Cheap Auto Insurance in California (2023)

The best car insurance in California depends on your unique coverage needs and budget. Here’s how to find the right insurance company for you in the state.

Jamie Johnson
Written byJamie Johnson
Jamie Johnson
Jamie Johnson

Jamie Johnson is a Kansas City-based personal finance writer whose work has been featured on several of the top finance and business sites in the country, including Insider, Credit Karma, Bankrate, Rocket Mortgage, Fox Business, Quicken Loans, and The Balance. For the past six years, she's dedicated more than 10,000 hours of research and writing to more than 2,000 articles about personal finance topics.

Courtney Mikulski
Edited byCourtney Mikulski
Courtney Mikulski
Courtney MikulskiSenior Editor

Courtney Mikulski is a Senior Editor at Insurify with more than three years editing and producing personal finance content. She's experienced with insurance, credit cards, consumer lending, and banking products. Courtney works to provide easy-to-understand and actionable advice to readers looking for their next insurance provider. Her previous work with Bankrate, Reviews.com, and The Simple Dollar, helped readers make smarter financial decisions. When Courtney isn't working, you can find her hanging out with her cat or on a bike ride with her husband. She earned a bachelor's degree in journalism at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. 

Shawn Powers
Reviewed byShawn Powers
Headshot of licensed insurance agent Shawn Powers.
Shawn PowersVP of Insurance Sales at Insurify

Shawn Powers is the Vice President of Insurance Sales at Insurify. He’s been in insurance for over 25 years, working as an agent, a sales coach, and a sales director at both big and small insurers. Most recently, he spent 15 years as the Vice President of Sales and Operations at Answer Financial, an Allstate company.

Shawn is a licensed insurance agent in over 40 states. With his expertise, he strives to help customers make informed and educated decisions about their insurance policies.

Konstantin Halachev
Data reviewed byKonstantin Halachev
Headshot of Konstantin Halachev, VP of Engineering at Insurify
Konstantin HalachevVP of Engineering

Konstantin has led data science and engineering projects across multiple domains: biology, travel and insurance. He loves finding data nuggets that help people.

Updated April 27, 2023

Save up to $717 by comparing quotes from the top 70+ insurance companies

Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
Based on 3,806+ reviews
4.8/5
Shopper Approved
ProgressiveLiberty MutualTravelers

Advertiser Disclosure


At Insurify, our goal is to help customers compare insurance products and find the best policy for them. We strive to provide open, honest, and unbiased information about the insurance products and services we review. Our hard-working team of data analysts, insurance experts, insurance agents, editors and writers, has put in thousands of hours of research to create the content found on our site.

We do receive compensation when a sale or referral occurs from many of the insurance providers and marketing partners on our site. That may impact which products we display and where they appear on our site. But it does not influence our meticulously researched editorial content, what we write about, or any reviews or recommendations we may make. We do not guarantee favorable reviews or any coverage at all in exchange for compensation.

Why you can trust Insurify: As an independent agent and insurance comparison website, Insurify makes money through commissions from insurance companies. However, our expert insurance writers and editors operate independently of our insurance partners. Learn more.

Best car insurance companies in California

The best insurance company for you will depend on your individual needs and situation. Insurify evaluated nine different California insurance companies to give you a good place to start.

Find Car Insurance in California

Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
Based on 3,806+ reviews
4.8/5
Shopper Approved
ProgressiveLiberty MutualTravelers
Insurance CompanyBest ForAverage Monthly Quote: Liability OnlyInsurify Quality Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
ProgressiveOverall$1154.1
TravelersValue$1254.3
USAAAffordability$1154.5
EsuranceCommuters$145N/A
State FarmFamilies$1774.4
MercuryRideshare drivers$1183.6
GEICOSports car drivers$1534.3
AllstateLuxury car owners$1594.1
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
  • Insurify uses an in-house, proprietary method to rate and review the best car insurance companies. The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 crucial criteria, including average premiums, customer satisfaction, discounts, third-party ratings, and more, to calculate a final score for a company.

