Cheapest Car Insurance Quotes in California

Drivers in California can often find the cheapest car insurance through smaller regional and select national insurers. USAA offers the cheapest rates in California, averaging $65 per month.

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Cheapest recent car insurance quotes in California

Recent California car insurance prices for Hyundai, Nissan, Honda, and more.

*Quotes generated for Insurify users from California within the last 10 days. Last updated on July 23, 2026. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 500+ 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 July 23, 2026. 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 July 23, 2026. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 500+ 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 July 23, 2026. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.
Doug Bailey
Written byDoug Bailey
Doug Bailey
Doug BaileySenior Content Writer
  • 15 years at the Boston Globe

  • 5+ years covering insurance industry

Doug joined Insurify as a senior content writer in 2025. He was previously a regular contributor to InsuranceNewsNet.

Katie Powers
Edited byKatie Powers
Photo of an Insurify author
Katie PowersLicensed P&C Agent, Senior Insurance Editor
  • Licensed auto and home insurance agent

  • 4+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing

  • NPN: 20564519

Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.

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Mark Friedlander
Reviewed byMark Friedlander
Mark Friedlander
Mark FriedlanderSenior Director, Media Relations, Insurance Information Institute
  • Media relations director for Insurance Information Institute

  • 20+ years in insurance and communications

  • Impartial, independent expert

As Senior Director, Media Relations, for Insurance Information Institute, 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 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.

Updated

Why you can trust Insurify: Comparing accurate insurance quotes should never put you at risk of spam. We earn an agent commission only if you buy a policy based on our quotes. Our editorial team follows a rigorous set of editorial standards and operates independently from our insurance partners. Learn more.
California car insurance at a glance
  • Cheapest car insurance company in California: USAA

  • Cheapest car insurance rate in California: $65 per month

  • Average monthly liability-only car insurance cost in California: $96

  • Average monthly full-coverage car insurance cost in California: $200

Cheapest car insurance quotes in California

The car insurance rates below are based on a driver in California with a clean driving record, good credit, and no recent claims. The car insurance quotes you receive may vary based on your age, location, vehicle, coverage selections, and driving history.

California drivers can often find the lowest premiums by comparing national and regional insurers. The three cheapest insurers in our analysis are USAA, Aspire General, and GEICO.

Here, you can see some of the other cheapest insurers across California.

The below rates in California are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, July 9 at 5:00 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: Liability Only
Average Monthly Quote: Full Coverage
USAA$65$144
Aspire General$69$121
GEICO$70$141
Sun Coast$71$167
Mercury$73$140
National General$73$194
Dairyland$81$191
Root$86$134
Direct Auto$88$213
Allstate$90$199
Farmers$92$205
Anchor$95$177
Bristol West$100$213
State Farm$100$221
Kemper Special$104$158
Travelers$105$233
21st Century$115$253
Kemper Rsvp$115$161
First Acceptance$154$339
Chubb$179$394
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time California car insurance quotes from Insurify's 500+ partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual car insurance quotes in California may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Best-rated insurance companies in California

Price matters, but customer experience and financial strength are important considerations when choosing an insurance company. The companies below are the best car insurance companies in California based on Insurify’s verified user reviews, insurer financial strength, customer satisfaction scores, and complaint data.

Best for full coverage: Progressive

JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
635
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.
8.7 /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.
$136/mo
Details
How drivers feel about Progressive

Customers appreciate the insurer’s good customer service and initial affordability but dislike the consistent price increases and complex claims process.

