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If you are looking for auto insurance in California, knowing how much it will cost is a promising idea. The average premium for car insurance in California is $2,115 per year or $176 per month. While the national average is $1,682. There is a difference of $433 more between the national average and the state average.

If you live here, you know that already. But do you know why? There are a range of factors that affect car insurance rates. A few of them are –age group, gender, driving history, credit score, and location where you live.

Apart from the factors which affect auto insurance rates, this guide also talks about the average rate of full coverage in state, companies offering cheap monthly premiums for car insurance, average car insurance rates by cities in California, and car insurance rates by age group.

Shop around and compare quotes to save money on your auto insurance. Keep reading the guide to make sure the insurance policy does not cost you more than your requirements.

How much does car insurance cost in California
Average annual cost
$2,115
Average per month cost
$176
Average cost for state minimum coverage
$582 / Year
Cheapest car insurance company
Progressive
($1,466/ Year)
Average cost for young drivers
$3,210 / Year
Average cost for Senior drivers
$2,110 / Year

Key Takeaways

  • The average car insurance cost in California is $2,115 per year, based on Insure.com’s analysis.
  • In California, the average premium for car insurance is $176 per month.
  • Progressive has the cheapest car insurance rates in California, at an average annual rate of $1,466 a year.

Average car insurance cost in California per month

In California, the average premium for car insurance is $176 per month.

The price for the same coverage may differ between companies, which is true of every auto insurance company. When looking for car insurance rates in California, it is a promising idea to get quotes from many firms.

Insure.com commissioned Quadrant Information Services to calculate average auto insurance rates for vehicles from 2006 to 2023.

Our hypothetical driver is a 40-year-old male who commutes 12 miles to work each day, with policy limits of 100/300/50 ($100,000 for injury liability for one person, $300,000 for all injuries and $50,000 for property damage in an accident) and a $500 deductible on collision and comprehensive coverage.

Rates for vehicles up until 2023 includes uninsured motorist coverage (since some states require it, we do it for all) and PIP or Medical Payments, if it is required by state law. This hypothetical driver has a clean record and good credit.

For liability 100/300 is rates the same hypothetical driver but with liability limits of 100/300/50, uninsured/underinsured motorist in matching amounts and PIP or MedPay, if required by state. We recommend limits this high, even if you have only liability coverage. A state-minimum policy includes only the basic state liability limits and any other state-required coverages, such as uninsured motorist or PIP.

Averages were calculated using data from six large carriers, such as Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, Nationwide, Progressive and State Farm. Rates were averaged across multiple ZIP codes and insurance companies. Average rates are for comparative purposes; your rate will depend on your personal factors.

How much is car insurance in California – Rates by company

As per the rate analysis conducted by Insure.com, the company which offers cheapest car insurance premiums in California is Progressive. The average annual cost is $1,466 while the average cost per month is $122. The second-best option available is, USAA, offering insurance at an average per month cost of $128.

The table below lists the other available car insurance companies which offer car insurance in California, along with their average cost per month and average annual cost.

Company nameAverage per month costAverage annual cost
Progressive$122$1,466
USAA$128$1,537
Geico$133$1,594
Mercury Insurance$135$1,622
Travelers$170$2,044
Auto-Owners$179$2,143
Auto Club$189$2,267
Allstate$192$2,303
Kemper Insurance$192$2,310
State Farm$194$2,334

Read our guide to best car insurance companies

Average cost of car insurance by coverage levels in California

The amount of coverage you purchase has an impact on how much car insurance costs in California. Your premium is determined by your liability limits, as well as whether you want comprehensive and collision coverage.

Liability only insurance protects a third party’s property damage and personal injuries in the event of an accident. In the case of a collision, having only liability coverage on your auto insurance would not cover your injuries or personal property damage since you are the driver responsible for the accident. If your coverage limit is 50/100/50 Liability only, the average cost per year in California is $864.

When you add more coverage to your policy, your insurance premium increases. As the insurance provider will have to compensate you if you are in an accident or suffer damage in any other manner. Hence, the average cost of full coverage car insurance in California is $2,115 per year.

For someone who does not own the car, but frequently rents a car, non-owner state minimum liability coverage is best suited. It is like liability-only coverage and covers for property damage and bodily injury caused to another driver. In California, the average annual cost for non-owner state minimum liability only is $323.

And for those who wish to save money on car insurance premiums can opt to have only the state minimum liability coverage, to be able to legally drive in the state. The state minimum liability only coverage costs $582 per year in California.

Coverage limitsAverage annual cost
50/100/50 Liability Only$864
100/300/100 Liability with $500 Comp/Coll Deductible$2,115
Non-Owner State Minimum Liability Only$323
State Minimum Liability Only$582

Auto insurance premiums vary significantly from city to city, so drivers need to be sure they’re getting the best deal. Insure.com has done the research for you. Get more information on auto insurance rates by city below.

Car insurance rates in California by city

Average car insurance cost in California by City

Your car insurance premium is determined by a variety of factors, including your state, city, and even ZIP code. The incidence of accidents and the likeliness of vehicle theft or vandalism can influence the overall cost of a city or ZIP code.

