If your goal is the lowest price, then the best way to get the cheapest car insurance rates is to begin comparing prices regularly from providers that insure vehicles in Fresno. Prices can be compared by following these steps.
- First, learn about what is in your policy and the things you can control to prevent high rates. Many factors that increase rates like your driving record and an unacceptable credit rating can be remedied by paying attention to minor details. Read the full article for more information to get affordable coverage and find discounts that you may qualify for.
- Second, request price quotes from exclusive agents, independent agents, and direct providers. Direct companies and exclusive agencies can provide rates from one company like GEICO and State Farm, while independent agencies can give you price quotes from multiple sources. View insurance agents
- Third, compare the price quotes to the premium of your current policy to determine if you can save on Element insurance. If you can save money, make sure the effective date of the new policy is the same as the expiration date of the old one.
A tip to remember is that you’ll want to make sure you compare the same coverage limits and deductibles on each quote request and and to get rate quotes from as many auto insurance providers as possible. Doing this provides a level playing field and a complete price analysis.
It’s an obvious assumption that insurance companies don’t want you to look for cheaper rates. Drivers who compare other prices will, in all likelihood, switch to a new company because there is a good probability of finding a more affordable policy. A recent survey revealed that consumers who regularly compared price quotes saved an average of $3,450 over four years compared to policyholders who never compared prices.
If finding discount rates on auto insurance is your ultimate objective, then having some insight into how to choose a company and compare auto insurance can save time and make the process easier.
Cheaper rates with these discounts
Some providers don’t always list all possible discounts in a way that’s easy to find, so we break down some of the more common and also the more inconspicuous credits available to bring down your rates.
- Payment Method – If paying your policy premium upfront instead of paying each month you can avoid the installment charge.
- Fewer Miles Equal More Savings – Keeping the miles down on your Honda may allow you to get discounted prices on garaged vehicles.
- Drive Safe and Save – Insureds without accidents may receive a discount up to 45% than drivers with accident claims.
- Good Student – Performing well in school may save you up to 25%. The discount lasts well after school through age 25.
- Military Rewards – Having an actively deployed family member could trigger a small discount.
- Distant Student Discount – Children who live away from home to go to college and don’t have a car could get you a discount.
- Data Collection Discounts – Policyholders that allow data collection to scrutinize where and when they drive through the use of a telematics system such as Drivewise from Allstate or Snapshot from Progressive may get a rate reduction as long as the data is positive.
Keep in mind that most discounts do not apply to all coverage premiums. Most only apply to individual premiums such as liability, collision or medical payments. So when the math indicates you can get free auto insurance, companies wouldn’t make money that way.
The example below illustrates the comparison of Honda Element insurance prices with and without some available policy discounts. The price estimates are based on a male driver, no accidents or driving violations, California state minimum liability limits, comprehensive and collision coverage, and $100 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with multi-car, homeowner, safe-driver, claim-free, multi-policy, and marriage discounts applied.
Larger auto insurance companies and the discounts they provide are outlined below.
- State Farm includes discounts for Drive Safe & Save, passive restraint, defensive driving training, student away at school, and driver’s education.
- Nationwide offers discounts for Farm Bureau membership, easy pay, defensive driving, multi-policy, and accident-free.
- GEICO offers discounts including daytime running lights, defensive driver, good student, multi-vehicle, anti-lock brakes, and five-year accident-free.
- AAA discounts include education and occupation, good student, good driver, anti-theft, pay-in-full, and multi-car.
- 21st Century offers premium reductions for air bags, automatic seat belts, student driver, theft prevention, and anti-lock brakes.
- The Hartford has savings for driver training, air bag, good student, anti-theft, and vehicle fuel type.
When quoting, ask every insurance company which discounts they offer. Some credits may not apply in Fresno. For a list of companies with the best Honda Element insurance discounts in Fresno, follow this link.
How to compare Honda Element insurance quotes in Fresno
Cutting your Fresno auto insurance rates is not rocket science. Consumers just need to take time to compare rate quotes online from several insurance companies.
The companies shown below provide price comparisons in California. If you want cheap car insurance in Fresno, it’s a good idea that you visit two to three different companies to get the best price comparison.
