5+ years writing insurance and personal finance topics
Auto, home, health, and life insurance expertise
Elizabeth has extensive insurance industry experience, having written for Insureon, Rate Retriever, and Insurify. She’s also finance and insurance editor for Car and Driver.
3+ years producing insurance and personal finance content
Main architect of the Insurify Quality Score
Courtney’s deep personal finance knowledge extends beyond insurance to credit cards, consumer lending, and banking. She thrives on creating actionable content.
Brett has over a decade of experience specializing in home and auto insurance. Before Insurify, he was a licensed insurance agent with Answer Financial.
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California’s average rates are lower than the average rates in some other large states, like Florida and Michigan. This is largely because the state's Department of Insurance hasn't approved auto insurance rate hikes since the start of the pandemic. But a large number of insurance companies have asked for state approval to begin increasing rates again.
To find the most affordable car insurance in California for your situation, it’s a good idea to shop around and compare quotes. See which insurance companies offer the cheapest auto insurance coverage to drivers in California.
Quick Facts
California is the most-populous state, with more than 331 million residents.
Bakersfield, California, has the cheapest liability-only coverage in the state.
Mile Auto offers the cheapest full-coverage insurance policies in California.
How much is car insurance in California?
California drivers pay an average of $166 per month for full-coverage insurance and $96 per month for minimum-coverage insurance, according to Insurify’s analysis of recent quote data. But car insurance rates can vary depending on your city, age, credit score, driving record, insurance company, and other factors.[1]
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Rates start as low as $65/mo. for liability coverage
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Average California car insurance rates by city
Average California car insurance premiums differ among cities. A city’s population, accident rate, weather risks, and vehicle theft rates can all contribute to the cost of car insurance in the area.[1]
After reviewing state average rate data for various cities, Insurify found that Santa Rosa has the cheapest full-coverage rates and Bakersfield has the cheapest rates forliability-only coverage. Los Angeles and San Francisco have the highest average rates in the state.
The table below shows the average car insurance premiums from the cheapest insurers in some of the largest cities in California.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, November 30 at 11:00 AM PST.
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.
Average California car insurance rates by insurance company
When shopping for insurance, you should compare car insurance quotes from multiple insurers. Every insurance company charges different rates, even for the same types and amounts of coverage.
Based on average rate data, Insurify found that Mile Auto has the cheapest car insurance rates in California. But drivers in the Golden State can also find low rates with the second- and third-cheapest options, Clearcover and Sun Coast.
The table below compiles the average premiums from insurance companies in the state.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, November 30 at 11:00 AM PST.
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.
Auto insurance rates in the Golden State are personalized based on many factors, including your age.[1]
“Insurance companies consider young drivers to be high-risk due to their lack of experience on the road,” says John Espenschied, owner of Insurance Brokers Group, which serves customers in California. Insurify data shows that drivers younger than 25 pay the most expensive rates.
For most drivers, insurance premiums get cheaper as they get older. For example, in California, the overall average premium for teen drivers is $217 per month, and the average rate for senior drivers is $96. However, drivers may see their rates increase again around age 70.
Here are the average liability car insurance premiums for California drivers, based on age, from some top insurers in the Golden State.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, November 30 at 11:00 AM PST.
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.
Liability rates for California teens start at $108/mo.
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Average California car insurance rates by gender
In 2019, California passed the Gender Non-Discrimination in Automobile Insurance Rating Regulation, which prohibits car insurance companies from using gender as a factor in determining auto insurance premiums.[2] In many other states, gender can affect the cost of car insurance due to specific risk differences between male and female drivers.
Average California car insurance rates by marital status
Married drivers often get more affordable car insurance premiums than single drivers. Couples who combine their car insurance policies can usually qualify for multi-vehicle discounts. Married drivers in California pay about $40 less per month than single drivers for full-coverage insurance, according to Insurify data.
The table below shows the average full-coverage and minimum-coverage rates for single and married drivers in California.
Marital Status
Average Monthly Quote: Full Coverage
Average Monthly Quote: Liability Only
Married
$238
$110
Single
$277
$134
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.
Average California car insurance rates by driving record
Your driving record can have a significant effect on your car insurance premium.[3] Californians with a clean driving record usually pay a lower rate than drivers with a history of certain violations, like at-fault accidents.
However, the rate increase depends on the severity of the violation. For example, Insurify found that the average full-coverage rate for California drivers with an accident is $229 per month, while the monthly average for drivers with a clean record is only $166.
Getting a DUI will almost certainly increase your premiums. On average, California drivers with a DUI conviction pay $541 for full-coverage insurance — $269 higher than the average rate for a driver with no violations.
The table below shows the average liability-only auto insurance rates in California based on driving record.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, November 30 at 11:00 AM PST.
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.
Average California car insurance rates by credit score
In California, car insurance companies are prohibited from using credit-based insurance scores, so your credit score won’t directly affect your insurance premiums.[4] However, other rating factors, like age and driving record, could have a greater effect on the cost of your car insurance policy.
Car insurance is a legal requirement in California. If you own a vehicle, you must meet the state’s coverage requirements to register it and legally drive. Here are the types and amounts of coverage all drivers need to carry:[5]
$15,000/$30,000 for bodily injury liability: When you cause an accident,bodily injury liability insurancepays for injured drivers’ medical expenses. The $15,000 coverage limit applies to one person’s injuries in an accident, and the $30,000 coverage limit is for all injuries in an accident.
$5,000 for property damage liability: In the event of an at-fault accident, property damage liability insurance pays for the other driver’s property damage, like vehicle repairs.
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California car insurance FAQs
Here are answers to some commonly asked questions about car insurance in California.
What is the average cost of car insurance in California?
In California, the average car insurance premium is $166 per month for full coverage and $96 per month for minimum coverage. That’s $1,990 per year for full coverage and $1,154 per year for minimum coverage.
What factors affect car insurance costs in California?
Car insurance premiums in California depend on various personal factors. Your ZIP code, driving record, and age can affect your premium, as well as your vehicle type, coverage limits, and deductible.[1] The insurance company you choose may also affect the cost of your coverage. Keep in mind that insurance companies can’t use gender and credit score to determine auto insurance premiums in California.
Do car insurance rates vary by county in California?
Location-specific risks, like accident and vehicle theft rates, can affect your car insurance rates. Furthermore, California counties that are more likely to experience earthquakes or wildfires could have higher premiums.
What are the best auto insurance companies in California?
Some of the best car insurance companies in California are Clearcover, Safeco, and Travelers. But the best auto insurance company is different for every driver, depending on your location, coverage needs, and budget. Before you buy a policy, you should shop around, research several companies, and compare quotes to find the cheapest car insurance.
Is car insurance required in California?
Yes, car insurance is a legal requirement in California. The minimum requirements in California are $15,000 for bodily injury per person, $30,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $5,000 for property damage.[5]
For more protection, however, you might purchase higher coverage limits or get a full-coverage policy, which includes collision, comprehensive, medical payments, and liability insurance.
Elizabeth Rivelli is a freelance writer covering insurance and personal finance. She has extensive knowledge of various insurance lines, including property and casualty, health, and life insurance. Her byline has been featured in dozens of publications, including Investopedia, Forbes, Bankrate, NextAdvisor, and Insurance.com.
3+ years producing insurance and personal finance content
Main architect of the Insurify Quality Score
Courtney’s deep personal finance knowledge extends beyond insurance to credit cards, consumer lending, and banking. She thrives on creating actionable content.
Brett has over a decade of experience specializing in home and auto insurance. Before Insurify, he was a licensed insurance agent with Answer Financial.
