It takes a few minutes, but the best way to get more affordable auto insurance rates in Irvine is to compare quotes annually from providers that sell auto insurance in California.
- Spend some time learning about how car insurance works and the steps you can take to keep rates in check. Many risk factors that cause rate increases like accidents, traffic tickets, and a poor credit score can be remedied by making small lifestyle or driving habit changes. Keep reading for instructions to get cheaper rates and find overlooked discounts.
- Compare prices from direct carriers, independent agents, and exclusive agents. Direct and exclusive agents can only quote rates from one company like GEICO or Farmers Insurance, while independent agents can give you price quotes from multiple sources.
- Compare the new rates to the premium of your current policy to see if switching to a new carrier will save money. If you find better rates and make a switch, verify that coverage does not lapse between policies.
- Give proper notification to your current agent or company to cancel your current policy and submit a down payment along with a completed application to your new company or agent. Be sure to safely store the certificate verifying coverage along with the vehicle’s registration papers.
The most important part of shopping around is that you’ll want to compare identical deductibles and limits on each quote request and and to get rate quotes from all possible companies. This helps ensure an apples-to-apples comparison and and a good selection of different prices.
A recent auto insurance study revealed that a large majority of auto insurance policyholders have been with the same company for more than four years, and almost 40% of drivers have never shopped around. California drivers could cut their rates by almost 35% a year just by shopping around, but they don’t invest the time required to compare rates and save money.
If you’re already insured or are looking for a new policy, use these cost-cutting techniques to get lower rates without reducing coverage. Choosing the best rates in Irvine is really quite simple as long as you have a good starting point. Smart buyers just have to learn the proper methods to quote multiple rates from many different companies.
Why Your Insurance Premiums might be higher
Smart consumers have a good feel for the factors that aid in calculating the level of your policy premiums. If you have some idea of what controls the rates you pay, this empowers consumers to make smart changes that can earn you lower premium levels.
The itemized list below are just a few of the factors used by your company to calculate your rates.
Employer stress can affect premiums – Did you know your job can affect your rates? Occupations such as doctors, architects, and dentists generally pay higher average rates in part from intense work-related stress and long work days. Conversely, occupations like scientists, engineers and performers have the lowest average rates.
Combine policies and save money – Most larger auto insurance companies allow lower prices to customers who carry more than one policy. It’s known as a multi-policy discount. Even with this discount, drivers will still want to comparison shop to ensure the best deal.
Eliminate unneeded add-on coverages – There are a lot of extra coverages you can purchase on your XC90 policy. Add-on coverages like replacement cost coverage, towing coverage, and extra equipment coverage may be costing you every month. These may sound like a good investment when you first buy your policy, but your money might be better spent on other coverage so get rid of them and save.
Lower auto insurance rates with alarms and GPS tracking – Choosing to buy a car with an alarm system can earn a premium discount. Theft deterrent systems like vehicle immobilizer systems, OnStar, and tracking devices like LoJack all aid in stopping auto theft and help lower rates.
Performance influences rates – The make and model of the vehicle you are trying to find cheaper insurance for makes a substantial difference in your premium level. The lowest base rates are usually found on small economy passenger models, but there are many factors that impact the final cost.
The next chart assumes a married female driver age 50, full coverage with $100 deductibles, and no discounts or violations. It compares Volvo XC90 car insurance rates compared to other models that have different performances.
How many miles do you drive? – Driving more miles annually the more it will cost to insure it. Almost all companies apply a rate based on how the vehicle is used. Autos left parked in the garage receive lower rates than those that get driven frequently. Having the wrong rating on your XC90 may be costing you higher rates. It’s a smart idea to ensure your auto insurance declarations sheet reflects annual mileage.
The companies in the list below are our best choices to provide price comparisons in Irvine, CA. If you want the best cheap auto insurance in Irvine, it’s a good idea that you compare several of them in order to find the lowest rates.
Statistics and details
The premium table shown next covers a range of insurance rates for Volvo XC90 models. Having a better understanding of how premiums are figured is important for you to make informed decisions when shopping around for a new policy.
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
XC90 3.2 2WD | $370 | $792 | $464 | $28 | $138 | $1,792 | $149 |
XC90 3.2 R-Design 2WD | $370 | $792 | $464 | $28 | $138 | $1,792 | $149 |
XC90 3.2 AWD | $412 | $912 | $464 | $28 | $138 | $1,954 | $163 |
XC90 V8 AWD | $412 | $912 | $464 | $28 | $138 | $1,954 | $163 |
Get Your Own Custom Quote Go |
Data variables include married female driver age 40, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $100 deductibles, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include homeowner, safe-driver, multi-vehicle, claim-free, and multi-policy. Rate quotes do not factor in vehicle location which can raise or lower price quotes greatly.
Comparison of policy deductibles
One common question asked by Irvine drivers is which deductible level should you buy. The comparisons below may help to illustrate the rate differences of buying low and high physical damage coverage deductibles. The first set of rates uses a $250 deductible for comp and collision and the second rate table uses a $1,000 deductible.
