Advertiser disclosure According to our rate estimates, USAA, Geico, and Progressive are the cheapest for car insurance in California. That said, the best option for one driver might not be the best for another. In this article, we ‘ll look at the cheapest car indemnity providers in California and give you some data on express requirements. Whenever shop for cable car policy, we recommend getting quotes from multiple providers so you can compare coverage and rates. Use our tool below to start comparing personalize car policy quotes.

In this article:

Cheapest Car Insurance In California

California car policy can have a huge range in price depending on where you shop. USAA, Geico, and Progressive are among the cheapest car policy providers in the state.

Car Insurance Provider Average Annual Cost Estimate
USAA $1,425
Geico $1,813
Progressive $1,864
Mercury Insurance $2,128
AAA Insurance $2,386

What Is The Average Cost Of Car Insurance In California?

According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners ( NAIC ), the national average car policy outgo was $ 1,057 per year in 2018, while drivers in California lone paid an average of $ 1,034 for car indemnity coverage. here ‘s a dislocation :

Type of Coverage Average Annual Expenditure in 2018
Liability coverage $617
Collision coverage $484
Comprehensive coverage $95
Total cost $1,034

*Most drivers carry liability coverage but not necessarily other types of car indemnity. total average annual expending measures what California drivers actually spent on car indemnity in 2018.

Annual California Car Insurance Estimates By Age

According to our rate estimates, a 24-year-old driver may pay about 10 percentage more for car indemnity in California than a 34-year-old driver. That ‘s a smaller dispute than what ‘s found in many other states.

Age California Annual Car Insurance
24 $2,767
35 $2,519

Annual California Car Insurance Estimates By Gender

California has banned car policy companies from using gender to assess risk. That means your gender wo n’t affect the monetary value you pay in the state.

Gender California Annual Car Insurance
Female $2,519
Male $2,519

Annual California Car Insurance Estimates For Drivers With Bad Credit

California has besides banned car policy companies from using credit reports in assessing risk. It ‘s one of three states to do so, including Hawaii and Massachusetts.

Credit Rating California Annual Car Insurance
Good $2,519
Fair $2,519
Poor $2,519

Annual California Car Insurance Estimates For Bad Drivers

In California, having a speeding ticket can raise your car insurance by 41 percentage, which is a large increase compared to what ‘s seen in early states. besides, a DUI can raise it by 177 percentage, which is huge. If cable car indemnity becomes unreasonably expensive for your situation, you can besides seek coverage from the state ‘s assigned hazard pool through an agent.

Driving Record California Annual Car Insurance
Clean $2,519
Speeding Ticket $3,560
At-Fault Accident $5,052
DUI $6,978

Factors That Affect California Car Insurance Quotes

As we mentioned above, California is one of three states that has outlawed car indemnity companies from using customer recognition scores to determine the price of premiums. Some factors that will still affect the car insurance quotes in California include :

  • Personal information like your age, gender, and marital status
  • Year, make, and model of your vehicle
  • Vehicle mileage
  • Your driving history
  • Your exact location and where you park your car

Which Is The Best Car Insurance In California?

You have many choices when it comes to finding car insurance in California. We ranked providers based on industry stand, handiness, customer military service, cost, coverage, and technology and Geico came out on lead. *Not all companies were included in our rate estimate data. besides, you may notice that some cable car policy companies are listed above those with higher star ratings. This is because our ratings take into account nationally factors, while our ranking looks specifically at what policy providers are best for car insurance in California.

#1 Geico Insurance: Cheapest California Car Insurance

Depending on your drive criminal record, you can find identical first gear rates with Geico car insurance in the Golden State. This distribute is made even sweeter by the high ratings that Geico gets across different areas. In our own inquiry, we identified Geico as the best car indemnity company that is available to everyone. ( USAA has some undeniable strengths but is lone available to military members and their families. ) In J.D. Power ’ s 2021 Auto Insurance Study℠, Geico ranked in fourth identify overall for the state of California. The study looked at how people experienced Geico ’ s claims serve, and many drivers had a smooth and easy experience. besides, the company has an A+ evaluation from the Better Business Bureau ( BBB ) and an A++ fiscal military capability rat from AM Best. The AM Best rat is the highest given to any insurance company, and it means that Geico can well handle the fiscal duty of insuring so many people countrywide. According to the NAIC, Geico is the second-largest car insurance company in the U.S. and wrote over $ 33 billion in car premiums in 2020. Geico besides offers a phone number of car insurance discounts for car policy in California for things like :

