Updated: November 6, 2025
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
GEICO offers the cheapest car insurance in Berkeley. AAA, Progressive, State Farm and Mercury Insurance also provide coverage in the city.
Car insurance in Berkeley costs an average of $794 per year for minimum coverage and $1,699 per year for full coverage.
GEICO also offers the cheapest car insurance in California at $465 per year for minimum coverage and $1,091 per year for full coverage.
GEICO provides adult drivers minimum coverage at $419 annually in Berkeley, the East Bay's most competitive rate. Young drivers with GEICO pay $849 per year, 103% higher than adult rates.
Senior drivers face premiums of $456 annually with GEICO. Drivers with a DUI see rates jump to $1,000 per year with GEICO, marking a 139% increase over clean-record adults.
Berkeley's pricing structure reveals how driver characteristics substantially influence your final premium in this Bay Area market.
| Young Drivers | GEICO | $71 |
| Adult Drivers | GEICO | $35 |
| Senior Drivers | GEICO | $38 |
| Drivers With an Accident | AAA | $48 |
| Drivers With a DUI | GEICO | $83 |
| Drivers With a Speeding Ticket | AAA | $48 |
| Drivers With Bad Credit | GEICO | $67 |
| Drivers With Newer Cars | State Farm | $40 |
| Drivers With Old Cars | AAA | $25 |
GEICO dominates Berkeley's market with minimum coverage at $419 per year, 47% below the city average of $794. GEICO also charges $998 per year for full coverage.
AAA presents an alternative at $463 annually for minimum coverage. This option costs more but attracts drivers who value AAA's extensive roadside assistance network and member benefits.
| GEICO | $35 | $83 | -45% |
| AAA | $39 | $96 | -37% |
| Progressive | $54 | $102 | -27% |
| State Farm | $57 | $128 | -13% |
| Mercury | $65 | $135 | -6% |
Young drivers in Berkeley pay $849 annually with GEICO for minimum coverage. Adult drivers secure the market's best rates at $419 per year with GEICO, enjoying a 51% discount compared to younger policyholders.
GEICO charges seniors $456 annually, representing just a 9% increase over adult rates. Berkeley's relatively small gap between adult and senior rates stands out among California markets.
| Geico | $35 | $419 | -48% |
| AAA | $39 | $463 | -43% |
| Progressive | $54 | $644 | -21% |
| State Farm | $57 | $685 | -16% |
| Mercury Insurance | $65 | $782 | -4% |
AAA charges $574 annually for both speeding tickets and at-fault accidents in Berkeley. DUIs carry the highest costs at $1,000 per year with GEICO.
This 139% increase adds $581 to annual premiums. California's strict DUI penalties extend beyond legal consequences to create long-term financial burdens through elevated insurance costs.
| AAA | $48 | $574 |
| Geico | $62 | $744 |
| Auto Owners | $87 | $1,048 |
| Progressive | $88 | $1,052 |
| State Farm | $88 | $1,059 |
Progressive leads Berkeley with competitive premiums and strong customer satisfaction scores. GEICO earns recognition with the city's lowest rates and solid customer service ratings.
Both companies effectively serve Berkeley drivers, with GEICO winning on pure cost and Progressive offering innovative features like usage-based insurance.
| Progressive | 89 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| GEICO | 87 | 1 | 7 | 7 |
| AAA | 86 | 2 | 5 | 7 |
| State Farm | 80 | 4 | 4 | 7 |
| Mercury | 79 | 5 | 6 | 5 |
Strong coverage options
High customer satisfaction ratings
Competitive rates
Not the cheapest
Limited military discounts
Progressive performs well across all rating categories. It offers good coverage, including add-ons and it has strong customer satisfaction.
Lowest rates
Multiple driver discounts
Easy online experience
Limited coverage options
Lower customer satisfaction scores
GEICO offers the lowest rates for several driver categories, including seniors, young drivers, and those with bad credit. It offers fewer coverage options compared to other providers. This insurer has streamlined digital tools to make it easy to manage policies online.
Berkeley averages $794 per year for minimum coverage and $1,699 per year for full coverage. These rates exceed California's state average of $718 for minimum coverage.
GEICO's $419 minimum coverage rate demonstrates substantial savings potential. This East Bay city's higher premiums reflect dense urban traffic patterns and elevated theft risks compared to suburban California communities.
| Full Coverage | $142 | $1,699 |
| Minimum Coverage | $66 | $794 |
In Berkeley, car insurance rates by ZIP code range from $59 to $175 per month. ZIP code 94720 is the most expensive, while 94708 is the cheapest. Check the average rates for your ZIP code on the table below.
| 94720 | $82 | $175 |
Our step-by-step guide will show you how to get the cheapest car insurance that suits your needs.
Use our car insurance coverage needs calculator to find appropriate coverage levels based on your car's value and personal assets.
Look into different types of car insurance that could save you money. If you drive less than average, consider pay-per-mile insurance. If you don't own a car, then non-owner coverage might be best.
Research average vehicle insurance costs in Berkeley to set realistic expectations.
Maximize savings through available car insurance discount options. Consider bundling multiple policies or getting multi-car discounts. Many insurers offer special rates for UC Berkeley students and faculty.
Research each insurance company's customer service reputation and claims process.
Collect quotes from at least three different insurance providers.
Set a yearly reminder to review your policy and compare rates.
Car insurance rates in Berkeley vary based on your age, driving record and vehicle type. GEICO and AAA offer the lowest average premiums in the city, but your actual rates may differ. Compare quotes from multiple insurers to find your best rate.
Get straight answers about affordable car insurance in Berkeley. We'll help you find the right coverage that fits your budget without sacrificing protection.
GEICO offers Berkeley's lowest rates, averaging $419 for minimum coverage and $998 for full coverage. Individual rates vary based on personal factors, so compare multiple quotes.
Progressive leads Berkeley's car insurance providers with a MoneyGeek score of 89 out of 100, scoring 2 points higher than GEICO. Progressive excels in both affordability and customer service quality.
Berkeley drivers pay $1,699 for full coverage and $794 for minimum coverage car insurance annually. Your actual rates will vary based on individual factors.
Car insurance in Berkeley costs more than average, ranking 1,027th for minimum coverage affordability and 1,021st for full coverage compared to other California cities.
We collected rate data from the California Department of Insurance and Quadrant Information Services, analyzing hundreds of thousands of quotes from 12 companies across every ZIP code in Berkeley. This ensures our data reflects what you'll actually pay based on your neighborhood's accident rates, theft frequency, and local repair costs.
We started with a 40-year-old male driving a 2012 Toyota Camry LE with a clean record, good credit, and no claims history. This driver logs 12,000 miles annually and maintains continuous coverage with a valid license. From there, we adjusted age, driving record, credit score, and military affiliation to show how rates shift based on your actual situation.
California requires minimum liability coverage of $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident for bodily injury, plus $25,000 for property damage. These minimums satisfy legal requirements but leave you financially exposed after serious accidents.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.