Based on analysis of verified reviews collected by Insurify

Best in California for
Competitive rates
Easy buying process
Telematics program
Showing 43 reviews from California driversSee all 8,786 Progressive reviews
Avelin Seth
Verified Review
Good
Fair and square; affordable.
David
Verified Review
Horrible policy experience with AI operators and claims adjusters
It was horrible. My daughter-in-law was driving our truck, and a car pulled up behind her and hit the trailer hitch. They tried to claim we hit them. After the police report proved otherwise, they tried to harass us over the claim. No one followed up with us. The people ended up paying for the damages, and then we were notified the policy was canceled. I’ll never deal with Progressive again.
Maninder
Verified Review
Average
Without any claims, Progressive is constantly increasing the payments.
NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
0.97
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

Progressive is Insurify’s pick for full coverage in California because it offers a wide range of optional coverages, competitive pricing for many drivers, and robust digital tools that make managing a policy and filing claims easier. With optional loan/lease payoff coverage and vehicle protection, it’s an especially strong choice for drivers with newer or financed vehicles.

Pros
  • Above-average customer satisfaction in California[1]

  • Competitive full-coverage rates for many California drivers

  • Highly rated mobile app and online policy management tools

Cons
  • Premiums can increase significantly following an accident or traffic violation

  • Mostly negative customer reviews on Trustpilot

  • Some regional insurers may offer lower rates for drivers with clean records

Best for minimum coverage: GEICO

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.
9.2 /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.
$70/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.
$141/mo
Details
4.0
Best choice in CaliforniaBased on 19,705 verified driver reviews and ratings
GEICO's score
Industry average
Coverage options4.03.2
Customer service4.13.6
Discounts3.92.9
Policy transparency4.03.1
Value3.82.9
How drivers feel about GEICO

Customers appreciate the reliability and customer service but find the rates to be high and increase frequently, even without claims or accidents. The app has improved, but some find the claims process lacking.

Based on analysis of verified reviews collected by Insurify

Best in California for
Teen drivers
Cheap rates
Accident forgiveness
Showing 75 reviews from California driversSee all 7,976 GEICO reviews
Jack
Verified Review
Geico raised my premium without notice
After 28 years with Geico, I canceled. They raised my premium and didn’t notify me. I asked for an explanation, and they couldn’t give me a reason. They acted like they couldn’t care less about my business. I went with Auto Club, got an actual agent, and ended up with much cheaper premiums.
Robert
Verified Review
Excellent
Cheaper than other companies.
Louis
Verified Review
Good
Overall, very good.
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
626
NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
0.59
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 consistently offers competitive liability-only rates to California drivers and provides a simple online auto insurance quote experience. It’s a strong option for Californians who need to meet the state’s minimum liability insurance requirements without paying for coverage they don’t need.

Pros
  • Frequently among the lowest-priced insurers for California minimum-liability coverage

  • Easy-to-use online tools and mobile app for quotes, policy management, and claims

  • Offers multiple discounts, including good-driver, multi-vehicle, military, and federal employee discounts

Cons
  • No agent offices in California

  • Fewer optional coverages than some competitors

  • Mostly negative reviews on Trustpilot

Best for savings: Mercury Insurance

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.
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.
$73/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.
$140/mo
Details
4.0
Best choice in CaliforniaBased on 675 verified driver reviews and ratings
Mercury's score
Industry average
Coverage options3.73.2
Customer service3.03.6
Discounts3.32.9
Policy transparency3.63.1
Value3.22.9
How drivers feel about Mercury

Drivers appreciate the attentive customer service and claim handling but dislike the consistent rate increases and lack of transparency in pricing. Some also found the company to be lacking in empathy and flexibility.

Based on analysis of verified reviews collected by Insurify

Best in California for
Competitive rates
Rideshare drivers
Numerous discounts
Showing 17 reviews from California driversSee all 324 Mercury reviews
Dennis
Verified Review
Avoid Mercury. The company doesn’t communicate with policyholders. It has strange premium discount policies. It behaves like a secret service company, with almost total disregard and disrespect for policyholders.
Avoid Mercury. The company doesn’t communicate with policyholders. It has strange premium discount policies. It behaves like a secret service company, with almost total disregard and disrespect for policyholders.
Sieglinde
Verified Review
Excellent
Easy and affordable.
Fr
Verified Review
Less Expensive
Unsurpassed affordability.
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
596
NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
0.95
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

Mercury Insurance offers competitive rates for California drivers and a variety of discounts — such as an electric vehicle discount — that can help reduce insurance costs. As a California-based insurer, Mercury has numerous agent offices throughout the state, which can be especially appealing to drivers who like personalized communication.

