Cheapest and Best Car Insurance in Costa Mesa, CA (June 2024)

The most affordable insurer in Costa Mesa varies by coverage and driver profile. For full coverage, Progressive offers the lowest rates, while families with teens find Farmers most economical. GEICO is the cheapest for minimum coverage. Chubb shines in customer service, but for best value in price and service, Capital Insurance Group wins. Choosing the right insurer depends on your specific needs.

MoneyGeek found that GEICO offers the cheapest option in Costa Mesa for minimum coverage car insurance. Those in Costa Mesa looking for the cheapest car insurance can consider these providers:

• GEICO: $482 per year
• Progressive: $488 per year

National General has the most expensive minimum coverage policy, with an annual rate of $949.

For all cities in California, including Costa Mesa, state law outlines the minimum car insurance coverage necessary. Here's what the law requires:

• $15,000 bodily injury liability per person
  
• $30,000 bodily injury liability per accident
  
• $5,000 property damage liability per accident
  

Take for instance, if you hold a minimum coverage and are liable for an accident, your policy would cover up to $15,000 for a single person’s bodily injuries and up to $30,000 for all injuries in one accident. Should costs exceed these limits, the remaining amount would come out of your pocket.

MoneyGeek found that Progressive is the cheapest full coverage car insurance option in Costa Mesa.

• Progressive: $1,070 per year
• Mercury: $1,233 per year

Farmers has the most expensive full coverage policy in Costa Mesa, with an annual rate of $1,816. Full coverage policies are pricier than minimum coverage due to the comprehensive protection they offer, including coverage for your own vehicle's damages.

At MoneyGeek, our featured full coverage policy for Costa Mesa significantly enhances your liability protection. With this policy, your liability coverage extends to $100,000 for bodily injury per individual, $300,000 for bodily injury per incident and $100,000 for property damage per incident. Industry professionals often refer to such a policy as 100/300/100 for its substantial coverage limits.

Full coverage insurance encompasses both comprehensive and collision coverage.

• Collision insurance: This is specifically designed to cover repairs to your vehicle in the aftermath of a collision, whether it be with another car or a stationary object.

• Comprehensive insurance: This is aimed at reimbursing losses to your vehicle stemming from non-collision events, including theft or natural disasters and being struck by an animal like a deer.

Opting for full coverage insurance is widely advised for new vehicles but for older vehicles, the elevated price tag attached to additional coverage might not equate to a worthwhile investment. The key to deciding how much car insurance you require rests in a careful assessment of your needs.

MoneyGeek found that National General is the cheapest option in Costa Mesa for drivers with a poor driving record looking for full coverage policies across varying traffic offenses. Immediate rates after specific infractions are:

• Speeding Ticket: National General ($1,411 per year)
• At-fault accident: Capital Insurance Group ($1,662 per year)
• DUI: National General ($1,411 per year)

Hartford appears to have the most expensive rates for these incidents. The cost differential between the cheapest company after a speeding ticket and a DUI is negligible here, showing some providers evaluate risk differently, which can notably affect car insurance rates based on the severity of the traffic offense.

In Costa Mesa, insurance rates typically escalate with the severity of a driving infraction due to the increased risk perceived by insurers. Drivers with a speeding ticket may face an average annual rate of $1,976, while those with a DUI could see rates soar to an average of $3,306.

MoneyGeek found that Farmers is the most affordable option for families in Costa Mesa seeking the cheapest car insurance for teens. The two most competitive providers with their respective rates for male and female teens are listed as follows:

• Farmers: $2,908 per year for female teens and $2,908 per year for male teens
• State Farm: $3,001 per year for female teens and $,3001 per year for male teens

These quoted rates apply to the combined insurance policy for a family inclusive of two parents and a teenager. Nationwide holds the distinction as the most premium-priced teen family policy in the city, with an annual rate of $5,091 for female teens. This substantial price discrepancy of $2,183 illustrates why it is critical for consumers to compare insurance offerings, particularly for teenagers who are considered higher-risk drivers.

