Insurance rates are expected to rise in Bakersfield

Added: 2026-05-25

[00:00:00]Notice car insurance rates going up?

[00:00:02]Well, you're not alone. According to experts, everything from inflation to the cost of car parts may be hitting your wallet. I'm Shontay Imani, your Bakersfield neighborhood reporter.

[00:00:12]Bakersfield resident Renee Skinner tells me her car insurance rates have climbed so much she's turned to Uber as her primary way to get to work. I offset my cost a lot going from $1,500 a year to $400.

[00:00:26]And that's the measure I took just to offset cuz insurance rates are going up like exponentially.

[00:00:33]According to Janet Ruiz, spokesperson for the Insurance Information Institute, rates have varied.

[00:00:38]>> We're seeing some people's [clears throat] insurance could go up, some are staying the same, and some are actually getting decreases.

[00:00:47]Factors like your driving record, how long you've been behind the wheel, your annual mileage, and even the make and model of your car can impact what you pay. The cost of repairs and replacement parts also plays a big role in determining your rates. Ruiz says bundling your homeowners and auto insurance through the same company may also help lower costs.

[00:01:07]>> What I suggest to people is that they shop and compare. So, talk to your insurance agent, make sure you're getting all the discounts you're eligible for.

[00:01:21]But why have exactly insurance rates increased for some?

[00:01:25]Auto insurance has gone up over the last few years. It's due to inflation, uh the cost of repair, the cost of labor. Uh those have all gone up in the US.

[00:01:41]And depending on where you live, your rates may have risen more than others.

[00:01:45]As for writers like Renee Skinner, she worries that the rise in Uber cost because of gas prices will make her commute more difficult.

[00:01:52]>> It's not It was the best for me for the past maybe 4 years, but because of gas prices going up, I'm having to look to see if maybe I can carpool with some of my friends or looking in alternative method.

[00:02:05]So, is there any way that rates may go down? Analysis predict that rates won't go down at least anytime here in California and for the foreseeable future. I'm Sean Tea Money, your Bakersfield neighborhood reporter.