Average Car Insurance Cost in California (2024)

The average monthly car insurance premium in California is $287 for full coverage and $137 for liability-only coverage.

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.

How much is car insurance in California?

California drivers pay an average of $287 per month for full-coverage insurance and $137 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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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 for liability-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.

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, Sun Coast and Mercury.

The table below compiles the average premiums from insurance companies in the state.

Average California car insurance rates by age

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 $318 per month, and the average rate for senior drivers is $188. 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.

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.

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 $362 per month, while the monthly average for drivers with a clean record is only $287.

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.

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.

California minimum car insurance requirements

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 insurance pays 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.

California requires insurance companies to offer uninsured and underinsured motorist insurance when you purchase a policy. But you can decline this coverage if you don’t want it.^[6]

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