Cheapest Car Insurance in California (2024)


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Although CSAA offers California's cheapest car insurance overall for many different types of drivers, your rates will depend on your driver profile. Progressive and National General also have the cheapest rates for certain types of drivers.

Drivers looking to balance cost with quality service should consider the best car insurance companies in California.

Why Trust MoneyGeek? MoneyGeek used information from the California Department of Insurance and Quadrant Information Services to obtain data on insurance rates, discounts and more.

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These rates reflect the cheapest car insurance quotes in California as of 2024.

352,910Quotes Analyzed
 
19Companies Compared
 
596ZIP Codes

Cheapest Minimum Liability Car Insurance in California

The cheapest car insurance companies for a minimum coverage policy in California are:

  • CSAA: $139 per year
  • AAA: $437 per year

Allstate is the most expensive insurance provider, with a minimum coverage policy costing an average of $1,040 annually.

These rates are for a policy that only includes the state’s minimum car insurance requirements for bodily injury liability and property damage liability.

Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
Age Range:
Age Range:30-59
Coverage Level:
Coverage Level:Minimum Coverage
CSAA$139$12
AAA$437$36
GEICO$474$40
Progressive$485$40
Kemper$561$47
Capital Insurance Group$615$51
Mercury$631$53
State Farm$642$54
State National$644$54
Farmers$660$55
Hartford$715$60
Nationwide$722$60
National General$745$62
Travelers$762$63
Chubb$791$66
Allstate$1,040$87

A minimum coverage policy covers damage or injuries to others, not yourself. To avoid paying high out-of-pocket costs for damages to your car, you should purchase a full coverage policy that includes comprehensive and collision insurance.

Find the Best Car Insurance in California for You

 

Your needs and coverage preferences will determine the best auto insurance in California for you. The table above may help you narrow down your search for the cheapest minimum coverage in California.

Learn more about how much car insurance you need.

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MoneyGeek analyzed California’s best car insurance for drivers looking for a balance of quality and affordability.

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We also looked at the average car insurance cost in California for different driver profiles and other factors.

Cheapest Full Coverage Car Insurance in California

The following insurers offer the cheapest full coverage auto insurance in California:

  • CSAA: $462 per year
  • AAA: $977 per year

Farmers has the state's highest full coverage policy rates, at $2,323 per year. CSAA, the cheapest insurer, charges $323 more for full coverage than minimum coverage. While pricier, full coverage policies provide more protection and cover more costs after an accident.

Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
Age Range:
Age Range:30-59
Coverage Level:
Coverage Level:Full Coverage
CSAA$462$39
AAA$977$81
Progressive$1,128$94
GEICO$1,274$106
Capital Insurance Group$1,433$119
National General$1,447$121
State National$1,505$125
Kemper$1,523$127
Mercury$1,530$128
Hartford$1,559$130
State Farm$1,648$137
Nationwide$1,759$147
Allstate$1,825$152
Chubb$1,868$156
Travelers$2,029$169
Farmers$2,323$194

The amount of car insurance you need will significantly affect your premium. MoneyGeek’s sample full coverage policy includes the following coverages:

  • $100,000 in bodily injury liability per person
  • $300,000 in bodily injury liability per accident
  • $100,000 in property damage liability per accident

You can buy lower liability limits, remove comprehensive and collision insurance or raise your deductible to save money, but this could mean paying more out of pocket if you get into an accident that causes significant injuries or damages.

How to Compare Cheap California Car Insurance Quotes Online

Insurance companies provide online quotes for their customers, but it can take up to 15 minutes to input the required personal data for each company. If you're comparing multiple companies, this time could add up.

MoneyGeek’s car insurance calculator helps you find the cheapest car insurance without having to provide personal information. This gives you an idea of what you can expect to pay for car insurance before beginning your search.

Car Insurance Calculator

MoneyGeek's car insurance calculator will give you a customized estimate of your auto insurance cost. It's free to use, requires no personal information and we won't send you any spam.

