Cheapest Auto Insurance in California (2024)

Mile Auto has some of the lowest car insurance rates in California, at $60 per month for liability-only insurance.

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Cheapest recent rates in California

Recent California car insurance prices for Audi, Mazda, BMW , and more.

*Quotes generated for Insurify users from California within the last 10 days. Last updated on November 4, 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 November 4, 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 November 4, 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 November 4, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.
Amy Beardsley
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Mark Friedlander
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  • 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 November 4, 2024

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California drivers pay an overall average of $219 per 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.

The average quote for a California liability-only car insurance policy is $142 per month, while a full-coverage policy costs $296 per month. By comparison, the national average rates are $104 for liability-only insurance and $211 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.

  • Mile Auto and Sun Coast 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.

3 of the cheapest car insurance companies in California

Finding the best car insurance company for you depends on your specific needs and circumstances. Start your search with the companies in the table below.

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
GEICO9.0$330$165
Safeco8.3$163$79
State Farm9.3$380$191
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.

GEICO

GEICO logo
User Reviews
4.0
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.
9.0 /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.
$165/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.
$330/mo
4.0
Best choiceBased on 10172 verified guest reviews and ratings
How drivers feel about GEICO

Drivers appreciate the excellent customer service and initial low prices but dislike the frequent price increases.

AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Teen drivers
Cheap rates
Accident forgiveness
How drivers feel about GEICO

Drivers appreciate the excellent customer service and initial low prices but dislike the frequent price increases.

AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Teen drivers
Cheap rates
Accident forgiveness
Reviews (5,597)

Keith

November 3, 2024

Verified Review

High Cost at Geico

It's a little pricey.

Willie

November 3, 2024

Verified Review

Geico

Too expensive.

Gloria

November 2, 2024

Verified Review

Discount Please?

I drive less than 50 miles a week. Why is my rate so high? I am 74 years old.
See all GEICO reviews
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
824
NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
0.74
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

GEICO is one of the largest car insurance companies in the U.S., and it offers some of the cheapest rates in California. Drivers can also save with discounts, including those for customer loyalty, safe driving, and installing safety features in their vehicles. But if you drive for a rideshare company, you’ll need to look elsewhere for coverage.

Pros
  • Offers accident forgiveness coverage

  • A++ (Superior) financial strength rating from AM Best

Cons
  • Below-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction rating in California

  • Doesn’t offer gap insurance or rideshare insurance

Safeco

Safeco logo
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 747 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 (418)

Bonnie

November 2, 2024

Verified Review

The Price of Car Insurance

I'm not happy that I'm paying over $100 per month. My car is a 2013 model.

Harris

October 31, 2024

Verified Review

Just Fine

We have only used them for a flat tire change and windshield replacement.

Barbara

October 28, 2024

Verified Review

Insurance Keeps Going Up

Please stop raising prices.
See all Safeco 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.
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

Safeco is another affordable insurer in California. In addition to standard car insurance coverages, you can choose several add-ons, including new vehicle replacement, rental car reimbursement, and roadside assistance. But you won’t be able to get rideshare coverage from this insurer in California.

Pros
  • Many local agents in California

  • Offers accident forgiveness coverage

Cons
  • Doesn’t offer rideshare insurance in California

  • Below-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction rating in California

State Farm

State Farm logo
User Reviews
4.2
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.
9.3 /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.
$191/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.
$380/mo
4.2
Best choiceBased on 8898 verified guest reviews and ratings
How drivers feel about State Farm

Drivers appreciate the helpful local agents and initial service but dislike the high prices and frequent rate increases.

AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Customer service
Competitive rates
Discounts for safe drivers
How drivers feel about State Farm

Drivers appreciate the helpful local agents and initial service but dislike the high prices and frequent rate increases.

AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Customer service
Competitive rates
Discounts for safe drivers
Reviews (4,892)

James T

November 3, 2024

Verified Review

Overpaying

Too expensive.

Daniel

November 3, 2024

Verified Review

High Prices

I believe this company charges too much for their services.

Pasquale

November 3, 2024

Verified Review

Excellent

Very good.
See all State Farm reviews
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
817
NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
0.78
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

State Farm is the largest insurance company in the U.S. by market share, and it offers relatively competitive rates in California. J.D. Power rates it highly for customer and claims satisfaction, and drivers can save on their premiums with discounts for safe driving, bundling policies, and installing anti-theft features in their vehicles.

