Best Cheap Auto Insurance in Fresno, California (2023)

Fresno drivers tend to pay less on average for car insurance than drivers in many other California cities but should still learn how to find affordable policies.

Anna Baluch
Written byAnna Baluch
Photo of an Insurify author
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.

Featured in

media logomedia logomedia logo
Courtney Mikulski
Courtney MikulskiSenior Editor, Auto
  • 3+ years producing insurance and personal finance content

  • Main architect of the Insurify Quality Score

Courtney’s deep personal finance knowledge extends beyond insurance to credit cards, consumer lending, and banking. She thrives on creating actionable content.

Featured in

media logomedia logo

Updated September 20, 2023

Save up to $717 by comparing quotes from the top 70+ insurance companies

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

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

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

Why you can trust Insurify: Insurify’s expert insurance writers and editors operate independently of our insurance partners. As an independent agent and insurance comparison website, we make money through commissions from insurers. But that does not influence any editorial content, including reviews. Learn more.

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] And those cars need auto insurance for their owners to legally drive them.

On average, Fresno drivers pay $111 per month for a liability-only policy and $234 per month for a full-coverage policy. These figures are less than the average monthly rates in California of $127 and $262 for liability only and full coverage, respectively.

Quick Facts
  • Fresno’s average full-coverage auto insurance rates are 11% cheaper than the state’s average rates.

  • Even though Fresno is a large city in the San Joaquin Valley, its car insurance rates are lower than other California cities, like Los Angeles and San Francisco.

  • California minimum insurance requirements are increasing in 2025.[3]

Find Car Insurance in Fresno

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

Best 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.[4] To find the best car insurance company, you’ll need to consider your budget and car insurance needs.

Best insurer for liability-only coverage: Mile Auto

Compare personalized, real-time quotes
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
3.4
A.M. Best
A.M. Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor).
NR
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$60/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.
$109/mo

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.

Pros
  • Cheap prices for low-mileage drivers

  • Some optional auto insurance coverages available

Cons
  • Limited advertised discounts

  • No mobile app

Best insurer for military members: USAA

Compare personalized, real-time quotes
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
4.3
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
880
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.
$80/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.
$160/mo

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.

Pros
  • Plenty of add-on coverages available

  • SafePilot usage-based insurance program

Cons
  • Only for military members and their families

  • No gap insurance

Overall poor service, took a safe driving discount away because I wasn’t driving enough.

Kenneth - September 9, 2023
Verified

They Serve The Veteran.

Jack - September 7, 2023
Verified

Raised rates nearly 43%.

Jan - June 19, 2023
Verified
Read our USAA review

Best insurer for a digital experience: Esurance

Compare personalized, real-time quotes
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
3
A.M. Best
A.M. Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor).
A+
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$185/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.
$379/mo

Esurance is a newer car insurance company with a focus on an easy-to-use website and robust mobile app. It offers basic insurance coverage options, as well as extras like loan/lease and gap coverage.

Pros
  • Highly rated mobile app

  • DriveSense telematics program

Cons
  • Few discounts

  • No new car replacement coverage

Increasing rates.

Diane - July 4, 2023
Verified

I was pleased with their service.

Cerissa - June 25, 2023
Verified

Excellent company.

Eric - June 4, 2023
Verified
Read our Esurance review

Cheapest liability-only car insurance in Fresno

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.

Here’s a look at the cheapest liability-only insurance companies in Fresno, California.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Monday, September 18 at 12:00 PM PDT
Insurance CompanyAverage Monthly Quote
Clearcover59
Mile Auto60
Infinity71
Mercury74
USAA80
Safeco91
Kemper92
National General99
Dairyland104
GEICO107
Allstate111
Farmers113
State Farm123
Bristol West124
Travelers129
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 Fresno

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.

The table below shows the cheapest full-coverage insurance companies in Fresno.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Monday, September 18 at 12:00 PM PDT
Insurance CompanyAverage Monthly Quote
Mile Auto109
Clearcover119
Mercury131
Infinity138
Safeco157
USAA160
Kemper178
Travelers190
National General200
GEICO214
Allstate221
Farmers228
Dairyland241
State Farm246
Bristol West257
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Estimate your insurance costs

Select discounts that apply to you
Save 35%
Save 5%
Save 24%
Save 38%
Age
Credit Score
Are you insured
Your estimated deal

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

Select discounts that apply to you

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:[5]

CoverageMinimum Requirements
Bodily injury liability$15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident
Property damage liability$5,000 per accident
Important Information

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.[3]

Here’s an overview of some optional car insurance coverages Fresno drivers can purchase for additional protection on the road:

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

Comprehensive

This protects you from vehicle damage from vandalism, theft, natural disasters, and other non-collision incidents.

