How long has it been since you shopped around for more affordable auto insurance rates in Los Angeles, CA? Los Angeles buyers have options when searching for the lowest priced Kia Optima insurance. They can either waste time struggling with agents to get rate comparisons or leverage the internet to make rate comparisons.
There is a better way to compare auto insurance rates so we’re going to tell you the best way to quote coverages for a new or used Kia and get the best price possible from Los Angeles insurance agents and online providers.
You should make it a habit to check auto insurance prices as often as possible because auto insurance rates are rarely the same from one policy term to another. If you had the best premium rates on Kia Optima insurance in Los Angeles a couple years back you can probably find a lower rate today. Forget anything you know (or think you know) about auto insurance because we’re going to show you the proper way to save money, get proper coverage and the best rates.
Getting a cheaper price on insurance can be quick and easy. All you need to do is take a few minutes comparing price quotes from different insurance companies.
The providers in the list below provide price quotes in California. If more than one company is shown, we suggest you compare several of them in order to find the lowest rates.
Do you qualify for discounts?
Insurance is expensive, but there are discounts available that many consumers don’t even know exist. Many discounts should be triggered at quote time, but lesser-known reductions have to be manually applied in order for you to get them.
- Multiple Policy Discount – If you insure your home and vehicles with the same insurance company you may earn up to 20% and get you the cheapest Kia Optima insurance in Los Angeles.
- Telematics Data Discounts – Los Angeles drivers who agree to allow their insurance company to scrutinize vehicle usage by using a small device installed in their vehicle such as Allstate’s Drivewise and State Farm’s In-Drive system could possibly reduce rates as long as they are good drivers.
- Low Mileage Discounts – Low mileage vehicles may allow you to get lower insurance rates due to less chance of an accident.
- Safety Course Discount – Successfully completing a defensive driver course could save 5% or more and also improve your driving technique.
- Use Seat Belts – Drivers who require all occupants to use their safety belts could save 15% off PIP or medical payments premium.
A quick disclaimer, most of the big mark downs will not be given to the entire cost. Most only reduce individual premiums such as physical damage coverage or medical payments. So even though it sounds like all the discounts add up to a free policy, you’re out of luck.
The diagram below illustrates the comparison of Kia Optima yearly insurance costs with and without discounts. The costs are based on a male driver, no tickets, no at-fault accidents, California state minimum liability limits, full physical damage coverage, and $500 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with marriage, multi-car, safe-driver, claim-free, multi-policy, and homeowner discounts applied.
A list of insurance companies and their possible discounts are outlined below.
- State Farm has discounts for safe vehicle, passive restraint, accident-free, good student, and Steer Clear safe driver discount.
- GEICO offers discounts for membership and employees, air bags, driver training, anti-theft, anti-lock brakes, multi-vehicle, and seat belt use.
- Progressive discounts include good student, multi-policy, continuous coverage, multi-vehicle, online signing, homeowner, and online quote discount.
- 21st Century includes discounts for automatic seat belts, student driver, 55 and older, teen driver, defensive driver, anti-lock brakes, and air bags.
- American Family offers discounts including mySafetyValet, air bags, TimeAway discount, good student, and early bird.
- The Hartford may offer discounts for defensive driver, anti-theft, driver training, good student, and bundle.
- AAA offers premium reductions for pay-in-full, AAA membership discount, multi-policy, anti-theft, good driver, and education and occupation.
When getting a coverage quote, ask each company what discounts are available to you. Some credits may not apply in your area.
Rates and data analysis
The price information displayed next highlights detailed analysis of rate quotes for Kia Optima models. Having a better idea how insurance quotes are established can help you make smart choices when selecting a coverage provider.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optima LX | $278 | $464 | $500 | $30 | $150 | $1,422 | $119 |
| Optima EX | $314 | $546 | $500 | $30 | $150 | $1,540 | $128 |
| Optima SX | $314 | $546 | $500 | $30 | $150 | $1,540 | $128 |
| Get Your Own Customized Quote Go | |||||||
Cost estimates assume married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $500 deductibles, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-vehicle, multi-policy, claim-free, safe-driver, and homeowner. Premium costs do not factor in vehicle location which can modify insurance rates substantially.
Physical damage deductibles
One frequently asked question is how high should your deductibles be. The rates below can help illustrate the price difference between high and low physical damage coverage deductibles. The first rate comparisons uses a $100 physical damage deductible and the second pricing table uses a $1,000 deductible.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optima LX | $380 | $686 | $500 | $30 | $150 | $1,771 | $148 |
| Optima EX | $430 | $810 | $500 | $30 | $150 | $1,945 | $162 |
| Optima SX | $430 | $810 | $500 | $30 | $150 | $1,945 | $162 |
| Get Your Own Customized Quote Go | |||||||
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optima LX | $210 | $362 | $500 | $30 | $150 | $1,252 | $104 |
| Optima EX | $238 | $426 | $500 | $30 | $150 | $1,344 | $112 |
| Optima SX | $238 | $426 | $500 | $30 | $150 | $1,344 | $112 |
| Get Your Own Customized Quote Go | |||||||
Table data represents married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include claim-free, homeowner, multi-vehicle, multi-policy, and safe-driver. Premium costs do not factor in Los Angeles location which can change prices considerably.
