GEICO offers Berkeley's lowest car insurance rates, with average annual premiums of $419 for minimum coverage and $998 for full coverage. AAA, Progressive and State Farm also provide affordable coverage options in the city.
Car Insurance in Berkeley
Updated: August 7, 2025
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Key Takeaways
Berkeley's cheapest car insurance companies are GEICO, AAA and Progressive, with savings up to 45% compared to the city average.
On average, Berkeley car insurance costs $142 per month for full coverage and $66 for minimum coverage.
To get the best cheap auto insurance in Berkeley, decide on coverage beforehand, do plenty of research and compare quotes from multiple sources.
Who Has the Cheapest Car Insurance in Berkeley?
| GEICO | $35 | $83 | -45% |
| AAA | $39 | $96 | -37% |
| Progressive | $54 | $102 | -27% |
| State Farm | $57 | $128 | -13% |
| Mercury | $65 | $135 | -6% |
Cheapest Berkeley Car Insurance by Category
GEICO offers Berkeley's cheapest rates in five driver categories, including young drivers and those with DUIs. AAA wins for drivers with accidents and speeding tickets.
| 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 |
Compare the Cheapest Berkeley Car Insurance for You
Your driving record and personal details shape what you'll pay for car insurance. Check the table below to find insurers offering the best rates for drivers like you.
Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
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Age Group:Adult Drivers
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Gender:Male
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Coverage Level:State Minimum Liability Only
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Credit:Good
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Driving Record:Clean
| Mercury Insurance | $65 | $782 | -4% |
| Geico | $35 | $419 | -48% |
| AAA | $39 | $463 | -43% |
| Progressive | $54 | $644 | -21% |
| State Farm | $57 | $685 | -16% |
Best Car Insurance Companies in Berkeley
Berkeley's highest-rated car insurance companies are Progressive, GEICO, AAA, State Farm and Mercury. These providers stand out for offering competitive rates, quality customer service and comprehensive coverage options.
| 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 |
Progressive: Best Overall
pros
Strong coverage options available
High customer satisfaction ratings
Competitive rates across driver categories
cons
Not the cheapest option
Limited military discounts
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Progressive earns the top spot in Berkeley through consistently strong performance across all rating categories. The company shows particular strength in coverage options, ranking second among all providers. Progressive maintains strong customer satisfaction ratings while offering competitive rates for most driver types. Their comprehensive coverage options include unique add-ons that set them apart from competitors.
GEICO: Best for Affordable Coverage
pros
Lowest rates in Berkeley
Multiple driver discounts available
Easy online experience
cons
Limited coverage options
Lower customer satisfaction scores
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
GEICO stands out as Berkeley's most affordable car insurance provider, earning top marks for affordability. The company offers the lowest rates for several driver categories, including seniors, young drivers, and those with bad credit. While GEICO excels in keeping costs low, they offer fewer coverage options compared to other providers. Their streamlined digital tools make it easy to manage policies online.
How Much Is Car Insurance in Berkeley?
In Berkeley, minimum coverage costs about $66 per month or $794 per year, ranking 1,027th out of all California cities for affordability. Full coverage averages $142 monthly or $1,699 annually, ranking 1,021st among California cities.
| Full Coverage | $142 | $1,699 |
| Minimum Coverage | $66 | $794 |
Berkeley Car Insurance Cost by Category
In Berkeley, monthly car insurance costs range from $53 to $341 depending on your driver profile. Check the table below to see rates for your category.
| Young Drivers | $120 | $248 |
| Adult Drivers | $66 | $142 |
| Senior Drivers | $78 | $158 |
| Drivers With an Accident | $105 | $222 |
| Drivers With a DUI | $159 | $341 |
| Drivers With a Speeding Ticket | $96 | $205 |
| Drivers With Bad Credit | $142 | $313 |
| Drivers With Newer Cars | $70 | $149 |
| Drivers With Old Cars | $53 | $113 |
Berkeley Car Insurance Costs by ZIP Code
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.