  • Being a good driver
  • Having airbags
  • Completing a defensive driving course
  • Being a federal employee

You can get multi-policy discounts when you bundle car with another plan like renters indemnity, besides. All of these qualities led us to choose Geico as the best option for cable car insurance in California. We besides think it ’ s a bang-up choice if you want more coverage than good the plain minimum.

Pros Cons
A+ rating from the BBB and A++ financial strength rating from AM Best Average quotes experience
Many choices for coverage Usage-based app not available in all states
High level of customer satisfaction  
Available in 50 states  

To learn more about the car insurance provider, check out our fully Geico review.

#2 State Farm Insurance: Best For Students And Teens

Another top supplier for California car policy, State Farm excels in insuring students with a wide assortment of discounts including the Steer Clear® program, which encourages safe driving for drivers under 25 years old. There ’ randomness besides the standout Drive Safe & Save™ broadcast that monitors your driving habits via an app to help you save on car indemnity. If you ’ ra looking for high indebtedness coverage limits, State Farm has you protected with coverage up to 500/500/500, which is more than adequate to meet California car indemnity requirements and take manage of most expenses in the event of an accident. A few extras from State Farm include rental and locomotion expense coverage, rideshare coverage, and wayside aid. The Drive Safe & Save discount rate with State Farm uses data acquired from an app on your phone about your driving habits to determine savings.

Pros Cons
Largest auto insurer in the country Reported errors with autopay
Extensive selection of discounts for teens and students Not taking new customers in Massachusetts or Rhode Island
Superior financial strength rating Higher rates than some competitors
Easy online quotes process and positive customer reviews  
Available in 48 states  

To learn more about the car policy provider, check out our revue of State Farm car policy.

#3 Farmers Insurance: Best For Seniors

Farmers Insurance is one of the nation ’ south oldest choices for indemnity and ranks among the best. The insurance ship’s company provides coverage options for drivers in every stagecoach of life. On top of standard types of car insurance, Farmers besides offers supplementary California car indemnity coverage for :

  • New car replacement
  • Accident forgiveness insurance
  • Custom equipment protection
  • Original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts
  • Loss of use coverage
  • Guaranteed Value™
  • Towing and roadside service
  • Rideshare
  • Personal umbrella
  • Glass and windshield coverage

The deduction opportunities offered by Farmers give you the exponent to improve your eligibility by making changes to your driving style or your car ’ sulfur features. Discounts with Farmers depend on where you live, but some examples of ways you can save on car insurance in California include :

  • Good driver discount
  • Homeowner discount
  • Discounts for adult drivers and students/teens with parents who have safe driving records
  • Good student discount
  • Occupational discounts (applicable to doctors, nurses, RNs, firefighters, police officers, etc.)
  • Senior defensive driving discount for people age 55 or older after completing an online safety course provided by AARP
  • Alternatively fueled vehicle discount (ie. electric cars)
  • Airbags, anti-theft technology, and other safety features
  • Discount for having policies for multiple vehicles

Signal is Farmers ’ app that monitors your driving behavior and can qualify you for tied more discounts. It tracks how fast you drive, brake, accelerate, and other driving habits. once you sign up for Signal and arrant 10 trips, you ’ ll receive a 5-percent policy rebate. When it comes time to renew your car policy, you could be eligible for up to a 15-percent rebate, based on the drive score the app gives you.

Pros Cons
Good selection of coverage add-ons customer complaints about high premiums, wayside aid handiness, and rental cable car options

Discount opportunities for good drivers modal customer serve
Excellent financial strength rating and A- rating from the BBB  
Available in 50 states  

To learn more about the cable car insurance supplier, check out our comprehensive review of Farmers Insurance.

