Average Car Insurance Cost in California (2025)
Drivers in California pay an average of $171 per month for car insurance.
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Written byErin Gobler
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Over 5 years of experience in financial writing
Certified in financial planning by Boston University
Erin is a writer and journalist specializing in personal finance. With more than five years of experience, Erin has covered topics such as credit cards, mortgages, insurance, and more.
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Edited byLequita Westbrooks
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Lequita Westbrooks is a Senior Editor at Insurify. With extensive experience in writing and editing across industries like insurance, personal finance, higher education, and more, she’s passionate about helping readers understand complex topics so they can make informed financial decisions and save money.
Outside of work, Lequita enjoys reading and spending time with her family (and two pups: Bella and Simba).
She holds a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of South Florida.
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Table of contents
The overall average cost of car insurance in California is $171 per month, which makes it more expensive than the national average.
The state previously froze car insurance rates because of the pandemic, but lifted the freeze a couple of years ago, which has caused rates to increase. Other factors that may contribute to California’s above-average rates include its dense cities and its high rate of uninsured drivers.[1]
With California’s rising rates, it’s important to understand how various factors affect your premiums and how you can save money on your car insurance. Here’s what you need to know about car insurance rates in California.
Quick Facts
The average cost of car insurance in California is $104 per month for the state’s minimum liability insurance and $238 per month for full coverage.
Mile Auto, USAA, and Root are the cheapest car insurance companies in California.
Santa Barbara has the cheapest car insurance rates in California, while Glendale has the most expensive.
How much is car insurance in California?
The average cost of car insurance in California is $171 per month, according to Insurify data. But your rates will depend on the policy you choose.
California drivers pay an average of $104 per month for liability-only coverage, totaling about $1,243 per year. For full coverage, drivers pay $238 per month, totaling $2,853 annually.
Your rates may vary depending on your unique situation, so it’s important to shop for personalized quotes.
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How California car insurance rates have changed over time
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To find car insurance rates in California and the U.S. over the last two years, download our data here.
The average yearly price for full-coverage car insurance in California rose to more than $2,500 in 2024, up significantly over rates from just a few years ago. Full-coverage rates also rose nationally, though not nearly as much as in California.
See how California car insurance prices have changed over the past two years below.
Average California Car Insurance Rates Over the Past Two Years
Rates in this chart are two-year rolling medians in order to manage extreme market volatility seen over the past few years. Rates on the rest of the page reflect one-year rolling medians in order to prioritize the freshest data available.
Average California car insurance rates by city
Car insurance rates often vary by city and ZIP code. Rates may be higher in areas with greater population density, more car accidents, a higher crime rate, or other risk factors. The table below shows the average cost of car insurance in several major California cities.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Tuesday, April 1 at 12:00 PM PDT.
City  | Average Monthly Liability-Only Quote | Average Monthly Full-Coverage Quote |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Maria | $80 | $193 |
| Chula Vista | $92 | $203 |
| Oxnard | $92 | $215 |
| Bakersfield | $93 | $229 |
| Fresno | $95 | $209 |
| San Diego | $96 | $217 |
| Santa Barbara | $96 | $180 |
| Stockton | $100 | $253 |
| San Jose | $103 | $239 |
| Modesto | $104 | $235 |
| Riverside | $105 | $237 |
| Victorville | $106 | $240 |
| Fremont | $108 | $258 |
| Moreno Valley | $108 | $253 |
| Temecula | $110 | $222 |
| San Bernardino | $110 | $255 |
| Santa Ana | $110 | $236 |
| Elk Grove | $111 | $248 |
| Anaheim | $117 | $257 |
| Berkeley | $117 | $296 |
| Sacramento | $118 | $263 |
| Oakland | $120 | $309 |
| San Francisco | $128 | $310 |
| Long Beach | $129 | $277 |
| Los Angeles | $179 | $366 |
| Glendale | $211 | $440 |
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.
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Learn More: Car Insurance Requirements in California
Average California car insurance rates by age and gender
In most states, both age and gender can affect your car insurance rates. Historically, women have paid lower insurance rates because they tend to get into fewer accidents and have less severe crashes than men.[2] But recent data suggests that in many states, women are actually paying more for car insurance.[3]
Since 2019, California law bars insurers from using gender as a rating factor for private passenger car insurance premiums.[4]
Your age can also have a significant effect on your premiums. Younger drivers, especially teens, usually pay the highest premiums. Meanwhile, older drivers, such as those in their 50s and 60s, often enjoy some of the lowest rates (though they sometimes increase again around age 70).
The table below shows average car insurance rates by age and gender in California.
Age | Average Monthly Liability-Only Quote | Average Monthly Full-Coverage Quote |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | $257 | $542 |
| 18 | $223 | $471 |
| 20 | $162 | $343 |
| 25 | $146 | $308 |
| 30 | $130 | $272 |
| 40 | $121 | $256 |
| 50 | $118 | $250 |
| 60 | $109 | $231 |
| 70+ | $111 | $235 |
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.
Age | Average Monthly Liability-Only Quote | Average Monthly Full-Coverage Quote |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | $247 | $521 |
| 18 | $215 | $453 |
| 20 | $156 | $329 |
| 25 | $140 | $295 |
| 30 | $124 | $262 |
| 40 | $117 | $246 |
| 50 | $114 | $240 |
| 60 | $105 | $221 |
| 70+ | $107 | $225 |
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 cost to insure popular vehicles in California
Another factor that can affect your insurance rates is the type of vehicle you drive. While newer vehicles are more expensive to repair and replace, they often come with safety features that can reduce the frequency and severity of accidents.
