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Your car insurance premium is determined primarily by your chosen coverage level and your driver background. The average cost of car insurance in California is $1,429 per year but individuals who only get the minimum coverage pay significantly less at $665 per year. If you add a young driver to your policy or are issued a violation, the cost of your premium substantially increases to approximately $4,187 or $2,057 per year, respectively.

The insurer you choose also impacts the cost of your annual premium. For instance, a full coverage Esurance policy costs around $1,055 per year, but a similar coverage policy from Alliance costs $1,762 per year.

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The Average Cost of Car Insurance in California

There are many factors affecting car insurance rates in California. Age is the factor that impacts premium prices the most, followed by how much coverage you purchase. You can click on the driver profiles to get more details about the average cost of car insurance for each.

Average Costs of Car Insurance in California

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  • Driver
    Average Annual Premium
    Average Monthly Premium
  • The Average Driver
    $1,429
    $119
  • Drivers Buying Minimum Coverage
    $665
    $55
  • Adding a Young Driver
    $4,187
    $349
  • Drivers With a Violation
    $2,057
    $171
Insurance Rates

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Why Are Car Insurance Rates Reasonable in California?

Car insurance premiums vary by state, and California’s car insurance rates are considered moderately priced. California’s average puts it at 38th. For reference, Maine is the cheapest state for car insurance.

Most Californians live in urban areas, making it the state with the second-highest ratio of the urban population, tied with New Jersey. Its roads are also some of the busiest — California has the third-highest traffic density in the nation — making collisions more likely to happen.

17% of California drivers are uninsured, putting the state in 10th place. Motor theft is also common. Both contribute to the high likelihood of drivers filing claims.

Average Cost of Car Insurance in California: Full Coverage vs. Minimum Coverage

The amount of coverage you purchase significantly affects car insurance rates in California. Liability-only coverage may lower rates while full coverage may raise them.

For example, if you buy a policy meeting California’s minimum insurance requirement, your premium only costs $665 per year on average. A full coverage car insurance policy, including collision and comprehensive coverage, increases the premium by roughly $764. You’ll pay an average of $1,429 each year for full coverage.

Average Cost of Car Insurance in California by Coverage Level

The cheapest car insurance you can purchase is a state-minimum policy in California.

However, you can increase your liability insurance to 50/100/50 or 100/300/100 for an additional cost. These numbers are simply a shorthand way to indicate liability coverage levels above the minimum required in the state. For instance, a 50/100/50 means:

  • $50,000 in bodily injury liability insurance per person
  • $100,000 in bodily injury liability insurance per accident
  • $50,000 in property damage liability insurance per accident

A full coverage policy will feature comprehensive and collision insurance. It will also reimburse you for the damages to your car.

Average Cost of Car Insurance in California By Company

Rates don’t just vary between states — they’re also different from one provider to the next.

You can purchase cheap liability-only coverage from Progressive, which costs an average of $481 per year. For affordable full coverage car insurance, you can buy a policy from Esurance for an average annual premium of $1,055.

If you don’t compare rates, you may end up buying insurance from a company with higher rates. For instance, Farmers’ liability-only policy costs $850 a year on average, the highest average rate we’ve seen for California. Meanwhile, Allied has the state’s worst rates for full coverage, at an average of $1,762 per year.

Average Annual Costs of Car Insurance in California - By Company

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How Much Is Car Insurance in California by Age?

Car insurance rates in California for young drivers are typically very high because carriers consider them riskier to insure. It’s the same situation for first-time drivers.

A 16-year-old would be better off being added to their parents’ car insurance policy than purchasing one on their own. The average cost of car insurance in California for a 16-year-old driver is $4,187 per year.

In comparison, a 40-year-old driver pays about $2,758 less for a similar policy. Their premium only amounts to $1,429 per year on average.

Average Costs of Full Coverage Car Insurance in California - By Age

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  • Age
    Annual Premium
  • 16
    $4,187
  • 17
    $3,795
  • 18
    $3,546
  • 19
    $3,079
  • 20
    $2,877
  • 21
    $2,254
  • 22
    $2,135
  • 23
    $1,986
  • 24
    $1,863
  • 25
    $1,739
  • 30
    $1,480
  • 40
    $1,429
  • 50
    $1,320

How Does Driving History Affect Car Insurance Costs in California?

Having a clean driving record is one way to keep car insurance rates in California down. High-risk drivers typically pay more each year for coverage. Your premium also increases depending on the severity of your violation.

The average cost of car insurance in California for a safe driver is $1,429 per year. If you have a speeding ticket on your record, your premium increases to $2,057 each year on average. That’s a difference of $628.

If you have a bad driving record, comparing quotes from several carriers will help you find more affordable rates.

Average Costs of Full Coverage Car Insurance in California - By Driving History

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  • Driving Violation
    Annual Premium
  • Safe Driver
    $1,429
  • Speeding Ticket
    $2,057
  • At-Fault Accident
    $2,463
  • DUI
    $4,075
Insurance Rates

Compare Auto Insurance Rates

Ensure you're getting the best rate for your auto insurance. Compare quotes from the top insurance companies.

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Credit Scores and the Cost of Car Insurance in California

The average cost of car insurance in most states changes depending on the driver’s credit score. In some states, using credit standing as a basis to set car insurance premiums is prohibited. California is one of those states, along with Hawaii and Massachusetts. Therefore, your credit score has no impact on your insurance rates in this state.

How Much Is Car Insurance in Your City?

The cost of car insurance differs from state to state. It also varies between cities within the same state. Factors unique to each area, such as its population and the likelihood of collisions or natural disasters, contribute to how carriers set premiums.

In Santa Maria, premiums cost an average of $1,109 per year, 22.4% lower than the average cost of car insurance in California. If you live in Glendale, you’ll have to pay an annual average of $2,283 for a similar policy. That’s 59.8% higher than the state average and more than double Santa Maria’s rate.

Average Costs of Full Coverage Car Insurance in California - By City

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Frequently Asked Questions About California Car Insurance Rates

Drivers who need to purchase car insurance in California have questions. Here are the ones frequently asked — the answers may help you understand how much car insurance costs in California.

About Mark Fitzpatrick

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Mark Fitzpatrick is a senior content director at MoneyGeek with over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, conducting original research and creating content that can be personalized for every buyer. He has been quoted on insurance topics in several publications, including CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.

Mark earned a master’s degree in Economics and International Relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He is passionate about using his economics and insurance knowledge to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.

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