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

Finding the right car insurance in Richmond hinges on specifics like coverage needs and driver profiles. For full coverage, Progressive offers the lowest rates, while GEICO is the most affordable for minimum coverage. State Farm is cheapest for families with teens.

In terms of service, Chubb stands out. However, Capital Insurance Group provides the best balance between price and service. Choose based on individual preferences and coverage requirements.

GEICO is the cheapest option in Richmond for minimum coverage car insurance. The top two most affordable providers are:

• GEICO: $408 per year
• Mercury: $418 per year

National General has the most expensive policy, at $857 per year. The difference between GEICO and National General is $449 annually, highlighting the importance of comparing car insurance rates before making a decision.

State Minimum Liability Requirements

In California, including cities like Richmond, car owners must adhere to the state-mandated minimum insurance coverage.

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

Consider this: if you're insured for the minimum coverage and you cause an accident, your policy will cover up to $15,000 for injuries to one person, and up to $30,000 if multiple people are injured. Damage exceeding these amounts, however, would mean reaching into your own pockets to make up the difference.

Progressive is the cheapest option in Richmond for those seeking the cheapest full coverage car insurance.

• Progressive: $1,111 per year
• GEICO: $1,155 per year

Travelers presents the most expensive full coverage policy in Richmond at $2,133 annually, which is $1,022 more than Progressive. This sizable difference highlights why it's valuable to compare rates when searching for full coverage policies, which cost more than minimum coverage because they provide broader financial protection after an accident.

Do You Need Full Coverage in California?

A full coverage policy in Richmond includes coverage for damage to your own vehicle in the form of comprehensive and collision coverages. It usually also includes increased liability limits.

• Collision Insurance: This provides coverage for your vehicle in the event of a collision, whether with another vehicle or or a stationary object like a tree or light pole. It also covers rollover accidents and pothole damage.

• Comprehensive Insurance: This coverage insures your vehicle against various types of damage not caused by collisions, including theft, vandalism, fires, natural disasters and being struck by an animal like a deer.

If you have a new vehicle, it's wise to opt for full coverage insurance for more robust financial protection. If you're leasing or have a car loan, you are typically required to carry full coverage insurance.

On the other hand, owners of older vehicles may find that the extra cost — which can amount to several hundred dollars more per year — is not justified by the value of the vehicle. When deciding how much car insurance coverage you need, consider your ideal balance: more extensive coverage comes with higher premiums, but getting less coverage means you may pay more out of pocket if you need to file a claim.

Capital Insurance Group is the most affordable option in Richmond for drivers with various driving infractions, offering lower annual premiums across multiple categories of offenses.

• Speeding ticket: Capital Insurance Group ($1,611 per year)
• At-fault accident: Capital Insurance Group ($1,621 per year)
• DUI: State National ($3,045 per year)

The annual premiums demonstrate how the severity of a driving offense impacts car insurance rates; for instance, the cheapest company after a speeding ticket is $1,611, while the cheapest after a DUI jumps significantly to $3,045. This disparity underscores the cost implications of driving violations on auto insurance prices. National General typically has the most expensive rates for these offenses.

Insurance premiums in Richmond reflect the severity of driving offenses; the more serious the violation, the higher the rates. For example, drivers with a DUI pay an average annual premium of $3,724, whereas those with a speeding ticket pay considerably less at $2,199.

This difference underscores the importance for drivers with infractions to compare insurance rates, ensuring they secure the best possible financial terms for their situation.

Farmers is the cheapest option in Richmond, offering the cheapest car insurance for teens. The two most affordable providers for teen family policies, combining two parents and a teenager, are as follows:

• Farmers: $2,931 per year for female teens and $2,931 per year for male teens
• GEICO: $2,884 per year for female teens and $3,040 per year for male teens

Nationwide, by comparison, has the most expensive teen family policy in Richmond, charging an annual premium of $5,300 for female teens. The difference of $2,369 between the cheapest and most expensive options for girls shows why it's crucial to compare rates, especially when including a higher-risk teen driver on your car insurance policy.

