How much car insurance costs in California vs. Oregon

Why you can trust Insure.com

Quality Verified

At Insure.com, we are committed to providing the timely, accurate and expert information consumers need to make smart insurance decisions. All our content is written and reviewed by industry professionals and insurance experts. Our team carefully vets our rate data to ensure we only provide reliable and up-to-date insurance pricing. We follow the highest editorial standards. Our content is based solely on objective research and data gathering. We maintain strict editorial independence to ensure unbiased coverage of the insurance industry.

Car insurance rates vary significantly depending on where you live. Insurance premiums in California and Oregon differ widely due to state laws, traffic conditions and weather events, among other factors.

For instance, policyholders in California pay $201 a month for car insurance, while premiums for the same coverage in Oregon are $140 per month, according to a data study by Insure.com.

Whether you’re moving from one state to another or simply curious about how your location impacts your premiums, understanding the difference in auto insurance rates can help you make informed decisions.

This guide provides a detailed comparison of car insurance rates between California and Oregon and outlines the key factors influencing insurance premiums.

Average car insurance rates in California vs. Oregon

In California, the average monthly car insurance premium is $201, while in Oregon, it’s $140. For a 6-month policy, drivers in California typically pay $1,208, while Oregon drivers pay an average of $839.

Policyholders in Oregon typically face lower car insurance premiums than those in California. These differences are primarily driven by factors such as population density, weather patterns and state laws. However, individual rates vary depending on factors such as driving history, age, coverage limits, and ZIP code.

Below is an overview of average car insurance rates in California and Oregon.

Premium type	California	Oregon
Avg. Monthly Premium	$201	$140
Avg. 6 Month Premium	$1,208	$839
Avg. Annual Premium	$2,416	$1,678

Learn more about average monthly car insurance rates.

California vs. Oregon: Rates by different coverage levels

If you compare car insurance rates between California and Oregon, the cost will vary significantly depending on the type of coverage you choose. The annual rate in California is $2,416 for full coverage, whereas in Oregon, it is slightly lower at $1,678. This difference reflects the varying risk factors and market conditions in both states.

Car insurance rates vary by coverage level because the more protection a policy provides, the higher the cost. Full coverage, which includes liability, comprehensive and collision coverage, is more expensive than basic liability-only insurance, which covers only damages to other driver’s vehicles and their injuries in an at-fault accident.

Below are the car insurance rates in California and Oregon for various coverage levels and types.

Coverage type	California	Oregon
Full Coverage – 100/300/100 BI/PD – 500 Comp/Coll	$2,416	$1,678
State Minimum BI/PD	$551	$641
Liability Only – 50/100/50 BI/PD	$864	$710
Non-Owners	$299	$441
Gap Insurance	$2,814	$2,112
SR22	$2,462	$2,032

Cheapest car insurance providers: California vs. Oregon

Car insurance rates differ in California and Oregon due to differences in state laws, risk factors, population density, traffic patterns, weather risks and repair costs, all of which contribute to the cost of coverage.

States with higher accident rates or natural disasters may have higher premiums, while those with more competition among insurers may see lower rates. The frequency and severity of claims, along with state-specific laws and discount programs, also influence the rates insurance companies offer.

Cheapest car insurance providers in California

GEICO offers the cheapest car insurance in California at $1,919 a year on average followed by Mercury Insurance at $2,031 and Progressive at $2,179 a year.

The table below shows car insurance providers in California with affordable car insurance rates.

Company	Annual rate
GEICO	$1,919
Mercury Insurance	$2,031
Progressive	$2,179
Kemper	$2,429
Travelers	$2,460
Auto Club Enterprises (AAA)	$2,466
CSAA Insurance (AAA)	$2,600
Allstate	$2,627
State Farm	$2,701
Nationwide	$2,799
Farmers	$3,035
USAA*	$1,827

*USAA is only available to military community members and their families.

Cheapest car insurance providers in Oregon

Oregon Mutual Insurance has the cheapest car insurance rates in Oregon with an average annual cost of $1,147. Travelers and Nationwide also have affordable rates, at $1,318 and $1,411 respectively.

Below, you see car insurance providers with affordable rates for drivers in Oregon.

Company	Annual rate
Oregon Mutual Insurance	$1,147
Travelers	$1,318
Nationwide	$1,411
State Farm	$1,502
Country Financial	$1,527
GEICO	$1,683
Progressive	$1,765
Farmers	$2,210
Allstate	$2,945
USAA*	$1,277

*USAA is only available to military community members and their families.

Car insurance cost in California and Oregon by ZIP code

Car insurance rates aren’t the same everywhere—your ZIP code comes into play. Even within the same state, your rates can vary significantly depending on your location.

Here’s a quick comparison of car insurance costs in California and Oregon.

