Astonishing but true, most consumers have stayed with the same insurance company for a minimum of four years, and nearly half have never shopped around. Many drivers in Sacramento could cut their rates by 35% a year by just comparing rate quotes, but they underestimate how much money they would save if they bought a different policy.
The recommended way to save on Scion tC insurance is to start doing an annual price comparison from different companies in Sacramento. Drivers can shop around by completing these steps.
- First, try to learn about what coverages are included in your policy and the steps you can take to prevent expensive coverage. Many factors that result in higher rates such as speeding tickets, careless driving and an unacceptable credit rating can be improved by improving your driving habits or financial responsibility.
- Second, compare prices from independent agents, exclusive agents, and direct companies. Direct companies and exclusive agencies can give quotes from one company like GEICO and State Farm, while agents who are independent can quote rates for a wide range of companies. Begin your rate comparison
- Third, compare the new rates to your existing coverage to see if cheaper tC coverage is available. If you can save some money, make sure the effective date of the new policy is the same as the expiration date of the old one.
One important bit of advice is to compare identical deductibles and limits on every price quote and and to look at as many different companies as possible. This ensures a level playing field and a complete price analysis.
This information will help you learn the best way to quote coverages and some tricks to saving. If you are paying for car insurance now, you will be able to reduce the price you pay using these methods. Although California vehicle owners need to have an understanding of how the larger insurance companies calculate your policy premium because rates are impacted by many factors.
The quickest way to compare insurance rates in your area takes advantage of the fact most of the larger companies provide online access to provide you with a free rate quote. To begin a comparison, all you need to do is give the companies some data including your job, driver details, how much you drive, and your credit rating estimate. Your information is instantly sent to many of the top insurers and you receive quotes quickly.
To check rates for your Scion tC now, click here and complete the form.
The providers in the list below provide free rate quotes in Sacramento, CA. To buy cheap car insurance in Sacramento, CA, we recommend you visit several of them to get the best price comparison.
Lower rate quotes with discounts
Some insurance providers do not list all possible discounts in a way that’s easy to find, so the list below contains a few of the more well known as well as some of the hidden credits that may apply to you.
- Cautious Driver Discount – Insureds without accidents can save as much as half off their rates than drivers with accident claims.
- Seat Belt Discounts – Buckling up and requiring all passengers to use their safety belts may be able to save a few bucks on medical payment and PIP coverage.
- Early Renewal Discounts – Some insurance companies give discounts for buying a policy prior to your current tC insurance policy expiration. It’s a savings of about 10%.
- Passive Restraints – Options like air bags can receive discounts of 20% or more.
- Theft Prevention Discount – Anti-theft and alarm system equipped vehicles are stolen with less frequency and that can save you a little bit as well.
- Senior Citizen Rates – Seniors can possibly qualify for a small discount on rates.
- Buy New and Save – Insuring a new tC may earn a small discount due to better safety requirements for new vehicles.
- Pay Upfront and Save – By paying your policy upfront instead of making monthly payments you can avoid the installment charge.
- Smart Student Discounts – This discount can earn a discount of 20% or more. Earning this discount can benefit you well after school through age 25.
- Claim Free – Drivers with accident-free driving histories pay less as compared to bad drivers.
A little note about advertised discounts, many deductions do not apply to your bottom line cost. Some only reduce individual premiums such as physical damage coverage or medical payments. Even though it appears all those discounts means the company will pay you, that’s just not realistic.
The diagram below visualizes the comparison of Scion tC auto insurance rates with and without policy discounts. The information is based on a male driver, no tickets, no at-fault accidents, California state minimum liability limits, comp and collision included, and $1,000 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with homeowner, multi-car, marriage, multi-policy, claim-free, and safe-driver discounts applied.
Some companies who may offer these money-saving discounts possibly include:
If you need the cheapest Scion tC rate quotes, ask each company the best way to save money. Some discounts listed above may not be offered in your area. To see insurance companies that offer discounts in California, click this link.
Coverage analysis
The table shown next showcases estimates of insurance coverage prices for Scion tC models. Learning as much as possible about how auto insurance policy rates are established is important to be able to make smart choices when buying a policy.
