Updated: December 15, 2025
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
GEICO: Most affordable for diverse driver types in Berkeley. Full coverage costs $95 monthly while minimum coverage runs $38, making it 23% cheaper than the city average.
AAA: Runner-up for affordability with $95 monthly for full coverage and $38 for minimum coverage. This provider excels for drivers with an accident or drivers with a speeding ticket.
Progressive: Third most cost-effective option that stands out for various driver types, offering competitive rates for specific driver categories in Berkeley.
Cheapest by Coverage and Driver Profile in Berkeley:
GEICO is affordable with minimum coverage at just $34 monthly, saving drivers 45% compared to the city average, while AAA comes in second at $38 per month with 37% savings. Full coverage with GEICO costs $83 monthly (45% below average), and AAA holds second place at $95 per month for 37% savings.
| Geico | $35 | $83 | -45% |
| AAA | $39 | $96 | -37% |
| Progressive | $54 | $102 | -27% |
| State Farm | $57 | $128 | -13% |
| Mercury Insurance | $65 | $135 | -6% |
Not in Berkeley? Read more about the cheapest car insurance in California or the best car insurance in California.
GEICO is the most affordable coverage at $155 monthly, while State Farm follows at $178 per month. AAA rounds out the top three at $190 monthly.
Completing a defensive driving course can mean discounts ranging from 5% to 15%. You can also stay on your parents' policy, which works out cheaper.
| Geico | $156 | $1,869 | -40% |
| State Farm | $178 | $2,139 | -32% |
| AAA | $191 | $2,292 | -27% |
| Wawanesa Insurance | $192 | $2,299 | -26% |
| Progressive | $224 | $2,687 | -14% |
GEICO has the most affordable rates at $88 monthly for full coverage, while State Farm follows at $110 and AAA rounds out the top three at $112. Completing a defensive driving course can reduce premiums by up to 10%, with savings lasting three years.
| Geico | $89 | $1,067 | -45% |
| State Farm | $110 | $1,321 | -32% |
| AAA | $112 | $1,346 | -31% |
| Progressive | $125 | $1,499 | -23% |
| Allstate | $137 | $1,640 | -16% |
If you've been in an at-fault accident, AAA offers the most affordable rates at $47 monthly for minimum coverage, with GEICO close behind at $62.
Got a speeding ticket? AAA again leads at $47 monthly, while GEICO comes in second at $52. For drivers with a DUI, GEICO provides the cheapest option at $83 monthly, followed by Mercury at $113.
| At-Fault Accident | AAA | $48 | -55% |
| At-Fault Accident | Geico | $62 | -42% |
| DUI | Geico | $83 | -48% |
| DUI | Mercury Insurance | $113 | -29% |
| Speeding Ticket | AAA | $48 | -52% |
| Speeding Ticket | Geico | $52 | -47% |
The priciest area, 94720, costs $175 monthly for full coverage, while the most affordable ZIP, 94708, runs just $127 per month. That's a $48 difference between neighborhoods in the same city. Traffic density, local theft rates and accident frequency all factor into what insurers charge for your ZIP code.
| 94720 | $175 |
| 94707 | $158 |
| 94704 | $140 |
| 94710 | $140 |
| 94702 | $137 |
| 94703 | $134 |
| 94705 | $133 |
| 94709 | $131 |
| 94708 | $127 |
| 94708 | $127 |
| 94709 | $131 |
| 94705 | $133 |
| 94703 | $134 |
| 94702 | $137 |
| 94710 | $140 |
| 94704 | $140 |
| 94707 | $158 |
| 94720 | $175 |
Progressive takes the top spot in Berkeley with an impressive MoneyGeek score of 88 out of 100. This insurer delivers good coverage options paired with solid customer service, making it the go-to choice for drivers seeking comprehensive protection.
GEICO, AAA, State Farm and Mercury round out the city's best options. These companies deliver affordable premiums and reliable customer support.
| Progressive | 89 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| Geico | 87 | 1 | 7 | 7 |
| AAA | 86 | 2 | 5 | 7 |
| State Farm | 80 | 4 | 4 | 7 |
| Mercury Insurance | 79 | 5 | 6 | 5 |
Snapshot program personalizes rates based on driving
Comprehensive coverage options for urban risks
Fast digital claims processing and tracking
Slower claim processing than competitors
Standard policies exclude rental car coverage
Less responsive customer service
Progressive ranks first in Berkeley for good customer service through 24/7 digital support and mobile app tools that fit the city's busy lifestyle. The company provides comprehensive theft coverage addressing Berkeley's high property crime rates and processes claims quickly.
Top affordability across all coverage levels
Specialized rideshare insurance for gig workers
24/7 mobile claims filing from roadside
Cons
Limited coverage options compared to competitors
Primarily digital service with fewer local agents
Extra fees for roadside assistance and rentals
This company ranks first in Berkeley for affordability for young drivers, seniors and high-risk drivers with accidents or DUI violations. GEICO offers 24/7 digital tools and fast claims processing.
Berkeley drivers can secure better rates.
Combine auto with home or renters insurance for 15% to 25% savings. Stack good driver, paperless billing and automatic payment discounts. Multi-car policies add another 10% to 25% per vehicle.
Increasing your deductible from $500 to $1,000 cuts annual premiums by 10% to 15%. This simple adjustment reduces what insurers pay on claims, lowering your rates.
Annual shopping helps you find rate improvements for your car insurance.
Our Berkeley FAQ answers common insurance questions, helping you understand coverage options and find affordable rates.
Berkeley car insurance runs about $142 monthly for full coverage. While that's not cheap, it's less than Granada Hills at $243 per month, California's priciest location. However, you'll pay considerably more than drivers in Weed, where coverage costs just $47 monthly.
Finding affordable car insurance in Berkeley starts with understanding how insurers price policies across the city. Traffic congestion, theft risk and California’s insurance requirements all shape your premium.
We partnered with the California Department of Insurance and Quadrant Information Services to analyze hundreds of thousands of quotes from 12 insurers across every Berkeley ZIP code.
Our ratings for the best car insurance in Berkeley are calculated by a weighted score incorporating affordability (60%), customer experience (30%) and coverage options (10%).
Read more about our methodology, which reveals which insurers maintain competitive rates across Berkeley neighborhoods and driver categories while delivering reliable claims service, not just advertised rates for perfect-record drivers.
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.