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Rates updated:

Dec 06, 2024

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Cheapest Car Insurance in California by Age

Age is one of the biggest factors affecting car insurance rates in California. State Farm, CSAA, and CSAA offer the cheapest options, depending on your age group.

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CHEAPEST CAR INSURANCE COMPANIES BY AGE

Cheapest for teens: State Farm Cheapest for young adults: CSAA Cheapest for seniors: CSAA

Cheapest Car Insurance in California for Teens and Their Families

The following companies offer families with teens the most affordable car insurance:

  • State Farm: $2,943 per year for female and male teens
  • GEICO: $2,978 per year for female teens; $3,117 per year for males

Car insurance rates drop significantly from ages 16 to 19, with 19-year-olds getting the lowest rates. In California, GEICO provides the lowest rate for drivers aged 19 at $2,016 annually.

At $5,378 per year, Kemper is the most expensive insurer for teenage drivers in California. Teen drivers added to their family’s plan pay about $673 less than if they buy an individual policy. And teens under 18 cannot legally purchase car insurance without a parent or guardian as a co-signer.

Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
Gender:
Gender:Female
Age:
Age:16
State Farm$2,943$3,327
GEICO$2,978$3,678
Farmers$3,285$4,606
Capital Insurance Group$3,395$3,280
Allstate$3,436$3,782
Progressive$3,621$3,845
Travelers$4,022$3,678
Nationwide$5,231$7,477
Kemper$5,378$6,217
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MONEYGEEK EXPERT TIP

In most states, car insurance rates for male teens are significantly more expensive than for female teens. However, in California, gender is not considered when calculating car insurance rates at any age.Mark Friedlander, Director, Corporate Communications, Insurance Information Institute

Due to their lack of driving experience, providers typically charge teen drivers more for insurance as they have a high level of accident frequency and moving violations. However, you may be able to reduce the cost of your annual premium through good student or distant student discounts commonly offered by insurers.

Cheapest Car Insurance in California for Young Adults

Drivers in their 20s will find the most affordable rates from the following companies:

  • CSAA: $515 per year
  • AAA: $1,282 per year

Farmers has the most expensive annual premium at $2,762 for a full coverage policy.

Those in their 20s will likely be charged more for car insurance than middle-aged drivers since they’re more likely to file insurance claims, based on actuarial data. For a full coverage policy, young adults pay on average $375 more than middle-aged drivers.

Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
Age Range:
Age Range:22-29
Coverage Level:
Coverage Level:Full Coverage
CSAA$515$43
AAA$1,282$107
Progressive$1,358$113
GEICO$1,460$122
Capital Insurance Group$1,614$134
National General$1,755$146
State National$1,850$154
State Farm$1,934$161
Mercury$1,984$165
Allstate$2,010$167
Hartford$2,038$170
Kemper$2,273$189
Nationwide$2,291$191
Travelers$2,417$201
Chubb$2,752$229
Farmers$2,762$230
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MONEYGEEK EXPERT TIP

California car insurance rates are very moderate compared to other large population states due to the state's restrictive regulatory environment for approving insurer rate changes.Mark Friedlander, Director, Corporate Communications, Insurance Information Institute

Cheapest Car Insurance in California for Seniors

The following companies offer the cheapest full coverage car insurance in California for seniors:

  • CSAA: $456 per year
  • AAA: $971 per year

Farmers offers the most expensive auto insurance policy for seniors in California at $2,240 per year.

On average, seniors in California pay $50 less for car insurance than middle-aged drivers. However, as drivers reach their 70s and 80s, the cost of car insurance increases.

Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
Age Range:
Age Range:60 +
Coverage Level:
Coverage Level:Full Coverage
CSAA$456$38
AAA$971$81
Progressive$1,128$94
GEICO$1,222$102
State Farm$1,292$108
Capital Insurance Group$1,348$112
Hartford$1,350$113
State National$1,399$117
National General$1,464$122
Mercury$1,506$125
Nationwide$1,620$135
Allstate$1,742$145
Kemper$1,874$156
Chubb$1,929$161
Travelers$1,948$162
Farmers$2,240$187

Senior drivers may be able to save on car insurance by comparing rates from carriers and getting discounts. Companies, like State Farm and GEICO, offer discounts to seniors who have completed an approved defensive driving course.