#4 Liberty Mutual Insurance: Best For Military

Liberty Mutual car indemnity is a big option for teens and military personnel in California because of the discounts available to these groups. Plus, the company has estimable reviews by car indemnity diligence experts like the BBB and AM Best. Liberty Mutual partners with over 14,000 employers, alumnus associations, and professional associations to give you discounts. Some ways to save on California cable car policy with Liberty Mutual Insurance include a multi-car discount and having a fomite with safety features like anti-theft systems and airbags. You can besides qualify for discounts depending on your alumni and professional connections.

Pros Cons
Strong financial company low J.D. Power scores
Numerous discounts and coverages, especially for young drivers high premiums in some states
Excellent financial strength rating and A+ rating from the BBB average customer gratification

To learn more about the cable car policy provider, check out our recapitulation of Liberty Mutual car insurance.

#5 Allstate Insurance: Best For Classic Car Insurance

now one of the largest publicly held personal property and fatal accident indemnity companies in the United States, Allstate serves more than 16 million american households. But, unlike some other home car policy companies, Allstate car policy works through a network of local agents to provide coverage. Allstate has an A fiscal strength rat with AM Best and an A+ evaluation with the BBB. In addition to basic types of coverage, Allstate car indemnity offers :

  • Rideshare insurance
  • Classic car insurance 
  • Travel insurance to and from Mexico
  • Custom parts coverage

There are a numeral of ways to get discounted rates for Allstate cable car indemnity in California, including bundling with other policies like Allstate motorbike indemnity, home policy, renters insurance, and more. other discounts include :

  • New car discounts for the first owners of a vehicle
  • Multi-car and multiple-policy discounts for customers who bundle home and auto insurance policies
  • Student discounts for drivers under 25
  • Anti-lock brake and anti-theft discounts for equipped cars
  • Early signing discounts for policyholders who sign early
  • EZ pay plan discounts for policyholders who use Allstate’s automatic withdrawal feature
  • Allstate eSmart® discounts for policyholders who go paperless
  • FullPay® discounts for customers who pay their full premium at one time
  • Safe driving discounts for policyholders who meet safe driver requirements
Pros Cons
Works through a network of local agents to provide coverage Expensive
Superior financial strength rating by AM Best and A+ rating with the BBB Mixed customer service reviews
Mileage-based discount program  
Numerous discounts, especially for young drivers  

To learn more about the car insurance provider, check out our inspection of Allstate car insurance.

What Car Insurance Coverage Do I Need In California?

The State of California requires all drives to have at least a coverage of 15/30/5 when it comes to bodily injury liability ( BI ) and property damage liability ( PD ). Let ‘s break down these minimum indebtedness limits :

  • $15,000 bodily injury per person: This is the state minimum coverage requirement for bodily injury liability insurance per person in California. The word “liability” designates that this coverage is for other people in accidents that you cause, not for yourself. It will go toward covering the other party’s medical costs.
  • $30,000 bodily injury per accident: This is the minimum requirement for bodily injury per accident. Let’s say you bump into a car that has three passengers. It was a hard bump, so each person claims $15,000. With $30,000, your plan will not cover the total medical cost ($45,000), and it will get used up in the order that injury claims are filed.
  • $5,000 property damage liability: This minimum coverage is used to pay for repairs on the other party’s vehicle. This liability coverage is per accident, so you can imagine that $5,000 would be used up quickly in a multi-car accident.

Benefits of Higher Coverage

Let ’ s spirit at the outcomes of only going with the minimal property price prerequisite in California. It ’ mho no confidential that californian highways host lots of expensive cars. You might not drive a Ferrari, but the gamble of damaging an expensive car in an accident is higher in this express than in others. Do you want to take a gamble and lone hold $ 5,000 in property liability ? If you crash into a Porsche while cruising round San Diego, the other driver can sue you for damages once that $ 5,000 is maxed out. only two other states have a $ 5,000 place damage prerequisite, and about half necessitate $ 25,000 in coverage. California ’ s bodily wound requirements are besides on the low end : 34 states require $ 25,000/ $ 50,000 coverage, and Maine ’ randomness requirements are double that. If you just carry the minimum limits, you can find brassy cable car policy in California. however, that might not be adequate to cover you in the event of a calamity. For example, what if person you hit is seriously injure and requires operating room and recovery manage ? In California, drivers who aren ’ metric ton at fault in an accident can sue the at-fault party up to two years late for injury claims or three years for place damage. If you lose a lawsuit like that, you ’ re required to cover all current and future aesculapian expenses related to the accident.

