Best car insurance in California (CA) April 2024
“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.
“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.
BLUEPRINT
Updated 4:02 a.m. UTC April 1, 2024
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Progressive is the best car insurance company in California in 2024. Of the car insurance companies we analyzed, only Progressive offers annual rates under $2,000 in the Golden State. It also has a low level of customer complaints, implying that policyholders are satisfied with Progressive’s claims process.
The best car insurance companies in California 2024
- Best car insurance in California: Progressive.
- Best car insurance for military in California: USAA.
- Best car insurance for young drivers in California: Geico.
- Best car insurance for DUI in California: Mercury.
- Best car insurance after an accident in California: CSAA.
Why trust our car insurance experts
Our team of car insurance experts has decades of experience as licensed property and casualty experts, insurance editors and consumers. We approach car insurance analysis as if we were shopping for ourselves or our family members, focusing on rates, coverage and features available, customer complaints and the collision repair process.
Using a data-driven methodology, we evaluate hundreds of auto insurance products, analyze thousands of data points and rate each insurer to help you find the best car insurance product for your situation. Advertisers never influence our editorial content. You can read more about our methodology below.
- 22 California car insurance companies reviewed.
- 198 California car insurance rates analyzed.
- 5 levels of fact-checking.
Cheap California car insurance rates
Best car insurance companies in California comparison
Here’s how the top-scoring California car insurance companies compare to one another.
| CALIFORNIA CAR INSURANCE COMPANY | OUR RATING | CUSTOMER COMPLAINT LEVEL | AVERAGE MONTHLY CAR INSURANCE COST IN CALIFORNIA |
|---|---|---|---|
5.0 stars
| Low
| $156
| |
4.5 stars
| Low
| $192
| |
4.0 stars
| Low
| $199
| |
4.0 stars
| High
| $179
| |
4.0 stars
| Low
| $198
|
How much is car insurance in California?
The average cost of car insurance for a California driver with a clean record is $2,615 per year, or about $218 per month for coverage that includes liability insurance, uninsured motorist coverage and collision and comprehensive insurance.
High-risk drivers can expect to pay 64% more than good drivers in California: $4,294 a year, on average. DUIs, at-fault accidents and speeding tickets all lead to significant rate increases, with DUIs leading to the biggest jump — $3,042 more a year on average.
Beyond driving habits, a few other factors can impact the cost of car insurance in California:
- Deductible amounts when applicable.
- How much coverage you buy.
- Make and model of your car.
- Your age.
- Your ZIP code.
Did you know? Unlike in other states, California car insurance companies cannot factor in your gender or credit score when determining your rates.
Cost of car insurance in California by driver profile
Cheapest car insurance companies in California
The cheapest car insurance company in California is Progressive, costing an average of $1,877 per year, or about $156 per month for a good driver with a full coverage policy. That’s about $738 yearly savings in comparison to the California statewide average.
Here’s how much you’ll save with different car insurance companies in California according to our analysis of rates.
Looking to save on car insurance? Car insurance discount guide
Cheap car insurance company in California by driver profile
- After a speeding ticket.
- After an accident.
- After a DUI.
- After a gap in coverage.
- High-risk drivers.
- Teen driver added to parent policy (ages 16 – 19).
Cheap car insurance after a speeding ticket in California: USAA and Progressive
If you’re a California resident with a speeding ticket on your record, out of our top-scoring companies you’ll find the cheapest rates with USAA. If you don’t qualify for USAA, check out Progressive.
Cheap car insurance for California drivers with a speeding ticket
| California car insurance company | Average annual rate | Average monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| USAA | $2,457 | $205 |
| Progressive | $2,903 | $242 |
| CSAA | $3,011 | $251 |
| Mercury | $3,059 | $255 |
| Geico | $3,719 | $310 |
| California average | $3,742 | $312 |
Cheap car insurance in California after an accident in CA
Causing an accident will result in higher insurance rates, particularly if there are injuries. On average, California drivers pay $5,139 per year after causing an accident with injuries and $4,332 per year for causing accidents with property damage.
Out of our top-scoring companies, Progressive offers the cheapest rates after an accident resulting in injuries and CSAA offers the cheapest after an accident with property damage.
Cheap car insurance after an accident with injuries: Progressive
| California car insurance company | Average annual rate | Average monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Progressive | $3,124 | $260 |
| Mercury | $3,413 | $284 |
| USAA | $3,838 | $320 |
| CSAA | $4,821 | $402 |
| California average | $5,139 | $428 |
Cheap car insurance after an accident with property damage: CSAA
| California car insurance company | Average annual rate | Average monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| CSAA | $3,011 | $251 |
| USAA | $3,070 | $256 |
| Progressive | $3,125 | $260 |
| Mercury | $3,998 | $333 |
| Geico | $4,270 | $356 |
| California average | $4,332 | $361 |
Cheap car insurance after a DUI in CA: Mercury
Finding cheap car insurance after a DUI is challenging, especially in California, which has some of the highest rate increases after a DUI. On average, Californians with a DUI on their record pay $5,657 annually for coverage.
Out of our top-scoring companies, Mercury and Progressive are the only car insurance companies that offer car insurance under $4,000 per year after a DUI.
Cheap car insurance in California after a DUI
| California car insurance company | Average annual rate | Average monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Mercury | $3,521 | $293 |
| Progressive | $3,749 | $312 |
| USAA | $4,842 | $404 |
| Geico | $5,177 | $431 |
| California average | $5,657 | $471 |
Cheap car insurance for high-risk drivers in CA: Progressive
High-risk drivers in California pay 53% more for car insurance than good drivers, on average. A bad driving record — speeding and reckless driving tickets, at-fault accidents and DUIs, namely — can make you a high-risk driver for insurance companies. However, so can factors like age (teens and seniors typically pay more for coverage).
