California vs Nevada: Is car insurance cheaper in California than Nevada?

Q: Is California a no-fault state?

No , California is an at-fault state, meaning that the person who caused the accident is responsible for injuries and damages to others. Their insurance will help cover medical costs and damages up to their policy limits.

California vs Nevada: Compare car insurance rates

On average, California car insurance averages $2,416, and coverage in Nevada averages $2,060. However, rates depend on the type of coverage you choose.

The minimum required coverage in California is 15/30/5 and averages $551 a year. Nevada minimum coverage limits are 25/50/20 and costs an average of $720 a year.

When comparing 50/100/50 liability-only coverage rates, California averages $864, and Nevada averages $1,042.

We also analyzed full coverage rates based on 100/300/100 liability coverage with $500 deductibles. The full coverage rates averaged $2,416 in California and $2,060 in Nevada.

The table below compares average car insurance rates for minimum, liability, and full coverage in California and Nevada.

State	Average annual rate	Average monthly rate
California	$2,416	$201
Nevada	$2,060	$172

Read our methodology

People ask

Is car insurance cheaper in California than Nevada?

Car insurance rates are cheaper on average in Nevada than California. However, many factors, such as age, driving record, and vehicle, are used to determine rates, so costs vary widely by driver.

California vs Nevada: Average premium by company

Overall, the cheapest car insurance in California is $1,919 of GEICO, and the cheapest car insurance rate in Nevada is $1,443 from State Farm.

In California, the next two cheapest insurance companies for full coverage are Mercury Insurance and Progressive.

In Nevada, the next two most affordable insurance companies for full coverage are GEICO and Travelers.

This table compares top car insurance companies in California and Nevada.

State	Company	Average annual rate	Average monthly rate
California	GEICO	$1,919	$160
California	Mercury Insurance	$2,031	$169
California	Progressive	$2,179	$182
California	Kemper	$2,429	$202
California	Travelers	$2,460	$205
California	Auto Club Enterprises (AAA)	$2,466	$205
California	CSAA Insurance (AAA)	$2,600	$217
California	Allstate	$2,627	$219
California	State Farm	$2,701	$225
California	Nationwide	$2,799	$233
California	Farmers	$3,035	$253
California	USAA	$1,827	$152
Nevada	State Farm	$1,443	$120
Nevada	GEICO	$1,708	$142
Nevada	Travelers	$1,995	$166
Nevada	Mercury Insurance	$2,156	$180
Nevada	Farmers	$2,328	$194
Nevada	American Family	$2,429	$202
Nevada	Progressive	$2,482	$207
Nevada	Allstate	$2,614	$218
Nevada	CSAA Insurance (AAA)	$3,651	$304
Nevada	USAA	$1,672	$139

Read our methodology

Minimum car insurance requirements: California vs. Nevada

Each state determines the minimum amount of car insurance drivers must carry. The auto insurance laws in California and Nevada differ, and your insurance policy may need to be changed if you move from state to state.

The table below outlines the minimum car insurance requirements in California and Nevada.

State	State minimum limits	Annual premium
California	15/30/5	$551
Nevada	25/50/20	$720

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Remember, minimum coverage may be insufficient because the limits are low and don't include coverage for your vehicle. To ensure you're fully protected, experts recommend adding coverage and increasing limits.

"Full coverage is physical damage coverage to your vehicle, typically requiring a deductibleThe deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket for a covered loss when you file a claim. to be met before coverage applies. It is not required by the state but is required by a financial institution if you have a loan or lease," said Zack Pope of David Pope Insurance.

So, even though no state requires full coverage, you may still need it if you have a loan or lease.

People ask

How do I handle car insurance if I am relocating from California to Nevada?

Many top insurers offer car insurance in multiple states, so you may be able to stay with your company when you move from California to Nevada. If your insurer doesn't offer coverage in Nevada, you'll have to shop around.

