Compare Chevy Malibu Insurance Quotes in Fresno

Surprisingly, a recent survey revealed that over 70% of California drivers renewed their policy with the same company for at least four years, and approximately 38% of consumers have never even compared quotes to find cheaper rates. American insurance shoppers can cut their rates by as much as 46.5% a year just by shopping around, but they don’t invest the time required to compare rate quotes.

It takes a little time, but the best way to get low-cost Chevy Malibu insurance in Fresno is to regularly compare price quotes from providers who sell insurance in California. Drivers can shop around by following these guidelines.

• Step 1: Try to comprehend the different coverages in a policy and the things you can control to prevent expensive coverage. Many risk factors that cause high rates such as distracted driving and a not-so-good credit score can be remedied by making minor changes to your lifestyle. This article gives ideas to get affordable coverage and get bigger discounts.
• Step 2: Get rate quotes from direct carriers, independent agents, and exclusive agents. Exclusive agents and direct companies can only quote rates from a single company like Progressive or Allstate, while agents who are independent can quote prices for a wide range of companies.
• Step 3: Compare the quotes to your current policy premium to see if cheaper Malibu coverage is available. If you can save some money and switch companies, make sure there is no coverage gap between policies.
• Step 4: Give proper notification to your current agent or company of your decision to cancel the current policy and submit the signed application along with the required initial payment for the new coverage. As soon as you have the new policy, safely store the certificate verifying proof of insurance in an easily accessible location in your vehicle.

An essential thing to point out is to compare identical coverages on each quote request and and to analyze as many companies as possible. This provides a fair price comparison and the best price selection.

The quickest way to get rate comparisons for Chevy Malibu insurance in Fresno is to know most of the larger companies actually pay money for the chance to give you rate quotes. To get started, all you need to do is spend a couple of minutes providing details such as your job, how old drivers are, level of coverage desired, and the year, make and model of vehicles. That rating data gets transmitted to many highly-rated insurers and you will receive price estimates almost instantly.

To compare lower-cost Chevy Malibu insurance rates now, click here and see if a lower rate is available in Fresno.

The companies in the list below are ready to provide quotes in Fresno, CA. If multiple companies are listed, it’s highly recommended you compare several of them in order to get a fair rate comparison.

Chevy Malibu insurance rates and statistics

The premium table shown below covers a range of rate quotes for Chevy Malibu models. Having a better understanding of how auto insurance premiums are formulated can help drivers make smart policy decisions.

Cost estimates assume married male driver age 50, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $1000 deductibles, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-vehicle, claim-free, safe-driver, multi-policy, and homeowner. Table data does not factor in specific zip code location which can increase or decrease auto insurance rates significantly.

Choosing deductibles

One common question asked by Fresno drivers is how high should the deductibles for physical damage be. The tables below determine how much more rates are when you buy lower versus higher insurance deductibles. The first set of rates uses a $250 physical damage deductible and the second rate table uses a $1,000 deductible.

Table data represents married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-policy, safe-driver, homeowner, claim-free, and multi-vehicle. Information does not factor in zip code location which can decrease or increase insurance rates considerably.

Using the premium rates above, we can conclude that using a $250 deductible will cost you about $33 more each month or $396 a year than opting for the higher $1,000 deductible. Since you would pay $750 more to settle a claim with a $1,000 deductible as compared to a $250 deductible, if you go more than 23 months between claims, you would save money if you decide on a higher deductible.

Annual premiums for males compared to females

The example below illustrates the comparison of Chevy Malibu yearly insurance costs for male and female drivers. The data is based on no accidents, no driving violations, comprehensive and collision coverage, $100 deductibles, marital status is single, and no discounts are applied.

Full coverage rates compared to liability-only

The diagram below visualizes the comparison of Chevy Malibu premium costs when comparing full coverage to state minimum liability only. The rate quotes are based on no accidents or driving violations, $1,000 deductibles, drivers are single, and no discounts are applied to the premium.

