Cheapest Car Insurance In California (2024)
The cheapest car insurance in California comes from GEICO at $38 per month on average.
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California drivers should consider comparing policy options in order to find the most affordable coverage, especially given the increasing costs of car insurance. Our reviews team has researched the best car insurance companies nationwide. We carefully examined the reputation, customer satisfaction, coverage options, and average premiums of each provider.
In this review, we will discuss the most effective methods to save money on insurance and where you can locate the most affordable car insurance in California according to your driving profile.
Key Points
- GEICO is the cheapest car insurance company in California overall, with an average rate of $38 per month for minimum coverage and $184 per month for full coverage.
- USAA and Progressive also offer affordable car insurance rates for many driver profiles.
- If drivers are under 25 years old or have traffic violations, they will experience car insurance rates that are higher than usual.
- You can save on car insurance by opting for minimum coverage, looking for discounts, increasing your deductible, and bundling your auto insurance with other policies.
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Each car insurance company has its own way of assessing drivers, so the provider that is cheapest for one driver may not be the cheapest for you. For instance, here is a glance at the most affordable auto insurance providers and their rates for different types of drivers in California.
| Cheapest Car Insurance Company | Average Monthly Cost | Average Annual Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum coverage | GEICO | $38 | $461 |
| Full coverage | GEICO | $184 | $2,204 |
| 16-year-olds | USAA | $123 | $1,472 |
| 45-year-olds | GEICO | $35 | $417 |
| High-risk drivers | Progressive | $84 | $1,003 |
| After a speeding ticket | USAA | $55 | $666 |
| After an accident | USAA | $73 | $882 |
| After a DUI | Mercury | $93 | $1,112 |
*Unless stated otherwise, average costs are minimum-coverage rates for single male drivers between the ages of 25 and 35 with a clean driving history.
What Is The Cheapest Car Insurance Company In California?
In general, we discovered that GEICO provides the most affordable car insurance in California for the majority of people who drive. The following sections will cover the average monthly costs of both minimum- and full-coverage car insurance from the cheapest companies in California.
These rates apply to drivers in California who are of various ages, live in different areas, and have different driving histories. The cheapest companies are organized by minimum coverage costs.
Cheapest Minimum Coverage In California: GEICO
Drivers looking for the most affordable coverage that just meets California state minimum requirements may find it at GEICO for about $38 per month or $461 per year on average.
| Cheapest Car Insurance in California | Average Monthly Cost | Average Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| GEICO | $38 | $461 |
| USAA | $45 | $545 |
| Progressive | $48 | $572 |
| AAA | $52 | $621 |
| Mercury | $52 | $628 |
| State Farm | $56 | $673 |
| Kemper | $58 | $701 |
| Allstate | $69 | $823 |
| Farmers | $72 | $861 |
Cheapest Full Coverage In California: GEICO
If you want the best coverage for a good price, GEICO is the best choice. The provider offers full-coverage insurance for an average of $184 per month.
Full-coverage insurance policies in California generally include liability insurance, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, collision coverage, and comprehensive insurance.
| Cheapest Car Insurance in California | Average Monthly Cost | Average Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| GEICO | $184 | $2,204 |
| Progressive | $186 | $2,236 |
| USAA | $187 | $2,249 |
| Mercury | $205 | $2,463 |
| Kemper | $229 | $2,746 |
| AAA | $237 | $2,844 |
| State Farm | $249 | $2,983 |
| Allstate | $249 | $2,991 |
| Farmers | $294 | $3,531 |
Cheapest Car Insurance In California: Age
Below, you’ll find average insurance costs for California drivers ages 16 to 55 as well as the top five cheapest car insurance companies for each age group. People who are between 30 and 55 years old often receive the most affordable car insurance rates. This is because they have spent more time driving and thus have more experience. Additionally, they tend to be involved in fewer car accidents compared to younger drivers, according to statistics.
Average Car Insurance Rates By Age
| Age | Minimum-Coverage Average Monthly Cost | Full-Coverage Average Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | $159 | $586 |
| 25 | $59 | $245 |
| 35 | $49 | $206 |
| 45 | $49 | $199 |
| 55 | $48 | $195 |
Cheapest California Car Insurance: Young Drivers
As mentioned, teenage drivers and early 20s typically pay the most expensive car insurance rates. That’s mostly because these drivers have less practice driving and are more likely to ignore traffic rules and get into car crashes.
