Cheap Auto Insurance in Berkeley, California (2024)

Mile Auto offers the cheapest car insurance in Berkeley, with minimum-coverage policies as low as $54 per month.

Anna Baluch
Written byAnna Baluch
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Anna BaluchInsurance Writer
  • 4+ years writing insurance and personal finance content

  • MBA from Roosevelt University

Anna leverages her personal finance and insurance knowledge to create educational content that helps people make smart financial decisions.

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Courtney Mikulski
Courtney MikulskiSenior Editor, Auto
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  • 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.

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Updated October 31, 2024

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Cheapest recent rates near Berkeley, California

Recent Berkeley, California car insurance prices for Toyota, KIA, Lexus , and more.

*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around Berkeley, California within the last 10 days. Last updated on October 31, 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 October 31, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around Berkeley, California within the last 10 days. Last updated on October 31, 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 October 31, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

Berkeley residents enjoy great views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and San Francisco skylines. But they don’t enjoy lower-than-average car insurance rates. While the city's rates are on par with the California state averages, they're significantly higher than national average costs for car insurance.

In Berkeley, full coverage averages $249 per month and liability-only coverage averages $134. Nationally, the average monthly cost of car insurance is just $211 for full coverage and $104 for liability only.

The city's comparatively low accident and fatality rates probably partially account for Berkeley's average car insurance rates. In 2023, the city of nearly 119,000 residents had just 605 traffic accidents and no fatalities.[1]

Berkeley drivers may be able to find better-than-average car insurance rates by comparing quotes from multiple insurers. Here's what to know about finding affordable coverage in Berkeley.

Quick Facts
  • Mile Auto, Sun Coast, and Mercury are the cheapest insurers in Berkeley.

  • Speeding was a factor in about 29% of accidents that occurred in Berkeley in 2023.[1]

  • If you meet certain requirements, you may be eligible for affordable car insurance through the California's low-cost car insurance plan.

Best car insurance companies in Berkeley

To find the best car insurance in Berkeley, consider your budget, driving record, and car insurance coverage needs. It’s helpful to compare multiple companies at once to see which one offers the most discounts, the coverage options you need, and the best customer service. Mile Auto, Sun Coast, and Clearcover are some of the best insurers offering coverage in Berkeley, and all three offer below-average car insurance rates.

Insurance Company
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
Full Coverage
Liability Only
Best For
Mile Auto7.5$112$60Usage-based insurance
Safeco8.3$163N/ASafe drivers
Mercury8.0$184$98Rideshare drivers
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.
  • Our editorial team spent more than 350 hours developing the Insurify Quality (IQ) Score and scoring insurance companies. The IQ Score objectively analyzes and calculates a score for insurers using more than 15 crucial criteria. The team weighted criteria by importance to the consumer — factors such as customer reviews and affordability influence the score more than availability and third-party ratings.

    We rate each company on a 1 to 10 scale based on five categories: financial ratings, customer satisfaction, affordability, customer support and transparency, and availability. Insurify updates ratings once a year or as more recent information becomes available.

    • Third-party financial ratings: Insurify uses data from AM Best, S&P, Moody’s, and more to compare insurance companies’ credit and ability to pay out future claims.
    • Customer satisfaction: To calculate this score, Insurify analyzed more than 28,000 customer reviews across 155 car insurance companies. We also consider third-party ratings from J.D. Power, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and Trustpilot.
    • Affordability: Our data scientists analyzed more than 90 million real-time auto insurance rates from our partners across the U.S., as well as available discounts, to calculate an affordability score.
    • Customer support and transparency: This measures coverage options, ease of claims filing, and the insurer's transparency surrounding discounts, coverages, and claims process.
    • Availability and reach: Insurify scores availability and reach by identifying the number of states in which insurers offer coverage and company size by market share.

Best insurer for usage-based insurance: Mile Auto

User Reviews
4.1
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
7.5 /10
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.
$54/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.
$101/mo
4.1
Best choiceBased on 51 verified guest reviews and ratings
Reviews (29)

Cookie

October 15, 2024

Verified Purchase

Excellent

Low mileage rate.

Tasha

October 10, 2024

Verified Purchase

Not pleased

Don't opt for this insurance if you're on a budget. I was unaware that this was a cost-per-mile insurance. I was never informed about it, and now I'm paying an extra $20 for roadside assistance that I thought was included. I had mentioned to the representative that I couldn't afford expensive insurance, yet the cost has increased.

