Average Cost of Car Insurance in California
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Written byMandy Sleight
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Mandy Sleight has over 15 years of insurance knowledge and expertise in auto, home, life, health, pet, supplemental benefits, and other insurance products. She’s a sought-after insurance expert, appearing in Bankrate.com, Moneygeek.com, U.S. News & World Report, Reviews.com, CNET, and other publications, and she's been writing for Compare.com since 2023.
Mandy uses her background and experience working for well-known insurance companies like State Farm and Nationwide Insurance to create engaging and easy-to-understand content that helps readers make smarter insurance choices that have a positive effect on their budgets and finances.
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Edited byLequita Westbrooks
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Lequita WestbrooksSenior Editor
Lequita Westbrooks is an insurance editor at Compare.com. Her writing and editing experiences span several industries, including insurance, personal finance, higher education, and more. She excels at explaining complex topics like auto insurance in simple, easy-to-understand language and is passionate about helping readers save money. Lequita graduated from the University of South Florida, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in English.
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The average cost of car insurance in California is $159 per month. But this is just a broad average to give you an idea of what you might pay for auto insurance. We analyzed California auto insurance rates to help you understand how factors like coverage levels, age, driving record, and vehicle make and model can affect your costs.
Read on to learn more about how much car insurance costs in California and how you can get the best car insurance for your unique situation.
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How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in California?
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California is one of the most expensive states to live in, but when it comes to car insurance, its rates are about the same as the national averages.
The table below shows California’s overall averages and how much you can expect to pay for liability-only and full coverage, according to Compare.com data.
Area | Average Monthly Premium: Liability | Average Monthly Premium: Full Coverage | Average Monthly Premium: All Policies |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $113 | $205 | $159 |
| National Average | $106 | $210 | $158 |
Drivers in California pay an average of $113 per month for liability-only insurance and $205 for full coverage — just a few bucks different from national average rates.
Liability and policies cover other drivers when you cause an accident, but full coverage is more robust (and more expensive) because it typically includes comprehensive and collision coverages. These coverages pay for your vehicle damage and injuries.
Remember, these averages don’t necessarily indicate what you’ll pay for car insurance. After all, rates can vary substantially from one driver to the next because of factors like age, vehicle, coverage levels, and more.
In the next section, we’ll cover a better way to estimate your potential costs.
How to estimate your car insurance costs in California
Several factors affect how much you pay for auto insurance. A few of the most notable ones are your driving record, claims history, coverage level, and ZIP code. The best way to get an accurate estimate of your insurance costs is to get personalized car insurance quotes from different companies.
Understanding the average rates for drivers like you can help you quickly determine which company offers the best value for your money. We’ll take a closer look at what you could pay based on various factors in the next sections.
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Average California Car Insurance Rates by Coverage Level
The coverage you choose has a significant effect on how much you pay for car insurance. Liability coverage that meets California’s minimum auto insurance requirements is the cheapest insurance policy you can buy. But buying a liability-only policy can leave you financially vulnerable. Any damages you cause that exceed your policy limits are your responsibility.
That’s why many insurance experts recommend purchasing higher limits or full coverage to protect yourself (especially if you can’t afford to fix or replace your car). Comprehensive and collision cover your vehicle damage regardless of fault. Uninsured motorist coverage also comes in handy if someone hits you and doesn’t have insurance or enough to cover your damages.
California’s minimum auto insurance requirements
The California Department of Insurance requires all drivers to have the following minimum coverage limits:
$15,000 per person in bodily injury liability (BI) coverage
$30,000 per accident in BI coverage
$5,000 per accident in property damage liability (PD) coverage
Keep in mind these requirements will increase to 30/60/15, respectively, in January 2025.
Average California Car Insurance Rates by Age
Age is another important factor affecting car insurance rates. Teen drivers pay the most because of their lack of experience, which puts them at a higher risk of getting into accidents. But fortunately, your rates should decrease as you gain experience behind the wheel, especially if you keep a clean driving record.
We’ve broken down the average rates by age group in California and how they compare to the national average in the table below.
Age Group | Statewide Average Monthly Premium | National Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Teens | $252 | $232 |
| 20s | $193 | $156 |
| 30s | $149 | $124 |
| 40s | $142 | $117 |
| 50s | $136 | $104 |
| 60s | $124 | $99 |
| 70s | $127 | $103 |
We found that drivers in every age group pay more than the national average in California. And seniors in their 60s and 70s pay the least for car insurance.
Let’s see what effect different driving records have on rates.
Average California Car Insurance Rates by Driving Record
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One of the most defining rate factors insurers use to determine car insurance premiums is your driving record. It’s also one of the few factors you can control. High-risk drivers pay higher rates, and insurance companies consider people with accidents, tickets, and DUIs on the records as riskier to insure.
Here’s a breakdown of average premiums for different driving records in California compared to the national averages.
Driving Record | Statewide Average Monthly Premium | National Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Clean record | $147 | $135 |
| Recent speeding ticket | $226 | $171 |
| Recent at-fault accident | $215 | $181 |
| DUI | $228 | $203 |
Our analysis shows that Californians with clean driving records get the best rates. They pay an average annual premium of $1,764, or $147 per month. Monthly averages are nearly identical for having a speeding ticket and a DUI, but they’re still much higher than rates for people with clean records.
Average California Car Insurance Rates by City
Where you live — even down to your ZIP code — is another major factor car insurance companies consider when determining your rate. Crime rates, medical expenses, vehicle repair costs, weather patterns, and population density vary by city. So, your premiums could differ drastically from someone who lives in another area.
