Car insurance in Bakersfield, CA: Cheapest insurance and average rates

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Car insurance in Bakersfield costs $2,477 per year for full coverage – $206 per month. Geico offers the cheapest car insurance policies at an average of $150 per month.

With a population of around 410,000, it’s the ninth-largest city in the state of California. 

Learn about the cheapest car insurance companies in Bakersfield, how much car insurance you need in Bakersfield and how its insurance rates compare to other large U.S. cities.

How to find the best car insurance in Bakersfield

If you want to find the best car insurance in Bakersfield, it’s essential to get multiple quotes. When you get quotes from at least three companies, you can compare costs on similar policies to determine the most affordable option for your situation. Before committing to a policy, ask about any discounts you qualify for. 

Cheapest car insurance company in Bakersfield

Geico offers the cheapest insurance coverage in Bakersfield, California, with an annual average rate of $1,800 for full coverage. The next cheapest company is USAA at $1,851 per year, which is only an option for drivers with a qualifying military connection. 

See other cheap car insurance rates in Bakersfield in the table below.

Average annual rates from insurers in Bakersfield

How much is car insurance in Bakersfield per month?

Car insurance in Bakersfield costs $47 per month for a state minimum policy and $206 per month for a full coverage car insurance policy, on average, according to 2024 data. See monthly rates from California insurers in the table below.

Monthly rates for car insurance in Bakersfield, California

How do rates in Bakersfield compare to other large cities in the U.S.?

Car insurance is cheaper in Bakersfield than in larger cities in the state. Compare Bakersfield’s monthly average rate of $206 to Los Angeles’ $262. But Bakersfield drivers tend to pay more than drivers in larger cities from other parts of the country. For example, Phoenix drivers pay an average of $182 per month. 

James Brau, professor of finance at Brigham Young University, says that the more risk the insurance company must bear, the higher the premium they must charge to stay in business and make a profit. 

“Large cities tend to present more risk to the insurance companies than rural areas. Large cities have more people, more cars and higher chances of getting in wrecks or having other damage done to vehicles,” Brau says. “As such, insurance firms must charge higher premiums in cities. Cities that are relatively more dangerous, in turn, must charge higher premiums than cities that are not as risky. Insurance companies study damage losses per metropolitan area and assign premiums depending on the number of wrecks in an area.”

See how much you can expect to pay for car insurance in several major U.S. cities in the table below.

Monthly full-coverage car insurance costs in major U.S. metropolitan areas

Here’s what you need to know when driving in Bakersfield

Bakersfield drivers spend an average of 24 minutes commuting to work each way. 

Here are a few tips for drivers in Bakersfield, California:

• Use a maps app to get directions even if you know where you’re going because the app can help you avoid traffic. 
• Rush hour runs from 6-9 a.m. and 3-6 p.m. If possible, avoid the roads during these times. 

And there are a few city restrictions in Bakersfield. Miscellaneous driving restrictions in the city of Bakersfield, California:

• Many alleys are often one-way. Look for an exit or entry sign. 
• If your vehicle blocks any part of the road, you cannot park in a streetside parking spot. 

How much car insurance do I need in Bakersfield?

In Bakersfield, the car insurance requirements follow the state of California’s guidelines. Here are the types of acceptable insurance:

• Motor vehicle liability insurance policy with 15/30/5 limits
• Cash deposit of $35,000 with DMV
• DMV-issued self-insurance certificate
• Surety bond for $35,000 from a company licensed to do business in California

For cash deposits or self-insurance information, contact the DMV Financial Responsibility Unit at 916-657-6677 and select Option 3. To locate a company that issues surety bonds, contact the Department of Insurance at insurance.ca.gov or 1-800-927-4357.

Remember, state minimums are merely that – the minimum insurance you must buy, according to state law. Most drivers need significantly higher coverage limits.

Average cost of car insurance in Bakersfield

The average annual cost of full coverage car insurance in Bakersfield is $2,477 – $61 a year more than the California statewide average of $2,416. And that’s quite a bit higher than the nationwide average of $1,895.

Annual average rates in Bakersfield for state minimum coverage and full coverage

Cheapest car insurance in Bakersfield by age

Car insurance for teens in Bakersfield can get expensive – the annual rate for an 18-year-old is $6,357 per year for a full coverage policy. Rates start to head down at age 25 and back up in your late 60s or early 70s. See more rates by age in the table below.

Annual rates for state minimum and full coverage car insurance in Bakersfield, by age

Compare auto insurance rates in Bakersfield by ZIP code 

Where you live also plays a role in car insurance costs. In Bakersfield, the cheapest ZIP codes for car insurance are 93312, 93306, 93311 and 93305. The most expensive are 93304, 93301, 93307 and 93313. 

See the tables below for the cheapest and most expensive ZIP codes for car insurance in Bakersfield. 

Cheapest annual car insurance rates in Bakersfield, by ZIP code 

Most expensive annual car insurance rates in Bakersfield, by ZIP code 

Our recommendations: Car insurance for drivers in Bakersfield

Bakersfield drivers tend to get the cheapest coverage by purchasing a policy with Geico. However, it makes sense to shop around to find the most affordable policy for your unique situation. 

If possible, make it a point to look beyond the price point. Make sure to look at the policy details to confirm you are getting the coverage you want and need. Gather quotes from several insurance companies to find the best price. 

Many drivers get the most value out of a full coverage insurance policy with liability limits of 100/300/100. But as you accumulate wealth, consider choosing higher liability limits. Robust coverage can give you the peace of mind you need as you navigate Bakersfield roads. 

What our expert says

Q. Why do insurance rates vary from city to city?

Dr. James BrauJoel C. Peterson Professor of Finance Brigham Young University

“Large cities tend to present more risk to the insurance companies than rural areas. Large cities have more people, more cars and higher chances of getting in wrecks or having other damage done to vehicles. As such, insurance firms must charge higher premiums in cities. Cities that are relatively more dangerous, in turn, must charge higher premiums than cities that are not as risky. Insurance companies study damage losses per metropolitan area and assign premiums depending on the number of wrecks in an area.”

Resources & Methodology

Methodology

In 2024, Insure.com commissioned Quadrant Information Services to pull rates for a 40-year-old who has a 12-mile commute and drives a 2023 Honda Accord LX 10k miles annually. The hypothetical driver has full coverage, carrying policy limits of 100/300/100 with $500 deductibles for comprehensive and collision coverages. We analyzed 51,088,003 insurance quotes from 167 companies across 34,588 ZIP codes in every state and Washington, D.C.

Sarah Sharkey

Contributing Researcher

 

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Sarah Sharkey is a personal finance writer with a master’s degree in management from the Hough School of Business at the University of Florida. She enjoys helping readers find money solutions that work. She has written for numerous personal-finance publications including Money Under 30 and The College Investor.