California car insurance guide

Q: What company offers the cheapest full coverage auto insurance in California?

GEICO is the cheapest car insurance company in California with the lowest rates for both state minimum and full coverage.

Is auto insurance required in California?

Car insurance is required by law in California. The state legal minimum has been increased for 2025. The new requirements are:

$30,000 per person for bodily injury

$60,000 per incident for bodily injury

$15,000 per incident for property damage

How much is car insurance in California?

The average cost of full coverage car insurance in California is $2,416 per year. But these rates can differ depending on factors like your age, the coverage you choose, your driving record and the type of car you drive.

For example, younger drivers usually pay more for car insurance, and people with bad driving records do, too.

California drivers who choose to carry only the minimum car insurance will pay $551 on average. But this doesn't include collision or comprehensive coverage, so if you cause an accident, you'd have to pay for damage to your own car yourself.

"While most of us are reviewing our household budgets to see where we may be able to cut corners, your car insurance policy shouldn't be one of them. If you are considering saving money buying a liability-only auto insurance policy, the minimum legal coverage in most states, think first about what it will cost you when you need to file a claimAn insurance claim is a request you make to your insurance company for coverage after your car is damaged or you have an accident. You can file a claim online, by phone, or in writing. for any injuries or damage to your vehicle other than those of the other victims when you cause a crash," says Carole Walker, executive director of the Rocky Mountain Insurance Association, a nonprofit consumer insurance information organization.

Average annual premium	$2,416
Average monthly premium	$201

Read our methodology

California car insurance rates by company

Every car insurance company uses its own criteria for determining rates. For example, while some emphasize age, others look closely at driving records. Because of this, California car insurance rates vary significantly from company to company.

The table below compares average California car insurance rates from top-rated companies for different coverage levels. On average, GEICO is the cheapest car insurance company in California.

Company	State minimum	Liability-only	Full coverage
GEICO	$367	$591	$1,919
Progressive	$433	$637	$2,179
CSAA Insurance (AAA)	$457	$627	$2,600
Mercury Insurance	$458	$766	$2,031
Kemper	$492	$803	$2,429
State Farm	$569	$900	$2,701
Auto Club Enterprises (AAA)	$623	$974	$2,466
Travelers	$629	$954	$2,460
Nationwide	$712	$1,123	$2,799
Allstate	$717	$1,104	$2,627
Farmers	$774	$1,280	$3,035
USAA	$410	$653	$1,827

Read our methodology

California car insurance laws

Certain driver groups in California are subject to specific laws.

California car insurance laws for high-risk drivers

The insurance requirements for high-risk drivers in California are not different, but you will be required to file an SR-22 if convicted of certain traffic violations. An SR-22 is a document filed by your insurance company that indicates you have the legally required insurance.

You may need an SR-22 after:

A license suspension

Driving without insurance

A DUI

Multiple tickets

California car insurance laws for teen drivers

California follows a graduated licensing program that eases teen drivers into the responsibilities of driving with a series of stages, each with restrictions.

Learner's permit. Driving is only permitted with a driver 25 years old or older in the car, no alcohol is permitted in the vehicle and the permit must be held for at least six months.

Provisional License. No passengers under 20 for the first 12 months unless an adult is present. No driving between 12 p.m. and 5 a.m. for the first 12 months with exceptions. No alcohol in the vehicle.

Full License. Must be 18, at which time restrictions are lifted, although alcohol is still not permitted in the vehicle.

California car insurance laws for senior drivers

There are no insurance laws that apply to senior drivers, but drivers over 70 must apply to renew their license in person every five years.

California car insurance discounts

Which car insurance discounts are available and how much savings drivers can expect depend on the state and the company. So, savings may vary considerably from company to company in California.

Check out the available car insurance discounts in California below and see how much you can save on average.

