- Cheapest car insurance in California for a bad driving record
- How much is high-risk car insurance in California?
- Cheapest car insurance in California with a DUI
- Cheapest car insurance in California with multiple tickets
- Cheapest car insurance in California with a reckless driving conviction
- Cheapest car insurance after an accident in California
- Cheapest car insurance in California by city
- How to reduce car insurance rates in California for a bad driving record
- California car insurance laws for high-risk drivers
- Methodology
- Compare California high-risk driver car insurance rates with other states
Cheapest car insurance in California for a bad driving record
If you have a poor driving record in California, Mercury Insurance, GEICO, Progressive are the cheapest options. Mercury Insurance has the lowest annual rate at $3,182 per year.
Having accidents, DUIs or traffic tickets on your driving record, will make you pay more for insurance. Most tickets will affect your rates for three to five years. A DUI can affect your rates for up to 10 years and can stay on your record for life.
| Company | Average annual premium for clean record | Annual premium for high-risk driver |
|---|---|---|
| Mercury Insurance | $2,031 | $3,182 |
| GEICO | $1,919 | $3,454 |
| Progressive | $2,179 | $3,848 |
| Travelers | $2,460 | $4,319 |
| Auto Club Enterprises (AAA) | $2,466 | $5,224 |
| CSAA Insurance (AAA) | $2,600 | $5,736 |
| State Farm | $2,701 | $6,242 |
| Nationwide | $2,799 | $6,354 |
| Allstate | $2,627 | $6,477 |
| Farmers | $3,035 | $7,345 |
| USAA | $1,827 | $3,169 |
How much is high-risk car insurance in California?
In California, the average cost of high-risk car insurance is $5,180 per year. However, you may secure coverage from Mercury Insurance for as low as $3,182 annually. Even with a problematic driving record or poor credit score, affordable policies are available.
Several factors can classify you as a high-risk driver, but some raise your premiums more than others. For example, receiving multiple speeding tickets or getting one for speeding in a school zone will boost your rates more than a single basic speeding ticket.
Keep reading as we break down the factors that make you a high-risk driver and what you can expect to pay for car insurance.
Select your state and risk factor below to see the insurance company and its
average annual full coverage rates.
| Company | Annual premium for clean record | Annual premium after violation |
|---|---|---|
| Mercury Insurance | $2,031 | $3,190 |
| USAA | $1,827 | $3,470 |
| Progressive | $2,179 | $3,600 |
| Auto Club Enterprises (AAA) | $2,466 | $4,221 |
| Travelers | $2,460 | $4,590 |
| GEICO | $1,919 | $4,784 |
| State Farm | $2,701 | $5,242 |
| CSAA Insurance (AAA) | $2,600 | $5,287 |
| Farmers | $3,035 | $5,322 |
| Nationwide | $2,799 | $6,117 |
| Allstate | $2,627 | $7,240 |
PEOPLE ASK:
Who is considered high-risk for insurance in California?
Each insurance company has its own rules for deciding who is a high-risk driver. But usually, things like a DUI, several tickets or accidents, or serious violations like reckless driving will put you in the high-risk category.
Cheapest car insurance in California with a DUI
Although many insurance companies provide coverage after a DUI, Mercury Insurance offers the most affordable rate at $3,616 a year.
Driving under the influence (DUI) is a serious traffic violation that damages your driving record. It can raise auto insurance premiums for nearly 10 years, on top of fines and other penalties. Multiple DUIs drive rates even higher, but consistent safe driving over time can gradually lead to lower premiums.
The table below compares average car insurance premiums in California for drivers with a clean record versus those with a DUI.
| Company | Average annual premium for clean record | Annual premium for a DUI |
|---|---|---|
| Mercury Insurance | $2,031 | $3,616 |
| GEICO | $1,919 | $4,825 |
| Travelers | $2,460 | $5,250 |
| Progressive | $2,179 | $5,283 |
| Auto Club Enterprises (AAA) | $2,466 | $7,730 |
| Nationwide | $2,799 | $8,024 |
| CSAA Insurance (AAA) | $2,600 | $9,392 |
| State Farm | $2,701 | $9,499 |
| Allstate | $2,627 | $10,478 |
| Farmers | $3,035 | $12,025 |
| USAA | $1,827 | $5,690 |
Cheapest car insurance in California with multiple tickets
Mercury Insurance is the cheapest car insurance company for drivers with multiple traffic tickets, with an average rate of $2,893 a year or $241 a month.
While one traffic ticket can affect car insurance rates, multiple tickets can significantly increase those rates. Failure to obey speed limits and traffic laws leads insurers to believe they will eventually have to pay claims due to risky driving.
This table shows California drivers how much multiple tickets increase premiums.
| Company | Average annual premium for clean record | Annual premium with a speeding ticket |
|---|---|---|
| Mercury Insurance | $2,031 | $2,893 |
| GEICO | $1,919 | $2,994 |
| CSAA Insurance (AAA) | $2,600 | $3,299 |
| Progressive | $2,179 | $3,368 |
| Auto Club Enterprises (AAA) | $2,466 | $3,553 |
| Travelers | $2,460 | $3,700 |
| Allstate | $2,627 | $3,808 |
| State Farm | $2,701 | $4,071 |
| Farmers | $3,035 | $4,224 |
| Nationwide | $2,799 | $5,241 |
| USAA | $1,827 | $2,230 |
Cheapest car insurance in California with a reckless driving conviction
GEICO offers the cheapest rates for drivers with reckless driving convictions at $3,466 per year.
A single ticket can raise your car insurance premiums, but multiple tickets will push them even higher. Repeatedly violating speed limits and other traffic laws signals risky behavior, increasing the likelihood that insurers will have to pay claims.