Coverage information
The premium table shown below outlines estimates of insurance rates for Honda Element models. Having a good grasp of how insurance prices are established can help you make smart choices when buying a policy.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Element LX 2WD | $294 | $592 | $500 | $30 | $150 | $1,566 | $131 |
| Element LX 4WD | $294 | $592 | $500 | $30 | $150 | $1,566 | $131 |
| Element EX 2WD | $294 | $592 | $500 | $30 | $150 | $1,566 | $131 |
| Element EX 4WD | $294 | $592 | $500 | $30 | $150 | $1,566 | $131 |
| Element SC 2WD | $294 | $592 | $500 | $30 | $150 | $1,566 | $131 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
Data rating is based on single male driver age 50, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $250 deductibles, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include safe-driver, claim-free, multi-vehicle, homeowner, and multi-policy. Price information does not factor in vehicle location which can alter coverage prices considerably.
Policy deductible comparison
One of the hardest decisions when shopping for auto insurance is which comprehensive and collision deductibles to buy. The rates below approximate how much more rates are when you buy lower versus higher insurance deductibles. The first set of prices uses a $250 deductible for comprehensive and collision coverage and the second pricing table uses a $500 deductible.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Element LX 2WD | $342 | $576 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,543 | $129 |
| Element LX 4WD | $342 | $576 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,543 | $129 |
| Element EX 2WD | $342 | $576 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,543 | $129 |
| Element EX 4WD | $342 | $576 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,543 | $129 |
| Element SC 2WD | $342 | $576 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,543 | $129 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Element LX 2WD | $278 | $464 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,342 | $112 |
| Element LX 4WD | $278 | $464 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,342 | $112 |
| Element EX 2WD | $278 | $464 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,342 | $112 |
| Element EX 4WD | $278 | $464 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,342 | $112 |
| Element SC 2WD | $278 | $464 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,342 | $112 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
Table data assumes married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include safe-driver, multi-policy, homeowner, claim-free, and multi-vehicle. Information does not factor in specific location information which can alter prices significantly.
Based on these figures, using a $250 deductible will cost you about $17 more each month or $204 a year averaged for all Element models than requesting the higher $500 deductible. Due to the fact that you would have to pay $250 more out of your own pocket with a $500 deductible as compared to a $250 deductible, if you go more than 15 months between claim filings, you would save more money if you opt for a higher deductible.
How to determine if a higher deductible is a good idea
| Average monthly premium for $250 deductibles: | $129 |
| Average monthly premium for $500 deductibles (subtract): | – $112 |
| Monthly savings from raising deductible: | $17 |
| Difference between deductibles ($500 – $250): | $250 |
| Divide difference by monthly savings: | $250 / $17 |
| Number of months required between physical damage coverage claims in order to save money by choosing the higher deductible | 15 months |
One thing to note is that increasing deductibles to save money results in having to pay to pay more out-of-pocket when you have a comprehensive or collision claim. You need to have access to more funds in the event you need to pay the deductible.
The example below shows how different deductible levels and can increase or decrease Honda Element insurance rates for different insured age categories. The data is based on a single male driver, full coverage, and no discounts are applied to the premium.
Difference between liability only and full coverage rates
The example below compares Honda Element insurance prices with liability coverage only compared to full coverage. The rates are based on no claims or driving violations, $100 deductibles, single status, and no discounts are factored in.
When to stop paying for full coverage
There is no exact rule of when to drop physical damage insurance, but there is a broad guideline. If the annual cost of having full coverage is more than about 10% of the settlement you would receive from your company, then it’s probably a good time to buy liability coverage only.
For example, let’s assume your Honda Element replacement cost is $8,000 and you have $1,000 deductibles. If your vehicle is destroyed, the most your company will settle for is $7,000 after paying the physical damage deductible. If it’s costing you more than $700 a year to have full coverage, then it’s probably a good time to buy liability coverage only.
There are a few situations where removing full coverage is not advised. If you haven’t paid off your loan, you have to maintain full coverage as part of the loan conditions. Also, if your emergency fund is not enough to purchase a different vehicle in the even your car is totaled, you should not opt for liability only.
