It’s safe to conclude that car insurance companies don’t want customers comparing rates. Insureds who compare other prices are inclined to switch companies because they have a good chance of finding a lower-priced company. A recent insurance study revealed that people who compared rates annually saved on average $865 annually as compared to drivers who didn’t regularly shop around.
If finding discount rates on Chevy Cobalt insurance is your objective, then learning a little about how to shop for coverage rates can make shopping around easier.
If saving money is your primary concern, then the best way to find low-cost Chevy Cobalt insurance in San Francisco is to start comparing prices yearly from insurance carriers who provide auto insurance in California. You can compare rates by completing these steps.
- Get a basic knowledge of the coverage provided by your policy and the measures you can take to prevent expensive coverage. Many things that cause high rates like at-fault accidents, speeding tickets, and a poor credit rating can be remedied by making small lifestyle or driving habit changes. This article gives ideas to help keep prices low and find additional discounts you may qualify for.
- Request price quotes from direct, independent, and exclusive agents. Direct and exclusive agents can only quote rates from a single company like GEICO or Allstate, while agents who are independent can quote rates for many different companies. View insurance agents
- Compare the quotes to your existing policy and see if there is a cheaper rate in San Francisco. If you find a better price and make a switch, ensure coverage does not lapse between policies.
- Notify your current company to cancel the current policy and submit the completed application along with a down payment to your new company or agent. Once the application is submitted, place the new proof of insurance certificate in an accessible location in your vehicle.
A good piece of advice is that you’ll want to compare similar limits and deductibles on every quote request and and to look at as many car insurance companies as possible. This enables the most accurate price comparison and a good representation of prices.
If you are already insured or are just looking to switch companies, use these techniques to get lower rates and still have adequate protection. Choosing the best rates in San Francisco is much easier if you have a good place to start. Drivers only need to know the proper methods to shop their coverage around online.
The auto insurance companies shown below are our best choices to provide price comparisons in California. If more than one company is shown, it’s highly recommended you visit as many as you can in order to get a fair rate comparison.
Rates and detailed analysis
The data table displayed next showcases estimates of insurance coverage prices for Chevy Cobalt models. Having a better idea how insurance rates are formulated helps drivers make smart choices when selecting a policy.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cobalt LS 4-Dr Sedan | $168 | $392 | $514 | $30 | $154 | $1,258 | $105 |
| Cobalt XFE 4-Dr Sedan | $168 | $392 | $514 | $30 | $154 | $1,258 | $105 |
| Cobalt LS 2-Dr Coupe | $192 | $392 | $568 | $34 | $170 | $1,356 | $113 |
| Cobalt XFE 2-Dr Coupe | $192 | $392 | $568 | $34 | $170 | $1,356 | $113 |
| Cobalt LT 4-Dr Sedan | $192 | $392 | $514 | $30 | $154 | $1,282 | $107 |
| Cobalt LT 2-Dr Coupe | $216 | $392 | $568 | $34 | $170 | $1,380 | $115 |
| Cobalt SS Turbo 2-Dr Coupe | $242 | $510 | $568 | $34 | $170 | $1,524 | $127 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
Premium data assumes married male driver age 40, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $1000 deductibles, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include claim-free, homeowner, multi-policy, safe-driver, and multi-vehicle. Premium amounts do not factor in the specific area where the vehicle is garaged which can influence insurance rates substantially.
Choosing deductibles
The hardest decision when buying coverage is the level to set your comp and collision deductibles. The comparisons below may help to illustrate the rate difference of buying low and high physical damage coverage deductibles. The first set of rates uses a $250 deductible for physical damage and the second pricing table uses a $500 deductible.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cobalt LS 4-Dr Sedan | $298 | $678 | $500 | $30 | $150 | $1,681 | $140 |
| Cobalt XFE 4-Dr Sedan | $298 | $678 | $500 | $30 | $150 | $1,681 | $140 |
| Cobalt LS 2-Dr Coupe | $342 | $678 | $552 | $32 | $166 | $1,795 | $150 |
| Cobalt XFE 2-Dr Coupe | $342 | $678 | $552 | $32 | $166 | $1,795 | $150 |
| Cobalt LT 4-Dr Sedan | $342 | $678 | $500 | $30 | $150 | $1,725 | $144 |
| Cobalt LT 2-Dr Coupe | $386 | $678 | $552 | $32 | $166 | $1,839 | $153 |
| Cobalt SS Turbo 2-Dr Coupe | $430 | $882 | $552 | $32 | $166 | $2,087 | $174 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cobalt LS 4-Dr Sedan | $242 | $546 | $500 | $30 | $150 | $1,468 | $122 |
| Cobalt XFE 4-Dr Sedan | $242 | $546 | $500 | $30 | $150 | $1,468 | $122 |
| Cobalt LS 2-Dr Coupe | $278 | $546 | $552 | $32 | $166 | $1,574 | $131 |
| Cobalt XFE 2-Dr Coupe | $278 | $546 | $552 | $32 | $166 | $1,574 | $131 |
| Cobalt LT 4-Dr Sedan | $278 | $546 | $500 | $30 | $150 | $1,504 | $125 |
| Cobalt LT 2-Dr Coupe | $314 | $546 | $552 | $32 | $166 | $1,610 | $134 |
| Cobalt SS Turbo 2-Dr Coupe | $348 | $712 | $552 | $32 | $166 | $1,810 | $151 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
Table data represents married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include safe-driver, homeowner, claim-free, multi-policy, and multi-vehicle. Premium amounts do not factor in your specific San Francisco location which can affect premium rates noticeably.
