Cheap Auto Insurance in Bakersfield, California (2025)
USAA offers the cheapest car insurance in Bakersfield, with minimum-coverage policies as low as $74 per month.
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Bakersfield drivers enjoy lower car insurance rates than drivers in many other California cities. On average, Bakersfield drivers pay $83 per month for a liability-only policy and $202 for full-coverage auto insurance, while California’s averages are $94 a month for liability only and $206 a month for full coverage.
Residents of Bakersfield may have lower premiums because of its lower population and lower crime rate compared to its neighbors in Los Angeles County.1 Here’s what you need to know about finding cheap car insurance in Bakersfield.
Quick Facts
USAA, National General, and Sun Coast are the three cheapest insurers for Bakersfield drivers.
Car insurance companies in California can’t use your credit history when determining your premiums.2
California’s Low Cost Auto Insurance plan helps qualifying drivers find affordable car insurance.
Best car insurance companies in Bakersfield
The best car insurance depends on your budget, driving record, and car insurance coverage needs. It’s important to compare car insurance quotes from multiple companies to find the best one for you.
Best insurer for liability-only coverage: Mile Auto
Best insurer for military members and veterans: USAA
Best insurer for coverage options: State Farm
How to get the cheapest car insurance in Bakersfield
Coverage options, policy specifics, and other factors vary by car insurance company. Here’s how you can find affordable coverage in Bakersfield:
Shop around. Get quotes from at least three different companies to determine the most affordable option for your unique situation. Before you move forward with the cheapest insurer, research its customer satisfaction and financial strength ratings to make sure it’s a reputable company.
Look into usage-based insurance. If you’re retired or a remote worker and don’t drive often, pay-per-mile insurance is worth exploring. You’ll only pay for the miles you drive, plus a monthly base rate.
Look for discounts. Most auto insurers offer a variety of discounts. A few examples include bundling discounts, loyalty discounts, anti-theft device discounts, and safe driving discounts.
Drive responsibly. A driving history with speeding tickets, DUIs, and other incidents can raise your car insurance premiums. Be sure to drive safely at all times and follow traffic laws.
Cheapest liability-only car insurance in Bakersfield: USAA
You must have the minimum liability car insurance to drive legally in California. This type of coverage pays for the other driver’s property damage and injuries when you cause an accident. Because it’s the minimum amount of car insurance required to drive, it’s typically the cheapest auto policy type you can purchase in California. But a liability-only policy won’t cover your vehicle if it’s damaged in an accident you cause or if it’s stolen or vandalized.
The table below shows the cheapest liability-only car insurance companies in Bakersfield, California.
Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Bakersfield: Anchor
Full-coverage car insurance typically includes liability, collision, and comprehensive insurance. Your lender will likely require a full-coverage policy if you finance or lease your vehicle. Because full-coverage auto policies include more coverages, you can expect to pay more on average than you would with a liability-only policy.
Despite full-coverage insurance’s higher cost, you can start your search with the cheapest auto insurance companies in Bakersfield below.
Car insurance requirements in California
California is an at-fault — or tort — state, which means the at-fault driver must cover the damage and injuries they cause to drivers or passengers in another vehicle. The state requires drivers to carry bodily injury and property damage liability coverage, but drivers may purchase additional coverage for extra protection. Those who fail to show proof of insurance may face legal and financial consequences.
State lawmakers approved an increase in coverage limits, which will take effect Jan. 1, 2025. The table below reflects this change and the types and amount of coverage all drivers need to carry:3
Coverage beyond the minimum liability amounts is optional for drivers in Bakersfield, but they can add more protection in various situations. Here are some optional auto policies you might want to consider:
California’s low-cost auto insurance plan
California’s Low Cost Automobile Insurance program (CLCA) helps qualifying drivers afford car insurance. The eligibility requirements for the program are:
Have a valid California driver’s license
Meet income eligibility requirements
Own a vehicle valued at $25,000 or less
Be at least 16 years old
Have a good driving record or be a new driver
Liability auto insurance through the CLCA program costs $232 to $932 a year, depending on the county. However, drivers can purchase additional coverages like uninsured/underinsured motorist and medical payments insurance for an extra $37 to $107 a year. You can learn more and apply for the California car insurance program at MyLowCostAuto.com.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident
Incidents like at-fault accidents, speeding tickets, and driving under the influence (DUI) convictions on your record can have a significant effect on your car insurance premiums. Bakersfield drivers with clean records lock in the lowest premiums, and high-risk drivers typically pay higher rates. But even with a poor driving record, you may be able to find affordable car insurance for your coverage needs and budget.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket: USAA
Bakersfield reported 246 speed-related crashes that resulted in injuries or fatalities in 2020.5 Because speeding can lead to accidents, speeding tickets often result in higher car insurance costs.