Thomas

October 8, 2024

Verified Purchase

Mixed Review

Mixed. One representative was confusing and couldn't guide me regarding a text I received which stated my payment, which I had been informed had been processed, had actually gone through. To ensure I was covered, I made the payment. The previous representative had been professional and direct. So, I have a mixed reaction.
See all Mile Auto reviews
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
NR
NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
NR
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
Why we picked this company

Mile Auto is a newer car insurance company that specializes in pay-per-mile auto insurance. It charges drivers a monthly base rate, plus a per-mile fee based on odometer readings. It’s a particularly good option for anyone who is retired, works remotely, frequently uses public transportation, or simply doesn’t drive very often.

Pros
  • Doesn’t require an in-vehicle telematics device

  • Approves repairs from any shop

Cons
  • No advertised discounts

  • No mobile app available

Best insurer for safe drivers: Safeco

User Reviews
4.5
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
8.3 /10
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.
$79/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.
$142/mo
4.5
Best choiceBased on 744 verified guest reviews and ratings
How drivers feel about Safeco

Drivers appreciate the polite and helpful customer service and fair pricing but dislike the significant rate increases and difficulty reaching agents.

AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Cash back for being claims free
Optional coverages
Diminishing deductible
How drivers feel about Safeco

Drivers appreciate the polite and helpful customer service and fair pricing but dislike the significant rate increases and difficulty reaching agents.

AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Cash back for being claims free
Optional coverages
Diminishing deductible
Reviews (416)

Barbara

October 28, 2024

Verified Review

Insurance Keeps Going Up

Please stop raising prices.

Carlotta

October 24, 2024

Verified Review

Excellent

They handled everything very smoothly.

Shirley

October 22, 2024

Verified Review

My insurance has become so expensive that I can't afford it. I'm on Social Security. Both my car and house insurance have about doubled. I'm just trying to find something I can afford.

My insurance has become so expensive that I can't afford it. I'm on Social Security. Both my car and house insurance have about doubled. I'm just trying to find something I can afford.
See all Safeco reviews
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
825
NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
1.08
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
Why we picked this company

Although not the lowest, Safeco's rates for Berkeley drivers are competitive. The insurer offers multiple ways for good drivers to reduce their rates further through discounts and its RightTrack telematics program. Policyholders who achieve a certain number of years without an at-fault accident or moving violation can qualify for accident forgiveness, and if you go six months without a claim Safeco will refund 2.5% of your policy premium automatically.

Pros
  • Multiple rewards for staying claims-free

  • Optional new vehicle replacement coverage available

Cons
  • Higher-than-expected number of complaints with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners

  • Only 1.6 star rating (out of 5) on Trustpilot

Best insurer for rideshare drivers: Mercury

User Reviews
3.6
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
8.0 /10
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.
$85/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.
$158/mo
3.6
A solid optionBased on 468 verified guest reviews and ratings
How drivers feel about Mercury

Drivers appreciate the exceptional service, fair prices, and attentive support, but some find the premiums can increase unexpectedly.

AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Competitive rates
Rideshare drivers
Numerous discounts
How drivers feel about Mercury

Drivers appreciate the exceptional service, fair prices, and attentive support, but some find the premiums can increase unexpectedly.

AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Competitive rates
Rideshare drivers
Numerous discounts
Reviews (257)

Oscar

October 28, 2024

Verified Review

Excellent

Best price I have seen.

Marla

October 28, 2024

Verified Review

Sometimes confusing

It's difficult when all communication has to be done online.

Robert

October 28, 2024

Verified Review

Low Rates

I've been with them for 3 years and I still haven't received the policy. The good thing is that it's only $160.00 for 2 vehicles with full coverage and towing.
See all Mercury reviews
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
827
NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
0.48
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
Why we picked this company

Transportation network companies (TNCs) typically provide coverage when you're on your way to pick up a passenger and when you're on a trip with a passenger. But when you're waiting for a ride assignment, TNC coverage is limited. Based in California, Mercury offers rideshare insurance that protects you when you're driving for personal use and when you're waiting for a fare assignment. You'll need to have a personal policy with Mercury to be eligible for rideshare coverage through the company, and you can cover more than one vehicle under your rideshare insurance.

