How important is having Pasadena car insurance? Being insured in a city like Pasadena is a necessity. Pasadena is a big city holding a population of 146,518 people. In 2005, it was reported by the Los Angeles Almanac that 10 people died in Pasadena from auto accidents and 1,441 people were seriously injured in crashes. Statistics like these are no doubt partly the reason why some insurance companies are charging high premiums for car insurance.

First of all, it’s important to realize that all of California state law requires a minimum liability insurance policy for at least $15,000 per injured person. The total is $30,000 per accident, and this joins a property damage liability requirement with a minimum of $5,000.  Pasadena is subject to these minimum standards. Beyond an awareness of these basics, there are some other things you should know.

Altering Your Policy Coverage to  Lower Pasadena Car Insurance Premiums

Some motorists feel that the best way to save on car insurance is to cancel all comprehensive policies and focus only on liability coverage.  However this option not only increases your risk of paying for minor collisions all on your own, but also increases the risk of you having to pay for accidents that are not your fault.  If you are hit by an uninsured or underinsured motorist, then you usually have only two choices: sue for damages or pay for the damages yourself.

Needless to say, a lawsuit can be a very long, drawn out and expensive scenario.  This is why many insurance providers have introduced a policy specifically written to protect drivers from uninsured motorists (people who cannot afford insurance and are illegally driving) and underinsured motorists (who are motorists that cannot possibly pay for damages on a luxury car like yours).

The average auto insurance premium for residents in Pasadena and California is $1,711 which is slightly below the national average.  Is it safe to assume that any Pasadena resident is going to have to pay a high monthly yearly premium just for the privilege to drive in The City of Roses? Take a look at the things that determine your premiums.

Factors that Contribute to Your Pasadena Car Insurance Costs

While regional location does play a big part in determining the final cost of a Pasadena car insurance policy, there are many other factors that you can influence. For example, the type of car that you choose will determine a great chunk of your rate. You are basically paying advance payments for the future repair and costs of these expensive vehicles. Newer model cars and luxury or high performance cars are always going to be more expensive than older model sedans.  Restored or classic cars are harder to shop for, and thus likely to be more expensive than the norm.

Another factor that has to be scrutinized when writing a policy is driving history.  A driver with a long history of traffic tickets, fender benders and auto collisions will have to pay a higher rate because of the risk he brings to the insurance company.  Believe it or not, even if these incidents are not your fault you can still be considered an insurance risk because of your statistical history.  Other factors to consider include total mileage in a given year, anti-theft devices installed on your car, demographical data and neighborhood location. Pasadena auto insurance providers may even examine your credit score or your assets in trying to determine a fair policy.

Basically, the more costs you are willing to take on yourself, by paying for a bus or a cab ride, or even carpooling to work, the more the insurance companies are willing to offer you a discount on car insurance premiums. The less you tend to think about car accidents in general (as far as what can you do to minimize the risk of a wreck) the more “average” you are—and so expect to pay somewhere close to a $1,711 rate.

Avoid Financial Burdens with More Comprehensive Pasadena Car Insurance Policies

So by now you know that you must have some form of liability insurance if you are going to drive down The Foothill Freeway (I-210) anytime soon.  However, can you really afford not to have insurance in times as uncertain as these?  Consider a tragic incident that occurred in April of 2009.  According to the Los Angeles Times of April 22, 2009, a mother and child were killed in a six car pile up on the Orange Grove Boulevard.  Witnesses said the Toyota SUV started
“swerving in and out of lanes, causing a chain reaction crash.”

Just imagine if you were one of the six cars (five of which had motorists going about their daily routine and driving as carefully as anyone else that day) involved in the accident.  With only liability insurance, you would have to pay for your own doctor bills and your own car damage.  With comprehensive insurance, along with uninsured/underinsured motorist protection, you are completely covered from the perils of Pasadena traffic.

Compare Pasadena Car Insurance Quotes

For the best quotes on Pasadena car insurance, try using a quote comparison website like ours!  This way you can compare the best auto quotes, choose the right policy for your car, and finalize a new policy in just a few minutes. At the end of the days the steps you take to insure your vehicle are the steps you takes to protect the people who matter most.

Enter your zip above to start comparing free Pasadena car insurance quotes online!