Pros
  • Competitive rates for many California drivers

  • Offers several discounts, including bundling, multi-car, good driver, and anti-theft savings

  • Long-established California insurer with numerous agents throughout the state

Cons
  • Below-average customer satisfaction in California

  • Digital tools and mobile experience not as comprehensive as those of some national insurers

  • Drivers with accidents, DUIs, or other high-risk factors may find lower rates elsewhere

Best for customer service: State Farm

User Reviews
4.1
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
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.
$100/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.
$221/mo
Details
4.1
Best choice in CaliforniaBased on 19,905 verified driver reviews and ratings
State Farm's score
Industry average
Coverage options4.13.2
Customer service4.33.6
Discounts3.92.9
Policy transparency3.93.1
Value3.72.9
How drivers feel about State Farm

Customers appreciate the insurer’s excellent customer service and personal attention but dislike the high prices and frequent rate increases. They also express frustration with the claims process.

Based on analysis of verified reviews collected by Insurify

Best in California for
Customer service
Competitive rates
Discounts for safe drivers
Showing 75 reviews from California driversSee all 7,842 State Farm reviews
Ramon
Verified Review
Not the Best Deal
Rates are too high.
Ronald
Verified Review
Sad news
I made a claim in January 2026, and they’re still contacting the other driver.
Sandy
Verified Review
State Farm: Rates and Customer Service
I never feel like the agent is working for me or offering the best information for my coverage. I don’t like the way the billing is handled. I don’t want my house and vehicles to all be due at the same time, and that never gets changed. Customer service is very poor.
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
658
NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
0.84
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 combines a strong IQ Score with one of California’s largest local agent networks and consistently strong claims support. Drivers who value personalized service and reliable assistance throughout the life of their policy may find State Farm worth paying a little more for.

Pros
  • Financial strength grade of A+ (Superior) from AM Best

  • Extensive network of local agents throughout California for personalized service

  • Drive Safe & Save program can reward safe drivers with lower rates

Cons
  • Premiums may be higher than those of some competitors for certain driver profiles

  • Availability for new policies has varied in parts of California as the company has adjusted its underwriting in the state

  • Gap insurance not available

  • We evaluated insurers operating in California using a combination of Insurify customer reviews, financial strength ratings, claims satisfaction studies, complaint ratios, coverage options, and pricing data. We also considered factors particularly relevant to California drivers, including wildfire exposure, urban congestion, vehicle theft trends, and the availability of local agents throughout the state.

How much is car insurance in California?

California drivers typically pay slightly less than the national average for minimum-liability coverage but may pay more than average for full coverage in certain regions. The average monthly rate for liability-only car insurance in California is $96, according to Insurify data. The average rate for full coverage is $200 per month. This is compared to national monthly averages of $98 and $186, respectively.

Several state-specific factors influence car insurance rates in California, including heavy traffic congestion in metropolitan areas, high vehicle repair costs, elevated litigation expenses, and persistent vehicle theft concerns in some cities. Wildfire-related economic pressures have also contributed to rising insurance premiums across multiple insurance lines in recent years.

Average car insurance quotes in California cities

California’s diverse geography, varying environmental risks, and broad range of driver demographics mean car insurance premiums vary widely in the state. For example, Glendale is a relatively small community in California with a population of about 187,160. But its higher cost of living and wildfire exposure mean it has higher car insurance costs than some much larger California cities.

The following table shows average car insurance rates for California cities.

The below rates in California are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, July 9 at 5:00 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.

