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Danny Smith is a licensed property and casualty insurance agent who has written for Compare.com since 2024. A former insurance editor, he specializes in auto, home, and pet insurance. He works to translate his insurance expertise into digestible, easy-to-understand content for drivers, homeowners, and pet owners alike.
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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 Berkeley, California, is $197 per month, according to Compare.com data. Berkeley car insurance rates may be higher than average for multiple reasons, including rising costs associated with accidents and claims and increased car repair costs due to supply chain issues and labor shortages.[1]
Thankfully, the city is home to many insurance companies with rates below the statewide average. Berkeley drivers can find the cheapest average rates with USAA, Root, and Sun Coast.
This guide covers everything you need to know to get cheap car insurance in Berkeley, including how to pick a company, the best insurers for different types of drivers, and tips to save money.
Berkeley drivers pay an average monthly rate of $116 for liability coverage and $279 for full coverage.
California requires drivers to have 30/60/15 in minimum liability insurance to drive legally.[2]
USAA has the cheapest rates in Berkeley, with an average rate of $113 per month.
Regardless of the average car insurance rates in Berkeley, you can still find ways to save on your policy. Many companies in Berkeley offer rates below the citywide average.
If you’re not sure which company is right for you, check out the table below for some of the cheapest car insurance companies in Berkeley, according to our research.
Company  | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| USAA | $113 |
| Root | $116 |
| Sun Coast | $118 |
| Anchor | $122 |
| Mercury | $122 |
| Dairyland | $126 |
| Direct Auto | $128 |
| National General | $135 |
| GEICO | $151 |
| Allstate | $157 |
| Farmers | $161 |
| State Farm | $175 |
| Travelers | $182 |
| Bristol West | $186 |
| 21st Century | $199 |
USAA is the cheapest company in Berkeley, with an average monthly rate of $113. But this is only an average rate — you may find that other insurers offer cheaper rates given your unique driver profile.
The following sections will take a look at the best insurance companies in Berkeley for various types of drivers.
Compare personalized quotes from top insurers in Berkeley, California.
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While the companies above are a great place to start your car insurance search, keep in mind that car insurance rates vary widely based on numerous factors. Your age, location, driving record, and more influence what you pay.
The table below highlights the cheapest car insurance companies for different types of drivers and coverages, according to Compare.com data.
Driver/Coverage Type | Cheapest Insurer | Insurer’s Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|
| State-minimum coverage | USAA | $113 |
| Full coverage | Mercury | $210 |
| Teens | Root | $191 |
| Seniors | USAA | $87 |
| Drivers with a speeding ticket | USAA | $142 |
| Drivers with an at-fault accident | USAA | $144 |
| Drivers with a DUI | Root | $165 |
Below, we’ll dive into more detail about the best insurers for different coverage levels, driver types, and driving records.
The average cost of state-minimum car insurance coverage in Berkeley is $116 per month, according to Compare.com data.
While California only requires liability insurance, most insurance experts recommend buying more coverage. Liability coverage only applies to the other driver’s damages, leaving you financially vulnerable to additional costs if the other driver’s damages exceed your liability limits.
The chart below shows the five cheapest car insurance companies in Berkeley for state-minimum coverage, according to Compare.com data.
Most drivers should consider full-coverage car insurance. It offers much more thorough protection than liability coverage. Full-coverage policies include state-minimum liability coverage, as well as collision insurance and comprehensive coverage.
Collision coverage pays for damages resulting from a collision with another car or object, such as a mailbox or fence. Comprehensive coverage pays for damages from non-collision incidents, such as severe weather or vandalism. Though full coverage is optional, your lender will likely require you to have it if you have a car lease or loan.
The average cost of full-coverage car insurance in Berkeley is $279 per month. The chart below showcases the five cheapest car insurance companies in Berkeley for full coverage, according to Compare.com research.
Teen drivers often pay the most expensive car insurance rates due to their lack of experience behind the wheel, and this holds true in Berkeley. Insurers consider teens some of the riskiest drivers and expect them to file claims more than most other age groups.
Studies show that teenagers are almost four times as likely to get into a car accident as drivers 20 and older, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).[3] Auto insurers account for this extra risk by charging higher premiums.
The average cost of car insurance for teens in Berkeley is $380 per month, according to Compare.com data. The chart below shows the five cheapest car insurance companies in Berkeley for teen drivers.
Seniors often pay the lowest rates of any age group due to their decades of driving experience. Insurers consider senior drivers less likely to file a claim and less risky, so they charge them lower rates. That said, as senior drivers get older, they may see rates increase again as physical impairments come into play.
The average cost of car insurance for senior drivers in Berkeley is $153 per month, according to Compare.com data. The chart below shows the five cheapest car insurance companies for senior drivers in Berkeley.
