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.
Featured in
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
30+ years in financial services
Clinical Professor of Finance, University of San Diego
Dan is a well-recognized and widely quoted financial services expert, regularly appearing in a variety of national and local media as a subject matter expert.
Updated November 20, 2024
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.
Table of contents
On average, Fresno drivers pay $194 per month for car insurance. By comparison, the California state average is $211 per month.
Fresno has a relatively low fatal crash rate: Police reported just 37 fatal crashes in Fresno in 2023, down from 66 in 2022. This could partly explain why its average rates are slightly lower than the state average.
Comparing car insurance quotes from multiple companies can help you find the most affordable coverage available to you. Here’s what to know about car insurance in Fresno.
Fresno drivers pay $130 per month for a liability-only policy and $258 per month for a full-coverage policy, on average.
Mile Auto, Sun Coast, and Mercury are the three cheapest car insurance companies for Fresno drivers.
Fresno County has approximately 570,000 registered automobiles and 1 million residents, meaning there’s about one registered car for every two residents.[1] [2]
3 of the cheapest car insurance companies in Fresno
The best car insurance company for you will be different from what’s best for other drivers. Car insurance rates vary based on age, driving history, ZIP code, vehicle type, and more.[3] To find the best car insurance company, you’ll need to consider your budget and car insurance needs.
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 Auto | 7.5 | $108 | $60 | Liability-only coverage |
USAA | 9.4 | $248 | $123 | Military members |
Mercury | 8.0 | $190 | $104 | Extra peace of mind |
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 liability-only coverage: Mile Auto
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. | 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. | $55/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. | $99/mo |
Cookie
October 15, 2024
Excellent
Tasha
October 10, 2024
Not pleased
Thomas
October 8, 2024
Mixed Review
Mile Auto is a pay-per-mile car insurer that provides usage-based insurance for infrequent drivers in different parts of the U.S., including the West Coast. If you don’t drive very often, you can save money with Mile Auto because you’ll only pay for the number of miles you drive each month, plus a base rate.
Cheap prices for low-mileage drivers
Some optional auto insurance coverages available
Limited advertised discounts
No mobile app
Best insurer for military members: USAA
User Reviews | 4.9 |
---|---|
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. | 9.4 /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. | $112/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. | $227/mo |
Drivers appreciate the ease of working with the carrier, competitive rates, and responsive service but dislike the price increases and lack of rideshare add-ons in some areas.
Drivers appreciate the ease of working with the carrier, competitive rates, and responsive service but dislike the price increases and lack of rideshare add-ons in some areas.
Gloria
November 15, 2024
Not Good for Claims
Martin
November 11, 2024
Price Shopping
Rena Sabine
November 8, 2024
Disappointing and inflexible service
USAA provides car insurance and other insurance products, like home insurance and boat insurance, to active, retired, and reserve military members and their families. But you must join USAA to take advantage of its policies.
Plenty of add-on coverages available
SafePilot usage-based insurance program
Only for military members and their families
No gap insurance
Best insurer for extra peace of mind: 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. | $94/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. | $174/mo |
Drivers appreciate the exceptional service, fair prices, and attentive support, but some find the premiums can increase unexpectedly.
Drivers appreciate the exceptional service, fair prices, and attentive support, but some find the premiums can increase unexpectedly.
Patricia
November 4, 2024
Too Expensive
Carol
November 2, 2024
Auto Insurance Costs Rise in Sanctuary States
Patricia
November 1, 2024
Excellent Service
Mercury is a super-regional insurance company that sells car insurance in California and 10 other states. Mercury stands out for its 24/7 claims service, large network of authorized repair shops, and repair guarantee that warranties repairs done at an authorized repair shop for as long as you own your vehicle. The company also offers multiple discounts that can help assure policyholders they’re getting the best rate available to them.
Guaranteed repairs for as long as you own your car
24/7 claims service
Available in only 11 states
High number of customer complaints from California, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners
How to get the cheapest car insurance in Fresno
Car insurance companies set their own rates and underwrite policies differently. To secure the best rate on a policy in Fresno, follow these tips:
Shop around. Be sure to get free car insurance quotes from several of the top companies. This can help you find the cheapest policy for your unique needs.