City
Average Monthly Quote: Liability Only
Average Monthly Quote: Full Coverage
Lompoc$70$144
Redding$71$153
Tulare$72$167
Hanford$73$150
San Luis Obispo$73$146
Santa Maria$73$155
Visalia$73$161
Chico$74$146
Palm Desert$74$157
Santa Cruz$74$148
Woodland$77$151
La Quinta$78$171
Cathedral City$79$174
Palm Springs$79$182
Ridgecrest$79$141
Saratoga$79$186
Watsonville$79$195
Chula Vista$80$175
Napa$80$171
Petaluma$81$171
Santa Barbara$81$159
Dublin$82$183
Hollister$82$173
San Ramon$82$192
Santa Rosa$83$176
Beaumont$84$179
Campbell$84$160
Pacifica$84$160
San Mateo$84$213
Yuba City$84$177
Bakersfield$85$178
Concord$85$187
Fremont$85$190
Milpitas$85$181
Fresno$86$176
Oxnard$86$190
Fairfield$87$193
Lodi$87$183
Palo Alto$87$187
San Diego$87$173
San Marcos$87$167
Santa Clara$87$198
Vallejo$87$216
Vista$87$172
Cupertino$88$188
El Cerrito$88$199
La Mesa$88$157
Novato$88$176
San Clemente$88$172
San Jose$88$184
Brentwood$89$174
National City$89$189
Poway$89$149
Oceanside$90$177
Pittsburg$90$207
Santee$90$159
Ceres$91$185
Escondido$91$182
Hemet$91$180
Antioch$92$212
Lathrop$92$201
Murrieta$92$188
Stockton$92$199
Temecula$92$167
Tracy$93$193
Folsom$95$182
Hayward$95$211
Modesto$95$191
South San Francisco$95$202
Aliso Viejo$96$185
Camarillo$96$181
Colton$96$195
Roseville$96$183
Menifee$97$184
Moreno Valley$97$197
Elk Grove$98$188
Lake Forest$98$175
Redlands$98$183
West Sacramento$98$184
Berkeley$99$207
Brea$99$193
Richmond$99$258
Riverside$99$201
San Francisco$99$242
San Leandro$99$211
Hesperia$102$211
Laguna Niguel$102$186
Norco$102$195
Oakland$102$237
San Bernardino$102$212
Wildomar$102$194
Chino$103$196
Corona$103$202
Irvine$103$208
Newport Beach$103$207
Rialto$103$212
Santa Ana$103$204
Thousand Oaks$103$196
Sacramento$104$211
Orange$105$197
Victorville$105$216
Fontana$106$213
Huntington Beach$106$189
Placentia$106$199
Pomona$106$228
Adelanto$107$225
Ontario$107$202
San Pedro$107$221
Chino Hills$108$201
La Mirada$109$208
Torrance$109$225
Buena Park$111$214
Rancho Cucamonga$111$205
Azusa$112$220
Carson$112$232
La Puente$112$219
Paramount$112$231
Anaheim$113$212
Diamond Bar$113$223
Fountain Valley$113$199
Garden Grove$113$209
Long Beach$114$228
Bell Gardens$115$248
Cypress$115$194
Norwalk$115$218
Simi Valley$116$220
Cerritos$117$238
Covina$118$214
Lancaster$121$235
Walnut$121$233
El Monte$123$239
Lynwood$124$273
Palmdale$125$239
Santa Clarita$125$243
Pasadena$127$249
Temple City$127$253
Compton$130$267
Culver City$130$237
Santa Monica$135$266
San Gabriel$136$247
Inglewood$138$260
Burbank$152$278
Los Angeles$154$295
Studio City$155$289
West Hollywood$164$330
Northridge$168$322
Reseda$169$324
Winnetka$169$307
Glendale$178$358
Beverly Hills$181$352
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time California car insurance quotes from Insurify's 500+ partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual car insurance quotes in California may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Drivers in major urban areas often face the highest insurance premiums in the state. The chart below highlights the five most expensive California cities for auto insurance.

The below rates in California are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, July 9 at 5:00 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.