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
XC90 3.2 2WD | $386 | $678 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,689 | $141 |
XC90 3.2 R-Design 2WD | $386 | $678 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,689 | $141 |
XC90 3.2 AWD | $430 | $780 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,835 | $153 |
XC90 V8 AWD | $430 | $780 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,835 | $153 |
Get Your Own Custom Quote Go |
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
XC90 3.2 2WD | $238 | $426 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,264 | $105 |
XC90 3.2 R-Design 2WD | $238 | $426 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,264 | $105 |
XC90 3.2 AWD | $266 | $490 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,356 | $113 |
XC90 V8 AWD | $266 | $490 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,356 | $113 |
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 claim-free, safe-driver, homeowner, multi-vehicle, and multi-policy. Information does not factor in specific garaging location which can alter auto insurance rates noticeably.
We can derive from the above data that using a $250 deductible costs approximately $38 more each month or $456 each year than selecting the higher $1,000 deductible. Because you would be required to pay $750 more if you turn in a claim with a $1,000 deductible as compared to a $250 deductible, if you average at a minimum 20 months between claims, you would probably save some money by going with a higher deductible.
The chart below illustrates how choosing a deductible and can impact Volvo XC90 insurance costs for different insured age categories. Data assumes a single male driver, full physical damage coverage, and no discounts are taken into consideration.
How violations and accidents impact rates
The diagram below illustrates how violations and at-fault claims can increase Volvo XC90 annual premium costs for different ages of insureds. The premium estimates are based on a single male driver, comprehensive and collision coverage, $1,000 deductibles, and no discounts are taken into consideration.
Why do I need car insurance?
Despite the high insurance cost for a Volvo XC90 in Irvine, insurance is most likely required but also gives you several important benefits.
- Almost all states have minimum mandated liability insurance limits which means state laws require specific limits of liability insurance in order to drive the car. 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 bought your Volvo with a loan, almost all lenders will stipulate that you carry insurance to ensure they get paid if you total the vehicle. If you cancel or allow the policy to lapse, the bank or lender will purchase a policy for your Volvo at an extremely high rate and require you to fork over the higher price.
- Insurance protects both your Volvo XC90 and your assets. It will also pay for most medical and hospital costs that are the result of an accident. One of the most valuable coverages, liability insurance, will also pay to defend you if you are sued as the result of your driving. If you receive damage to your vehicle caused by a storm or accident, comprehensive and/or collision insurance will pay to repair the damage.
The benefits of having insurance definitely exceed the price paid, especially if you ever need it. On average, a vehicle owner in Irvine is overpaying over $850 per year so shop around each time the policy renews to help ensure money is not being wasted.
Take policy discounts and save on Volvo XC90 insurance in Irvine
Companies don’t list every discount in an easy-to-find place, so the below list has both well-publicized and the harder-to-find credits available to you.
- Seat Belts Save – Forcing all vehicle occupants to buckle up before driving can save up to 15% off the PIP or medical payment premium.
- Multiple Cars – Having several vehicles on one policy can reduce rates for all insured vehicles.
- Life Insurance Discount – If the company offers life insurance, you could get a discount if you purchase a life insurance policy as well.
- Accident Forgiveness Coverage – Not really a discount, but a handful of insurance companies will allow you to have one accident without getting socked with a rate hike if you have no claims prior to being involved in the accident.
- Payment Method – If you pay your bill all at once instead of making monthly payments you may reduce your total bill.
- Early Signing – Some auto insurance companies give discounts for switching policies before your current XC90 insurance policy expires. It could save around 10% when you buy Irvine car insurance online.
- Data Collection Discounts – Insureds that choose to allow their auto insurance company to study their driving habits by using a telematics device such as Drivewise from Allstate or Snapshot from Progressive may get a rate reduction if they exhibit good driving behavior.
- Theft Deterrent – Cars, trucks, and SUVs equipped with anti-theft or alarm systems can help prevent theft and will qualify for a discount on a Irvine car insurance quote.
Consumers should know that most credits do not apply to all coverage premiums. Most only cut specific coverage prices like collision or personal injury protection. So when the math indicates you could get a free auto insurance policy, it doesn’t quite work that way.
The diagram below shows the difference between Volvo XC90 insurance premiums with and without discounts applied to the premium. The rates are based on a male driver, no tickets, no at-fault accidents, California state minimum liability limits, full coverage, and $1,000 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with homeowner, safe-driver, multi-car, marriage, multi-policy, and claim-free discounts applied.
For a list of providers with discount rates in California, click this link.
Local neighborhood insurance agents
A small number of people still prefer to buy from a licensed agent and there is nothing wrong with that. Insurance agents can point out coverage gaps and help file insurance claims. One of the benefits of comparing rates online is that you can find cheaper prices and also buy local. Putting coverage with local insurance agencies is important particularly in Irvine.