In fact, the fatal crash rate per mile driven for teen drivers was nearly three times the rate for drivers 20 years old and older in 2021, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
Cheapest California Car Insurance For 16-Year-Olds: USAA
If you’re a teen driver or the parent of one, USAA may be your best bet for finding the most affordable car insurance in California.
The company’s cheapest average rates for 16-year-old drivers are $123 per month or $1,472 per year, which is relatively affordable compared to other states. If you’re looking for full coverage, the average is $410 per month or $4,924 per year from USAA.
| Cheapest Car Insurance in California | Minimum-Coverage Average Monthly Cost | Full-Coverage Average Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| USAA | $123 | $410 |
| State Farm | $127 | $476 |
| GEICO | $129 | $488 |
| Progressive | $132 | $536 |
| Mercury | $151 | $525 |
| Farmers | $169 | $651 |
| Kemper | $188 | $686 |
| AAA | $189 | $761 |
| Allstate | $193 | $567 |
Cheapest California Car Insurance For 25-Year-Olds: GEICO
Car insurance rates for young drivers in their 20s decrease significantly compared to what teenagers pay. However, the rates can still be quite high depending on the insurance company you select.
GEICO provides the cheapest car insurance costs on average at $41 per month or $497 per year for minimum coverage. GEICO costs $195 per month or $2,336 per year for full coverage.
| Cheapest Car Insurance in California | Minimum-Coverage Average Monthly Cost | Full-Coverage Average Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| GEICO | $41 | $195 |
| USAA | $49 | $202 |
| Progressive | $52 | $201 |
| AAA | $56 | $258 |
| Mercury | $59 | $229 |
| State Farm | $59 | $267 |
| Kemper | $70 | $269 |
| Allstate | $72 | $262 |
| Farmers | $77 | $316 |
Cheapest California Car Insurance: Adult Drivers
Auto insurance rates are typically the cheapest for people in their forties who drive. You can compare average rates of drivers in their 30s, 40s, and 50s from the top five cheapest companies for each age group below.
Cheapest California Car Insurance For 35-Year-Olds: GEICO
Drivers in their mid-30s may insure their cars at the cheapest cost by getting a minimum coverage car insurance policy from GEICO. The company offers average minimum-coverage costs of $35 per month or $425 per year. For full coverage, Progressive’s rates average $172 monthly or $2,058 annually.
| Cheapest Car Insurance in California | Minimum-Coverage Average Monthly Cost | Full-Coverage Average Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| GEICO | $35 | $173 |
| USAA | $41 | $173 |
| Progressive | $44 | $172 |
| Mercury | $46 | $182 |
| Kemper | $47 | $189 |
| AAA | $47 | $216 |
| State Farm | $53 | $231 |
| Allstate | $66 | $237 |
| Farmers | $66 | $272 |
Cheapest California Car Insurance For 45-Year-Olds: GEICO
Forty-five-year-old drivers may find the most affordable minimum coverage from GEICO, with average rates of $35 per month or $417 per year. The cheapest full coverage comes from Progressive at $159 per month or $1,906 per year.
| Cheapest Car Insurance in California | Minimum-Coverage Average Monthly Cost | Full-Coverage Average Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| GEICO | $35 | $168 |
| Progressive | $41 | $159 |
| USAA | $42 | $170 |
| Mercury | $45 | $173 |
| Kemper | $47 | $187 |
| AAA | $48 | $211 |
| State Farm | $50 | $221 |
| Allstate | $65 | $220 |
| Farmers | $68 | $275 |
Cheapest California Car Insurance For 55-Year-Olds: GEICO
Usually, people in their 50s can get the most affordable car insurance rates in California from GEICO. The insurer’s average premiums are $34 monthly or $413 annually for minimum coverage. The cheapest full coverage option is from Progressive, costing $159 monthly or $1,906 annually
| Cheapest Car Insurance in California | Minimum-Coverage Average Monthly Cost | Full-Coverage Average Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| GEICO | $34 | $165 |
| Progressive | $41 | $153 |
| USAA | $41 | $166 |
| Mercury | $44 | $162 |
| AAA | $47 | $207 |
| Kemper | $48 | $205 |
| State Farm | $48 | $207 |
| Allstate | $65 | $212 |
| Farmers | $67 | $263 |
Cheapest Car Insurance In California: High-Risk Drivers
Besides the kind of coverage and your age, how carefully you drive greatly influences the amount you will need to pay for car insurance. Auto insurers typically determine if you’re a high-risk driver by looking at how many infractions are on your driving record, including speeding citations, at-fault accidents, and DUI convictions.