Based on this data, using a $100 deductible will cost you roughly $48 more each month or $576 annually than quoting the higher $1,000 deductible. Since you would pay $900 more out of your own pocket with a $1,000 deductible as compared to a $100 deductible, if you normally go at a minimum 19 months between claim filings, you would save more money by selecting a higher deductible.
Liability only or full coverage
The diagram below compares Kia Optima insurance costs with full physical damage coverage compared to only buying liability only. Data assumes no claims or driving violations, $500 deductibles, marital status is single, and no discounts are applied to the premium.
When to drop comp and collision
There is no set rule of when to drop full coverage on your policy, but there is a general guideline you can use. If the annual cost of your full coverage insurance is more than around 10% of any settlement you would receive from your insurance company, then it may be the right time to buy liability only.
For example, let’s pretend your Kia Optima replacement cost is $8,000 and you have $1,000 physical damage deductibles. If your vehicle is destroyed, the most you would receive is $7,000 after paying the physical damage deductible. If it’s costing you more than $700 a year for comprehensive and collision coverage, then you might want to consider buying only liability coverage.
There are some situations where dropping full coverage is not advised. If you haven’t satisfied your loan, you must maintain physical damage coverage to protect the lienholder’s interest in the vehicle. Also, if you don’t have enough money to buy a different vehicle in the event your current vehicle is totaled, you should keep full coverage on your policy.
Get Lower-cost Insurance Rates by Understanding These Factors
Many things are used when premium rates are determined. Some are obvious such as your driving record, but some are not quite as obvious like your vehicle usage or your financial responsibility.
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Drive a fast vehicle and pay more – The type of vehicle you drive makes a huge difference in your rates. Economy passenger models generally have the cheapest insurance rates, but your final cost has many other factors.
The following chart uses these assumptions: married female driver age 40, full coverage with $250 deductibles, and no discounts or violations. It shows Kia Optima policy rates compared to other makes and models that have a range of performance risks.
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Obey driving laws and save – Drivers with clean records pay less for auto insurance as compared to careless drivers. Just one speeding ticket or other violation may increase your cost twenty percent or more. Drivers who get severe tickets such as hit and run, DWI or reckless driving convictions may be required to submit a SR-22 form with the DMV in their state in order to drive a vehicle legally.
The diagram below shows how violations and fender-benders can influence Kia Optima insurance costs for different ages of insureds. The rates are based on a single female driver, full coverage, $250 deductibles, and no policy discounts are applied.
- Buy a safe car and pay less – Cars with five star safety ratings cost less to insure. Safe vehicles reduce the chance of injuries and lower rates of occupant injuries means lower claim amounts which can mean better rates for you. If your Kia has ratings of a minimum four stars on Safercar.gov or an “acceptable” rating on iihs.org you may qualify for a discount.
- What are your deductibles? – Physical damage protection, also called ‘full coverage’, is used to repair damage to your vehicle. Examples of some claims that would be covered could be running into the backend of another car, collision with an animal, and having your car stolen. The deductibles are how much you are willing to pay out-of-pocket in the event of a claim. The more damage repair cost the insured has to pay upfront, the bigger discount you will receive.
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Kia Optima insurance loss data – Auto insurance companies study historical loss data in order to profitably underwrite each model. Vehicles that statistically have increased losses will cost more for coverage.
The next table shows the historical loss data for Kia Optima vehicles. For each coverage type, the claim probability for all vehicles, regardless of make, model or trim level, is equal to 100. Numbers shown that are under 100 indicate better than average losses, while values that are above 100 show a trend for more claims or tendency to have higher losses.
Kia Optima Insurance Loss Statistics Vehicle Make and Model Collision Property Damage Comp Personal Injury Medical Payment Bodily Injury Kia Optima 115 101 107 133 142 120 Kia Optima Hybrid 143 115 116 139 158 151 BETTERAVERAGEWORSEStatistics from IIHS.org for 2013-2015 Model Years
Insurance agencies are professional risk managers
Some people just prefer to buy from a local agent and that is a personal choice. Good insurance agents can help you build your policy and help submit paperwork. One of the benefits of getting free rate quotes online is you can get lower rates and still buy from a local agent. Buying insurance from local insurance agents is definitely important in Los Angeles.
After filling out this quick form, your insurance data is sent to local insurance agents in Los Angeles who will return price quotes for your insurance coverage. There is no reason to visit any agencies due to the fact that quote results will go immediately to you. If for some reason you want to quote rates from a particular provider, you just need to search and find their rate quote page and give them your coverage information.