Are you wasting money on full coverage?

There is no definitive guideline of when to exclude physical damage coverage on your policy, but there is a broad guideline. If the yearly cost of comp and collision coverage is more than about 10% of any settlement you would receive from your insurance company, then you may need to consider dropping full coverage.

For example, let’s assume your Chevy Malibu claim settlement value is $8,000 and you have $1,000 deductibles. If your vehicle is totaled in an accident, the most your company would pay you is $7,000 after you pay the deductible. If you are paying over $700 a year for your policy with full coverage, then it might be time to buy liability only.

There are some cases where only buying liability is not recommended. If you haven’t paid off your loan, you are required to maintain full coverage as part of the loan requirements. Also, if you can’t afford to buy a different vehicle in the even your car is totaled, you should not eliminate full coverage.

Take advantage of these nine discounts on Chevy Malibu insurance in Fresno

Insurance is easily one of your largest bills, but you might be missing out on some discounts that many consumers don’t even know exist. Some of these discounts will be visible at the time you complete a quote, but some need to be asked for prior to receiving the credit. If you’re not getting every credit you qualify for, you’re paying more than you need to.

• Service Members Pay Less – Being deployed in the military could trigger a small discount.
• Distant Student Discount – Children who live away from home to go to college and don’t have a car can receive lower rates.
• Discounts for Federal Employees – Active or former government employment may reduce rates when you quote Fresno car insurance but check with your company.
• Own a Home and Save – Owning your own home or condo can earn you a little savings because it requires personal responsibility.
• Defensive Driver – Participating in a course teaching defensive driver skills could cut 5% off your bill and make you a better driver.
• Senior Citizen Discount – Drivers that qualify as senior citizens may qualify for reduced rates.
• Drivers Ed for Students – Cut your cost by having your teen driver enroll and complete driver’s education in high school.
• Theft Prevention Discount – Cars, trucks, and SUVs with anti-theft systems are less likely to be stolen and will save you 10% or more on Malibu insurance in Fresno.
• Drive Less and Save – Fewer annual miles on your Chevy can qualify you for slightly better insurance rates than normal.

Keep in mind that some credits don’t apply to all coverage premiums. A few only apply to the cost of specific coverages such as liability and collision coverage. So even though you would think you can get free auto insurance, you’re out of luck.

The diagram below shows the difference between Chevy Malibu insurance rates with and without discounts applied to the rates. The rate quotes are based on a female driver, no driving violations, no at-fault accidents, California state minimum liability limits, full coverage, and $100 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with claim-free, multi-policy, marriage, homeowner, multi-car, and safe-driver discounts applied.

A few of the larger companies and a summarized list of policyholder discounts can be found below.

• AAA may include discounts for pay-in-full, multi-car, multi-policy, AAA membership discount, and education and occupation.
• Progressive policyholders can earn discounts including multi-policy, good student, homeowner, multi-vehicle, continuous coverage, and online quote discount.
• State Farm has savings for Steer Clear safe driver discount, anti-theft, defensive driving training, safe vehicle, and accident-free.
• Esurance discounts include anti-lock brakes, multi-policy, good student, emergency road assistance, and renters.
• Nationwide includes discounts for multi-policy, accident-free, anti-theft, family plan, and easy pay.

When quoting, ask every company which discounts you may be entitled to. All car insurance discounts might not be offered on policies in Fresno. To see a list of providers who offer insurance discounts in Fresno, click here.

Why you need vehicle insurance in California

Despite the potentially high cost of Chevy Malibu insurance, buying auto insurance may be required for several reasons.

