A.M. Steinbach is a Brooklyn-based writer, editor, and content marketing strategist who has been writing for Compare.com since 2023. He's an expert in breaking down a diverse range of insurance topics into crisp, readable content.
A.M. has worked with major brands in insurance, tech, finance, and healthcare. He also contributes to The Average Joe, a personal finance newsletter that reaches more than 250,000 daily readers, and other notable publications.
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.
Updated
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Table of contents
Drivers in Sacramento pay an average of $175 per month for car insurance, according to Compare.com data. While Sacramento drivers pay more than the national average for car insurance, they can still find affordable policies from companies like Clearcover.
Read on to learn where to find the cheapest car insurance in Sacramento and the best insurers for different types of drivers.
Sacramento drivers pay an average rate of $123 per month for liability-only insurance and $227 per month for full coverage.
Clearcover is the cheapest car insurance company in Sacramento, with an average rate of $111 per month.
California minimum insurance requirements will increase from 15/30/5 to 30/60/15 in 2025.
How Much Is Car Insurance in Sacramento?
Location ▲▼ | Average Monthly Premium: Liability ▲▼ | Average Monthly Premium: Full Coverage ▲▼ | Average Monthly Premium: All Policies ▲▼ |
---|---|---|---|
Sacramento | $123 | $227 | $175 |
California | $113 | $205 | $159 |
National average | $92 | $176 | $135 |
Sacramento drivers pay an overall average of $175 per month for car insurance, according to our Compare.com data. For comparison’s sake, California’s statewide average is $159 per month.
But remember these are just surface-level averages — your driving profile, which includes your age, driving history, ZIP code, and more, will affect your personal rates.
Now, let’s take a look at some of the cheapest car insurance companies in Sacramento.
Sacramento’s Cheapest Car Insurance Companies
Even though Sacramento’s average car insurance rates aren’t cheap, you can still find several companies that offer premiums below the citywide average. The best car insurance company for you will depend on your needs and financial situation.
The table below shows the five cheapest insurers in Sacramento, according to Compare.com data.
Company ▲▼ | Average Monthly Premium ▲▼ |
---|---|
Clearcover | $111 |
Sun Coast | $124 |
Mercury | $130 |
Safeco | $147 |
Anchor General | $153 |
We found that Clearcover offers the cheapest car insurance in Sacramento, at an average rate of $111 per month. But it may not be the cheapest option for you.
In the next section, we’ll highlight some top auto insurers for different types of drivers in Sacramento.
The 3 Best Sacramento Insurance Companies of 2024
While there’s no single best car insurance company for everyone, the following three companies are great options for different types of Sacramento drivers. We chose these companies based on a combination of average rates, available discounts, customer reviews, and selection of insurance products.
Best overall value: Clearcover
Average premium: $111 per month
Compare.com Rating: 3.37 out of 5
Among the lowest rates in Sacramento
Highly rated mobile app
High financial stability rating
Limited discounts available
Gap insurance not available
Only available in 19 states
At $111 per month, Clearcover offers some of the lowest car insurance rates in Sacramento. The company also offers great rates for teens, seniors, and drivers with spotty driving records. Unfortunately, Clearcover doesn’t offer many discounts, so drivers may have a tough time finding additional savings. Luckily, rates are low enough that it shouldn’t be an issue.
Best for minimum coverage: Sun Coast
Average premium: $124 per month
Compare.com Rating: Not rated
Some of the cheapest liability rates in Sacramento
Friendly to drivers with spotty records
Plenty of discounts available
Limited range of coverages
No rideshare coverage
Only available in 11 states
Sacramento drivers pay an average of just $78 per month for Sun Coast’s liability-only insurance policies — the second lowest in Sacramento and just a few dollars more than Clearcover. While Sun Coast has a limited range of coverages on its website, you’re still in luck if you only need liability-only coverage at a reasonable price.
Best for teen drivers: Mercury
Average premium: $130 per month
Compare.com Rating: 4.28 out of 5
Plenty of teen-friendly discounts
Among the cheaper options in the city
Excellent financial strength
Below-average J.D. Power score
Low customer ratings on Better Business Bureau
Only available in 11 states
Mercury also offers some of the cheapest car insurance in Sacramento, with an overall average rate of $130 per month. But it sets itself apart for teens thanks to generous discounts. Students who maintain a GPA above 3.0 will qualify for Mercury’s good student discount and earn lower premiums. And discounts for safe driving and low mileage can help teens save even more.