Cheapest Car Insurance for Higher Risk Drivers

Drivers with violations will pay more car insurance than those with clean driving records. Those with a ticket or an accident will get the cheapest car insurance from CSAA, whereas drivers with a DUI should consider National General. Progressive is the most affordable option for sports car drivers.

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CHEAPEST CAR INSURANCE COMPANIES FOR HIGHER RISK DRIVERS

Cheapest after a ticket: CSAA ($585 per year)
Cheapest after an accident: CSAA ($585 per year)
Cheapest after a DUI: National General ($1,519 per year)
Cheapest for sports cars: Progressive ($1,344 per year)

Cheapest Car Insurance in California After a Ticket

We found that the cheapest car insurance companies in California for drivers with a speeding ticket are:

  • CSAA: $585 per year
  • AAA: $1,266 per year

Farmers offers the priciest insurance, with an average annual premium of $3,220.

Drivers with a clean driving history pay an average of $636 more for car insurance than those with speeding tickets.

Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
Age Range:
Age Range:30-59
Coverage Level:
Coverage Level:Full Coverage
CSAA$585$49
AAA$1,266$105
National General$1,519$127
Capital Insurance Group$1,648$137
GEICO$1,894$158
Mercury$2,016$168
Kemper$2,022$168
Progressive$2,128$177
State National$2,141$178
Hartford$2,341$195
State Farm$2,443$204
Chubb$2,452$204
Allstate$2,652$221
Nationwide$3,045$254
Travelers$3,097$258
Farmers$3,220$268

Cheapest Car Insurance in California After an Accident

We found that the cheapest car insurance companies for drivers with an at-fault accident are:

  • CSAA: $585 per year
  • AAA: $1,487 per year

The most expensive insurance is provided by Travelers at $3,446. Insurance companies charge at-fault drivers more due to the increased risk of accidents. Expect to pay an average of $926 more for car insurance if you have an at-fault accident on your record.

Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
Age Range:
Age Range:30-59
Coverage Level:
Coverage Level:Full Coverage
CSAA$585$49
AAA$1,487$124
Capital Insurance Group$1,687$141
GEICO$2,114$176
State National$2,141$178
National General$2,149$179
Progressive$2,318$193
Hartford$2,341$195
State Farm$2,559$213
Mercury$2,705$225
Nationwide$2,731$228
Chubb$3,014$251
Farmers$3,220$268
Allstate$3,264$272
Kemper$3,345$279
Travelers$3,446$287

Cheapest Car Insurance in California After a DUI

We found that the cheapest car insurance companies in California for drivers with a DUI are:

  • National General: $1,519 per year
  • CSAA: $1,655 per year

Allstate offers the most expensive full coverage insurance at $5,789.

If you get a DUI, you may struggle to find an insurer or be subject to an extremely high car insurance cost. Drivers with a DUI pay $2,110 more for car insurance, on average, than those with a clean driving history. A DUI stays on your driver's record for 10 years.

Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
Age Range:
Age Range:30-59
Coverage Level:
Coverage Level:Full Coverage
National General$1,519$127
CSAA$1,655$138
Mercury$2,522$210
Capital Insurance Group$2,576$215
Progressive$2,646$220
GEICO$3,019$252
AAA$3,051$254
Kemper$3,345$279
Chubb$3,951$329
State National$4,001$333
Farmers$4,025$335
Travelers$4,320$360
Nationwide$4,853$404
State Farm$5,059$422
Hartford$5,726$477
Allstate$5,789$482

Cheapest Car Insurance in California for Sports Cars

We found that the cheapest car insurance companies in California for drivers with sports cars are:

  • Progressive: $1,344 per year
  • GEICO: $1,584 per year

Farmers offers the most expensive luxury car insurance, with an average premium of $2,465 per year. If you have a sports car, expect to pay around $393 more than the lowest premium for a 2012 Toyota Camry LE.

Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
Age Range:
Age Range:30-59
Coverage Level:
Coverage Level:Full Coverage
Progressive$1,344$112
GEICO$1,584$132
Capital Insurance Group$1,613$134
Kemper$1,774$148
Travelers$1,909$159
State Farm$1,989$166
Nationwide$2,066$172
Chubb$2,198$183
Allstate$2,270$189
Farmers$2,465$205

On average, middle-aged drivers in California pay $403 more for a full coverage insurance policy if they have a sports car versus a traditional Toyota Camry LE.

Cheapest Car Insurance in California for Military Drivers

CSAA is California's cheapest car insurance company for active-duty or military veterans, with an average annual premium of $462.

CSAA isn't the only insurer that offers affordable and quality coverage to military members in the state. USAA provides coverage exclusively to military members and their families and has an average annual premium of $1,193. GEICO offers many discounts to military-affiliated drivers who can lower their auto insurance premiums.

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MoneyGeek Top Pick
CSAA
  • Annual premium: $462 per year
  • Cheapest, ranking first out of 17 insurance companies

Despite not offering a military discount, CSAA remains the most affordable option in California.

Cheapest Car Insurance in California by City

The cost of car insurance varies by state and city. Depending on your city or area, you could pay more or less for car insurance.

Car insurance costs more in larger cities because they’re considered riskier than in rural areas. This is usually because accidents or theft are higher in cities than rural areas.

Santa Maria has the cheapest premium in the state from National General at $922. Glendale has the most expensive rate at $2,154, also from National General.

AnaheimProgressive$1,288
AntiochNational General$1,240
Arden-ArcadeProgressive$1,418
BakersfieldNational General$1,176
BerkeleyGEICO$1,240
BurbankNational General$1,898
CarlsbadNational General$1,162
Chula VistaGEICO$1,067
ClovisNational General$1,194
ConcordProgressive$1,210
CoronaProgressive$1,144
Costa MesaProgressive$1,260
Daly CityProgressive$1,353
DowneyProgressive$1,427
East Los AngelesProgressive$1,350
El CajonNational General$1,162
El MonteProgressive$1,529
Elk GroveProgressive$1,239
EscondidoNational General$1,190
FairfieldGEICO$1,145
FontanaNational General$1,353
FremontProgressive$1,116
FresnoNational General$1,189
FullertonProgressive$1,456
Garden GroveProgressive$1,461
GlendaleNational General$2,154
HaywardProgressive$1,347
Huntington BeachProgressive$1,382
InglewoodProgressive$1,477
IrvineProgressive$1,420
Jurupa ValleyProgressive$1,253
LancasterProgressive$1,531
Long BeachProgressive$1,390
Los AngelesProgressive$1,894
ModestoProgressive$1,380
Moreno ValleyNational General$1,353
MurrietaNational General$1,202
NorwalkProgressive$1,317
OaklandProgressive$1,354
OceansideProgressive$1,141
OntarioProgressive$1,284
OrangeProgressive$1,190
OxnardNational General$1,203
PalmdaleProgressive$1,560
PasadenaGEICO$1,598
PomonaProgressive$1,332
Rancho CucamongaNational General$1,312
RialtoProgressive$1,406
RichmondProgressive$1,276
RiversideProgressive$1,271
RosevilleNational General$1,342
SacramentoProgressive$1,203
SalinasNational General$970
San BernardinoProgressive$1,383
San DiegoProgressive$1,124
San FranciscoGEICO$1,293
San JoseGEICO$1,217
San MateoNational General$1,186
Santa AnaProgressive$1,360
Santa ClaraProgressive$1,142
Santa ClaritaProgressive$1,493
Santa MariaNational General$922
Santa RosaNational General$1,213
Simi ValleyNational General$1,288
StocktonProgressive$1,340
SunnyvaleProgressive$1,121
TemeculaNational General$1,202
Thousand OaksNational General$1,288
TorranceNational General$1,218
VallejoNational General$1,277
VenturaNational General$1,203
VictorvilleProgressive$1,341
VisaliaNational General$1,179
VistaNational General$1,190
West CovinaProgressive$1,451

Car Insurance in California: What You Need to Know

The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) requires that all drivers have at least liability insurance. Our guide below offers key information on auto insurance in the state.