    Criteria are weighted by importance to the consumer — factors such as customer reviews and affordability influence the score more than availability and third-party ratings. With the IQ Score, Insurify is able to provide quantitative ratings for drivers to better compare car insurance companies and make informed decisions to meet their coverage needs.

Best car insurance overall in California: Progressive

Progressive logo

Progressive

Average Monthly Cost:
$115
Insurify Quality Score:
4.1

Progressive provides the best car insurance overall for drivers in California. You can receive a quote in as little as four minutes, and the company offers many ways to save money.

The company offers discounts for bundling policies, safe driving, and being a long-term customer. And with its Name Your Price Tool, you tell the company how much you’re looking to pay and it’ll build a policy that fits within your budget.

Progressive customers pay an average of $115 per month for a liability-only policy, making it one of the cheapest insurers on the list. And Progressive has an IQ Score of 4.1.

Progressive pros and cons

Pros
  • Customized insurance plans available

  • Customers can receive a quote in around five minutes

  • Lower-than-average premiums

Cons
  • Below-average customer satisfaction rating from J.D. Power[2]

  • Younger drivers may pay more

  • More complaints than expected, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)

Best car insurance in California for value: Travelers

Travelers logo

Travelers

Average Monthly Cost:
$125
Insurify Quality Score:
4.3

Travelers is the best insurer in terms of overall value — the company offers various coverage options and is one of the cheapest insurers in California. A liability-only policy costs an average of $125 per month, and Travelers offers many discounts and ways to save on insurance.

In addition to liability coverage, Travelers offers roadside assistance, gap insurance, and uninsured motorist coverage. Travelers received an IQ Score of 4.3.

Travelers pros and cons

Pros
  • One of California’s cheapest insurers

  • Wide range of available coverage options

  • Various available discounts

Cons
  • Online quotes not available in California — must go through independent agent

  • Below-average customer satisfaction ratings, according to J.D. Power[2]

  • Rideshare coverage not available in California

Most affordable car insurance in California: USAA

USAA logo

USAA

Average Monthly Cost:
$115
Insurify Quality Score:
4.5

USAA received an IQ score of 4.5, making it one of the highest-rated insurance companies on this list. The company has lower-than-average monthly rates for liability-only insurance and highly rated customer service satisfaction. Student drivers can save money on car insurance by showing they have good grades, and families can also receive a multi-policy discount for insuring several vehicles.

Customers pay an average of $115 per month for a liability-only policy, and the company is top-rated for customer service. However, USAA is only available to military members, veterans, and their families.

USAA pros and cons

Pros
  • IQ Score of 4.5, besting all insurance companies

  • Policy management available on mobile app

  • Top-rated insurance company for customer service

Cons
  • Coverage available only to U.S. military members, veterans, and their families

  • Gap insurance not available

  • Limited physical branches and in-person agents network

Best car insurance for commuters in California: Esurance

Esurance logo

Esurance

Average Monthly Cost:
$145
Insurify Quality Score:
N/A

Esurance was one of the first companies to offer auto insurance online. The company, which Allstate owns, utilizes technology to allow customers to manage their policies online or through the mobile app.

Esurance offers emergency roadside assistance and rental car coverage, which makes it a good option for anyone who commutes to work regularly. A liability-only policy costs an average of $145 per month, making it fairly affordable for most drivers.

Esurance pros and cons

Pros
  • Easy-to-use website

  • Highly rated mobile app

  • A number of available discounts and ways to save

Cons
  • Higher average premiums compared to  other insurers

  • High number of customer complaints

  • New-car replacement insurance not available

Best car insurance for families in California: State Farm

State Farm logo

State Farm

Average Monthly Cost:
$177
Insurify Quality Score:
4.4

State Farm is one of the most popular and well-known insurance companies. The company offers numerous discounts, and it advertises that the average driver saves $597 by switching to State Farm.

