Cheapest Auto Insurance in California (2024)

GEICO has some of the lowest car insurance rates in California, at $62 per month for liability-only insurance and $115 for full coverage.

Amy Beardsley
Written byAmy Beardsley
Photo of an Insurify author
Amy BeardsleyInsurance Writer
  • 3+ years writing about auto, home, and life insurance

  • 7+ years in personal finance and technology

Amy specializes in insurance and technology writing and has a talent for transforming complex topics into easy-to-understand stories.

Featured in

media logomedia logo
Courtney Mikulski
Courtney MikulskiSenior Editor, Auto
  • 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.

Featured in

media logomedia logo
Mark Friedlander
Reviewed byMark Friedlander
Mark Friedlander
Mark FriedlanderDirector, Corporate Communications
  • Corporate communications director for Insurance Information Institute

  • 20+ years in insurance and communications

As Director, Corporate Communications for Triple-I, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.

Konstantin Halachev
Data reviewed byKonstantin Halachev
Headshot of Konstantin Halachev, VP of Engineering at Insurify
Konstantin HalachevVice President of Engineering
  • 7+ years experience in data analysis

  • Ph.D. in Computational Biology

Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.

Updated March 14, 2024

Save up to $717 by comparing quotes from the top 100+ insurance companies

Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
Based on 3,806+ reviews
4.8/5
Shopper Approved
ProgressiveLiberty MutualTravelers
Advertiser Disclosure

At Insurify, our goal is to help customers compare insurance products and find the best policy for them. We strive to provide open, honest, and unbiased information about the insurance products and services we review. Our hard-working team of data analysts, insurance experts, insurance agents, editors and writers, has put in thousands of hours of research to create the content found on our site.

We do receive compensation when a sale or referral occurs from many of the insurance providers and marketing partners on our site. That may impact which products we display and where they appear on our site. But it does not influence our meticulously researched editorial content, what we write about, or any reviews or recommendations we may make. We do not guarantee favorable reviews or any coverage at all in exchange for compensation.

Why you can trust Insurify: Comparing accurate insurance quotes should never put you at risk of spam. We earn an agent commission only if you buy a policy based on our quotes. Our editorial team follows a rigorous set of editorial standards and operates independently from our insurance partners. Learn more.

Cheapest recent rates in California

Drivers using Insurify have found quotes as cheap as $57/mo for liability only and $114/mo for full coverage in California.

*Quotes generated for Insurify users from California within the last 10 days. Last updated on March 14, 2024

Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 100+ insurance companies and Quadrant Information Services data. Insurify’s algorithm excludes anomalous quotes and anonymizes personal details, then displays refined quotes by price, date, and insurer popularity up to 10 days ago from March 14, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

*Quotes generated for Insurify users from California within the last 10 days. Last updated on March 14, 2024

Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 100+ insurance companies and Quadrant Information Services data. Insurify’s algorithm excludes anomalous quotes and anonymizes personal details, then displays refined quotes by price, date, and insurer popularity up to 10 days ago from March 14, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

California drivers pay an overall average of $127 a month for car insurance. Insurify’s analysts expect costs to rise over the next 12 to 18 months. The end of California’s freeze on rate hikes, the state’s high risk of weather-related damage, and the rising cost of auto body parts will drive the increase.

USAA, GEICO, and Safeco consistently offer cheap car insurance in California, each with average liability-only rates of less than $80 a month. The average quote for a California liability-only car insurance policy is $90 per month, while a full-coverage policy costs $163 per month. By comparison, the national average rates are $106 for liability-only insurance and $172 for full coverage.

Here’s how to research the best car insurance companies in California to find the right one for you.

Quick Facts
  • California drivers with a DUI on their record pay over 50% more for car insurance than drivers with clean records.

  • USAA and GEICO are the cheapest liability insurance companies in California, according to Insurify data.

  • California’s “comparative negligence” law can limit your reimbursement amount after an accident.

Cheapest car insurance companies in California

Finding the best car insurance company for you depends on your specific needs and circumstances.

