13+ years writing insurance and personal finance content
Insurance, lending, and retirement expert
Jacqueline has contributed content, and her personal finance passion, to dozens of noteworthy financial brands, including Credit Karma, Bankrate, and MagnifyMoney.
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
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.
Updated October 3, 2024
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Table of contents
Oakland’s overall average cost of car insurance is $232 per month, compared to the national overall average of $158 per month. The city’s proximity to San Francisco, combined with the higher risk of natural disasters in the state, could contribute to its higher car insurance costs. The risk of accidents is greater in larger cities, so insurers raise rates to account for the increased likelihood of drivers filing a claim.
If you want to find the best price for your situation, here’s what you need to know about comparing quotes and how different factors affect your premiums.
Mile Auto, Sun Coast, and Mercury have the cheapest car insurance in Oakland.
Oakland drivers pay an average of $155 per month for liability coverage and $309 per month for full coverage.
Full-coverage car insurance costs drivers in Oakland an average of $3,708 per year.
3 of the cheapest car insurance companies in Oakland
When searching for the ideal car insurance company in Oakland, it’s crucial to assess your unique requirements and specific needs. The right policy for you may differ based on factors like your driving record, vehicle type, and desired coverage. One way to find better prices is to compare the best car insurance companies in Oakland.
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 | $112 | $60 | Teens and young drivers |
Sun Coast | 2.3 | $218 | $94 | Drivers with a DUI |
Clearcover | 6.8 | $137 | $67 | Drivers with a speeding ticket |
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 teens and young drivers: Mile Auto
User Reviews | 3.8 |
---|---|
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. | $66/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. | $121/mo |
Mile Auto is an excellent choice for teen drivers who spend limited time on the road. With its pay-per-mile insurance model, low-mileage drivers may save between 30% and 40% on their current premiums. You only pay for the miles you drive, making it a simple and cost-effective option.
Low-mileage drivers can save
No in-car telematics device required
No mobile app
Poor customer ratings from Trustpilot users
Poor Review of Mile Auto
Excellent
Tolerable Until Better
Best insurer for drivers with a DUI: Sun Coast
User Reviews | 3.0 |
---|---|
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. | 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. | $82/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. | $241/mo |
For drivers with a DUI, Sun Coast offers affordable car insurance. Sun Coast is an insurance agency that works with multiple insurance companies through a distribution network of more than 3,500 independent insurance agents. It caters to customers with various driving records, including clean records, accidents, tickets, suspended licenses, and foreign driver’s licenses. Sun Coast also provides discounts for good drivers, prior insurance holders, multiple cars, and homeowners.
Flexible billing options
Low down payments possible
Doesn't offer home or life policies
No mobile app
Surprise!
Great so far
Unpleasant Experience
Best insurer for drivers with a speeding ticket: Clearcover
User Reviews | 3.0 |
---|---|
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. | 6.8/10 |
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. | $179/mo |
Clearcover stands out as one of the most affordable options for drivers with a speeding ticket on their record. Its streamlined process allows customers to get a custom quote quickly, and filing a claim takes an average of just seven minutes.
Speedy claims process
Mobile app for policy management
Few discounts
No bundling available
Experience with Clearcover
They'll Drop You Unexpectedly
Excellent
How to get the cheapest car insurance in Oakland
Getting affordable car insurance isn’t possible without a little work. When searching for cheap car insurance in Oakland, keep these tips in mind:
Ask for discounts. Inquire about available discounts, such as for having features like antilock brakes and passive restraint systems in your vehicle.
Research insurance companies. Get free quotes from different companies for the same coverage levels and compare them. Once you find a better price with an insurer, research its customer service and financial strength ratings.
Consider a higher deductible. Selecting a higher deductible for collision and comprehensive coverages can lower your premium. But make sure you have sufficient savings to cover it in case of a claim.
Bundle your policies. Ask about multi-policy discounts when bundling your car insurance with other policies, like renters or homeowners insurance.
Cheapest liability-only car insurance in Oakland: Mile Auto
Liability-only coverage provides financial security for damages or injuries to other parties in an accident you cause. It doesn’t include repairs for your own vehicle. This insurance type pays for the medical expenses and property damage of the other party, up to the policy limits. Liability-only insurance is usually the most affordable auto insurance policy type because it only covers other parties’ expenses, not your own.
