Best Auto Insurance Rates in Modesto, California

Compare Auto Insurance in Modesto

Friday, November 9 2018 By Shantae Young

Centrally located on Highway 99, Modesto has easy access to many tourist attractions in California, whether you’re driving to Santa Cruz, for some fun in the sun or sightseeing at Yosemite National Park. Comparing quotes before you get on the road is the easiest way to make sure you’re getting the cheapest rates possible.

Average Modesto Car Insurance Rates

How much is car insurance in Modesto, CA? The poorly maintained roads, terrible traffic congestion, and high crime rate (especially the vehicle theft rate that's one of the worst in the country) means that average car insurance rates in Modesto are much higher than both the state and national averages. The average cost of auto insurance in California is $841.45 a year. The national average cost is $889.01.

Prices may vary depending on limits, coverage, and the number of claims filed in your zip code.

The graph below shows the most recent year California's rate data is available. According to the III, California car insurance rates increased from $740 in 2011 to $841 in 2015, a jump of $101, or 13.66 percent.

QuoteWizard helps consumers compare quotes from both national car insurance companies and local independent agents. Comparing quotes can help you find cheap car insurance rates near Modesto and save up to 40% on your premium.

Last year, 5,479 people used QuoteWizard to compare car insurance quotes in Modesto, CA from different companies to find the best rates.

Best Car Insurance Companies in Modesto, CA

This is our list of the most common car insurance companies reported by QuoteWizard users living in Modesto, CA last year.

Top 10 Vehicles

This is our list of the most common car makes and models owned by Modesto drivers requesting quotes through QuoteWizard last year.

Minimum Car Insurance Requirements in Modesto, CA

All Modesto, California drivers are required to maintain basic liability coverage known as the 15/30/5 rule. This rule means each driver's policy must include at least:

• Individual Bodily Injury Liability (BIL): $15,000.
  The most insurance companies will pay for someone injured in a car accident.
• Total Bodily Injury Liability: $30,000.
  The maximum your insurer will pay for multiple people injured in a car accident.
• Property Damage Liability (PDL): $5,000.
  The total insurance providers will pay for property damage caused by a car accident.

Modesto Drivers

According to a recent report published by Allstate Insurance, when it comes to safe driving, Modesto, CA ranked 125th out of 200 US cities. While most US drivers go 10 years without having an accident, drivers here are involved in crashes every 8.2 years.

Driving Conditions

Factors that can influence insurance rates are weather and road conditions.

Weather

Modesto has a semi-arid climate with, hot summers and mild winters with very little precipitation. Nearly all of the city's 13.19 inches of annual precipitation occurs between November and March.

Road Conditions

A recent study by TRIP stated that 37 percent of Modesto's major roads are in poor condition and 30 percent are mediocre. These poorly maintained, pothole-filled streets cost drivers $716 a year in extra vehicle operating costs. These additional operating costs are a direct result of driving on rough roads that damage cars, waste time and gas because of delays due to congestion, and are a contributing factor in car accidents.

Traffic Congestion

Traffic data provider Inrix provides a traffic scorecard to rank the most congested US cities. According to their data, Modesto commuters wasted 18 hours in traffic congestion last year, and spent $421 in traffic congestion cost.

Moving Violations

Moving violations such as failure to stop, drunk driving, speeding tickets, and accidents can add points to your driver's license. If you get enough tickets, it can have a big impact on your premium. This is especially true if you get so many points added to your record that your insurer sees you as a risk. In cases like this, insurance companies may change your status from preferred to non-standard and make you buy a high-risk policy.

Traffic Tickets

The Superior Court of California County of Stanislaus traffic division website allows residents to pay traffic tickets, tells drivers how to contest tickets, and provides helpful traffic court information.

Modesto Police issued 7,262 traffic citations in 2015.

DUI Arrests

Modesto Police reported 792 arrests for suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI) in 2013.

SR-22 DUI Insurance

A DUI conviction may require you to obtain an SR-22 form. Request a quote and we'll connect you with local agents from top companies that specialize in Modesto DUI insurance.

Traffic Fatalities

Modesto experienced 11 motor vehicle crash fatalities in 2014. This works out to a fatality rate of 0.49 per 100,000 Stockton residents. All traffic deaths are a tragic loss, but considering Modesto’s estimated population of 204,933 this is a safe city in terms of traffic fatalities.

Vehicle Theft Rates

Modesto Police reported 1,983 vehicle thefts in 2016. This is a rate of 9.39 per 1,000 residents. This rate is nearly five times the national average of 2.20 car thefts per 1,000.

Car Insurance Discounts

Are you looking for affordable car insurance? Discounts are one of the best ways to lower your rates. These are some of the many auto insurance discounts available to Modesto, CA drivers.

1. Bundle your auto insurance with your homeowners, renters, or life policy. Bundling your policies under one insurance company can save you as much as 20% on your premium
2. Live in a safe neighborhood with low crime and good drivers where residents file few insurance claims. Residents of zip codes with high crime and poor driving conditions file more of the claims that lead to higher rates
3. Drive less. Living close to work can lower your rates if you qualify for the low mileage discount
4. If you're 55 or older you could qualify for either the senior discount or the 55 and retired discount
5. Take a defensive driving course from an accredited driving school
6. Maintain at least a B grade point average in school to qualify for the good student discount

Sources:

• City of Modesto California
• Traffic Division of The Superior Court of California, County of Stanislaus
• United States Census Bureau - Modesto, CA
• Modesto, California Crime Rates

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