Best car insurance companies in California and Nevada

The best auto insurance company in California is GEICO, and the best company in Nevada is State Farm. However, the best insurer for you combines the lowest rates with the best service and the coverage you need. Compare multiple companies to determine which is your best fit.

The table below shows the best insurance companies in California and Nevada.

State	Company	AM Best rating	Average annual premium	J.D. Power score	NAIC Complaint Index	Insurance.com score
California	GEICO	A++	$1,919	830	0.91	4.02
California	Progressive	A+	$2,179	809	0.65	3.69
California	Travelers	A++	$2,460	810	0.49	3.65
California	State Farm	A++	$2,701	826	0.7	3.47
California	Mercury Insurance	A	$2,031	794	0.84	3.47
California	Allstate	A+	$2,627	816	0.65	3.35
California	CSAA Insurance (AAA)	A	$2,600	822	0.75	3.28
California	Nationwide	A+	$2,799	794	0.64	3.2
California	Farmers	A	$3,035	810	0.8	2.91
California	Auto Club Enterprises (AAA)	A+	$2,466	832	2.21	2.89
California	Kemper Insurance	A-	$2,429	736	2.16	2.05
Nevada	State Farm	A++	$1,443	783	0.7	3.7
Nevada	Travelers	A++	$1,995	804	0.49	3.59
Nevada	GEICO	A++	$1,708	801	0.91	3.38
Nevada	Progressive	A+	$2,482	828	0.65	3.1
Nevada	Allstate	A+	$2,614	795	0.65	3.06
Nevada	Farmers	A	$2,328	835	0.8	2.97
Nevada	Mercury Insurance	A	$2,156	794	0.84	2.71
Nevada	American Family	A	$2,429	781	1.1	2.58
Nevada	CSAA Insurance (AAA)	A	$3,651	816	0.75	2.52

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California vs Nevada: Auto insurance trends

Car insurance rates are on the rise across the country. Advanced technology, increased repair costs, and inflation cause drivers to see increased rates each year.

Take a look at how car insurance rates have changed in recent years in both California and Nevada.

State	Year 2019	Year 2022	Year 2023
California	$2,018	$2,110	$2,416
Nevada	$2,446	$1,978	$2,060

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California vs. Nevada: car insurance rates by city

Where you live in California and Nevada also affects car insurance rates. Drivers in urban areas with higher traffic volume and theft rates typically pay more than drivers in rural areas because their vehicles are more likely to be damaged or stolen.

The table below shows average car insurance rates in various cities in California and Nevada.

State	city	Average annual premium
California	Anaheim	$2,572
California	Bakersfield	$2,477
California	Fresno	$2,385
California	Long Beach	$2,681
California	Los Angeles	$3,149
California	Oakland	$2,802
California	Sacramento	$2,665
California	San Diego	$2,324
California	San Francisco	$2,777
California	San Jose	$2,406
Nevada	Boulder City	$2,030
Nevada	Elko	$1,712
Nevada	Fernley	$1,687
Nevada	Henderson	$2,331
Nevada	Las Vegas	$2,594
Nevada	Mesquite	$1,997
Nevada	North Las Vegas	$2,587
Nevada	Reno	$1,960
Nevada	Sparks	$1,958

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Methodology

Insurance.com commissioned average car insurance rates from Quadrant Information Services based on a 40-year-old male driver with good credit and a clean driving record driving a 2023 Honda Accord LX. Rates were fielded at state minimum coverage levels as well as liability-only coverage with limits of 50/100/50 and full coverage at limits of 100/300/100 with $500 deductibles.

FAQ: California vs. Nevada

Is California a no-fault state?

No, California is an at-fault state, meaning that the person who caused the accident is responsible for injuries and damages to others. Their insurance will help cover medical costs and damages up to their policy limits.

Is Nevada a no-fault state?

No, Nevada is an at-fault state, meaning that the person who caused the accident is responsible for injuries and damages to others. Their insurance will help cover medical costs and damages up to their policy limits.

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