Insurance CompanyIQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
Average Monthly QuoteAverage Annual QuoteBest for
GEICO4.3$70$840Liability-only
Safeco3.7$72$864Full coverage
Hugo3$74$888Temporary coverage
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.
  • Insurify uses an in-house, proprietary method to rate and review the best car insurance companies. The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 crucial criteria, including average premiums, customer satisfaction, discounts, third-party ratings, and more, to calculate a final score for a company.

    Criteria are weighted by importance to the consumer — factors such as customer reviews and affordability influence the score more than availability and third-party ratings. With the IQ Score, Insurify is able to provide quantitative ratings for drivers to better compare car insurance companies and make informed decisions to meet their coverage needs.

USAA and GEICO have the lowest average quotes for liability-only coverage in the Golden State. However, your circumstances and insurance needs will play a major role in finding the best rate. Here are the cheapest car insurance companies in California for different drivers.

Best company for liability-only coverage: GEICO

Compare personalized, real-time quotes
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
4.3
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
824
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$134/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$287/mo

GEICO has the second-largest market share of any insurer in the U.S., tied with Progressive and Allstate and second to only State Farm. The company is a reliable choice for those looking for car insurance, with A.M. Best giving it its highest financial rating. 

Pros
  • Usage-based insurance program known as DriveEasy

  • Offers accident forgiveness

Cons
  • Rideshare insurance not available 

  • Doesn’t offer gap insurance

Everything good except the price.

RAY - December 4, 2023
Verified

I have not had problems; prices just remain high with little to no customer service and little benefit from 26+ years of customer loyalty.

Elizabeth - December 3, 2023
Verified

I had been with them a few years until they started raising my rates every time I was up for renewal. I got a new quote from another company that was $50 less than GEICO for the same coverage. That's not how to show customer loyalty, and it's the reason GEICO lost me as a customer.

Denise - December 3, 2023
Verified
Read our GEICO review

Best company for full coverage: Safeco

Compare personalized, real-time quotes
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
3.7
A.M. Best
A.M. Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor).
A
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$101/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$167/mo

Liberty Mutual is Safeco’s parent company, acquiring it in 2008. The company offers coverage in all 50 states. Safeco has the highest customer satisfaction score in J.D. Power’s 2022 digital experience study, making it a great option for those looking for car insurance. 

Pros
  • High customer service ratings 

  • Offers accident forgiveness 

Cons
  • No rideshare insurance available in California

Significant price increase! Over twenty-two dollars monthly, without any driving changes. No accidents or tickets.

BILLY - December 4, 2023
Verified

Quality price & service.

Emery - September 21, 2023
Verified

They are really patient over the phone, and anytime I can change something on my policy online.

Mildred - August 30, 2023
Verified
Read our Safeco review

Best company for temporary insurance: Hugo

Compare personalized, real-time quotes
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
3
A.M. Best
A.M. Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor).
NR
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$48/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$55/mo

Hugo is the cheapest car insurance in California for temporary coverage. The average cost is $74 per month for liability only and $105 for full coverage. It’s also one of the best car insurance companies, with an average rating of 4.8 from 7,418 reviews on Trustpilot. However, Hugo’s 3.0 IQ Score indicates it may not be the right fit for the average driver.

Pros
  • Short-term policy options starting at three days

  • No down payments or up-front fees

Cons
  • Few options to customize policy coverage

  • May not be cost-effective for daily drivers

Can’t get anyone to help me with my issues.

Melissa - October 24, 2023
Verified

Excellent price.

Ingrid - October 11, 2023
Verified

They have been honest.

Jason - September 24, 2023
Verified
Read our Hugo review

California’s low-cost auto insurance plan

California’s Low Cost Automobile Insurance program (CLCA) exists to help drivers afford car insurance amid rising rates. Car insurance through the CLCA costs $232 to $932 a year. To be eligible for the program, you must:

  • Have a valid California driver’s license

  • Meet income eligibility requirements

  • Own a vehicle valued at $25,000 or less

  • Be at least 16 years old

  • Have a good driving record or be a new driver

The program’s auto insurance meets minimum liability requirements, but drivers can add medical payments and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage for $37 to $107 a year. Drivers can apply for the program online at MyLowCostAuto.com.

