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

In Modesto, California, GEICO offers the cheapest minimum coverage car insurance, while Progressive leads for full coverage. State Farm is the least expensive for families with teens. Chubb is top-ranked for customer service, Capital Insurance Group provides the overall best value in terms of price and service. The best policy for you will hinge on your specific needs and preferences.

MoneyGeek found that GEICO offers the most affordable option for minimum coverage car insurance in Modesto. For those looking for the cheapest car insurance, these two companies offer the best rates:

• GEICO: $476 per year
• Progressive: $496 per year

Chubb has Modesto's most expensive minimum coverage policy, with an annual premium of $815. This stark difference of $339 between the cheapest and most costly policies demonstrates the significance of shopping around for car insurance to secure the best possible deal.

In California, state law sets the bar for mandatory car insurance coverage. Here are the minimum required limits:

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

For example, if you carry the minimum coverage and are at fault for an accident, the policy may cover up to $15,000 for an injured person's claim. If multiple people are hurt, the policy may allocate up to $30,000 for all injuries but not more than $15,000 per individual. If the actual expenses exceed these limits, you have to cover the excess out of pocket.

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

• Progressive: $1,148 per year
• GEICO: $1,251 per year

Farmers offers the most expensive full coverage policy in Modesto at $2,084 per year, showing a significant $864 difference compared to Progressive. This rate disparity highlights the importance of shopping around for car insurance. Full coverage policies include comprehensive and collision insurance, which together cost more than minimum liability coverage alone.

Full coverage policies have higher liability limits. They also include comprehensive and collision coverage:

• Collision Insurance: This type protects against damage to your car caused by an incident with another vehicle or an object like a tree or pole. It also covers rollover accidents and pothole damage.

• Comprehensive Insurance: This form of cover reimburses for non-collision-related damage to your vehicle, such as theft, vandalism, fires, natural events or being struck by an animal like a deer.

Obtaining full coverage insurance is advisable if you have a new vehicle to protect your substantial investment. However, with older vehicles, the added cost of a few hundred dollars a year for additional insurance may exceed its value. Assessing how much car insurance you need involves weighing the higher costs of more coverage against the potential risk of being underinsured.

MoneyGeek found that National General is the most affordable option in Modesto for drivers with speeding tickets and DUIs, while Capital Insurance Group offers the lowest rates after an at-fault accident.

• Speeding Ticket: National General ($1,424 per year)
• At-Fault Accident: Capital Insurance Group ($1,721 per year)
• DUI: National General ($1,424 per year)

The companies with the highest rates for these offenses vary. However, Hartford has the most expensive rate for a DUI at $6,010 per year, showing the significant impact such an infraction can have on your premiums. That is a difference of $4,586 between the most expensive rate after a DUI and the cheapest rate after a speeding ticket.

In Modesto, as in other cities across the U.S., insurance rates are impacted by the severity of driving violations due to the increased risk to insurers. For example, drivers with a speeding ticket may face an average annual rate of $2,217, whereas those with a DUI could see rates soar to around $3,786 per year. This significant variance underscores the need for individuals with driving offenses to diligently compare insurance quotes, as opportunities for savings can be substantial amidst the heightened premiums they encounter.

MoneyGeek found that State Farm offers the cheapest car insurance for teens in Modesto. The most affordable providers are:

• State Farm: $3,033 per year for female and male teens
• Farmers: $3,061 per year for female and male teens

These rates illustrate the cost of a full coverage policy that includes two parents and a teen driver. Nationwide offers the most expensive policy in Modesto, costing $4,816 per year for female and male teens. The difference of $1,783 between the cheapest and the most expensive options highlights the importance of comparing quotes, especially when insuring teen drivers who are statistically considered higher risk.

In Modesto and other cities, teen drivers seeking car insurance typically face steeper costs. The average annual premium for an individual teen policy is $4,395 — higher than the $3,688 average for those on family plans. The difference stems from the greater risk insurers associate with independent teen drivers. Moreover, approval for individual policies can be challenging due to their inexperienced status and higher likelihood of filing a claim. Including teens in a family policy not only improves chances of approval but also offers a substantial financial reprieve.

