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

In Stockton, California, Progressive has the cheapest full coverage, while Allstate offers the lowest rates for families with teens. The most affordable option for minimum coverage is CSAA. Chubb leads in customer service, but Capital Insurance Group achieves the best balance between price and service. The best car insurance provider aligns with your preferences and coverage requirements.

MoneyGeek found that CSAA offers the cheapest minimum coverage car insurance in Stockton. Consider the following affordable choices:

• CSAA: $427 per year
• GEICO: $478 per year

Allstate has the most expensive minimum coverage policy in Stockton, at $688 annually. The $261 difference between CSAA and Allstate underscores the value of shopping around for the cheapest car insurance. Such a comparison can lead to big savings.

State law mandates the minimum insurance coverage with the following limits:

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

For instance, if you have the minimum coverage policy and are at fault in an accident, the insurance will pay up to $15,000 for injuries per person but not exceed $30,000 per accident. You must pay the difference out of pocket if the actual costs exceed these limits.

MoneyGeek found that Progressive offers the lowest rates for full coverage car insurance in Stockton. When looking for the cheapest full coverage car insurance, consider the following providers:

• Progressive: $1,135 per year
• National General: $1,304 per year

Farmers has the most expensive full coverage policy in Stockton at $2,068 annually. This is why shopping around is important, as you could save up to $933 with Progressive. Full coverage car insurance is pricier than minimum coverage because it offers more protection with comprehensive and collision coverage.

A full coverage policy boosts your financial protection by raising the liability limits beyond the minimum required coverage. It covers up to $100,000 for bodily injury per person, $300,000 for bodily injury per accident and $100,000 for property damage per accident. This is often referred to as a 100/300/100 plan.

Full coverage policies include both comprehensive and collision insurance:

• Collision Insurance: This covers vehicle damage caused by hitting another car or object like a light pole or tree. Rollovers and pothole damage are also covered.
• Comprehensive Insurance: This provides financial cover for your vehicle in case of non-collision events, such as theft, natural disasters, fires vandalism and hitting an animal like a deer.

Getting full coverage insurance is a smart decision for brand-new cars. For older cars, additional coverage can lead to higher costs, which might outweigh the benefits. Drivers who are leasing or have a car loan are required to carry full coverage insurance.

Finding out how much car insurance you need is about balancing costs with the risk of being underinsured. To make the right choice, consider your vehicle's value, your finances and the risks you face.

MoneyGeek found that National General is the cheapest option for drivers in Stockton with speeding and DUI tickets, while Capital Insurance Group has the lowest rates for accidents. Check the most affordable choices per driving offense:

• Speeding ticket: National General ($1,367 per year)
• At-fault accident: Capital Insurance Group ($1,703 per year)
• DUI: National General ($1,367 per year)

The most expensive rate in Stockton is from State Farm at $5,672 annually after a DUI — a huge difference of $4,305 compared to National General.

In Stockton and other cities in California, insurance rates typically increase with the severity of a driving offense due to higher risks of future claims. For example, drivers with a DUI pay way more than those with a speeding ticket, translating to a difference of around $1,575. To maximize savings, compare rates and find the cheapest insurance for drivers with violations.

MoneyGeek found that Allstate offers the cheapest car insurance for teens in Stockton:

• Allstate: $3,217 per year for female and male teens
• GEICO: $3,221 per year for female teens and $3,366 per year for male teens

These rates reflect the cost of adding a teen to a policy shared with two parents. Kemper has the most expensive policy for teen family coverage in Stockton, with a higher annual premium than Allstate by $3,158. This price gap underscores the importance of comparing rates, especially for teen drivers who are considered higher risk.

Young drivers in Stockton face an average annual premium of about $4,472 when getting their own policy. In contrast, adding teens to a family plan costs around $4,148, saving $324. Insurers charge more for individual teen policies due to the higher risk associated with inexperienced drivers. Strict underwriting criteria make individual plans harder to secure than family plans.

MoneyGeek found that Progressive offers the cheapest car insurance for military backgrounds in Stockton:

• Progressive: $1,135 per year
• National General: $1,304 per year

USAA, ranking fifth with an annual premium of $1,335, provides customized services to active-duty military members. While there may be cheaper options, USAA's unique offerings often make it a top choice for military personnel.

Comparing car insurance rates will save you money. Yet, it takes about 15 minutes per provider or over an hour for three or more companies. Do this more efficiently with MoneyGeek's car insurance calculator. Enter your age, driving history, credit score, coverage preferences and other details to instantly get tailored rate estimates.

Choosing the best auto insurance depends on your priorities, such as service quality, affordability and coverage options. MoneyGeek considered these preferences for evaluating providers in Stockton.

• Best overall: Capital Insurance Group (Score: 82 out of 100)
• Best for service: Chubb (Score: 94 out of 100)
• Best cheap: Capital Insurance Group (Score: 77 out of 100)

Capital Insurance Group is Stockton's top choice for a balanced mix of value and service quality, with the highest overall and affordability scores. Chubb got the highest Satisfaction score, making it best for customers who prioritize service experience.

MoneyGeek found that Capital Insurance Group stands out as the best car insurance in Stockton.

• Capital Insurance Group: MoneyGeek score of 82 out of 100 ($1,443 per year)
• Chubb: MoneyGeek score of 79 out of 100 ($1,961 per year)

Capital Insurance Group perfectly balances customer satisfaction and affordability, the key drivers of its overall MoneyGeek score, reflecting its full coverage policy's value and service quality.

MoneyGeek found that Chubb is the best option for exceptional customer service in Stockton based on general satisfaction, superior claims handling and comprehensive coverage.

• Chubb: MoneyGeek score of 94 out of 100 ($1,961 per year)
• Capital Insurance Group: MoneyGeek score of 82 out of 100 ($1,443 per year)

Chubb stands out for its top-tier claims handling and wide range of coverages, which heavily influenced its high MoneyGeek score. It's a leading choice for customers who value quality service and dependable protection.

Capital Insurance Group is the best option in Stockton for affordable car insurance based on cost effectiveness, claims handling and customer satisfaction.

• Capital Insurance Group: MoneyGeek score of 77 out of 100 ($602 per year)
• Mercury: MoneyGeek score of 76 out of 100 ($517 per year)

Capital Insurance Group stands out for its competitive pricing, excellent client satisfaction and efficient claims processing. Its top-ranking satisfaction and claims scores greatly drive its overall MoneyGeek score, giving customers quality service even for minimum coverage policies.

In Stockton, car insurance averages $1,594 annually, slightly above California's $1,562 average. Overall, drivers in California pay $219 less annually for car insurance than the national average.

Location is a key factor driving costs. High-traffic cities have higher rates due to increased collision and theft risks. For example, Glendale tops California with a premium of $2,433, surpassing both Stockton's and California's averages by over $800. Santa Maria has the state's lowest premiums at $1,251, showing significant price gaps within California. Less populated or rural areas typically have cheaper rates due to lower traffic density and associated risks.