Here are the average monthly premiums for California’s top five most populated cities, according to our analysis.
City | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| Fresno | $162 |
| Los Angeles | $209 |
| San Diego | $137 |
| San Francisco | $165 |
| San Jose | $152 |
Los Angeles has the largest population in California and the highest average monthly premium, at $209, according to our data. With over 2 million fewer people than Los Angeles, San Diego has the cheapest rates, at $137 per month.
Average California Car Insurance Rates by Vehicle Make and Model
The car you drive, including its age, make, and model, greatly affects your auto insurance premiums — something to think about when shopping for your next vehicle. Repair costs, parts prices and availability, and the vehicle’s value all factor into pricing for various makes and models.
We broke down the average rates for bestselling vehicles in several classes to show how rates vary by vehicle in California.
Vehicle Make and Model | Vehicle Type | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Ford F-150 | Full-size truck | $152 |
| Toyota RAV4 | Crossover SUV | $164 |
| Tesla Model Y | EV | $268 |
| Toyota Camry | Sedan | $168 |
| Toyota Tacoma | Mid-size truck | $163 |
| Toyota Corolla | Compact | $164 |
| Jeep Grand Cherokee | Mid-size SUV | $153 |
The Ford F-150 has the cheapest average premium in California, at $152 per month, according to our analysis. The Tesla Model Y is the most expensive car to insure, at $268 per month.
How to Get Cheaper Car Insurance in California
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Don’t resign yourself to paying higher costs for car insurance. Here are some ways to save on auto insurance in California:
Get a quote before buying a new car: That new sports car might look nice, but newer models are often more expensive to insure than older cars. We found electric vehicles to be the most expensive option.
Participate in a telematics program: If you’re a safe driver, usage-based insurance might be for you. Some insurers offer discounts if you’re a safe driver.
Ask your agent about discounts: One of the easiest ways to save money without changing your coverage is to apply discounts to your insurance policy. Ask your insurance company about available discounts and what you qualify for.
Compare car insurance quotes: Get car insurance quotes from multiple (at least three) California insurance companies each time your policy renews to get the best deal.
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Cheapest Auto Insurance Companies in California
Finding the right car insurance company for your specific needs is the key to getting the best pricing. But it can be more challenging to find affordable rates if you have a blemish on your driving record, have poor credit, or are in a high-risk age group. Luckily, some companies offer cheaper rates than California’s average monthly premium.
The table below outlines the cheapest auto insurer with its average monthly rate for various coverage and driver types.
Coverage/Driver Type | Cheapest Company | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|
| All policies | Clearcover | $101 |
| Liability insurance | Clearcover | $67 |
| Full coverage | Clearcover | $135 |
| Teens | Clearcover | $171 |
| Seniors | Clearcover | $93 |
| Drivers with a recent accident | Clearcover | $162 |
| Drivers with a DUI | Clearcover | $151 |
| Drivers with poor credit | Mercury | $138 |
Clearcover has the cheapest average rates for most California driver types and coverages. But Mercury offers the lowest rates to Californians with bad credit, averaging $138 per month, according to Compare.com data.
FAQs About California Auto Insurance Costs
We answered the most common questions about auto insurance rates in the Golden State.
How much is car insurance in California per month?
The average car insurance rate in California is $159 per month, according to Compare.com data. California drivers pay an average of $113 for liability-only coverage, while full-coverage car insurance averages $205 per month.
Why is car insurance in California so expensive?
Inflation is one of the biggest factors for why California car insurance is so expensive. Auto insurers pay more for claims due to higher repair costs, and used cars are retaining their value much better than they used to. Insurers offset the more expensive losses with higher insurance premiums.
How much is car insurance in California for a 20-year-old?
The average cost of auto insurance in California for a 20-year-old is $230 per month, according to our analysis. Young drivers typically see their rates decrease as they get older and gain more experience behind the wheel.
What’s the No. 1 car insurance company in California?
The best car insurance companies in California vary by driver, coverage needs, and what you’re looking for in an insurer. We found that Clearcover offers the cheapest car insurance for many driver profiles in California. But AAA ranks the highest in California in the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Auto Insurance Study.
Sources:
World Population Review, “Cost of Living Index by State 2024,” accessed July 17, 2024.
National Association of Insurance Commissioners, “2019/2020 Auto Insurance Database Report,” accessed July 17, 2024.
California Department of Insurance, “Financial Responsibility (Insurance) Requirements for Vehicle Registration, “accessed July 17, 2024.
World Population Review, “California Cities by Population (2024),” accessed July 17, 2024.
J.D. Power, “2024 U.S. Auto Insurance Study,” accessed July 16, 2024.
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Mandy SleightInsurance Writer
Mandy Sleight has over 15 years of insurance knowledge and expertise in auto, home, life, health, pet, supplemental benefits, and other insurance products. She’s a sought-after insurance expert, appearing in Bankrate.com, Moneygeek.com, U.S. News & World Report, Reviews.com, CNET, and other publications, and she's been writing for Compare.com since 2023.
Mandy uses her background and experience working for well-known insurance companies like State Farm and Nationwide Insurance to create engaging and easy-to-understand content that helps readers make smarter insurance choices that have a positive effect on their budgets and finances.
Lequita WestbrooksSenior Editor
Lequita Westbrooks is an insurance editor at Compare.com. Her writing and editing experiences span several industries, including insurance, personal finance, higher education, and more. She excels at explaining complex topics like auto insurance in simple, easy-to-understand language and is passionate about helping readers save money. Lequita graduated from the University of South Florida, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in English.