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25 Years of insurance experience
57M Quotes reviewed
136 Insurance providers evaluated
34.5K ZIP codes analyzed

Understanding potential costs is essential when seeking auto insurance in California. On average, car insurance in California costs $2,416 annually or $201 monthly. This figure contrasts with the national average of $1,895, showcasing a variance of $521 from the state average.

You’re likely aware of this if you’re a resident here. Numerous factors contribute to car insurance premiums. Among them are age, gender, driving history, credit score, and location.

This guide also provides insights into the average cost of full coverage in the state, companies offering affordable monthly premiums, average car insurance rates across cities in California, and car insurance rates by age group.

It’s wise to shop around and compare quotes to ensure you’re not overpaying for auto insurance. Continue reading the guide to ensure your insurance policy meets your needs without surpassing your budget.

Key Takeaways

  • Based on Insure.com’s in-depth data analysis, car insurance in California costs $2,416 per year.
  • In California, the average premium for car insurance is $201 per month.
  • At $1,919 a year, Geico has the cheapest car insurance rates in California.

Average car insurance cost in California per month

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

This cost can vary among insurers, which is true of every auto insurance company. When exploring car insurance options in California, it’s advisable to obtain quotes from multiple companies.

Cheapest car insurance companies in California

According to Insure.com’s rate analysis, the most affordable provider of car insurance premiums 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 respective average monthly and annual costs.

Affordable car insurance providers in California

Graph
Table
Company nameAverage per month costAverage 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

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 levels in California

The extent of coverage you select determines car insurance costs in California. Your liability limits and whether you opt for comprehensive, or collision coverage determine your premiums.

Liability-only insurance protects against third-party property damage and personal injuries in accidents. However, in the event of a collision, having liability coverage alone would not extend to your injuries or personal property damage since you are responsible for the accident. For instance, with a 50/100/50 liability-only coverage limit, the average annual cost in California amounts to $864.

Expanding your policy to include more coverage results in a higher insurance premium. This is because the insurance provider is liable to compensate you for accidents or other damage. Consequently, the average annual cost of full coverage car insurance in California stands at $2,416.

Non-owner state minimum liability coverage is the most appropriate choice for individuals who do not own a vehicle but regularly rent one. Like liability-only coverage, it protects property damage and bodily injury inflicted upon another driver. In California, the average annual cost for non-owner state minimum liability coverage stands at $299.

Meanwhile, for those who wish to save money on car insurance premiums, selecting only the state minimum liability coverage enables legal driving within the state. The annual cost for state minimum liability coverage alone amounts to $551 in California.

1State minimum:$551
2Liability only:$864
3Full coverage:$2,416
4Non-owners:$299

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

Average car insurance cost in California by city

Several factors contribute to determining your car insurance premium, including your state, city, and even ZIP code. The frequency of accidents and the likelihood of vehicle theft or vandalism can impact the overall cost associated with a particular city or ZIP code.

The table below depicts the top popular cities in California:

CityAverage annual cost
Anaheim$2,572
Bakersfield$2,477
Fresno$2,385
Long Beach$2,681
Los Angeles$3,149
Oakland$2,802
Sacramento$2,665
San Diego$2,324
San Francisco$2,777
San Jose$2,406

Average car insurance cost in California by age of the driver

Age plays a significant role in determining auto insurance premiums. Teenagers have a higher likelihood of being involved in car accidents compared to other age groups. The average annual rate for young drivers in California is $3,622, whereas for seniors, it’s $2,424. The rate for young drivers surpasses that of senior drivers by $1,198.

Based on statistical data, young drivers are at a higher risk of being involved in vehicle accidents compared to more seasoned drivers. Consequently, they are categorized as high-risk drivers, leading to higher insurance costs. Factors such as speeding and limited road experience contribute to this high-risk classification. However, premiums begin to increase again around age 70, as certain age-related factors can impact driving capabilities.

Average car insurance cost in California for young drivers

Age of driver Average annual cost
20 $4,381
21 $3,730
22 $3,507
23 $3,333
24 $3,149

Average car insurance cost in California for senior drivers

Age of driver Average annual cost
65 $2,284
70 $2,416
75 $2,571

Read more about senior car insurance

Minimum car insurance requirements in California

Every state establishes laws regarding the minimum car insurance coverage drivers must possess to lawfully drive a vehicle. As outlined by the California Department of Insurance, the following are the mandatory coverages and minimum coverage limits mandated in California:

  • Bodily injury per person: $30,000
  • Bodily injury per accident: $60,000
  • Personal property coverage per person: $15,000

Cheapest cars to insure in California

According to Insure.com data study, Subaru Forester has the lowest premium of $2,123. Subaru Crosstrek is followed closely at $2,183 per year. The difference in the cost of insuring these two models is $60 annually.

MakeModelAverage annual premium
SubaruForester$2,123
SubaruCrosstrek$2,183
HondaHR-V$2,187
HondaOdyssey$2,190
VolkswagenTiguan$2,197
SubaruAscent$2,205
HondaCR-V$2,210
MazdaCX-5$2,220
KiaSeltos$2,221
MazdaCX-30$2,222

Most expensive cars to insure in California

Topping the list as the most expensive car to insure is the Audi R8 Performance, at an average annual premium of $7,967. Notably, the annual difference between the least and most expensive cars to insure amounts to $5,844.

MakeModelAverage annual premium
AudiR8 Performance$7,967
MaseratiQuattroporte$7,540
PorschePanamera Turbo S E-Hybrid$7,031
PorscheTaycan Turbo$6,837
Porsche911 Turbo$6,813
MaseratiQuattroporte Trofeo$6,747
PorschePanamera 4S E-Hybrid$6,662
Porsche911 Sport Classic$6,594
PorscheTaycan GTS$6,546
AudiR8$6,399

Methodology

The Insure.com team worked with Quadrant Information Service to obtain car insurance data. To determine the average premiums, our team of data analysts and expert editors analyzed 56,838,240 insurance quotes from 136 insurance companies across 34,523 ZIP codes.

The insurance rates are based on a sample profile of a 40-year-old male driver with a clean driving record and a good insurance score. Quotes premiums are for a full coverage policy with limits:

The quoted insurance rates are for comparison purposes, and your individual rates may vary.

57M

Quotes reviewed

136

No. of carriers analyzed

34.5K

ZIP codes analyzed

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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