How to get the cheapest car insurance in California

Your specific needs and circumstances can influence which insurance company is the cheapest for you. Insurers consider several factors to determine your premium, including your age, driving record, type of car, and the city where you live.[1] Here are a few tips to help you find the most affordable car insurance in California:

  • Consider usage-based insurance. Some companies, like Mile Auto, may offer the lowest premiums if you only drive a little.

  • Keep a clean driving record. At-fault accidents and traffic violations can raise your premiums, so safe driving can lead to significant savings.

  • Take advantage of discounts. Discounts for safe driving, bundling policies, or even for driving a hybrid or electric car can cut down your car insurance quote.

  • Increase your deductible. While you’ll pay more out of pocket if you file a claim, a higher deductible can significantly lower your monthly premium.

  • Shop around. Comparing quotes from multiple insurers is essential because rates can vary quite a bit from one company to the next.

Cheapest liability-only car insurance in California: USAA

Liability-only car insurance coverage pays for the policyholder’s legal responsibility to others for bodily injury or property damage,” says Mark Friedlander, director of corporate communications at the Insurance Information Institute. It doesn’t cover repairs or medical expenses for you or your vehicle.

Because it covers so little compared to other policy types, liability usually has the cheapest car insurance rates available. Here’s what you can expect to pay for liability-only insurance with different companies in California:

Insurance CompanyAverage Monthly Quote
USAA$62
GEICO$70
Safeco$72
Hugo$74
Allstate$87
Liberty Mutual$92
American Family$104
National General$116
Farmers$135
Progressive$144
The General$151
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.

Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in California: USAA

A liability-only policy covers damages and injuries to others in an accident you cause, but full-coverage insurance also includes protection for your vehicle. Full coverage is generally the better choice if you drive a newer or more valuable car. It includes comprehensive coverage, which pays for damage from theft, vandalism, and natural disasters, and collision coverage, which pays for car damages from an accident, even if you’re at fault.

Here’s a look at some of the cheapest auto insurance companies for full coverage in California:

Insurance CompanyAverage Monthly Quote
USAA$106
GEICO$115
Safeco$119
Hugo$105
Allstate$144
Liberty Mutual$158
American Family$177
National General$213
Farmers$218
Progressive$201
The General$241
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.

Estimate your California car insurance costs

Select discounts that apply to you
Save 26%
Save 5%
Save 19%
Save 37%
Age
Credit Score
Are you insured
Your estimated deal

*Estimate based on a market average of rates provided to other users like you.

Select discounts that apply to you

Are car insurance rates in California going to increase?

Car insurance rates have been relatively stable in California for the last few years. That’s because California’s consumer protection laws that regulate insurance rates imposed a two-year freeze on rate hikes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

But premiums will probably increase over the next 12 to 18 months.

Currently, the average annual cost of car insurance in California is $1,518, a 17% increase from 2022. This price may rise a further 4% through the end of the year, and Californians may see fewer options than before, according to Insurify’s 2023 Mid-Year Auto Report.

The combination of California’s car insurance laws and its high risk of severe weather events — more than 50% of counties are at a relatively high or high risk — have made it difficult for insurers to price policies adequately. 

Insurance companies are beginning to stop offering auto coverage in the state:

  • State Farm stopped quoting California car insurance rates by phone.

  • GEICO has closed its offices in the state.

  • Progressive has paused advertising in the state.

The crisis also extends to property coverage. In 2023, State Farm and Allstate stopped writing new business and homeowners policies in California.

With more insurers pulling out of California and rates on the rise, it’s now more important than ever for California drivers to shop around and compare prices before buying policies.

