Cheapest and Best Car Insurance Companies in Richmond, CA
Compare Rates and Save on Car Insurance
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, Content DirectorThe cheapest provider may differ depending on your needs and driver profile. GEICO offers the lowest rates for full coverage and minimum coverage. National General is the cheapest for drivers with a ticket or DUI, while Capital Insurance Group is the most affordable company for those with an at-fault accident. USAA is ideal for military-affiliated drivers. Teen drivers fare best with Farmers. We recommend GEICO for the best combination of affordability and service quality.
Cheapest and Best Car Insurance in Richmond, CA








Cheapest Minimum Liability Car Insurance in Richmond
The cheapest car insurance companies for a minimum coverage policy in Richmond are:
- GEICO: $361 per year
- CSAA: $432 per year
National General charges the highest rates for minimum coverage, with premiums averaging $874 per year.
Liability limits for minimum coverage insurance are determined by the state and not by the city. In California, minimum coverage extends to bodily injury and property damage with these limits:
- $15,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $30,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $5,000 property damage liability per accident
Your policy’s liability limits tell you how much your insurer will pay for injuries and damages to other drivers and their passengers if you’re found at fault in an accident. A bodily injury liability limit of $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident means your insurer will cover medical bills of up to $15,000 per injured person but not exceeding $30,000 per incident, even if the accident injured more than two people. You’ll have to pay out of pocket for expenses exceeding the coverage limit.
Cheapest Full Coverage Car Insurance in Richmond
The cheapest car insurance companies for a full coverage policy in Richmond are:
- GEICO: $1,012 per year
- Progressive: $1,069 per year
The most expensive provider for full coverage is Chubb, with policies costing around $1,922 per year.
Full coverage insurance increases your liability limits and adds comprehensive and collision insurance to your policy.
- Collision Insurance: Covers the costs to repair or replace your vehicle if it sustains damage in an at-fault accident, such as a collision with another vehicle or an object.
- Comprehensive Insurance: Covers expenses to repair or replace your vehicle if it sustains damage in a non-accident incident like theft, vandalism or a weather-related event.
We recommend full coverage insurance if you have a newer or expensive car. If you have an older or low-value car, a full coverage policy may not be worth the added cost.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Richmond After a Driving Offense
The cheapest car insurance companies for a full coverage policy after a driving violation in Richmond are:
- Speeding ticket: National General ($1,468 per year)
- At-fault accident: Capital Insurance Group ($1,610 per year)
- DUI: National General ($1,468 per year)
Nationwide is the most expensive provider following a speeding ticket at $2,531 per year, Kemper after an at-fault accident at $3,189 per year and Hartford following a DUI at $5,423 per year. Compared to drivers with clean records, those with offenses typically pay higher rates. Don’t be surprised if even the cheapest company’s rates increase after a driving offense.
A severe violation can cause your insurance rates to skyrocket. In Richmond, the average premium increases by around $574 per year after a speeding ticket and $1,961 after a DUI. You can still find affordable car insurance with a bad driving record if you shop around.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Richmond for Teens and Their Families
The cheapest car insurance companies for teens on a family policy in Richmond are:
- Farmers: $2,958 per year for female and male teens
- GEICO: $2,942 per year for female teens
- State Farm: $3,031 per year for male teens
Nationwide is the most expensive provider for teens, with full coverage costing around $7,524 per year when a teen driver is added to a family policy. Male teens usually pay higher rates than females because they are considered high-risk drivers. However, Farmers charge male and female teens the same rate. Gender-specific rate differences drop off by early adulthood.
If you have a teen driver, you can save on insurance by adding them to a family policy. For instance, the average 16-year-old male in Richmond would pay roughly $4,498 per year for an individual full coverage. Adding the same teen to a family policy costs $3,825, an annual savings of $673. Families can easily bank hundreds of dollars per year by making smart choices when purchasing the cheapest auto insurance for teens.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Richmond for Military Drivers
The cheapest car insurance companies for military families and veterans in Richmond for full coverage:
- USAA: $916 per year
- GEICO: $1,012 per year
For minimum coverage insurance, the same two companies top our list, but GEICO ($361) is the cheapest, followed by USAA ($388).
How to Compare Cheap Richmond Car Insurance Quotes Online
Comparison shopping for rates is time-consuming, and you can spend 15 minutes or longer completing one company’s online forms.
MoneyGeek’s car insurance calculator gives you a quick ballpark figure of your auto insurance rate. Our database automatically scans thousands of quotes that we’ve collected from various insurers and gives you a reliable estimate based on your age, vehicle type, preferred coverage level and driving record.
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Best Car Insurance in Richmond: Summary
The best car insurance for you depends on how you value affordability, service quality and coverage options. The following are the best car insurance companies in Richmond, California, based on our study:
- Best overall: GEICO (MoneyGeek 75 score out of 100)
- Best for service: Chubb (MoneyGeek score 76 out of 100)
- Best cheap: GEICO (MoneyGeek score 78 out of 100)
A company’s MoneyGeek scores can vary depending on how we weigh factors for each category. GEICO outperformed its competitors, becoming our top pick as the best overall auto insurer in Richmond and the best car insurance in California. With a MoneyGeek score of 85 out of 100, USAA is also worth considering if you have a military background.
Best Overall Car Insurance in Richmond
The best car insurance companies in Richmond that combine affordability and customer service are:
- GEICO: MoneyGeek score 75 out of 100 ($1,012 per year)
- Progressive: MoneyGeek score 72 out of 100 ($1,069 per year)
GEICO offers the cheapest rates out of 14 providers and above-average service. USAA also ranks highly, earning the highest score of 85 out of 100. It is a great option for military members at $916 per year.
How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?