Look for discounts. Most car insurers offer a long list of discounts you should explore. Several examples of common discounts include a good student discount, vehicle safety features discount, loyalty discount, and safe driving discount.
Bundle your policy. Chances are you need home insurance or renters insurance, too. Find a company that will give you a discount if you bundle your car insurance with another policy.
Drive safely. Speeding tickets, at-fault accidents, and DUIs can raise your car insurance premiums. Follow speed limits, obey traffic laws, and avoid distractions to reduce your risk of these incidents.
Cheapest liability-only car insurance in Fresno: Mile Auto
California requires drivers to purchase liability car insurance. This policy type covers the property damage and injuries of other drivers and passengers after an at-fault accident and is typically the cheapest auto policy you can buy. Liability policies don’t cover damage to your vehicle, so it’s important to consider your ability to cover potential out-of-pocket costs.
Liability-only insurance in Fresno costs an average of $130 per month.
Here’s a look at the cheapest liability-only insurance companies in Fresno, California.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Monthly Quote ▲▼ |
---|---|
Mile Auto | $55 |
Sun Coast | $86 |
Mercury | $94 |
Anchor | $99 |
USAA | $112 |
National General | $121 |
Direct Auto | $139 |
GEICO | $149 |
Allstate | $155 |
Farmers | $159 |
State Farm | $172 |
Travelers | $180 |
21st Century | $197 |
Bristol West | $210 |
Nationwide | $243 |
Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Fresno: Mile Auto
Full-coverage car insurance typically includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage. Because it includes more coverages, it ’s typically more expensive than a liability-only policy, but it offers more protection. Your auto lender or lessor may require it if you have a loan or lease on your vehicle.
Fresno drivers pay a monthly average of $258 for full-coverage insurance.
The table below shows the cheapest full-coverage insurance companies in Fresno.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Monthly Quote ▲▼ |
---|---|
Mile Auto | $99 |
Mercury | $174 |
Sun Coast | $210 |
USAA | $227 |
Anchor | $264 |
National General | $301 |
GEICO | $303 |
Allstate | $313 |
Farmers | $322 |
Direct Auto | $324 |
State Farm | $349 |
Travelers | $367 |
Bristol West | $377 |
21st Century | $399 |
Nationwide | $492 |
Cheapest recent rates near Fresno, California
Drivers using Insurify have found quotes as cheap as $47/mo for liability only and $71/mo for full coverage in Fresno and other California cities.
*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around Fresno, California within the last 10 days. Last updated on November 20, 2024
*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around Fresno, California within the last 10 days. Last updated on November 20, 2024
Car insurance requirements in California
California is an at-fault, or tort, state, meaning the at-fault driver must pay for the property damage or injuries they cause to the drivers or passengers in another vehicle. While California requires bodily injury and property damage liability to drive legally in Fresno, additional coverage is available for extra protection. Drivers who are unable to show proof of insurance will face penalties.
Here are California’s state minimum requirements for car insurance:[4]
Coverage ▲▼ | Minimum Requirements ▲▼ |
---|---|
Bodily injury liability | $15,000 per person / $30,000 per accident |
Property damage liability | $5,000 per accident |
California car insurance 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.[5]
Here’s an overview of some optional car insurance coverages Fresno drivers can purchase for additional protection on the road:
Comprehensive coverage
Comprehensive insurance protects you from vehicle damage from vandalism, theft, natural disasters, and other non-collision incidents.
Collision coverage
If your car requires repairs or needs replacement after an accident with another vehicle or object, collision insurance will apply, no matter who’s responsible.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
An uninsured/underinsured motorist policy can come in handy if you get into an accident with an uninsured driver or a driver without enough insurance to cover your injuries and vehicle damages.
Medical payments coverage
Medical payments insurance can cover your medical bills following an accident, even if you’re at fault.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident
Incidents like at-fault accidents, speeding tickets, and DUIs can increase your car insurance rates. This is because car insurers view these citations and incidents as high-risk driving behavior and believe you’re more likely to file a claim than someone with a clean driving record.[6] Fresno drivers with clean records typically have lower premiums than people with spotty driving histories.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket: Mile Auto
Fresno reported 156 speed-related crashes that resulted in death or injury in 2020.[7] Speeding may increase your risk of losing control of your vehicle and lead to a serious accident. If you have a speeding ticket on your record, insurers may consider you a high-risk driver and you can expect to pay more for an auto policy.