Out of our top-scoring companies, Progressive offers the cheapest rates for high-risk drivers.
Cheap car insurance in California for high-risk drivers
| California car insurance company | Average annual rate | Average monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Progressive | $2,956 | $246 |
| Mercury | $3,229 | $269 |
| USAA | $3,244 | $270 |
| CSAA | $3,924 | $327 |
| California average | $4,294 | $358 |
Cheap car insurance for adding a teen driver in CA: USAA and Geico
Teen drivers have notoriously high rates, a reflection of limited driving experience and risk. If you have a teen driver in the house, adding them to your policy is usually more affordable than buying a new policy.
USAA offers the cheapest rate for adding a teen (ages 16 to 19) to your auto insurance policy. USAA is the only top-scoring company that charges under $4,000 a year. If you don’t qualify for USAA, check out Geico.
Cheap car insurance in California after adding a teen
| California car insurance company | Average annual rate | Average monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| USAA | $3,987 | $332 |
| Geico | $4,465 | $372 |
| Mercury | $4,520 | $377 |
| Progressive | $5,346 | $446 |
| California average | $5,731 | $478 |
Car insurance requirements in California
By law, California drivers must carry minimum liability insurance for any vehicle driven or parked on a California road.
Liability car insurance covers the cost of bodily injuries and property damage sustained by others if you’re at fault for an accident. In California, you must carry a 15/30/5 liability insurance policy, which includes:
- $15,000 in bodily injury coverage for one person per accident.
- $30,000 in bodily injury coverage for more than one person per accident.
- $5,000 in property damage coverage per accident.
Alternatively, you can make a $35,000 cash deposit at the DMV, obtain a DMV-issued self-insurance certificate or carry a surety bond for $35,000 from a company that is licensed to do business in the state.
How to find the best car insurance in California
Living in California is expensive, making it important to cut costs where you can. If you’re looking for the best car insurance in California and rates are driving your search, consider these tips to help you lower your car insurance costs.
- Shop around. It’s a good idea to compare car insurance quotes annually from multiple different companies to make sure you’re getting the best price for your car insurance needs in California.
- Check discounts. Many of the best car insurance companies in California offer discounts, like good driver, loyalty, anti-theft and bundling discounts.
- Raise your deductible. The higher your deductible is set the lower your car insurance premiums will be, but the lower your claim reimbursement will be in the event of a claim.
- Drop unnecessary coverages. Additional coverages like roadside assistance and rental car reimbursement are nice, but if your goal is to lower your car insurance rates, ask your insurer how removing them will affect your rates.
- Examine your limits. Decreasing your car insurance limits, or how much your insurer will cover after a claim, can lead to lower rates. But keep in mind that you’ll be responsible for any accident-related expenses that exceed your policy limits — a low-limit policy can leave you on the hook for substantial out-of-pocket costs.
- Drive safely. Many insurers reward good driving by reducing their rates if you go multiple policy periods without any claims. Some also offer usage-based car insurance to monitor your driving habits and, if you drive safely, lower your premium. Insurers also frequently offer a discount if you complete a driving course.
Methodology
Our team of insurance experts evaluated 22 California car insurance companies to determine those that offer the best coverage based on average rates and consumer complaints.
The table below includes the methodology used to find the best car insurance companies in California in 2024.
Best car insurance in California FAQs
The cheapest car insurance company in CA is Progressive. The average cost of car insurance in California for a good driver is $1,877 per year, or $156 per month, for a full coverage auto insurance policy in California.
If you’re looking to meet the minimum car insurance requirements in California, the average cost is $731 a year.
But it’s wise to consider purchasing more than the California state minimum. Carrying only liability insurance can leave you vulnerable to other accident-related expenses. That’s because liability coverage won’t pay for repairs to your car and medical costs if you or your passengers are injured.
To ensure you’re fully covered, consider options like collision and comprehensive, uninsured motorist coverage and medical payments (MedPay) coverage.
The average Californian will pay the following DMV fees:
- Registration card: $27.
- California Highway Patrol (CHP) fee: $32.
- Vehicle license plate: $27.
- Title: $27.
- County/district fee: Varies.
The best auto insurance company in California in 2024 is Progressive, according to our analysis of rates and consumer complaints. However, the best car insurance for you will depend on your budget and specific coverage needs. It’s a good idea to compare car insurance quotes from different companies to make sure you’re getting the best price for your needs.
Yes, you are required to carry liability insurance in California to drive or park on public roads. In California, you must carry a 15/30/5 liability insurance policy, which includes:
- $15,000 in bodily injury coverage for one person per accident.
- $30,000 in bodily injury coverage for more than one person per accident.
- $5,000 in property damage coverage per accident.
You can also make a $35,000 cash deposit at the DMV, get a DMV-issued self-insurance certificate or carry a surety bond for $35,000 from a company that is licensed to do business in California.
The number one, top-scoring California car insurance company in our analysis is Progressive, based on rates and consumer complaints. The car insurance company that is right for you will depend on your own specific circumstances and coverage needs.
Buying car insurance? The best car insurance companies of 2024
Car insurance in California is more expensive than the nationwide average. A good driver with a full-coverage auto insurance policy in California may pay around $2,615 per year — which is $409 more expensive than the nationwide average of $2,206 per year. If you’re looking to save on car insurance in California, shop around and see what car insurance discounts you qualify for.
Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
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