Los Angeles car insurance agents come in two flavors
If you are wanting to purchase auto insurance from a local insurance agency, it’s important to understand the different types of agents and how they are distinctly different. Auto insurance agencies are classified as either independent agents or exclusive agents depending on their employer. Both types can insure your vehicles properly, but it’s worth mentioning the difference between them since it could factor into the type of agent you choose.
Independent Auto Insurance Agents (or Brokers)
Independent agents do not sell for just one brand and that gives them the ability to insure with lots of companies and get you the best rates possible. If prices rise, your policy is moved internally which makes it simple for you. When comparing auto insurance rates, you definitely need to contact a couple of independent agencies to have the best price comparison. Many write coverage with lesser-known insurance companies which can be an advantage.
The following are Los Angeles independent insurance agents who may provide pricing information.
- Susman Insurance Agency
11611 San Vicente Blvd #515 – Los Angeles, CA 90049 – (310) 820-5200 – View Map - Public Insurance Agency
10941 W Pico Blvd – Los Angeles, CA 90064 – (310) 234-8600 – View Map - Nationwide Insurance: Caiquo Insurance Agency
5757 W Century Blvd #700 – Los Angeles, CA 90045 – (310) 348-9936 – View Map
Exclusive Insurance Agencies
Exclusive insurance agents are contracted to one company and examples are State Farm, Allstate, or Farmers Insurance. Exclusive agents cannot provide rate quotes from other companies so you might not find the best rates. These agents are very knowledgeable on their company’s products which helps offset the inability to provide other markets. Some consumers prefer to purchase coverage from exclusives primarily because of the brand legacy and the convenience of having all coverages with one company.
Below is a short list of exclusive agencies in Los Angeles that can give you price quotes.
- Julie Montenegro – State Farm Insurance Agent
5683 York Blvd – Los Angeles, CA 90042 – (323) 892-2880 – View Map - Lisa Brown – State Farm Insurance Agent
1247 S La Brea Ave – Los Angeles, CA 90019 – (323) 954-9763 – View Map - Carmel Stevens – State Farm Insurance Agent
4918 W Slauson Ave – Los Angeles, CA 90056 – (323) 292-7930 – View Map
Choosing the best insurance agency shouldn’t rely on just a cheap price. You should also get answers to these questions.
- Does the agency support the community they serve?
- Can you choose the body shop in case repairs are needed?
- Does the quote include credit and driving reports?
- Are aftermarket or OEM parts used to repair vehicles?
- Do they specialize in personal lines auto insurance in Los Angeles?
- Which family members are covered?
- How many years of experience in personal auto insurance do they have?
- Do you qualify for any additional discounts?
Which is the best car insurance?
Always remember that when buying coverage online or from an agent for your personal vehicles, there really is no one-size-fits-all type of policy. Your needs are not the same as everyone else’s.
For instance, these questions might help in determining if you might need professional guidance.
- Where can I find high-risk insurance?
- How much liability coverage do I need in California?
- Do I really need UM/UIM coverage?
- At what point should I drop full coverage?
- Does my policy pay for OEM or aftermarket parts?
- How much liability do I need to cover my assets?
If it’s difficult to answer those questions then you might want to talk to a licensed insurance agent. If you don’t have a local agent, complete this form. It only takes a few minutes and can help protect your family.
A little work can save a LOT of money
As you restructure your insurance plan, do not reduce coverage to reduce premium. In many cases, someone dropped liability limits or collision coverage only to discover later that the small savings ended up costing them much more. The aim is to buy the best coverage you can find at an affordable rate while not skimping on critical coverages.
Insureds switch companies for a variety of reasons including high rates after DUI convictions, poor customer service, delays in paying claims and extreme rates for teen drivers. It doesn’t matter what your reason, finding a great new company can be less work than you think.
Cost effective Kia Optima insurance is possible online in addition to many Los Angeles insurance agents, and you need to price shop both in order to have the best price selection to choose from. Some companies do not offer internet price quotes and most of the time these smaller providers prefer to sell through independent agents.
Helpful resources
- Distracted Driving Statistics (Insurance Information Institute)
- Who Has the Cheapest Car Insurance Quotes for 16 Year Olds in Los Angeles? (FAQ)
- Who Has the Cheapest Car Insurance Rates for Nurses in Los Angeles? (FAQ)
- How Much are Car Insurance Rates for Drivers Over Age 70 in Los Angeles? (FAQ)
- Who Has Affordable Car Insurance for Teenagers in Los Angeles? (FAQ)
- Honda warning system reduces insurance claims (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)
- How to Avoid Staged Accidents (State Farm)
- What does Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Cover? (Allstate)
- How Does Hitting a Deer Impact Insurance Rates? (Allstate)