San Francisco Car Insurance Need-to-knows

Each city comes with its own list of do’s and don’ts when buying auto insurance. Premiums are hiked, rates can skyrocket, and insurance agents are the ultimate of salespeople. Finding an insurance policy that meets your and your city’s needs is a challenge. If you live in the City by the Bay, known for its colorful transit practices, then finding affordable, reliable car insurance can be like finding a needle in a haystack.

After all, how do you know what information is viable or which insurance agency you can trust? At CoverHound, we can help you compare car insurance quotes that meet your needs and satisfy your city’s coverage requirements. Check out some crucial San Francisco car insurance need-to-knows below.

What to Look For

Not all car insurance policies meet the requirements necessitated by city and state. A motorist’s car insurance rates vary widely depending on geographic location. How are policies created and managed? By sorting and averaging accident and auto theft statistics based on rural or urban areas. Where do people pay the most? Cities. According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), the average annual cost of auto insurance from across the US was $797 in 2011. The NAIC found that San Francisco’s annual cost of car insurance in particular was 10 percent higher than the national average. So when shopping around for San Francisco car insurance, not only are you looking for consistent coverage, but you’re also trying to avoid falling victim to preying insurance agencies.

Don’t Skimp

When you tune-in to your local radio program, you’re guaranteed to hear about a car accident or pile-up on a popular freeway. Car insurance isn’t always about the bottom dollar. Having the right insurance coverage protects you in the case of an accident. Every city and state sets its own auto insurance minimum coverage for motorists. Accidents happen every day. Remember, when you’re involved in an accident, no matter who is at fault, you are legally responsible for any monetary payment that your insurance plan cannot cover. Don’t settle for the bare minimum. You never know to what extent your vehicle will be damaged, or if medical care will be needed in an accident’s aftermath. It’s always better to be over prepared than under, and when you’re prepared, you’re taken care of.

It’s About You

When looking at San Francisco car insurance quotes, make sure the car insurance policies you’re researching and comparing meets your needs. Some things to consider are: How often you drive, the age of your vehicle, its mileage, its model, whether it is street or garage-parked, and the maintenance the vehicle requires. In San Francisco, on average 29,093 cars are stolen annually, according to the Insurance Information Institute (III). So what are the top five most popular vehicles to steal among car thieves?