GEICO offers California's most affordable car insurance with monthly rates of $39 for minimum coverage and $91 for full coverage. Drivers save $52 monthly (45%) compared to state averages. Get quotes from Progressive, Mercury, AAA and Allstate too.
Cheapest Car Insurance in California
Updated: August 13, 2025
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Key Takeaways
GEICO, Progressive and Mercury Insurance are the cheapest car insurance companies in California, with GEICO's rates averaging 45% below the state average.
Car insurance costs in California start at $35 monthly for minimum coverage and $91 for full coverage policies.
To get the cheapest car insurance in California, research costs from top companies and compare multiple provider quotes while maximizing available discounts.
Who Has the Cheapest Car Insurance in California?
| Geico | $39 | $91 | -45% |
| Progressive | $54 | $105 | -32% |
| Mercury Insurance | $66 | $139 | -12% |
| AAA | $71 | $148 | -7% |
| Allstate | $81 | $141 | -5% |
*These rates are for a 40-year-old with good credit, a clean driving record and a 2012 Toyota Camry across all ZIP codes in the state.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BEST CHEAP CAR INSURANCE IN CALIFORNIA
We've created additional guides below to help you in your search for the best and cheapest car insurance in California:
Best Car Insurance Rates by Category in California
GEICO offers the cheapest car insurance for nine out of our 10 driver categories in California, leading the market for most drivers from seniors to those with driving violations. Progressive stands out for drivers with newer cars. Find your specific rates in the table:
| Young Drivers | Geico | $78 |
| Adult Drivers | Geico | $39 |
| Senior Drivers | Geico | $42 |
| Drivers With An Accident | Geico | $69 |
| Drivers With A DUI | Geico | $93 |
| Drivers With A Speeding Ticket | Geico | $58 |
| Drivers With Bad Credit | Geico | $74 |
| Drivers With Low Income | Geico | $49 |
| Drivers With Newer Cars | Progressive | $53 |
| Drivers With Old Cars | Geico | $35 |
*Rates for the categories above are based on a profile of a 40-year-old with good credit, a clean driving record and a 2012 Toyota Camry across all ZIP codes in the state. Young drivers refer to 16 to 25-year-olds, adults 26 to 64-year-olds and seniors 65+ years of age.
Compare the Cheapest Car Insurance in California for You
The tables above show overall winners, but your cheapest option depends on your specific situation. For example, Progressive offers the lowest rates at $227 monthly for adult drivers with poor credit and an accident record who want 100/300/100 full coverage. Filter the table to match your exact situation:
Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
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Age Group:Adult Drivers
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Gender:Female
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Coverage Level:100/300/100 Full Cov. w/$1,000 Ded.
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Credit Alignment:Below Fair
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Driving Record:At Fault Accident ($1000-$1999 Prop Dmg)
| Progressive | $227 | $2,718 | -33% |
| Geico | $236 | $2,830 | -30% |
| Farmers | $277 | $3,323 | -18% |
| State Farm | $321 | $3,858 | -5% |
| Allstate | $332 | $3,986 | -1% |
*Young drivers refer to 16 to 25-year-olds, adults 26 to 64-year-olds and seniors 65+ years of age.
Cheapest Car Insurance in California by City
Where you live in California affects your insurance costs based on local crime, accidents and traffic density. AAA charges as little as $22 in Macdoel but GEICO costs $83 in Granada Hills. Here are the cheapest providers for every California city:
Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
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City:Acampo
| Acampo | AAA | $34 | -38% |
*The lowest rate referenced is for a minimum coverage policy for a 40-year-old with good credit and no driving violations.
How to Get the Cheapest Car Insurance in California
Finding the most affordable insurance companies is just one step toward reducing your California car insurance costs. Here are proven ways to save the most on auto insurance.
- 1
Compare Multiple Insurance Providers
Get quotes from at least three insurance companies to find the best rates. Check prices through insurance websites, independent agents and comparison tools to ensure you're getting the lowest premium possible.
- 2
Determine Your Coverage Needs
Know what coverage you need before shopping to avoid paying for unnecessary add-ons while ensuring proper financial protection. Consider your car's value, assets and state requirements when choosing coverage levels.
- 3
Consider Lower Coverage Amounts
Reducing your coverage limits can lower your premium costs if budget is tight. But first evaluate your financial situation, driving record and where you live to ensure you're not taking on too much risk.
- 4
Research Costs and Available Discounts
Look up average auto insurance costs in your area as a baseline. Check for discounts you qualify for and compare home and auto insurance bundle prices to maximize your savings.
- 5
Look Into Alternative Insurance Options
Consider pay-per-mile car insurance if you don't drive much. Telematics programs that track driving habits can also reduce rates. Check if your car manufacturer offers special insurance programs with lower premiums.
- 6
Work on Your Risk Profile
Improve your credit score and maintain a clean driving record to qualify for better rates. Insurance companies offer lower premiums to drivers they consider less risky.
- 7
Choose a Cost-Effective Vehicle
If you're buying a car, pick a cheaper car to insure to keep your premiums low. Older vehicles with good safety ratings and lower repair costs typically cost less to insure.
