Cheapest Car Insurance in Modesto (2026)


Company Image
Cheapest for Full Coverage: GEICO
Company Image
Cheapest for Young Drivers: GEICO
Company Image
Cheapest for Drivers With a DUI or Other Violations: GEICO

Cheapest Modesto Car Insurance for Full and Minimum Coverage

GEICO charges Modesto's most affordable full coverage at $96 monthly or $1,157 annually, while also providing the lowest minimum coverage rates at $42 per month. These prices assume a clean driving record. 

Age and driving history play major roles in determining which provider gives you the lowest premium, so requesting quotes from multiple carriers reveals your best available rate.

Geico$96$42-38%
AAA$102$43-35%
Progressive$101$53-31%
State Farm$143$64-7%
Wawanesa Insurance$141$72-4%

Average Car Insurance Costs in Modesto and California

Car insurance costs in Modesto average $70 per month for minimum coverage and $148 per month for full coverage. Both figures are higher than California’s statewide averages of $61 for minimum coverage and $131 for full coverage.

Higher traffic volume, more frequent accidents and increased vehicle theft contribute to Modesto’s higher premiums. Reviewing quotes from multiple insurers can help drivers identify options that better fit their budget.

Data filtered by:
Full Coverage
$148$131

Cheapest Modesto Car Insurance by Age

Your age strongly affects what you'll pay for car insurance in Modesto. Young drivers average $199 monthly across the top five cheapest insurers, compared to $117 for adults and $122 for seniors. Young drivers pay these high costs because they lack driving experience and have higher accident rates than other age groups.

Cheapest Modesto car insurance by age:

  • Young drivers: GEICO at $181 per month
  • Adult drivers: GEICO at $96 per month
  • Senior drivers: GEICO at $103 per month

Once drivers establish experience, age matters less. The modest difference between adult and senior rates shows insurers view experienced drivers similarly whether they're 40 or 70 years old.

Cheapest Car Insurance in Modesto for Young Drivers

Young drivers in Modesto pay the highest car insurance costs, but GEICO provides relief at $181 monthly or $2,174 annually for full coverage. Drivers ages 16 to 25 get hit with these high rates because they're inexperienced behind the wheel, cause more accidents, and rack up traffic violations more often than older drivers. 

Across Modesto's top five insurers, young drivers average $199 monthly compared to just $117 for adults. That's more than double what experienced drivers pay.

Choosing GEICO over Progressive at $221 monthly saves young drivers $40 each month. Adding a young driver to your family policy beats getting them separate coverage, but expect high rates until they hit 25.

Note: Teen drivers may have additional state-specific requirements and restrictions. Consult your insurer about applicable regulations.

Geico$181$2,174
Wawanesa Insurance$196$2,347
State Farm$199$2,389
AAA$200$2,402
Progressive$221$2,650

Cheapest Car Insurance in Modesto for Senior Drivers

Modesto seniors enjoy competitive car insurance rates thanks to their clean driving records and decades of experience behind the wheel, with GEICO offering the most affordable full coverage at $103 monthly or $1,236 annually. 

While most insurers reward experienced drivers with reasonable premiums, some companies increase rates slightly for those over 70 due to reaction time concerns. Across the five cheapest insurers, Modesto seniors average $122 monthly, just $5 above the $117 that younger adults pay.

Choosing GEICO over Wawanesa Insurance at $141 monthly puts $38 back in seniors' pockets each month. Completing defensive driving courses or keeping annual mileage under 7,500 miles can unlock additional discounts from many insurers.

Geico$103$1,236
AAA$120$1,444
State Farm$123$1,475
Progressive$123$1,477
Wawanesa Insurance$141$1,693

Cheapest Car Insurance in Modesto for Adult Drivers

Adults between ages 26 and 64 get the most competitive insurance rates in Modesto, with GEICO leading at $96 monthly or $1,157 annually for full coverage. Insurers favor this demographic because they've accumulated substantial driving experience while maintaining lower accident frequencies than both younger and older drivers. 