Pros
  • Respectable number of discounts, including for auto-pay, being a good student, and having multiple cars on one policy

  • Rental car cost and rideshare coverages available

Cons
  • Limited number of discounts

  • May not be the cheapest option for Berkeley drivers

How to get the cheapest car insurance in Berkeley

Finding the best price on car insurance involves a little effort on your part when shopping with different companies. To lock in a good deal on a car insurance policy in Berkeley, keep these tips in mind:

  • Shop around. Get quotes from at least three different car insurance companies at the same level of coverage to find the most affordable option. Be sure to compare prices, coverage options, and company reputations.

  • Look for discounts. “Keep your eye out for discounts that may apply to you, such as the auto pay discount, pay in full discount, and safe driving discount,” says McKenzie.

  • Bundle insurance. If you pair your auto insurance with homeowners insurance, renters insurance, or even life insurance, you can usually get a discount on your monthly premiums.

  • Drive safely. A driving history with speeding tickets, DUIs, and other incidents can easily increase your car insurance premiums. Make every effort to avoid them.

  • Take a defensive driving course. Some car insurers offer discounts to drivers who complete an approved defensive driving course. You may take it online in many cases and see some savings.

Cheapest liability-only car insurance in Berkeley: Mile Auto

Liability car insurance is required per California law. This type of coverage pays for the other driver’s property damage and injuries after you cause a car accident. Because liability-only policies meet the state-minimum requirements and have no additional coverage, drivers can typically find the lowest prices with this type of insurance.

The table below shows the cheapest quotes for liability-only auto policies, on average, in Berkeley.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Sunday, September 1 at 12:00 PM PDT
Insurance Company
Average Monthly Quote
Mile Auto$54
Sun Coast$68
Mercury$85
Anchor$91
USAA$105
National General$119
GEICO$139
Direct Auto$140
Allstate$145
Farmers$149
State Farm$161
Travelers$169
21st Century$184
Bristol West$202
Nationwide$227
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 Berkeley: Mile Auto

Full-coverage car insurance is optional in Berkeley and generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverages. It provides extra protection for vehicle damages, including for accidents you cause. Your lender might require a full-coverage policy if you have a loan or lease on your vehicle.

Here’s a look at the cheapest full-coverage car insurance rates in Berkeley.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Sunday, September 1 at 12:00 PM PDT
Insurance Company
Average Monthly Quote
Mile Auto$101
Mercury$158
Sun Coast$199
Anchor$211
USAA$216
GEICO$289
National General$289
Allstate$299
Farmers$307
Direct Auto$331
State Farm$333
Travelers$350
Bristol West$378
21st Century$380
Nationwide$469
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 recent rates near Berkeley, California

Recent Berkeley, California car insurance prices for Mercury, GMC, Honda , and more.

*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around Berkeley, California within the last 10 days. Last updated on October 31, 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 October 31, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around Berkeley, California within the last 10 days. Last updated on October 31, 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 October 31, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

Car insurance requirements in California

California is an at-fault — or tort — state. This means the at-fault driver must pay for the property damage and injury costs they cause to drivers or passengers in another vehicle.

“Liability insurance is required to operate a vehicle on the roadway in California,” says Lauren McKenzie, senior insurance agent at A Plus Insurance. Drivers who fail to show proof of insurance may face legal and financial consequences.

Here are California’s minimum car insurance requirements that all drivers must purchase:[2]

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

    Bodily injury liability

    $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident

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

    Property damage liability

    $5,000 per accident

Important Information

California liability limits are increasing on Jan. 1, 2025, to 30/60/15. This translates to $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident for bodily injury liability and $15,000 per accident for property damage liability.[3]

Coverage beyond minimum liability is optional for drivers in Berkeley but might be worthwhile for additional protection. Here are some optional coverages you can add to your auto policy:

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

    Comprehensive

    This protects you from non-accident events that damage your vehicle, like severe weather, falling objects, theft, and vandalism.

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

    Collision

    If your car requires repairs or a replacement after an accident with another vehicle or object, collision coverage will apply, no matter who’s responsible.

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

    Uninsured motorist

    Uninsured motorist coverage kicks in when a driver without insurance causes an accident.

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

    Medical payments

    Medical payments insurance is similar to personal injury protection (PIP) coverage and can pay for post-accident medical expenses, regardless of fault.