Uninsured Motorists

If you ’ re considering extra coverage, you may want to look at uninsured/underinsured motorist ( UI/UIM ) policies. These types of policies offer fiscal reimbursement when you ’ re in an accident and the person at fault international relations and security network ’ metric ton carrying indemnity or has insufficient coverage.
According to data from The Insurance Research Council, approximately 17 percentage of drivers in California were uninsured in 2019. That ’ s about one in six people. California is besides the most populous state in the country, with about 40 million people as of 2019, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

What If You Don’t Have Car Insurance In California?

To make a long floor short, you don ’ metric ton want to go without car insurance in California. In addition to paying the ticket from the patrol military officer, you can be fined by the Department of Motor Vehicles ( DMV ) for not having car policy. The first time, the fine can be $ 100 or higher. Fines for subsequent offenses can cost anywhere from $ 1,000 to $ 2,500. You might american samoa well buy a car indemnity policy alternatively.

What If You Can’t Afford Car Insurance In California?

car indemnity premiums can be expensive, specially for bad drivers, such as adolescent drivers or drivers with DUIs or speeding tickets on record, To address this program, California offers the California Automobile Assigned Risk Plan ( CAARP ). The CAARP is a state program that requires most car policy providers in California to insure a share of low-income, bad motorists within an put risk pool. Each policy company that participates is required to cover a partake of drivers proportional to its size. You are merely eligible to apply for a CAARP plan if you haven ’ thyroxine been able to find car policy on your own. That might be because insurance companies refuse to cover you based on your poor drive history, you can not afford a bad insurance plan, or you are eligible by income. If you are eligible by income, you can get a cheaper CAARP plan through California ’ s Low-Cost Auto Insurance Program ( CLCA ). If you qualify, you could get plans that come with a lower coverage minimum of 10/20/3.

Final Thoughts On California Car Insurance

While California car policy can be preferably expensive, there are many insurers that offer low-cost car policy rates in California. If you can not afford car insurance, it is worth looking into the CAARP program, rather than driving without indemnity. To get startle comparing your barren quotes to find the cheapest cable car insurance, enter your slide fastener code in the instrument below.

FAQ: Car Insurance In California

What car indemnity coverage should I get in California ? California police requires motorists to maintain 15/30/5 liability coverage. That means carrying $ 15,000 in bodily wound indebtedness per person, $ 30,000 in bodily injury per accident, and $ 5,000 in property price liability coverage. How much is brassy car policy in California ? Liability policies normally cost less than entire coverage car policy because you ’ re paying for a less comprehensive plan. The average price of indebtedness insurance in California was $ 617 in 2018, according to the NAIC. What is the cheapest car policy company in California ? We found that USAA is one of the cheapest car insurance companies in California. While it may offer lower car policy rates compared to other providers, USAA lone sells insurance to military members and their families. Our research team besides identified Geico and Progressive as low-cost indemnity providers. What happens if you don ’ t have car insurance in California ?

Penalties for driving without indemnity in California range from fines, having a vehicle impounded, or your driver ’ randomness license being suspended.

Methodology

In an campaign to provide accurate and unbiased information to consumers, our technical follow-up team collects data from dozens of car policy providers to formulate rankings of the best insurers. Companies receive a score in each of the take after categories, adenine well as an overall weighted grudge out of 5.0 stars.

  • Industry Standing: Insurers with strong financial ratings and customer-first business practices receive the highest scores in this category.
  • Availability: We consider availability by state as well as exclusions for specific groups of drivers.
  • Coverage: This rating is based on types of insurance available, maximum coverage limits, and add-on policies.
  • Cost and Discounts: Our research team reviews auto insurance rate estimates generated by Quadrant Information Services for a variety of drivers in every state. Companies with lower prices and many car insurance discount opportunities receive the best scores.
  • Customer Service: We comb through customer reviews and consumer feedback studies from experts like J.D. Power.
  • Technology: Auto insurers with mobile apps, advanced online services and telematics are more likely to meet consumer needs.

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