Cheapest car insurance for high-risk drivers in California

Which company has the cheapest car insurance in California for a bad driving record?

Mercury Insurance, GEICO and Progressive offer some of the cheapest rates for drivers with poor driving records in California. Among them, Mercury Insurance has the lowest average premium at $3,182 annually.

If you have accidents, tickets or a DUI on your record, insurance companies will charge higher rates. Serious violations may affect your premiums for years, especially if you have multiple offenses.

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

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How much is high-risk car insurance in California?

The average cost of high-risk car insurance in California is $5,180 per year. Depending on your driving history and insurer, you may be able to find rates as low as $3,182 annually.

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 one in a school zone, will increase 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.

Average annual car insurance rate for At-fault bodily injury accident in California, CA is $4,779

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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

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Average annual rate

People ask

Who is considered a high-risk driver 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.

What company offers the cheapest car insurance in California after a DUI?

Mercury Insurance offers the cheapest average rate for drivers with multiple tickets at $2,893 annually or $241 monthly.

A DUI is one of the most serious traffic violations to have on your record. Not only do you have to pay fines, but you'll also see vastly higher car insurance rates for up to 10 years. Multiple DUIs will cause your premiums to skyrocket.

The table below compares average car insurance rates with a clean driving record and rates after a DUI in California.

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

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What is the 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

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Expert's Insight Two minor tickets can sometimes cost you more on your insurance than one major violation.

What company offers the cheapest insurance for reckless driving in California?

GEICO has the cheapest average reckless driving insurance rates in California at $3,466 per year. Reckless driving convictions often result in substantial premium increases and fewer coverage options.

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.

The table below compares car insurance rates for drivers with a clean driving record and a reckless driving conviction.

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

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Expert's Insight A reckless driving conviction can limit your car insurance options and significantly raise rates, so shopping around is critical.

What company has the cheapest car insurance in California after an accident?

Mercury Insurance offers the cheapest average post-accident rates in California at $3,563 annually. Progressive also provides relatively affordable rates at $3,600 per 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

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Expert's Insight Accident forgiveness programs can prevent rate increases, but eligibility varies by insurer, and often only minor accidents qualify.

Which city has the cheapest car insurance for high-risk drivers in California?

Portola has the cheapest average high-risk car insurance rates in California at $4,400 per year. In comparison, drivers in Los Angeles pay the highest average rates at $6,754 annually.

Where you live in California also affects car insurance rates. For example, if you live in a high-traffic or high-theft area, rates will increase because your vehicle is more likely to be damaged or stolen.

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

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How can high-risk drivers lower their car insurance rates in California?

High-risk drivers in California can reduce insurance costs by comparing quotes and avoiding additional violations. Many insurers reward safer driving habits over time with lower premiums.

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.
Take a defensive driving course. Many insurance companies offer a discount for completing the class, and some states remove driver's license points for successfully completing it.
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.

What are California's insurance requirements for high-risk drivers?

If you're considered a high-risk driver in California, you may be required to file an SR-22. This form is filled out by your car insurance company, stating that you have at least the minimum required coverage. The court will let you know how long you must file an SR-22.

An SR-22 is not an insurance policy and doesn't require special coverage, but rates are much higher for high-risk drivers, and not all carriers insure such drivers.

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:

Bodily injury liability of $100,000 per person and $300,000 per incident
Property damage liability of $100,000 per incident
Comprehensive and collision deductibles of $500
40-year-old driver
Honda Accord LX
Good credit
A clean driving record
12-mile commute, 10,000 annual mileage

Our data is then adjusted to reflect the rate increase from this base rate for the following infractions and issue:

DUI
Reckless driving
Multiple speeding tickets
Bad credit
One at-fault accident over $2,000

FAQ: High-risk car insurance in California

Can high-risk drivers get full coverage car insurance in California?

Yes, you can get full coverage insurance as a high-risk driver. However, you can expect it to cost a lot more than liability-only coverage.

Does an SR-22 automatically make your insurance more expensive in California?

Not directly. It's the reason you need an SR-22 that will cause the rate increase. An SR-22 is the form the insurance company has to file with the state, and by itself, it doesn't increase your rates.