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, Progressive provides affordable car insurance for high-risk drivers with bad driving record in California.

Traffic infractions, accidents and DUIs wind up on your driving record, meaning you'll pay higher car insurance rates in addition to any fines assessed. While most violations only affect your insurance rates for a few years, a DUI may affect rates for a decade and never be removed from your record.

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?

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.

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?

While many insurers offer coverage after a DUI, Mercury Insurance provides the average cheapest coverage for $3,616 annually.

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?

The cheapest insurer for drivers with multiple tickets is Mercury Insurance, with rates averaging $2,893 annually or $241 monthly.

One ticket will affect car insurance rates, but multiple tickets will increase rates by a lot more. Repeated failure to obey speed limits and traffic laws means insurers are more likely to pay claims because of your 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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Key insight

Two minor tickets can sometimes cost you more on insurance in the end than one major violation.

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

GEICO offers the most affordable rates for drivers with reckless driving convictions, averaging $3,466 per year.

Engaging in driving behaviors that put others at risk can lead to a reckless driving charge. A conviction for reckless driving results in higher car insurance rates.

The table below compares car insurance premiums for drivers with a clean record and those with 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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Key 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 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 usually pay higher insurance premiums than drivers with a clean record. A single accident can raise your rates, and multiple accidents can push them even higher.

This table shows car insurance rates for drivers with a clean record, a single 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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Key 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 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

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

Finding affordable car insurance in California is possible, even with a bad driving record. Ways to lower car insurance rates include:

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.

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.

Are California's insurance requirements for high-risk drivers?

If you're a high-risk driver in California, you might need to file an SR-22. This is a form that your car insurance company sends in to show you have the required minimum insurance coverage. The court will let you know how long you need to keep the SR-22.

An SR-22 isn't a type of insurance; it's just a form. You don't need special coverage, but your rates might be higher because you're considered high-risk. Also, not all insurance companies offer coverage 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: