You have money questions. Bankrate has answers. Our experts have been helping you master your money for over four decades. We continually strive to provide consumers with the adept advice and tools needed to succeed throughout life ’ s fiscal travel. Bankrate ’ s editorial team writes on behalf of YOU – the reader. Our goal is to give you the best advice to help you make smart personal finance decisions. We follow rigorous guidelines to ensure that our column content is not influenced by advertisers. Our editorial team receives no direct compensation from advertisers, and our content is thoroughly fact-checked to ensure accuracy. therefore, whether you ’ re reading an article or a review, you can trust that you ’ re getting credible and reliable information. We value your trust. Our mission is to provide readers with accurate and unbiased information, and we have column standards in set to ensure that happens. Our editors and reporters thoroughly fact-check editorial content to ensure the data you ’ ra read is accurate. We maintain a firewall between our advertisers and our editorial team. Our editorial team does not receive direct compensation from our advertisers. Bankrate follows a rigid column policy, so you can trust that we ’ ra putting your interests foremost. Our award-winning editors and reporters create honest and accurate subject to help you make the right fiscal decisions. All providers discussed on our locate are vetted based on the value they provide. And we constantly review our criteria to ensure we ’ re putting accuracy first. Our indemnity team is composed of agents, data analysts, and customers like you. They focus on the points consumers care about most — price, customer service, policy features and savings opportunities — so you can feel confident about which provider is right for you. Bankrate follows a nonindulgent column policy, so you can trust that we ’ re putting your interests first. All of our capacity is authored by highly qualify professionals and reviewed by national topic experts, who ensure everything we publish is objective, accurate and desirable of your trust. Founded in 1976, Bankrate has a long track criminal record of helping people make fresh fiscal choices. We ’ ve maintained this repute for over four decades by demystifying the fiscal decision-making procedure and giving people confidence in which actions to take future. While we adhere to strict column integrity, this position may contain references to products from our partners. here ‘s an explanation for how we make money. This contentedness is powered by HomeInsurance.com ( NPN : 8781838 ). For more information, please see our Insurance disclosure. If you are looking for the cheapest car indemnity in California, there are plenty of options. capital offers the cheapest wide coverage car insurance, with an average annual premium of $ 1,582 based on Bankrate ’ s across-the-board inquiry. Geico ’ s minimum coverage is the brassy at $ 520 per class, on average, according to our psychoanalysis. For comparison, California ’ mho average monetary value for car indemnity is $ 2,065 annually for entire coverage and $ 733 per year for minimum coverage. Searching for cheap car policy in California does not mean you have to sacrifice the choice of your coverage. In fact, by finding the cheapest rates, you may be able to afford more coverage than you thought. Bankrate ’ s indemnity editorial team used Quadrant Information Services to obtain stream premium data for the largest insurance companies by market share. Knowing what companies tend to offer cheap average rates might help you find a policy that fits your budget .
The cheapest car insurance companies in California
To find the cheapest car insurance in California, Bankrate ’ s policy editorial team inaugural obtained 2021 premium data from Quadrant Information Services for the largest car policy companies by market plowshare in California. We besides reviewed each company ’ s available coverage types, discounts, customer gratification scores and fiscal potency ratings. This means that these companies offer low-cost rates adenine well as robust coverage and highly-rated avail to policyholders. If you are looking for the cheapest car policy companies in California, the following carriers might be a good paroxysm, depending on what coverage degree you are looking for .
The cheapest companies for minimum coverage in California
Geico offers the cheapest minimal coverage premiums in California, based on our analysis. Because minimal coverage provides the lowest flush of fiscal protection that you can purchase in California, premiums tend to be lower. Most policy professionals recommend that you purchase higher liability limits if you can afford to thus that you are not financially devastated from a major loss if you are ruled at defect in an car accident. But if minimal coverage is all you can afford, we found that these five national and regional companies offer the cheapest rates, on average :
Read more: Cheapest Auto Insurance | Tulsa, Oklahoma
| Car insurance company | Minimum coverage average annual premium | Minimum coverage average monthly premium |
|---|---|---|
| Geico | $521 | $43 |
| Mercury | $624 | $52 |
| CSE | $647 | $54 |
| Wawanesa | $652 | $54 |
| Progressive | $668 | $56 |
The cheapest companies for full coverage in California
Our research revealed that regional carriers Capital and Wawanesa have the lowest average cost for full coverage car policy in California. Full coverage adds optional comprehensive coverage and collision coverage to your policy, giving you fiscal protection for damage to your vehicle american samoa well as damage that you cause to others in an at-fault accident .
