Cheapest and Best Car Insurance in Fresno, CA (July 2024)

In Fresno, the most affordable coverage may vary by driver profile and desired coverage. For full coverage, Progressive offers the lowest rates, while GEICO has the best prices for families with teens. GEICO is also the cheapest for minimum coverage. The top-rated company for customer service is Chubb, distinct from Capital Insurance Group, which provides the best value considering both price and service. Your optimal insurer will match your unique coverage needs and preferences.

MoneyGeek found that GEICO is the cheapest option for minimum coverage car insurance in Fresno, with policies at the most affordable rates. For those seeking the cheapest car insurance, here are the top two providers by annual cost:

• GEICO: $414 per year
• Mercury: $435 per year

Chubb offers the most expensive policy at $828 annually. The contrast in premiums highlights the financial benefit of comparing car insurance rates to secure the best deal.

Across all California cities, like Fresno, car insurance coverage minimums are regulated by state law. Here are the mandated minimums:

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

Imagine you're insured with the bare minimum coverage and cause an accident. Your policy will cover up to $15,000 for an individual's injuries and up to $30,000 total for injuries to multiple people. But if actual damages exceed these amounts, you're responsible for the difference, potentially paying thousands out of pocket.

Progressive offers the cheapest option in Fresno for cheapest full coverage car insurance. Providing affordable rates, the top companies for saving on your car insurance include:

• Progressive: $1,033 per year
• National General: $1,099 per year

Farmers is the most expensive option, with policies costing up to $2,034 annually.

In Fresno, full coverage car insurance extends your liability protection significantly over basic coverage plans. With this policy, an individual could secure up to $100,000 for bodily injury liability per person and $300,000 per accident, alongside $100,000 for property damage liability per instance. Simplified, this level of coverage is commonly referred to as a 100/300/100 policy.

Full coverage policies also include comprehensive and collision insurance for more extensive protection.

• Collision Insurance: This type safeguards against damage to your vehicle from a collision, whether it's with another car or an object like a tree or light pole. It also covers rollover accidents and pothole damage.

• Comprehensive Insurance: This option provides reimbursement for harm to your car caused by a variety of sources other than traffic accidents, such as theft or natural disasters and being struck by an animal like a deer.

For those who’ve invested in a brand-new vehicle, securing a full coverage policy is a wise choice. However, these additional protections may not be cost-effective for older models. Consider the heightened cost for more coverage against the risk of being underinsured when deciding how much car insurance you need.

MoneyGeek found that National General is the most affordable option for drivers with a poor driving record in Fresno seeking full coverage policies:

• Speeding Ticket: National General ($1,151 per year)
• At-fault accident: Capital Insurance Group ($1,596 per year)
• DUI: National General ($1,151 per year)

The severity of the offense has a notable effect on premiums. Serious violations like DUIs can dramatically drive up car insurance costs.

In Fresno and other cities, insurance premiums increase with the gravity of driving violations due to the elevated risk insurers associate with drivers who have committed severe offenses. For instance, in Fresno, the annual premium (on average) for drivers with a speeding ticket is approximately $2,029, while those with a DUI face significantly higher rates, around $3,458.

MoneyGeek found that State Farm is the cheapest option in Fresno, providing affordable cheapest car insurance for teens. Here are the two most cost-effective providers:

• GEICO: $2,758 per year for female teens and $2,882 per year for male teens
• Allstate: $2,993 per year for female teens and $2,993 per year for male teens

These premiums reflect the combined cost of adding a teenager to a policy held by two parents. In contrast, Kemper offers the most expensive family teen policy in Fresno, with an annual rate of $5,572 for female teens.

In Fresno, teens purchasing car insurance on their own can expect to pay an average annual premium of $4,068, significantly higher than the $3,770 average when included on a family plan. This difference in rates is due to insurers viewing teens as high-risk drivers, leading to increased premiums for individual policies. Additionally, it may be difficult for teens to obtain approval for an individual policy, given their limited driving experience.

MoneyGeek found that Progressive offers the most affordable full coverage car insurance for those with military backgrounds in Fresno. Here are the two most economical providers listed:

• Progressive: $1,033 per year
• National General: $1,099 per year

Although USAA is not the cheapest, with an annual rate of $1,210, it does offer services catering to the needs of active-duty military members.

To find car insurance rates in Fresno, use MoneyGeek's car insurance calculator. Simply input your age, driving record, credit score and desired coverage, among other details, to receive a tailored rate estimate.

Selecting the right auto insurance for you depends on what you prioritize — be it cost, service, coverage or other factors. MoneyGeek's scoring system meticulously rates insurers across these various aspects:

• Best overall: Capital Insurance Group (Score: 82 out of 100)
• Best for service: Chubb (Score: 94 out of 100)
• Best for affordability: Mercury (Score: 81 out of 100)

Capital Insurance Group provides an optimal mix of service and affordability. For those prioritizing premier service without as much concern for cost, Chubb stands out. Meanwhile, Mercury is well-suited for budget-conscious consumers.

MoneyGeek found that Capital Insurance Group is the best option in Fresno for car insurance. When seeking the best car insurance, drivers are likely to find top-tier services with the providers below.

• Capital Insurance Group: MoneyGeek score of 82 out of 100 ($1,355 per year)
• Mercury: MoneyGeek score of 78 out of 100 ($1,143 per year)

Capital Insurance Group stands out in the Fresno area due to its outstanding satisfaction and claims scores.

MoneyGeek found that Chubb is the best option in Fresno for those seeking car insurance that is focused on customer service. Chubb's high score is based on general satisfaction, claims handling and coverages without concern for rates.

• Chubb: MoneyGeek score of 94 out of 100 ($1,991 per year)
• Capital Insurance Group: MoneyGeek score of 82 out of 100 ($1,355 per year)

Chubb distinguishes itself with the highest MoneyGeek score, owed largely to its outstanding claims handling and robust coverage options.

Mercury is the best option in Fresno, boasting the highest MoneyGeek score for those searching for cheap car insurance. The score considers not only the cost of the coverage but also the quality of claims handling and customer satisfaction.

• Mercury: MoneyGeek score of 81 out of 100 ($435 per year)
• Capital Insurance Group: MoneyGeek score of 79 out of 100 ($568 per year)

Mercury offers a balance between affordability and service quality, securing their top position with a MoneyGeek score that is reflective of a minimum coverage policy.

Car insurance can be a significant expense for drivers, and the cost varies by location. In Fresno, California, the average car insurance cost reflects these regional differences.

The average cost in Fresno for car insurance is $1,442. This is higher than the average car insurance cost in California; it's important to note how state averages compare nationally. California's average stands above the national average, at $1,265, marking a difference of $122.

The factors influencing car insurance premiums extend beyond location and also include traffic density, crime rates and more. In California, the city of Glendale has the most expensive premium at $2,433 whereas Santa Maria emerges as the least expensive at $1,251.