MoneyGeek found that Progressive offers the most affordable car insurance for individuals with military backgrounds in Modesto seeking full coverage policies.

• Progressive: $1,148 per year
• USAA: $1,248 per year

Despite not being the absolute cheapest, USAA is known for its exceptional service that caters to the needs of active-duty military members. GEICO, the third most affordable at $1,251 per year, proves that military personnel can enjoy both competitive rates and tailored services.

In Modesto, shopping around for car insurance can help you secure lower rates. However, the process often consumes upwards of 15 minutes per insurer and can take over an hour when evaluating three or more options.

MoneyGeek's car insurance calculator streamlines this process. Users input essential variables like age, driving record and credit score to promptly retrieve tailored rate estimates.

Finding the best auto insurance depends on your priorities, including service, cost and coverage. MoneyGeek's unique scoring system ranks insurance companies in Modesto to help you decide.

• Best overall: Capital Insurance Group (MoneyGeek score 82 out of 100)
• Best for service: Chubb (MoneyGeek score 94 out of 100)
• Best cheap: Mercury (MoneyGeek score 79 out of 100)

With different winners across the categories, your choice hinges on individual preferences. Mercury presents high affordability and caters to those eager to save on car insurance without compromising on service. Chubb excels in customer service, which is ideal for those valuing a top-tier service experience. For a balanced mix of affordability and service, Capital Insurance Group leads as the best overall option in Modesto.

MoneyGeek found that Capital Insurance Group is the leading provider of the best car insurance in Modesto. These are the top two insurance firms:

• Capital Insurance Group: MoneyGeek score of 82 out of 100 ($1,459 per year)
• Chubb: MoneyGeek score of 79 out of 100 ($1,941 per year)

Capital Insurance Group stands out notably because of its exceptional customer satisfaction and affordability. These two aspects are major contributors to its total MoneyGeek score, which is based on a full coverage policy. The company's blend of quality service and competitive pricing structures provides policyholders in Modesto with superior value, ensuring comprehensive protection without imposing undue financial burdens.

MoneyGeek found that Chubb is the best option for car insurance in Modesto based on customer service. This ranking does not consider rates but instead focuses on general satisfaction, claims handling and coverages.

• Chubb: MoneyGeek score of 94 out of 100 ($1,941 per year)
• Capital Insurance Group: MoneyGeek score of 82 out of 100 ($1,459 per year)

Chubb distinguishes itself with its superior claims handling process and robust coverage options, which are significant factors contributing to its high MoneyGeek score. This reflects the company’s commitment to excellence in customer service, gaining the trust and satisfaction of policyholders in Modesto.

MoneyGeek found that Mercury is the best option in Modesto for consumers seeking affordable car insurance without sacrificing service quality. The Mobalancesalance between affordability, claims handling and customer satisfaction.

• Mercury: MoneyGeek score of 79 out of 100 ($519 per year)
• Capital Insurance Group: MoneyGeek score of 77 out of 100 ($622 per year)

Mercury stands out in Modesto for its blend of low-cost premiums and high customer satisfaction. The biggest contributors to Mercury's top MoneyGeek score include a strong affordability score and a solid claims process. This ranking is specifically for its minimum coverage policy, a testament to Mercury's commitment to providing value to drivers looking for essential insurance coverage without a high price tag.

In Modesto, California, the average annual premium for car insurance is $1,577. This figure indicates that Modesto's average cost is slightly higher than the California state average of $1,562. California's average is slightly less expensive than the national average of $1,781 per year, marking a $219 difference.

Various factors influence car insurance premiums, such as driving history, vehicle type and coverage level. However, location is a critical component due to varying crime rates, traffic density and the likelihood of accidents. For example, Santa Maria, California, has the most affordable car insurance at $1,251 per year. It is $411 less than the state average. On the other hand, Glendale has the costliest premium at $2,433, surpassing the state average by $871. These stark contrasts underscore how premiums can significantly differ in the same state. Less populated non-city areas may even see lower rates.