Best Cheap Auto Insurance in Riverside, California (2023)

Riverside’s average car insurance costs are only slightly cheaper than the state average, but some drivers may find even cheaper coverage.

Anna Baluch
Written byAnna Baluch
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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.

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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.

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Updated September 20, 2023

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Located outside of Los Angeles and surrounded by mountains within driving distance, Riverside, California, has a vibrant arts and recreation community. Residents enjoy lower-than-average car insurance prices, possibly due to the city’s lower population compared to nearby cities.[1] 

Quick Facts
  • Even though Riverside is the most populous city in Riverside County, with more than 336,000 residents, its average car insurance costs are 2% cheaper than the state average.

  • California’s low-cost auto insurance plan is available to qualifying drivers who need affordable car insurance.

  • California is updating its car insurance minimum requirements to 30/60/15 in 2025.[2]

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Best car insurance companies in Riverside

Finding the best car insurance company for you depends on your particular budget, coverage preferences, and driving record. Insurify analyzed and identified the best auto insurers in Riverside based on customer satisfaction, A.M. Best ratings, average quotes, and more.

Best insurer for liability-only coverage: Mile Auto

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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.
$71/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.
$129/mo

Mile Auto is a pay-per-mile insurer, meaning its rates are based on how many miles you drive. It offers basic coverage options and a few add-ons. If you don’t drive very often, you may score the best rates on a policy with Mile Auto.

Pros
  • Affordable coverage for infrequent drivers

  • An A rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB)

Cons
  • Limited discounts available

  • No mobile app available

Best insurer for teen drivers: Clearcover

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.
3.1
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.
$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

Clearcover uses AI technology and a robust mobile app to simplify the way customers purchase and manage their auto policies. It only sells car insurance but partners with Hippo to provide home insurance as well.

Pros
  • Offers discounts at select maintenance shops

  • Comprehensive mobile app

Cons
  • No bundling discounts

  • Few discounts available compared to competitors

I filed a claim with Clearcover last year, and they haven't paid it. Now my policy has gone up by $40 per month.

Catherine - January 14, 2023
Verified

Great service, low price, very helpful staff

Jack - September 12, 2022
Verified

The price was right, but only lasted for six months

Kelvin - September 3, 2022
Verified
Read our Clearcover review

Best insurer for senior drivers: Sun Coast

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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.
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).
Not rated
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.
$77/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.
$156/mo

Based in Laguna Beach, Sun Coast offers car insurance as well as other insurance products, like boat insurance and business insurance. Its lineup of auto policies includes basic coverage, like liability protection, and optional coverage, such as 24/7 roadside assistance.

Pros
  • Long list of discounts available

  • A+ BBB rating

Cons
  • No home insurance product for bundling

  • No online claims process

Cheapest liability-only car insurance in Riverside

The state of California requires liability-only car insurance minimum limits of 15/30/5. This type of policy pays for the other driver’s property damage and injuries after an accident you cause. Due to the bare-bones nature of this auto policy type, it’s generally cheaper than full-coverage insurance, and drivers can get low premiums with this policy.

If you only want to meet California’s minimum requirements, these are the cheapest liability-only insurance companies in Riverside.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Monday, September 18 at 12:00 PM PDT
Insurance CompanyAverage Monthly Quote
Clearcover70
Mile Auto71
Infinity84
Mercury88
USAA95
Safeco108
Kemper110
National General117
Dairyland124
GEICO127
Allstate131
Farmers135
State Farm146
Bristol West148
Travelers153
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 Riverside

For extra protection, you might want full-coverage car insurance, which typically includes liability, collision, and comprehensive insurance. If you drive a newer or expensive vehicle, full-coverage car insurance may provide the extra protection you’re looking for. Plus, drivers who lease or finance their vehicles may have to buy full-coverage insurance while paying off their auto loans.

The table below shows the most affordable full-coverage car insurance companies in Riverside.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Monday, September 18 at 12:00 PM PDT
Insurance CompanyAverage Monthly Quote
Mile Auto129
Clearcover141
Mercury156
Infinity164
Safeco186
USAA191
Kemper211
Travelers226
National General238
GEICO254
Allstate263
Farmers271
Dairyland286
State Farm293
Bristol West306
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.

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Car insurance requirements in California

Like many states, California is an at-fault state, also called a tort state.[3] This means that the driver responsible for the accident must pay for the other driver’s damage or injury costs. Drivers must carry bodily injury and property damage liability coverage but may purchase additional coverage for more financial protection.

