Cheapest Car Insurance in California (September 2025)

MoneyGeek has analyzed all the data on cheap car insurance rates in California, but you're not just a Californian. You live in a specific city, with a specific car and you probably want a rate tailored to your specific situation. 

MoneyGeek's California car insurance calculator can help you find a quick cheap quote with only a few inputs, or you can browse our analysis on some of the cheapest companies in the biggest cities such as Los Angeles, San Diego or San Francisco. For those not just looking for low rates but good value, MoneyGeek analyzed the best car insurance companies in California too.

GEICO delivers the most affordable liability-only coverage in California at $39 monthly or $465 annually, providing significant value in the state's expensive insurance market. Allstate commands the highest rates at $81 monthly ($967 annually) for basic coverage, meaning California drivers can save $502 yearly by choosing the right insurer.

Progressive ($54 monthly) and Mercury Insurance ($66 monthly) offer competitive alternatives if GEICO doesn't provide the best rates for your profile. AAA follows at $71 monthly, giving California drivers several options to meet state requirements while keeping costs manageable as of September 2025.

*These rates are for a 40-year-old with good credit, a clean driving record and a 2012 Toyota Camry across all ZIP codes in the state.

California mandates minimum liability coverage of $30,000 for bodily injury per person, $60,000 per accident, and $15,000 for property damage. These limits exceed many states' requirements but may still fall short in serious accidents, especially given California's high medical costs and vehicle values. The state also prohibits insurers from using gender or credit scores in rate calculations, creating more uniform pricing across demographics.

GEICO offers the cheapest full coverage in California at $91 monthly or $1,091 annually—the same insurer that provides the state's most affordable minimum coverage. This makes GEICO worth considering for California drivers prioritizing value across all coverage levels.

Progressive ($105 monthly) provides the closest competition for budget-conscious drivers in September 2025, while Mercury Insurance follows at $139 monthly.

GEICO dominates California's major metropolitan areas with consistently affordable rates across the state's three largest cities. The insurer maintains competitive pricing despite California's generally higher insurance costs and strict regulatory environment.

In California's three largest cities, GEICO provides the best rates with significant location-based variations. San Jose residents enjoy the lowest rates at $36 monthly for minimum coverage, while San Diego follows closely at $37 monthly. Los Angeles commands substantially higher rates at $58 monthly, reflecting the metropolitan area's increased traffic congestion and claim frequency as of September 2025.

Urban areas typically face higher insurance rates due to increased traffic density, higher crime rates, and more frequent claims compared to rural locations. Rates in your specific city can vary widely based on local factors.

*The lowest rate referenced is for a minimum coverage policy for a 40-year-old with good credit and no driving violations.

GEICO provides the most affordable rates for both young drivers (including students and new drivers) and seniors in California, with notable pricing differences between age groups. Young drivers pay $78 monthly for minimum coverage, while seniors benefit from lower rates at $42 monthly. For comparison, adult drivers in the prime 30-65 age range pay just $39 monthly, demonstrating how California's age-based pricing affects different demographics.

*Young drivers refer to 16 to 25-year-olds, adults 26 to 64-year-olds and seniors 65+ years of age.

Young drivers face California's highest insurance rates due to their statistically higher accident rates and inexperience behind the wheel. Insurance companies view drivers under 25 as high-risk because they're more likely to engage in risky behaviors like speeding and distracted driving, leading to more frequent and severe claims.

Seniors in California, as elsewhere, pay slightly more than drivers in the 30-65 age range but substantially less than young drivers. While seniors may face some increased rates due to slower reaction times and potential vision issues, their decades of driving experience and generally cautious driving habits keep their premiums well below those of inexperienced drivers.

GEICO offers the cheapest car insurance for high-risk drivers in California across all violation types. GEICO provides the most affordable rates for drivers with DUI convictions at $93 monthly, speeding tickets at $58 monthly, and accident history at $69 monthly, making it the clear choice for California drivers dealing with traffic violations.

For drivers requiring SR-22 filings, Farmers offers the cheapest rates in California at $140 monthly for minimum coverage. SR-22 filings are typically required for high-risk drivers who have committed serious violations such as DUI convictions, driving without insurance, multiple traffic violations, or license suspensions. This certificate proves to the state that you maintain the required minimum insurance coverage.

Finding the most affordable insurance companies is just one step toward reducing your California car insurance costs. Here are proven ways to save the most on auto insurance.

California requires drivers to carry liability insurance with minimum coverage of 30/60/15. This means you need $30,000 for injuries to one person, $60,000 total for injuries in one accident and $15,000 for property damage coverage. But minimum coverage leaves you exposed to major financial risks:

GEICO offers the lowest car insurance rates in California for most drivers and coverage types, according to our analysis. While the cheapest option is tempting, don't make price your only factor. Get as much coverage as you can afford to protect your finances when accidents happen.

Below we answer common questions about car insurance to help you find affordable coverage.

MoneyGeek collected auto insurance data from the California Department of Insurance and Quadrant Information Services. We analyzed quotes from 12 major insurers and reviewed more than 200 million rate comparisons across every residential ZIP code in California.

California Driver Profile

Our analysis started with a standard driver profile to find the cheapest rates:

• 40-year-old male
• 2012 Toyota Camry LE
• Clean driving record
• 12,000 miles driven annually
• Good credit
• Valid license
• Currently insured
• No claims history

We adjusted this sample profile, as specified, to find the cheapest option for various driver backgrounds.

Standard Coverage Levels in California

We compared car insurance companies in California that offer minimum and full coverage policies. We set the limits of the minimum coverage car insurance policy to the minimum amount required by law in California.

The minimum coverage liability limits in California are:

• $30,000 per person for bodily injury
• $60,000 per accident for bodily injury
• $15,000 per accident for property damage

For full coverage policy rates, we used the following liability limits:

• $100,000 for bodily injury liability per person
• $300,000 for bodily injury liability per accident
• $100,000 for property damage liability
• Comprehensive and collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible