How Much Is Car Insurance in California? (2026)

How much is car insurance in California?

California drivers pay an average of $96 per month for liability insurance coverage. For full coverage, the average cost increases to $199 per month. Full-coverage car insurance is more expensive because it includes both collision and comprehensive coverage, as well as higher liability limits.

While Californians pay more on average for car insurance than drivers in Oregon and Arizona, they pay much less than drivers in Nevada. California’s overall average monthly cost of car insurance — $147 — is comparable to the national average of $142.

Take a look at the table below to see the average monthly and annual rates in California.

Coverage Type	Average Monthly Quote	Average Annual Quote
State minimum coverage	$96	$1,146
Full coverage	$199	$2,386

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.

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Minimum car insurance requirements in California

California drivers must carry a minimum amount of liability insurance to legally be on the roads. Drivers in the state don’t have to buy collision and comprehensive insurance, but it’s often a smart decision, unless your vehicle’s actual cash value is very low.

Here’s what you’ll need to meet California’s minimum car insurance requirements:^[1]

Coverage Type	California Minimum Requirement
Bodily injury liability insurance per person	$30,000
Bodily injury liability insurance per incident	$60,000
Property damage liability insurance	$15,000

Cheapest car insurance companies in California

USAA, Aspire General, and GEICO are the cheapest car insurance companies in California for liability insurance. This is the least expensive coverage type, as it meets the minimum requirements to legally drive in the state.

While these companies have the cheapest average rates, the best car insurance policy for you may be from another insurer. Your car insurance premiums depend on things like your driving record, age, and the neighborhood you live in. Insurers weigh risks differently, so it’s important to compare car insurance quotes to find the one that suits your needs best.

Take a look at the table below to see the cheapest car insurance companies in California.

The below rates in California are estimated rates current as of: Sunday, June 7 at 5:00 PM PDT. 

Insurance Company	Average Monthly Quote: Liability Only
USAA	$65
Aspire General	$69
GEICO	$71
Sun Coast	$72
Mercury	$73
National General	$73
Dairyland	$80
Root	$87
Allstate	$89
Direct Auto	$89
Farmers	$92
Anchor	$95
State Farm	$100
Bristol West	$101
Kemper Special	$103
Travelers	$105
Kemper Rsvp	$113
21st Century	$114
Nationwide	$141
Chubb	$178

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.

Average California car insurance rates by city

Lompoc has the cheapest liability rates in California, with an average monthly rate of $67. Ridgecrest has the cheapest full-coverage rates in California, with an average monthly rate of $139. Ridgecrest’s low average rates may be due in part to the city’s low property crime rate.

Beverly Hills has the most expensive liability rates in California, with an average rate of $171 per month. Beverly Hills is one of the wealthiest cities in the state and is likely home to many high-end cars, which can be expensive to repair. Glendale has the most expensive full-coverage rates in California, with an average rate of $352 per month.

California is a massive state with a wide variety of geographical features, which can contribute to differing auto insurance rates. Dense coastal cities are home to freeway corridors and large populations, and so insurance often costs more than in smaller inland cities. That said, many inland cities are at higher risk of wildfire, which can also contribute to more expensive rates.

The table below shows how average rates vary across California.

City	Average Monthly Liability-Only Quote	Average Monthly Full-Coverage Quote
Anaheim	$106	$206
Bakersfield	$80	$175
Chula Vista	$75	$170
Fresno	$82	$172
Irvine	$97	$204
Lompoc	$67	$142
Long Beach	$108	$222
Los Angeles	$145	$289
Oakland	$96	$232
Ridgecrest	$74	$139
Riverside	$93	$196
Sacramento	$98	$206
San Diego	$82	$169
San Francisco	$94	$237
San Jose	$83	$180
Santa Ana	$96	$199
Stockon	$87	$193

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.

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Average California car insurance rates by age

Age has a major effect on how much you pay for car insurance, since it indicates how much experience you have behind the wheel. Young drivers almost always pay much more than older drivers, as they have significantly less experience.

Teen drivers in California pay the highest rates of any age group in the state, with an average monthly rate of $174 for liability insurance. Senior drivers pay one of the lowest average rates, with a monthly cost of $87 for liability coverage.

Age	Average Monthly Liability-Only Quote	Average Monthly Full-Coverage Quote
Teens	$174	$361
Adults (40s)	$92	$190
Seniors	$87	$181

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.

How your driving record affects car insurance rates in California

Like age, your driving record has a significant effect on your car insurance rates, as it tells insurers exactly what kind of driver you are. Drivers with infractions almost always pay more than drivers with clean records. In California, 3.14% of drivers have a ticket, 5.26% have an at-fault accident, and 0.85% have a DUI in their driving history, according to Insurify data.

High-risk drivers pose a greater risk to insurers, so they naturally pay higher rates. While tickets and accidents increase your rates, a DUI will increase your rates drastically. Getting a DUI results in an average rate increase of 30% in California.

Look at the table below to see how your rates can increase based on driving infractions in California.

Driving Record	Average Monthly Quote in CA	% Increase Compared to Clean Driving Record
Clean driving record	$143	N/A
With accident	$178	25%
With speeding ticket	$180	26%
With DUI	$186	30%

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.

What affects car insurance rates in California?

Many factors affect car insurance rates in California, including risks specific to the state. One major factor is California’s dense urban areas, such as Los Angeles and San Francisco, which have heavy traffic and increased accident rates.

Unfortunately, wildfires heavily affect California each year, with 8,232 occurring in 2025 alone.^[2] Insurers consider this risk factor when setting rates, and cities at greater wildfire risk often have higher rates.

Additionally, California is an expensive place for just about everything, including medical expenses and labor costs.^[3] Insurers consider these factors and how they’ll affect the amount they’ll have to pay for claims, and they adjust rates accordingly.

Fortunately, California is one of a handful of states that don’t allow insurers to use credit history when setting rates. Drivers won’t have to worry about a missed credit card payment or a poor credit score having a negative effect on their car insurance rates in the Golden State.

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How California car insurance rates have changed over the past five years

Like in much of the U.S., car insurance rates in California have increased over the last five years, with a slight decrease in 2025 and early 2026. From April 2021 to December 2024, average annual California car insurance rates increased from $1,700 to $2,815.

But, as of February 2026, average rates dropped back down to $2,368 per year. Insurify projects that California car insurance rates will increase by only 1% in 2026. Part of the recent decline is likely due to insurers easing their drastic Covid-era price increases.

How to lower car insurance costs in California

Despite California’s high average auto insurance costs, you can still manage to find affordable car insurance. Here are some ways you can lower your car insurance costs in California:

• Compare auto insurance quotes from California insurers. While it’s always important to compare car insurance rates, it’s crucial to get quotes from local insurers, such as CSAA and Wawanesa. These brands may offer lower car insurance rates to local drivers than some national insurers.

• Take advantage of California’s Low Cost Auto Insurance Program (CLCA). California offers low-cost car insurance to some eligible drivers to help them satisfy the state’s minimum liability coverage requirements.^[4]

• Utilize California’s Good Driver Discount. California requires auto insurance companies to offer a discount of at least 20% to drivers who go three years without any infractions.

• Apply for discounts. Ask your insurance agent about which car insurance discounts you qualify for. Many insurance companies offer a variety of discounts, such as bundling auto and home or renters insurance, which can drastically reduce your rate.

• Raise your deductible. Increasing your deductible will immediately decrease your premium, as the two are inversely related. Make sure you can afford a higher deductible out of pocket before increasing it.

California average car insurance cost FAQs