Average car insurance cost in California

The cost of auto insurance in California depends on a lot of factors. On average, premiums for car insurance in California cost $2,416 per year or $201 monthly. The national average is $1,682, a difference of $521.

Various factors influence car insurance rates, including age, gender, driving history, credit score, and location.

This guide covers the average cost of full coverage in the state, the factors impacting auto insurance rates, helps you to find affordable car insurance, outlines average car insurance rates across cities in California, and breaks down car insurance rates by age group.

Average annual cost
$2,416

Average per month cost
$201

Average cost for state minimum coverage
$551 / Year

Cheapest car insurance company
Geico($1,919 / Year)

Average cost for young drivers
$3,622 / Year

Average cost for senior drivers
$2,424 / Year

Average car insurance cost in California per month

In California, the average monthly rate for car insurance is $201.

This cost varies among insurers; every auto insurance company has its own way of setting rates. When exploring car insurance options in California, obtain quotes from multiple companies.

Cheapest car insurance companies in California

According to Insure.com’s rate analysis, the cheapest car insurance company in California is Geico, with an average annual cost of $1,919 and a monthly average of $160. Following closely is Mercury Insurance, providing coverage at an average monthly rate of $169.

The following table lists additional car insurance companies operating in California and their average monthly and annual costs.

Affordable car insurance providers in California

Graph

Table

Company name	Average per month cost	Average annual cost
Geico	$160	$1,919
Mercury Insurance	$169	$2,031
Progressive	$182	$2,179
Kemper	$202	$2,429
Travelers	$205	$2,460
Auto Club Enterprises (AAA)	$205	$2,466
CSAA Insurance (AAA)	$217	$2,600
Allstate	$219	$2,627
State Farm	$225	$2,701
Nationwide	$233	$2,799
Farmers	$253	$3,035
USAA	$152	$1,827

Read our guide to cheap car insurance companies

Methodology

Insure.com commissioned Quadrant Information Services to calculate average auto insurance rates for vehicles from 2006 to 2023.

Our hypothetical driver is a 40-year-old male who commutes 12 miles to work each day, with policy limits of 100/300/50 ($100,000 for injury liability for one person, $300,000 for all injuries and $50,000 for property damage in an accident) and a $500 deductible on collision and comprehensive coverage.

Rates for vehicles up until 2023 includes uninsured motorist coverage (since some states require it, we do it for all) and PIP or Medical Payments, if it is required by state law. This hypothetical driver has a clean record and good credit.

For liability 100/300 is rates the same hypothetical driver but with liability limits of 100/300/50, uninsured/underinsured motorist in matching amounts and PIP or MedPay, if required by state. We recommend limits this high, even if you have only liability coverage. A state-minimum policy includes only the basic state liability limits and any other state-required coverages, such as uninsured motorist or PIP.

Averages were calculated using data from six large carriers, such as Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, Nationwide, Progressive and State Farm. Rates were averaged across multiple ZIP codes and insurance companies. Average rates are for comparative purposes; your rate will depend on your personal factors.

Average cost of car insurance by coverage level in California

Car insurance rates in California are directly proportional to the amount of coverage you buy. Your premium is determined by factors such as your liability limits and your choice of comprehensive and collision coverage.

Liability-only insurance protects against third-party property damage and personal injuries in an accident. However, liability coverage won’t cover your injuries or property damage if you are considered at fault in a collision. Liability-only insurance for a coverage limit of 50/100/50 costs $864 per year in California.

As mentioned earlier, increasing the coverage on your policy leads to a rise in your premium. The average annual cost of full coverage car insurance with 100/300/100 limits and $500 deductibles in California is $2,416 per year.

If you don’t own a car but frequently rent one, non-owner state minimum liability coverage is an option. It provides liability-only coverage for you when drive cars owned by others. In California, the average annual cost for non-owner state minimum liability coverage is $299.

State minimum coverage is the lowest amount of coverage you can carry and still drive legally. This coverage costs an average of $551 a year in California.