California’s low-cost auto insurance plan

California’s Low Cost Automobile Insurance program (CLCA) helps qualifying drivers purchase low-cost car insurance. The eligibility requirements for the program are:

  • 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

Depending on the county, minimum-liability car insurance through the CLCA costs $232 to $932 a year. While you can’t purchase full-coverage insurance through the CLCA, it does offer additional coverage options, like uninsured/underinsured motorist and medical payments insurance for an extra $37 to $107 a year. You can learn more and apply for the California car insurance program at MyLowCostAuto.com.

Find Car Insurance in Berkeley

Rates start at $54/mo. for minimum coverage in Berkeley

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Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident

A few examples of incidents that can increase your car insurance rates include at-fault accidents, speeding tickets, and driving under the influence (DUI) convictions. Berkeley drivers with clean records usually land the cheapest premiums because auto insurance companies see them as having a lower risk of loss.

On the other hand, insurance companies tend to charge the highest rates to high-risk drivers to offset the potential loss in claims. To save as much money as possible on a policy, do your best to drive safely at all times and prevent these incidents. Here are the average car insurance quotes in Berkeley based on driving history.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket: Mile Auto

In 2023, Berkeley police cited 175 drivers for unsafe speed.[1] Speeding increases your risk of being involved in an accident. As a result, Berkeley drivers with speeding tickets tend to pay more for auto insurance coverage.

The average monthly cost of car insurance for Berkeley drivers with speeding tickets is $327 for full coverage and $176 for minimum coverage. The following table illustrates how top insurers for Berkeley charge drivers with speeding infractions more for liability-only insurance policies.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Sunday, September 1 at 12:00 PM PDT
Insurance Company
Clean Record
With Ticket
Mile Auto$54$69
Sun Coast$68$89
Mercury$85$114
Anchor$91$113
USAA$105$131
National General$119$149
GEICO$139$173
Direct Auto$140$174
Allstate$145$181
Farmers$149$185
State Farm$161$199
Travelers$169$213
21st Century$184$238
Bristol West$202$252
Nationwide$227$286
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: Mile Auto

In 2020, Berkeley reported 357 injuries and fatalities from car accidents, which is a bit lower than other California cities with similar populations.[4] However, if you cause a car accident, insurers will view you as a greater risk on the road. As a result, your car insurance premiums will likely go up.[5]

Berkeley drivers with at-fault accidents face average car insurance rates of $303 per month for full-coverage policies and $163 for liability only. The table below shows the most affordable minimum-coverage quotes for Berkeley drivers with at-fault accidents on their records.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Sunday, September 1 at 12:00 PM PDT
Insurance Company
Clean Record
With Accident
Mile Auto$54$70
Sun Coast$68$83
Mercury$85$113
Anchor$91$121
USAA$105$130
National General$119$148
GEICO$139$172
Direct Auto$140$177
Allstate$145$179
Farmers$149$184
State Farm$161$198
Travelers$169$211
21st Century$184$234
Bristol West$202$248
Nationwide$227$284
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: Mile Auto

A DUI conviction in California usually leads to fines, jail time, and a license suspension. To reinstate your license after a DUI, you may need to file an SR-22 insurance form with the state and keep it on file for three to five years. During this time, your premiums will likely increase or you may struggle to find auto insurance coverage.

DUIs push Berkeley car insurance averages to $352 per month for full coverage and $190 for liability-only policies. The following table shows how a DUI charge increases liability quotes from top insurers in Berkeley.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Sunday, September 1 at 12:00 PM PDT
Insurance Company
Clean Record
With DUI
Mile Auto$54$83
Sun Coast$68$96
Mercury$85$118
Anchor$91$124
USAA$105$161
National General$119$182
GEICO$139$213
Direct Auto$140$215
Allstate$145$222
Farmers$149$228
State Farm$161$247
Travelers$169$259
21st Century$184$282
Bristol West$202$310
Nationwide$227$348
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: Mile Auto

Senior drivers can experience age-related physical and cognitive changes that make it more difficult for them to drive safely.[6] That’s why average premiums tend to go down around age 35 and increase again around age 70. Despite these trends, senior drivers in Berkeley typically have the cheapest premiums out of any other age group.