These are the minimum liability limits California requires for all drivers:[4]

illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/x/f2ca9fa443/protection-for-passengers.svg

Bodily injury liability

  • $15,000 per person

  • $30,000 per accident

illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/x/db598219e3/damage-from-aircraft.svg

Property damage liability

  • $5,000 per accident

Important Information

California liability limits are increasing on Jan. 1, 2025, to $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident for bodily injury liability and $15,000 per accident for property damage liability.[2]

While you can purchase liability-only insurance to maintain legal requirements, more coverages may help you feel more protected on the road. You can consider adding these different types of auto insurance coverage options to your policy:

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

Comprehensive

Comprehensive insurance covers vehicle damage from noncollision related incidents, like vandalism, falling objects, hitting an animal, or natural disasters.

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

Collision

This coverage pays for repairs after an accident with another vehicle or object, regardless of fault.

illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/x/5285c4cd74/uninsured-or-underinsured-motorist-coverage.svg

Uninsured/underinsured motorist

This policy can protect you if you get involved in an accident with a driver who doesn’t have insurance or doesn’t have enough insurance to cover your injuries and damages.

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

Medical payments

Medical payments coverage, or MedPay, pays for your medical bills after a collision, even if you caused it.

Learn More: Proof of Insurance: What Is It?

Learn More: Proof of Insurance: What Is It?

California’s low-cost auto insurance plan

The state government manages California’s Low Cost Automobile Insurance program (CLCA) to help low-income drivers afford car insurance. To be eligible for the program, you must meet the following requirements:

  • Have a valid California driver’s license

  • Meet income eligibility requirements

  • Own a vehicle valued at $25,000 or less

  • Be at least 16 years old

  • Have a good driving record or be a new driver

Car insurance through the CLCA costs $232 to $932 a year, depending on the county. But drivers can add coverage like uninsured/underinsured motorist and medical payments insurance for an extra $37 to $107 a year. You can learn more and apply for the car insurance program at MyLowCostAuto.com.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident

At-fault accidents, speeding tickets, and DUIs are examples of incidents that can raise your car insurance premiums in Riverside, California.[5] Drivers in the city with clean records usually lock in the lowest prices. But even with incidents on your driving record, it’s still possible to find affordable car insurance.

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Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket

Speeding reduces the amount of time drivers have to react to dangerous situations and often results in accidents. This higher risk for accidents is why you can expect higher premiums after a speeding ticket in Riverside.[5] The table below shows the cheapest car insurance companies for Riverside drivers with a speeding ticket 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 Auto189
Clearcover207
Mercury229
Infinity241
Safeco273
USAA280
Kemper310
Travelers332
National General349
GEICO373
Allstate386
Farmers398
Dairyland420
State Farm430
Bristol West449
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

In 2022, Riverside had 40 fatal car accidents out of the 1,803 total crashes in the city.[6] If you cause an accident, your insurance premiums will usually increase because of your higher risk of another accident. How much your car insurance will increase depends on the severity of the crash and the total claim amount.[5] If you’re searching for cheap car insurance after an accident in Riverside, California, start by getting quotes from the insurers below.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Monday, September 18 at 12:00 PM PDT
Insurance CompanyAverage Monthly Quote
Mile Auto180
Clearcover197
Mercury218
Infinity229
Safeco260
USAA267
Kemper295
Travelers316
National General333
GEICO355
Allstate368
Farmers379
Dairyland400
State Farm410
Bristol West428
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

Not only can a DUI result in hefty fines and jail time, but it may also lead to higher car insurance premiums — especially if California requires you to file an SR-22. Furthermore, a DUI can cause your insurance company to not renew your policy at the end of its term.[5]

The table below shows the average car insurance quotes for Riverside 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 Auto194
Clearcover212
Mercury234
Infinity246
Safeco279
USAA287
Kemper317
Travelers340
National General358
GEICO382
Allstate395
Farmers407
Dairyland430
State Farm440
Bristol West460
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

Seniors may cause car accidents due to physical and mental limitations, like poor vision and slow reflexes.[7] Average premiums go down around age 35 and go up a bit around age 75. In Riverside, seniors may find the lowest auto insurance quotes from the insurance companies below.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Monday, September 18 at 12:00 PM PDT
Insurance CompanyAverage Monthly Quote
Mile Auto69
Clearcover75
Mercury83
Infinity88
Safeco99
USAA102
Kemper113
Travelers121
National General127
GEICO136
Allstate141
Farmers145
Dairyland153
State Farm157
Bristol West164
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 have less experience behind the wheel than older drivers and face higher car insurance costs as a result.[8] To save money on a policy, teens can stay on their parents’ insurance, enroll in a defensive driving course, and secure a discount.

