How much car insurance costs in California vs. Washington

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Car insurance rates can look very different depending on where you live. Premiums in California and Washington vary widely due to differences in state insurance laws, traffic patterns, claims trends and even weather risks.

For example, drivers in California pay an average of $287 per month for car insurance. In Washington, the same level of coverage costs about $199 monthly.

If you’re planning a move — or just wondering how your ZIP code affects what you pay — understanding these differences can help you budget smarter and choose the right coverage for your situation.

Average car insurance rates in California vs. Washington

In California, drivers pay an average of $287 per month for car insurance, compared with $199 per month in Washington.

For a standard six-month policy, that works out to $1,722 in California and $1,195 in Washington.

Overall, drivers in Washington typically pay lower premiums than those in California. While statewide averages show a clear difference, your personal rate may be higher or lower depending on factors such as your driving history, age, vehicle type, coverage limits and ZIP code.

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

Premium type	California	Washington
Avg. Monthly Premium	$287	$199
Avg. 6 Month Premium	$1,722	$1,195
Avg. Annual Premium	$3,444	$2,389

How car insurance rates compare by coverage level in California and Washington

Car insurance costs in California and Washington vary based on the coverage level you select. In California, full coverage averages $3,444 per year, compared with $2,389 annually in Washington.

Those differences reflect how insurers price policies in each state based on overall claims data, vehicle values and driver risk profiles.

Coverage level affects cost because:

Full coverage includes liability, collision and comprehensive protection.
Liability-only coverage pays for damage or injuries you cause to other drivers but does not cover your own vehicle.
State minimum liability meets only the legal coverage requirements in each state.

The table below compares average premiums across common coverage types in California and Washington.

Coverage types	California	Washington
Full Coverage – 100/300/100 BI/PD – 500 Comp/Coll	$3,444	$2,389
State Minimum BI/PD	$1,019	$668
Liability Only – 50/100/50 BI/PD	$1,120	$729
Non-Owners	$500	$516
Gap Insurance	$3,775	$2,868
SR22 with 1 DUI	$10,001	$3,821

Cheapest car insurance companies in California vs. Washington

Even within the same state, car insurance prices can differ widely from one company to another. To help you compare your options, we’ve highlighted the insurers offering the lowest average rates in both California and Washington. These numbers give you a starting point — but your personal rate may vary.

Cheapest car insurance companies in California

In California, GEICO offers the lowest average rate at $2,039 per year. Followed by:

Mercury Insurance: $2,786
CSAA Insurance (AAA): $2,877

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

Company	Annual rate
GEICO	$2,039
Mercury Insurance	$2,786
CSAA Insurance (AAA)	$2,877
Progressive	$3,013
Auto Club Enterprises (AAA)	$3,559
Allstate	$4,032
Nationwide	$4,164
State Farm	$4,171
Farmers	$4,486

Cheapest car insurance companies in Washington

In Washington, GEICO offers the lowest average annual rate at $2,033 per year. Other affordable options include:

Travelers: $2,154 per year
Farmers: $2,217 per year

Below, you see car insurance providers with the most affordable rates for drivers in Washington.

Company	Annual rate
GEICO	$2,033
Travelers	$2,154
Farmers	$2,217
PEMCO	$2,415
Progressive	$2,557
State Farm	$2,559
Nationwide	$2,563
Allstate	$2,618

How to find the cheapest car insurance in your state

Compare at least three quotes
Ask about discounts
Adjust deductibles carefully
Review coverage limits

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Average car insurance rates by ZIP code in California and Washington

Car insurance rates can vary significantly by ZIP code — even within the same state. Insurers use location-based data when setting premiums, which means two drivers with similar profiles could pay different rates depending on where they live.

Below is a comparison of average car insurance costs by ZIP code in California and Washington.

How much does car insurance cost by ZIP code in California?

In California, rates can differ noticeably across ZIP codes. Among the most populous ZIP codes analyzed, 94565 has the lowest average annual premium at $3,716.

Here’s a closer look at how average car insurance rates compare across ZIP codes in California.

