Esurance offers the cheapest car insurance in Carlsbad for most drivers, including those with speeding violations. For a state minimum policy, Progressive is the cheapest option. USAA may be the cheapest insurer for drivers with a military background. Esurance offers the best balance of affordability and quality service, making it the best auto insurer in Carlsbad.
The Cheapest and Best Car Insurance in Carlsbad




The Cheapest Car Insurance Companies in Carlsbad
If you’re looking for a full coverage policy, the cheapest car insurance companies in Carlsbad are:
- Esurance: $893 per year
- MetLife: $1,008 per year
Compared with Farmers, the most expensive option at $1,598 per year, Esurance is up to 78.9% cheaper.
Full coverage policies include comprehensive and collision insurance to cover damages to your car in case of an accident. Rates for full coverage policies may vary depending on the level of liability coverage you choose.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Carlsbad
- Company100/300/100per year
- 1.$893
- 2.$1,008
- 3.$1,014
- 4.$1,080
- 5.$1,084
MoneyGeek collected average car insurance rates for a 40-year-old male driver in Carlsbad with a full coverage policy, in accordance with our methodology.
When you purchase a full coverage policy, you will pay higher rates compared with a state minimum policy. A full coverage policy offers comprehensive and collision insurance in addition to liability coverage.
- Comprehensive insurance: covers non-collision–related damages like theft or vandalism
- Collision insurance: covers damages arising from a collision with another vehicle or object
If you have an older car, the cost of a full coverage policy may exceed the value of your car; in cases like this, minimum liability policies are more cost-effective.
Compare Car Insurance Rates in Carlsbad
Ensure you're getting the best rate for your car insurance. Compare quotes from the top insurance companies.

Cheapest Car Insurance in Carlsbad for Minimum Coverage
If you are looking for cheap car insurance in Carlsbad, a minimum coverage policy is the most affordable option.
The cheapest companies for minimum coverage car insurance in Carlsbad are:
- Progressive: $448 per year
- GEICO: $471 per year
If you have a military background, USAA is the second cheapest for minimum coverage at $451 per year.
Purchasing a minimum coverage policy means that you pay cheaper premiums for your car insurance. However, you risk not being fully covered since minimum coverage carries low levels of liability coverage and does not include comprehensive or collision insurance.
You can toggle the table below to see how much higher liability coverage costs.
Cheapest Minimum Liability Car Insurance in Carlsbad
- CompanyState Minimumper year
- 1.$448
- 2.$451
- 3.$471
- 4.$485
- 5.$511
A state minimum coverage policy is the cheapest type of car insurance you can buy in Carlsbad. This type of policy only carries the minimum liability limits required by California laws for bodily injury and property damage. This means that in the event of an accident you may incur high out-of-pocket costs since state minimum policies offer limited protection.
For instance, if you are at fault for an accident where the medical expenses incurred are $45,000, your minimum policy will only cover $15,000 so you have to pay for the balance out of pocket.
California Minimum Liability Requirements
- ItemDescription
- Bodily Injury and Property Damage$15,000 per person, $30,000 per accident and $5,000 for property damage. A more protective level is 100/300/100.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Carlsbad if You Have Driving Violations
Driving history is one of the factors that impact car insurance costs in Carlsbad. Drivers with DUI, tickets and at-fault accidents will pay higher rates compared with those with good records.
For Carlsbad drivers with violations, the cheapest companies are:
- Cheapest after a ticket: Esurance, $1,125 per year
- Cheapest after an at-fault accident: Esurance, $1,383 per year
- Cheapest after a DUI: Mercury, $2,042 per year
You can get better car insurance rates by improving your driving record over time. It also pays to shop around and compare quotes to find the cheapest car insurance for violations.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Carlsbad With a Violation
Average Cost of Car Insurance in Carlsbad
Drivers in Carlsbad pay an average of $1,247 per year for car insurance. Average car insurance rates in Carlsbad are cheaper than the average for the state of California by 12.7% and 12.4% cheaper than the national average.
Personalized Quotes to Get You the Cheapest Car Insurance in Carlsbad
Car insurance quotes in Carlsbad depend on factors such as the age of the driver, location, driving history, make and model of vehicle and the coverage level required. Comparing quotes is the best way to find cheap car insurance in Carlsbad since rates can vary widely depending on the insurer.
Compare Car Insurance Rates in Carlsbad
Ensure you're getting the best rate for your car insurance. Compare quotes from the top insurance companies.

The Best Car Insurance Companies in Carlsbad
MoneyGeek ranked the best car insurance companies in Carlsbad based on user satisfaction, claims ratings and affordability. The two best companies for car insurance in Carlsbad are:
- Esurance: MoneyGeek score of 93 out of 100
- AAA: MoneyGeek score of 88 out of 100
USAA received a MoneyGeek score of 88 out of 100. However, it was not included in our rankings for the top car insurance companies, as policies are only available to military members and their families.

Esurance offers the best car insurance in Carlsbad with the highest user satisfaction and affordability scores in the city. Esurance’s policy cost an average of $893 per year and comes with unique coverage options like custom parts and equipment coverage.
Carlsbad drivers who want to cover aftermarket upgrades to their cars, like custom grills or sound systems, can opt for the custom parts and equipment coverage offered by Esurance. Esurance also offers rideshare insurance called ShareSmart, which ensures that drivers who use rideshare apps are covered while working and that there are no gaps between your personal policy and rideshare insurance.
Esurance also offers gap insurance for drivers with leased cars or cars on loan to cover the difference between the amount you still owe on your car and the actual cash or insured value of your car.
Read MoneyGeek's Esurance auto Insurance Review
AAA’s car insurance in Carlsbad costs an average of $1,084 per year. AAA ranks high in user satisfaction, claims and affordability, making it one of the best car insurance companies in Carlsbad. This provider also offers unique coverages, including identity theft coverage.
If you have AAA car insurance, you can add identity theft coverage to your policy. This coverage will protect you in case your identity is stolen and used for fraudulent purposes. Policies with AAA also come with standard car insurance coverages like rental car and travel expense reimbursement, which covers the cost of renting a car or other travel expenses incurred when your car is in the shop for repairs.
AAA car insurance also offers roadside assistance coverage, which includes fuel delivery, flat tire service, battery jumpstart and replacement, vehicle lockout service and trip continuation coverage.
Read MoneyGeek's AAA auto Insurance Review









Average Cost of Car Insurance by Postal Code
Depending on your ZIP code, the cost of your car insurance in Carlsbad may vary. This is because factors like the rate of traffic accidents and car thefts may vary from one ZIP code to another. In Carlsbad, 92009 is the most expensive ZIP code at an average cost of $1,268 per year, which is $42 more than average car insurance rates in the cheapest ZIP code, 92008.
- Zip CodeState Minimumper year
- 92008$1,226
- 92009$1,268
Factors That Impact Insurance Costs in Carlsbad
In addition to individual driver needs and history, location-specific factors like the percentage of uninsured motorists and the rate of car thefts also contribute to car insurance rates in Carlsbad. How Carlsbad ranks compared to the 300 most populous cities in the United States can have a significant impact on premium costs.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