Fresno drivers with speeding tickets face average monthly car insurance rates of $258 for full coverage and $130 for liability only. The table below shows how liability-only rates compare for drivers with a clean record versus drivers with a speeding ticket in Fresno.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Clean Driving Record ▲▼ | With Speeding Ticket ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Mile Auto | $55 | $69 |
Sun Coast | $86 | $111 |
Mercury | $94 | $126 |
Anchor | $99 | $121 |
USAA | $112 | $139 |
National General | $121 | $151 |
Direct Auto | $139 | $173 |
GEICO | $149 | $185 |
Allstate | $155 | $193 |
Farmers | $159 | $197 |
State Farm | $172 | $212 |
Travelers | $180 | $226 |
21st Century | $197 | $254 |
Bristol West | $210 | $263 |
Nationwide | $243 | $305 |
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident: Mile Auto
An at-fault accident will likely result in higher car insurance costs for three to five years, so it’s important to find an affordable auto insurance policy that meets your coverage needs. But your auto insurance premiums may not increase if you purchase accident forgiveness. Additionally, how much they increase depends on the severity of the accident and the total claim amount.
An at-fault accident increases average car insurance rates for Fresno drivers to $314 per month for full coverage and $158 for liability policies. If you have an at-fault accident on your record, you can see how rates might be higher compared to drivers with a clean record.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Clean Driving Record ▲▼ | With Accident ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Mile Auto | $55 | $70 |
Sun Coast | $86 | $105 |
Mercury | $94 | $126 |
Anchor | $99 | $132 |
USAA | $112 | $139 |
National General | $121 | $150 |
Direct Auto | $139 | $177 |
GEICO | $149 | $186 |
Allstate | $155 | $193 |
Farmers | $159 | $197 |
State Farm | $172 | $212 |
Travelers | $180 | $226 |
21st Century | $197 | $252 |
Bristol West | $210 | $261 |
Nationwide | $243 | $305 |
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI: Mile Auto
A DUI in Fresno is a dangerous and serious offense. In addition to fines and jail time, you may pay the most compared to other drivers, and California may require you to purchase SR-22 insurance. Furthermore, you may struggle to find an insurance company that’ll provide coverage, and those that do may charge sky-high rates.
Fresno drivers with DUIs on their records pay average monthly rates of $366 for full-coverage car insurance and $184 for liability only. The table below shows how much rates can increase in Fresno for drivers with a DUI on their records.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Clean Driving Record ▲▼ | With DUI ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Mile Auto | $55 | $84 |
Sun Coast | $86 | $122 |
Mercury | $94 | $132 |
Anchor | $99 | $152 |
USAA | $112 | $172 |
National General | $121 | $185 |
Direct Auto | $139 | $213 |
GEICO | $149 | $228 |
Allstate | $155 | $238 |
Farmers | $159 | $244 |
State Farm | $172 | $264 |
Travelers | $180 | $276 |
21st Century | $197 | $302 |
Bristol West | $210 | $322 |
Nationwide | $243 | $372 |
Cheapest car insurance for seniors: Mile Auto
Physical and mental impairments make it more difficult for seniors to drive safely.
“Drivers tend to see the lowest prices from age 25 and on. However, once drivers reach ages 70-plus, their reaction times start to slow down, which may result in higher car accidents and more expensive rates,” explains Lauren McKenzie, a senior insurance agent at A Plus Insurance. But because of their low mileage and long history of driving, senior drivers pay less on average than younger drivers in general.
On average, senior drivers in Fresno pay $226 per month for full coverage and $114 for minimum coverage, according to Insurify data. Here are the cheapest car insurance quotes for seniors in Fresno.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Liability Only ▲▼ | Full Coverage ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Mile Auto | $43 | $77 |
Sun Coast | $75 | $184 |
Mercury | $77 | $142 |
Anchor | $79 | $212 |
USAA | $92 | $187 |
National General | $95 | $238 |
Direct Auto | $112 | $260 |
GEICO | $122 | $249 |
Allstate | $128 | $259 |
Farmers | $128 | $259 |
State Farm | $138 | $280 |
Travelers | $145 | $296 |
21st Century | $152 | $308 |
Bristol West | $173 | $311 |
Nationwide | $187 | $380 |
Cheapest car insurance for teens: Mile Auto
Teenagers have minimal experience behind the wheel and higher accident rates than older drivers.[8] While they usually pay more for car insurance because of this, they can save money if they stay on their parents’ policy, maintain good grades, and take a defensive driving course.