Across Modesto's five most affordable insurers, adults average $117 monthly, the lowest of any age category. Shopping around pays off. Choosing GEICO over State Farm's $143 monthly rate saves adults $47 each month. Maintaining clean driving records and bundling policies can push premiums even lower.

Geico$96$1,157
Progressive$101$1,210
AAA$102$1,228
Wawanesa Insurance$141$1,695
State Farm$143$1,712

Cheapest Modesto Car Insurance for Drivers With a DUI, Accident or Speeding Ticket

Traffic violations increase insurance costs in Modesto, with rates jumping from GEICO's $42 monthly for clean records to much higher amounts for drivers with infractions. AAA provides the most affordable rates for speeding violations at $53 monthly, while GEICO remains cheapest for DUI offenses at $101 monthly. 

Average costs across the five most affordable insurers climb from $55 for clean driving records to $76 for speeding tickets, $81 for at-fault accidents and $123 for DUIs. At-fault accidents push premiums higher because they prove you've caused actual property damage or injuries, making insurers see you as a greater financial risk. 

DUIs create the largest rate increases since they combine reckless behavior with serious legal consequences, often requiring SR-22 documentation and placing you in the highest-risk category.

Note: California regulations determine how insurers factor violations into rates. Requirements may vary by violation type and insurer.

Data filtered by:
DUI
Geico$101$1,213
Progressive$121$1,451
Farmers$123$1,481
Mercury Insurance$132$1,583
Auto Owners$139$1,665

Modesto Car Insurance Costs by ZIP Code

The cheapest ZIP code in Modesto is 95355 at just $62 monthly, while the most expensive is 95354 at $178, showing how location affects your car insurance costs. See your ZIP code's rate in the table below.

In the city's most populous areas (95356, 95354 and 95350), drivers pay $173, $178, and $135 monthly for minimum coverage respectively. These rate differences stem from neighborhood factors like theft rates, accident frequency, population density and how many uninsured drivers live in each area. 

Use the filter above the table to locate your ZIP and check your area's rate.

Data filtered by:
95350
95350$63$135

How to Get the Best Cheap Modesto Car Insurance

Smart Modesto drivers get competitive rates without compromising the coverage they actually need.

  1. 1
    Know Your Coverage Needs

    Try our car insurance coverage needs calculator for customized advice based on your specific situation and budget requirements.

  2. 2
    Explore Different Coverage Types

    Explore different types of car insurance offered in Modesto. Pay-per-mile works well for infrequent drivers, while non-owner coverage suits occasional borrowers.

  3. 3
    Check Average Costs in Your Area

    Check typical average vehicle insurance costs for your area in Modesto to establish realistic budget expectations.

  4. 4
    Find All Available Discounts

    Find all available car insurance discount opportunities. Consider bundling multiple policies or getting multi-car discounts. You can save with safe driver, student and anti-theft discounts.

  5. 5
    Research Insurance Company Ratings

    Research insurer reviews and financial stability for companies serving Modesto to ensure you're choosing a reliable provider with good customer service.

  6. 6
    Get Quotes from Multiple Insurers

    Get quotes from at least three insurers to compare rates and coverage options. This comparison shopping helps you find the best value.

  7. 7
    Review Your Policy Annually

    Schedule an annual policy review to stay competitive with rates and ensure your coverage still meets your changing needs and circumstances.

Cheap Modesto Car Insurance: FAQ

Want to find affordable coverage in Modesto? This FAQ answers your questions about available discounts, state regulations and policy options to help you find coverage that fits your budget.

What is the cheapest car insurance company in Modesto, California?

Who offers the best car insurance in Modesto?

What is the average cost of car insurance in Modesto?

Is car insurance in Modesto expensive?

How We Figured Out the Cheapest Car Insurance in Modesto, CA

Modesto drivers pay some of California's highest car insurance rates, with premiums varying across the city's ZIP codes. We designed our research to find insurers offering the best rates for Modesto's unique urban driving conditions. Read more on MoneyGeek's auto insurance analysis methodology.

About Mark Fitzpatrick


Mark Fitzpatrick headshot

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!

He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.


Copyright © 2025 MoneyGeek.com. All Rights Reserved