Discount type	Premium before discount	Premium after discount	$ Saving
Air Bags	$1,895	$1,890	$5
Anti-Theft Device	$1,895	$1,886	$9
Lower Annual Mileage	$1,895	$1,673	$222
Loyalty - Years Renewal With Company	$1,895	$1,681	$214
Marital Status	$1,895	$1,718	$177
Multi Policy	$1,895	$1,718	$177
Primary Use	$1,895	$1,717	$178
Safety Devices	$1,895	$1,843	$52
Telematics	$1,895	$1,805	$90
Years Insured	$1,895	$1,718	$177
Years Licensed	$1,895	$1,109	$786

Read our methodology

Factors that affect auto insurance premium in California

Many factors affect car insurance cost in California. They include:

Where you live in the state

The type of car you drive

Your driving record

Your credit history

Your age and gender

How to compare car insurance companies in California

To compare car insurance in California and find the best fit for your needs, follow these steps:

Review your current policy. Note what coverage you are carrying and decide if you want to make any changes.

Request quotes at your desired coverage levels. Make sure you are requesting the same coverage levels on each quote. If you're looking to change your coverage, ask your current insurance company to provide a quote with those limits as well.

Review the quotes and note any added benefits. Some car insurance companies include extras at no additional charge. Is roadside assistance included? Are there other perks like a diminishing deductible program?

Research the car insurance companies you're considering. Cheap car insurance isn't everything. Make sure you are also looking at each insurance provider's reputation to make sure you find not just the cheapest car insurance but also the best car insurance companies in California.

Car insurance rates in California by model year

The vehicle you drive also affects California car insurance rates. For example, newer cars cost more to repair since they have expensive parts, such as collision warning systems, cameras, and anti-theft devices.

See how the model and age of the vehicle affect California car insurance rates below.

L O A D I N G

Company	Style	Average annual premium
State Farm	2WD 4 Door Sedan Automatic Turbo	$2,027
GEICO	2WD 4 Door Sedan Automatic Turbo	$2,037
Progressive	2WD 4 Door Sedan Automatic Turbo	$2,323
Allstate	2WD 4 Door Sedan Automatic Turbo	$2,932
Nationwide	2WD 4 Door Sedan Automatic Turbo	$3,197
Farmers	2WD 4 Door Sedan Automatic Turbo	$3,496

Read our methodology

Compare auto insurance rates by city in California

Auto insurance rates vary not just by state, but also by city. Cities have different levels of risk based on factors like accident rates, claim costs, weather and more. That means where you live in California will impact what you pay. Below, we've gathered California car insurance rates by city for comparison.

City	Annual insurance premium
Hayward	$2,546
Irvine	$2,502
Los Angeles	$3,149
Sacramento	$2,665
San Diego	$2,324
San Jose	$2,406
Temecula	$2,356

Read our methodology

Car insurance premium trends in California

Car insurance rates change regularly, influenced by changes in the cost of repairs, claim rates and other factors. Recent years have seen car insurance rates rise across the country, but not every state has seen the same increases.

We've tracked car insurance premiumThe payment required for an insurance policy to remain in force. Auto insurance premiums are quoted for either 6-month or annual policy periods. trends in California to show you how things have changed and help you prepare for potential changes in the future. Take a look at the chart below.

Methodology

Insurance.com commissioned car insurance rates from Quadrant Data Systems in late 2023 for all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Base rates were fielded based on a 40-year-old driver with a clean record and good credit, driving a 2023 Honda Accord LX. Additional rates were fielded for multiple driver profiles including tickets, accidents and various credit tiers. Coverage levels include state minimum, 50/100/50 liability only, and full coverage at 100/300/100 liability limits with $500 deductibles. Rates were fielded from 34,588 ZIP codes and 170 insurance companies.

California car insurance guide: Frequently asked questions

What company offers the cheapest full coverage auto insurance in California?

GEICO is the cheapest car insurance company in California with the lowest rates for both state minimum and full coverage.

Will I have difficulty getting insurance with a bad driving record in California?

If you have a bad driving record, it may be more difficult to find car insurance, and you will find that rates are higher. If you are considered a high-risk driver, you may need to purchase insurance from a high-risk company.