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

For full coverage, Progressive leads in affordability, while families with teens find State Farm more cost-effective. These differ from the minimum coverage front-runner, Mercury. Excellence in customer service is marked by Chubb, although Capital Insurance Group stands out as the best overall, striking an optimal balance between cost and service. Ultimately, your ideal pick will align with your coverage needs and service expectations.

MoneyGeek found that Mercury offers the most affordable minimum coverage car insurance in Irvine. For those seeking the cheapest car insurance, knowing your options can lead to significant savings. The two providers with the lowest annual rates are:

• Mercury: $481 per year
• GEICO: $510 per year

In contrast, National General has the most expensive policy for minimum coverage in Irvine, at $849 annually. That's a $368 difference from the cheapest option, highlighting the value of shopping around. With such price variations, comparing rates can be a crucial step to ensure you're not overpaying for car insurance.

In California state law prescribes the minimum car insurance coverage each driver should carry. Here's what's required:

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

For instance, if you're insured with the base bodily injury liability and you're at fault in an accident, your policy might cover up to $15,000 for injuries to one person. Hurt three people, and it could extend to $30,000 total. But if someone's medical bills soar beyond $15,000, you have to pay out of pocket since you're only protected up to your policy's limits.

MoneyGeek found that Progressive is the cheapest option in Irvine for cheapest full coverage car insurance. Here are the most affordable providers:

• Progressive: $1,208 per year
• Mercury: $1,222 per year

Farmers offers the most expensive full coverage policy in Irvine, with an annual premium of $2,318. That's a $1,110 difference from the cheapest, highlighting the importance of comparing rates.

Full coverage in Irvine enhances liability protection, boosting limits to $100,000 for bodily injury per individual, $300,000 for each accident and property damage coverage of $100,000 per accident. Typically, this level of protection is referred to as a 100/300/100 plan.

Full coverage policies are more expensive as they are comprehensive, and include increased liability limits and coverages for a variety of incidents:

• Collision Insurance: This type of insurance is responsible for covering the costs to repair your vehicle in the event that it is damaged in a collision, whether it be with another vehicle or an object like a tree or light pole. It also covers rollover accidents and pothole damage.

• Comprehensive Insurance: This insurance compensates you for damages to your vehicle caused by non-collision events, which may include thefts, vandalism, or natural disasters and being struck by an animal like a deer.

For owners of brand-new vehicles, opting for full coverage is a wise choice to protect your financial investment. The additional cost may not be justified for older vehicles. When you're considering how much car insurance you need, it's crucial to weigh the higher premiums of more comprehensive coverage against the risk of being underinsured.

MoneyGeek found that National General is the most affordable option for various driving offenses in Irvine. This company tops the list for cheapest coverage after a DUI and after a speeding ticket, whereas National General provides the lowest annual premium after an at-fault accident. Below are the most cost-effective choices for each type of infraction:

• Speeding Ticket: National General ($1,453 per year)
• At-fault accident: Capital Insurance Group ($1,735 per year)
• DUI: National General ($1,453 per year)

Nationwide imposes the highest rates for a speeding ticket, while Nationwide charges the most after a DUI. The difference in premiums between the cheapest coverage following a speeding ticket and a DUI, illustrates how the gravity of traffic violations can influence car insurance costs.

Insurance rates in Irvine climb with the gravity of a driving violation due to increased risk perceived by insurers. For example, drivers with a speeding ticket can expect to pay an average of $2,241 annually, while a DUI offense can increase the premium to approximately $3,725.

State Farm offers the most affordable full coverage car insurance for both female and male teens in Irvine. Looking to save on the cheapest car​​ insurance for teens? Here are the two best options:

• State Farm: $3,015 per year for female teens and $3,015 per year for male teens
• GEICO: $3,404 per year for female teens and $3,588 per year for male teens

These rates are based on a policy that includes two parents and a teen driver, highlighting the significance of choosing the right insurer. Nationwide is the most expensive option, with policies for female teens costing $5,879 annually. The price gap of $2,864 between the cheapest and most expensive underscores the importance of comparison shopping.

