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

Finding the cheapest or best auto insurance in Riverside depends on aspects like coverage and driver details. For full coverage, Progressive takes the lead, whereas for those with teen drivers, GEICO is your most budget-friendly choice. GEICO is the cheapest for minimum coverage. When quality service is your priority, Chubb tops the chart for customer satisfaction. Capital Insurance Group, is ranked best for overall value, which combines cost and service. Ultimately, the optimal choice depends on your personal preferences and needs.

MoneyGeek found that GEICO is the cheapest option in Riverside for car insurance. Here are the two most affordable providers:

• GEICO: $440 per year
• Progressive: $447 per year

Conversely, Chubb has the most expensive minimum coverage policy, with an annual premium of $837. This stark contrast in pricing, with a difference of $397 between the lowest and highest, underscores the significance of comparing car insurance options to secure the best rate.

In California, state law sets the minimum car insurance requirements. Here's a snapshot of the mandated coverage:

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

Let's say you have the minimum coverage and are involved in an accident where the bodily injury to one person is $20,000. Your policy would cover the first $15,000, and you'd be responsible for the remaining $5,000 out-of-pocket.

MoneyGeek found that Progressive offers the most wallet-friendly option for cheapest full coverage car insurance in Riverside.

• Progressive: $1,099 per year
• GEICO: $1,190 per year

Farmers has the most expensive full coverage policy in Riverside, with an annual premium of $2,211, which is $1,112 more than Progressive. Full coverage policies are pricier than minimum coverage because they offer a broader level of protection for your vehicle, covering events beyond just third-party liability.

Riverside full coverage provides $100,000 for individual bodily injury, $300,000 per accident for bodily injury and $100,000 in property damage liability. This enhanced protection level is succinctly referred to as a 100/300/100 policy.

This full coverage option incorporates additional layers beyond liability with the inclusion of both comprehensive and collision insurances:

• Collision Insurance: This component is essential as it reimburses you for repairs to your car in the event it collides with another vehicle or object like a tree or light pole. It also covers rollover accidents and pothole damage. .

• Comprehensive Insurance: Unlike collision insurance, comprehensive coverage steps in to cover costs for damages to your car that are not collision-related, such as theft or natural disasters and being struck by an animal like a deer.

For those with a new vehicle, investing in full coverage insurance is a good move. With older vehicles, the decision to opt for advanced coverage, with its accompanying higher cost, may not be as straightforward. When it comes to choosing how much car insurance you need, take into account both coverage and cost.

MoneyGeek found that National General is the most affordable option in Riverside for drivers with a poor driving history. Here are the cheapest providers for each specific incident:

• Speeding Ticket: National General ($1,318 per year)
• At-fault Accident: Capital Insurance Group ($1,752 per year)
• DUI: National General ($1,318 per year)

Drivers with a DUI pay the same cheapest rate as those with a speeding ticket through National General, but certain companies may have higher premiums for more serious offenses.

Insurance rates in cities like Riverside are often higher for drivers with infractions due to the increased risk they pose to insurers. For example, a Riverside driver with a speeding ticket could see an annual rate average of $2,181, while one with a DUI offense averages a significant increase to $3,640 annually.

MoneyGeek found that GEICO is the cheapest option in Riverside for families seeking the cheapest car insurance for teens. Here are the two most affordable providers:

• GEICO: $2,906 per year for female teens and $3,036 per year for male teens
• State Farm: $,3255 per year for female teens and $3,255 per year for male teens

These rates offer a comprehensive coverage package for a family with two parents and a teen driver. Among the evaluated companies, Kemper is the most expensive option in Riverside for insuring a teen driver, with an annual premium of $6,128 for female teens.

In Riverside and similar cities, teen drivers often face steep car insurance premiums. An average individual annual premium for teens amounts to $4,429, considerably higher than the $4,103 average when added to a joint family plan. Insurers impose higher rates on individual policies for teens due to the elevated risk they pose.

MoneyGeek found that Progressive is the cheapest option for full coverage car insurance, specifically for those with military backgrounds in Riverside. When searching for the cheapest car insurance for military backgrounds, consider the following providers:

• Progressive: $1,099 per year
• GEICO: $1,190 per year

Although USAA is ranked third at $1,254 per year, which is slightly higher than the first two, it stands out by offering services that are specifically tailored to the needs of active duty military members.

If you are in Riverside, you can use MoneyGeek's car insurance calculator to determine insurance premiums in the area. By simply inputting one's age, driving history, credit score, desired coverage level and several other details, you can receive an estimated rate.

Finding the right auto insurance depends on your priorities and how you weigh factors like service quality, cost, coverage and other variables. MoneyGeek's research into Riverside's top car insurance providers reveals:

• Best overall: Capital Insurance Group(Score 82 out of 100)
• Best for service: Chubb (Score 94 out of 100)
• Best cheap: Mercury (Score 78 out of 100)

Capital Insurance Group leads with a balance of service and affordability, making them the best overall. Chubb excels in customer service, while Mercury provides a budget-friendly option without compromising too much on service.

MoneyGeek found that Capital Insurance Group is the best option in Riverside for drivers seeking top-tier car insurance. According to the comprehensive guide, the providers with the highest MoneyGeek scores in Riverside are:

• Capital Insurance Group: MoneyGeek score of 82 out of 100 ($1,487 per year)
• Chubb: MoneyGeek score of 81 out of 100 ($1,960 per year)

Capital Insurance Group excels with a balance of customer satisfaction and affordability, contributing to its high total score.

Chubb is the best option in Riverside for exemplary car insurance customer service. Their evaluation highlights a commitment to general satisfaction, proficient claims handling and comprehensive coverages.

• Chubb: MoneyGeek score of 94 out of 100 ($1,960 per year)
• Capital Insurance Group: MoneyGeek score of 82 out of 100 ($1,487 per year)

Chubb stands out not only for their near-perfect claims score but also for their high coverage options which contribute significantly to their overall MoneyGeek score.

MoneyGeek found that Mercury is the best option for cheap car insurance in Riverside. The scoring acknowledges that while affordability is heavily weighted, customer satisfaction also counts.

• Mercury: MoneyGeek score of 78 out of 100 ($495 per year)
• Capital Insurance Group: MoneyGeek score of 76 out of 100 ($630 per year)

Mercury stands out in Riverside not only for its affordability but also for its well-rounded service offerings.

The average cost of car insurance in Riverside, California, is $1,543, moderately lower than the state's average. California's average car insurance cost is $1,562, which itself lies below the national average of $1,781. In the broader picture, the state's average shows a substantial saving of $219 when compared to national car insurance costs.

Location plays a crucial role in determining car insurance premiums, and while other factors, such as an individual's driving history and vehicle model, are significant, the impact of geographical variables is substantial. Higher population density, traffic patterns and local crime rates are among the key location-based factors that affect insurance rates.