California Cheapest Car Insurance & Best Coverage Options
Geico has California's cheapest car insurance and best coverage options for both minimum and full coverage. Geico's CA minimum coverage rate is an average of $38/mo, while California drivers who want full coverage for better financial protection from Geico will pay an average of $116/mo for insurance.
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Joel Ohman
Executive Chairman
Joel Ohman is the CEO of a private equity-backed digital media company. He is a published author, angel investor, and serial entrepreneur who has a passion for creating new things, from books to businesses. He has previously served as the founder and resident CFP® of a national insurance agency, Real Time Health Quotes. He has an MBA from the University of South Florida. Joel has been mentione...
Executive Chairman
UPDATED: Apr 22, 2025
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
UPDATED: Apr 22, 2025
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- Geico has the cheapest car insurance in Californai
- Minimum CA coverage is an average of $38/mo at Geico
- Full CA coverage is an average of $116 at Geico
California’s cheapest car insurance and best coverage options can be found at Geico. Other best auto insurance companies for cheap CA auto insurance include USAA, Mercury, and more.
Continue reading to learn more about how to save on CA insurance. You can also use our quote tool to get free quotes.
Affordable California Car Insurance Rates
The best way drivers in California can save more on car insurance premiums is by comparing quotes by zip code from multiple insurers with the lowest rates from our insurance study. California drivers can find an affordable rate through comparison shopping, an essential part of finding a deal when dealing with the cost of auto insurance.
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Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.
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Cheapest Car Insurance in California for Minimum Coverage
Our agents found that Geico Insurance has the most affordable annual averages for drivers in California, with a $451 per year quote for minimum coverage for our sample 30-year-old.
The average California rate for minimum liability auto insurance policies is $629 per year, and Geico’s rate is $178 cheaper or 29% less expensive.
*USAA is for qualified military members, their spouses, and direct family members. Your auto insurance rates may be different based on the driver’s profile. Read our USAA review for more information.
Drivers in California who only want a minimum coverage policy can drive legally for less by switching to one of the cheapest car insurance companies illustrated above.
- California Cheapest Car Insurance & Best Coverage Options
Cheapest Full Coverage Car Insurance in California
Geico offers the cheapest insurance option for those with good driving records in California with a quote at $1,388 per year or $115 per month for affordable full coverage car insurance rates. Geico’s rate is 28% less expensive than California’s average rates of $1,910 per year.
The average cost of full coverage auto insurance in California is $159 per month or $1,910 annually. Full coverage insurance, which includes comprehensive and collision coverage, can cost as much as three times more than the average car insurance premiums for a minimum liability policy.
AutoInsureSavings.org licensed agents suggest drivers in California who own a vehicle under 10 years old or worth more than $3,000 should consider a full coverage insurance policy to guarantee they will receive the benefits they need if an auto accident occurs that leaves their car totaled.
Cheapest Insurance With a Speeding Ticket in California
California drivers can find the cheapest car insurance with a speeding ticket on their driving record with Mercury, which has average annual premium costs of $1,818 per year. We found Mercury’s rate is 28% cheaper than California’s mean speeding violation rate of $2,517 per year.
According to the Insurance Information Institute (III.org), drivers in California can expect their car insurance rates to increase by an average of 25% after receiving a traffic violation. The amount your average rates will rise depends on how fast you were going and how many speeding tickets you already have on your driving record in California.
Learn more: How much will my auto insurance go up with a speeding ticket?
Cheapest Car Insurance in California With a Car Accident
Drivers in California with an at-fault accident on their driving records can still save on their car insurance rates with Mercury Insurance, which offers a $179 monthly rate or 39% cheaper than California’s average rates.
We suggest comparing auto insurance quotes with Geico to get the best price, which provided us a $211 monthly rate for drivers with an at-fault accident.
Will car insurance rates increase after an accident? Just one at-fault accident on your record in California can significantly increase your car insurance premium. Our research found that the difference between average auto insurance premiums for a driver with a good driving record than a driver with one accident is $1,579 per year.
Read more: Tips to Get Cheap Car Insurance after an Accident
Cheapest Insurance With a DUI in California
According to our rate analysis, Mercury Insurance offers the cheapest auto insurance rates for California drivers with a DUI with a $2,517 per year rate or $209 per month.
Read more: Best Car Insurance Companies After a DUI
Mercury’s rate is 42% less expensive than California’s average insurance premium for drivers with a DUI in their driving history.
A DUI is a severe offense that can cause numerous consequences for a California car insurance policyholder. Along with their car insurance rates going up by 56%, the driver could also have a temporary driver’s license suspension and an option to have an ignition interlock device (IID) installed or participate in an alcohol treatment program.
The California Department of Insurance recommends taking a defensive driving course to lower car insurance costs.
Cheapest Car Insurance by Marital Status in California
Married drivers in California can find the best and cheap auto insurance with Geico, which provided our agents a $106 monthly rate for full coverage car insurance. Geico’s rate is 26% lower than average rates for our sample 30-year-old drivers that are hitched.
The next cheapest insurance options are State Farm and Auto Club for drivers in California who are married if you shop around. Both auto insurers are more than 10% lower than average rates.