Risks of Getting the Cheapest Car Insurance in California
California requires drivers to carry liability insurance with minimum coverage of 30/60/15. This means you need $30,000 for injuries to one person, $60,000 total for injuries in one accident and $15,000 for property damage coverage. But minimum coverage leaves you exposed to major financial risks:
Vehicle damage if you're at fault won't be covered
Without collision coverage, you'll pay all repair costs if you cause an accident. In California, average property damage claims hit $4,711 in 2023, according to the Insurance Information Institute. That money comes straight from your pocket with minimum coverage. Add collision coverage to protect against expensive repairs.
Weather risks make damage to your car more likely and aren't covered
California gets hit with natural disasters that damage cars regularly. The Insurance Information Institute reports $1.9 billion in weather-related auto claims in 2023. Basic coverage won't pay for weather damage. Add comprehensive coverage to protect against floods, fires and storms that frequently hit California.
Bodily injury damage is more likely to be higher than the minimum limits
California's minimum bodily injury coverage of $30,000 per person often isn't enough for serious accidents. Average bodily injury claims in California reached $21,285 in 2023. With rising medical costs, consider increasing coverage to 50/100/50 for better financial protection against lawsuits.
Not having uninsured motorist coverage opens you up to unexpected costs
California has an uninsured driver problem, with 17% of drivers lacking insurance according to the Insurance Research Council. If an uninsured driver hits you, you'll face steep out-of-pocket costs without uninsured motorist coverage. Legal action against uninsured drivers rarely recovers damages. Adding uninsured motorist coverage provides essential financial protection in these common scenarios.
Vehicle theft damage is more likely and uncovered
Car theft is a real problem in California, which ranks first nationally for auto theft, with over 208,000 cars stolen in 2023 according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau. Without comprehensive coverage, you get nothing if your car's stolen or damaged during a theft. The average stolen car claim tops $9,000, so comprehensive coverage is worth it in high-risk areas.
Cheap Car Insurance in California: Bottom Line
GEICO offers the lowest car insurance rates in California for most drivers and coverage types, according to our analysis. While the cheapest option is tempting, don't make price your only factor. Get as much coverage as you can afford to protect your finances when accidents happen.
Cheap Car Insurance in California: FAQ
Below we answer common questions about car insurance to help you find affordable coverage.
What are the cheapest car insurance companies in California?
GEICO provides the most affordable car insurance in California, with average annual rates of $465 for minimum coverage and $1,091 for full coverage. Progressive, Mercury, AAA and Allstate also offer competitive rates.
Who has the cheapest car insurance rates for young drivers in California?
GEICO provides the most affordable rates for young drivers in California, with monthly premiums starting at $78 for minimum coverage.
Who offers the cheapest car insurance rates for seniors in California?
Senior drivers in California can find the most competitive rates with GEICO, offering policies for those 65 and older at an average of $42 per month for minimum coverage.
Who has the cheapest car insurance in California for bad credit?
GEICO provides the most affordable rates for bad-credit drivers in California, with monthly premiums averaging $74 for minimum coverage and $174 for full coverage.
Who has the cheapest car insurance in California with an accident?
GEICO offers the most affordable car insurance rates for California drivers with an accident history, starting at $69 per month for minimum coverage.
Who has the cheapest car insurance in California with a DUI?
GEICO provides the cheapest car insurance after a DUI in California, with rates of $93 monthly for minimum coverage and $214 monthly for full coverage.
Who has the cheapest car insurance in California for those with a speeding ticket?
California drivers with a speeding ticket can find the lowest insurance rates with GEICO, charging $58 monthly for minimum coverage and $134 for full coverage.
Should you buy the cheapest car insurance in California?
Buying the cheapest insurance saves money upfront, but you need enough coverage to protect against major losses. GEICO balances low prices with solid coverage options in California.
How We Found the Most Affordable Car Insurance in California
MoneyGeek collected auto insurance data from the California Department of Insurance and Quadrant Information Services. We analyzed quotes from 12 major insurers and reviewed more than 200 million rate comparisons across every residential ZIP code in California.
California Driver Profile
Our analysis started with a standard driver profile to find the cheapest rates:
- 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 this sample profile, as specified, to find the cheapest option for various driver backgrounds.
Standard Coverage Levels in California
We compared car insurance companies in California that offer minimum and full coverage policies. We set the limits of the minimum coverage car insurance policy to the minimum amount required by law in California.
The minimum coverage liability limits in California are:
- $30,000 per person for bodily injury
- $60,000 per accident for bodily injury
- $15,000 per accident for property damage
For full coverage policy rates, we used the following liability limits:
- $100,000 for bodily injury liability per person
- $300,000 for bodily injury liability per accident
- $100,000 for property damage liability
- Comprehensive and collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
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.
sources
- Insurance Information Institute . "Facts + Statistics: Auto Insurance ." Accessed August 17, 2025.
- Insurance Information Institute . "Facts + Statistics: Uninsured Motorists ." Accessed August 17, 2025.
- Insurance Information Institute . "Facts + Statistics: Wildfires ." Accessed August 17, 2025.
- National Insurance Crime Bureau . "Vehicle Thefts Surge Nationwide in 2023 ." Accessed August 17, 2025.