State Farm offers discounts for safe driving, and teen drivers can save up to 25% for getting good grades. Drivers younger than 25 with no accidents can save on insurance as well. This makes State Farm a great option for families who need to insure multiple drivers.

State Farm pros and cons

Pros
  • Scored high on the American Customer Satisfaction Index[3]

  • Offers something for everyone in the family

  • Savings of up to 30% possible with Drive Safe & Save discount

Cons
  • More expensive full-coverage rates than other insurers in California

  • Below-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction ranking in California[2]

  • Rates for drivers with at-fault accidents are much higher than other insurers

Best car insurance for rideshare drivers in California: Mercury

Mercury logo

Mercury

Average Monthly Cost:
$118
Insurify Quality Score:
3.6

Mercury is the best option for rideshare drivers thanks to its rideshare insurance policy. If you get into an accident waiting to pick someone up, Mercury will pay for the damages to the other vehicle. And you can have your car fixed at one of the company’s authorized repair facilities.

At $118 per month for a liability-only policy, Mercury offers affordable coverage for most drivers. However, the company doesn’t offer as many customized options as other insurers.

Mercury pros and cons

Pros
  • Rideshare insurance available

  • Affordable auto insurance

  • Comprehensive coverage available for rideshare drivers

Cons
  • IQ Score of 3.6

  • Offers fewer customized auto insurance policies

  • New-car replacement not available

Best car insurance for sports car owners in California: GEICO

GEICO logo

GEICO

Average Monthly Cost:
$153
Insurify Quality Score:
4.3

Sports cars are notoriously expensive to insure since they come with higher repair costs than other vehicles. That’s why sports car owners will want to take advantage of the affordable plans GEICO offers.

GEICO offers more discounts and opportunities to save than nearly any other insurer. For instance, you can save money by showing that your vehicle has airbags or an anti-theft system.

You can also save money by taking a defensive driving course or showing that you have a history of safe driving. GEICO costs an average of $153 per month for a liability-only policy, and the company received an IQ of 4.3.

GEICO pros and cons

Pros
  • More available discounts than nearly any other insurer

  • Liability-only coverage cheaper than other California insurers

  • Above-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction ranking in California[2]

Cons
  • Gap insurance not available

  • Drivers with a DUI may pay higher-than-average rates

  • Limited number of local agents

Best car insurance for luxury car owners in California: Allstate

Allstate logo

Allstate

Average Monthly Cost:
$159
Insurify Quality Score:
4.1

If you have a luxury vehicle, you’ll want to check out Allstate’s classic car insurance. This insurance can help protect the value of your car, and if you do get in an accident, you have more options on where to send your vehicle for repairs.

Allstate received an IQ score of 4.1, but the company has slightly higher premiums than other insurers. Allstate has more negative customer service reviews than other companies, as well.

Allstate pros and cons

Pros
  • Above-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction ranking in California[2]

  • Rideshare insurance available

  • IQ Score of 4.1

Cons
  • Low BBB customer ratings

  • Higher average full-coverage premiums than state average

  • Higher-than-average customer complaint frequency with the NAIC in California

How Insurify rates car insurance companies

Data scientists at Insurify analyzed more than 40 million real-time auto insurance rates from our partner providers across the United States to compile the car insurance quotes, statistics, and data visualizations displayed on this page.

The car insurance data includes coverage analysis and details on drivers’ vehicles, driving records, and demographic information. Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.

With these insights, Insurify is able to offer drivers insight into how companies price their car insurance premiums. The data included on this page represent averages across driver ages, genders, credit scores, and driver profiles for California drivers.

Find Car Insurance in California

Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
Based on 3,806+ reviews
4.8/5
Shopper Approved
ProgressiveLiberty MutualTravelers

How to shop for the best car insurance in California

Here are the top things to consider when you’re shopping around for car insurance:[4]

  • What you use your vehicle for: If you regularly use your car for business purposes, you may need to purchase a commercial auto insurance policy. A personal policy may not provide enough protection if you’re a rideshare driver or use your car to run your business.