• Just about all states have compulsory liability insurance requirements which means you are required to buy specific limits of liability coverage in order to drive the car legally. In California these limits are 15/30/5 which means you must have $15,000 of bodily injury coverage per person, $30,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $5,000 of property damage coverage.
• If you have a lien on your Malibu, more than likely the lender will make it mandatory that you have insurance to guarantee their interest in the vehicle. If coverage lapses or is canceled, the bank may insure your Chevy at a more expensive rate and force you to reimburse them the higher premium.
• Insurance protects both your assets and your car. It will also cover all forms of medical expenses for you, your passengers, and anyone else injured in an accident. Liability coverage, the one required by state law, also pays for attorney fees and expenses if you are sued as the result of your driving. If your Chevy gets damaged, comprehensive (other-than-collision) and collision coverage will cover the damage repairs after a deductible is paid.

The benefits of insuring your Malibu definitely exceed the cost, especially with large liability claims. As of last year, the average driver in California is overpaying over $865 each year so it’s very important to do a rate comparison at every policy renewal to make sure the price is not too high.

California car insurance companies

Finding a highly-rated auto insurance company can be difficult considering how many choices you have in California. The rank data displayed below may help you analyze which coverage providers to look at when looking for cheaper rates.

Top 10 Fresno Car Insurance Companies Ranked by Value

1. USAA
2. American Family
3. The Hartford
4. AAA of Southern California
5. Titan Insurance
6. The General
7. AAA Insurance
8. State Farm
9. Mercury Insurance
10. Nationwide

What is the best car insurance coverage?

Always keep in mind that when comparing adequate coverage, there isn’t really a cookie cutter policy. Your financial needs are unique.

Here are some questions about coverages that could help you determine if you would benefit from an agent’s advice.

• Am I insured when driving a different vehicle?
• Am I covered if I break a side mirror?
• When does my teenage driver need to be added to my policy?
• Is my son or daughter covered when driving my car?
• Does my Chevy Malibu qualify for pleasure use?
• Is my trailer covered?
• What companies insure drivers after a DUI or DWI?
• Should I file a claim if it’s only slightly more than my deductible?
• When can I cancel my policy?
• What vehicles should carry emergency assistance coverage?

If you can’t answer these questions, you might consider talking to an insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, take a second and complete this form. It’s fast, doesn’t cost anything and can help protect your family.

When to contact a local insurance agent

Some people just prefer to buy from a licensed agent and that can be a great decision Insurance agents can help you build your policy and give you someone to call. The best thing about getting free rate quotes online is that you can obtain better rates but still work with a licensed agent. Supporting small agencies is especially important in Fresno.

By using this simple form, your insurance coverage information is emailed to agents in your area that give free quotes and help you find cheaper coverage. You won’t need to even leave your home because prices are sent to you. If you have a need to get a rate quote from a particular provider, you just need to find their quoting web page and complete a quote there.

Independent or Exclusive: It’s your choice

When researching an insurance agent, you must know there are a couple different types of agencies and how they can write your policy. Insurance agencies in Fresno can be categorized as either independent agents or exclusive agents depending on their employer. Either type can insure your vehicles properly, but we need to point out how they are different since it could factor into the type of agent you choose.

Independent Agents

Independent insurance agents are not employed by one company and that is an advantage because they can write policies with any number of different companies depending on which coverage is best. If you are not satisfied with one company, they simply move your policy to a different company and you don’t have to find a new agent. If you need lower rates, you will definitely want to get rate quotes from several independent agencies for the best price selection. Many write coverage with small mutual carriers that many times have cheaper rates.

The following is a list of independent agencies in Fresno that may be able to give you price quotes.

• Covered California Fresno
  4005 N Blackstone Ave #101 – Fresno, CA 93726 – (559) 222-4140 – View Map
• Van Beurden Insurance Services, Inc.
  7676 N Palm Ave #106 – Fresno, CA 93711 – (559) 436-6655 – View Map
• Walter L. Clark and Associates, Inc.
  7673 N Ingram Ave #103 – Fresno, CA 93711 – (559) 222-0300 – View Map

View more agents

Exclusive Agencies

Exclusive insurance agents can only place business with one company such as Farmers Insurance or State Farm. Exclusive agents cannot shop your coverage around so they have to upsell other benefits. Exclusive agents are usually quite knowledgeable in insurance sales and that enables them to sell even at higher rates. Consumers often buy from exclusive agents mainly due to loyalty to the company rather than low price.

