The car, truck, or SUV needing coverage is one of the primary factors when comparing quotes for the most economical car insurance for infrequent drivers. Vehicles with lower performance, good crash test ratings, or low incidents of liability claims will cost less to insure than higher performance models.
The next list presents insurance premiums for a number of the most economical vehicles to buy insurance for.
| Vehicle Make and Model | Estimated Cost for Full Coverage |
|---|---|
| Honda Accord LX-P 4-Dr Sedan | $2,049 |
| Hyundai Elantra GLS Touring Station Wagon | $2,057 |
| Ford Escape Limited 4WD | $2,227 |
| Toyota Prius | $2,272 |
| Honda CR-V EX 4WD | $2,294 |
| Ford Focus SE 4-Dr Sedan | $2,378 |
| Dodge Grand Caravan Hero | $2,427 |
| Chevrolet Impala LT | $2,436 |
| Toyota Camry LE | $2,427 |
| Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer 4WD | $2,472 |
| Ford Edge Sport AWD | $2,559 |
| Toyota Corolla LE | $2,565 |
| Nissan Rogue S AWD | $2,598 |
| Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD LT Crew Cab 2WD | $2,649 |
| Ford F-150 Lariat Crew Cab Harley 4WD | $2,658 |
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Prices above based on single male driver age 40, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $1,000 deductibles, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include claim-free, safe-driver, homeowner, multi-policy, and multi-vehicle. Premium amounts do not factor in specific garaging location which can lower or raise coverage rates noticeably.
By looking at the data, we can expect models like the Honda Accord, Hyundai Elantra, Ford Escape, Toyota Prius, and Honda CR-V should be the most budget-friendly vehicles to insure for low mileage drivers.
Determining which insurers offer the most affordable auto insurance rates for infrequent drivers requires more time in order to find the lowest price quote.
Each insurer uses a little different formula for determining rates, so let’s examine the auto insurance companies with the overall cheapest rates in Los Angeles. Keep in mind that Los Angeles, CA auto insurance rates are determined by lots of factors that can increase the price of your policy. Simply turning a year older, filing a claim, or getting into an accident can produce rate changes resulting in some rates now being more affordable than competitors.
Best Car Insurance Prices in California
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| Rank | Company | Cost Per Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | USAA | $1,155 |
| 2 | Century National | $1,178 |
| 3 | Wawanesa | $1,192 |
| 4 | CSAA | $1,222 |
| 5 | Nationwide | $1,263 |
| 6 | 21st Century | $1,379 |
| 7 | Grange | $1,433 |
| 8 | Progressive | $1,512 |
| 9 | GEICO | $1,529 |
| 10 | Allied | $1,541 |
| 11 | Allstate | $1,543 |
| 12 | Mercury | $1,548 |
| 13 | The Hartford | $1,591 |
| 14 | MetLife | $1,606 |
| 15 | Esurance | $1,688 |
| 16 | Unitrin | $1,733 |
| 17 | State Farm | $1,750 |
| 18 | Bristol West | $1,777 |
| 19 | Travelers | $1,788 |
| 20 | Farmers | $1,946 |
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USAA generally has some of the best car insurance rates in Los Angeles at around $1,155 each year. Century National, Wawanesa, CSAA, and Nationwide would also be considered some of the lowest-priced Los Angeles, CA auto insurance companies.
As the example above demonstrates, if you are currently insured with CSAA and switched to USAA, you might realize savings of approximately $67. Policyholders with Nationwide might save as much as $108 a year, and 21st Century insureds might reduce rates by $224 a year.
Remember that these rates are averages for all drivers and vehicles and and are not calculated with an exact zip code location for infrequent drivers. So the insurer that fits your situation best may not even be in the top 24 companies in the list above. That underscores the importance of why you need to compare rates from as many companies as possible using your own driver information and specific vehicle type.
Get discount Los Angeles insurance
Car insurance companies that offer cheap quotes for infrequent drivers may have policy discounts that could reduce prices by as much as 35% if you meet eligibility requirements. The best auto insurance companies and the discounts they provide are included below.
