Finding Irvine's cheapest car insurance provider depends on your personal driving record and coverage preferences. GEICO offers the lowest rates for full and minimum coverage policies, making it an excellent choice for drivers looking to save money. State Farm provides the cheapest coverage for teens and USAA offers the most affordable policies for military members.
Capital Insurance Group provides the least expensive premiums for drivers who have been involved in at-fault accidents or received speeding tickets, but for those with DUIs, National General has the lowest rates available.
Cheapest and Best Car Insurance in Irvine, CA








Cheapest Minimum Liability Car Insurance in Irvine
The cheapest car insurance companies for a minimum coverage policy in Irvine are:
- GEICO: $447 per year
- Mercury: $499 per year
The most expensive company is National General, with an average premium of $865 per year.
Minimum coverage policies in California only cover bodily injury liability and property damage liability. California law requires the following minimum limits:
- $15,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $30,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $5,000 property damage liability per accident
A minimum coverage policy has a maximum coverage limit of $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident. For example, if you cause an accident resulting in $70,000 of third-party bodily injuries, your insurer will pay up to $30,000, but you’ll have to cover the remaining $40,000. If you choose minimum coverage insurance, remember you'll be liable for any medical costs beyond the policy limits.
Cheapest Full Coverage Car Insurance in Irvine
The cheapest auto insurers in Irvine for a full coverage policy are:
- GEICO: $1,167 per year
- Mercury: $1,171 per year
Chubb charges an annual premium of around $1,937 for full coverage, making it the most expensive option in Irvine.
A full coverage policy includes comprehensive and collision insurance while increasing the limits of liability-only insurance.
- Collision Insurance: Covers repair or replacement costs for damages sustained in an accident like a collision with another vehicle.
- Comprehensive Insurance: Helps pay for damages to your car resulting from non-accident incidents, such as vandalism, theft or weather-related events.
Full coverage policies are usually recommended to safeguard your investment if you have a newer vehicle. If your car is older or low in value, paying for extra coverage may not be worth it, as it could add hundreds of dollars to your yearly premiums.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Irvine After a Driving Offense
The cheapest car insurance companies after driving violations in Irvine are:
- Speeding ticket: National General ($1,285 per year)
- At-fault accident: Capital Insurance Group ($1,704 per year)
- DUI: National General ($1,285 per year)
The most expensive companies are The Hartford after a DUI ($5,303 per year), Nationwide after a speeding ticket ($2,779 per year) and Kemper after an accident ($3,599 per year). Having a driving offense on your record can significantly impact your premium. Rates tend to be more expensive for those with violations compared to those with clean records.
The impact on your insurance premiums may be more significant depending on the severity of your driving violation. Typically in Irvine, a DUI can lead to an annual premium increase of $1,990. In contrast, a speeding ticket may result in an increase of only $584 per year.
It's best to shop around and compare rates because it's still possible to find relatively cheap car insurance if you have a bad driving record.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Irvine for Teens and Their Families
For teen drivers on a family policy, Irvine's least expensive car insurance companies are:
- State Farm: $3,015 per year for teen boys and girls
- Allstate: $3,300 per year for teen boys and girls
Nationwide is the most expensive option for teen drivers on a family policy, with an average yearly premium of $5,948 to insure both boys and girls.
Even on family policies, male teens may be charged higher premiums because they are often considered riskier to insure. Choosing a family policy can still be a cost-effective way to secure car insurance coverage.
Buying an individual car insurance policy for teen drivers can be expensive. Teens generally face higher premiums than older and more experienced drivers. MoneyGeek found that a 16-year-old boy can expect to pay an average of $4,498 per year for individual car insurance. Being insured under their parents' policy costs about $3,825 annually, which is a difference of $673.
You'll find the cheapest car insurance rates for teens by shopping around and comparing rates.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Irvine for Military Drivers
The cheapest car insurance companies for active duty or veteran military families looking for full coverage in Irvine are:
- USAA: $923 per year
- GEICO: $1,167 per year
MoneyGeek found that USAA and GEICO also offer the most affordable minimum coverage options. USAA, which specializes in serving military families, offers the lowest average premium for 20 to 29-year-olds at $492 per year. GEICO is also an affordable choice, charging $528 annually. Both companies offer policy discounts for military members, saving them even more money.
How to Compare Cheap Irvine Car Insurance Quotes Online
Finding auto insurance quotes in Irvine can be time-consuming. You may have to spend at least 15 minutes filling out online forms on insurers' websites or mobile apps. These forms may ask for a lot of personal information, making the process even more tedious.
MoneyGeek's car insurance calculator can save you time by quickly generating a ballpark estimate using just your age, vehicle type, desired coverage level and driving history.
Auto Insurance Calculator
See how the Average Annual Auto Insurance Rates vary with the options chosen.
Average Annual Auto Insurance Rates
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Best Car Insurance in Irvine: Summary
The best car insurer for you depends on your preference for cost, coverage, service and other factors. These are our top choices for car insurance companies in Irvine, CA:
- Best Overall: GEICO (MoneyGeek score 75 out of 100)
- Best for Service: Chubb (MoneyGeek score 76 out of 100)
- Best Cheap: GEICO (MoneyGeek score 78 out of 100)
While GEICO ranks as the best insurer in Irvine, the overall best car insurance provider in California is AAA, with a MoneyGeek score of 89 out of 100. The best companies differ based on various factors like location, which impacts rates and affordability scores. USAA is the best insurer for military drivers, with a MoneyGeek score of 85 out of 100.
Best Overall Car Insurance in Irvine
The best companies for car insurance in Irvine are:
- GEICO: MoneyGeek score 75 out of 100 ($1,167 per year)
- Progressive: MoneyGeek score 74 out of 100 ($1,177 per year)
Of the insurers we evaluated, GEICO received the best scores for affordability and was also above average in customer satisfaction, indicating that you can secure budget-friendly premiums without sacrificing quality customer service.
The best company for military drivers is USAA, with a MoneyGeek score of 85 out of 100. Its average premium costs $923 annually, making it the most affordable option for active duty members, veterans and their qualified family members.
How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?