Below is a short list of exclusive insurance agents in Fresno who can help you get rate quotes.

• Greg Caves – State Farm Insurance Agent
  7740 N Fresno St #103 – Fresno, CA 93720 – (559) 435-7500 – View Map
• Wilson Wong – State Farm Insurance Agent
  1341 W Bullard Ave #6 – Fresno, CA 93711 – (559) 438-0470 – View Map
• Dick Wallace – State Farm Insurance Agent
  4344 E Ashlan Ave – Fresno, CA 93726 – (559) 222-6501 – View Map

View more agents

Choosing an car insurance agent needs to be determined by more than just a cheap price. Here are some questions you should ask.

• What insurance companies do they recommend if they are an independent agent?
• Do the companies they represent have a solid financial rating?
• Which members of your family are coverage by the policy?
• Do they specialize in personal lines coverage in Fresno?
• Will you work with the agent or an assistant?
• Does the agent have a valid license to sell insurance in California?
• How many years of experience in personal auto insurance do they have?

Auto insurance policy specifics

Understanding the coverages of your policy aids in choosing which coverages you need and proper limits and deductibles. The coverage terms in a policy can be difficult to understand and nobody wants to actually read their policy.

Liability coverages

This coverage provides protection from damages or injuries you inflict on a person or their property. It protects you against other people’s claims, and doesn’t cover your own vehicle damage or injuries.

Coverage consists of three different limits, bodily injury for each person injured, bodily injury for the entire accident and a property damage limit. Your policy might show limits of 15/30/5 that means you have $15,000 bodily injury coverage, $30,000 for the entire accident, and a limit of $5,000 paid for damaged property. Another option is one number which is a combined single limit that pays claims from the same limit without having the split limit caps.

Liability coverage pays for things like bail bonds, loss of income and medical expenses. How much liability coverage do you need? That is a decision to put some thought into, but you should buy as high a limit as you can afford. California state law requires minimum liability limits of 15/30/5 but you should think about purchasing higher limits.

The illustration below demonstrates why low liability limits may not be enough coverage.

Comprehensive coverage

This covers damage caused by mother nature, theft, vandalism and other events. A deductible will apply and the remainder of the damage will be paid by comprehensive coverage.

Comprehensive insurance covers claims such as a broken windshield, hitting a deer, fire damage, hitting a bird and rock chips in glass. The highest amount you can receive from a comprehensive claim is the ACV or actual cash value, so if it’s not worth much more than your deductible consider dropping full coverage.

Medical payments coverage and PIP

Med pay and PIP coverage reimburse you for bills for things like nursing services, dental work, funeral costs and rehabilitation expenses. The coverages can be used to fill the gap from your health insurance plan or if you do not have health coverage. It covers all vehicle occupants as well as any family member struck as a pedestrian. Personal Injury Protection is not universally available but it provides additional coverages not offered by medical payments coverage

Collision coverage

Collision coverage will pay to fix damage to your Malibu from colliding with another vehicle or an object, but not an animal. You first must pay a deductible then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.

Collision coverage protects against things like hitting a mailbox, colliding with a tree and crashing into a ditch. This coverage can be expensive, so you might think about dropping it from older vehicles. Another option is to bump up the deductible on your Malibu in order to get cheaper collision rates.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage

Your UM/UIM coverage protects you and your vehicle when other motorists either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. It can pay for hospital bills for your injuries and damage to your Chevy Malibu.

Since a lot of drivers only carry the minimum required liability limits (15/30/5 in California), it doesn’t take a major accident to exceed their coverage limits. So UM/UIM coverage is a good idea. Usually these limits are set the same as your liability limits.