The Cheapest Auto Insurance Companies in Modesto, California, in 2025
USAA and Root offer average rates as low as $97, but your personal rates could be much different.
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Nick Versaw leads Compare.com's editorial department, where he and his team specialize in crafting helpful, easy-to-understand content about car insurance and other related topics. With nearly a decade of experience writing and editing insurance and personal finance articles, his work has helped readers discover substantial savings on necessary expenses, including insurance, transportation, health care, and more. As an award-winning writer, Nick has seen his work published in countless renowned publications, such as the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and U.S. News & World Report. He graduated with Latin honors from Virginia Commonwealth University, where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Digital Journalism.
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Reviewed byJohn Leach
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John LeachLicensed Insurance Agent
John Leach is a licensed insurance agent who reviews and fact-checks articles for Compare.com. John has several years of experience reviewing and editing various insurance topics, and he also holds a valid personal lines producer license from the California Department of Insurance (NPN #20461358).
He’s also an alumnus of the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in linguistics.
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Table of contents
Modesto drivers pay an average of $169 per month for car insurance, based on our research. But don’t worry — several companies offer rates well below this citywide average.
USAA stands out as the most affordable option, with an average liability rate of just $97 per month. Root and Sun Coast round out the top three cheapest insurers in the city, according to Compare.com data.
In the following article, we’ll explore the cheapest insurance companies for various driver types, how to pick the right insurer, and ways to save on your Modesto car insurance.
Key Takeaways
USAA offers Modesto’s lowest average rate, at $97 per month.
Modesto’s average rates are $234 per month for full coverage and $105 for basic liability.
California requires drivers to have at least 30/60/15 in liability coverage.
Disclaimer: Our editorial team created this article with the help of highly trained generative AI tools. Additionally, multiple insurance experts — including at least one licensed agent — have rigorously reviewed, fact-checked, and edited every word and data point you see here.
We write, edit, and review all the content on Compare.com according to our strict editorial standards, regardless of how we created it. Learn more about our editorial process.
The Cheapest Car Insurance Companies in Modesto, California
Even with Modesto’s higher-than-average rates, you can still find affordable coverage.
Check out the table below for the cheapest insurers in Modesto, based on Compare.com data.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Tuesday, April 1 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Company  | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| USAA | $97 |
| Root | $100 |
| Sun Coast | $101 |
| Anchor | $105 |
| Mercury | $105 |
| Dairyland | $109 |
| Direct Auto | $109 |
| National General | $116 |
| GEICO | $130 |
| Allstate | $134 |
| Farmers | $138 |
| State Farm | $150 |
| Travelers | $157 |
| Bristol West | $159 |
| 21st Century | $171 |
| Nationwide | $210 |
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Compare.com's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
USAA comes out on top, with a monthly liability rate of $97.
Still, that doesn’t mean it’ll be the cheapest option for your unique driving profile. With that in mind, let’s break down the most affordable companies for different driver profiles and coverage types.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Modesto by Driver and Coverage Type
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While the companies above are a good starting point, your rates can vary quite a bit based on personal factors like age, driving history, where you live, and more.
With that in mind, the table below shows the cheapest companies for various backgrounds and coverages, according to our data.
Driver/Coverage Type | Cheapest Insurer | Insurer’s Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|
| State-minimum coverage | USAA | $97 |
| Full coverage | Mercury | $181 |
| Teens | Root | $163 |
| Seniors | USAA | $75 |
| Drivers with a speeding ticket | USAA | $121 |
| Drivers with an at-fault accident | USAA | $123 |
| Drivers with a DUI | Root | $141 |
| Drivers with excellent credit | USAA | $98 |
| Drivers with poor credit | USAA | $117 |
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Compare.com's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Now, let’s dive into each driver and coverage type in more detail.
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California requires drivers to have at least 30/60/15 in liability insurance (more on that later). In Modesto, the average rate for this type of basic coverage is $105 per month, according to Compare.com data.
But keep in mind that most experts suggest getting more coverage than the state-minimum limits to ensure you have proper protection.[1]
Still, if you need basic coverage that only meets California’s requirements, here are the five cheapest options, according to our research.
Average Liability Rates by Company
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Compare.com's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.Most drivers should think about full coverage for more all-around protection — especially if you can’t afford to repair or replace your car out of your own pocket. This type of policy doesn’t have a standard definition, but it usually includes collision and comprehensive coverage on top of your state’s minimum requirements.
Additionally, if you finance or lease your car, your lender will likely require you to have full coverage.[2]
Our research found that full coverage costs an average of $234 per month in Modesto.