City
Average Monthly Quote: Liability Only
Average Monthly Quote: Full Coverage
West Hollywood$164$330
Northridge$168$322
Reseda$169$324
Glendale$178$358
Beverly Hills$181$352

On-the-spot guidance from licensed insurance experts

Britney Balk
Britney BalkLicensed P&C Agent and Customer Service Supervisor

Qualifications:
  • Licensed property and casualty insurance agent

  • 14+ years insurance experience


Britney has 14+ years of experience in auto and home insurance. She’s committed to making sure customers feel informed and supported through every step of the insurance-buying process.

Mallory Mooney
Mallory MooneyLicensed P&C Insurance Agent and Director of Sales and Client Services

Qualifications:
  • Licensed property and casualty insurance agent

  • 10+ years of insurance experience


Mallory has 10+ years of experience in property and casualty insurance. She serves as the director of sales and client services at Insurify, where customer service is central to her leadership style.

Austin Moyers
Austin MoyersLicensed P&C Insurance Agent and Sales Manager

Qualifications:
  • Licensed property and casualty insurance agent

  • 13+ years of insurance experience


Austin has 13+ years of personal lines experience. As a sales manager at Insurify, he mentors agents and partners with leadership to refine sales strategies and improve the customer experience.

Why you should compare car insurance quotes in California

Car insurance rates can vary significantly among insurers for the same driver profile. One company may place more emphasis on your driving record, while another may focus more heavily on your ZIP code, annual mileage, or vehicle type.

California’s diverse geography and traffic conditions create additional pricing differences. Drivers in Los Angeles, Oakland, and San Francisco may receive substantially different quotes than drivers in inland communities.

To receive the most accurate quotes:

  • Compare identical coverage limits and deductibles.

  • Include all household drivers.

  • Report annual mileage accurately.

  • Request both minimum- and full-coverage quotes.

  • Ask about available discounts.

  • Compare policy features, not just price.

  • Review optional coverage selections carefully.

Compare California Car Insurance Quotes

Check quotes from 120+ top insurance companies

Excellent
4.7 out of 5 based on 16,010 reviews
Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
ProgressiveLiberty MutualAllstate

California car insurance requirements

California law requires drivers to carry liability coverage with minimum limits of:

Coverage Type
Minimum Limit
Bodily injury liability per person$30,000
Bodily injury liability per accident$60,000
Property damage liability$15,000

​These liability coverage requirements are similar to those in many states, though California recently increased its minimum limits to those listed above.[2]

Unlike some states, California doesn’t require personal injury protection (PIP) because it isn’t a no-fault insurance state. Uninsured motorist coverage is generally optional, but insurers must offer it.

How to find the cheapest California car insurance

Shopping around remains the most effective way to lower car insurance costs in California. Annual rates can differ by hundreds of dollars between insurers.

California drivers can also reduce premiums by carefully selecting deductibles and taking advantage of available discounts.

To reduce your car insurance costs even more, you can:

  • Compare quotes from at least three insurers.

  • Maintain a clean driving record.

  • Bundle auto insurance with homeowners or renters insurance.

  • Raise deductibles if financially appropriate.

  • Reduce annual mileage when possible.

  • Take advantage of telematics or safe-driving programs.

  • Ask about multi-vehicle discounts.

California’s average credit score is higher than the national average, but state law limits how insurers use credit information more than in many other states.

Save on a California Auto Insurance Policy

Compare rates from the nation’s leading insurance companies

Excellent
4.7 out of 5 based on 16,010 reviews
Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
ProgressiveLiberty MutualAllstate

Find quotes for your driver profile

The cheapest insurer for one driver may not be the cheapest for another. Comparing quotes tailored to your specific situation can help you find the best car insurance at the lowest price.

The following resources can help you learn more about car insurance in California.

How car insurance costs have changed in California

California drivers have experienced notable premium increases in recent years as insurers have faced rising repair costs, higher vehicle values, higher medical expenses, and greater claim severity.