pros
Has the cheapest premiums out of 14 providers
Above-average customer service
Offers mechanical breakdown insurance and classic car insurance
cons
Weak claims management
Doesn’t offer a deductible modification, gap insurance or new car replacement coverage
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
GEICO offers a few rare coverages on top of essential ones. You won’t frequently find mechanical breakdown insurance (MBI) on the list of add-ons for most insurers. With GEICO’s MBI, policyholders will pay less out of pocket for any unexpected car repairs, including all parts and systems. You can also get your car repaired at a licensed repair shop of your choice. To qualify for MBI, your new or leased car must be less than 15 months old and have less than 15,000 miles on its odometer.
The company’s classic car insurance add-on is a must if you have a collectible car. It provides liability coverage, uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, personal injury protection and medical payments coverage on top of the standard protection.
Best Car Insurance in Richmond for Customer Service
The following companies offer the best customer service in Richmond when price is not a consideration:
- Chubb: MoneyGeek score 76 out of 100 ($1,922 per year)
- Capital Insurance Group: MoneyGeek score 68 out of 100 ($1,365 per year)
Chubb has a strong reputation for delivering exceptional service and claims processing. However, the insurer charges the highest premiums out of the 14 companies we studied in Richmond.
How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?

pros
Excellent ratings on customer service – the second-highest out of 14 providers
Ranks first for claims management
Offers useful add-ons like rental car reimbursement, original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and diminished value coverages
cons
Limited range add-on coverages
Lacks common coverages such as roadside assistance and gap insurance
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Chubb combines great value with top-notch service, making it our clear winner for this category. Although it only offers four add-on coverages, most of these are rarely offered by other insurers.
We highly recommend purchasing its original equipment manufacturer (OEM) coverage which pays for the cost of original parts and processes to repair your vehicle following damage due to a covered incident. OEM parts are made by your car manufacturer’s factory and designed specifically for your car, so they tend to fit perfectly compared to aftermarket parts.
Chubb also offers diminished value coverage which pays you for the agreed value of your car if it is totaled or stolen. The company’s classic car insurance is a must-have for drivers with collectible cars. To qualify for this insurance, your car must be at least 30 years old, part of a larger vehicle collection or a limited production model.
Best Cheap Car Insurance in Richmond
The best auto insurance companies in Richmond that meet California’s minimum coverage requirements are:
- GEICO: MoneyGeek score 78 out of 100 ($361 per year)
- Progressive: MoneyGeek score 71 out of 100 ($452 per year)
Minimum coverage is typically the most affordable option for most drivers. Before purchasing this type of policy, be aware that it provides the least liability protection and won’t cover expenses if your car is damaged in an accident.
How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?

pros
An affordable minimum coverage policy costs $361 per year
Ranks first in affordability and fourth in customer satisfaction out of 14 providers
Offers discounts for bundling policies, insuring multiple cars and always using a seatbelt
cons
Below-average claims management
No discounts for going paperless or paying in full
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
GEICO is the ideal option for drivers who want good service at an affordable premium. Its minimum coverage insurance is the cheapest out of 14 providers in Richmond, and policy buyers can slash these rock-bottom rates further by taking advantage of discount opportunities.
GEICO boasts an impressive line-up of discounts, and most drivers will have little trouble qualifying for at least one. It offers common discounts like for insuring more than one car, being accident-free for at least five years and bundling an auto policy with a home, renters, condo or mobile home insurance.
This insurer is one of a handful that offers discounts to senior drivers, active or retired federal employees, teachers and military personnel on active duty and veterans. GEICO also rewards drivers who put safety first by providing discounts for always wearing a seatbelt and completing a driver’s education or defensive driving course.
Average Cost of Car Insurance in Richmond
The average cost of car insurance in Richmond is $1,400 per year. MoneyGeek found that getting insured in Richmond costs $13 more than the cost of car insurance in California ($1,387) and $122 more than the national average ($1,265). These average rates are based on quotes for a sample full coverage policy with $100,000 in bodily injury liability per person, $300,000 in bodily injury liability per accident and $100,000 in property damage liability per accident. Location is just one of many factors that influence insurance rates.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