Car insurance cost in California by ZIP code

If you’re in California, you might be paying more or less for your car insurance based on your ZIP code. For instance, the 94565 ZIP code has the cheapest car insurance rates in California, among the top 10 most populous ZIP codes analyzed, with an average annual cost of $2,553.

Insurance companies also factor in the crime rates of a specific area, especially the frequency of car theft and vandalism. If a ZIP code has a higher rate of stolen vehicles or accidents, you might end up paying a bit more for coverage.

ZIP code	City	Annual rate
94565	Pittsburg	$2,553
92336	Fontana	$2,628
92335	Fontana	$2,681
90650	Norwalk	$2,718
90805	Long Beach	$2,885
90201	Bell Gardens	$2,924
90250	Hawthorne	$2,968
90011	Los Angeles	$3,208
91331	Pacoima	$3,244
90044	Los Angeles	$3,339

Car insurance cost in Oregon by ZIP code

Car insurance rates in Oregon vary by ZIP code due to population density, traffic and crime rates. For example, among the top 10 most populous ZIP codes, the average annual rate in ZIP code 97229 is $1,779, while in ZIP 97229, it’s lower at $1,779.

Areas with more traffic and higher crime rates tend to have higher premiums. To save on insurance, consider shopping around, raising your deductible and looking for discounts like safe driving or bundling policies.

ZIP code	City	Annual rate
97229	Bethany	$1,779

Top car insurance providers: California vs Oregon

Shopping for car insurance can be overwhelming, especially when you have so many options. Insurance rates vary from state to state based on a number of factors, such as driving habits, accident rates and insurance laws. Below, we’ll compare car insurance rates from top car insurance companies in Oregon and California.

Top car insurance companies in California

GEICO tops the list with an overall ranking of 4.71 and a customer satisfaction score of 0.69. It’s a great option if you’re looking for an insurer with good customer service.

Progressive follows closely with a ranking of 4.44 and a customer satisfaction score of 0.71.

The table below highlights the top car insurance providers in the state, ranking them based on overall performance and customer satisfaction.

Company	Overall ranking	Customer satisfaction rating
GEICO	4.71	626
Progressive	4.44	635
Auto Club Enterprises (AAA)	4.35	684
Mercury Insurance	4.2	596
State Farm	4.15	658
Allstate	3.98	634
CSAA Insurance (AAA)	3.96	642
Nationwide	3.77	627
Farmers	3.48	617
Kemper	3.04	528
USAA*	4.92	747

*USAA is only available to military community members and their families.

Top car insurance companies in Oregon

State Farm leads with an overall ranking of 4.57 and a customer satisfaction rating of 0.79, closely followed by GEICO at 4.33 with a satisfaction rating of 0.69. Travelers comes next with a ranking of 4.15 and a satisfaction score of 0.52.

When choosing an insurance provider, it’s important to consider the customer satisfaction rating. This rating reflects how well the company treats its policyholders, handles claims, and responds to customer concerns.

Company	Overall ranking	Customer satisfaction rating
State Farm	4.57	656
GEICO	4.33	637
Travelers	4.15	592
Progressive	3.83	607
Farmers	3.77	641
Allstate	3.06	626
USAA*	4.43	743

*USAA is only available to military community members and their families.

Comparing car insurance requirements in California and Oregon

California and Oregon laws require drivers to carry minimum liability car insurance coverage to drive on the road legally. However, the specific coverage requirements vary between the two states. Below is a detailed comparison of the minimum car insurance requirements in California and Oregon:

Coverage requirement	California	Oregon
Minimum coverage limits	30/60/15	25/50/20

Frequently asked questions

Is car insurance cheaper in California than in Oregon?

Car insurance in California is generally expensive than in Oregon. The average monthly cost in California is $201, which is $61 more than the average in Oregon of $140.

Can I use my California insurance in Oregon?

If you’re just visiting Oregon for a short time, your California car insurance should cover you. Most car insurance policies provide coverage across the U.S., so if your California policy meets the state’s minimum requirements, it will generally apply in Oregon as well.

However, if you’re planning to move to Oregon and stay for a longer period, you’ll need to switch your car insurance to a Oregon provider. Each state has its own insurance rules, and you are required to have insurance that meets the minimum requirements of the state where your car is registered. Maintaining a California policy while living in Oregon could be considered insurance fraud, especially if you’re involved in an accident.

Are there specific minimum coverage requirements in California and Oregon?

California and Oregon have different minimum car insurance requirements. In California, drivers are required to have liability insurance with at least $30,000 for bodily injury per person, $60,000 for bodily injury per accident and $15,000 in property damage coverage.

Oregon, on the other hand, mandates $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 for bodily injury per accident and $20,000 in property damage coverage. If you’re moving between these states, make sure your insurance meets the requirements of the state you’re in to avoid any gaps in coverage.

Shivani Gite

Contributing Writer

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.