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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 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

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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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

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 purchasing a policy for the first time or relocating to California, it’s important to understand the state’s liability coverage requirements.

Drivers in California must carry at least the following minimum coverage limits to stay compliant with the law:

  • 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 is one of the most expensive vehicles to insure in California, with an average annual cost of $8,063.

Below is a list of the costliest vehicles to insure in California and their average 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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Premiums vary based on where you live and your driving history. To make sure you’re getting the right coverage at a fair price, it’s important to compare quotes from different insurers. Shopping around can help you find coverage that fits your needs and budget.

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 25-60
  • 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

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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