Salinas, CA Car Insurance

Compared to their surrounding area, how do rates in Salinas stack up? What about against the rest of California? What rates should residents of Salinas expect to pay for their car insurance? You can see the cost breakdowns and contributing factors in the charts and writeups below:

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How much is car insurance in Salinas?

Based on the chart above, you can see that coverage in Salinas typically costs about $12 a month less than it does in the rest of California.

When viewed against the average rates for the rest of the U.S., auto insurance coverage in Salinas is rather affordable. It's about $37 cheaper than the national average to insure your vehicle in Salinas.

While these are the average car insurance rates for Salinas, you could end up paying something different. There are numerous factors taken into consideration by insurance companies when deciding the rate you'll pay for coverage. Age, gender, vehicle make and model, driving record, and in some cases, your credit score, are all factored into assessing the final dollar amount you'll be asked to pay each month.

We've analyzed the average rate for Salinas and broken down the different factors to help you understand what your policy's monthly premium will be. And if you're not sure that you're paying the lowest option, simply enter your ZIP Code below and find out!

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Average Car Insurance Rates by Age

It's pretty safe to assume that the older you are, the longer you've been driving, right? That experience can lead to some serious savings when it comes to auto insurance premiums. In this case, 18-24-year-olds pay a lot more than drivers 65 and older.

You can expect to see a decrease in your monthly premium drop about once a decade or so. Once you hit retirement age, however, your rates may begin to go back up in Salinas.

Average Car Insurance Rates by Gender

On average, female drivers pay slightly less than male drivers for car insurance. The difference in Salinas is about $6 per month. As you can see in the table above, male drivers in the area typically pay $47 on average, while female drivers typically pay $41 each month.

Average Auto Insurance Rates by Driving Record

Your rates can vary wildly depending on your driving record. Drivers with clean records will pay lower rates than those with accidents or violations. In Salinas, drivers with one accident on their record will experience rates around $64 a month. In addition, drivers with one ticket can expect to pay around $67 a month on average.

When it comes to your monthly premium, accidents, tickets, and other driving infractions can really take a toll. So, if cheaper car insurance is important to you, keep your record clean and drive safe.

Average Insurance Rates by Vehicle

If you look at the first table above, the cheapest vehicles to insure in Salinas are typically SUVs, at $39 per month.

Car owners will see rates of about $46, while truck and van owners by and large pay around $41 a month.

In addition to vehicle type, you can also expect to see slightly different rates depending on the age of your vehicle. Generally, newer vehicles are going to be the most expensive to insure. However, once your car is close to 5 years old, you might start to see your rates slide back down slightly. The most expensive vehicles to insure in Salinas are vehicles two-to -three years old.

Average Car Insurance Rates by Relationship Status

On average, people who are married will pay slightly less for insurance coverage. This usually boils down to owners having multiple vehicles on the same policy, something that will often get you a discount.

The cost of auto insurance in Salinas reflects the national trend of married couples paying less than single drivers to insure their vehicles, to the tune of about $10 a month.

Average Car Insurance Rates by Housing Situation

One other element taken into consideration is your living situation. If you rent your home or apartment in Salinas, expect to pay around $4 a month more than if you are a homeowner. But if you live with your parents, your rates will be significantly higher.

Bundling your home or rental insurance and auto insurance policies can oftentimes reduce your average premiums, depending on your insurance company.

Car Insurance Companies in Salinas, CA

Recent trends in car insurance for Salinas drivers

Since average rates are constantly changing, it's a smart move to research the local trends in your area before choosing when and where to shop.

Auto insurance rates in Salinas declined steadily from 2017-2021. They finished up in 2022, at $41 per month

How does Salinas compare to neighboring areas?

Why are car insurance rates in Salinas different from other areas?

Car insurance companies will consider several factors when trying to decide how much to charge for a policy. The specifics of where you live will have an impact on your personal policy. This might include things like:

• Rate of car accidents
• Off-street parking accessibility
• Amount of drivers
• Regional laws
• Rate of crime

A decent level of familiarity with these factors can be helpful when you're ready to purchase of a new policy or thinking about making a move. Each area will have different rates. Guides like these are a wonderful place to get started.

How can I find the cheapest car insurance in Salinas?

In the end, the only way to know exactly what your rate will be is by requesting a quote from car insurance companies. Understanding what the average costs are for drivers prior to seeking out a quote can help you understand how closely the quote reflects local trends.

Good news! Compare.com does all of that work for you. Just punch in your ZIP below, answer a few questions about your driving profile, and you'll be comparing the cheapest quotes from several of the car insurance companies that offer plans in Salinas.

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Salinas Insurance FAQs

What factors affect car insurance quotes in Salinas?

Car insurance companies calculate quotes based on a wide array of factors. These include things like your gender and age, but also factors like your vehicle's make and model, year, driving record, credit score, as well as your marital status and address.

Why is the cost of car insurance in Salinas different from other neighboring cities?

Car insurance companies take local factors into consideration when determining how much to charge for coverage. Things like crime rates, local laws, and parking situations -- which can vary from city to city -- can significantly affect your rate.

Which car insurance company will offer me the cheapest rate in Salinas?

There isn't one company that will offer the cheapest rate to everybody. What companies will charge you are based on many different factors that vary from person to person, such as your driving record, what kind of car you drive, how many drivers will be on your policy, and a number of other factors. Because of this, it's a good idea to use sites like Compare.com to compare multiple quotes at once. That way, you can be confident you're getting the best price.

Do I need to change my insurance if I move to Salinas?

Any time you experience a major life event, whether it's moving to a new area, getting married, finding a new job, or other notable events, it's always a good idea to re-evaluate your current insurance. Certain companies offer cheaper insurance in certain cities, so even if you were getting the cheapest rate at your old address, it doesn't mean it'll still be the cheapest at your new home. That's why it's always good to use services like Compare.com to compare quotes from dozens of companies side-by-side.

Do I need to wait for my policy to expire to switch to a different car insurance company?

No. You can switch companies at any time, regardless of how long is left on your current policy. So, if you've recently moved to Salinas or it's been a while since you last compared car insurance rates, you may want to take 10 minutes and see if Compare.com can save you money.