| Car insurance company | Full coverage average annual premium | Full coverage average monthly premium |
|---|---|---|
| Capital | $1,582 | $132 |
| Wawanesa | $1,599 | $133 |
| Geico | $1,615 | $135 |
| Mercury | $1,636 | $136 |
| Travelers | $1,794 | $150 |
Events that can impact your cheap rates in California
If you have recently experienced a life sentence consequence, like moving to a modern localization or getting marital, or getting into an accident or adding a adolescent driver to your policy, you may want to take the clock time to shop your car policy coverage. When animation changes, your insurance needs might change vitamin a well. You may want to reconsider your car indemnity coverage if you have recently :
- Added a teen driver: Teen drivers are inexperienced, which generally translates to higher premiums. But there are cheap car insurance companies for teen drivers and many carriers offer student discounts to help you reduce your rate.
- Received a speeding ticket: Speeding tickets can be an indication of risky driving behavior, as speed can make accidents more severe. If you have a speeding ticket on your record, you might see an increase in your premium for three to five years.
- Been involved in an at-fault accident: At-fault accidents generally increase your premium for three to five years. If you have been involved in an accident, there are companies that may not surcharge you as heavily, so shopping your policy could help you save money.
- Been deemed a high-risk driver: High-risk drivers are generally drivers with one or more speeding tickets, at-fault accidents or DUI convictions on their records. While you will likely pay more for coverage as a high-risk driver, there are steps you can take to lower your premium, including taking advantage of discounts.
- Moved to a new city or recently married: According to the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I), your location and marital status are among the individual rating factors that insurers use to determine premium costs for California drivers. Other common rating factors include your age, motor vehicle record, make and model of your vehicle, auto claims history, coverages and deductibles you select and how many miles you drive per year.
Cheapest cities in California for minimum coverage
The particular city where you reside in California can play a significant function in how much you pay for car insurance, although insurers are not supposed to use your ZIP code as a primary rate component in the state. densely populate areas like Los Angeles, Sacramento and San Diego broadly have a higher price of survive, which includes higher car indemnity premiums. Based on our inquiry, the cheapest cities in California for minimal coverage are :
| City | Minimum coverage average annual premium | Minimum coverage average monthly premium |
|---|---|---|
| Weed | $509 | $42 |
| Trinidad | $519 | $43 |
| Westhaven-Moonstone | $519 | $43 |
| San Ardo | $523 | $44 |
| Big Pine | $528 | $44 |
Cheapest cities in California for full coverage
When it comes to full coverage, prices are broadly higher than they are for minimum coverage. This is because full coverage provides more fiscal protection and includes coverage for price to your car. The monetary value of fomite repairs besides plays a function in how brassy or expensive full coverage car policy is. In cities with higher costs of survive, like San Jose and San Francisco, full coverage may cost more. These five little California cities have some of the cheapest average full coverage car indemnity rates based on Bankrate ’ south psychoanalysis :
| City | Minimum coverage average annual premium | Minimum coverage average monthly premium |
|---|---|---|
| Los Osos | $1,561 | $130 |
| Weed | $1,576 | $131 |
| Cambria | $1,586 | $132 |
| Mount Shasta | $1,587 | $132 |
| Yreka | $1,604 | $134 |
Minimum coverage requirements for California drivers
Like most states, California designates the minimum measure of car indemnity that drivers must purchase to drive legally. If you live in California, you must carry at least the following minimum coverage character and levels :
- $15,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $30,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $5,000 property damage liability per accident
According to the Triple-I, the uninsured motorist pace in California is 16.6 %, the 10th worst in the U.S. As a leave of this high gear rate, car insurers in the Golden State are required to offer you uninsured motorist coverage and underinsured motorist coverage, although you can decline these options in writing. California residents can besides satisfy the state ’ second “ fiscal duty law ” for bad drivers by providing a $ 35,000 cash deposit or hostage attachment to the DMV in stead of car indemnity. This typically applies to drivers with DUIs and early major infractions on their motor vehicle records. Although state minimum coverage is all that is required to drive legally, most policy experts recommend that you purchase higher levels of liability to have fiscal peace of mind. cable car accidents can be expensive, and if the damages and injuries you cause exceed your indemnity amount, you will have to pay for the overage out of pouch. additionally, if you have a loan or rent, you may be required to carry full coverage .