To find an agent, once you fill out this form (opens in new window), the quote information is instantly submitted to companies in Irvine that can provide free Irvine car insurance quotes for your car insurance coverage. You won’t need to contact any agents because prices are sent to the email address you provide. If you have a need to get a price quote from a particular provider, don’t hesitate to navigate to their website and fill out their quote form.
When searching for a good insurance agency, it helps to know the two types of insurance agents and how they work. Irvine agents are categorized either independent agents or exclusive agents. Either can handle car insurance, but it is a good idea to know the difference in the companies they write for since it can impact the kind of agent you use.
Independent Car Insurance Agencies
Agents that choose to be independent are not locked into one company so they can write business with an assortment of companies and get you the best rates possible. If you want to switch companies, they can switch companies in-house and you don’t have to do anything.
When searching for an agent, it’s a good idea to compare prices from independent agents for maximum quote selection.
Below is a small list of independent insurance agencies in Irvine that can give you free car insurance rate quotes.
Lockton Insurance Brokers
19800 MacArthur Blvd #1250 – Irvine, CA 92612 – (949) 252-4400 – View Map
SureCo Insurance Agency
201 Sandpointe Ave Suite 600 – Santa Ana, CA 92707 – (866) 845-9815 – View Map
Gardner Insurance Orange County
4952 Warner Ave – Huntington Beach, CA 92649 – (714) 846-4231 – View Map
Exclusive Car Insurance Agencies
Exclusive agents write business for a single company and examples are American Family, State Farm, and Allstate. They usually cannot provide other company’s prices so they have to upsell other benefits. Exclusive agents are trained well in insurance sales which aids in selling service over price.
Below is a short list of exclusive insurance agents in Irvine willing to provide price quote information.
State Farm: Richard Tay
14210 Culver Dr A – Irvine, CA 92604 – (949) 559-8866 – View Map
Allstate Insurance: Kay Yang
4255 Campus Dr A270 – Irvine, CA 92612 – (949) 509-2888 – View Map
Rebecca Higgs – State Farm Insurance Agent
5410 Trabuco Rd #100 – Irvine, CA 92620 – (949) 726-9015 – View Map
Selecting an insurance agent shouldn’t rely on just the premium amount. These questions are important to ask:
- Is the coverage adequate for your vehicle?
- How does the company pay claims for a total loss?
- Do they have cheaper tiers of coverage?
- Do they offer accident forgiveness?
- Which company do they place the most coverage with?
- How much can you save by raising your physical damage deductibles?
Car insurance companies ranked
Choosing a highly-rated insurer is hard considering how many companies there are in California. The company information shown below may help you select which insurers to look at shopping prices with.
Top 10 Irvine Car Insurance Companies Overall
- USAA
- American Family
- AAA of Southern California
- State Farm
- The Hartford
- AAA Insurance
- GEICO
- The General
- Titan Insurance
- Progressive
When do I need an agent’s advice?
Always remember that when buying adequate coverage, there isn’t really a single plan that fits everyone. Everyone’s needs are different.
For instance, these questions can help discover if your insurance needs would benefit from an agent’s advice.
- Who sells insurance for high-risk drivers?
- Why are teen drivers so expensive to add on to my policy?
- Which companies will insure high-risk drivers?
- When should I have rental car coverage?
- How can I find cheaper teen driver insurance?
- Does insurance cover damages from a DUI accident?
- What if I owe more than I can insure my car for?
- When would I need additional glass coverage?
If you can’t answer these questions, you might consider talking to an agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, complete this form. It’s fast, free and you can get the answers you need.
Do the work, save more money
In this article, we presented some good ideas how to shop for Volvo XC90 insurance online. The most important thing to understand is the more you quote Irvine car insurance, the better your comparison will be. Consumers may even find the lowest premium rates come from some of the smallest insurance companies.
As you go through the steps to switch your coverage, make sure you don’t sacrifice coverage to reduce premiums. There are a lot of situations where an insured cut liability limits or collision coverage to discover at claim time that the savings was not a smart move. Your objective should be to find the BEST coverage at the best possible price, not the least amount of coverage.
Discount Volvo XC90 insurance in Irvine can be purchased both online in addition to local insurance agencies, so you need to quote Irvine car insurance with both in order to have the best chance of saving money. Some insurance providers do not provide the ability to get quotes online and many times these small insurance companies work with independent insurance agents.
Helpful information
- New vehicle ratings focus on headlights (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)
- What Car Insurance is Cheapest for College Graduates in Irvine? (FAQ)
- Who Has Cheap Auto Insurance Quotes for a Ford Focus in Irvine? (FAQ)
- How Much are Irvine Car Insurance Quotes for Unemployed Drivers? (FAQ)
- How Much are Irvine Car Insurance Rates for a Ford Escape? (FAQ)
- Side Impact Crash Tests (iihs.org)
- Can I Drive Legally without Insurance? (Insurance Information Institute)
- Auto Theft Statistics (Insurance Information Institute)