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Average Cost for Car Insurance in California

• State minimum liability on average in California costs $115 a month or $1,380 a year. Full coverage auto policies costs around $359 a month or $4,308 a year in CA.

_{InsuranceQuotes cost rates are pulled from our real-time auto insurance database from recent quotes in California – Rates are based on a used car driver who is single, middle aged & has a clean driving record. Read on to learn about the cheapest local rates filtered by insurance providers, new cars, vehicle types and age.}

Who Has the Cheapest Car Insurance in California?

GEICO and AAA (TripleA) have the cheapest state minimum liability coverage in California for $52 a month or $620 a year. A full coverage policy would cost $212 a month or $2,540 yearly with those providers.

Several factors influence car insurance costs in California. The primary considerations include the driver’s age, driving record, location, type of vehicle, annual mileage, and coverage options. Additionally, insurers may also consider factors such as credit history, marital status, and gender when calculating premiums.

Across all providers for a driver who is single, middle-aged, with a clean driving record you could expect to pay on average $85 a month or $1,014 yearly for state minimum coverage. Full coverage would cost around $307 a month or $3,682 a year.

Here is a breakdown of average costs from our car insurance costs database for multiple providers:

Compare CA Auto Insurance Costs by City

In California your auto insurance quote rates will vary depending on which city you live in. Insurance providers often have higher policy rates in heavily populated cities like Los Angeles and cheaper rates for residents in more rural densely populated cities. Here is a breakdown of costs for all cities in California for state minimum and full coverage:

How the Type of Car You Drive Affects Insurance Costs

The type of vehicle you own can significantly affect car insurance costs. Insurance companies consider several factors related to the vehicle when determining premiums. Here are some ways different vehicle types can impact car insurance costs:

1. Value and Cost of Repairs: Expensive vehicles or those with high repair costs typically have higher insurance premiums. This is because the insurance company would need to pay more in the event of a claim. Luxury cars, sports cars, and high-end models fall into this category.
2. Safety Features: Vehicles equipped with advanced safety features such as anti-lock brakes, airbags, collision warning systems, and backup cameras are generally considered safer and less prone to accidents. As a result, they may qualify for lower insurance rates due to the reduced risk of injuries or property damage.
3. Vehicle Size and Weight: Larger and heavier vehicles tend to provide better protection in accidents, which can result in lower insurance costs. SUVs and trucks are often seen as safer options compared to smaller vehicles because they offer more occupant protection and can cause less damage to other vehicles in a collision.
4. Performance and Speed: High-performance vehicles, such as sports cars or muscle cars, typically come with higher insurance premiums due to their increased speed capabilities and greater likelihood of being involved in accidents.
5. Theft Rates: Vehicles with higher theft rates or those that are more commonly targeted by thieves can have higher insurance costs. Insurers take into account the risk of theft and the potential for vehicle damage when determining premiums.
6. Crash Test Ratings: Insurance companies may consider the crash test ratings of vehicles as a factor in determining premiums. Vehicles with high safety ratings from organizations such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) are generally seen as less risky to insure.
7. Usage and Mileage: The way you use your vehicle can also impact insurance costs. If you use your car for business purposes, delivery services, or ridesharing, insurance companies may consider it a higher risk and charge higher premiums.

California Insurance Costs for Different Used Vehicle Types:

To determine how much you can expect to pay for your insurance based on vehicle type we averaged multiple cost quotes in CA and pulled data for used vehicles such as a BMW 4 Series, Chevy Bolt, Honda CRV, Nissan Titan, and a Toyota Camry.

California Insurance Costs for New Cars

We pulled cost data for new 2022-2023 vehicles as well to give you an idea of the difference in rates for newer cars vs. a used vehicle.

How Does Age Affect Your Auto Policy Rates in California?

In California, age is a significant factor that influences car insurance costs. Generally, younger drivers tend to face higher insurance premiums compared to older, more experienced drivers. This is primarily because statistics show that younger drivers, particularly teenagers and individuals in their early twenties, are more likely to be involved in accidents due to their limited driving experience and higher risk-taking behavior on the road.

Insurance companies in California consider younger drivers as higher-risk customers, leading to higher premiums to compensate for the increased likelihood of claims. As drivers gain more experience and develop safer driving habits over time, their insurance rates generally decrease.

Here is a breakdown of the average costs for car insurance based on age in California:

California law also recognizes the importance of experience when it comes to car insurance. The state has a Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program, which imposes certain restrictions and requirements on newly licensed drivers under the age of 18. These restrictions, such as curfews and limits on the number of passengers, aim to promote safer driving habits and reduce the risk of accidents among young drivers.

Moreover, insurance providers in California often offer discounts and incentives to older drivers. As drivers reach their mid to late twenties and beyond, they generally see a decline in their insurance premiums. This is because they have accumulated more driving experience and tend to exhibit more responsible behavior behind the wheel.

How Much Car Insurance Do I Need in California?