You can be charged with reckless driving for many reasons, such as excessive speed, multiple accidents in a short time or street racing. Regardless of the cause, a reckless driving conviction raises car insurance rates.
| Company | Average annual premium for clean record | Annual premium for reckless driving |
|---|---|---|
| GEICO | $1,919 | $3,466 |
| Mercury Insurance | $2,031 | $3,616 |
| Progressive | $2,179 | $3,850 |
| Travelers | $2,460 | $5,250 |
| Auto Club Enterprises (AAA) | $2,466 | $7,730 |
| Nationwide | $2,799 | $8,024 |
| CSAA Insurance (AAA) | $2,600 | $9,392 |
| State Farm | $2,701 | $9,499 |
| Allstate | $2,627 | $10,478 |
| Farmers | $3,035 | $12,025 |
| USAA | $1,827 | $3,465 |
Cheapest car insurance after an accident in California
Mercury Insurance offers the lowest rates after an accident, averaging $3,563 per year. Progressive is another budget-friendly option, with rates around $3,600 a year.
Drivers with accidents on their record typically pay higher insurance rates than those with a clean record. While car insurance rates may increase after one accident, multiple accidents can increase rates even more.
This table shows rates for drivers with a clean record, one at-fault accident and multiple accidents.
| Company | Average annual premium for clean record | Annual premium for one at-fault accident | Annual premium for multiple accident |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercury Insurance | $2,031 | $3,563 | $4,223 |
| Progressive | $2,179 | $3,600 | $5,845 |
| GEICO | $1,919 | $3,876 | $6,612 |
| CSAA Insurance (AAA) | $2,600 | $3,961 | $6,037 |
| Auto Club Enterprises (AAA) | $2,466 | $4,006 | $5,357 |
| Travelers | $2,460 | $4,263 | $5,079 |
| State Farm | $2,701 | $4,543 | $7,444 |
| Farmers | $3,035 | $4,892 | $8,453 |
| Nationwide | $2,799 | $5,301 | $8,067 |
| Allstate | $2,627 | $6,275 | $9,667 |
| USAA | $1,827 | $3,007 | $4,370 |
Cheapest car insurance in California by city
Portola has the cheapest car insurance rates in California at $4,400 per year. But the most expensive city is Los Angeles with rates of $6,754 per year.
Your location in California also matters. For example, if you live in an area with heavy traffic or a high vehicle theft rate, rates will reflect the increased chance of claims.
| City | Average annual premium for clean record | Annual premium for high-risk driver |
|---|---|---|
| Portola | $2,058 | $4,400 |
| San Diego | $2,324 | $4,978 |
| Temecula | $2,356 | $5,049 |
| Fresno | $2,385 | $5,112 |
| Sausalito | $2,407 | $5,134 |
| San Jose | $2,406 | $5,147 |
| Irvine | $2,502 | $5,354 |
| Hayward | $2,546 | $5,466 |
| Anaheim | $2,572 | $5,529 |
| Vallejo | $2,608 | $5,602 |
| Long Beach | $2,681 | $5,750 |
| Sacramento | $2,665 | $5,772 |
| San Francisco | $2,777 | $5,967 |
| Oakland | $2,802 | $5,995 |
| Los Angeles | $3,149 | $6,754 |
How to reduce car insurance rates in California for a bad driving record
Finding affordable car insurance in California is possible, even with a bad driving record. Ways to lower car insurance rates include:
- Carefully consider filing claims. Paying for minor damage out of pocket may be cheaper than filing an insurance claim and increasing rates for years.
- Avoid costly infractions. Drive carefully to avoid adding traffic infractions to your record. Tickets only affect insurance rates for a few years, which will decrease if more tickets aren't added.
- Improve your credit score. Raising your credit score lowers car insurance rates. Make on-time payments and consider credit usage to improve your rating.
- Take a defensive driving course. Many insurance companies offer a discount for doing so, and some states remove driver's license points for successfully completing the class.
- Shop around for coverage. Every car insurance company weighs factors differently and offers different rates. Compare quotes to find the cheapest rates.
PEOPLE ASK:
How long are you considered a high-risk driver in California?
Three years is common, but how long you are considered a high-risk driver in California depends on the insurance company's guidelines. The state determines how long a violation stays on your record, but the insurance company determines how long you're charged for that violation.
California car insurance laws for high-risk drivers
If you're a high-risk driver in California, you may need to file an SR-22. Your insurer submits this form to confirm you carry the state's minimum required coverage. The court will specify how long you must maintain the SR-22.
An SR-22 is not a type of insurance; it's simply a form. You don't need special coverage, but your premiums may be higher since you're classified as high risk. Additionally, not all insurance companies offer policies for high risk drivers or handle SR-22 filings.
Methodology
170+
insurance companies analyzed
34,000+
ZIP codes examined
$53M
insurance quotes analyzed
National and state average rates are based on three coverage levels: state minimum, 50/100/50 liability-only, and full coverage with 100/300/100 liability and $500 deductibles.
All base rate averages are based on our full coverage data set. This data set is based on:
- A 40-year-old driver
- A clean record
- Good credit
- State minimum insurance, which includes liability coverage and may also include personal injury protection, medical payments and uninsured motorist coverage
Best company rankings use the rate data outline above, as well as:
- Customer complaints ratios from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) complaints database, where a score of 1.00 is considered the baseline and anything below is a low complaint volume while anything above is considered a high volume.
- Overall customer satisfaction ratings from J.D. Power's U.S. Auto Insurance Study, where companies are scored out of 1,000.
- AM Best financial ratings were used to indicate financial stability, where the best possible score is A++.
Compare California high-risk driver car insurance rates with other states
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