Car Insurance in South Bend
It is an exciting time to live in South Bend, Indiana. More people are moving to the area, and the city is implementing renovations and changes to accommodate a swelling population. But with all those new drivers on the road, it only underscores how much residents need to find the best South Bend car insurance.
Areas like Innovation Park, owned by the prestigious University of Notre Dame, and Ignition Park have brought the latest in science and technology right here to South Bend. The Smart Street Initiative is transforming South Bend into a city of tomorrow for drivers. Despite all of its growth and development, affordable living is still within reach in South Bend. Take advantage of that and don’t stress your finances out by paying too much for car insurance. Keep reading to discover everything you need to know about car insurance in the area*, including how to save some serious money on your monthly premium!
Quick Facts
- In 2019, there were 10 traffic-related fatalities in South Bend.
- The average cost of car insurance in the city is $38 per month.
*We use the following methodology to arrive at our average cost: male, age 30, lowest possible legal coverage allowed by state. Your rates will be determined by several factors, including your age, your gender and the amount of coverage you want to purchase.
How Much Is Car Insurance in South Bend?
All South Bend drivers need car insurance, but how much is that car insurance going to cost? In South Bend, Indiana, the average cost of car insurance is $38 per month. This is only a few dollars higher than the average cost of insurance for the state, which is $35 and a tad bit cheaper than the average national cost of car insurance, which is $39.
To give you a better idea of how South Bend stacks up to the rest of the state, we have a breakdown below of the different car insurance averages in several major cities. Note that there are a few easy ways you can get discounts on your car insurance.
| City | Monthly Average Rate |
|---|---|
| Evansville | $43 |
| Fort Wayne | $39 |
| Indianapolis | $41 |
| South Bend | $38 |
| Terre Haute | $39 |
South Bend Car Insurance Rates by Zip Code
As you can tell from our table above, moving to different cities within Indiana can cause big changes to your car insurance premium. But did you know that simply moving to a different zip code within South Bend will cause the same effect?
It’s true: Each zip code has its own average car insurance rate. Below, we have another table that gives you a better idea of the average car insurance rate in different city zip codes.
| Zip Code | Average Monthly Rate |
|---|---|
| 46601 | $38 |
| 46613 | $37 |
| 46614 | $37 |
| 46615 | $38 |
| 46616 | $37 |
| 46617 | $37 |
| 46619 | $37 |
| 46628 | $37 |
| 46635 | $37 |
| 46637 | $37 |
South Bend Car Insurance Rates by Age
While the area you live in can affect how much you pay for car insurance, that’s still something you have control over – you can always move. But one thing that South Bend residents cannot willingly change is their age, and age is another major factor in how much you pay for car insurance.
How much can you expect to pay over the years? Below, we have a breakdown of the average monthly car insurance costs in South Bend for different age levels.
| Age | Average Monthly Rate |
|---|---|
| Teenagers | $184 |
| 20s | $97 |
| 30s | $50 |
| 40s | $49 |
| 50s | $46 |
| 60s | $44 |
| 70+ | $50 |
Driving Conditions in South Bend
How Many Fatal Accidents Happen in South Bend?
As far as cities go, South Bend is relatively safe for drivers. In 2019, there were 10 traffic-related fatalities. This was a result of nine fatal car accidents.
How Are the Road Infrastructure and Bridges in South Bend?
The infrastructure of South Bend, IN. has been improving lately due to several renovations. For example, the Smart Streets Initiative has focused on converting many of the town’s one-way streets to two-way streets, making it easier to navigate. While some of these improvements have increased commute times in affected areas, this initiative shows the city’s ongoing commitment to improving its own infrastructure and improving the overall quality of life for drivers.
Get a Quote for Car Insurance in Indiana Today!
Minimum Car Insurance Requirements in South Bend
We always advise drivers in South Bend – and beyond – to get more than the minimum amount of car insurance required by the state so they have protection for themselves and their property.
But it is helpful to know what minimum car insurance requirements the state mandates for South Bend drivers. All drivers must have liability insurance in the following amounts:
- $25,000 bodily injury liability coverage per person
- $50,000 bodily injury liability coverage per accident
- $25,000 for property damage liability
Remember, these coverage limits define how much your insurance carrier will pay the other driver(s) if you cause an accident. If your coverage limits are too low, you might end up owing a fairly large debt.
Factors Allowed in South Bend Car Insurance Rates
Before, we touched on two of the major factors affecting your monthly car insurance premium: your age and your location. At this point, every South Bend driver is likely asking a simple question: What other factors does your car insurance company take into account?
Below, we have a breakdown of the different factors all Indiana car insurance carriers are allowed to consider:
- Driving record and claims history
- Physical location
- Gender
- Age
- Marital status
- Type of vehicle
- Credit score
- Miles you drive per month
Should any of these factors suddenly change (perhaps you move, get married, or improve your credit score), you should alert your insurance carrier so that you can potentially lower your monthly premium. Even if you are now working from home, that saves miles of driving and potential other driving hazards.
Discounts for Car Insurance in South Bend
Speaking of lowering your premium, one of the best ways to do so is to ask your insurance carrier about discounts. Every carrier has special discounts they can offer to qualifying drivers. So what kind of discounts can you expect to find in South Bend?
Below, we have a brief list of some common discounts available to drivers:
-
Safe driving discount
-
Good student discount
-
Anti-theft device discount
-
Multiple car discount
-
Defensive driving course discount
You won’t know exactly which discounts are available from your insurance carrier until you call and ask!
What Are the Penalties for Driving Without Insurance in South Bend?
Previously, we touched on the fact that you can get in trouble if you don’t have enough car insurance while driving in South Bend. But what happens if you are caught driving around with no car insurance at all?
The first time this happens, your license will be suspended for 90 days and you’ll need to get an SR-22 certificate for at least three years. The second time this happens, your license is suspended for one year, you must pay a $500 fine, and you must get an SR-22 certificate for three years. For third offenses and beyond, your license is suspended for one year, you must pay a $1,000 fine, and you must get an SR-22 certificate for five years.
Obviously, driving without insurance can get very expensive and inconvenient quickly!
Get a South Bend Insurance Quote Today!
Now you know almost everything there is to know about car insurance in South Bend. But do you know where you can find the best car insurance in the city?
Freeway Insurance is here to help you find the best car insurance that South Bend has to offer. Get started with a quote online, or visit us at a local office near you. You can also call us at (800) 777-5620 for a quote.