher deductible amount in the event of an accident.
Bundling your car insurance with other policies like homeowners or renters insurance with the same insurer can also lead to discounts. Most companies offer multi-policy discounts of 10-15% for bundling.
Maintaining good credit can help keep your rates low. Insurers view drivers with poor credit as higher risk and will charge more. Check your credit report annually and correct any errors that may be negatively impacting your score. Improving your credit over time can lead to lower premiums.
Taking these steps can add up to significant savings on your Clovis auto insurance costs over time. Comparing options, raising deductibles, bundling policies and monitoring your credit are effective ways to lower your rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is car insurance in Clovis?
Car insurance rates in Clovis can vary greatly depending on your individual risk factors as a driver, but on average drivers pay around $1,500 per year for minimum liability coverage. Rates will be higher if you want more comprehensive coverage or have things like accidents and tickets on your record.
What is the minimum auto insurance required in Clovis?
California requires all drivers to carry at least:
- $15,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $30,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $5,000 property damage liability
This covers damages and injuries you may cause others in an accident. Clovis drivers must meet the state minimum requirements.
What auto insurance companies are available in Clovis?
Most major national insurers like State Farm, Allstate, GEICO, and Progressive write policies in Clovis. There are also some regional and local companies like Mercury, AAA, and CSAA. Get quotes from several to compare rates.
How can I lower my Clovis car insurance costs?
The main ways to get cheaper car insurance in Clovis are to maintain a clean driving record, choose a higher deductible, qualify for all available discounts, limit your mileage, and comparison shop policies regularly. Improving your credit score can also result in lower premiums.
How does traffic in Clovis affect auto insurance rates?
Clovis has moderate traffic congestion compared to other California cities. Lower risk of accidents and claims due to less traffic density may contribute slightly to lower average car insurance rates. However, there are still plenty of risks for collisions, so traffic is just one of many factors insurers consider when pricing policies.
Conclusion
Finding affordable car insurance in Clovis can seem daunting, but with some research and effort, most drivers can obtain the state-required minimum coverage at reasonable rates. The key is to shop around with multiple insurers, take advantage of all available discounts, maintain a clean driving record, choose appropriate coverage limits and deductibles, and follow safe driving practices.
Drivers should obtain quotes from national companies like State Farm, Allstate, and GEICO which have competitive rates and many discounts. They should also check with California-based insurers like Mercury, AAA, and CSAA which cater specifically to local drivers. Comparing quotes among insurers is the best way to find the lowest price.
Some final tips for getting the cheapest car insurance in Clovis:
- Ask about discounts for safe drivers, good students, affinity groups, anti-theft devices, paying annually, paperless billing, etc. Even a 5-10% discount on premiums can make a difference.
- Raise deductibles to lower rates, but only to an amount you could afford to pay out-of-pocket.
- Look for discounts for bundling home and auto policies with the same insurer.
- Maintain a good driving record with no accidents, speeding tickets, or DUIs.
- Drive safely and obey traffic laws to avoid surcharges for violations.
- Consider usage-based insurance programs if you drive fewer than average miles.
- Compare rates every 1-2 years as new insurers enter the market.
- Work on improving your credit score to qualify for the best rates.
With some smart shopping and a clean driving history, finding affordable coverage is possible for Clovis drivers who put in the effort.
