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25 Years of insurance experience
78.5M Quotes reviewed
170 Insurance providers evaluated
34.5K ZIP codes analyzed

If you’re in California, your monthly cost for full coverage car insurance is $251, which adds up to $3,010 per year. For minimum coverage, expect to pay an average of $63 monthly, or $751 a year.

Insurance companies calculate your premiums based partly on where you live. They consider factors such as traffic and accident rates, the number of car thefts in your area, and how expensive it is to repair your vehicle.

If you live in a busy city with heavy traffic and high theft rates, you’ll likely pay more for car insurance than someone in a rural area with fewer cars on the road and lower accident risks.

Other than location, your age, driving history, credit score and ZIP code also influence your insurance rates.

Average annual cost
$3,010 / Year

Average per month cost
$251

Average cost for state minimum coverage
$1,016 / Year

Cheapest car insurance company
GEICO

$2,038 / Year

Average cost for young drivers
$4,391 / Year

Average cost for Senior drivers
$3,016 / Year

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Average car insurance cost in California

Drivers in California generally pay an average of $251 per month or $3,010 per year for full coverage car insurance. However, if you go with the state’s minimum coverage, your monthly premium could be as low as $63 or $751 per year. Just keep in mind that opting for minimum coverage means significantly less protection if you’re in an accident.

Your exact car insurance costs may vary, as insurers consider multiple factors including your age, driving experience, credit score, where you live and what kind of car you drive.

Cheapest car insurance companies in California

If you’re looking for affordable insurance, GEICO tops the list of the cheapest car insurance companies. Its average annual cost is $2,038 per year or $170 monthly for a policy with limits of 100/300/100 and $500 collision and comprehensive deductibles.

Kemper also provides affordable insurance rates in California for a full coverage policy at an average annual insurance cost of $2,584 or $215 monthly.

While these companies offer some of the lowest average premiums in California, your actual rate will depend on factors unique to you. Comparing multiple quotes is the best way to find coverage that fits both your budget and needs.

Affordable car insurance providers in California

Graph
Table
Company nameAverage per month costAverage annual cost
GEICO$170$2,038
Kemper$215$2,584
Progressive$224$2,684
Mercury Insurance$232$2,782
CSAA Insurance (AAA)$240$2,874
Auto Club Enterprises (AAA)$247$2,967
State Farm$257$3,078
Farmers$284$3,409
Travelers$300$3,604
Allstate$327$3,922
Nationwide$352$4,227
USAA*$173$2,080
*USAA is only available to military community members and their families.
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*USAA is only available to military community members and their families.
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Data last refreshed in 2025
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Average cost of car insurance by coverage levels in California

The cost of your car insurance also depends on the coverage levels you choose.

If you opt for just the minimum coverage required by your state, you’ll pay $63 per month, or $751 per year. It’s a low-cost option, but keep in mind that it won’t pay for any repairs to your own car if you’re in an accident.

For solid protection, full coverage might be the right choice. It includes liability coverage along with collision and comprehensive insurance. Collision coverage covers damage to your vehicle from accidents, irrespective of fault. Comprehensive coverage protects against non-collision events like theft, vandalism or weather events.

In California, the average cost for full coverage is $251 per month, or $3,010 per year

While it’s more than what you’d pay for minimum coverage, the added protection can be worth it, especially if your car is of significant value.

Coverage limitsAverage annual cost
State minimum liability-only$751
Liability only$1,016
Full coverage$3,010
Non-owner state minimum liability$394
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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.

Our agents make it hassle-free to get the right quote.

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Average car insurance cost in California by city

Because car insurance rates vary by location, the city you live in also affects how much you pay. If you’re in cities like Los Angeles, Oakland or San Francisco, you’ll likely see higher premiums because of high traffic and accident rates, and greater risk of theft or damage.

On the other hand, drivers in cities like San Diego or San Jose pay significantly low insurance rates, on average between $2,835 and $2,918 a year. Insurers typically charge lower premiums in these cities due to fewer accidents, lower population density, vehicle theft and vandalism rates.

CityAverage annual cost
San Diego$2,835
San Jose$2,918
Fresno$2,936
Bakersfield$3,053
Anaheim$3,143
Long Beach$3,279
Sacramento$3,283
Oakland$3,466
San Francisco$3,466
Los Angeles$4,201
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Average car insurance cost in California by age

Insurers consider age a key risk factor when determining car insurance rates. Our data shows that young drivers typically pay higher premiums due to their limited experience behind the wheel.

Generally, rates are highest for teens, begin to drop after age 25 and rise again once drivers reach their early 70s.

Let’s take a closer look at how much you might pay in California for a full coverage policy based on your age and gender.

Average car insurance cost in California for young drivers

If you’re a young driver, you can expect to pay above average premiums. Insurers see young drivers as high-risk, which means higher premiums until you gain more experience behind the wheel.