- 21st Century discounts include defensive driver, air bags, good student, anti-lock brakes, early bird, theft prevention, and driver training.
- State Farm offers discounts for multiple autos, student away at school, Steer Clear safe driver discount, Drive Safe & Save, multiple policy, good driver, and passive restraint.
- AAA includes discounts for multi-car, good student, multi-policy, good driver, AAA membership discount, and pay-in-full.
- Liberty Mutual policyholders can earn discounts including hybrid vehicle, new vehicle discount, preferred payment discount, safety features, and multi-car.
- Progressive has savings for homeowner, multi-policy, online signing, multi-vehicle, and continuous coverage.
The example below illustrates the comparison of auto insurance costs with and without some available policy discounts. The premium estimates are based on a male driver, no accidents or driving violations, California state minimum liability limits, full physical damage coverage, and $250 deductibles.
The first bar for each age group shows the price with no discounts. The lower bar shows the rates with multiple policy, accident-free, multiple vehicle, safe-driver, passive restraint, and vehicle safety discounts applied. When drivers take advantage of discounts, the average savings per year on auto insurance for infrequent drivers is 28% or $640.
Rate difference between full and liability-only coverage
Lowering the price of auto insurance should be important to most vehicle owners, and one way to buy cheap insurance for infrequent drivers is to not buy comprehensive and collision coverage. The chart below shows the difference between auto insurance rates with full physical damage coverage compared to only buying liability only. The premiums are based on no violations or claims, $500 deductibles, single status, and no discounts are applied.
If we average the cost for ages 20 through 70, full coverage on your policy costs an extra $2,075 per year over liability only. Many drivers will wonder when is it safe to stop buying full coverage. There is no written rule of when to eliminate physical damage insurance, but there is a guideline you can consider. If the yearly cost of comp and collision coverage is 10% or more of the replacement cost of your vehicle minus the policy deductible, then you may want to consider only buying liability coverage.
For example, let’s say your vehicle’s replacement cost is $6,500 and you have $1,000 full coverage deductibles. If your vehicle is totaled, the most you would receive is $5,500 after the policy deductible has been paid. If premiums are more than $550 a year for physical damage coverage, then it’s probably a good time to buy liability coverage only.
There are some cases where buying only liability insurance is not recommended. If you still owe money on your vehicle, you have to carry full coverage as part of the loan conditions. Also, if your finances do not allow you to purchase a different vehicle if your current one is damaged, you should not drop full coverage.
Careless Los Angeles drivers pay higher rates
The easiest way to find the most affordable auto insurance prices in Los Angeles for low mileage drivers is to be a careful driver and avoid at-fault accidents and violations. The information below shows how traffic citations and at-fault accidents impact auto insurance costs for different age groups of insureds. Data assumes a married male driver, comprehensive and collision coverage, $1,000 deductibles, and no other discounts are factored in.
The data in the chart shows the average cost of auto insurance per year with no accidents and a clean driving record is $1,703. Factor in one speeding ticket and the average cost surges to $1,960, an increase of $257 each year. Now add two accidents along with the one speeding ticket and the yearly cost of auto insurance for infrequent drivers jumps again to an average of $4,305. That’s an increase of $2,602, or $217 per month, just for being a careless driver!
How to find more affordable insurance for infrequent drivers
Here are a few penny-pinching ideas that can help California drivers quote cheap coverage.
- Try to not file small claims
- You will pay more if you get tickets or have at-fault accidents
- At-fault accidents will increase rates
- Do not pay for full coverage if not needed
- Raise your deductibles
- Compare rates often to find the best deal
That final tip is remarkably vital, as was pointed out in the prior information. Car insurance rates can be changed at any time, so don’t be unwilling to change insurance companies if a lower price can be found. Having a favorite company is fine, but it isn’t a good idea if that dedication is costing big bucks every year. Take a couple minutes and compare rates and find cheaper insurance for infrequent drivers in Los Angeles.