“Most carriers offer a good student discount for teens with a GPA of at least 3.0,” says Earl Jones, insurance agent and owner at Earl L. Jones Insurance Agency in California. “In addition, most providers offer a ‘student away’ discount for those students who [attend college] hours away from home.” 

For teens and young adults looking for cheap car insurance in Riverside, start with the insurers in the table below.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Monday, September 18 at 12:00 PM PDT
Insurance CompanyAverage Monthly Quote
Mile Auto222
Clearcover243
Mercury269
Infinity283
Safeco321
USAA329
Kemper364
Travelers390
National General410
GEICO438
Allstate453
Farmers467
Dairyland493
State Farm505
Bristol West528
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 Riverside

Finding the cheapest car insurance requires a little work on your part during the insurance-shopping process. To score a great deal on an auto policy in Riverside, follow these tips:

  • Shop around. It may be tempting to choose a policy from the first car insurance company you find. But if you’d like to save as much money as possible, it’s a good idea to get quotes from several companies and compare your insurance options.

  • Take advantage of discounts. It’s quite common for car insurance companies to offer discounts. A few examples include the good driver discount and multi-vehicle discount.

  • Bundle policies. Chances are you need more than one type of insurance policy. If this is the case, you may lock in a discount for bundling an auto policy with homeowners insurance, renters insurance, or life insurance.

  • Consider usage-based insurance. Usage-based or pay-per-mile insurance might make sense if you only drive occasionally. You’ll only pay for the number of miles you drive, plus a base rate.

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Is car insurance more expensive in Riverside?

The average cost of a liability-only auto policy in the U.S. is $170 per month. For full coverage, the average monthly cost is $253. While liability-only coverage is cheaper in Riverside, full coverage is a bit more expensive.

Car insurance premiums vary by city and ZIP code within California due to factors like population, crime rates, and the number of uninsured drivers.[8] For example, full-coverage quotes for Anaheim are nearly the same as for Riverside, but Irvine and Modesto’s quotes are lower than Riverside’s.

More cities in California

More populated cities, like Los Angeles, have higher rates than Riverside due to the higher rates of car accidents and crime. However, even though San Diego has a higher population than Riverside, it has cheaper average quotes. 

Here’s an overview of the average full-coverage car insurance quotes for other cities in California.

CityAverage Monthly QuoteCompared to Riverside
Anaheim$2580%
Bakersfield$244-5%
Fresno$234-9%
Irvine$234-9%
Long Beach$2643%
Los Angeles$34936%
Modesto$223-13%
Oakland$2736%
Sacramento$2643%
San Diego$223-13%
San Francisco$31724%
San Jose$2580%
Stockton$249-3%
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.

Riverside car insurance FAQs

Check out Insurify’s guide on how much car insurance you need to help you during the quote-comparison process, and read the answers to common questions about car insurance in Riverside, California, below.

  • What are the best car insurance companies in Riverside?

    The best car insurance companies in Riverside include Allstate, GEICO, and USAA. Although these insurers don’t have the lowest average quotes compared to other insurers in Riverside, they have above-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction ratings and high Insurify Quality Scores.

    While Insurify identified these companies as the best for Riverside drivers, the best insurance company for you will depend on your coverage needs and budget, so you should compare auto insurance quotes from multiple insurers.

  • Can credit history affect your car insurance rates in Riverside?

    No. California doesn’t allow auto insurers in the state to use customer credit scores when underwriting premiums. This means that your credit score, whether good or bad, won’t influence your auto insurance rates.[9]

  • How much car insurance do you need in Riverside, California?

    California requires drivers to carry 15/30/5 minimum liability limits. These requirements translate to $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident for bodily injury liability and $5,000 per accident for property damage liability.[4]

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. U.S. Census Bureau. "Quick Facts: Riverside city, California." Accessed June 30, 2023
  2. California State Legislature. "SB-1107 Vehicles: insurance.." Accessed June 30, 2023
  3. Nolo. "California Auto Insurance Requirements and Minimums." Accessed June 30, 2023
  4. California DMV. "Auto Insurance Requirements." Accessed June 30, 2023
  5. III. "Do auto insurance premiums go up after a claim?." Accessed June 30, 2023
  6. University of California Berkeley. "Transportation Injury Mapping System." Accessed June 30, 2023
  7. III. "Senior driving safety and insurance tips." Accessed June 30, 2023
  8. III. "What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?." Accessed June 30, 2023
  9. Federal Trade Commission. "Credit-Based Insurance Scores: Impact on Consumers of Automobile Insurance." Accessed June 30, 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

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