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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 car insurance cost in California

If you’re a resident of California, full coverage car insurance typically costs about $251 per month, adding up to $3,010 a year. Choosing the minimum required coverage can lower your monthly car insurance cost to $63, or $751 annually.

The amount you pay for car insurance can vary widely based on factors such as your age, driving record, credit history, location, and the make and model of your vehicle.

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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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.

Average cost of car insurance by coverage levels in California

Your car insurance premium is determined by the coverage limits you choose.

If you purchase only the state’s minimum liability limits, you’ll pay $63 per month or $751 annually. While an affordable option, it only includes liability coverage. That means any damage to your own vehicle won’t be covered.

If you’re looking for more robust protection, consider choosing full coverage car insurance. It includes liability coverage, plus collision and comprehensive insurance. Collision coverage covers damage to your vehicle in an accident, no matter who’s at fault. Comprehensive insurance covers theft, vandalism or weather-related damage to your car.

In California, drivers typically pay $251 per month or $3,010 annually for full coverage car insurance.

Although it costs more than minimum coverage, full coverage can be a smart choice -particularly if you have a newer or financed vehicle.

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.

Car insurance rates in California by city

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Average car insurance cost in California by city

Where you live in California can have a big impact on your car insurance rates.

If you’re located in cities like Los Angeles, Oakland, or San Francisco, you may face higher premiums due to dense traffic, higher accident rates, and an increased chance of theft or damage.

On the other hand, drivers in cities like San Diego and San Jose tend to pay much lower insurance premiums, between $2,835 and $2,918 per year.

These cities usually have fewer accidents, lower crime rates and less congestion, which helps keep insurance costs down.

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

Age is one of the most important factors insurers consider when pricing car insurance. Young drivers usually pay more because insurers see them as higher risk due to their limited experience behind the wheel.

Premiums are typically most expensive for teens, begin to decrease after age 25, and then rise again as drivers enter their 70s.

Here’s a breakdown of what you might pay for full coverage in California, based on age and gender.

Average car insurance cost in California for young drivers

If you’re a younger driver, expect to pay higher premiums on your car insurance.

Insurers consider young drivers risky because of the increased risk that comes with limited driving experience.

For instance, a 20-year-old male driver in California pays an average of $5,120 annually for car insurance, compared to $5,120 for a female driver of the same age.

By age 25, car insurance premiums typically decrease to $3,629 per year for male drivers and $3,629 for female drivers. While still slightly above average, it’s a substantial drop from what drivers pay in their early 20s.

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

An adult driver aged 25-60 in California pays $3,052 annually for full coverage, or around $254 each month. Women in the same age group pay $3,052 per year or $254 per month.

Since rates vary based on driving profile, comparing quotes is the best way to make sure you’re getting the best deal on your coverage.

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

Car insurance premiums tend to rise for older drivers. At age 65, men typically pay $2,840 annually, while women pay $2,840.

By 70, average rates go up to $3,022 for men and $3,022 for women. At age 75, costs increase further, reaching $3,190 for men and $3,190 for women each year. Insurers often raise rates for older drivers due to age-related risks like slower response times and declining vision.

However, you can still lower your premium by keeping 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

Insurance premiums vary significantly depending on the type of vehicle you drive. Cars that are more expensive to repair, have higher theft rates, or are statistically involved in more accidents typically cost more to insure. On the other hand, vehicles with excellent safety ratings, affordable repair costs, and fewer claims history tend to have lower insurance premiums.

Honda CR-V has the lowest premium, at an average of $2,322 a year, closely followed by Subaru Forester, with an average annual car insurance cost of $2,368.

The table below shows the cheapest cars to insure and their average annual 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 2023 car insurance data. Our team of data analysts and expert editors has analyzed 56,838,240 insurance quotes from 136 insurance companies across 34,523 ZIP codes to determine the average premiums. 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 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:

  • Young drivers aged 20-24
  • Adult drivers aged 25-26
  • 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

How much is car insurance in other states

Alaska$2,215/Year
Alabama$2,107/Year
Arkansas$2,723/Year
Arizona$2,333/Year
Colorado$3,222/Year
Connecticut$2,726/Year
Delaware$3,097/Year
Florida$3,852/Year
Georgia$2,739/Year
Hawaii$1,721/Year
Iowa$2,228/Year
Idaho$1,791/Year
Illinois$1,901/Year
Indiana$1,856/Year
Kansas$2,410/Year
Kentucky$2,976/Year
Louisiana$4,180/Year
Massachusetts$2,430/Year
Maryland$2,273/Year
Maine$1,701/Year
Michigan$3,146/Year
Minnesota$2,561/Year
Missouri$2,410/Year
Mississippi$2,455/Year
Montana$2,541/Year
North Carolina$2,587/Year
North Dakota$2,079/Year
Nebraska$2,387/Year
New Hampshire$1,650/Year
New Jersey$2,736/Year
New Mexico$2,486/Year
Nevada$3,284/Year
New York$2,898/Year
Ohio$1,739/Year
Oklahoma$2,705/Year
Oregon$1,927/Year
Pennsylvania$2,428/Year
Rhode Island$2,706/Year
South Carolina$2,367/Year
South Dakota$2,635/Year
Tennessee$2,214/Year
Texas$2,631/Year
Utah$2,250/Year
Virginia$1,837/Year
Vermont$1,504/Year
Washington$2,175/Year
Wisconsin$2,026/Year
West Virginia$2,557/Year
Wyoming$1,984/Year
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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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