In Richmond, teens seeking car insurance face significantly higher rates when purchasing individual policies compared with joining a family plan. On average, an individual teen policy runs at $4,338 annually, whereas adding a teen to a family plan averages around $3,637 — a difference of $701.

This disparity is due to the increased risk insurers associate with teen drivers, which is also why securing an individual policy can prove challenging for teens. Insurers often require substantial proof of responsibility before granting coverage independently to this high-risk demographic. For affordable coverage, it's advisable for teens to opt into a family plan.

Progressive is the cheapest option in Richmond for those with military backgrounds seeking the cheapest car insurance for military backgrounds. Based on current data, the two most affordable providers are

• Progressive: $1,111 per year
• GEICO: $1,155 per year

Though not the cheapest, USAA ranks fourth with an annual premium of $1,238. Its rates are slightly higher than the competitors, but USAA offers service that is specifically tailored to meet the needs of active duty military members, positioning itself as a valuable option for the military community in Richmond.

In Richmond, comparing car insurance rates is a key strategy for cost savings. However, the process is often cumbersome, potentially requiring over an hour to examine rates from three or more companies.

MoneyGeek's car insurance calculator can help you streamline this process. By inputting details like age, driving history, credit score and preferred coverage, you can instantly receive rate estimates.

Choosing the best auto insurance for you hinges on what you prioritize — be it service quality, cost, coverage, or other factors. Distinct criteria for each category reveal the top car insurance providers in Richmond for meeting various needs:

• Best overall: Capital Insurance Group (MoneyGeek score 83 out of 100)
• Best for service: Chubb (MoneyGeek score 94 out of 100)
• Best cheap: Mercury (MoneyGeek score 82 out of 100)

Capital Insurance Group stands out as the best option if you seek an optimal blend of service and affordability. Chubb, scoring highest for service, is ideal for customers who prioritize top-tier customer experience, regardless of price. And Mercury offers a budget-friendly choice without significantly compromising the service quality, appealing to those who need to keep costs low.

Capital Insurance Group offers the best car insurance options in Richmond for drivers seeking quality coverage and exceptional service.

• Capital Insurance Group: MoneyGeek score of 83 out of 100 ($1,372 per year)
• Chubb: MoneyGeek score of 80 out of 100 ($1,922 per year)

Capital Insurance Group distinguishes itself with a satisfaction and affordability scores, underpinning its position as the premier choice for a full coverage policy in Richmond.

Chubb is the best option in Richmond for car insurance based on customer service, emphasizing outstanding general satisfaction, claims handling and coverages.

• Chubb: MoneyGeek score of 94 out of 100 ($1,922 per year)
• Capital Insurance Group: MoneyGeek score of 82 out of 100 ($1,372 per year)

Chubb stands out in Richmond for its blend of exceptional claims handling and comprehensive coverage options.

Mercury is the top provider of affordable car insurance in Richmond. While the MoneyGeek score leans heavily toward affordability, it also encompasses customer satisfaction and claims handling, making sure that the service quality is not sacrificed for cost-efficiency.

• Mercury: MoneyGeek score of 82 out of 100 ($418 per year)
• Capital Insurance Group: MoneyGeek score of 80 out of 100 ($555 per year)

Mercury stands out as the leading insurer in Richmond. With a competitive annual premium of $418 for a minimum coverage policy, Mercury demonstrates exceptional value combined with reliable claims handling and customer satisfaction.

Car insurance expenses can vary significantly from one location to another. In Richmond, California, the average cost of car insurance is $1,562 per month. This figure is less than California's statewide average of car insurance, which is $1,781. The cost in California is also lower than the national average, with state premiums averaging $219 less than the national figure of $1,781.

Several factors influence the cost of car insurance, with location being a significant one. Insurers consider the likelihood of accidents, theft and vandalism, which tend to be higher in urban areas with dense traffic compared with rural areas.

The city with the most expensive premium in California is Glendale at $2,115, while Santa Maria boasts the cheapest at $1,106. This stark difference of $1,009 illustrates just how impactful location can be on insurance rates, with non-city areas typically experiencing lower traffic density and potentially even lower insurance costs.