Cheapest Car Insurance Coverage in California for Young Drivers
During our comparison shopping study, young California drivers or college students can get the cheapest auto insurance coverage with State Farm, which provided us a $3,413 per year rate for full coverage insurance.
Young or teen drivers who need minimum coverage should compare quotes with State Farm, Mercury, and Geico, as these companies have the best car insurance for teens in CA.
State Farm offers the cheapest minimum liability coverage rate at $1,129 per year for adolescent drivers, while Geico is $1,246 per year, and Mercury’s car insurance rate is $1,265 annually.
All three car insurers are 41% cheaper than California’s state minimum liability rate for younger drivers.
Young or teen drivers needing coverage in California will pay more for their car insurance premium regardless of what company they choose.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), inexperienced drivers are at a higher risk than older and more experienced drivers.
Our agents recommend teen drivers to go on their parent’s policy (with collision and comprehensive coverage) or have an adult family member on the auto insurance policy to save money.
Cheapest Car Insurance for Young Drivers with Speeding Tickets
Young California drivers with traffic tickets should look to Mercury Insurance to get the best auto insurance rates. The average car insurance cost from Mercury is $3,980 per year for full coverage auto insurance.
Mercury’s speeding ticket rate is 40% cheaper than the $6,548 average rates in California for younger drivers.
Cheapest Car Insurance for Young Drivers in California with a Car Accident
The cheapest auto insurance coverage for younger drivers with an accident in California is Geico, which provided our agents a $363 monthly rate for full coverage or $239 per month less than California’s average rates at $602 per month.
The next cheapest option is Mercury, with a $370 monthly car insurance rate or 39% less expensive than California’s average auto insurance quotes.
Best Car Insurance Companies in California
AutoInsureSavings.org licensed agents found the Geico, State Farm, and Progressive insurance companies offer some of the most affordable rates with excellent customer service and good financial strength to various California drivers.
Read more: Progressive Car Insurance Review
ValuePenguin surveyed with similar insurance company results:
If you are in the market for a new car insurance policy and are only concerned about the price, these three auto insurance companies in California offer some of the state’s best auto insurance rates.
We also used data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), J.D. Power’s claims satisfaction survey, and each car insurance company’s financial strength ratings from A.M. Best.
NAIC complaint ratio looks at the number of complaints of the best car insurance company based on market share.
The lower the complaint ratio, the better. It is an indication of the quality of the car insurance carrier’s customer service and claims satisfaction.
In this instance, the car insurance carrier who rated the best based on a low amount of complaints is CSAA Insurance Group (AAA) with 1.5, which is higher than the national average of 1.00. Auto Club of Southern California Insurance Group has the best J.D. Power claims satisfaction score at 848 out of 1,000.
When you have more information about what each car insurance provider has to provide you with, it will be easier for you to narrow down your choices and make an informed decision on the best auto insurance company in California is the best option for you.
Average Car Insurance Costs by City in California
Your zip code in California is a significant factor in your average auto insurance rates, along with driver profiles, including driving record, marital status, type of motor vehicle, and coverage levels.
Typically, residents of densely populated areas, high crime areas, or areas with poor road conditions tend to have expensive auto insurance rates, as crashes and claims are more likely.Tracey L. Wells Licensed Insurance Agent & Agency Owner
AutoInsureSavings.org car insurance experts did a study on the most populous California cities.
Cheapest Auto Insurance in Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles drivers can find the cheapest auto insurance with Geico Insurance who provided our agents a $1,723 per year rate for our 30-year-old driver. Geico’s quote is 35% less expensive than Los Angeles’ average rates.
Cheapest Auto Insurance in San Diego, CA
Drivers in San Diego, California, can find the best coverage rates with CSAA Insurance Group, which provided us a quote at $1,614 per year or $134 per month for a full coverage insurance policy. CSAA’s rate is 38% cheaper than San Diego’s yearly insurance rate of $2,578 per year.
Cheapest Auto Insurance in San Jose, CA
Our licensed agents found Mercury Insurance is the cheapest car insurance company in San Jose, CA. They provided us a $1,477 annual rate for full coverage, 43% less expensive than San Jose’s yearly average rate of $2,560.
Cheapest Auto Insurance in San Francisco, CA
Our research found the cheapest auto insurance in San Francisco is with Geico, Auto Club, and CSAA Insurance Group. Geico is the most affordable, with a $144 monthly rate or $1,732 per year. At the same time, Auto Club offers a $1,959 quote, and CSAA offers a $2,043 per year rate for $100,000 in liability coverage with comprehensive and collision coverage $500 deductibles.
Cheapest Auto Insurance in Fresno, CA
People in Fresno can find cheap auto coverage with Progressive, which provided our agents a low annual insurance rate of $1,498 per year for a 30-year-old with full coverage. The next most affordable option is Geico, with an annual $1,536 per year or 36% cheaper than Fresno average rates.