Cut Insurance Costs with These Tips
Many different elements are used in the calculation when quoting car insurance. Some of the criteria are obvious like an MVR report, but other factors are less apparent such as your marital status and annual miles driven. Smart consumers have a good feel for some of the elements that play a part in calculating the rates you pay for car insurance. If you have a feel for what determines base rates, this enables you to make decisions that can help you get big savings.
The following are some of the factors used by companies to determine prices.
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Guys pay higher costs – Over the last 50 years, statistics have shown women are more cautious behind the wheel. However, this does not mean men are WORSE drivers than women. Women and men tend to get into fender benders in similar percentages, but the males cause more damage and cost insurance companies more money. They also get higher numbers of serious violations like reckless driving and DUI. Male teenagers generally have the highest accident percentage and therefore are the most expensive to insure.
The illustration below visualizes the comparison of Honda Element car insurance costs for male and female drivers. The premiums are based on no accidents, no driving violations, full coverage, $250 deductibles, drivers are not married, and no additional discounts are factored in.
- Prevent coverage lapses – Driving your car without having proper coverage is illegal and car insurance companies will penalize you for letting your insurance expire. In addition to paying higher rates, being ticketed for driving with no insurance could earn you a hefty fine and possibly a revoked license. You may have to file a SR-22 with the California motor vehicle department.
- No car insurance claims equals cheaper car insurance rates – Insurance companies in California give the best rates to drivers who are not frequent claim filers. If you are a frequent claim filer, you can definitely plan on either policy cancellation or increased premiums. Your car insurance is meant to be used in the event of major claims that would cause financial hardship.
- Single drivers take more risk – Your spouse actually saves money on your policy. It is viewed as being more mature and responsible and it’s statistically proven that being married results in fewer claims.
Can’t I compare prices from local Fresno insurance agencies?
Many drivers would prefer to visit with an insurance agent and that can be a smart move Good agents are trained risk managers and help you file claims. A nice benefit of getting online price quotes is you may find better rates and also buy local. Buying from local agencies is especially important in Fresno.
By using this form (opens in new window), your information is emailed to companies in Fresno who can give free rate quotes to get your business. You won’t need to contact any agents since rate quotes are delivered immediately to you. If you wish to compare prices from one company in particular, you can always search and find their rate quote page and submit a quote form there.
The difference between Fresno auto insurance agents
If you want to buy insurance from a local insurance agency, there are a couple of different types of agencies and how they can write your policy. Agents in Fresno are classified as either independent (non-exclusive) or exclusive. Both types of agents can insure your vehicles, but it’s worth mentioning how they differ because it can factor into which type of agent you select.
Independent Insurance Agents
These agents are not employed by one company so they have the ability to put coverage with any number of different companies and find you the best rates. If prices rise, they simply move the coverage in-house which requires no work on your part. If you need lower rates, we recommend you get some free quotes from several independent agencies to have the best price comparison. Most also write with smaller mutual companies which may have better rates.
The following is a small list of independent insurance agencies in Fresno that can possibly get you price quote information.
- Nationwide Insurance: Maffei Ins and Fin Services
5633 W Figarden Dr Ste 104 – Fresno, CA 93722 – (559) 322-3355 – View Map - Agri-Center Insurance Inc
2650 W Shaw Ln – Fresno, CA 93711 – (559) 233-0123 – View Map - Covered California Fresno
4005 N Blackstone Ave #101 – Fresno, CA 93726 – (559) 222-4140 – View Map
Exclusive Insurance Agents
Exclusive agencies normally can only provide a single company’s rates and examples are American Family, State Farm, and AAA. Exclusive agencies are unable to place coverage with different providers so they have no alternatives for high prices. They are well schooled on their company’s products which can be an advantage. Some people will only choose to use an exclusive agent mostly because of the prominence of the brand instead of buying on price only.
The following are Fresno exclusive agents that can give you price quote information.