Average Car Insurance Rates For High-Risk Drivers
Drivers who are considered high-risk are charged car insurance rates that are higher than the average due to the numerous violations on their driving records. On average, California motorists who are deemed high-risk may find the most affordable rates from Progressive for minimum coverage or Mercury for full coverage.
| Cheapest Car Insurance in California | Minimum-Coverage Average Monthly Cost | Full-Coverage Average Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Progressive | $84 | $350 |
| USAA | $90 | $367 |
| Mercury | $90 | $346 |
| GEICO | $90 | $403 |
| Farmers | $108 | $453 |
| AAA | $112 | $478 |
| Kemper | $114 | $430 |
| State Farm | $128 | $544 |
| Allstate | $154 | $638 |
Cheapest California Car Insurance For Drivers With A Speeding Ticket: USAA
Drivers with a speeding citation on their record can generally find the most affordable coverage from USAA, with average rates of $55 per month or $666 per year for minimum coverage and $229 per month or $2,747 per year for full coverage.
| Cheapest Car Insurance in California | Minimum-Coverage Average Monthly Cost | Full-Coverage Average Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| USAA | $55 | $229 |
| GEICO | $62 | $287 |
| Progressive | $69 | $288 |
| AAA | $70 | $310 |
| Mercury | $74 | $293 |
| Kemper | $78 | $302 |
| State Farm | $89 | $375 |
| Allstate | $97 | $363 |
| Farmers | $100 | $418 |
Cheapest California Car Insurance For Drivers With An At-Fault Accident: USAA
Getting into a car accident in California could result in higher car insurance costs. USAA tends to offer the most affordable rates on average at about $73 per month or $882 per year for minimum coverage and $286 per month or $286 per year for full coverage.
| Cheapest Car Insurance in California | Minimum-Coverage Average Monthly Cost | Full-Coverage Average Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| USAA | $73 | $286 |
| Progressive | $77 | $309 |
| AAA | $79 | $338 |
| State Farm | $93 | $386 |
| Farmers | $100 | $418 |
| Mercury | $103 | $381 |
| GEICO | $108 | $459 |
| Allstate | $128 | $552 |
| Kemper | $132 | $493 |
Cheapest California Car Insurance For Drivers With A DUI: Mercury
If you’re a motorist with a DUI conviction, you may find the cheapest minimum car insurance in California from Mercury for $93 per month or $1,112 per year on average. They also have rates of $366 monthly or $4,390 annually for full coverage.
| Cheapest Car Insurance in California | Minimum-Coverage Average Monthly Cost | Full-Coverage Average Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Mercury | $93 | $366 |
| GEICO | $100 | $463 |
| Progressive | $105 | $451 |
| Farmers | $125 | $522 |
| Kemper | $132 | $493 |
| USAA | $140 | $586 |
| AAA | $186 | $785 |
| State Farm | $202 | $872 |
| Allstate | $237 | $1,000 |
Average Cost Of Car Insurance In 10 California Cities
Another thing that affects how much you spend on car insurance is the location where you live within California. Auto insurance companies consider drivers riskier to cover in areas with:
- Larger groups of people.
- There are a higher number of cars on the streets.
- More car accidents occurring at increased rates.
- More frequent occurrences of breaking traffic rules
- More incidents of car theft and auto vandalism
- Extreme weather conditions
Certain factors that make it more likely for car owners in big cities to be at risk, which is why drivers in busy cities pay the highest average cost of car insurance for minimum coverage. On the other hand, drivers in rural areas, where there is less crime and a smaller population, are more likely to get cheaper rates.
| City | Minimum-Coverage Average Monthly Cost | Full-Coverage Average Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | $75 | $285 |
| San Diego | $52 | $202 |
| San Jose | $52 | $210 |
| San Francisco | $57 | $234 |
| Fresno | $52 | $201 |
| Bakersfield | $52 | $206 |
| Santa Ana | $58 | $219 |
| Anaheim | $62 | $227 |
| Fremont | $50 | $196 |
| Long Beach | $59 | $218 |
Top 5 Car Insurance Companies In California
Besides the cost, we have examined more than 40 insurance companies to determine the best five insurers for people living in California. We took into consideration their coverage, service, and dependability. Based on our research, we found GEICO to be the best provider for most drivers in California. Here are the ratings we have given to the choices we recommend.
| Overall Rating | Cost | Coverage | Reliability | Service | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 State Farm | 4.7 | 4.3 | 4.6 | 5.0 | 4.5 |
| #2 AAA | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.9 | 4.1 | 4.4 |
| #3 GEICO | 4.5 | 4.2 | 4.2 | 4.9 | 4.3 |
| #4 Progressive | 4.5 | 4.0 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.1 |
| #5 USAA | 4.5 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.5 | 4.3 |
*The overall and category ratings above are based on nationwide factors.