  • The type of car you drive: If you drive a sports car or luxury vehicle, you’ll need to shop around more since these vehicles tend to be more expensive to insure. But if you drive a safer vehicle, you could earn a discount on your auto insurance.

  • Whether you share the car: You also need to consider who else may drive your vehicle. If your spouse or teen driver will be driving your car regularly, you need to list them on your policy.

  • If the car is financed: If you financed your car, you may want to consider purchasing gap insurance. This insurance covers the gap between the value of the car and what you currently owe on it if your insurer declares it a total loss after an accident.

How to get the cheapest car insurance in California

The best way to save is by keeping your driving record clean, according to Earl L. Jones, a licensed agent and owner of Earl L. Jones Insurance Agency in California. Here are the top strategies he recommends for finding cheap car insurance:

  • Bundle your policies. One of the easiest ways to save on auto insurance is by bundling your policy with other types of insurance. For instance, you can bundle your home and auto insurance. And if you have multiple drivers in your home, you could earn a multi-driver discount.

  • Increase your deductible. Jones says another way drivers can save money on their insurance is by raising the deductible. Just make sure you can afford to pay the deductible if you need to file a claim.

  • Maintain a good driving record. Drivers without accidents or moving violations on their records tend to pay lower average rates. But if you have a history of tickets, accidents, or other moving violations, you aren’t eligible for that discount.

  • Shop around. It’s always a good idea to receive quotes from at least three different insurance companies before settling on a policy. Shopping around helps you find the best price and coverage for your situation.

    Learn More: The Insurify Guide to Car Insurance Discounts

    Learn More: The Insurify Guide to Car Insurance Discounts

Minimum car insurance requirements in California

California has relatively average car insurance requirements for drivers compared to other states:[5]

  • $15,000 per person for bodily injury liability

  • $30,000 per accident for bodily injury liability

  • $5,000 per accident for property damage liability

Liability-only vs. full-coverage insurance in California

California state law requires that all drivers purchase minimum liability auto insurance. If you have liability insurance, it covers injuries and property damages you cause to other drivers and their vehicles.

Full-coverage insurance, which includes comprehensive and collision coverage, covers the costs of repairing or replacing your vehicle. If you have an older vehicle or can pay for damages to your car out of pocket, liability insurance may make sense. But some drivers will want to invest in full coverage.

Here’s how much you can expect to pay for liability-only and full-coverage policies with different insurers.

Insurance CompanyAverage Monthly Quote: Liability Only

Average Monthly Quote:

Full Coverage

Travelers$125$177
Clearcover$100$180
Progressive$115$189
Mercury$118$200
Sun Coast$90$202
Safeco$109$203
USAA$115$228
Esurance$145$287
Kemper$154$293
GEICO$153$304
Allstate$159$315
Farmers$164$323
State Farm$177$350
Bristol West$171$367
Dairyland$191$484
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Find Car Insurance in California

Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
Based on 3,806+ reviews
4.8/5
Shopper Approved
ProgressiveLiberty MutualTravelers

California car insurance rates by driving and accident history

Your driving history is one of the biggest factors affecting your insurance costs. If you have a history of speeding tickets, driving under the influence, or at-fault accidents, you’ll likely pay more than someone with a clean record.[6]

In California, you can expect average rates to increase by 42% after an at-fault accident, 33% with a speeding ticket, and 99% with a DUI conviction, according to Insurify data. Here are the average monthly quotes for the cheapest car insurance in California based on driving and accident history.

Insurance CompanyClean RecordAt-Fault AccidentWith a DUISpeeding Ticket
Travelers$177$253$352$237
Clearcover$180$257$357$241
Progressive$189$270$376$253
Mercury$200$285$397$267
Sun Coast$202$289$402$271
Safeco$203$290$403$271
USAA$228$326$454$306
Esurance$287$411$572$385
Kemper$293$418$582$392
GEICO$304$434$604$407
Allstate$315$450$626$422
Farmers$323$462$644$433
State Farm$350$501$697$469
Bristol West$367$524$729$491
Dairyland$484$691$962$648
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

SR-22 insurance in California

An SR-22 is a certificate an insurance company files with the state on your behalf that verifies you meet the minimum insurance requirements for the state. You may need SR-22 insurance if you’ve recently had your license suspended or if your driving privileges were revoked.