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

Collision

If your car requires repairs or needs 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

An uninsured 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.

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

Medical payments

Medical payments insurance can cover your medical bills following an accident, even if you’re at fault.

Find Car Insurance in Fresno

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

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

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.

The table below shows the cheapest auto insurance companies for drivers with a speeding ticket in Fresno, California.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Monday, September 18 at 12:00 PM PDT
Insurance CompanyAverage Monthly Quote
Mile Auto161
Clearcover176
Mercury193
Infinity204
Safeco232
USAA236
Kemper263
Travelers280
National General295
GEICO316
Allstate326
Farmers336
Dairyland356
State Farm363
Bristol West379
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

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.[6]

If you have an at-fault accident on your record, here are the cheapest insurers in Fresno.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Monday, September 18 at 12:00 PM PDT
Insurance CompanyAverage Monthly Quote
Mile Auto153
Clearcover167
Mercury184
Infinity194
Safeco221
USAA225
Kemper250
Travelers267
National General281
GEICO301
Allstate311
Farmers321
Dairyland339
State Farm346
Bristol West361
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

A DUI in Fresno is a 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.

The table below shows the most affordable car insurance companies in Fresno for drivers with a DUI on their records.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Monday, September 18 at 12:00 PM PDT
Insurance CompanyAverage Monthly Quote
Mile Auto164
Clearcover179
Mercury197
Infinity208
Safeco236
USAA241
Kemper268
Travelers286
National General301
GEICO322
Allstate333
Farmers343
Dairyland363
State Farm370
Bristol West387
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

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.

Here are the cheapest car insurance quotes for seniors in Fresno.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Monday, September 18 at 12:00 PM PDT
Insurance CompanyAverage Monthly Quote
Mile Auto58
Clearcover64
Mercury70
Infinity74
Safeco84
USAA86
Kemper96
Travelers102
National General107
GEICO115
Allstate119
Farmers122
Dairyland129
State Farm132
Bristol West138
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

Teenagers are young drivers with minimal experience behind the wheel and higher accident rates than older drivers in general.[8] While they usually pay more for car insurance because of this, they can save money if they stay on their parents’ policy or take a defensive driving course.

Here are the cheapest car insurance companies for teens and young drivers in Fresno.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Monday, September 18 at 12:00 PM PDT
Insurance CompanyAverage Monthly Quote
Mile Auto189
Clearcover207
Mercury228
Infinity240
Safeco273
USAA278
Kemper309
Travelers330
National General348
GEICO372
Allstate384
Farmers396
Dairyland419
State Farm427
Bristol West447
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.

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.

Find Car Insurance in Fresno

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

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.[4] For example, you’ll pay more on average for a policy in Oakland or Riverside than you would in Fresno.

More cities in California

Here’s a look at the average cost of full-coverage car insurance in various cities in California and how they compare to Fresno.

CityAverage Monthly QuoteCompared to Fresno
Anaheim$25810%
Bakersfield$2444%
Irvine$2340%
Long Beach$26413%
Los Angeles$34949%
Modesto$223-5%
Oakland$27316%
Riverside$25710%
Sacramento$26413%
San Diego$223-5%
San Francisco$31736%
San Jose$25810%
Stockton$2497%
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.

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?

    The average cost of car insurance in Fresno is $111 a month for liability-only coverage and $234 a month for full coverage.

  • 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 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.[4]

  • 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
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. California DMV. "Vehicles registered by County." Accessed July 7, 2023
  2. U.S. Census Bureau. "QuickFacts: Fresno County, California." Accessed July 7, 2023
  3. California Legislative Information. "SB-1107 Vehicles: insurance.." Accessed July 3, 2023
  4. III. "What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?." Accessed July 7, 2023
  5. California DMV. "Auto Insurance Requirements." Accessed July 7, 2023
  6. III. "Do auto insurance premiums go up after a claim?." Accessed July 7, 2023
  7. California Office of Traffic Safety. "OTS Crash Rankings Results." Accessed July 7, 2023
  8. Teenagers. "Insurance Institute for Highway Safety." Accessed July 7, 2023
  9. Federal Trade Commission. "Credit-Based Insurance Scores: Impacts on Consumers of Automobile Insurance." Accessed July 7, 2023
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.

Featured in

media logomedia logo

Compare Car Insurance Quotes Instantly

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

Latest Articles