How To Get The Cheapest Car Insurance In California
In California, there are a few ways you can decrease how much you pay for car insurance. These include:
- Opting for minimum coverage: If you only get the lowest coverage that your state requires, you will pay the least amount for car insurance.
- Seeking out discounts: Most insurance companies have multiple discounts that can help cut down on premium costs, from military and good student discounts to discounts for drivers that remain accident free for five years.
- Raising your deductible: A higher deductible will lower your premium costs, but you’ll have to pay more out of pocket if you file a claim.
- Bundling your auto insurance: You can often bundle your auto insurance with a homeowners insurance policy or other type of coverage to earn a discount.
- Comparing quotes: Getting quotes from several companies can give you an idea of which provider will provide the best deal.
Many insurance companies also have programs that offer savings based on how much you use your insurance. These programs use telematics to monitor your driving habits–from your speed and braking to the time of day you drive. If you drive safely, you may be eligible for a significant discount, but certain programs might increase your rates if you engage in risky driving habits.
Some companies also offer diminishing deductibles and accident forgiveness. A diminishing deductible option decreases your deductible amount each time you renew your policy. Accident forgiveness ensures that your rates won’t increase after your first accident with the company.
What Does California Require For Car Insurance?
Drivers in California must meet minimum insurance requirements as outlined by state law, which include basic liability insurance and uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage:
- $30,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $15,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $5,000 property damage liability per accident
Liability coverage only takes care of other parties’ injuries and property damages in an accident that you cause. UM/UIM covers your injuries and property damages, but only in the case that the at-fault driver has little to no auto insurance.
Getting comprehensive insurance will ensure that your car is covered if stolen, vandalized, or damaged by floods, fire, animals, or other natural disasters. Collision insurance covers your car repairs after an accident.
Our Take: Best Cheap Car Insurance In California
When it comes to both minimum and full coverage, GEICO is the best and most affordable car insurance company for most drivers in California. While the above costs can give you an idea of what you’d pay for car insurance in California, requesting a customized quote will help give you a more accurate picture of what you’ll pay.
Many companies offer quick and no-cost tools online that allow you to get price estimates easily. Alternatively, you can contact an insurance agent or representative at the company directly. Once you have obtained car insurance quotes from three or more providers, compare them to determine which option suits you best.
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Best Cheap Car Insurance In California: FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about car insurance in California:
How much is car insurance per month in California?
The average cost of minimum-coverage car insurance in California is $54 per month or $651 per year. For full coverage, the average is $226 per month or $2,709 per year.
Is California Car Insurance Cheaper?
California auto insurance is typically cheaper than the national average. Nationwide, the average cost of minimum-coverage insurance is $670 per year, while the average in California is $651 per year. For full coverage, residents of California pay about $2,709 per year on average, which is more than the national average of $2,216 per year.
How We Rate Insurers
Our review process aims to deliver consistent and unbiased assessments of car insurance providers. While there are multiple qualities that make a car insurance company successful, our review team focuses on those we believe are the most important for consumers:
- Cost: Cost can be difficult to compare between insurers because so many factors impact annual premiums. The cheapest insurer for one driver may not be the cheapest for another. To determine our cost score, we look at insurance rate estimates generated by Quadrant Information Services, discount opportunities, and consumer reports.
- Coverage: To determine our coverage score, we look at the number of coverage options available as well as coverage limits and deductible options. Our ratings also take into account additional services and benefits like roadside assistance.
- Reliability: It’s important that an auto insurer is able to meet its claims obligations. Companies with a strong financial strength rating from AM Best score best in this category. Established insurers with a long history of reliable service also receive positive marks.
- Service: We comb through customer reviews on sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to learn about customer experiences. Insurers with a low volume of complaints score well in this area. We also consider the claims process, giving higher ratings to car insurance providers that offer easy-to-use claims apps.
*Data accurate at time of publication.