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TC 2-Dr Hatchback | $182 | $482 | $624 | $36 | $186 | $1,510 | $126 |
Get Your Own Custom Quote Go |
Data based on single female driver age 50, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $1000 deductibles, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-vehicle, claim-free, multi-policy, homeowner, and safe-driver. Rates do not factor in your specific Sacramento location which can lower or raise premium rates greatly.
Deductible analysis
One common question asked by Sacramento drivers is how high should the physical damage deductibles be. The rates shown below sum up the costs and benefits between high and low deductibles. The first rate quote example uses a $100 deductible for physical damage and the second pricing table uses a $1,000 deductible.
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TC 2-Dr Hatchback | $380 | $932 | $552 | $32 | $166 | $2,087 | $174 |
Get Your Own Custom Quote Go |
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TC 2-Dr Hatchback | $210 | $490 | $552 | $32 | $166 | $1,450 | $121 |
Get Your Own Custom Quote Go |
Data based on married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include safe-driver, multi-vehicle, multi-policy, homeowner, and claim-free. Rate quotes do not factor in your specific Sacramento location which can lower or raise prices substantially.
Using the data above, we can ascertain that using a $100 deductible will cost you approximately $53 more each month or $636 a year across all Scion tC models than quoting the higher $1,000 deductible. Due to the fact that you would have to pay $900 more if you file a claim with a $1,000 deductible as compared to a $100 deductible, if you usually have at least 17 months between claim filings, you would more than likely save some money if you choose a higher deductible.
How to determine if a higher deductible is a good idea
Average monthly premium for $100 deductibles: | $174 |
Average monthly premium for $1,000 deductibles (subtract): | – $121 |
Monthly savings from raising deductible: | $53 |
Difference between deductibles ($1,000 – $100): | $900 |
Divide difference by monthly savings: | $900 / $53 |
Number of months required between physical damage coverage claims in order to save money by choosing the higher deductible | 17 months |
The illustration below illustrates how choosing a deductible and can increase or decrease Scion tC insurance prices for different age categories. The rates are based on a single female driver, full coverage, and no additional discounts are factored in.
Age-based auto insurance rates by gender in Sacramento
The illustration below compares Scion tC annual premium costs for male and female drivers. The premiums assume no claims or driving violations, full physical damage coverage, $1,000 deductibles, marital status is single, and no discounts are taken into consideration.
Full coverage rates vs. liability-only in Sacramento
The chart below illustrates the difference between Scion tC insurance costs with and without physical damage coverage. The information is based on no violations or claims, $100 deductibles, single status, and no other discounts are factored in.
When to eliminate full coverage
There is no exact rule for phasing out physical damage coverage on your policy, but there is a general guideline. If the annual cost of coverage is more than 10% of replacement cost minus your deductible, then it may be the right time to buy liability only.
For example, let’s say your Scion tC replacement cost is $9,000 and you have $1,000 full coverage deductibles. If your vehicle is destroyed, you would only receive $8,000 after paying your deductible. If premiums are more than $800 a year for your policy with full coverage, then you might consider buying liability only.
There are some conditions where removing full coverage is not a good idea. If you haven’t satisfied your loan, you have to keep full coverage as part of the loan conditions. Also, if you can’t afford to buy a different vehicle if your current one is damaged, you should not opt for liability only.
Why Your Insurance Prices might be higher
Multiple criteria are used in the calculation when you get a price on insurance. Most are fairly basic like an MVR report, although some other factors are less apparent such as your credit history or how financially stable you are. The best way to find cheaper insurance is to take a look at the rating factors that come into play when calculating the price you pay for insurance. When you know what positively or negatively determines premiums, this helps enable you to make changes that will entitle you to lower insurance prices.
The itemized list below are some of the major factors utilized by car insurance companies to help set your prices.
- Do thieves like your car? – Driving a car that has an advanced theft prevention system can get you a discount on your insurance. Anti-theft devices such as GM’s OnStar, tamper alarm systems and vehicle immobilizers all help prevent your vehicle from being stolen.