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ZIP Code:94720
| 94720 | $82 | $175 |
Compare Personalized Berkeley Car Insurance Costs
Find your best rate match in the table below, which combines personal factors like age and driving history for more accurate Berkeley insurance estimates than single-factor averages.
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Age Group:Adult Drivers
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Gender:Male
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Coverage Level:State Minimum Liability Only
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Credit:Good
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Driving Record:Clean
| $63 | $758 | 2% |
How to Get the Best Cheap Berkeley Car Insurance
Finding affordable car insurance in Berkeley can feel overwhelming, with local rates well above the national average and countless coverage options to sort through. Our step-by-step guide will show you how to secure the cheapest car insurance while maintaining the right protection for your needs.
- 1
Know your coverage requirements
Start by understanding how much coverage you need for Berkeley's urban environment. Use our car insurance coverage needs calculator to find appropriate coverage levels based on your car's value and personal assets. Consider higher coverage limits due to increased accident risks in dense city traffic.
- 2
Explore alternative insurance options
Look into different types of car insurance that could save you money. If you drive less than average, consider pay-per-mile insurance. Don't own a car? Non-owner coverage might be your best bet.
- 3
Check Berkeley insurance rates
Research average vehicle insurance costs in Berkeley to set realistic expectations. This baseline helps you identify genuinely good deals and avoid overpaying. Remember that urban area have higher rates than suburban locations.
- 4
Stack your available discounts
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.
- 5
Evaluate insurer reliability
Research each insurance company's customer service reputation and claims process. Check their financial strength ratings and read local Berkeley customer reviews. A slightly higher premium from a reliable insurer could save money long-term.
- 6
Get quotes from multiple providers
Collect quotes from at least three different insurance providers. Use comparison websites, contact local agents, and visit company websites directly.
- 7
Review coverage annually
Set a yearly reminder to review your policy and compare rates. Your circumstances may change, and new insurers enter the Berkeley market regularly. This helps ensure you maintain the best combination of coverage and cost.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Berkeley: Bottom Line
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.
Cheap Berkeley Car Insurance: FAQ
Get straight answers about affordable car insurance in Berkeley. We'll help you find the right coverage that fits your budget without sacrificing protection.
What is the cheapest car insurance company in Berkeley, California?
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.
Who offers the best car insurance in Berkeley?
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.
What is the average cost of car insurance in Berkeley?
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.
Is car insurance in Berkeley expensive?
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.
How We Chose the Best and Cheapest Car Insurance in Berkeley, CA
To help Berkeley drivers find the most affordable auto insurance companies, MoneyGeek analyzed auto insurance rates based on data and information from the California Department of Insurance and Quadrant Information Services. We studied all ZIP codes in the city and hundreds of thousands of quotes for 12 companies offering auto insurance in California to tailor options as closely as possible to you.
Berkeley Driver Profile
MoneyGeek created a sample driver profile to calculate car insurance quote averages with the following characteristics:
- 40-year-old male
- 2012 Toyota Camry LE
- Clean driving record
- 12,000 miles driven annually
- Good credit
- Valid license
- Currently insured
- No claims history
We adjusted certain factors, such as age, driving record, credit score and military affiliation, to find the most suitable insurance companies for specific driver profiles.
Coverage Levels in Berkeley
MoneyGeek compared the most affordable insurance providers for minimum and full coverage auto insurance policies.
The minimum coverage requirements in California are:
- $30,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $60,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $25,000 property damage liability per accident
For a full coverage policy, we used the following coverage limits:
- $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $100,000 property damage liability per accident
- Comprehensive and collision insurance, each with a $1,000 deductible
Our Best Company Rating Methodology
We rated all companies based on the following rating scale:
- Affordability (60% of score): To get this score, we evaluated quotes for various common driver profiles and compared rates to the competition within the city.
- Customer experience (30% of score): We used sources such as agency reviews on Google, J.D. Power, AM Best and forums like Reddit to gauge customer sentiment and experiences across the board.
- Coverage options (10% of score): This score considers the number of coverage options a provider offers and the uniqueness of the offering and benefits.
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!
Passionate about economics and insurance, he aims to promote transparency in financial topics and empower others to make confident money decisions.