In Fresno, teen drivers pay an average of $410 per month for their own full-coverage policy and $207 for liability-only coverage. Here are the cheapest car insurance companies for teens and young drivers in Fresno.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Liability Only ▲▼ | Full Coverage ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Mile Auto | $104 | $186 |
Sun Coast | $137 | $334 |
Mercury | $161 | $298 |
Anchor | $163 | $434 |
USAA | $182 | $368 |
GEICO | $230 | $467 |
National General | $232 | $577 |
Direct Auto | $247 | $575 |
Allstate | $268 | $541 |
Farmers | $269 | $545 |
State Farm | $286 | $581 |
Travelers | $316 | $644 |
21st Century | $323 | $655 |
Bristol West | $342 | $615 |
Nationwide | $411 | $833 |
Is car insurance more expensive in Fresno?
Average car insurance premiums in Fresno are less expensive than the national average.
It’s also important to note that rates in California vary by city and ZIP code because of factors like population, weather conditions, and accident rates.
More cities in California
Here’s a look at the average monthly cost of car insurance in various cities in California.
City ▲▼ | Full Coverage ▲▼ | Liability Only ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Anaheim | $296 | $152 |
Berkeley | $267 | $137 |
Los Angeles | $401 | $211 |
Modesto | $285 | $147 |
Oakland | $351 | $153 |
Riverside | $269 | $142 |
Sacramento | $307 | $145 |
San Diego | $252 | $122 |
San Francisco | $329 | $149 |
San Jose | $270 | $131 |
Fresno car insurance FAQs
Check out Insurify’s guide to car insurance discounts to learn more about lowering your car insurance premiums, and read the answers to these frequently asked questions about Fresno car insurance.
How much is car insurance in Fresno?
On average, auto insurance in Fresno costs $258 per month for full coverage and $130 for liability-only policies. Many factors affect car insurance rates besides location, though, so your rates may be higher or lower than average.
Which company has the cheapest car insurance in Fresno?
Mile Auto has the cheapest car insurance quotes for Fresno drivers, with liability-only policies starting at $55 per month. But it may not be the right choice for everyone.
Fortunately, Fresno drivers can also find affordable rates with the city’s second- and third-cheapest car insurers, Sun Coast and Mercury. Their monthly liability-only rates start at $86 and $94, respectively.
What are the best car insurance companies in Fresno?
Some of the best car insurance companies in Fresno are Mile Auto, State Farm, and USAA. These companies provide customized coverage, low quotes, and high J.D. Power customer satisfaction ratings. Additionally, they earned solid Insurify Quality Scores.
But the best auto insurer for you will depend on your coverage needs and budget, so it’s important to compare quotes from different companies to find the best prices.
What determines the price of your auto insurance in Fresno?
Your age, driving history, vehicle type, and discount eligibility can affect your car insurance costs across the country. Furthermore, auto insurance companies consider Fresno’s accident, theft, and traffic rates when determining premiums.
Can auto insurers use your credit score to determine your premiums in Fresno?
No. California prohibits auto insurers from using credit history to determine auto insurance premiums. Because of this, your credit history won’t affect your rates, even if you have bad credit.[9]
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
- 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.
Related articles
More cities in California
Sources
- California Department of Motor Vehicles. "Vehicles Registered by County."
- U.S. Census Bureau. "Quick Facts: Fresno County, California."
- Insurance Information Institute. "What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?."
- California Department of Motor Vehicles. "Insurance Requirements."
- California Legislative Information. "SB-1107 Vehicles: insurance."
- Insurance Information Institute. "Do auto insurance premiums go up after a claim?."
- California Office of Traffic Safety. "OTS Crash Rankings Results."
- Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. "Teenagers."
- Federal Trade Commission. "Credit-Based Insurance Scores."
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.
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
30+ years in financial services
Clinical Professor of Finance, University of San Diego
Dan is a well-recognized and widely quoted financial services expert, regularly appearing in a variety of national and local media as a subject matter expert.