The average cost of car insurance for senior drivers in Berkeley is $119 per month for minimum coverage and $222 for full coverage. Here are the cheapest car insurance companies for senior drivers in Berkeley.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Sunday, September 1 at 12:00 PM PDT
Insurance Company
Liability Only
Full Coverage
Mile Auto$43$80
Sun Coast$61$177
Mercury$69$128
Anchor$73$169
USAA$87$180
National General$95$232
Direct Auto$114$269
GEICO$115$240
Allstate$121$250
Farmers$121$250
State Farm$130$270
Travelers$138$286
21st Century$143$296
Bristol West$168$315
Nationwide$177$366
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: Mile Auto

Teens who are newly licensed have far less driving experience than older, seasoned drivers, which increases their chances of getting into a car accident,” says McKenzie. “Therefore, insurance premiums will be higher for them and eventually decrease once the driver is age 25.” To save on auto policies, teens can stay on their parents’ insurance or take advantage of a good student discount.

Berkeley teens face average monthly car insurance rates of $375 for full coverage and $202 for liability only. The table below shows the average monthly car insurance quotes for teen drivers in Berkeley.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Sunday, September 1 at 12:00 PM PDT
Insurance Company
Liability Only
Full Coverage
Mile Auto$98$184
Sun Coast$102$300
Mercury$142$265
Anchor$145$337
USAA$163$334
GEICO$204$424
National General$220$535
Direct Auto$238$563
Allstate$239$493
Farmers$243$501
State Farm$255$528
Travelers$285$590
21st Century$288$595
Bristol West$317$594
Nationwide$365$754
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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Is car insurance more expensive in Berkeley?

Car insurance rates for Berkeley drivers are higher than the national average but in line with California's averages. Premiums can even vary by ZIP code and city within California as a result of differences in population, crime rates, weather conditions, and other factors.[7] For example, average monthly quotes are higher in Berkeley than in almost every California city, except for San Francisco and Los Angeles.

More cities in California

Here’s a look at the average quotes for car insurance in other cities in California.

City
Full Coverage
Liability Only
Anaheim$302$148
Bakersfield$256$117
Fresno$252$128
Long Beach$307$153
Los Angeles$369$203
Modesto$290$133
Oakland$309$155
Riverside$280$141
Sacramento$310$140
San Diego$252$120
San Francisco$338$150
San Jose$276$128
Stockton$303$429
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.

Berkeley car insurance FAQs

Learn about what factors might cause high car insurance rates, and read the answers to common questions about Berkeley car insurance below.

  • How much is car insurance in Berkeley?

    The average cost of car insurance in Berkeley is $134 per month for liability only and $249 per month for full coverage.

  • Which is the cheapest insurance company in Berkeley?

    Mile Auto has the lowest rates for Berkeley drivers, with minimum-coverage quotes starting at $54 per month. Sun Coast and Mercury are the second- and third-cheapest insurers, with liability-only rates as low as $68 and $85, respectively.

  • What are the best car insurance companies in Berkeley?

    Some of the best car insurance companies in Berkeley are Mile Auto, Safeco, and Mercury. These companies have lower-than-average monthly quotes for drivers and strong Insurify Quality Scores. However, the best insurer for you depends on your specific needs, budget, and driving history. It’s best to compare quotes from multiple car insurance companies at the same coverage levels to find the lowest price for you.

  • Does California have high car insurance?

    California doesn’t necessarily have higher car insurance rates. California car insurance average costs are similar to national average rates. States like Florida have much higher premiums on average, but others, like Maine, have much lower costs. California sits right in the middle in terms of car insurance affordability.

  • Can insurers in California use your credit score to set premiums?

    No. California prohibits insurers from using credit history to determine car insurance premiums.[8] This means that, all other factors being equal, you won’t pay more for car insurance if you have poor credit compared to someone with good or excellent credit.

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. University of California, Berkeley. "Transportation Injury Mapping System."
  2. California DMV. "Auto Insurance Requirements."
  3. California Legislative Information. "SB-1107 Vehicles: insurance.."
  4. California Office of Traffic Safety. "Crash Rankings Results: Berkeley."
  5. III. "Do auto insurance premiums go up after a claim?."
  6. III. "Senior driving safety and insurance tips."
  7. III. "What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?."
  8. Federal Trade Commission. "Credit-Based Insurance Scores: Impacts on Consumers of Automobile Insurance."
Anna Baluch
Anna BaluchInsurance Writer

Anna Baluch is a Cleveland-based personal finance and insurance expert. With an MBA from Roosevelt University, she enjoys writing educational content that helps people make smart financial decisions. Her work can be seen across the internet on many publications, including Freedom Debt Relief, Credit Karma, RateGenius, and the Balance. Connect with Anna 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.

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