The Cheapest Car Insurance in California
Cheapest Car Insurance - Progressive
Cheapest for Full Coverage - Esurance
Cheapest for Young Drivers - Allstate
Cheapest for Senior Drivers - Esurance
Cheapest for Drivers With Tickets - Esurance
Cheapest for Drivers With a DUI - Mercury
Cheapest After an Accident - Esurance
Cheapest Minimum Liability Car Insurance in California
The cheapest car insurance in California is a liability-only coverage policy that only meets the state’s minimum car insurance requirements. California’s minimum liability requirement is 15/30/5, which covers up to $15,000 for bodily injuries or death of one person, $30,000 for bodily injuries or death per accident and $5,000 for property damage.
The most affordable liability-only insurance companies in California are:
- Progressive: $476 per year
- CSAA: $500 per year
USAA is another affordable option in California at an average of $478 per year. However, this insurance company is only available to current and former military members and their families. Farmers, at an average of $842 annually, is the most costly option in California.
CHEAPEST MINIMUM CAR INSURANCE IN CALIFORNIA
These prices are only estimates based on rates for an average California driver and should not be used to compare insurance prices.
Cheapest Full Coverage Car Insurance in California
If you want full coverage car insurance that protects against third-party damages and those to your own vehicle, we identified the most affordable options in California, on average:
- Esurance: $1,045 per year
- Progressive: $1,121 per year
The average price of Esurance is $76 cheaper per month than Progressive, but both will be good options for those looking for cheap full coverage insurance. By contrast, Allied insurance costs about $1,745 per year and is the most expensive in California.
CHEAPEST FULL COVERAGE CAR INSURANCE IN CALIFORNIA
Rates are for a policy with comprehensive and collision insurance with $100,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per person, $300,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per accident and $100,000 in property damage coverage per accident.
How to Compare Cheap California Car Insurance Quotes Online
You can easily get a car insurance quote online from most companies, making the process of shopping for auto coverage far more convenient than it used to be.
- Start by determining how much coverage you need so you can compare insurers with consistent limits. For instance, if you get a quote with one provider for $100,000 in bodily injury liability insurance per accident, you should make sure to use the same number when comparing prices with another insurer.
- If you want to get a quote estimate for the average driver, use MoneyGeek’s car insurance calculator. For personalized quotes, you’ll have to provide more details.
- For the state’s minimum liability-only car insurance package, Progressive, USAA and CSAA offer the most reasonably priced plans, on average.
Cheapest Car Insurance in California for Young Drivers
Young drivers in California usually have higher premium rates than middle-aged drivers. That is because insurance providers see them as high-risk drivers. For a 16-year-old, the average cost of insurance in the state is $4,193 per year. By contrast, a 25-year-old pays an average of $1,738 per year.
Based on average rates, Allstate is most commonly the cheapest company for drivers between the age of 16–23, but Progressive has the lowest prices for drivers in their mid-20s.
ANNUAL CAR INSURANCE IN CALIFORNIA FOR YOUNG DRIVERS
It's generally cheaper for parents to add their young driver to their policy rather than have a separate policy, and there may be additional cost-cutting options available, such as good student discounts.
Additionally, there are noticeable rate differences for young drivers of varying ages, so you can find potential savings by comparing rates. For instance, Allstate is the most affordable option for 16-year-old drivers, with premiums averaging $2,247 per year. Meanwhile, Progressive has the cheapest quotes for 25-year-olds, costing $1,357 per year on average.
Cheapest Car Insurance in California for Seniors
Car insurance for seniors tends to cost more than the same coverage for middle-aged drivers. In California, seniors tend to pay around $35 more per month. If you’re looking for the most affordable car insurance for California seniors, check out these two companies:
- Esurance: $1,172 per year
- State Farm: $1,209 per year
Senior drivers in California can benefit most from Esurance. This insurer typically charges around $649 less than Travelers, the most expensive auto insurance provider for seniors in the state.
CHEAPEST CAR INSURANCE RATES FOR SENIORS
In California, there are more than 5.5 million drivers older than 55, and more than 2.5 million of them are 70 or older. Car insurance rates for seniors tend to increase with age. When shopping for car insurance, seniors in California can look for discounts based on their needs and experience. Thus, weighing different options in California may help you find savings. For instance, on average, Esurance has the cheapest premiums for California seniors at $1,172 per year, whereas Travelers offers the priciest rates at $1,821 per year. That’s a difference of $649.
Cheapest Car Insurance for Drivers With Tickets in California
The average car insurance rate for drivers with a speeding ticket in California is $2,037 per year, $622 more than an average driver with a clean record would pay for similar coverage.
On average, the cheapest car insurance companies in California for a driver with a speeding ticket are:
- Esurance: $1,324 per year
- CSAA: $1,687 per year
For military members and their families, USAA is the most affordable option in California at an average cost of $1,268 per year. The most expensive car insurance company for drivers with violations in California is Travelers, at an average of $2,547 per year.
AVERAGE CAR INSURANCE RATES WITH A TICKET
Having a speeding or distracted driving ticket on your record can impact your car insurance rates. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 3,259 auto accidents as a result of distracted driving in California in 2018. California state laws prohibit all hand-held device use while driving, so distracted driving can not only result in the cost of a ticket, but it can also lead to higher insurance costs.
Your auto insurance rate is likely to go up if you get a ticket for speeding or for distracted driving. According to the Insurance Information Association, your driving record is taken into account when you secure your auto policy, so being riskier to insure means paying higher premiums. Your insurer can also re-evaluate your rate if you get a moving violation (i.e., a speeding ticket).