Oakland drivers pay an average of $155 per month for liability coverage.
Here are the average quotes for liability-only insurance from the cheapest insurers in Oakland.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Monthly Quote ▲▼ |
---|---|
Mile Auto | $66 |
Sun Coast | $82 |
Mercury | $103 |
Anchor | $109 |
USAA | $127 |
National General | $143 |
GEICO | $169 |
Direct Auto | $170 |
Allstate | $175 |
Farmers | $179 |
State Farm | $195 |
Travelers | $205 |
21st Century | $222 |
Bristol West | $244 |
Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Oakland: Mile Auto
Liability-only doesn’t provide coverage for your vehicle. For more protection, consider full-coverage car insurance. It typically includes liability insurance, plus comprehensive and collision coverages, which cover damages to your car. Full-coverage insurance is a good idea for drivers with valuable vehicles, people living in areas prone to accidents or theft, or anyone seeking extensive coverage for personal and third-party damages.
Full-coverage policies in Oakland cost an average of $309 per month.
The table below shows the cheapest car insurance companies for full-coverage policies in Oakland.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Monthly Quote ▲▼ |
---|---|
Mile Auto | $121 |
Mercury | $192 |
Sun Coast | $241 |
Anchor | $255 |
USAA | $262 |
GEICO | $349 |
National General | $349 |
Allstate | $361 |
Farmers | $371 |
Direct Auto | $401 |
State Farm | $403 |
Travelers | $422 |
Bristol West | $456 |
21st Century | $460 |
Cheapest recent rates near Oakland, California
Recent Oakland, California car insurance prices for Tesla, KIA, Toyota , and more.
*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around Oakland, California within the last 10 days. Last updated on October 3, 2024
*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around Oakland, California within the last 10 days. Last updated on October 3, 2024
Car insurance requirements in California
The state of California imposes a mandatory minimum car insurance requirement known as 15/30/5. This translates to the following requirements:[1]
Coverage ▲▼ | Minimum Requirements ▲▼ |
---|---|
Bodily injury liability | $15,000 per person / $30,000 per accident |
Property damage liability | $5,000 per accident |
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.[2]
Because minimum liability insurance is the most basic auto policy, you may want more protection for yourself and your vehicle. Consider enhancing your insurance coverage with these optional add-ons:
Collision coverage
Collision insurance covers damages to your vehicle from collisions with other vehicles or objects, regardless of fault. If a rollover accident or pothole causes damage to your vehicle, collision can help pay for the repairs.
Comprehensive coverage
Comprehensive insurance offers protection against theft and damages resulting from non-collision incidents, like fire, vandalism, falling objects, and natural disasters such as wildfires, earthquakes, and floods.
Glass coverage
This includes coverage for windshield and glass damage, with some policies providing no-deductible coverage for side windows, rear windows, and glass sunroofs.
Gap coverage
Ideal for financed or leased vehicles, gap insurance covers the difference between your auto loan balance and the insurance payout in case of a total loss.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident
Drivers with incidents like at-fault accidents, speeding tickets, driving under the influence (DUI), or other moving violations on their records need to prioritize finding cost-effective auto insurance. Marks on your driving record often result in higher premiums for several years because insurance companies take on an increased risk of potential future claims.[3]
California may even require high-risk drivers to file SR-22 insurance, which can increase rates for at least three years. Here are the most affordable car insurance companies for drivers with incidents on their records.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket: Mile Auto
Oakland reported 764 fatalities and injuries in speeding-related crashes in 2023. If you receive a speeding ticket, you can anticipate higher auto insurance premiums through a surcharge because of the increased risk of loss. But it’s still possible to find comparatively cheap car insurance coverage, even with a speeding ticket.
Drivers in Oakland with a speeding ticket pay monthly averages of $203 for liability coverage and $405 for full coverage.