California drivers may choose Teslas because of their cutting-edge technology and eco-friendly reputation. Toyota and Honda models may appeal to drivers who want reliability, fuel efficiency, and lower emissions.
See the table below for the average insurance premiums for the most popular vehicles in California, according to Edmunds.
Vehicle | Average Monthly Quote |
|---|---|
| Tesla Model Y | $458 |
| Tesla Model 3 | $505 |
| Toyota RAV4 | $255 |
| Toyota Camry | $307 |
| Honda CR-V | $232 |
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.
How your driving record affects car insurance rates in California
One of the most important factors that affects your insurance rates is your driving record. Generally speaking, drivers with clean records get the lowest insurance rates, while those with violations, such as accidents, speeding tickets, or DUIs, often pay higher rates.
The rate increase after a driving violation differs depending on its severity. For example, you’ll likely see a larger rate increase after a DUI than you would after a speeding ticket or a minor accident.
The table below compares average quotes for a sample California driver profile with an incident on their record.
Driver Record | Average Monthly Quote | % Increase Compared to Good Drivers |
|---|---|---|
| With accident | $245 | 19% |
| With speeding ticket | $261 | 32% |
| With DUI | $285 | 44% |
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.
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How to lower your insurance costs in California
No matter how your insurance quote compares to the average rate in California, you can take some steps to lower your premiums:
Shop around for quotes
One of the most effective ways to lower your insurance costs is to get quotes from several different companies to find the best rate. Premiums can vary from one insurance company to the next, so the cheapest company for one driver may not be the cheapest for another.
Raise your deductible
You can save by increasing your insurance deductible. The higher your deductible, the lower your premiums, and vice versa. But make sure you have enough savings to cover your deductible if you have to file a claim.
Lower your coverage limits
You may be able to lower your rates by reducing your coverage limits or eliminating certain coverages altogether. But it’s important to find the right balance to make sure you still have enough coverage.
Bundle your policies
Many insurance companies offer bundling discounts when you buy your car insurance policy with other insurance products, such as home insurance, renters insurance, or life insurance.
Drive safely
Drivers with clean records are usually eligible for the best rates. Additionally, many insurers offer discounts for good drivers, including telematics programs that track your driving and offer savings when you drive safely.
Look for other discounts
Insurers offer many different car insurance discounts. When shopping for car insurance, ask your insurer about the discounts you qualify for to save on your premiums.
In most states, you could get lower insurance premiums by maintaining good credit. But keep in mind that California bans insurance companies from using credit history as a rating factor for insurance. That means you don’t have to worry about poor credit making your insurance more expensive.[5]
California average car insurance cost FAQs
Finding affordable car insurance in California doesn’t have to be hard. Here are a few more things to know about car insurance and the average rates in California.
What is the average cost of car insurance in California?
California drivers pay an average of $2,853 per year for a full-coverage policy and $1,243 per year for a liability-only policy. But remember, your rates can vary significantly depending on the coverage you choose and other factors, like your driving history.
What is the cheapest car insurance company in California?
Mile Auto has the cheapest car insurance rates in California, with a liability coverage average of $61 per month.
But USAA also offers affordable coverage, at $91.
How much is car insurance per month in California?
California car insurance costs an average of $171 per month. The average monthly cost of liability-only coverage is $104, while the average monthly cost of full coverage is $238.
What are the best auto insurance companies in California?
The best car insurance company for you depends on your personal situation, budget, and other factors. Our research shows that State Farm, Metromile, and USAA are some of the best insurers in California. State Farm is best for most drivers, Metromile is best for drivers looking for low-mileage drivers, and USAA caters to military members and eligible families.
What are the car insurance requirements in California?
Drivers in California must carry at least $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident of bodily injury liability insurance and at least $15,000 of property damage liability insurance. Unlike some states, California’s minimum coverage doesn’t include uninsured motorist coverage.[6]
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 50+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).
Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:
- Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
- Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
- No additional coverage
- Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
- Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
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Sources
- III. "Facts + Statistics: Uninsured motorists."
- III. "What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?."
- Consumerfed.org. "Report Finds Gender Disparity in Auto Insurance Premiums, Women Charged More for Same Coverage · Consumer Federation of America."
- California Department of Insurance. "Commissioner issues regulations prohibiting gender discrimination in automobile insurance rates."
- Credit-Based Insurance Scores. "Insurance Topics."
- California DMV. "Auto Insurance Requirements."
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Erin Gobler
Erin Gobler is a personal finance writer and journalist based in Madison, Wisconsin. With more than five years of experience, Erin has covered topics such as investing, credit cards, mortgages, insurance, and more. Her work has been featured in major publications like Business Insider, Fox Business, and Time. Erin received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh in 2013, studying journalism and political science. She also received a certificate of financial planning from Boston University in 2022.
Lequita Westbrooks is a Senior Editor at Insurify. With extensive experience in writing and editing across industries like insurance, personal finance, higher education, and more, she’s passionate about helping readers understand complex topics so they can make informed financial decisions and save money.
Outside of work, Lequita enjoys reading and spending time with her family (and two pups: Bella and Simba).
She holds a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of South Florida.