Car insurance requirements in California

California is an at-fault state for car insurance. However, it uses “comparative negligence,” so each driver can end up shouldering part of the blame. For instance, if you sue another driver for causing an accident, the court may find that you’re 15% at fault because you were driving a little too fast at the time. In this case, you can only collect 85% of the damages.[2] [3]

If you plan to drive in California, you must have auto insurance that meets the state's minimum liability requirements. Here’s the minimum coverage you need in California:[4]

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/x/f2ca9fa443/protection-for-passengers.svg

    Bodily injury liability

    • $15,000 per person

    • $30,000 per accident

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/x/7b43b14514/damage-from-aircraft.svg

    Property damage liability

    • $5,000

For more protection, California auto insurance companies have several optional insurance coverages you can buy:

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/x/5285c4cd74/uninsured-or-underinsured-motorist-coverage.svg

    Uninsured/underinsured motorist

    Covers you in case of an accident with a driver who doesn’t have insurance or has insufficient coverage

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/x/4c9753bdbe/medical-payments.svg

    Medical payments coverage

    Helps pay for medical expenses resulting from an accident, regardless of fault

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/x/169fdfde11/liability-coverage.svg

    Collision insurance

    Covers the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle if it collides with another car or object

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/x/665da91bf7/comprehensive-coverage.svg

    Comprehensive insurance

    Protects against non-collision incidents, like theft, vandalism, fire, and natural disasters

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/x/73ee7a876e/repair.svg

    Custom equipment

    Protects aftermarket additions or modifications you make to your vehicle, such as stereos, custom wheels, or navigation systems

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/100x100/9997698e9e/emergency-roadside-service.svg

    Towing and roadside assistance

    Pays for help during breakdowns, providing towing, tire changes, and fuel-delivery services

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/100x100/24f1697280/car-key.svg

    Rental reimbursement coverage

    Helps offset the cost of a rental car while your car is in the shop due to a covered claim

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/x/abffe6238f/financial-protection.svg

    Gap insurance

    Pays the difference between the actual cash value and the outstanding balance you owe on a car lease or loan if your car is totaled

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident

Car insurance companies see you as a high-risk driver if your history includes incidents like at-fault accidents, speeding tickets, or DUIs. Higher risk can lead to higher rates for car insurance.[1] For instance, California drivers with a DUI pay nearly double what good drivers with a clean record pay.

Find Cheap Car Insurance in California

Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
Based on 3,806+ reviews
4.8/5
Shopper Approved
ProgressiveLiberty MutualTravelers

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket: USAA

Despite the higher risk, several insurers in California offer competitive rates for drivers with speeding tickets on their records. Note the differences in premiums between companies — the average monthly quote for a driver with a speeding ticket is around $90 with GEICO but nearly $200 with The General.

Insurance CompanyAverage Quote: Liability OnlyAverage Quote: Full Coverage
USAA$81$137
GEICO$91$149
Safeco$94$154
Hugo$96$137
Allstate$114$188
Liberty Mutual$119$205
American Family$135$231
National General$151$277
Farmers$175$284
Progressive$187$261
The General$196$313
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.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident: USAA

Accidents happen. A fender bender or more serious crash can cause your premiums to rise for at least three years, but it doesn’t mean you’ll never get affordable coverage again.[5]

Consider starting your search for coverage after an at-fault accident with policies from the following California auto insurers:

Insurance CompanyAverage Quote: Liability OnlyAverage Quote: Full Coverage
USAA$87$148
GEICO$98$160
Safeco$101$166
Hugo$104$147
Allstate$122$202
Liberty Mutual$129$221
American Family$145$248
National General$163$299
Farmers$189$306
Progressive$201$282
The General$211$338
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.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI: USAA

Getting cheap car insurance in California can be difficult if you have a DUI. Fortunately, several companies specialize in high-risk coverage, offering competitive rates if you have a DUI on your driving record or need to have your insurer file an SR-22 in California. To help get the lowest rate, ask for car insurance discounts and consider telematics programs to demonstrate your commitment to safer driving habits.

Insurance CompanyAverage Quote: Liability OnlyAverage Quote: Full Coverage
USAA$97$164
GEICO$109$178
Safeco$112$184
Hugo$115$163
Allstate$135$224
Liberty Mutual$142$245
American Family$161$275
National General$181$331
Farmers$209$338
Progressive$223$312
The General$233$374
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.