Cheapest Auto Insurance in Sacramento, CA
Sacramento drivers can find the best full coverage insurance policy with Geico, which provided our agents a $1,573 per year rate or $131 per month for $100,000 in liability insurance with collision and comprehensive insurance $500 deductibles. Geico’s insurance quote is 37% cheaper than average rates for 30-year-old drivers in Sacramento, California.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Long Beach, CA
Drivers in Long Beach can find the cheapest insurance coverage with CSAA Insurance Group, which provided AutoInsureSavings agents a $1,429 per year quote for full coverage. CSAA’s car insurance quote is 41% cheaper than Long Beach’s average rates.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Oakland, CA
Oakland cheap auto insurance is found with Progressive, which offered our licensed agents a $1,631 per year rate for a full coverage insurance policy with $500 deductibles. Progressive’s rate is 36% cheaper than Oakland’s average rates for 30-year-old drivers.
Average Insurance Cost for All Cities in California
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Minimum Car Insurance Requirements in California
For vehicle registration, California state laws require all car insurance policies to have bodily injury liability and property damage liability coverage with the liability limits illustrated below.
By getting state minimums in California, you can drastically reduce your monthly insurance cost. Our agents recommend full coverage insurance with uninsured motorist coverage for most drivers in California with a clean driving record, including comprehensive and collision coverage.
AutoInsureSavings.org licensed agents recommend older drivers living in expensive zip codes in the Golden State with sizable investments and assets to increase liability limits and purchase an umbrella policy on top of a standard car insurance policy.
High school or college students can opt for an auto insurance premium comparable to California’s minimum state requirements with comprehensive, collision insurance and uninsured motorist coverage.
To learn more about the most affordable car insurance options in California, enter your zip code in our free quote tool or get expert advice at AutoInsureSavings.org. Our licensed car insurance professionals will be happy to answer any questions you have.
Methodology
AutoInsureSavings.org comparison shopping study used a full-coverage auto policy for a 30-year-old driving a 2018 Honda Accord with the following coverage limits:
We used rates for drivers with an accident history, credit score, and marital status for other California rate analyses. We used car insurance rate data from Quadrant Information Services, which are publicly available for comparative purposes only. Your auto insurance rates may vary when you get quotes.
Sources
– Insurance Information Institute. “Auto Rate Setting.”
– National Association of Insurance Commissioners. “Market Share Reports for Property/Casualty Groups and Car Insurance Companies.”
– California Department of Motor Vehicles. “Car Insurance Requirements.”
– California Department of Insurance. “Auto Insurance Information Guide.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has the cheapest car insurance coverage in California?
Geico offers the most affordable car insurance rates to various California drivers at $451 per year for minimum coverage. USAA is cheap coverage ($455 per year). However, if you are not eligible for their coverage, your next best options for low-priced car insurance are CSAA ($468 per year) and Progressive ($512 per year).
To find out who offers affordable car insurance in California, you want to make sure to compare rates by getting quotes from top car insurance companies.
How much is minimum coverage car insurance in California per month?
The average cost of state minimum car insurance in California is $629 annually or $52 per month. Geico’s average rate for minimum coverage is $451 per year or $37 per month. CSAA ($468 per year) and Progressive ($512 per year) are also below the state’s average rates.
How much is full coverage car insurance in California?
The average cost of full coverage auto insurance in California is $159 per month or $1,910 per year. Geico ($1,388 per year), Mercury Insurance ($1,427 per year), and Progressive ($1,533 per year) offer full coverage insurance at an average rate lower than the state’s average by 20%.
Full coverage auto insurance costs significantly more than minimum liability coverage, and for that reason, many drivers will choose an auto policy with less coverage to save money. If you have a newer vehicle or concerns about minimum coverage not providing you with enough protection, you should consider full coverage insurance.
How do I save on car insurance in California?
There are several ways you can save money on your car insurance premium costs in California. Initially, it would be best to compare quotes from multiple providers to determine which car insurance carrier in the area offers the lowest rates for you. After that, you should inquire about a money-saving driver discount provided by each car insurance provider you have in mind.
The more car insurance discounts you are eligible for, the more money you can save. Taking time to make sure you have an appropriate coverage level and practicing safe driving habits are two more things you can do that will help you save on your California car insurance rates.
What is the best auto insurance in California?
The best auto insurance coverage in CA is full coverage insurance policies.
Why is California car insurance so expensive?
California is a very densely populated state. More drivers on the road mean a higher risk of crashing into another car and filing a claim, so insurers charge more in CA.
What is the penalty for not having car insurance in California?
Driving without car insurance in California will result in at least fines.
Can you get same-day car insurance in California?
Yes, most auto insurance companies offer auto insurance that starts the same day you purchase it.
Is California a no-fault state?
At-fault auto insurance laws are in place in California.
Is California a PIP state?
California auto insurance laws do not require drivers to carry PIP insurance.
Free Auto Insurance Comparison
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.
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Joel Ohman
Executive Chairman
Joel Ohman is the CEO of a private equity-backed digital media company. He is a published author, angel investor, and serial entrepreneur who has a passion for creating new things, from books to businesses. He has previously served as the founder and resident CFP® of a national insurance agency, Real Time Health Quotes. He has an MBA from the University of South Florida. Joel has been mentione...
Executive Chairman
UPDATED: Apr 22, 2025
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.