Bakersfield may not be as big as some of California’s other urban centers, but it’s still got its own unique challenges for drivers. Local conditions that drivers should be aware of include: 

• Oilfield and Agricultural Traffic: Routes near Oildale, Rosedale, and Panama Lane see frequent slowdowns, commercial vehicle traffic, and debris-related damage.
• High-Speed Accidents: Roads like Highways 58, 99, and 178 see higher crash rates due to speed and merging traffic.
• Dust Storms and Low Visibility: Especially in outer neighborhoods like Greenfield and East Bakersfield, wind-driven dust can reduce visibility in seconds.
• Theft & Property Crime: Areas like Downtown Bakersfield and parts of Southwest Bakersfield report elevated vehicle break-ins and vandalism.
• Intense Summer Heat: Summer heatwaves can lead to temperatures well over 100 degrees, posing risks to engines and batteries.

Auto insurance policies in Bakersfield must meet California’s legal minimums. Those legal requirements include: 

• $15,000 for bodily injury per person
• $30,000 for bodily injury per accident
• $5,000 for property damage per accident
• Uninsured/Underinsured motorist coverage

These minimums help you stay street-legal, but they may not go far in the event of a serious crash or major property damage. It’s often recommended to increase these limits in the event of more serious and costly accidents. 

We’ve explained these coverages in more detail on our California car insurance page. 

Meeting the state requirements often doesn’t protect you or your vehicle if you’re the at fault driver. To protect yourself, here are some commonly recommended coverages to add to your policy: 

• Collision Coverage: Helps pay for damage to your vehicle after a covered accident, regardless of fault. Subject to your deductible.
• Comprehensive Coverage: Helps pay for non-collision damages (such as theft or weather) caused by a covered incident. Subject to your deductible.
• Roadside Assistance: Helps pay for the cost of towing if your car becomes undrivable. Helpful for isolated stretches like Bear Mountain Blvd or Rosedale Hwy.
• Rental Reimbursement: Helps cover the cost of a rental while your vehicle is being repaired.
• Gap Coverage: Coverage for when your vehicle is deemed a total lost and you’re still making payments on it. Covers the gap between what you owe and what the vehicle is valued at.

This isn’t a full list of every coverage option available, and the descriptions are general in nature to give you an idea of what they cover. 

Goosehead agents work with you to learn your needs so they can build a policy with coverage that makes sense for you. 

On average, drivers who have policies that meet the state minimum pay around $700 a year. Those with more coverage pay an average of about $2,000 to $3,000 annually. 

Keep in mind that rates aren’t just determined by what you put on your policy. Other rating factors include: 

• Location: Certain areas of Bakersfield see either higher rates of theft or reported accidents. This means these areas see higher rates.
• Vehicle Type: New, luxurious, or customized vehicles see higher repair costs, while others may be more targeted for theft. This makes them more expensive to insure.
• Length of License: In California, young drivers are considered “new drivers” due to lack of experience. They see higher rates because of this.
• Milage: California requires carriers verify milage when building a policy. Those that drive more see higher rates.
• Driving Record: Rates are influenced by the number of claims made in the past or a history of violations on your record.

Getting a policy for your vehicle shouldn’t break the bank. Here are some common practices that help you save on your premium: 

• Bundling: Many carriers offer multi-policy discounts if you bundle auto with something like your home insurance.
• Safe Driver Discounts: Taking defensive driving discounts or maintaining an accident-free record helps you qualify for certain discounts.
• Anti-Theft Installations: Installing alarms or other ways to prevent theft help lower your rate.
• Shop Around: Before your policy renews, it can be helpful to see what other carriers offer. You may get a better rate.

Goosehead is there to help Bakersfield drivers with their car insurance by giving them the power of choice. Here’s why drivers trust us for their needs: 

• Comparisons Made Easy: We save you time by making comparisons for you.
• Customized Policies: Our agents learn your needs so they can find coverage that fits.
• Dedication to Service: From quotes to binding policies, our agents are there to answer any of your questions.
• California Expertise: Our agents are licensed for the state, so they know local risks to consider.