Based on these figures, using a $250 deductible will cost you about $19 more each month or $228 annually averaged for all Cobalt models than opting for the higher $500 deductible. Since you would have to pay $250 more to file a claim with a $500 deductible as compared to a $250 deductible, if you usually have more than 13 months between claim filings, you would more than likely save some money if you decide on a higher deductible.
It may be expensive, but it’s not optional
Despite the high insurance cost for a Chevy Cobalt in San Francisco, insurance is required in California but also provides important benefits.
- The majority of states have minimum liability requirements which means state laws require specific minimum amounts of liability insurance coverage in order to be legal. 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 took out a loan on your vehicle, it’s guaranteed your bank will force you to buy insurance to guarantee payment of the loan. If you do not pay your insurance premiums, the bank may buy a policy for your Chevy at a much higher premium rate and force you to pay much more than you were paying before.
- Car insurance preserves not only your car but also your assets. Insurance will also pay for hospital and medical expenses that are the result of an accident. Liability insurance also covers legal expenses if you are sued as the result of your driving. If your Chevy gets damaged, comprehensive and/or collision insurance will pay all costs to repair after the deductible has been paid.
The benefits of buying car insurance are without a doubt worth the cost, especially if you ever need it. According to a 2015 survey, the average American driver is currently overpaying as much as $855 a year so compare rate quotes at every policy renewal to help ensure money is not being wasted.
Chevy Cobalt Insurance Rate Factors
Many different elements are part of the equation when quoting car insurance. Some are obvious such as your driving record, but other factors are more transparent like where you live or how financially stable you are. When buying car insurance it’s important to understand some of the things that aid in calculating the rates you pay for car insurance. If you understand what impacts premium levels, this enables informed choices that could result in lower car insurance prices.
Do you know your physical damage deductibles? – Your deductibles state the amount of money you are willing to pay before your car insurance pays a claim. Physical damage insurance, aka comp and collision, insures against damage to your car. Examples of some claims that would be covered would be colliding with a stationary object, damage caused by hail, and damage from wind. The larger the amount the insured is willing to pay, the bigger discount you will receive.
Pleasure use or commuting – The more miles you rack up on your Chevy each year the more it will cost to insure it. The majority of insurers price each vehicle’s coverage based upon how much you drive. Cars not used for work or commuting get more affordable rates as compared to vehicles used primarily for driving to work. An incorrectly rated Cobalt is just wasting money. It’s always a good idea to double check that your vehicle rating states the correct usage for each vehicle, because it can save money.
Prices and your address – Choosing to live in small towns and rural areas is a positive aspect if you are looking for the lowest rates. Fewer drivers on the road means reduced accidents and a lower car theft rate. Drivers who live in large California cities tend to have much more traffic and longer commute times. More time behind the wheel translates into higher accident risk.
Bundle policies with the same company – The majority of car insurance companies give better rates to policyholders that purchase more than one policy such as combining an auto and homeowners policy. The amount of the discounts can be five, ten or even twenty percent. Even if you’re getting this discount it’s always a smart idea to compare other company rates to make sure you are getting the best deal.
Discounts for alarm systems – Purchasing a vehicle with advanced anti-theft systems can save you a little every year. Systems that thwart thieves like vehicle immobilizer systems, General Motors OnStar and LoJack tracking systems all help prevent auto theft and help lower rates.
Affordable rates by taking advantage of discounts
The price of auto insurance can be rather high, but you can get discounts that can dramatically reduce your bill. Certain reductions will be credited when you purchase, but less common discounts must be manually applied prior to getting the savings.
- Student in College – Children who are enrolled in a college that is more than 100 miles from San Francisco and won’t have access to an insured vehicle may be able to be covered for less.
- San Francisco Homeowners Pay Less – Owning your own home or condo may earn you a small savings because it requires personal responsibility.
- Life Insurance – Select companies reward you with a small discount if you purchase life insurance.
- Driver Safety – Completing a course teaching defensive driving skills is a good idea and can lower rates and make you a better driver.