California car insurance rates increased throughout 2025, though growth moderated compared with some other states, according to Insurify’s American Driver Report. Looking ahead to 2026, insurers continue to cite repair inflation, labor costs, advanced vehicle technology, and litigation expenses as key drivers of rate changes.

Average California Car Insurance Rates Over the Past Five Years

State Name
2021-06
2021-07
2021-08
2021-09
2021-10
2021-11
2021-12
2022-01
2022-02
2022-03
2022-04
2022-05
2022-06
2022-07
2022-08
2022-09
2022-10
2022-11
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California1,6971,7021,7031,7041,7011,7041,7011,7041,7011,6941,7021,7101,7141,7201,7161,7111,7061,7011,6951,6941,6881,6901,6961,7131,7301,7351,7551,7761,7931,8161,8461,9061,9842,1412,2722,4062,5092,6422,7222,7442,7642,8002,8162,8072,7582,7002,6692,6342,5822,5232,4792,4522,4142,3942,3872,3832,3702,3702,3772,3882,395
United States1,5511,5531,5551,5571,5621,5641,5661,5681,5721,5771,5911,6021,6081,6121,6181,6241,6321,6401,6501,6661,6891,7191,7581,8021,8501,8871,9191,9561,9832,0062,0362,0762,1282,1942,2402,3002,3432,3702,3912,3872,3742,3702,3632,3532,3672,3672,3662,3562,3422,3172,2852,2572,2282,2142,2212,2222,2242,2322,2382,2362,237

California car insurance FAQs

California’s insurance market is one of the largest and most competitive in the country. Here are answers to some common questions drivers ask when shopping for coverage.

  • What company has the cheapest auto insurance in California?

    USAA offers the cheapest car insurance in California. Its liability-only policies average $65 per month. But the cheapest insurer for you will vary based on your age, vehicle, location, and driving record. That’s why comparing multiple quotes is the best way to identify the lowest-cost insurer for your situation.

  • Is $300 per month for car insurance bad in California?

    Not necessarily. For drivers with violations, teen drivers, luxury vehicle owners, or full-coverage policies in expensive areas, $300 per month may be reasonable. But safe drivers and those outside the previously mentioned groups often pay substantially less.

  • How much is car insurance in California?

    The average monthly cost of liability coverage in California is $96. The average monthly cost of full coverage is $200. The cost you pay depends on your coverage level, location, vehicle, driver profile, and more.

  • Is there a risk to buying cheap car insurance?

    Yes. The cheapest insurance policy may not provide enough financial protection after a serious accident. Drivers should evaluate coverage limits, deductibles, insurer reputation, and claims service in addition to price.

Sources

  1. J.D. Power. "J.D. Power 2026 U.S. Auto Insurance Study."
  2. California DMV. "Insurance Requirements."

Methodology

Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 250 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 500+ 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.

Doug Bailey
Written byDoug BaileySenior Content Writer
Doug Bailey
Doug BaileySenior Content Writer
  • 15 years at the Boston Globe

  • 5+ years covering insurance industry

Doug joined Insurify as a senior content writer in 2025. He was previously a regular contributor to InsuranceNewsNet.

Doug joined Insurify as a senior content writer in 2025. He was previously a regular contributor to InsuranceNewsNet.

Katie Powers
Edited byKatie PowersLicensed P&C Agent, Senior Insurance Editor
Photo of an Insurify author
Katie PowersLicensed P&C Agent, Senior Insurance Editor
  • Licensed auto and home insurance agent

  • 4+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing

  • NPN: 20564519

Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.

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Mark Friedlander
Reviewed byMark FriedlanderSenior Director, Media Relations, Insurance Information Institute
Mark Friedlander
Mark FriedlanderSenior Director, Media Relations, Insurance Information Institute
  • Media relations director for Insurance Information Institute

  • 20+ years in insurance and communications

  • Impartial, independent expert

As Senior Director, Media Relations, for Insurance Information Institute, 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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