- Consider raising coverage deductibles – Deductibles for physical damage are how much the insured will be required to pay if a claim is determined to be covered. Insurance for physical damage, aka comp and collision, is used to repair damage to your car. A few examples of covered claims could be a windshield broken by a bird, fire damage, or theft of your vehicle. The more expense you are required to pay out-of-pocket, the lower your rates will be.
- Discounts for married couples – Having a wife or husband actually saves money on your insurance bill. Having a spouse may mean you are more financially stable and statistics show married drivers get in fewer accidents.
- Maintain insurance coverage – Driving any period of time without insurance is illegal and insurance companies will penalize you for letting your coverage cancel without a new policy in place. In addition to paying higher rates, not being able to provide proof of insurance may result in a license revocation or jail time.
- Pleasure use or commuting – The more you drive in a year’s time the higher your rate. A lot of insurance companies charge rates based upon how much you drive. Cars that sit idle most of the time can get a lower rate compared to those used for work or business. An improperly rated tC can result in significantly higher rates. It’s a good idea to make sure your declarations sheet properly reflects the right rating data, because improper ratings can cost you money.
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Scion tC insurance loss probability – Companies analyze claim trends for every vehicle to calculate a price that will offset any claims. Models that are shown to have high amounts or severity of claims will cost more for specific coverages. The table below outlines the compiled insurance loss statistics for Scion tC vehicles.
For each policy coverage, the claim probability for all vehicles compiled together is set at 100. Percentage values below 100 represent a good loss history, while numbers above 100 indicate more frequent claims or an increased chance of a larger loss.
Insurance Loss Ratings for Scion tC Vehicles Vehicle Make and Model Collision Property Damage Comp Personal Injury Medical Payment Bodily Injury Scion tC 133 139 136 148 152 143 BETTERAVERAGEWORSEData Source: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for 2013-2015 Model Years
When do I need to talk to a local insurance agent?
A lot of people just want to go talk to an agent and that is OK! One of the best bonuses of comparing insurance prices online is you can get cheap car insurance quotes and still buy from a local agent. Supporting neighborhood insurance agencies is still important in Sacramento.
For easy comparison, once you complete this form (opens in new window), your insurance coverage information is immediately sent to participating agents in Sacramento that give free quotes for your insurance coverage. You won’t need to contact an agency because quoted prices will be sent instantly to you. It’s the lowest rates and an insurance agent to talk to. In the event you want to quote rates from a specific insurance company, you can always jump over to their website and fill out the quote form the provide.
Is an exclusive or independent auto insurance agent right for you?
When narrowing the list to find a local insurance agency, it helps to know the two different agency structures and how they operate. Car insurance agencies are either independent or exclusive.
Independent Insurance Agents
Independent agencies are appointed with more than one company and that is an advantage because they can write policies with lots of companies and help determine which has the cheapest rates. If your agent finds better pricing, your policy is moved internally and you don’t have to switch agencies.
When comparing rate quotes, it’s a good idea to get several quotes from several independent agencies to maximize your price options. Many write coverage with smaller regional carriers that may have much lower rates than larger companies.
Featured below is a small list of independent insurance agencies in Sacramento who can help you get free price quotes.
- Melissa Saites Nelson Insurance Agency, Inc.
4749 J St – Sacramento, CA 95819 – (916) 531-6061 – View Map - Cliff Cottam Insurance Services
1111 Howe Ave #535 – Sacramento, CA 95825 – (800) 807-6871 – View Map - Bates Insurance Agency | Auto Insurance and Homeowners Insurance and Car Insurance
2306 J St – Sacramento, CA 95816 – (916) 251-3548 – View Map
Exclusive Car Insurance Agencies
Exclusive insurance agents write business for a single company and some examples include American Family, State Farm, and AAA. Exclusive agencies are unable to shop your coverage around so if the price isn’t competitive there isn’t much they can do. Exclusive agencies are well trained on sales techniques which helps them compete with independent agents. Drivers often use the same agent partially due to the brand name instead of buying on price only.
Below is a list of exclusive insurance agencies in Sacramento that can give you price quotes.