In Irvine, as with many US cities, teens seeking car insurance face a financial hurdle when purchasing an individual policy. On average, a solo teen policy costs around $4,705 annually, compared to the more economical average of $3,908 when included in a family plan. Insurers often charge higher premiums for individual teen policies due to the elevated risk young drivers pose, given their lack of driving experience.

MoneyGeek found that Progressive is the cheapest option in Irvine for military backgrounds, offering the most affordable full coverage car insurance. For those seeking the cheapest car insurance for military backgrounds, here are the top contenders:

• Progressive: $1,208 per year
• Mercury: $1,222 per year

Although not the least expensive in this list, USAA ranks as the third cheapest at $1,292 annually. It's important to note that USAA's rates are competitive and the company is renowned for offering services that are tailored to the needs of active-duty military members and veterans.

In Irvine, comparing rates from different companies is important. You can use MoneyGeek's car insurance calculatorto obtain instant estimates by inputting your age, driving history, credit score, desired coverage level and other relevant details.

Choosing the ideal auto insurance requires weighing factors like service quality, cost effectiveness, coverage and additional personal preferences. MoneyGeek has rigorously analyzed car insurance providers in Irvine using a tailored scoring system for each category. Here's what the findings show:

• Best overall: Capital Insurance Group (MoneyGeek score of 84 out of 100)
• Best for service: Chubb (MoneyGeek score of 94 out of 100)
• Best cheap: Mercury (MoneyGeek score of 82 out of 100)

While Capital Insurance Group excels for overall value, offering a strong combination of service and affordability, Chubb emerges as the top choice for those prioritizing customer satisfaction without chief consideration of cost. For individuals focused on the budget without compromising on service, Mercury is identified as the top provider.

MoneyGeek found that Capital Insurance Group offers the best option for a full coverage car insurance policy in Irvine. Discover the best car insurance options tailored for your needs.

• Capital Insurance Group: MoneyGeek score of 84 out of 100 ($1,473 per year)
• Chubb: MoneyGeek score of 83 out of 100 ($1,937 per year)

Capital Insurance Group ascends to the top rank with high satisfaction and affordability ratings, which are the most significant influences on its MoneyGeek score. These scores reflect the company’s commitment to providing quality service and competitive pricing for its comprehensive policy offerings.

MoneyGeek found that Chubb is the best option in Irvine for top-tier customer service in car insurance. This selection is based on overall customer satisfaction, stellar claims handling and breadth of coverage options offered by insurers, irrespective of the costs.

• Chubb: MoneyGeek score of 94 out of 100 ($1,937 per year)
• Capital Insurance Group: MoneyGeek score of 82 out of 100 ($1,473 per year)

Chubb has good scores in the claims and stability categories. It provides exceptional service and reliable support.

MoneyGeek found that Mercury is the best option in Irvine for drivers seeking the perfect blend of affordability, satisfaction and reliability in their car insurance. Emphasizing a balance between cost and quality, the MoneyGeek score weights affordability substantially while still taking claims handling and customer satisfaction into account.

• Mercury: MoneyGeek score of 82 out of 100 ($481 per year)
• Capital Insurance Group: MoneyGeek score of 79 out of 100 ($614 per year)

Mercury has an affordability score, which is the highest among its peers. This, paired with strong marks in satisfaction and claims handling, results in its top position for a minimum coverage policy.

In Irvine, California, the average cost for car insurance is approximately $1,585 per month. This rate is higher than the state's average cost, which sits at $1,562. California's average, while above the city's cost, is notably lower than the national average for car insurance, which is $1,781, marking a $219 decrease at the state level.

Car insurance premiums are determined by a multitude of factors, with location being an important factor. Insurers consider the frequency of claims in an area, which often correlates with traffic density and the chance of accidents or theft. For example, Glendale, California, holds the record for the most expensive car insurance at $2,433. Santa Maria registers as the least expensive city for car insurance at $1,251.