pros
Ranked first in affordability.
Above-average in customer service.
Provides roadside assistance coverage.
Offers Mechanical Breakdown Insurance (MBI).
cons
Below-average for claims management.
Doesn’t provide OEM coverage or gap insurance.
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
GEICO is the best auto insurer in Irvine for drivers looking for quality service at competitive rates. This provider scores highly in affordability and customer satisfaction while offering several coverage options to meet your needs.
GEICO's Mechanical Breakdown Insurance (MBI) is a cheaper alternative to a dealer’s extended warranty, as it covers all of your vehicle's parts. While this coverage is limited to new cars less than 15 months old and with less than 15,000 miles, it can be applied at any authorized repair shop as long as a recall, voluntary repair or your warranty does not cover it.
Another essential coverage offered by GEICO is their 24/7 Emergency Roadside Service. It provides quick assistance for common roadside emergencies, such as towing, battery jump-start, tire replacement and other necessary repairs.
Best Car Insurance in Irvine for Customer Service
Without factoring in cost, MoneyGeek found that the best auto insurers in Irvine for their customer service are:
- Chubb: MoneyGeek score 76 out of 100 ($1,937 per year)
- Capital Insurance Group: MoneyGeek score 68 out of 100 ($1,449 per year)
Chubb received high ratings for customer satisfaction and claims handling. You’ll most likely have an excellent experience dealing with this provider, especially during the claims process. Chubb is known for its exceptional customer service, which comes at a higher cost compared to the 15 other insurance companies we analyzed.
How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?

pros
Excellent customer satisfaction and claims handling.
Offers Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and diminished value coverage.
Provides rental car reimbursement.
cons
Lacking some essential coverages.
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Chubb stands out as Irvine's best car insurance company for drivers prioritizing service quality over affordability. Although it charges the highest rates and lacks some essential coverage options, Chubb has a proven track record of providing superb customer service while managing claims efficiently.
This insurer offers essential add-ons like Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) coverage, which ensures that your car is repaired with original parts to help restore its pre-accident condition.
By offering diminished value coverage (Agreed Value), Chubb helps protect policyholders from the potential depreciation of their vehicle's value. This add-on ensures that in the event of a covered loss, the policyholder will receive a check for the amount agreed upon when the policy was written, potentially saving them money.
Another key coverage Chubb provides is Rental Car Reimbursement, which enables you to rent a car that is the same or similar to your own. This coverage goes up to $5,000 with no per-day limit.
Chubb doesn't include roadside assistance or gap insurance in their policies, which may not suit the needs of some drivers.
Best Cheap Car Insurance in Irvine
Based on our analysis of service quality and affordability for minimum coverage policies in California, the best cheap car insurance companies in Irvine are:
- GEICO: MoneyGeek score 78 out of 100 ($447 per year)
- Progressive: MoneyGeek score 71 out of 100 ($515 per year)
Minimum coverage policies have the most affordable rates, but they also offer the least amount of protection. While your policy might provide liability coverage, it'll seldom cover damage to your vehicle after an accident. It's best to understand your coverage needs when choosing the type of policy you purchase.
How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?

pros
The most affordable option costing $447 per year.
Safe driving, airbag and bundling discounts.
Above-average for customer satisfaction.
cons
Doesn’t offer discounts when you go paperless or pay in full.
Average for claims processing.
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
In Irvine, GEICO is the best cheap auto insurance provider. With the highest affordability score, drivers can expect the lowest rates when choosing this insurer. GEICO also ranked well for customer satisfaction, so policyholders don't have to compromise service quality to save money.
Customers have the opportunity to take advantage of GEICO's bundling, good student, multiple cars and safe driving discounts to lower their premiums. This insurer also offers discounts for drivers who buy their homeowners, renters, condo or mobile home policy with the company, as well as for insuring multiple cars with GEICO and staying accident-free for five years.
By installing certain safety equipment in your vehicle, like anti-lock brakes, an anti-theft system or daytime running lights, you may be eligible for additional discounts on your policy. GEICO also extends its discounts to those who serve our country and communities, including federal employees, educators and military members. This company goes the extra mile to provide numerous options for its customers to save money.
Average Cost of Car Insurance in Irvine
The average cost of a full coverage car insurance policy in Irvine is $1,411 per year, with coverage limits of $100,000 for bodily injury liability per person, $300,000 for bodily injury liability per accident and $100,000 for property damage liability per accident.
Drivers in Irvine pay $24 more than the average auto insurance rate in California ($1,387) as of October 2022. Premiums in this city are also $146 higher than the average national car insurance cost, which is $1,265. Your location plays a major role in determining your car insurance rates, although it's not the sole factor insurers take into account.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
