Cheapest car insurance in California

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Progressive provides the cheapest car insurance in California at about $1,466 a year. Your specific rates may vary, but the average car insurance premium in California is $176 per month, according to Insure.com’s rate analysis.

Car insurance is a legal requirement in most states, and California is no exception. California drivers are required to carry at least the minimum amount of liability coverage—$5,000 of personal property coverage per person, $15,000 for bodily injury per person and $30,000 for bodily injury per accident.

However, many drivers choose to purchase full coverage car insurance, which provides additional protection in the event of an accident.

The top 3 cheap car insurance in California

Cheapest overall: Progressive

$1,466/year

National avg. rate

Cheapest for at-fault accident: USAA

$2,255/year

Avg. rate after an at-fault accident

Cheapest for speeding ticket: USAA

$1,773/year

Avg. rate after speeding ticket

Cheap car insurance companies in California

Progressive offers the cheapest car insurance in California an average of $1,466 per year. It’s 31% less expensive than the average car insurance cost in California. The rates will vary based on factors such as your driving history, age, ZIP Code and the make and model of your car.

When shopping for auto insurance, compare rates from multiple companies to make sure you’re getting the best deal.

Below are the annual rates for car insurance from cheapest car insurance companies.

How we choose the cheap car insurance companies in California

40+

Carriers reviewed

56M+

Quotes analysed

29K+

Cities examined

34K+

ZIP codes examined

Cheapest ZIP codes for car insurance in California

96067 ZIP code in California has the cheapest auto insurance cost at an average price of $1,571 annually. Know the cheapest ZIP codes for car insurance in California below.

Cheapest car insurance in California by age

Young drivers in California tend to pay higher insurance rates than adult drivers because they are more likely to get into accidents and file claims on their insurance policy. A 16-year-old driver pays 196% more than a 40-year-old mature driver in California, based on Insure.com’s analysis.

The table below shows cheapest car insurance rates for drivers of different ages:

Read our Guide to car insurance for teens for more information

Cheapest car insurance in California by driver history

Your driving history is one of the main factors insurers look at when considering insurance rates. If you are responsible for a car accident or get convicted of a driving infraction, your auto insurance premiums will likely go up. However, if you have a clean driving record, insurance companies see you as a low-risk driver and you are likely to get cheap car insurance.

Cheapest car insurance after a speeding ticket in California

Here is the list of the top 3 companies that offer cheap car insurance after a speeding ticket:

• USAA: $1,773 per year
• Mercury: $2,335 per year
• Geico: $2,491 per year

A single speeding ticket can increase your rates by 42% or $935 in California, based on Insure.com data.

Getting a speeding ticket is never any fun. Not only will you have to pay a fine, but your insurance rates may go up.

But if you’re looking for cheapest car insurance costs in California, below are some insurers that offer cheap car insurance after a speeding ticket.

Cheapest car insurance after an accident in California

Here is the list of the top 3 companies that offer cheap car insurance after an accident:

• USAA: $2,255 per year
• Auto-Owners: $2,603 per year
• Geico: $2,877 per year

USAA offers the cheapest car insurance rates to drivers after an at-fault accident, at about $2255 a year. 

No one plans on getting into a car accident, but unfortunately, they happen. If you are in an accident and are at fault, you will probably see your car insurance premiums increase. However, this does not mean you can’t shop around to find the best rates.

Below, you’ll see which companies have cheap car insurance for drivers with one accident on their record.

Cheapest car insurance after a DUI conviction in California

Here is the list of the top 3 companies that offer cheap car insurance after a DUI conviction:

• Mercury: $2,920 per year
• Progressive: $3,559 per year
• Auto-Owners: $4,014 per year

If you’ve recently been convicted of a DUI, you may wonder how it will affect your car insurance rates. Most insurers will view you as a high-risk driver and will charge you higher rates.

The table below shows the insurance companies offering cheap car insurance rates to drivers after a DUI conviction.

Average car insurance cost in California

Full coverage insurance costs more than minimum liability insurance, but the extra cost is worth it for most drivers. The average cost of full coverage car insurance in California is 26% more than the national average car insurance rates in the U.S.

There are different full coverage limits that a driver can purchase. However, Insure.com editors recommend that every driver should carry 100/300/100 coverage limits.

What is full coverage car insurance in California?

Full coverage car insurance includes bodily injury liability and property damage liability coverage, as well as comprehensive and collision coverage, according to the Insurance Information Institute (III). Collision insurance covers your vehicle if it’s damaged or destroyed in an accident, while comprehensive insurance provides protection against damage that is caused by something other than collisions such as weather or theft.

If you lease or finance your car in California, your lender may ask you to purchase collision and comprehensive insurance beyond the state-mandated liability coverage. Every state except New Hampshire and Virginia requires drivers to get liability coverage, while comprehensive and collision coverage are optional. However, in Virginia, you have to pay an uninsured motorist fee of $500.

Final thoughts

When it comes to car insurance, everyone is always looking for ways to save. However, skimping on coverage to save a few dollars now could end up costing you dearly down the road.

Make sure you’re adequately protected and take into account your specific needs before buying an auto insurance policy. Car insurance rates vary, make sure to compare insurance rates from various car insurance companies to get the cheapest car insurance coverage in California

Source:

• Insurance Information Institute. “What is auto insurance.” Accessed August 2022.

Methodology

Insure.com team worked with Quadrant Information Service to get car insurance data. To determine the average premiums, our team of data analysts and expert editors have analyzed 56,838,240 insurance quotes from 136 insurance companies across 34,523 ZIP codes. 

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 a full coverage policy with limits:

• $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
• $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
• $100,000 property damage liability
• $500 collision/comprehensive deductible

The quoted insurance rates are for comparison purposes, and your individual rates may vary.