Bakersfield drivers with speeding tickets see average car insurance rates of $245 per month for full coverage and $101 for liability-only policies. Here are the cheapest minimum-coverage car insurance quotes for drivers with a speeding ticket in Bakersfield, California.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident: USAA
In 2020, Bakersfield, California, reported almost 2,000 fatalities and injuries from car crashes.5 If you’re responsible for an accident, you can expect to pay more for a car insurance policy in Bakersfield.
The average cost of car insurance in Bakersfield after an accident is $233 for full coverage and $96 for minimum coverage. But if you need affordable car insurance after causing an accident, start by comparing the cheapest companies in Bakersfield below.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI: USAA
California takes DUI offenses seriously, and the state could require SR-22 insurance after a DUI conviction. That’s why a DUI often results in fines, jail time, higher auto insurance premiums, and even auto policy non-renewal.6 Because this conviction typically results in higher rates and makes you a high-risk driver, it can be difficult to find cheap car insurance with a DUI on your record.
On average, Bakersfield drivers with DUIs face monthly car insurance rates of $325 for full coverage and $134 for liability-only policies. Here are the cheapest car insurance companies in Bakersfield for drivers with a DUI.
Cheapest car insurance for seniors: USAA
Compared to younger drivers, senior drivers have higher car accident mortality rates. Average rates typically decrease around age 35 and increase a bit around age 70 due to changes in eyesight, hearing, and reaction times.7
The average monthly cost of car insurance for senior drivers in Bakersfield is $180 for full coverage and $74 for liability-only policies. However, senior drivers experience lower average premiums in general and can find the cheapest quotes in Bakersfield from the companies below.
Cheapest car insurance for teens: USAA
“Teenagers pay more for insurance because they cause a lot of damage and bodily injury as a result of car accidents,” says Earl Jones, insurance agent and owner of Earl L. Jones Insurance Agency. “They also have no history of driving that proves they are responsible behind the wheel.”
To lower their auto insurance costs, teens can stay on their parents’ insurance or take advantage of good student discounts that insurers offer. Bakersfield teens on their own policies see average rates of $386 per month for full-coverage car insurance and $159 for liability only. Here are the auto insurance companies with the lowest premiums for teenagers and young adults in Bakersfield.
Is car insurance more expensive in Bakersfield?
The average cost of a liability-only auto policy in the U.S. is $103 per month. Full-coverage insurance runs $182 per month, on average. Fortunately, car insurance in Bakersfield is usually cheaper than the national average.
Car insurance premiums vary by city and ZIP code within California, due to factors like population, accident rates, and theft rates.8 For example, premiums in Anaheim, Long Beach, and Sacramento are higher than in Bakersfield.
More cities in California
Here’s a look at average monthly quotes for auto policies in other cities in California compared to Bakersfield.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 500+ partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Bakersfield car insurance FAQs
Explore how age and gender affect car insurance costs to better understand how insurers determine your premiums, and learn more about Bakersfield car insurance with the answers to common questions below.
How much is car insurance in Bakersfield?
The average cost of car insurance in Bakersfield is $83 a month for liability only and $202 a month for full-coverage insurance. Your costs may be more or less than the average based on factors like your age, gender, driving record, and the type of vehicle you drive.
What are the cheapest car insurance companies in Bakersfield?
USAA, National General, and Sun Coast are the cheapest insurers in Bakersfield. USAA’s liability-only rates start at $74 per month. National General, and Sun Coast have liability rates as low as $83 and $90 per month, respectively.
What are the best car insurance companies in Bakersfield?
Some of the best car insurance companies in Bakersfield are Mile Auto, State Farm, and USAA. These companies have strong customer satisfaction and AM Best ratings, as well as high Insurify Quality Scores. However, the best car insurance company for you depends on your coverage needs, driver profile, and budget, so it’s important to compare quotes from multiple companies before purchasing a policy.
Can credit history affect your car insurance rates in California?
No. Your credit history can’t affect your car insurance rates in California.2 This means that if you have poor credit, you won’t pay more for auto insurance than someone with good credit, if all other factors are the same.
What happens if you drive without insurance in California?
California requires drivers to purchase 30/60/15 minimum car insurance requirements. Failure to maintain this coverage could result in citations, fines, vehicle registration suspension, vehicle impoundment, and personal financial liability for accidents you cause.9
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