SR-22 insurance is not a coverage that you add to your policy; it’s a form the state may require you to have on file for three years.[7] While insurance companies may charge a filing fee, the added car insurance costs of SR-22 forms don’t come from the forms themselves. Drivers who need SR-22 forms typically have too many points on their license, major accidents, DUI convictions, and other negative marks on their driving history, which can increase rates.

Check Out: The Complete Guide to SR-22 Insurance

Check Out: The Complete Guide to SR-22 Insurance

California car insurance quotes by credit tier

California doesn’t allow insurers to consider credit scores for any type of insurance.

“For auto insurance, we rely heavily upon DMV records and prior auto insurance experiences as listed in the CLUE report,” Jones says. “This is how we know about accidents within the last 10 years.”

Car insurance quotes in California cities

Car insurance rates can vary by city in California — for example, you may pay more for insurance if you live in an area with higher crime rates. Drivers in Fresno and Modesto experience lower average monthly rates for car insurance, at $180 and $188 a month, respectively. However, San Francisco and Los Angeles drivers experience premiums more than 30% higher than the state average.

Here are the cheapest cities for auto insurance in California. Fresno drivers realize the greatest savings with an average rate that's 17% less than the overall state average.

CityAverage Monthly QuoteCompared to State Average
Fresno$180-17%
Modesto$188-14%
Bakersfield$190-12%
San Diego$191-12%
Stockton$204-6%
Anaheim$205-6%
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Unsurprisingly, some cities have much higher insurance rates. Densely populated Los Angeles and costly San Francisco have the highest rates in the state. Los Angeleans pay, on average, 37% more per month than the state average.

CityAverage Monthly QuoteCompared to State Average
Long Beach$207-5%
Irvine$209-4%
San Bernardino$213 -2%
Sacramento$2180%
San Jose$2274%
Oakland$2327%
Riverside$2348%
San Francisco$29134%
Los Angeles$29837%
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Find Car Insurance in California

Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
Based on 3,806+ reviews
4.8/5
Shopper Approved
ProgressiveLiberty MutualTravelers

California car insurance rates by driver age

Age is another factor that affects your insurance rates, with teens and drivers younger than 25 paying the most. However, after age 25, rates tend to decrease to $244 a month on average, and continue decreasing into a driver’s 70s and 80s. Here is a breakdown of how much you can expect to pay based on your age group.

Age GroupAverage Monthly Quote
Teenagers$369
Younger than 25$307
20s$244
30s$190
40s$172
50s$165
60s$146
70s$154
80+$153
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

California car insurance FAQs

If you have additional questions about purchasing auto insurance in California, the following answers to common questions may help.

For more information on car insurance in the Golden State, check out Insurify’s guides on how to compare car insurance quotes and electric vehicle incentives in the state.

  • Who has the cheapest car insurance in California?

    Clearcover offers the cheapest liability-only coverage, at $100 per month, and Travelers has the cheapest full-coverage policy, at $177 per month. Overall, Travelers, Clearcover, and Progressive are the cheapest car insurance companies in California.

  • What is the required car insurance coverage in California?

    You’ll need to meet the following minimum insurance requirements in California:[5]

    • $15,000 per person for bodily injury liability

    • $30,000 per accident for bodily injury liability

    • $5,000 per accident for property damage liability

  • What are the best car insurance companies in California?

    Progressive, Travelers, and GEICO are the best insurance companies in California. Progressive is the best for overall value thanks to its fast quotes, affordable rates, and customizable insurance options.