Pros
  • Above-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction rating in California

  • Long-standing history in the insurance industry

Cons
  • Not as many discounts as some insurers

  • Can’t finalize a quote online; must work with an agent

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:

  • 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 lower your monthly premium significantly.

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

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 per 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 per year. Drivers can apply for the program online at MyLowCostAuto.com.

Cheapest liability-only car insurance in California: Mile Auto

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 insurance is usually the cheapest type of car insurance available. On average, liability insurance in California costs $142 per month.

The table below highlights some of the cheapest liability-only car insurance companies in California.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Sunday, September 1 at 12:00 PM PDT
Data reviewed by Konstantin Halachev
Headshot of Konstantin Halachev, VP of Engineering at Insurify
Konstantin HalachevVP of Engineering & Data Science
  • 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.

Insurance Company
Average Monthly Quote
Mile Auto$60
Sun Coast$94
Mercury$98
Anchor$108
National General$132
Direct Auto$159
GEICO$165
Allstate$171
Farmers$176
State Farm$191
Travelers$200
21st Century$218
Bristol West$249
Nationwide$269
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: Mile Auto

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.

California drivers pay $296 on average for full-coverage insurance. Here’s a look at some of the cheapest auto insurance companies for full coverage in California:

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Sunday, September 1 at 12:00 PM PDT
Data reviewed by Konstantin Halachev
Headshot of Konstantin Halachev, VP of Engineering at Insurify
Konstantin HalachevVP of Engineering & Data Science
  • 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.

Insurance Company
Average Monthly Quote
Mile Auto$112
Mercury$184
Sun Coast$218
Anchor$282
National General$328
GEICO$330
Allstate$341
Farmers$351
Direct Auto$373
State Farm$380
Travelers$399
Bristol West$424
21st Century$435
Nationwide$536
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 in California

Recent California car insurance prices for Toyota, Chevrolet, Audi , and more.

*Quotes generated for Insurify users from California within the last 10 days. Last updated on November 4, 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 November 4, 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 November 4, 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 November 4, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

Car insurance requirements in California

California is an at-fault state for car insurance. But 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 could only collect 85% of the damages.[2] [3]

If you plan to drive in California, you must have auto insurance that meets the states 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 coverage

    Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage protects 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

    Medical payments coverage helps pay for medical expenses resulting from an accident, regardless of fault.

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/150x150/d7333ddf2e/car-and-driving-96x96-orange_046-car-accident.svg

    Collision coverage

    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 coverage

    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 coverage

    This coverage 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 coverage

    Roadside assistance coverage pays for help during breakdowns, providing towing, tire changes, and fuel-delivery services.

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/150x150/f82464c85b/car-sharing-96x96-orange_048-car-key.svg

    Rental reimbursement coverage

    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 coverage

    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. For instance, California drivers with a DUI pay nearly double what drivers with a clean record pay.

Find Cheap Car Insurance in California

Liability rates start at $60 per month

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

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

Despite the higher risk, several insurers in California offer competitive rates for drivers with speeding tickets on their records. California drivers with speeding tickets pay an average of $186 per month for liability insurance compared to drivers with a clean record, who pay $142.

The table below shows a price comparison between having a clean record and having a ticket from popular insurers.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Sunday, September 1 at 12:00 PM PDT
Data reviewed by Konstantin Halachev
Headshot of Konstantin Halachev, VP of Engineering at Insurify
Konstantin HalachevVP of Engineering & Data Science
  • 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.

Insurance Company
Clean Record
With Speeding Ticket
Mile Auto$60$77
Sun Coast$94$123
Mercury$98$131
Anchor$108$134
National General$132$166
Direct Auto$159$198
GEICO$165$206
Allstate$171$213
Farmers$176$218
State Farm$191$236
Travelers$200$252
21st Century$218$282
Bristol West$249$311
Nationwide$269$339
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

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]

On average, California drivers with an at-fault accident on their record pay $173 per month for liability coverage.

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

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Sunday, September 1 at 12:00 PM PDT
Data reviewed by Konstantin Halachev
Headshot of Konstantin Halachev, VP of Engineering at Insurify
Konstantin HalachevVP of Engineering & Data Science
  • 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.