Berkeley drivers with clean driving records always pay the cheapest rates of anyone in the city. If you get a ticket, you’ll likely face increased premiums. Our research shows that even a single speeding ticket causes rates to increase by an average of 25% in California.
The average rate for Berkeley drivers with a recent ticket is $256 per month, according to Compare.com data. The chart below highlights the five cheapest car insurance companies for drivers with a recent ticket in Berkeley.
Causing a car accident will also likely result in higher insurance premiums. That’s because it shows insurers that you’re more likely to file a claim than drivers with clean records. Our data shows that even a single at-fault accident causes rates to increase by an average of 27% in California.
The average rate for drivers with an at-fault accident in Berkeley is $253 per month, according to Compare.com data. The chart below shows the five cheapest car insurance companies in Berkeley for drivers with at-fault accidents.
Driving under the influence (DUI) will cause your car insurance rates to spike more than any other violation. Our research shows that rates increase by an average of 53% in California for drivers after a single DUI offense. In some cases, insurance companies can refuse coverage after a DUI.
The average cost of car insurance for Berkeley drivers with a DUI conviction is $292, according to Compare.com data. The chart below highlights the five cheapest car insurance companies in Berkeley for drivers with a DUI.
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Like almost every state in the country, California requires all drivers to purchase car insurance before getting behind the wheel. Here are the minimum coverage limits you’ll need before hitting the road:
$30,000 per person in bodily injury liability coverage
$60,000 per accident in bodily injury liability coverage
$15,000 per accident in property damage liability coverage
You must always have proof of insurance with you in your vehicle to present to law enforcement. If you’re struggling to find affordable liability coverage, low-cost car insurance is available to drivers who meet certain criteria through California’s Low Cost Auto Insurance program.
To learn more about California car insurance requirements and resources, visit the California State DMV website.
While minimum coverage is enough to satisfy Berkeley’s legal requirements, you should consider getting more coverage.
If you cause a serious car crash, the vehicle repair and medical costs can add up quickly for both you and the other driver. Liability coverage doesn’t even cover your damages. That’s why insurance experts strongly suggest buying coverage above the state’s minimum limits.
Full-coverage car insurance is typically what experts recommend for maximum protection. It includes liability insurance as well as collision and comprehensive coverage. If you lease or have a loan on your vehicle, your lender will often require you to have full coverage anyway.
Compare personalized quotes and get cheaper rates in minutes.
Check out the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about Berkeley auto insurance to make sure you get the right policy.
USAA is the cheapest auto insurance company in Berkeley, with an average liability rate of $113 per month, according to Compare.com data. Remember, your actual rate will depend on many personal factors, so comparing quotes is key to finding your best price.
Car insurance in Berkeley costs an average of $197 per month, according to Compare.com data. Berkeley drivers pay an average of $116 per month for liability coverage and $279 for full coverage.
Yes, $200 can be a lot for car insurance in California. But your rate will depend on factors like your city, age, driving history, and coverage levels. For context, the Golden State’s average rate is $166 per month, according to our data. Drivers pay $102 for basic liability insurance and $230 for full coverage, on average.
What you should expect to pay for car insurance depends on a number of factors, including your age, location, and driving history. In Berkeley, the average driver pays $197 per month for car insurance.
If you’re an excellent driver with no accident history or a senior under the age of 70, you can expect to pay lower rates. But if you have numerous infractions on your driving record or you’re a teen driver, you can expect to pay more.
You can lower your auto insurance costs in a number of ways, including maintaining a clean driving record, buying a safe vehicle, and comparing quotes from multiple insurers before buying a policy. Every driver is different, so it pays to shop around for the insurer that fits best with your budget and coverage needs.
Data scientists at Compare.com analyzed more than 50 million real-time auto insurance quotes from more than 75 partner insurers in order to compile the rates and statistics seen in this article. Compare.com’s auto insurance data includes coverage analysis and details on drivers’ vehicles, driving records, insurance histories, and demographic information.
All the rates listed in this article have been collected from a combination of real Compare.com quotes and external insurance rate data gathered in collaboration with Quadrant Information Services. Compare.com uses these observations to provide readers with insights into how auto insurance companies determine their premiums.
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Compare.com's #1 goal is to save you money. We publish resources that are based on hard-hitting data and years of industry experience to help you make more informed decisions with your wallet.
Learn more about us, our team, and what makes us tick.
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Danny Smith is a licensed property and casualty insurance agent who has written for Compare.com since 2024. A former insurance editor, he specializes in auto, home, and pet insurance. He works to translate his insurance expertise into digestible, easy-to-understand content for drivers, homeowners, and pet owners alike.
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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