    Travelers is the best overall value because it offers affordable plans and various coverage options. And GEICO offers more discounts and ways to save than nearly any other insurer. But the best California car insurance for you will depend on your coverage needs and budget, so it’s important to shop around for quotes.

  • Can insurers use your credit score to set premiums in California?

    No. California doesn’t allow insurance companies to use your credit score to set premiums on any type of insurance. California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, and Michigan are the only states that prohibit the use of credit scores when setting insurance premiums.[8]

  • Is California a no-fault state?

    Yes. In California, both parties involved in an accident share the fault. That means one driver isn’t automatically at fault for rear-ending another driver.

    “Driver A and B both share fault in an accident, [then] their insurance policies pay accordingly,” Jones explains. “This is one of the biggest reasons for people to buy auto insurance based on their personal circumstances and financial situations — there are no guarantees that the other driver will be at fault."

Methodology

Data scientists at Insurify analyzed more than 40 million real-time auto insurance rates from our partner providers across the United States to compile the car insurance quotes, statistics, and data visualizations displayed on this page. The car insurance data includes coverage analysis and details on drivers' vehicles, driving records, and demographic information. Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Service's database of auto insurance rates. With these insights, Insurify is able to offer drivers insight into how companies price their car insurance premiums.

Sources

  1. III. "What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?." Accessed April 17, 2023
  2. J.D. Power. "2022 U.S. Auto Insurance Study." Accessed April 17, 2023
  3. American Consumer Satisfaction Index. "Press Release Insurance and Health Care Study 2021–2022." Accessed April 17, 2023
  4. III. "8 questions to ask before buying auto insurance." Accessed April 17, 2023
  5. California DMV. "Auto Insurance Requirements." Accessed April 17, 2023
  6. III. "Do auto insurance premiums go up after a claim?." Accessed April 17, 2023
  7. California DMV. "Driving Under the Influence: Age 21 and Older." Accessed April 17, 2023
  8. Experian. "Which States Prohibit or Restrict the Use of Credit-Based Insurance Scores?." Accessed April 17, 2023
Jamie Johnson
Jamie Johnson

Jamie Johnson is a Kansas City-based personal finance writer whose work has been featured on several of the top finance and business sites in the country, including Insider, Credit Karma, Bankrate, Rocket Mortgage, Fox Business, Quicken Loans, and The Balance. For the past six years, she's dedicated more than 10,000 hours of research and writing to more than 2,000 articles about personal finance topics.

Courtney Mikulski
Edited byCourtney MikulskiSenior Editor
Courtney Mikulski
Courtney MikulskiSenior Editor

Courtney Mikulski is a Senior Editor at Insurify with more than three years editing and producing personal finance content. She's experienced with insurance, credit cards, consumer lending, and banking products. Courtney works to provide easy-to-understand and actionable advice to readers looking for their next insurance provider. Her previous work with Bankrate, Reviews.com, and The Simple Dollar, helped readers make smarter financial decisions. When Courtney isn't working, you can find her hanging out with her cat or on a bike ride with her husband. She earned a bachelor's degree in journalism at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. 

Shawn Powers
Reviewed byShawn PowersVP of Insurance Sales at Insurify
Headshot of licensed insurance agent Shawn Powers.
Shawn PowersVP of Insurance Sales at Insurify

Shawn Powers is the Vice President of Insurance Sales at Insurify. He’s been in insurance for over 25 years, working as an agent, a sales coach, and a sales director at both big and small insurers. Most recently, he spent 15 years as the Vice President of Sales and Operations at Answer Financial, an Allstate company.

Shawn is a licensed insurance agent in over 40 states. With his expertise, he strives to help customers make informed and educated decisions about their insurance policies.

Konstantin Halachev
Data reviewed byKonstantin HalachevVP of Engineering
Headshot of Konstantin Halachev, VP of Engineering at Insurify
Konstantin HalachevVP of Engineering

Konstantin has led data science and engineering projects across multiple domains: biology, travel and insurance. He loves finding data nuggets that help people.