For instance, 20-year-old male drivers in California pay an average of $5,120 per year for car insurance, while females of the same age pay $5,120.

But by the time you turn 25, insurance premiums drop to $3,629 a year on average for male drivers and $3,629 for female drivers.

Age of driverAverage annual cost for Male driversAverage annual cost for Female drivers
20$5,120$5,120
21$4,564$4,564
22$4,317$4,317
23$4,122$4,122
24$3,860$3,860
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Average car insurance cost in California for adult drivers

On average, an adult male driver in California pays $3,052 a year for full coverage or $254 per month. Women pay $3,052 a year or $254 per month for the same coverage.

However, exact rates can vary widely from driver to driver, so it’s helpful to compare quotes to find the best price for your vehicle.

Age of driverAverage annual cost for Male driversAverage annual cost for Female drivers
25$3,629$3,629
30$3,184$3,184
35$3,075$3,075
40$3,010$3,010
45$2,964$2,964
50$2,914$2,914
55$2,867$2,867
60$2,812$2,812
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Average car insurance cost in California for senior drivers

If you’re a senior driver, your car insurance costs go up as you get older. At age 65, men pay about $2,840 per year, while women pay $2,840. But by age 70, average premiums rise to $3,022 for men and $3,022 annually for women. At 75, rates increase even further – $3,190 for male drivers and $3,190 for female drivers.

Insurers charge more because older drivers are seen as a higher risk due to slower reaction times and changes in vision. But you can still keep costs down by maintaining a clean driving record and taking advantage of senior discounts.

Age of driverAverage annual cost for Male driversAverage annual cost for Female drivers
65$2,840$2,840
70$3,022$3,022
75$3,190$3,190
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Minimum car insurance requirements in California

Whether you’re buying your first insurance policy or just moved to California, it’s important to understand the state’s car insurance requirements.

To stay on the right side of the law, drivers in California must carry at least the following minimum liability coverage:

  • Bodily injury per person: $30,000
  • Bodily injury per accident: $60,000
  • Property damage liability: $15,000

Cheapest cars to insure in California

The type of car you drive plays a significant role in determining your insurance premium. Vehicles with high repair expenses, theft rates or a history of accidents usually cost more to insure. On the other hand, those with high safety ratings, lower repair costs and fewer insurance claims tend to have more affordable rates.

Honda CR-V is one of the cheapest cars to insure in California, with an average premium of $2,322 per year. Subaru Forester has an average annual cost of $2,368.

The table below shows the cars with the lowest average insurance rates.

Make ModelAverage annual premium
Honda CR-V$2,322
Subaru Forester$2,368
Volkswagen Tiguan$2,370
Honda HR-V$2,380
Honda Odyssey$2,384
Chevrolet Express$2,455
Honda Pilot$2,472
Mazda CX-5$2,480
Hyundai Tucson$2,485
Hyundai Kona$2,501
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Most expensive cars to insure in California

Mercedes-AMG GT tops the list as the most expensive car to insure in California, at an average annual cost of $8,063. Below is a list of the most expensive vehicles to insure in California and their average annual premiums.

Make ModelAverage annual premium
Mercedes-AMG GT$8,063
Maserati Quattroporte$7,758
Mercedes-AMG EQS$7,571
Porsche 911 Turbo$7,408
Porsche Taycan$7,098
Tesla Model X$7,043
BMW i7$6,992
Maserati Ghibli$6,952
Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo$6,948
Mercedes-AMG SL-Class$6,858
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Car insurance costs can vary significantly depending on where you live and your personal profile. The smartest way to get the right coverage at a good price is to shop around and compare quotes from multiple insurers. Taking the time to do a little research can end up saving you a lot on your premiums.

Methodology

Insure.com commissioned Quadrant Information Service to get 2025 car insurance data. Our team of data analysts and expert editors has analyzed 78,451,280 insurance quotes from 170 insurance companies across 34,588 ZIP codes to determine the average premiums. The insurance rates are based on a sample profile of a 40-year-old male and female drivers with a clean driving record and a good insurance score. Quotes premiums are for different coverage limits, including

  • Full coverage policy limits of $100,000 per person for bodily injury, $300,000 total for all bodily injuries per accident and $100,000 for property damage per accident.
  • State minimum limits
  • Liability-only policy with limits of $50,000 per person for bodily injury, $100,000 in bodily injury per accident and $100,000 for property damage per accident.

We also collected average car insurance rates for drivers of different age groups:

  • Teen drivers aged 16-19
  • Young drivers aged 20-24
  • Adult drivers aged 25-60
  • Senior drivers aged 65-75

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

78.5M

Quotes reviewed

170

No. of carriers analyzed

34.5K

ZIP codes analyzed

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Shivani Gite
Contributing Writer

 
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Shivani Gite is a personal finance and insurance writer with a degree in journalism and mass communication. She is passionate about making insurance topics easy to understand for people and helping them make better financial decisions.

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