The table below depicts the top popular cities in California:

CityAverage annual cost
Los Angeles$2,937
San Diego$2,031
San Jose$2,075
San Francisco$2,398
Fresno$2,059
Sacramento$2,312
Long Beach$2,331
Oakland$2,393
Bakersfield$2,116
Anaheim$2,235

Average car insurance cost in California by age of the driver

Age is also a consideration when it comes to auto insurance rates. Teens are more likely to be in automobile accidents than any other generation. For example, the average annual rate for young drivers in California is $3,210 while for seniors is $2,110. Here, the rate for young drivers is $1,100 more than the rate for senior drivers.

According to statistics, young drivers are more likely to be in a vehicle accident than more experienced drivers. As a result, they are deemed high-risk and costly to insure. They are considered a high-risk driver because of over-speeding and less driving experience on road. Although, premiums start to rise again about age 70 when some aspects of aging start affecting driving abilities.

Average car insurance cost in California for young drivers

The average car insurance cost for female young drivers in California is $3,210 per year or $267 per month and rate for a male young driver is $3,210 per year or $267 per month.

The average annual rates for young male and female drivers are listed in the table below:

Age of driverAverage annual cost for Male driversAverage annual cost for Female drivers
18$5,438$5,438
19$4,002$4,002
20$3,768$3,768
21$3,362$3,362
22$3,105$3,105
23$2,983$2,983
24$2,830$2,830
25$2,580$2,580

Average car insurance cost in California for senior drivers

In California, the cost of car insurance for senior female driver is $2,110 per year or $176 per month and cost of car insurance for male senior driver is $2,110 per year or $176 per month.

Age of driverAverage annual cost for Male driversAverage annual cost for Female drivers
65$2,036$2,036
70$2,183$2,183
75$2,315$2,315

Read more about senior car insurance

Minimum car insurance requirements in California

Each state sets its own regulations regarding the minimum amount of car insurance coverage drivers must carry to operate a vehicle legally on the roads. According to information provided by the California Department of Insurance, the following are the required coverages and minimum coverage limits in California:

  • Bodily injury per person: $15,000
  • Bodily injury per accident: $30,000
  • Personal property coverage per person: $5,000

Cheapest cars to insure in California

The Chrysler Voyager LX has the lowest average annual insurance premium at $1,827, followed closely by the Subaru Forester 2.5I at $1,837. The difference in the cost of insuring these two models is $10 annually.

MakeModelAverage annual premium
ChryslerVoyager LX$1,827
SubaruForester 2.5I$1,837
ToyotaC-HR Limited$1,853
HondaCR-V EX$1,860
MazdaCX-5 S$1,878
SubaruOutback 2.5I$1,887
HondaHR-V EX$1,913
ChevroletSpark 1LT$1,919
JeepCompass High Altitude$1,930
MazdaCX-30 S$1,941

Most expensive cars to insure in California

The most expensive car to insure on the list is the Maserati Levante Trofeo, which has an average annual premium of $7,065. However, the difference between the cheapest and most expensive cars to insure is $5,238 annually.

MakeModelAverage annual premium
MaseratiLevante Trofeo$7,065
MaseratiQuattroporte$5,883
PorscheTaycan Turbo S$5,796
AudiR8 5.2L V10 Quattro Performance$5,743
Porsche911 Turbo$5,490
Porsche718 Boxster Spyder$5,415
AcuraNSX Type S$5,382
BMWM8 Competition XDrive$5,149
BMW750xi$5,136
BMWM850i XDrive$5,132

Note: For coverage limit: 100/300/50 liability with a $500 comprehensive and collision deductible.

Methodology

Insure.com team worked with Quadrant Information Service to get car insurance data. To determine the average premiums, our team of data analysts and expert editors have analyzed 56,838,240 insurance quotes from 136 insurance companies across 34,523 ZIP codes.

The insurance rates are based on a sample profile of a 40-year-old male driver with a clean driving record and a good insurance score. Quotes premiums are for a full coverage policy with limits:

  • $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
  • $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
  • $100,000 property damage liability
  • $500 collision/comprehensive deductible

The quoted insurance rates are for comparison purposes, and your individual rates may vary.

How much is car insurance in other states

Alaska$1,359/Year
Alabama$1,542/Year
Arkansas$1,597/Year
Arizona$1,617/Year
Colorado$1,940/Year
Connecticut$1,750/Year
Delaware$2,137/Year
Florida$2,560/Year
Georgia$1,647/Year
Hawaii$1,306/Year
Iowa$1,321/Year
Idaho$1,121/Year
Illinois$1,578/Year
Indiana$1,256/Year
Kansas$1,594/Year
Kentucky$2,105/Year
Louisiana$2,546/Year
Massachusetts$1,538/Year
Maryland$1,640/Year
Maine$1,116/Year
Michigan$2,133/Year
Minnesota$1,493/Year
Missouri$2,104/Year
Mississippi$1,606/Year
Montana$1,692/Year
North Carolina$1,368/Year
North Dakota$1,419/Year
Nebraska$2,018/Year
New Hampshire$1,307/Year
New Jersey$1,901/Year
New Mexico$1,505/Year
Nevada$2,023/Year
New York$2,020/Year
Ohio$1,023/Year
Oklahoma$1,797/Year
Oregon$1,244/Year
Pennsylvania$1,445/Year
Rhode Island$1,845/Year
South Carolina$1,894/Year
South Dakota$1,581/Year
Tennessee$1,373/Year
Texas$1,875/Year
Utah$1,469/Year
Virginia$1,321/Year
Vermont$1,158/Year
Washington$1,371/Year
Wisconsin$1,499/Year
West Virginia$1,610/Year
Wyoming$1,736/Year
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