Cheapest car insurance for seniors: USAA

Car insurance costs tend to decrease around age 25 due to having more experience and a generally lower likelihood of risky behavior.[1] However, seniors face rising rates due to higher risk. Fatal crash rates jump significantly around ages 70 to 74, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).[6] Here are the cheapest California car insurance companies for senior drivers:

Insurance CompanyAverage Quote: Liability OnlyAverage Quote: Full Coverage
USAA$47$79
GEICO$53$86
Safeco$54$89
Hugo$56$79
Allstate$66$108
Liberty Mutual$69$118
American Family$78$133
National General$87$160
Farmers$101$164
Progressive$108$151
The General$113$181
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.

Cheapest car insurance for teens: USAA

Auto insurance rates for young drivers tend to be significantly higher than those for adults due to limited driving experience and higher accident risks. In general, graduated licensing programs cause fatal crash rates to decrease over time, but they remain nearly two times higher than for drivers ages 20 and older, according to the IIHS.[7]

To make coverage costs more affordable, consider staying on your parents’ policy and driving a safe, reliable, older vehicle. If you maintain good grades, you may qualify for a good student discount that can get you even lower rates.

Insurance CompanyAverage Quote: Liability OnlyAverage Quote: Full Coverage
USAA$92$156
GEICO$104$170
Safeco$107$176
Hugo$110$156
Allstate$129$214
Liberty Mutual$136$234
American Family$153$263
National General$172$316
Farmers$200$323
Progressive$213$298
The General$223$357
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.

Find Car Insurance in California

Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
Based on 3,806+ reviews
4.8/5
Shopper Approved
ProgressiveLiberty MutualTravelers

California car insurance FAQs

Check out Insurify’s guide on car insurance declaration pages to better understand what your policy includes. You can also read the following answers to commonly asked questions about car insurance in California.

  • How much is car insurance in California?

    Car insurance in California costs an average of $127 a month. In California, full-coverage car insurance costs an average of $163 a month, and liability-only insurance is $90 a month.

  • Who has the cheapest car insurance in California?

    The cheapest car insurance companies for liability-only coverage in California are GEICO, Safeco, and Hugo. These companies all have average quotes of less than $100 a month for California drivers.

  • What are the best car insurance companies in California?

    USAA, GEICO, and Allstate are among the best car insurance companies in California. These companies have average monthly quotes comparable to the state average, high customer satisfaction scores, strong financial ratings, and solid Insurify Quality Scores. However, drivers should compare quotes with multiple companies to find the best insurer for their needs.

  • Is California a no-fault state?

    No. California follows a fault-based system, which means drivers who cause damages or injuries in an accident are responsible for reimbursing the other parties, typically through their liability policies.

  • Do you need uninsured motorist coverage in California?

    California doesn’t require drivers to purchase uninsured motorist coverage, but it’s a beneficial addition to insurance policies. If a driver without insurance — or with insufficient coverage — damages your car or injures you in an accident, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage can help pay for your losses. UM/UIM also covers losses from hit and runs.

  • Can car insurance companies in California use your credit score to determine rates?

    California law prohibits insurance companies from using consumer credit information, gender, or ZIP code when making rating decisions. However, most states allow the use of credit as a rating factor, while a handful of others restrict how insurers can use credit information for rating decisions.

Insurify Insights

How California Drivers Measure Up

While most drivers know that car insurance quotes are determined in part by your personal driving history, many may be unaware that rates are also impacted by the average risk of the drivers around you as well. Check out Insurify's latest analysis of driving records in California below:

Methodology

Drawing from an internal database of over 4 million car insurance applications, the research team at Insurify analyzes patterns in car ownership and driver behavior - including how California drivers measure up to their fellow motorists across the United States in areas including speeding, DUIs, and more.
Insurify Insights publishes data-driven articles, trend analyses, and national rankings each week on all factors related to cars and those who drive them.

honda

Honda Civic

Most Popular Car in California

#39

State with the Most Speeding Tickets Rank

#26

State with the Moving Violations Rank

#15

State with the Most DUIs Rank

#26

State with the most Suspended Licenses

  • While car accidents are a sadly unavoidable feature of time spent on the road, rates of accidents do vary from city to city and from state to state. California is the #17 state in the country for drivers with an at-fault accident on their driving record.