In California, auto insurance is mandatory and mandated by the California Insurance Code. Simply having comprehensive and collision insurance coverage on a vehicle in California is not enough to meet the minimum requirements. All vehicles at a minimum are required to have liability insurance with the following limits:

• $15,000 for injury/death to one person
• $30,000 for injury/death to more than one person
• $5,000 for damage to property

Coverage of a vehicle is reported by the insurance agency to the state of California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). If your policy is canceled by the insurance provider, you must notify the DMV within 45 days of the new policy number and insurance provider.

If you’re planning to cancel your policy, you’re required to contact the DMV first to prevent the registration of the vehicle from being suspended. Should the vehicle no longer be in use on the roadway, the insured can file an Affidavit of Non-Use (ANU) REG 5090 form.

This form allows the insured to cancel the insurance policy. However, ANU does not provide an exception to registration. The registration of the non-­insured vehicle must be renewed in a timely manner.

CA Car Insurance Rates by County

If you live in California and are looking to determine how much your auto insurance rates should be, we’ve broken down the average costs for a car insurance policy in CA below by your county:

Auto Insurance Rates for Popular Cities:

If you would like a more granular look at the average costs of car insurance for popular CA cities check out these city auto rates guides:

Los Angeles Car Insurance Rates

San Diego Car Insurance Rates

Riverside Car Insurance Rates

Sacramento Car Insurance Rates

Bakersfield Car Insurance Rates

San Francisco Car Insurance Rates

Other Popular Cities:

Finding Auto Insurance Resources in California

Residents of California have many resources available at their fingertips for finding information on

insurance requirements and help with auto insurance coverage. The California DMV is a good resource to start with when learning about the requirements and regulations surrounding automobile coverage.

If you need financial assistance with obtaining auto insurance, you can fill out an auto insurance application and submit it to the California Low Cost Auto Insurance Program. This program, which is state sponsored, was created to help uninsured low-­income drivers.

Eligibility requirements to enter this program include evaluation of household income, driving record, and the vehicle value at time of purchase.

If you’re having a hard time getting any insurance company to insure you, you can seek assistance from the California Automobile Assigned Risk Plan (CAARP). This plan allows those marked as “assigned risk” by insurance companies because of their poor driving rating to obtain automobile insurance with the help of the CAARP. The CAARP puts drivers in touch with an insurance company that will offer insurance to them even though they are a risk.

The state of California also provides a mediation service to drivers that need help resolving a claim with their insurance company. The California Department of Insurance offers this low cost service to any auto policyholder that has comprehensive and collision coverage and needs a mediator to help negotiate a disputed claim.

Tips to Know About California Auto Insurance

If you’re a driver in California, you have a few ways you can save on auto insurance premiums. These include:

• Comparing different auto premium quotes to find the best price and coverage
• Asking about discounts for multi-­car, airbags, and anti-­theft devices
• Making sure the insurance provider applies the “good driver” discount, which is regulated by Proposition 103

This discount is typically around 20 percent off normal premiums. In order to qualify for the “good driver” discount, you must be licensed for at least three years, have less than one point on your record in a three-year span, and have not been at fault in an accident with s claim of over $1,000.

One of the biggest things drivers in California should be aware of is the legal requirement to carry proof of insurance in the vehicle they are driving at all times. Local and state police officers enforce this law and you can be ticketed and assessed fines for failing to carry proof of insurance. If you have insurance, you may be able to have the fines reduced or dropped by showing proof of insurance in court.

Moving to California: Important Information

If you’re moving to California, you’re required by the DMV to obtain a California driver’s license within 10 days of moving. To obtain a license, an appointment must be made with the local DMV office. You will be required to fill out an application, be fingerprinted, show proof of identity (out-­of-­state license and social security card), take a vision exam, take a written road and sign test, have your photograph taken, and pay a fee.

Out-of-state vehicles must be registered in California within 20 days. To register a vehicle, the following are required:

• All registered owners appearing on the out-­of-­state registration must fill out and sign an Application for Title or Registration (REG 343)
• Last issued out-­of-­state title if there is a change in the registered owner
• Registration certificate or renewal notice for the current year
• Inspection of the vehicle by an authorized employee of the DMV or a licensed vehicle inspection facility
• Smog certification and weight certificate, depending on the vehicle
• Payment of fees and any taxes must be made

Understand the Driving Laws in California

California has many driving laws that are unique, and may confuse out-of-state drivers and new residents.

One law that is enforced swiftly is the use of a cellphone while driving. Drivers in California are required to use hands-­free devices, such as a built-­in Bluetooth through the car audio or a Bluetooth earpiece. Texting while driving is also a big no-­no. If you’re caught talking directly on a cell phone or texting while driving, you’ll face hefty fines by law enforcement.

Driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs (DUI) is unlawful in California and the penalties enforced by California law are some of the strictest in the United States. If you’re caught driving under the influence, you risk jail time, fines, and a suspension of your license. Police will conduct field sobriety tests and request a breathalyzer if they suspect a DUI. While a driver is allowed to refuse the breathalyzer in California, anyone previously convicted of a DUI will be issued jail time for refusal.