- Sherman Chan – State Farm Insurance Agent
1355 Florin Rd Ste 1 – Sacramento, CA 95822 – (916) 422-1550 – View Map - Greg Lauck – State Farm Insurance Agent
950 Fulton Ave #175 – Sacramento, CA 95825 – (916) 978-9110 – View Map - Ken Perry – State Farm Insurance Agent
2724 24th St #200 – Sacramento, CA 95818 – (916) 452-6668 – View Map
Choosing the best insurance agency shouldn’t rely on just a cheap quote. Some important questions to ask are:
- How often do they review policy coverages?
- How are they compensated?
- Do they carry Errors and Omissions coverage?
- Is the agency active in community causes in Sacramento?
- Is the coverage adequate for your vehicle?
- If your car is totaled, how to they determine the replacement cost?
- How much training do they have in personal risk management?
- Do they reduce claim amounts on high mileage vehicles?
How much insurance do I need?
When it comes to buying adequate coverage, there is no “perfect” insurance plan. Coverage needs to be tailored to your specific needs.
Here are some questions about coverages that may help highlight if you may require specific advice.
- Is a blown tire covered by insurance?
- Should I pay a claim out-of-pocket?
- Is other people’s property covered if stolen from my vehicle?
- When should I remove my kid from my policy?
- Do I need to file an SR-22 for a DUI in California?
- Am I covered if I hit someone who is not insured?
- Which companies are cheaper for teen drivers?
- Does coverage extend to my business vehicle?
- Am I better off with higher deductibles on my Scion tC?
If you can’t answer these questions but you know they apply to you, you might consider talking to an agent. To find an agent in your area, take a second and complete this form.
Best auto insurance in Sacramento
Finding a highly-rated company is hard considering how many choices drivers have in Sacramento. The company rank data in the next section may help you select which auto insurers you want to consider to insure your vehicles.
Top 10 Sacramento Car Insurance Companies Ranked by Customer Satisfaction
- Titan Insurance – 95%
- USAA – 94%
- AAA of Southern California – 92%
- AAA Insurance – 91%
- Nationwide – 90%
- State Farm – 90%
- The Hartford – 89%
- GEICO – 89%
- The General – 88%
- 21st Century – 88%
Top 10 Sacramento Car Insurance Companies Overall
- USAA
- American Family
- AAA of Southern California
- State Farm
- The Hartford
- AAA Insurance
- GEICO
- The General
- Titan Insurance
- Progressive
One last thing about your coverage
We just presented many ways to save on Scion tC insurance in Sacramento. The most important thing to understand is the more price quotes you have, the higher your chance of finding low cost Sacramento car insurance quotes. Consumers may even find the best auto insurance rates are with a small local company.
As you prepare to switch companies, never buy less coverage just to save a little money. In many cases, someone dropped full coverage only to regret that it was a big error on their part. Your goal should be to find the BEST coverage at the best possible price, not the least amount of coverage.
Lower-priced car insurance in Sacramento is attainable both online in addition to many Sacramento insurance agents, so you should compare both to have the best rate selection. There are still a few companies who don’t offer internet price quotes and usually these small insurance companies only sell through independent insurance agencies.
For more information, feel free to browse the resources below:
- Teen Driving Statistics (GEICO)
- Who Has the Cheapest Auto Insurance Quotes for Low Credit Scores in Sacramento? (FAQ)
- Who Has Affordable Car Insurance Quotes for College Graduates in Sacramento? (FAQ)
- Who Has Affordable Car Insurance Quotes for Drivers Requiring a SR22 in Sacramento? (FAQ)
- What Insurance is Cheapest for a GMC Sierra in Sacramento? (FAQ)
- What Auto Insurance is Cheapest for Drivers with Bad Credit in Sacramento? (FAQ)
- Who Has the Cheapest Car Insurance Rates for Drivers Over Age 70 in Sacramento? (FAQ)
- Who Has the Cheapest Sacramento Car Insurance Quotes for High School Students? (FAQ)
- Who Has Affordable Car Insurance Quotes for a Subaru Outback in Sacramento? (FAQ)
- Teen Driver Statistics (Insurance Information Institute)
- What Does No-Fault Insurance Cover? (Allstate)