    • Rank among states: #17
    • Percent of drivers in California with an accident: 9.4%
  • While driving while intoxicated is never acceptable, it’s a more common offense than many assume. California is the #15 state in the country for drivers with a prior drunk driving conviction.

    • Rank among states: #15
    • Percent of drivers in California with a DUI: 1.8%
  • Reckless driving refers to a specific traffic violation: when drivers willfully act dangerously in spite of the risks they’re imposing on both themselves and others. California is the #23 state in the country for drivers with a reckless driving offense on record.

    • Rank among states: #23
    • Percent of drivers in California with a reckless driving offense: 1.3%
  • The Insurify team classifies rude drivers as those who commit one or more of the following driving offenses: failure to yield or failure to stop, improper backing, passing where prohibited, tailgating, street racing, or hit-and-run. California is the #23 state in the country for drivers with a rude driving violation on record.

    • Rank among states: #23
    • Percent of drivers in California with a rude driving violation: 1.5%
  • Exceeding the speed limit can endanger others and have a serious impact on your insurance costs. California is the #39 state in the country for drivers with a speeding ticket on record.

    • Rank among states: #39
    • Percent of drivers in California with a speeding ticket: 6.9%
  • Failing to yield the right of way isn’t just frustrating for other drivers; it’s dangerous, too. California is the #38 state in the country for drivers with a failure to yield violation on record.

    • Rank among states: #38
    • Percent of drivers in California with a failure to yield violation: 0.1%
Insurify Insights

Insurify's team of data scientists and content specialists presents Insurify Insights, a series of automotive, home, and health studies focusing on the topics that impact us all. through expert analysis of over 4 million car insurance applications and an array of top data sources, the Insurify Insights team produces new data-driven articles, trend analyses, regional superlatives, and national rankings every week. See Insurify Insights as featured in Forbes, Fox News, USA Today, NPR, and more.

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
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.

Sources

  1. III. "What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?." Accessed June 21, 2023
  2. California Department of Insurance. "Automobile Insurance Terms." Accessed June 21, 2023
  3. California Department of Insurance. "Automobile Insurance." Accessed June 21, 2023
  4. California Department of Insurance. "Automobile Insurance Information Guide." Accessed June 21, 2023
  5. III. "Do auto insurance premiums go up after a claim?." Accessed June 21, 2023
  6. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. "Fatality Facts 2021: Older people." Accessed June 21, 2023
  7. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. "Fatality Facts 2021: Teenagers." Accessed June 21, 2023
Amy Beardsley
Amy BeardsleyInsurance Writer

Amy is a personal finance and technology writer. With a background in the legal field and a bachelor's degree from Ferris State University, she has a talent for transforming complex topics into content that’s easy to understand. Connect with Amy on LinkedIn.

Courtney Mikulski
Edited byCourtney MikulskiSenior Editor, Auto
Courtney Mikulski
Courtney MikulskiSenior Editor, Auto
  • 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.

Featured in

media logomedia logo
Mark Friedlander
Reviewed byMark FriedlanderDirector, Corporate Communications
Mark Friedlander
Mark FriedlanderDirector, Corporate Communications
  • Corporate communications director for Insurance Information Institute

  • 20+ years in insurance and communications

As Director, Corporate Communications for Triple-I, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.

Konstantin Halachev
Data reviewed byKonstantin HalachevVice President of Engineering
Headshot of Konstantin Halachev, VP of Engineering at Insurify
Konstantin HalachevVice President of Engineering
  • 7+ years experience in data analysis

  • Ph.D. in Computational Biology

Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.

Compare Car Insurance Quotes Instantly

Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
Based on 3,806+ reviews
4.8/5
Shopper Approved
ProgressiveLiberty MutualTravelers

Latest Articles

View all