Cheapest Basic Liability Coverage: Clearcover
Your coverage level is a key factor affecting your car insurance rates. Liability coverage at the state-minimum limits is the cheapest policy available — but it may not be enough for most drivers. If you cause an accident, liability insurance covers the other driver’s medical bills and vehicle repairs — but you’ll still be on the hook financially for your vehicle repairs.
The table below shows the five cheapest liability policies available in Sacramento, according to Compare.com data.
Company ▲▼ | Average Monthly Premium ▲▼ |
---|---|
Clearcover | $74 |
Sun Coast | $78 |
Mercury | $94 |
Anchor General | $101 |
Safeco | $110 |
Clearcover offers the cheapest liability-only coverage in Sacramento, with an average rate of just $74 per month, according to our analysis.
Now, let’s take a look at the cheapest full-coverage policies available in Sacramento.
Cheapest Full-Coverage Insurance: Clearcover
Full-coverage insurance offers more robust coverage than basic liability coverage. That’s because full-coverage policies typically include collision coverage and comprehensive coverage, which pay for your own vehicle’s repairs after a collision or non-collision event (e.g., fire, theft, or severe weather).
The following table highlights the cheapest insurers offering full-coverage policies in Sacramento, according to Compare.com data.
Company ▲▼ | Average Monthly Premium ▲▼ |
---|---|
Clearcover | $149 |
Mercury | $166 |
Sun Coast | $169 |
Safeco | $184 |
Anchor | $205 |
Clearcover’s full-coverage rate of $149 per month is the cheapest in Sacramento, according to our research.
Compare Sacramento Auto Insurance Rates by Age
Your age also plays a major role in how much you pay for car insurance. In general, younger drivers pay the highest rates of all age groups — but rates typically start to go down as you age.
Below are average rates in Sacramento for different age groups, as well as the cheapest insurer for each group, according to Compare.com data.
Age Group ▲▼ | Citywide Average Monthly Premium ▲▼ | Cheapest Insurer ▲▼ | Cheapest Insurer’s Average Monthly Premium ▲▼ |
---|---|---|---|
Teens | $277 | Clearcover | $178 |
20s | $212 | Clearcover | $117 |
30s | $164 | Clearcover | $102 |
40s | $157 | Clearcover | $98 |
50s | $149 | Clearcover | $90 |
60s | $137 | Clearcover | $97 |
70s | $139 | Clearcover | $100 |
Now that we have a better sense of how rates vary by age in Sacramento, let’s take a closer look at the cheapest options for teen drivers and seniors.
Cheapest for teens: Clearcover
Teen drivers pay the highest car insurance premiums because they have a higher rate of serious car accidents, which makes them riskier to insure. Car insurance companies account for this risk by charging them more.
Sacramento teens pay an average of $277 per month for car insurance, according to our data. But this group can find cheaper coverage with Clearcover, at an average of $178 per month.
Cheapest for seniors: Clearcover
On the other end of the spectrum, senior drivers pay the cheapest rates of any age group. After retirement, older drivers don’t usually have a daily commute, so they tend to drive less often. This, plus decades of driving experience, makes them less risky to insure in the eyes of car insurance companies.
Sacramento drivers in their 60s pay $137 per month for car insurance, according to Compare.com data. Clearcover is the cheapest option for this group, with an average rate of $97 per month.
Compare Sacramento Auto Insurance Rates by Driving Record
Your driving record is another significant factor that affects your auto insurance rates. If you get a speeding ticket or at-fault accident on your record, insurers see you as a higher risk and more likely to file insurance claims — and they’ll increase your rates to offset this added risk.
But you can still find more affordable coverage in Sacramento, regardless of your driving record. The table below shows the average monthly premiums for different driving records and the cheapest insurer for each, according to Compare.com data.
Driving Record ▲▼ | Citywide Average Monthly Premium ▲▼ | Cheapest Insurer ▲▼ | Cheapest Insurer’s Average Monthly Premium ▲▼ |
---|---|---|---|
Clean record | $175 | Clearcover | $105 |
Speeding ticket | $249 | Clearcover | $145 |
At-fault accident | $236 | Clearcover | $168 |
DUI | $250 | Clearcover | $157 |
Let’s take a closer look at the cheapest insurers for drivers with each infraction.
