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Merced Auto Insurance 2025

Same coverage as Sacramento drivers — pay up to $1025 less every year
Central Valley Elevation 171 ft Population Pop. 92,000
$1,875
Avg. Full Coverage
26%
Below State Avg
24min
Avg. Commute
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$1,875 Avg. Annual Full Coverage
$156 Monthly Premium (Clean Record)
26% Below CA Average
$79 Monthly Liability Only
24 min Average Commute Time
Excellent News for Merced Residents!
Merced's auto insurance rates are 26% below CA average of $2,532/year. With comprehensive coverage averaging just $1,875 annually, you're saving $657/year compared to the typical CA driver.

Merced Auto Insurance Risk Report 2025

Weather, accidents, theft, and seasonal risks — save up to $657/year with smart coverage.

Weather & Environmental Risk Factors

High Risk Level — Low (smoke from Sierra)

Dense tule fog, extreme heat, poor air quality. Annual rainfall 12 inches.

Annual Weather Data

Thunderstorm Days 3 per year
Annual Rainfall 12 inches
Wildfire Exposure High Risk

Wildfire Evacuation Zones

  • Planada
  • Le Grand

Peak Risk Months

Flood Risk:

January February

Wildfire Risk:

N/A

Common Weather-Related Claims

Fog pileups on CA-99

Coverage: Collision

Heat tire blowouts

Coverage: Collision

Smoke damage to paint

Coverage: Comprehensive

Hail rare

Coverage: Comprehensive

Weather Driving Safety Advice

Winter Preparation

  • Fog lights; 30 mph in dense fog
  • 7+ second following

Wildfire Season

  • Recirculate air in smoke
  • Check tires weekly in summer
Data Sources: NOAA, CAL FIRE 2025

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Accident Risk Analysis

High Risk Level — At-fault accident rate...

CA-99 truck corridor. At-fault rate 13.7%. Student drivers and tourists.

Key Statistics

At-Fault Rate (Merced) 13.7%
National Average 12%
Commuter-Related Crashes 45%
Tourist-Related Crashes 18%

Premium Impact

Monthly Liability (Clean Record) $79
Monthly Full Coverage (Clean) $156
Annual Full Coverage $1,875
Savings vs. CA Average 26% lower

Common Accident Types

Truck rear-end on CA-99

UC student parking lot fender-benders

Tourist merge on CA-140

Intersection at G & 16th

High-Risk Intersections

Drive with Extra Caution at These Locations:

CA-99 & V St

CA-99 & 16th St

CA-140 & G St

Peak Accident Months

October December August
Data Sources: CHP SWITRS 2023–2025

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Theft & Property Crime Risk

High Risk Level — Motor vehicle theft rate...

High. Theft 3.1 per 1,000. Campus and retail.

Crime Statistics

Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 3.1 per 1,000
National Average 1.7 per 1,000
Property Crime Rate 15.8 per 1,000
Burglary Rate 450 per 100,000
Violent Crime Rate 4.5 per 1,000
Theft Increase (2023-2025) +20%

Most Stolen Vehicles in Merced

  1. Honda Civic
  2. Toyota Camry
  3. Honda Accord
  4. Ford F-150

High Theft Zones

Exercise Extra Caution in These Areas:

UC Merced lots

Walmart/Target

Downtown

Recommended Anti-Theft Measures

Steering lock

GPS tracking

Remove valuables

Data Sources: Merced PD 2024, FBI UCR

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Seasonal Driving Risks in Merced

❄️

Winter

Dense fog

🌸

Spring

Pollen

☀️

Summer

Heat, smoke

🍂

Fall

Tourism, harvest

🍂

Source

CAL FIRE

Source: CAL FIRE

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Claims Trends & Payouts in Merced

Claim Distribution

Comprehensive27%
Collision64%
Liability9%

Average Payouts

Comprehensive$4,100
Collision$5,900

Notable Trends

Smoke Damage Claims +140% (2023–2025)
Data Sources: III, CA DOI 2024

Local Driving Laws & Regulations in CA

Key California Laws

Hands-Free LawYes
Primary Seatbelt LawYes
Teen Driver RestrictionsProvisional until 18
DUI BAC Limit0.08%
Move Over LawYes

Local Enforcement

Red Light CamerasYes (select)
Speed CamerasNo
Source: CA DMV

Merced Location & Geography

UC Merced campus city and ag hub. Gateway to Yosemite via CA-140. Diverse, growing with student and farmworker population.

City
Merced
State
CA (CA)
ZIP Codes
95340, 95341, 95348
County
Merced County
Region
Central Valley
Population
92,000
Growth Rate (2020-2025)
3.2%
Land Area
23.3 sq miles
Population Density
3,948 per sq mi
Elevation
171 feet
Climate Zone
Hot-summer Mediterranean (Csa)
Metro Area
Merced, CA MSA

Major Roadways

CA-99

CA-59

CA-140

G St

V St

Yosemite Pkwy

Insurance Cost Comparison

Coverage Type Merced Average California Average National Average Your Savings
Full Coverage $1,875/year $2,532/year $2,030/year 26% lower

Demographics & Driving Behavior

Median age 32. 28% drivers 16–24. DUI 3.0 per 1,000.

Age Demographics

Median Age (Merced) 32
U.S. Median Age 38.8
Drivers Aged 16-24 28%

DUI & Violations

DUI Rate (Merced) 3 per 1,000
California Average 2.8 per 1,000

Premium Increases

DUI Violation +82%
Speeding (15+ mph) +28%
At-Fault Accident +48%

Frequently Asked Questions

Credit in Merced?
No. CA bans credit.
Comprehensive needed?
Yes — for fog and smoke.
Red light cameras?
Yes, at select intersections.
Cheapest?
GEICO, Progressive.

Expert Recommendations for Merced Drivers

Coverage & Savings Tips

  • Get your Merced quote now.
  • Bundle for 25% savings.
  • Add comprehensive for fog.
  • Students: Good student discount.
  • Clean record = max savings.
  • Avoid small claims.
  • Telematics for 40% off.

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Overall Risk Assessment

High overall; 26% below CA average due to lower density but elevated by CA-99, fog, and student drivers. Annual full coverage $1,875.

Last Updated: 2025-11-07