ZIP code	City	Annual rate
94565	Pittsburg	$3,716
92336	Fontana	$3,741
92335	Fontana	$3,912
90650	Norwalk	$3,913
90250	Hawthorne	$4,253
90201	Bell Gardens	$4,317
91342	Los Angeles	$4,475
90011	Los Angeles	$4,488
91331	Pacoima	$4,713
90044	Los Angeles	$4,855

How much does car insurance cost by ZIP code in Washington?

Among the most populous ZIP codes analyzed, drivers in ZIP code 98012 pay an average of $2,621 per year. In comparison, drivers in ZIP code 99301 pay about $2,051 annually.

The table below shows how average car insurance premiums compare across ZIP codes in Washington, giving you a clearer picture of how location may impact your rate.

ZIP code	City	Annual rate
99301	Pasco	$2,051
98682	Vancouver	$2,496
98052	Redmond	$2,496
98208	Eastmont	$2,573
98012	Mill Creek	$2,621

What are the top car insurance companies in California and Washington?

The top car insurance companies in California and Washington are ranked based on overall performance and customer satisfaction scores. Below, we highlight the highest-rated insurers in each state, using standardized comparisons of financial strength, complaints data and service ratings.

What are the top car insurance companies in California?

In California, GEICO ranks highest overall, with a score of 4.73 and a customer satisfaction rating of 0.60.

Close behind is Progressive, earning an overall ranking of 4.20 and a satisfaction score of 0.60.

The table below shows the highest-rated car insurance companies in California, based on overall score and customer satisfaction.

Company	Overall ranking	Customer Satisfaction Index Ranking
GEICO	4.73	644
Progressive	4.20	638
CSAA Insurance (AAA)	3.88	639
Auto Club Enterprises (AAA)	3.80	676
Mercury Insurance	3.50	594
Nationwide	3.19	586
Allstate	3.16	615
State Farm	3.09	635
Farmers	2.73	599

What are the top car insurance companies in Washington?

In Washington, GEICO leads with an overall ranking of 4.57 and a customer satisfaction score of 0.60.

It’s followed by Travelers at 3.79, with a satisfaction rating of 0.63.

Farmers rounds out the top three with an overall ranking of 3.71 and a satisfaction score of 1.24.

Below are the top-rated car insurance providers in Washington, based on overall performance and customer satisfaction.

Company	Overall ranking	Customer Satisfaction Index Ranking
GEICO	4.57	631
Travelers	3.79	581
Farmers	3.71	620
PEMCO	3.69	619
State Farm	3.67	648
Nationwide	3.41	625
Progressive	3.32	607
Allstate	3.13	621

What are the minimum car insurance requirements in California and Washington?

Both California and Washington require drivers to carry a minimum amount of liability car insurance to legally operate a vehicle. However, the required coverage limits are set by each state and may differ.

Minimum coverage typically includes bodily injury liability and property damage liability. Some states may also require additional protections, such as personal injury protection (PIP) or uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.

The table below compares the minimum car insurance requirements in California and Washington, so you can see how the coverage limits differ at a glance.

Coverage requirement	California	Washington
Minimum coverage limits	30/60/15	25/50/10

So, which state is more affordable for car insurance?

If you’re weighing a move — or simply comparing costs — car insurance can make a meaningful difference in your budget. On average, drivers in California pay about $3,444 per year for full coverage, while drivers in Washington pay around $2,389. Over time, that gap can add up, especially if you’re insuring multiple vehicles or planning a long-term relocation.

When it comes to finding the cheapest option, GEICO has the lowest average rates in California, while GEICO stands out in Washington. But averages only tell part of the story. Your actual premium will depend on your driving record, vehicle, coverage choices and even your ZIP code.

Even a few hundred dollars in annual savings can tip the scales when comparing overall living costs. Before making a decision, it’s smart to compare personalized quotes from multiple insurers to see which state — and which company — truly offers the best value for your situation.

Frequently asked questions about home and auto bundle insurance

Is car insurance cheaper in California than in Washington?

Car insurance in California is expensive than Washington. The average monthly cost in California is $287, which is $88 more than the average in Washington of $199.

Can I use my California insurance in Washington?

If you’re just visiting Washington 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 Washington as well.

However, if you’re planning to move to Washington and stay for a longer period, you’ll need to switch your car insurance to a Washington 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 Washington could be considered insurance fraud, especially if you’re involved in an accident.

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.