California is among the many states requiring coverage for bodily injury and property damage liability. Learn more about its requirements below.

California Car Insurance Requirements

California drivers must carry at least basic liability insurance on their vehicles. At a minimum, your insurance must include bodily injury liability per person, bodily injury liability per accident and property damage liability per accident.

The required coverage also increases for drivers with a history of violations, as SR-22 insurance is required for repeat driving offenders in the state.

To save money, you can purchase the minimum amount of coverage required. However, this may not fully cover all your expenses if you get into an accident. Because of this, MoneyGeek recommends purchasing as much liability coverage as you can reasonably afford for added security in case of accidents.

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SR-22: EXPLAINED

SR-22 is not insurance, even though it is common for people to use the term "SR-22 insurance." An SR-22 is a certificate of financial responsibility that proves you meet the state's established insurance requirements for high-risk drivers and must be filed with the DMV by your auto insurer. — Mark Friedlander, Director, Corporate Communications, Insurance Information Institute

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    Bodily Injury Liability

    This helps cover the costs if you are responsible for a car accident that injured another person. In California, insurance must cover up to $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident. Opting for the minimum may leave you financially vulnerable if someone is seriously injured in an accident where you were at fault.

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    Property Damage Liability

    By California law, a $5,000 property damage liability per accident is required. This helps pay for repair damages to another person's property, where you are found at fault. This could also be used to pay for other tasks, such as debris removal and cleanup. However, the minimum coverage may not be enough to cover all expenses related to the accident.

MoneyGeek recommends getting $100,000 in bodily injury liability insurance per person, $300,000 in bodily injury liability insurance per accident and $100,000 in property damage insurance per accident. This will provide more coverage if another person or their property is harmed by an accident involving your vehicle.

Collision coverage pays for repairs to your vehicle caused by collisions with other vehicles or objects, such as a light pole or a tree.

Comprehensive coverage pays to repair your car when it’s damaged by something other than a collision, including fire, vandalism, fallen branches and natural disasters.

These insurance policies are ideal for drivers who have new or expensive vehicles.

Car Insurance Alternatives in California

Though car insurance is required in the state of California, there are a few alternative options, depending on your situation.

These options require cash upfront, which can be challenging to obtain. However, they can present advantages for people with particular requirements and preferences.

The alternatives are as follows:

  • Cash deposit of $35,000 with DMV: The department helps drivers without insurance to fulfill financial responsibility by accepting a deposit of $35,000.
  • DMV-issued self-insurance certificate: This is applicable to individuals who own over 25 vehicles. This type of protection requires a predetermined amount of security cash per number of vehicles registered or 130% of average annual claims paid by the self-insurer in the preceding three-year period.
  • Surety bond: A surety bond is a contract that requires the driver to pay a specific amount of money if they cause an accident. The fund will cover the driver's expenses in an accident equal to its value. However, the driver has to pay back the funds paid out of the surety bond. Drivers must opt for $35,000 from a licensed company in California.

FAQ About Car Insurance in California

Choosing the right car insurance policy can be overwhelming, particularly if you don’t know where to start. MoneyGeek answered some of the most commonly asked questions to make the process less stressful for you.

Which company offers the cheapest car insurance in California?

Should you buy the cheapest car insurance available in California?

Is uninsured motorist/underinsured motorist coverage required in California?

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About Mark Fitzpatrick


Mark Fitzpatrick headshot

Mark Fitzpatrick is a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer and MoneyGeek's Head of Insurance. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research and creating personalized content for every kind of buyer. He has been quoted in several insurance-related publications, including CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.

Fitzpatrick earned a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He is passionate about using his knowledge of economics and insurance to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.


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