Cheapest Car Insurance for Drivers With a DUI in California
Insurance for drivers with a history of DUIs is typically much more expensive than the same insurance coverage for a driver with a clean record. In fact, insurance for drivers with DUIs in California averages $4,075 per year, compared to just $1,429 for typical drivers. On average, these companies offer the most affordable car insurance policies for drivers with DUIs:
- Mercury: $2,354 per year
- Esurance: $2,601 per year
Mercury is the most affordable option at $2,354 per year. By contrast, Hartford costs an average of $5,921 per year — that’s a whopping difference of $3,567 between the cheapest and most expensive insurance providers.
AVERAGE CAR INSURANCE RATES WITH A DUI
Driving under the influence can impact your finances for years to come. Costs associated with a DUI include legal fees, court fees, alcohol education programs and increased auto insurance premiums.
Shopping around could help you find lower rates after getting a DUI. MoneyGeek found that Mercury offers significantly cheaper premiums compared to Hartford (the most expensive provider). Additionally, improving your driving record in the years to come will keep you safe and lower your insurance costs.
Cheapest in California for Drivers With an At-Fault Accident
Drivers with at-fault accidents typically pay more than those with a clean driving history. The cost of auto insurance for a California driver with at-fault accidents is $2,439 annually on average.
Based on analysis, the two cheapest car insurance policies for California drivers with at-fault accidents are from:
- Esurance: $1,638 per year
- CSAA: $1,687 per year
For drivers with at-fault accidents, The Hartford has California’s most expensive policy at an average cost of $3,537.
CHEAPEST CAR INSURANCE WITH AN AT-FAULT ACCIDENT
Cheapest Car Insurance in California for Drivers With Bad Credit
In California, car insurance companies cannot use your credit score to determine your premiums. While insurers in most states use credit scores to determine premium costs, California is an exception. However, as a good credit score can have many financial benefits, it’s still advisable to improve your score if possible.
Cheapest Car Insurance in California for Military Drivers
At an average of $478 per year, USAA ranks as the second most affordable auto insurance provider in California, with policies that are typically just $2 more than those from Progressive. Although Progressive may offer slightly cheaper rates, USAA is known to exclusively serve active-duty military members, veterans and their families, offering specific benefits that cater to these groups.
Cheapest Car Insurance in California by City
In California, the cost of car insurance may vary greatly depending on which city you live in. Santa Maria drivers tend to have the cheapest rates with an average of $1,109 per year, while Glendale residents pay the most expensive car insurance that costs $2,283 annually on average. These rates are for a full coverage policy.
Click your city to find out more about auto insurance prices in your area.
AVERAGE INSURANCE RATE BY CITY IN CALIFORNIA
Car Insurance in California: What You Need to Know
The California Department of Motor Vehicles requires all California drivers to insure their vehicles. Our guide below offers key information on auto insurance in the state.
California Insurance Requirements
Proof of Insurance in California
All California drivers must carry evidence of financial responsibility in their vehicles at all times or proof of an alternative (see below). Your insurance company should provide you with an insurance card containing information about your policy and covered vehicle(s). You must present it if law enforcement requests it or when you renew your vehicle registration.
Minimum Liability Insurance Requirements in California
According to California law, drivers should have liability coverage of $15,000 for injury/death per person, $30,000 for injury/death per accident and $5,000 for damage to property. However, insurance experts often recommend carrying 10 times this amount.
Alternatives to Insurance in California
Most drivers purchase auto insurance to cover their financial liability, but the DMV offers a few alternatives:
A cash deposit of $35,000 with the DMV
A DMV-issued self-insurance certificate (which requires even larger reserves)
A surety bond for $35,000 from a company licensed to do business in California
These alternatives require significant cash reserves, and one accident can wipe out the entire reserve. That's why most people stick with insurance.
How Much Coverage Do You Need in California?
Although California law only requires minimum liability coverage, cheap car insurance isn't always the best option. According to the Insurance Information Institute, insurance experts and consumer advocates recommend carrying liability coverage of $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident.
Assess your current situation to determine how much coverage you need. Those with a new car loan usually need full coverage. On the other hand, if your car is worth less than your deductible and a couple of years' worth of premiums, you might want to forgo that coverage.
FAQs About Car Insurance in California
Drivers commonly have questions about car insurance in California, especially relating to costs. Here are the answers to some of these queries to help you find the best coverage for your needs.
What company offers the cheapest car insurance in California ?
Progressive is the cheapest auto insurance company in California, offering policies at an average of $476 per year. However, the most affordable policy for you depends on several factors. For instance, Mercury has cheaper insurance for California drivers with a DUI, whereas Allstate is more affordable for young drivers.
The price of your auto insurance policy also depends on your coverage level. Case in point, the average cost of minimum coverage for California car insurance is $659 per year, whereas a full coverage policy costs about $1,415 per year.
Should you get the cheapest car insurance in California ?
It depends — the most affordable option is not necessarily the best for you. Although Progressive offers the cheapest auto insurance in California, AAA is the best company for balancing cost and customer service.
Additionally, the cheapest insurance policies often come with less coverage, meaning less protection. For example, California's minimum coverage auto insurance doesn’t cover damage to your car on and off the road.
Expert Advice on Finding Cheap Car Insurance in California
To help you find credible and accurate insight on car insurance in California, MoneyGeek received expert advice from trusted professionals. The perspectives and opinions expressed are those of the individual contributor.
- What are the key factors drivers in California should look for when searching for the best auto insurance coverage?
- What steps can drivers in California take to find affordable car insurance?
- How do regulations and rules in California impact insurance pricing and how consumers might shop for coverage?