What is the average cost of car insurance in California?

California drivers pay an average of $2,370 per year for a full-coverage policy and $1,133 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?

USAA has the cheapest car insurance rates in California, with a liability coverage average of $64 per month.But Aspire General also offers affordable coverage, at $68.

How much is car insurance per month in California?

California car insurance costs an average of $146 per month. The average monthly cost of liability-only coverage is $94, while the average monthly cost of full coverage is $198.

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]

Average Car Insurance Cost in California (2026)

Updated May 18, 2026

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The overall average cost of car insurance in California is $146 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 $94 per month for the state’s minimum liability insurance and $198 per month for full coverage.
USAA, Aspire General, and GEICO 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 $146 per month, according to Insurify data. But your rates will depend on the policy you choose.

California drivers pay an average of $94 per month for liability-only coverage, totaling about $1,133 per year. For full coverage, drivers pay $198 per month, totaling $2,370 annually.

Your rates may vary depending on your unique situation, so it’s important to compare car insurance rates and shop for personalized quotes.

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How California car insurance rates have changed over time

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

State Name	2024-05	2024-06	2024-07	2024-08	2024-09	2024-10	2024-11	2024-12	2025-01	2025-02	2025-03	2025-04	2025-05	2025-06	2025-07	2025-08	2025-09	2025-10	2025-11	2025-12	2026-01	2026-02	2026-03	2026-04
California	2,408	2,509	2,643	2,718	2,740	2,761	2,801	2,815	2,803	2,757	2,697	2,667	2,631	2,579	2,517	2,475	2,448	2,409	2,388	2,380	2,377	2,364	2,361	2,368
United States	2,300	2,342	2,368	2,389	2,385	2,373	2,369	2,361	2,349	2,364	2,366	2,365	2,355	2,341	2,317	2,285	2,257	2,228	2,214	2,221	2,222	2,224	2,233	2,238

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 in California are estimated rates current as of: Sunday, May 10 at 5:00 PM PDT.

City	Average Monthly Liability-Only Quote	Average Monthly Full-Coverage Quote
Lompoc	$65	$141
Hanford	$66	$142
Redding	$66	$143
Tulare	$66	$161
San Luis Obispo	$67	$143
Santa Maria	$67	$147
Visalia	$67	$156
Palm Desert	$69	$153
Chico	$70	$148
Santa Cruz	$70	$145
Watsonville	$71	$186
Ridgecrest	$72	$133
Woodland	$72	$144
La Quinta	$73	$159
Cathedral City	$74	$174
Napa	$74	$172
Chula Vista	$75	$167
Palm Springs	$75	$176
Petaluma	$75	$165
Hollister	$76	$164
Saratoga	$76	$169
Dublin	$77	$181
San Ramon	$77	$189
Santa Barbara	$77	$160
Santa Rosa	$77	$177
Yuba City	$77	$172
Bakersfield	$78	$172
Beaumont	$78	$172
Campbell	$78	$146
Concord	$78	$183
Fremont	$78	$187
Pacifica	$78	$155
San Mateo	$78	$211
Oxnard	$79	$182
El Cerrito	$80	$189
Fresno	$80	$171
Lodi	$80	$177
Milpitas	$80	$176
San Diego	$80	$168
Santa Clara	$80	$182
Fairfield	$81	$188
La Mesa	$81	$153
San Clemente	$81	$164
San Jose	$81	$179
San Marcos	$81	$164
Santee	$81	$154
National City	$82	$177
Oceanside	$82	$170
Palo Alto	$82	$185
Poway	$82	$142
Vista	$82	$161
Ceres	$83	$180
Cupertino	$83	$193
Novato	$83	$166
Pittsburg	$83	$203
Brentwood	$84	$169
Hemet	$84	$174
Temecula	$84	$167
Antioch	$85	$205
Lathrop	$85	$193
Stockton	$85	$192
Tracy	$87	$189
Modesto	$88	$185
Aliso Viejo	$89	$178
Roseville	$89	$178
Camarillo	$90	$180
Colton	$90	$189
Folsom	$90	$178
Lake Forest	$90	$166
Moreno Valley	$90	$189
Brea	$91	$177
Elk Grove	$91	$182
South San Francisco	$91	$200
Berkeley	$92	$201
Redlands	$92	$176
Riverside	$92	$193
San Leandro	$92	$209
Richmond	$93	$253
Santa Ana	$93	$195
Hesperia	$94	$200
Irvine	$94	$201
Laguna Niguel	$94	$179
Norco	$94	$187
Oakland	$94	$228
Rialto	$94	$203
San Bernardino	$94	$206
San Francisco	$94	$236
West Sacramento	$94	$176
Wildomar	$94	$189
Chino	$95	$185
Placentia	$95	$189
Newport Beach	$96	$199
Sacramento	$96	$203
Thousand Oaks	$96	$187
Victorville	$96	$209
Adelanto	$97	$208
Orange	$97	$190
Ontario	$98	$198
Chino Hills	$100	$190
San Pedro	$100	$214
Torrance	$100	$214
La Mirada	$101	$204
Anaheim	$102	$201
Buena Park	$102	$205
La Puente	$102	$210
Azusa	$103	$212
Rancho Cucamonga	$103	$198
Fountain Valley	$104	$188
Paramount	$104	$220
Diamond Bar	$105	$214
Bell Gardens	$106	$238
Carson	$106	$224
Cypress	$106	$190
Long Beach	$106	$220
Norwalk	$106	$213
Covina	$109	$204
Cerritos	$110	$226
El Monte	$112	$231
Lancaster	$113	$227
Walnut	$113	$231
Lynwood	$114	$259
Santa Clarita	$114	$226
Pasadena	$118	$242
Compton	$119	$256
Culver City	$119	$226
Temple City	$120	$254
Santa Monica	$122	$254
San Gabriel	$128	$236
Inglewood	$129	$253
Burbank	$138	$268
Los Angeles	$141	$286
Studio City	$146	$285
West Hollywood	$149	$321
Northridge	$154	$310
Winnetka	$156	$300
Reseda	$158	$314
Beverly Hills	$164	$334
Glendale	$164	$348

Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time California car insurance quotes from Insurify's 500+ partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual car insurance quotes in California may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

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.

Male Drivers

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 is based on real-time California quotes from Insurify’s network of 500+ insurance partners. Actual rates may vary depending on the policyholder’s individual profile and coverage needs.

Female Drivers

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

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

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%

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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 $2,370 per year for a full-coverage policy and $1,133 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?
USAA has the cheapest car insurance rates in California, with a liability coverage average of $64 per month.
But Aspire General also offers affordable coverage, at $68.
How much is car insurance per month in California?
California car insurance costs an average of $146 per month. The average monthly cost of liability-only coverage is $94, while the average monthly cost of full coverage is $198.
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]

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."

Methodology

Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 190 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 500+ 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

Full-coverage premium averages correspond to the same bodily injury and property damage limits in addition to:

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.

Written byErin Gobler

Erin Gobler

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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