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

If you live in California, you can expect to pay an average of around $251 per month for full coverage car insurance, or $3,010 per year. If you carry only your state’s minimum required liability coverage, your cost drops to about $63 monthly or $751 annually.

Location plays a big role in what you pay for car insurance. Insurers calculate rates based on state-specific risk factors such as accident frequency, repair and medical costs, theft rates, and even weather-related risks. Urban areas with heavy traffic or higher crime rates tend to see higher premiums, while rural areas are often cheaper. Beyond location, your age, driving record, credit score, ZIP code, and the type of car you drive also affect your rate.

Average annual cost
$3,010

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

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

GEICO has the cheapest rates, at an average annual cost of $2,038 or $170 a month for a full coverage policy with limits of 100/300/100 and $500 collision and comprehensive deductibles.

Kemper also stands out for its affordable premiums, with an average cost of $215 per month or $2,584 annually.

While these insurance companies have some of the lowest average rates in California, your actual premium may vary. It’s always a good idea to compare quotes to find the best deal on auto insurance.

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

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 plays a significant role in how insurers calculate car insurance costs. Young drivers usually pay more, as their inexperience on the road makes them a higher risk.

Rates are often highest for teenagers, begin to decrease after 25, and then climb again once drivers are in their 70s.

Let’s break down what you can expect to pay in California for full coverage, depending on your age and gender.

Average car insurance cost in California for young drivers

As a young driver, you’ll likely face higher-than-average insurance rates. Because of limited driving experience, insurers view young drivers as riskier, resulting in higher insurance rates until they gain more experience on the road.

In California, 20-year-old male drivers pay an average of $5,120 per year for car insurance, while their female counterparts pay $5,120 for the same coverage.

However, by age 25, average car insurance costs drop to about $3,629 per year 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

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

Keep in mind that rates can vary depending on personal factors, so it’s always a good idea to compare quotes to get the best deal.

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

As a senior driver, you may notice your car insurance rates increase with age. At 65, men pay $2,840 per year, and women pay $2,840.

By age 70, those averages increase to $3,022 for men and $3,022 for women. At 75, premiums rise again, reaching $3,190 for male drivers and $3,190 for female drivers.

Older drivers often face higher premiums because insurers view them as higher-risk due to slower reaction times and increased accident severity with age.

Still, you can keep your premiums in check by driving safely 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 stands out as the most expensive car to insure in California, with an average annual cost of $8,063.

The table below shows the most expensive vehicles to insure in California along with their average annual insurance costs.

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 rates can differ widely based on your location and driving profile. The best way to find the right coverage at the best price is to compare quotes from at least three insurance companies. Shopping around can help you save money on your car insurance 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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