Car insurance calculator for teens in California

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Car insurance for teens in California costs more than it does for older drivers, but the price depends on factors like age, gender, coverage limits, and the insurer you choose. Knowing the state averages can help you budget, compare quotes, and figure out what’s realistic for your family.

Use our calculator to estimate what you might pay to insure your teen in California. Getting a personalized estimate can help you budget with confidence, compare against state averages, and decide which coverage and insurer are the best fit.

Car insurance calculator for state teens

State

California

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Gender

Male

Male Female Non-binary

Age

16

16171819

Coverage level Full coverage – 100/300/100 liability, $500 collision and $500 comprehensive deductibles. State minimum liability – Liability coverage limits vary by state, no coverage for physical damage to your vehicle. Liability only – 100/300/100 liability, no coverage for physical damage to your vehicle.

Full coverage

Full coverage State minimum liability Liability only

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Average annual rates for state teen drivers

$7,362 Average rate

$12,533 Highest
rate

$4,404 Lowest
rate

Most expensive companies for auto insurance in ()

Company	Average annual rate
Nationwide	$12,533
CSAA Insurance (AAA)	$11,478
Kemper	$9,151

Least expensive companies for auto insurance in ()

Company	Average annual rate
USAA	$4,404
GEICO	$5,503
Travelers	$5,701

Average teen car insurance costs in California

On average, insuring a teen driver in California costs $6,233 per year for a policy with 100/300/100 coverage limits – that’s $100,000 for one person injured in an accident, $300,000 for all injuries in a single accident, and $100,000 for property damage – plus $500 deductibles for collision and comprehensive.

Because teens are new to the road, insurers view them as higher risk, which makes their premiums much steeper than those of adults.

Your rate may also change based on the coverage you select, the type of car your teen drives, and where you live. Families in California can save money by asking about good student discounts, signing up teens for a driving course, or adding them to an existing family policy.

Teen car insurance rates in California, by age

Rates change quickly as teens get older. For example, a full coverage policy for a 16-year-old in California averages $7,324 per year. At 19, the average falls again to $4,706.

Premiums are still higher than those for adult drivers, but the steady decline shows how experience behind the wheel helps bring costs down over time.

See the table below for average teen car insurance rates in California by age.

Teen car insurance in California, by gender

In most states, insurers can use gender when setting rates. California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania are the exceptions. In California, a 16-year-old male driver pays about $7,334 annually, while a female of the same age pays $7,314 – a difference of $20.

Crash statistics back up this difference. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that 3,048 teenagers ages 13-19 died in vehicle crashes in 2023, and two out of three were male. Because young men are more often involved in serious accidents, insurers factor that risk into premiums.

The table below shows average teen car insurance rates in California by gender.

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Cheapest teen car insurance companies in California

Teen car insurance is expensive everywhere, but rates vary widely from one company to another. Shopping around is the best way to find the lowest price.

In California, GEICO offers the cheapest coverage for drivers ages 16-19, averaging $4,836 per year for full coverage with 100/300/100 limits and $500 deductibles.

The next lowest average premium comes from State Farm at $4,961.

The table below lists the cheapest insurers for teen drivers in California.

Minimum car insurance requirements for teens in California

Like adults, teen drivers in California must carry at least the state’s minimum liability coverage:

• $30,000 per person for bodily injury
• $60,000 per accident for bodily injury
• $15,000 for property damage

These minimums provide only basic protection, and medical care or repairs costs can quickly exceed them. That’s why many families choose higher coverage – especially when adding a teen driver.

Lenders will also require comprehensive and collision coverage if your car is financed or leased. These cover damage to your own vehicle after an accident, theft, or severe weather.

Smart ways to save on car insurance for your teen

From choosing the right car to asking about discounts, taking a few smart steps can make coverage more affordable while keeping your teen safe on the road.

• Estimate the cost of coverage. Look up what families typically pay for teen drivers in your state. Having that ballpark figure helps you budget ahead of time and spot whether the quotes you receive are higher or lower than average.
• Buy a safer vehicle. A safe, reliable sedan will cost much less to insure than a flashy sports car or a luxury vehicle.
• Buy a full coverage policy. Basic liability is cheaper, but many families choose higher coverage for teens to protect against the bigger risks of accidents, costly vehicle repairs, or injuries to others.
• Ask about discounts. Many insurers offer savings if your teen gets good grades, takes a defensive driving course, or drives fewer miles.
• Talk to your teen about the responsibility that comes with driving. Bring your teen into the insurance conversation so they see that driving isn’t just about freedom-it’s about responsibility. Talking openly about risks and safety can help them make better choices behind the wheel that could protect their life and others on the road.
• Review your rates each year: As your teen gains experience and maintains a clean driving record, insurance costs often go down-making it worth checking your policy annually.

Helping your teen start off safely on the road

Adding a teen to your policy will raise your rates at first, but those costs don’t stay high forever. With each year of safe driving, premiums generally go down.

You can lower expenses by comparing quotes, bundling policies, and asking about discounts. More importantly, insuring your teen isn’t just about following state rules – it’s about protecting your finances and giving your young driver a safe, confident start on the road.

Methodology

Insure.com analyzed rates collected from Quadrant Information Services for teen male and female drivers aged 16-19 for a full coverage policy with limits of 100/300/100 and $500 collision and comprehensive deductibles.

To evaluate the premiums, our data experts compared rates 53,409,632 insurance quotes from 170 insurance companies across 34,588 ZIP codes. The rates are for comparison purposes only; your exact rates may vary.

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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