Here is how to find (and keep) cheap car insurance in California
Although car policy in California is more expensive than it is in the U.S. as a whole, there are ways you can save money. If your budget for car policy is tight, you may want to check out the pursue steps for securing and maintaining brassy car coverage :
- Get multiple quotes: Getting quotes from several providers is one of the best ways to see if you can save on your car insurance. The Triple-I recommends obtaining a minimum of three quotes from a mix of national and regional insurers. Each company has its own rating algorithm and weights individual rating factors differently. Additionally, every driver has a different set of circumstances that they bring to their car insurance search. Comparing premiums, coverages, discounts and features may help you find a policy and price that is right for you.
- Maintain a clean driving record: Drivers with accidents, moving violations or DUI convictions on their motor vehicle record tend to pay more for auto insurance, while drivers with clean driving records avoid these types of surcharges. Practicing safe driving habits might help you keep your car insurance costs in line.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best car insurance company in California?
The best car indemnity caller in California will vary based on your needs and wants. Each driver brings unique preferences to their search for car policy. For model, you might be looking for the lowest rates while another driver might want a caller that offers user-friendly policy management and claims-filing capabilities via a fluid app. Making a list of the features, coverage types and discounts that you are looking for and then getting quotes from a few companies might help you find a good carrier for your circumstances .
Why is car insurance expensive in California?
Auto insurance premiums vary based on more than a twelve denounce factors. California has a big population and is a top tourist destination in the U.S., which means that roadways can be crowded. More vehicles on the road typically leads to a higher likelihood of accidents. additionally, the price of exist in California is higher than it is in many other parts of the country. That means that the price for aesculapian care, vehicle parts, labor and legal fees might all be higher, and those factors can change the cost of your insurance coverage. Remember, though, that your rate is based on your individual rat factors, so you may pay more or less than the Golden State ’ south average cost for car indemnity .
What happens if I drive without insurance in California?
car insurance in California can be expensive, but it is authoritative to have an active policy in set before you hit the road. Driving without indemnity is a serious crime and could even be classified as a misdemeanor in the state. If you are caught driving without a policy in target, you may be subjected to fines up to $ 1,000, have your license suspended and your vehicle impounded, and even be sentenced to jail for up to six months. If you cause an accident without policy, you will be held financially and legally responsible for the damages and injuries that you cause. This could be financially devastating to you and your syndicate and could besides result in a major lawsuit filed against you. Having indemnity coverage not merely helps to protect other drivers, but besides protects your own fiscal health .
What factors affect my car insurance premium in California?
Your old age, driving history, claims history and vehicle type and coverage choices can all impact your premium. notably, California does not use gender or a credit-based policy grudge to rate policies.
Methodology
Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze 2021 rates for all ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quoted rates are based on a 40-year-old male and female driver with a clean drive record, good credit and the follow fully coverage limits :
- $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $50,000 property damage liability per accident
- $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
- $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
- $500 collision deductible
- $500 comprehensive deductible
To determine minimal coverage limits, Bankrate used minimal coverage that meets each submit ’ south requirements. Our base profile drivers own a 2019 Toyota Camry, commute five days a workweek and drive 12,000 miles annually. These are sample rates and should entirely be used for comparative purposes .