In Costa Mesa, the statistics show the average individual annual teen car insurance premium stands at approximately $4,280, while the average for a family plan is notably lower at around $3,584. This stark price difference is due to insurers assessing teens as high-risk drivers when on their own, leading to elevated premiums. Adding a teen to a family plan dilutes this risk across multiple drivers, resulting in more favorable rates.

MoneyGeek found that Progressive is the cheapest option in Costa Mesa for full coverage car insurance tailored to individuals with a military background. When considering insurance that respects the service of veterans and military personnel, find the cheapest car insurance for military backgrounds to fit your needs. The two most affordable providers are:

• Progressive: $1,070 per year
• Mercury: $1,233 per year

While Progressive offers the lowest annual premium, it's worth noting that USAA ranks closely with an annual rate of $1,236 and is known for its dedicated service for active duty military members. Although USAA's rates are slightly higher than the competition in this instance, they specialize in serving the unique needs of the armed forces community.

Use MoneyGeek's car insurance calculator to compare rates. You simply input critical information such as age, driving history and credit score, alongside preferred coverage options, to rapidly generate an accurate rate estimate.

Selecting the best auto insurance for you hinges on your valuation of service, cost, coverage and other factors. MoneyGeek's distinct scoring systems for each category reveal Costa Mesa's top insurers for differing preferences:

• Best overall: Capital Insurance Group (MoneyGeek score 79 out of 100)
• Best for service: Chubb (MoneyGeek score 94 out of 100)
• Best cheap: Mercury (MoneyGeek score 81 out of 100)

If you're budget-conscious, Mercury's strong mix of affordability and service may appeal to you. Those in search of the finest customer experience will find Chubb excels, prioritizing service over cost. Capital Insurance Group, meanwhile, offers a balanced option, as it performs well both in affordability and service, making it the best overall choice.

MoneyGeek found that Capital Insurance Group has the premier choice for the best car insurance in Costa Mesa, offering a full coverage policy.

• Capital Insurance Group: MoneyGeek score of 79 out of 100 ($1,414 per year)
• Chubb: MoneyGeek score of 76 out of 100 ($1,808 per year)

Capital Insurance Group offers superior satisfaction and affordability ratings.

MoneyGeek found that Chubb is the best option in Costa Mesa, offering top-tier car insurance based on customer service. This ranking emphasizes general satisfaction, efficient claims handling and breadth of coverages, rather than just the rates.

• Chubb: MoneyGeek score of 94 out of 100 ($1,808 per year)
• Capital Insurance Group: MoneyGeek score of 82 out of 100 ($1,414 per year)

Chubb stands out in Costa Mesa for the highest scores in customer satisfaction and claims handling.

MoneyGeek found that Mercury is the best option in Costa Mesa for consumers looking for the right mix of affordability and quality in their car insurance. With a MoneyGeek score that reflects a preference toward economical options, yet still factors in claims handling and customer satisfaction, Mercury tops the charts.

• Mercury: MoneyGeek score of 81 out of 100 ($510 per year)
• Chubb: MoneyGeek score of 80 out of 100 ($778 per year)

Mercury distinguishes itself by offering the most cost-effective policies without compromising on customer service—earning them the highest score among competitors for a minimum coverage policy. With the affordability score being a significant component of their success, Mercury exemplifies how to blend value with quality service in car insurance.

In Costa Mesa, the average cost of car insurance is below the California state average. While the average premium in Costa Mesa stands at $1,404, California's statewide average is slightly less at $1,457. This state average is lower than the national average, which is $1,720.

The cost of auto insurance is influenced by location. Different areas can yield divergent premium costs due to variations in traffic patterns, the prevalence of vehicle theft and the likelihood of accidents. For example, Glendale has the priciest premium, with car insurance costs peaking at $2,260, far surpassing both the state and national averages. Conversely, Santa Maria boasts the lowest at $1,168.