Auto insurance premiums vary significantly from city to city, so drivers need to be sure they’re getting the best deal. Insure.com has done the research for you. Get more information on auto insurance rates by city below.

Car insurance rates in California by city

Fresno

Los Angeles

San Diego

San Francisco

San Jose

Average car insurance cost in California by city

Your car insurance premium is impacted by numerous factors, including your state, city, and even ZIP code. Accident and claim rates in an area, along with crime rates, impact insurance costs.

The table below show car insurance rates for major cities in California:

Average car insurance cost in California by age of the driver

Age is a significant factor affecting auto insurance premiums. Teenagers have a higher likelihood of being involved in car accidents compared to any other age group. As a result, in California, the average annual rate for young drivers is $3,622, whereas for seniors, it’s $2,424. Teen drivers pay more than senior drivers by an average of $1,198.

Average car insurance cost in California for young drivers

In California, the average cost of car insurance for a young female driver is $3,620 and $302 per month.

For a young male driver, the average annual rate is $3,623, or $302 per month.

Average annual rates for male and female drivers aged 20-24 are listed in the table below:

Average car insurance cost in California for senior drivers

In California, female senior drivers pay an average rate of of $2,423, or $202 per month. Male senior drivers pay an average of $2,424, or $202 per month.

Read more about senior car insurance.

Minimum car insurance requirements in California

Every state establishes guidelines regarding the minimum car insurance coverage drivers must carry to be able to drive vehicles legally. According to the California Department of Insurance, the required coverages and minimum coverage limits in California are as follows:

• Bodily injury per person: $15,000

• Bodily injury per accident: $30,000

• Personal property coverage per person: $5,000

Cheapest cars to insure in California

According to our rate analysis, the Subaru Forester has most affordable average annual insurance premiums at $2,123, with the Subaru Crosstrek trailing closely behind at $2,183. The annual difference in insurance costs between these two amounts to $60.

Most expensive cars to insure in California

The Audi R8 Performance, at an average annual premium of $7,967, tops the list as the most expensive car to insure. The difference between the cheapest and most expensive cars to insure is $5,844 annually.

Methodology

Insure.com commissioned car insurance rates in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. from Quadrant Data Services in late 2023. Rates are based on a full coverage policy with 100/300/100 in liability coverage and $500 deductibles. The base sample driver is 40-year-old with a clean driving record and good credit, driving a 2023 Honda Accord LX. Rates were also requested at state minimum coverage levels and 50/100/50 liability-only coverage, and for multiple age groups.

How much is car insurance in other states

Alaska$1,676/Year

Alabama$1,860/Year

Arkansas$1,957/Year

Arizona$1,812/Year

Colorado$2,337/Year

Connecticut$1,725/Year

Delaware$2,063/Year

Florida$2,694/Year

Georgia$1,970/Year

Hawaii$1,517/Year

Iowa$1,630/Year

Idaho$1,428/Year

Illinois$1,532/Year

Indiana$1,515/Year

Kansas$1,900/Year

Kentucky$2,228/Year

Louisiana$2,883/Year

Massachusetts$1,726/Year

Maryland$1,746/Year

Maine$1,175/Year

Michigan$2,352/Year

Minnesota$1,911/Year

Missouri$1,982/Year

Mississippi$2,008/Year

Montana$2,193/Year

North Carolina$1,741/Year

North Dakota$1,665/Year

Nebraska$1,902/Year

New Hampshire$1,265/Year

New Jersey$1,902/Year

New Mexico$2,049/Year

Nevada$2,060/Year

New York$1,870/Year

Ohio$1,417/Year

Oklahoma$2,138/Year

Oregon$1,678/Year

Pennsylvania$1,872/Year

Rhode Island$2,061/Year

South Carolina$2,009/Year

South Dakota$2,280/Year

Tennessee$1,677/Year

Texas$2,043/Year

Utah$1,825/Year

Virginia$1,469/Year

Vermont$1,319/Year

Washington$1,608/Year

Wisconsin$1,664/Year

West Virginia$2,005/Year

Wyoming$1,758/Year

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