- No Claims – San Francisco drivers who stay claim-free are rewarded with significantly better rates on San Francisco auto insurance quote in comparison with bad drivers.
- Low Mileage – Keeping the miles down on your Chevy could qualify for better prices on cars that stay parked.
- Data Collection Discounts – Drivers who elect to allow driving data collection to look at where and when they drive by using a telematic data system such as Progressive’s Snapshot and State Farm’s In-Drive could save a few bucks if they are good drivers.
- Discounts for Seat Belt Usage – Drivers who always wear seat belts and also require passengers to buckle their seat belts can save up to 15% on the premium charged for medical payments and/or PIP.
- Driver’s Education for Students – Have your child enroll in driver’s education if offered at their school.
Please keep in mind that many deductions do not apply to the overall cost of the policy. Most only cut the cost of specific coverages such as comp or med pay. So despite the fact that it appears you can get free auto insurance, you aren’t that lucky.
The illustration below visualizes the comparison of Chevy Cobalt insurance prices with and without discounts applied to the rates. The premiums assume a female driver, no claims or driving citations, California state minimum liability limits, comprehensive and collision coverage, and $250 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with multi-car, safe-driver, homeowner, marriage, claim-free, and multi-policy discounts applied.
The best car insurance companies and some of the premium reductions they offer are detailed below.
- GEICO has discounts for good student, anti-theft, air bags, daytime running lights, multi-vehicle, anti-lock brakes, and defensive driver.
- USAA offers discounts including safe driver, multi-vehicle, driver training, family discount, defensive driver, multi-policy, and loyalty savings.
- Progressive discounts include online signing, multi-vehicle, multi-policy, good student, online quote discount, and continuous coverage.
- American Family offers premium reductions for Steer into Savings, mySafetyValet, air bags, TimeAway discount, accident-free, defensive driver, and multi-vehicle.
- Esurance has savings for paid-in-full, emergency road assistance, defensive driver, good student, online shopper, and Switch & Save.
- Farmers Insurance includes discounts for electronic funds transfer, distant student, pay in full, alternative fuel, business and professional, and multi-car.
- State Farm may have discounts that include accident-free, multiple policy, defensive driving training, safe vehicle, Steer Clear safe driver discount, and good driver.
Before purchasing a policy, check with all companies you are considering how you can save money. Savings might not be available to policyholders in every state. If you would like to choose from a list of insurers that have a full spectrum of discounts in San Francisco, click here.
Exclusive or independent auto insurance agents
A small number of people prefer to buy from a licensed agent and we recommend doing that Professional insurance agents can help you build your policy and help file insurance claims. One of the best bonuses of comparing rates online is that you can find better rates but also keep your business local. And buying from local agencies is definitely important in San Francisco.
To find an agent, once you fill out this short form, the coverage information is transmitted to local insurance agents in San Francisco who will give you quotes for your insurance coverage. It makes it easy because there is no need to contact any insurance agencies due to the fact that quote results will go to you instantly. If you need to get a comparison quote from a specific auto insurance provider, you would need to go to their quote page and complete a quote there.
Deciding on an company is decision based upon more than just the quoted price. A good agent in San Francisco will have answers to these questions.
- Will you get a loaner vehicle if you car is being repaired?
- Will the agent or a CSR service your policy?
- Do they specialize in personal lines auto insurance in San Francisco?
- Which family members are covered?
- Will high miles depreciate repair valuations?
- How are claims handled?
- Can glass claims be handled at your home?
After you get good answers to your questions and an acceptable price quote, chances are good that you have found an insurance company that meets the criteria to provide auto insurance coverage. It’s important to know that you can always cancel your policy when you choose so never assume you’re contractually obligated to a specific company for the full term.
The best rates come from being thorough
We’ve covered a lot of ways to save on Chevy Cobalt insurance in San Francisco. The most important thing to understand is the more times you quote, the better chance you’ll have of finding low cost San Francisco auto insurance quotes. Consumers could even find that the biggest savings come from some of the lesser-known companies. These companies may have significantly lower prices on certain market segments compared to the large companies like Allstate or State Farm.
As you prepare to switch companies, never buy less coverage just to save a little money. Too many times, an accident victim reduced liability coverage limits only to regret that saving that couple of dollars actually costed them tens of thousands. Your aim should be to purchase a proper amount of coverage for the lowest cost but still have enough coverage for asset protection.
Lower-priced Chevy Cobalt insurance in San Francisco can be purchased from both online companies and from local agencies, and you need to price shop both to get a complete price analysis. There are still a few companies who do not offer online rate quotes and many times these small insurance companies sell through independent agencies.
To learn more, link through to the articles below:
- Credit Impacts Car Insurance Rates (State Farm)
- How Much are Auto Insurance Quotes for Homeowners in San Francisco? (FAQ)
- Keeping Children Safe in Crashes Video (iihs.org)
- Auto Insurance 101 (About.com)