Coverage Watch does not have a financial relationship with any car insurance companies and quote providers. Everything displayed on the site is completely free from bias and based on legitimate data.
Get Cheap Car Insurance in California
We monitor insurance prices, helping the average driver in California save up to 33.7% on car insurance.
The Cheapest Minimum Coverage in California
The chart below shows the cheapest car insurance company in California for a driver with a good record seeking minimum coverage on a mid-grade used vehicle. Values are estimated, and premiums may be lower or higher, but should be in an accurate order for a good driver. In general, drivers with good records will get the best prices through Metromile, followed by Geico, Progressive, and Travelers.
| California Insurer | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Metromile | $68 |
| Geico | $76 |
| Progressive | $82 |
| Travelers | $84 |
Savings for Every Kind of California Driver
Based on our extensive insurance data, we know the average California driver will save about 32% on car insurance. This isn’t marketing: this is unbiased data with no financial influence. The best auto insurance company depends on factors such as your driving record, home location, marital status, and age. The average driver will find themselves saving $860 per year by choosing the right vehicle insurance company. Some California residents are paying out over $2,691 extra every year for auto insurance in California. That cost may be even higher if you haven’t requested a new quote as your life situation changed.
Situation |
California Savings / Yr. |
|---|---|
$860 |
|
$1,576 |
|
$1,246 |
|
$2,190 |
|
$1,124 |
|
$488 |
|
$0 |
California Car Insurance vs. the United States
People living in California pay an average of 34.01% more than the typical driver in the nation. The average driver in California can expect to pay about $1,260 per year, or $2,691 for full coverage.
Based on our analysis, Metromile will be the cheapest provider in California for most people.
Car Insurance Prices by California Neighborhood
Insurance Prices
Where is insurance cheapest within California?
The map shows insurance prices in and around California, with more expensive areas in red and places with cheaper car insurance in green. Insurance can vary by as much as $1,295 per year within the state boundaries, with insurance premiums ranging from a high of $2,996 to a low of $1,701. Insurance prices tend to be higher for those living in the South area, and lower for those with homes in the North parts of California.Pick the Best Car Insurance Company for You in California
The best car insurance provider for most drivers in California
For drivers with clean driving records and no major strikes, Metromile is the best option, with annual savings of $860 over the average California car insurance company.
The best car insurance provider for California drivers with accidents on their records
In our analysis, Metromile saved the average person who had been in an accident the most, with annual savings averaging $1,576 over the competition.
The best car insurance company for California drivers with speeding tickets
>Metromile gave the average person with a speeding ticket the most savings, averaging $1,246 better than other car insurance companies.
The best auto insurance for California drivers with a DUI conviction
Getting a quote from Mercury Insurance may cost the average person with a DUI about $2,190 less each year.
The least expensive car insurance company for new and young drivers in California
In California, State Farm costs young drivers $1,124 less each year versus the average auto insurance bill.
The best marriage discounts for vehicle insurance in California
Progressive gave the largest car insurance discounts to married couples, averaging $488 saved each year compared to an average California couple's premiums.
The cheapest car insurance in California for drivers with bad credit
The best California car insurance company for customer service
Nationwide was the best company for customer service in California according to the NAIC.
Recent price drops
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The cheapest large national provider in California
For customers who prefer to work with large national providers, we recommend Allstate for pricing. The average California driver can expect to pay about $129 per month.
What About USAA?
JD power consistently ranks USAA as the top car insurance company in the United States. We don’t compare their rates because most people can’t sign up. USAA only allows active military members and their spouses and children to apply. In California, USAA has the best prices for good drivers, drivers with a DUI conviction, drivers with speeding tickets, young drivers, and drivers with accidents.Auto Insurance Prices in and Around California
What Influences the Cost of Car Insurance in California?
On average, car insurance in California is more expensive than the rest of the nation. These high prices are no mystery to us. Coverage Watch tracks car insurance costs and uses a complex AI that finds related variables, and has determined car insurance prices in the state are influenced by the following factors:
- The average commute time in California is 37 minutes, which is far more than average for a driver in the nation.
- California state insurance regulations may require higher prices.
- An average of 0 weeks with snow on the ground, which impacts accident rates.
- Marriage rates in California are among the lowest in the nation, and marriage often results in car insurance discounts.
- Vehicle theft rates in the area are very high, with a Vehicle Theft Crime Grade of D- according to CrimeGrade.org.
- California is a fairly densely populated area in the nation. The state’s density could result in a price increase for drivers.
As a result of these and other factors, the average cost of car insurance in California is $105 per month for minimum coverage and $224 per month for full coverage. Costs vary widely based on your situation, and will likely be lower if you have a clean driving record and follow our insurance company research to find the best car insurance company for you.
Car Insurance in Nearby States
- Nevada: Insurance costs 25.79% more
- Arizona: Insurance costs 18.39% less
- Utah: Insurance costs 49.80% less
- Oregon: Insurance costs 43.59% less
- Idaho: Insurance costs 68.26% less
- New Mexico: Insurance costs 44.04% less
- Washington: Insurance costs 51.10% less
- Colorado: Insurance costs 11.41% less
- Wyoming: Insurance costs 39.50% less
- Montana: Insurance costs 34.93% less
States with Similar Populations
- Alaska: Insurance costs 53.10% less
- Hawaii: Insurance costs 53.99% less
- Arkansas: Insurance costs 29.77% less
- Florida: Insurance costs 73.10% more
- Louisiana: Insurance costs 125.12% more
- Maine: Insurance costs 77.81% less
- Massachusetts: Insurance costs 40.17% less
- Minnesota: Insurance costs 36.05% less
- Montana: Insurance costs 34.93% less
- Wisconsin: Insurance costs 67.67% less