Here are the cheapest insurers for drivers with a speeding ticket in Oakland.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Clean Driving Record ▲▼ | With Speeding Ticket ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Mile Auto | $66 | $85 |
Sun Coast | $82 | $108 |
Mercury | $103 | $138 |
Anchor | $109 | $136 |
USAA | $127 | $158 |
National General | $143 | $179 |
GEICO | $169 | $211 |
Direct Auto | $170 | $212 |
Allstate | $175 | $218 |
Farmers | $179 | $222 |
State Farm | $195 | $241 |
Travelers | $205 | $258 |
21st Century | $222 | $287 |
Bristol West | $244 | $305 |
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident: Mile Auto
An at-fault accident on your driving record often leads to an increase in your auto insurance premiums for three to five years. Insurance companies adjust prices to minimize potential financial liabilities from future accidents.
Liability policies for Oakland drivers with an accident cost an average of $188 per month, and full-coverage policies cost $376 per month.
For Oakland residents with an at-fault accident history, the table below highlights the cheapest insurers.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Clean Driving Record ▲▼ | With Accident ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Mile Auto | $66 | $86 |
Sun Coast | $82 | $100 |
Mercury | $103 | $137 |
Anchor | $109 | $145 |
USAA | $127 | $157 |
National General | $143 | $178 |
GEICO | $169 | $210 |
Direct Auto | $170 | $215 |
Allstate | $175 | $217 |
Farmers | $179 | $220 |
State Farm | $195 | $240 |
Travelers | $205 | $256 |
21st Century | $222 | $282 |
Bristol West | $244 | $300 |
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI: Mile Auto
DUIs are serious driving offenses, leading to multi-year surcharges that significantly increase car insurance premiums. Insurance companies deem a history of DUIs as a substantial financial liability, resulting in increased premiums. Oakland reported 216 fatalities and injuries in alcohol-related crashes in 2023. If you have a DUI conviction, California will even require you to file an SR-22 certificate of financial responsibility with the state DMV.
Oakland drivers with a DUI pay a monthly average of $219 for liability coverage. Full-coverage policies increase to an average of $437 per month.
Here are the cheapest auto insurers in Oakland for drivers with a DUI on their record.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Clean Driving Record ▲▼ | With DUI ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Mile Auto | $66 | $101 |
Sun Coast | $82 | $116 |
Mercury | $103 | $143 |
Anchor | $109 | $149 |
USAA | $127 | $195 |
National General | $143 | $219 |
GEICO | $169 | $259 |
Direct Auto | $170 | $261 |
Allstate | $175 | $268 |
Farmers | $179 | $274 |
State Farm | $195 | $299 |
Travelers | $205 | $314 |
21st Century | $222 | $340 |
Bristol West | $244 | $374 |
Cheapest car insurance for seniors: Mile Auto
Age significantly influences car insurance costs. As drivers gain experience, premiums typically decrease, especially around age 25, provided they maintain clean driving records. But as older drivers approach their 70s, premiums may increase slightly due to increased risk of accidents and being seriously injured in accidents.
Senior drivers in Oakland pay $275 per month, on average, for a full-coverage policy.
The table below shows the cheapest car insurance companies for senior drivers in Oakland.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Liability Only ▲▼ | Full Coverage ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Mile Auto | $52 | $95 |
Sun Coast | $73 | $215 |
Mercury | $83 | $155 |
Anchor | $87 | $205 |
USAA | $106 | $218 |
National General | $115 | $280 |
Direct Auto | $138 | $326 |
GEICO | $140 | $290 |
Allstate | $146 | $302 |
Farmers | $146 | $302 |
State Farm | $158 | $327 |
Travelers | $167 | $344 |
21st Century | $173 | $358 |
Bristol West | $203 | $380 |
Cheapest car insurance for teens: Mile Auto
Teens generally pay higher premiums than older drivers.
“Teens pay more for car insurance because there is a lack of experience behind the wheel, as well as a tendency to have poor decision-making skills,” says Steve Rivera, partner at The Liberty Company Insurance Brokers.
Oakland teens pay $233 per month for liability coverage and $465 per month for full coverage, according to Insurify data.
If you’re a young adult or teen, here are some tips for finding lower prices:
Stay on a parents’ car insurance policy for as long as possible. If you're a minor, you won't be able to buy your own policy without written consent from a parent or guardian.