- Allstate Insurance: Ron Meadows
1750 E Bullard Ave Ste 101 – Fresno, CA 93710 – (559) 432-0656 – View Map - Rufino Paguio – State Farm Insurance Agent
5637 W Figarden Dr #108 – Fresno, CA 93722 – (559) 277-1903 – View Map - Allstate Insurance: Roger Noguera
3032 W Bullard Ave – Fresno, CA 93711 – (559) 435-2246 – View Map
Finding a good auto insurance agent shouldn’t rely on just the premium amount. These are some questions your agent should answer.
- Will one accident increase rates?
- Do they have designations such as AIC, CPCU, or CIC?
- Do they have a Better Business Bureau rating in Fresno?
- Is auto insurance their primary focus in Fresno?
- Does the agency have a current Errors and Omissions policy?
- If your car is in the repair shop, do you have coverage for a rental car?
- What are their preferred companies if they are an independent agency?
Once you have received positive feedback as well as a affordable price, chances are good that you have found a car insurance agent that can properly service your insurance policy.
Choosing the best Honda vehicle insurance in California is an important decision
Despite the fact that auto insurance is not cheap in Fresno, buying auto insurance is required for several reasons.
First, the majority of states have minimum liability requirements which means the state requires specific limits of liability insurance 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.
Second, if you bought your car with a loan, it’s most likely the lender will require that you buy full coverage to guarantee loan repayment. If coverage lapses or is canceled, the lender may insure your Honda at an extremely high rate and force you to pay the higher price.
Third, auto insurance preserves both your car and your personal assets. It will also reimburse you for medical expenses for yourself as well as anyone injured by you. Liability coverage, the one required by state law, also covers all legal expenses up to the policy limit if you are named as a defendant in an auto accident. If mother nature or an accident damages your car, your auto insurance policy will pay to restore your vehicle to like-new condition.
The benefits of buying auto insurance more than cancel out the cost, especially with large liability claims. On average, a vehicle owner in Fresno is overpaying more than $800 each year so smart consumers compare quotes every year to be sure current rates are still competitive.
California auto insurance company ratings
Buying coverage from a highly-rated insurer can be challenging considering how many different companies insure vehicles in California. The company ratings shown next can help you analyze which auto insurers to look at shopping prices with.
Top 10 Fresno Car Insurance Companies by A.M. Best Rank
- USAA – A++
- Travelers – A++
- State Farm – A++
- GEICO – A++
- Esurance – A+
- Nationwide – A+
- Allstate – A+
- Mercury Insurance – A+
- Progressive – A+
- Titan Insurance – A+
Top 10 Fresno Car Insurance Companies Ranked by Claims Service
- AAA of Southern California
- State Farm
- Esurance
- AAA Insurance
- Progressive
- Liberty Mutual
- GEICO
- Allstate
- Titan Insurance
- The Hartford
You can find cheap coverage
Insureds change insurance companies for any number of reasons including delays in paying claims, poor customer service, an unsatisfactory settlement offer and even lack of trust in their agent. No matter why you want to switch, finding a great new company is not as hard as you think.
While you’re price shopping online, it’s not a good idea to reduce coverage to reduce premium. There have been many cases where someone sacrificed uninsured motorist or liability limits and found out when filing a claim that the savings was not a smart move. Your goal should be to buy a smart amount of coverage at the lowest possible cost, but don’t skip important coverages to save money.
In this article, we covered quite a bit of information on how to lower your Honda Element insurance rates in Fresno. The key concept to understand is the more companies you get auto insurance rates for, the better likelihood of getting affordable Fresno car insurance quotes. You may even be surprised to find that the lowest priced car insurance comes from the least-expected company.
Additional information is located on the following sites:
- Side airbags reduce rollover fatalities (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)
- Who Has Cheap Car Insurance Quotes for Teachers in Fresno? (FAQ)
- Who Has the Cheapest Auto Insurance for a Honda Accord in Fresno? (FAQ)
- What Auto Insurance is Cheapest for a Toyota Corolla in Fresno? (FAQ)
- Who Has the Cheapest Auto Insurance for Felons in Fresno? (FAQ)
- Think You’re a Safe Driver? (State Farm)
- Protect Yourself Against Auto Theft (Insurance Information Institute)
- Determining Auto Insurance Rates (GEICO)