Cheapest after a ticket: Clearcover
If an officer catches you speeding, expect your rates to increase. Even one speeding ticket causes car insurance rates to go up by an average of 27% nationally, according to Compare.com data.
In Sacramento, drivers with a ticket pay an average of $249 per month for car insurance. Clearcover is the cheapest option in the city if you have a speeding ticket on your record. The insurer charges an average rate of $145 per month.
Cheapest after an accident: Clearcover
Drivers who cause accidents are more likely to file auto insurance claims, and insurers will almost always raise your rates. An at-fault accident causes average car insurance rates to go up by 34% nationwide, according to Compare.com data.
Sacramento drivers with an accident on their record pay an average of $236 per month for car insurance. Clearcover is the cheapest option in Sacramento for these drivers, with an average rate of $168 per month.
Cheapest after a DUI: Clearcover
Driving under the influence (DUI) is the most serious infraction that will cause your insurance rates to skyrocket. In fact, auto insurance rates increase by an average of 50% nationwide after a DUI conviction, according to Compare.com data.
Drivers in Sacramento with a DUI pay an average of $250 per month for car insurance, but Clearcover offers these drivers the lowest rate, at $157 per month.
California Auto Insurance Requirements
The state of California requires drivers to purchase car insurance at the following minimum limits:
$15,000 in bodily injury liability (BI) per person
$30,000 in BI per accident
$5,000 in property damage liability
But note that California is raising these minimum liability insurance requirements to 30/60/15 starting on Jan. 1, 2025.
If you fail to show proof of insurance, the California DMV will suspend your vehicle’s registration. For more on California’s insurance requirements, visit the California DMV’s site.
How to Get Cheaper Car Insurance in Sacramento
Sacramento’s car insurance rates are relatively expensive, but you can still find ways to lower the cost. Here are five strategies that can help you keep your rates affordable.
Take advantage of discounts: Many insurance companies offer discounts if you bundle auto insurance with home insurance or pay your bills online.
Drive safely: You can also save money if you practice safe driving and go a full policy term without an accident or any tickets.
Choose a safe car: Picking a car with a strong safety record and many advanced safety features typically comes with lower insurance rates.
Raise your deductible: A higher deductible often leads to lower monthly rates, but keep in mind it comes with higher out-of-pocket costs if you file a claim.
Compare quotes: Getting car insurance quotes from at least five insurance companies and comparing them side by side can help you find the best rates.
Sacramento Auto Insurance FAQs
Here are answers to some questions drivers commonly have about car insurance in Sacramento.
Which company has the cheapest car insurance in Sacramento?
Clearcover has the cheapest car insurance rates in Sacramento, with an average monthly rate of $111, according to our analysis. But your rate could be higher or lower depending on personal factors.
How much is car insurance in Sacramento?
Sacramento drivers pay an average car insurance rate of $175 per month, according to Compare.com data. That’s an average of $123 per month for liability coverage and $227 for full coverage.
How much car insurance coverage does California require?
California drivers must purchase a minimum of 15/30/5 insurance: $15,000 in bodily injury liability per person, $30,000 in bodily injury liability per accident, and $5,000 in property damage liability. These minimums will increase to 30/60/15 on Jan. 1, 2025.
What happens if you drive without insurance in Sacramento?
The California DMV will suspend your vehicle registration if you drive without insurance in Sacramento. You won’t be able to drive or park your car on public roadways until you submit proof of insurance.
Why is car insurance so expensive in California?
Several factors drive up car insurance rates in California. A combination of inflation, heavy traffic volume, and rising medical expenses after an accident are leading to more expensive car insurance in the Golden State.
Data 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:
J.D. Power, “2024 U.S. Auto Insurance Study,” accessed October 3, 2024.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Teen Drivers,” accessed October 3, 2024.
Insurance Information Institute, “What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?,” accessed October 3, 2024.
State of California DMV, “Auto Insurance Requirements,” accessed October 3, 2024.
A.M. Steinbach is a Brooklyn-based writer, editor, and content marketing strategist who has been writing for Compare.com since 2023. He's an expert in breaking down a diverse range of insurance topics into crisp, readable content.
A.M. has worked with major brands in insurance, tech, finance, and healthcare. He also contributes to The Average Joe, a personal finance newsletter that reaches more than 250,000 daily readers, and other notable publications.
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.