Look for student-away-at-school, defensive driving courses, and good student discounts.
Choose a car with highly rated safety features.
Here are the cheapest car insurance companies for Oakland teens with their own car insurance policies.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Liability Only ▲▼ | Full Coverage ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Mile Auto | $120 | $220 |
Sun Coast | $124 | $363 |
Mercury | $173 | $322 |
Anchor | $174 | $408 |
USAA | $197 | $406 |
GEICO | $248 | $512 |
National General | $265 | $646 |
Allstate | $288 | $595 |
Direct Auto | $289 | $682 |
Farmers | $292 | $606 |
State Farm | $309 | $639 |
Travelers | $345 | $711 |
21st Century | $348 | $720 |
Bristol West | $383 | $717 |
Is car insurance more expensive in Oakland?
The average monthly cost of full-coverage car insurance across the U.S. is $211 per month. Oakland drivers pay similar rates, with an average monthly premium of $309 for full coverage.
Insurance prices can fluctuate substantially depending on the city, as each city’s weather conditions, vehicle theft and vandalism rates, and traffic patterns come into play.[4]
More cities in California
Compared to several California cities, Oakland’s average full-coverage car insurance quotes are higher. But larger cities like Los Angeles, which reported 223,868 traffic injuries and fatalities in 2023,[5] often have greater expenses for car insurance.
Here’s a breakdown of average car insurance quotes in other major cities in California.
City ▲▼ | Full Coverage ▲▼ | Liability Only ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Bakersfield | $256 | $117 |
Fresno | $252 | $128 |
Los Angeles | $369 | $203 |
Modesto | $290 | $133 |
Riverside | $280 | $141 |
Sacramento | $310 | $140 |
San Diego | $252 | $120 |
San Francisco | $338 | $150 |
San Jose | $276 | $128 |
Stockton | $303 | $128 |
Oakland car insurance FAQs
Compare car insurance rates by state to see how California stacks up against other states’ average premiums, and learn more about Oakland car insurance with the answers to these common questions.
How much is car insurance in Oakland?
The average cost of car insurance in Oakland is $155 per month for liability only and $309 per month for full coverage.
What is the cheapest car insurance company in Oakland?
Mile Auto is the cheapest car insurance company in Oakland, with monthly liability rates as low as $66. Sun Coast and Mercury also offer affordable coverage, with respective monthly liability rates of $82 and $103.
But the cheapest insurer for you will depend on many factors, such as your age, city, the type of car you drive, and the coverage levels you choose.
What are the best car insurance companies in Oakland?
Some of the best car insurance companies in Oakland include Mile Auto, USAA, and Safeco. These companies have strong customer satisfaction ratings, comparatively affordable premiums, and strong Insurify Quality Scores.
But the best insurer will depend on your specific needs and budget, so it’s important to always compare quotes from multiple companies to find the best rates for you.
Can credit history affect your car insurance prices in California?
No. Your credit history doesn’t affect your car insurance premiums in California. This means that insurers can’t charge you higher premiums if you have fair or poor credit.[6]
How much car insurance do you need in Oakland?
California law requires Oakland drivers to purchase at least 15/30/5 car insurance limits. This translates to $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident for bodily injury liability and $5,000 per accident for property damage liability.
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. "Insurance Requirements."
- California Legislative Information. "SB-1107 Vehicles: insurance."
- Insurance Information Institute. "Do auto insurance premiums go up after a claim?."
- Insurance Information Institute. "What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?."
- University of California, Berkeley. "Transportation Injury Mapping System."
- Federal Trade Commission. "Credit-Based Insurance Scores."
During college, Jacqueline DeMarco interned at a retirement plan advisory firm and was tasked with creating a presentation on the importance of financial wellness. During her research into how money can affect our health, relationships and career, Jacqueline realized just how important financial education is. Jacqueline is a contributor for Insurify and has worked with more than a dozen financial brands, including LendingTree, Capital One, Credit Karma, Fundera, Chime, Bankrate, Student Loan Hero, ValuePenguin, SoFi, and Northwestern Mutual, providing thoughtful content to give readers insight into complex topics that they likely didn’t learn in school.
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
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.