Average Cost of Auto Insurance in California

By Coverage Level

On average, car insurance in California is $2,569 annually ($214 monthly) for full coverage and $751 annually ($63 monthly) for minimum liability coverage. The more coverage and the higher the limits you get, the more expensive your premium will be.

Due to California’s strict regulatory environment, insurance is only slightly more expensive than the national average of $2,356 annually for full coverage and $722 annually for minimum coverage.

By Company

Below you can find California’s average auto insurance rates from various providers. GEICO has the lowest average rates, followed by USAA. Because companies cater to different types of drivers, your actual costs could be higher or lower based on your unique driving background and personal needs.

By City

Among California’s major cities, car insurance rates are cheapest in Sacramento and San Diego, and most expensive in Los Angeles and Oakland.

By Age

Teen and young drivers pay the most for car insurance in California because they tend to get into more traffic violations and accidents than other age groups. Drivers between the ages of 16 and 18 pay the most for car insurance on average, over $6,000 annually for full coverage, and drivers in their 60s pay the least at $1,603 for full coverage.

Here’s a full breakdown by age.

Price varies by provider and situation, but USAA and GEICO are typically the cheapest companies in California. USAA’s rates tend to be best, but it is only available to military members, veterans, and their families. For non-military members, GEICO usually has the cheapest rates.

Here’s the full breakdown of the cheapest car insurance by driver profile.

*USAA has cheaper rates in these categories but is only available to the military community.

For some drivers, car insurance in California is expensive, and it can even be too expensive to afford. California created the California Low-Cost Automobile Insurance Program (CLCA) in 1999 to provide income-eligible, safe drivers with liability insurance at affordable rates. To qualify, you need to meet the following requirements:

• Have a valid California driver’s license
• Own a vehicle with a value of $25,000 or less
• Have an income that is equal to or lower than:
• • $32,200 for one person
  • $43,550 for two people
  • $54,900 for three people
  • $66,250 for four people²

Outside of the CLCA program, follow best practices to get cheaper rates:

1. Compare quotes to find the most competitive rates.
2. Increase your deductibles to lower your premiums.
3. Ask your agent about pay-per-mile options if you don’t drive often.
4. Drive safely over time.
5. Ask about additional discounts you may not be aware of.

Here are the minimum car insurance requirements in California:

• Bodily injury liability: $30,000 per person/$60,000 per accident
• Property damage liability: $15,000 per accident

California is an at-fault state, which means the driver responsible for an accident must pay for the damages/injuries resulting from the accident.

California follows a pure comparative negligence fault law, which means that you can recover some claims for damages regardless of your percentage of fault. So even if you are 99 percent at fault, you can still recover 1 percent of your damages in an accident, as your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault.⁴

If you’re convicted of a serious traffic violation, you might have to request that your insurance provider file an SR-22 in California on your behalf. An SR-22 confirms that you have at least the minimum California auto insurance requirements.

Here are some reasons you might need an SR-22 in California:

• You were uninsured and got into an accident.
• You’re restoring your driving privileges after a DUI.
• You got into a hit-and-run and have an outstanding judgment, or the unreported accident resulted in death, property damage/bodily injuries of over $1,000, or you were driving without insurance.

According to the California DMV, you could get your license suspended if you don’t maintain your SR-22 certification for as long as the state requires you to have one.

Relative to the rest of the country, most drivers will pay higher-than-average rates for car insurance in California. While these numbers will vary from person to person and provider to provider, they are a good estimate of how much you may have to pay for auto insurance in the Golden State. Be sure to speak to your agent about additional ways you can save and take advantage of the CLCA program if you’re eligible.

We evaluate average car insurance rates in California for full and minimum coverage. When calculating premiums, we use good drivers with good credit and other driver profiles, including those with DUIs, speeding violations, poor credit, and teenagers. Our full coverage averages use these limits:

• Bodily injury liability: $100,000 per person/$300,000 per accident
• Property damage liability: $100,000 per accident
• Uninsured and underinsured motorist bodily injury: $100,000 per person/$300,000 per accident
• Comprehensive and collision: $500 deductible