Here are the five most affordable insurers for full coverage, according to Compare.com data:
Average Full-Coverage Rates by Company
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Compare.com's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.Teen drivers face some of the highest insurance rates because of their lack of experience and higher chance of getting into accidents. For example, research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows teens are nearly three times as likely to be in a fatal crash as drivers over 20.[3] That alone can increase rates dramatically.
Nationwide, the average teen pays almost twice as much as someone 20 or older. In Modesto, teens pay an average of $324 per month, but you can still find decent rates with the right insurer.
With that in mind, here are the five cheapest insurers for Modesto teens:
Average Rates for Teens
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Compare.com's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.On the opposite end of the spectrum, senior drivers often enjoy the lowest rates of any age group. This is largely thanks to their years of driving experience and tendency to drive less, especially at night.[4]
In Modesto, seniors pay an average of $133 per month, but savvy seniors can get an even better deal if they know where to look.
The chart below shows the five most affordable insurers for senior drivers in Modesto, according to our data.
Average Rates for Seniors
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Compare.com's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.Getting a ticket can bump up your rates when you renew your policy. That’s because tickets and other moving violations suggest you’re more likely to file claims in the future.[5]
Our research shows that even one speeding ticket causes average rates to go up by 28% nationwide. In Modesto, people with a recent ticket pay an average of $217 per month, while drivers with a clean record pay just $169. But again, some insurers offer lower rates — including those in the table below.
Average Rates With a Ticket
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Compare.com's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.Causing an accident can lead to an even bigger rate increase because it tells insurers you’re more likely to file claims down the road. In fact, our research shows that one at-fault accident causes average rates to jump by 33% nationwide.
In Modesto, people with a recent at-fault accident pay an average of $216 per month, according to our research. But you can often find better deals with one of these five insurers:
Average Rates With an Accident
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Compare.com's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.A DUI conviction leads to the biggest increase in car insurance rates of any incident — our research shows that average rates go up by 59% nationwide after a single DUI. On top of those already high rates, getting a DUI can make it tough to find coverage at all.[6]
Some insurers focus on high-risk drivers, including people with DUIs. In Modesto, drivers with DUIs pay an average of $249 per month. But that doesn’t mean you’re necessarily stuck with sky-high rates.
For example, the five insurers highlighted in the chart below tend to offer policies for much less.
Average Rates With a DUI
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Compare.com's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
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California Auto Insurance Requirements
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California, like most states, requires all drivers to have car insurance if they want to legally drive in the state. These minimum limits include:[7]
Bodily injury liability: $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident
Property damage liability: $15,000 per accident
You can find more information about these requirements from the California Department of Insurance.
Is minimum coverage enough in Modesto?
Most experts suggest getting more coverage than the state’s minimum limits. And lenders require comprehensive and collision coverage if you finance or lease your car.
Imagine this hypothetical scenario: You cause an accident that results in $50,000 in property damage — totally plausible with the average new car approaching that figure.[8] With only $15,000 in coverage, you’d be on the hook for the remaining $35,000. That could put your assets at risk, even leading to potential financial ruin.
Modesto Auto Insurance FAQs
Here are answers to some common questions about car insurance in Modesto:
What’s the cheapest auto insurance company in Modesto?
USAA offers the lowest average rate in Modesto, at $97 per month, according to our research.
How much is car insurance in Modesto?
The average car insurance rate in Modesto is $169 per month, with liability coverage running about $105 and full coverage costing an average of $234.
Are auto insurance rates in Modesto high?
Yes, Modesto’s rates are higher than the national average due to local factors such as population density, traffic patterns, and crime rates.[9]
What’s the best insurer in Modesto?
A few of the best auto insurers in California include AAA, CONNECT by American Family, and State Farm, according to J.D. Power’s latest auto insurance study.[10]
How much car insurance coverage does California require?
California requires drivers to have at least 30/60/15 in liability coverage. That means $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident for bodily injury, as well as $15,000 for property damage.
Methodology
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.
Sources
- Insurance Information Institute. "How much auto coverage do I need?."
- National Association of Insurance Commissioners. "What You Should Know About Auto Insurance Coverage."
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Risk Factors for Teen Drivers."
- Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. "Older drivers."
- Insurance Information Institute. "Do auto insurance premiums go up after a claim?."
- Insurance Information Institute. "What if I can't find auto coverage?."
- California DMV. "Auto Insurance Requirements."
- Kelley Blue Book. "Average New Car Price Tumbling."
- Insurance Information Institute. "Facts + Statistics: Auto insurance."
- J.D. Power. "2024 U.S. Auto Insurance Study."
About Compare.com
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