Insurance Company
Clean Record
With At-Fault Accident
Mile Auto$60$78
Sun Coast$94$114
Mercury$98$130
Anchor$108$144
National General$132$164
Direct Auto$159$201
GEICO$165$205
Allstate$171$212
Farmers$176$217
State Farm$191$235
Travelers$200$249
21st Century$218$277
Bristol West$249$306
Nationwide$269$336
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

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.

Drivers with DUIs on their record in California pay an average of $201 per month for liability insurance. To help get a lower rate, ask for car insurance discounts and consider telematics programs to demonstrate your commitment to safer driving habits.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Sunday, September 1 at 12:00 PM PDT
Data reviewed by Konstantin Halachev
Headshot of Konstantin Halachev, VP of Engineering at Insurify
Konstantin HalachevVP of Engineering & Data Science
  • 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.

Insurance Company
Clean Record
With DUI
Mile Auto$60$92
Sun Coast$94$133
Mercury$98$136
Anchor$108$147
National General$132$202
Direct Auto$159$244
GEICO$165$253
Allstate$171$262
Farmers$176$270
State Farm$191$293
Travelers$200$307
21st Century$218$334
Bristol West$249$382
Nationwide$269$412
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

Car insurance costs tend to decrease around age 25 due to having more experience and a generally lower likelihood of risky behavior. Senior drivers generally pay low rates, averaging $126 per month for liability policies in California.

But seniors face rising rates at around age 70 due to higher risk. Fatal crash rates jump significantly around ages 70–74, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).[6]

Here are the cheapest California car insurance companies for senior drivers:

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Sunday, September 1 at 12:00 PM PDT
Data reviewed by Konstantin Halachev
Headshot of Konstantin Halachev, VP of Engineering at Insurify
Konstantin HalachevVP of Engineering & Data Science
  • 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.

Insurance Company
Liability Only
Full Coverage
Mile Auto$47$88
Mercury$79$149
Sun Coast$84$194
Anchor$87$226
National General$106$263
Direct Auto$129$303
GEICO$137$274
Farmers$143$286
Allstate$143$285
State Farm$155$308
Travelers$163$326
21st Century$170$339
Bristol West$208$353
Nationwide$210$418
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.

Shop for California Car Insurance

Liability rates for seniors average $126 per month

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Cheapest car insurance for teens: Mile Auto

Auto insurance rates for teen 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]

California teens pay high rates, at an average of $214 per month for liability coverage. 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.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Sunday, September 1 at 12:00 PM PDT
Data reviewed by Konstantin Halachev
Headshot of Konstantin Halachev, VP of Engineering at Insurify
Konstantin HalachevVP of Engineering & Data Science
  • 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.

Insurance Company
Liability Only
Full Coverage
Mile Auto$109$204
Sun Coast$142$328
Mercury$164$308
Anchor$173$451
GEICO$242$484
National General$244$607
Direct Auto$270$634
Allstate$282$562
Farmers$287$573
State Farm$303$603
Travelers$337$672
21st Century$341$681
Bristol West$391$666
Nationwide$433$862
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.

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 $219 per month. Full-coverage car insurance costs an average of $296 per month, and liability-only insurance is $142 per month.

  • Which company has the cheapest car insurance in California?

    The cheapest car insurance companies for liability-only coverage in California are Mile Auto, Sun Coast, and Mercury. Their respective monthly liability rates are $60, $94, and $98.

  • 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. It 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. But 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.

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?."
  2. California Department of Insurance. "Automobile Insurance Terms."
  3. California Department of Insurance. "Automobile Insurance."
  4. California Department of Insurance. "Automobile Insurance Information Guide."
  5. III. "Do auto insurance premiums go up after a claim?."
  6. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. "Fatality Facts 2021: Older people."
  7. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. "Fatality Facts 2021: Teenagers."
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.

Ashley Cox
Edited byAshley CoxSenior Managing Editor
Headshot of Managing Editor Ashley Cox
Ashley CoxSenior Managing Editor
  • 7+ years in content creation and management

  • 5+ years in insurance and personal finance content

Ashley is a seasoned personal finance editor who’s produced a variety of digital content, including insurance, credit cards, mortgages, and consumer lending products.

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Mark Friedlander
Reviewed byMark FriedlanderDirector, Corporate Communications, Triple-I
Mark Friedlander
Mark FriedlanderDirector, Corporate Communications, Triple-I
  • 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 HalachevVP of Engineering & Data Science
Headshot of Konstantin Halachev, VP of Engineering at Insurify
Konstantin HalachevVP of Engineering & Data Science
  • 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.

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