Cheapest Car Insurance in California for December 2024
California can be expensive. Find the most affordable car insurance in California and cut your auto coverage costs.
Many, or all, of the products featured on this page are from our advertising partners who compensate us when you take certain actions on our website or click to take an action on their website. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money.Updated Dec 1, 2024 · 5 min read
NerdWallet analyzed rates for 24 insurers in California to find the cheapest auto insurance in the state. We reviewed rates for drivers of different ages, with different driving histories and coverage types to find the companies offering the best deals for a variety of driver profiles.
At a glance: The cheapest car insurance in California
Geico offers the cheapest minimum coverage in California, with an average rate of $243 per year according to NerdWallet's December 2024 analysis.
The cheapest policies out there cover just the bare minimum. The average cost of minimum coverage in California is $499 per year, or $42 per month.
For reference, full coverage in California costs an average of $1,904 per year, or $159 per month.
The cheapest minimum coverage insurance in California
Below is the cheapest car insurance in California for minimum coverage required by the state. Rates are based on a 35-year-old driver with good credit and a clean driving history.
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Geico | $243 | $20 |
| Grange Insurance Association | $291 | $24 |
| Auto Club of SoCal | $334 | $28 |
| Mercury | $366 | $31 |
| Toggle | $390 | $33 |
If you’re looking for more than just a low price, check out our list of the best car insurance in California.
More Nerdy Perspective
If you recently moved to California, don't just stay with your current insurer from your previous state. Be sure to get new quotes for car insurance. When my dad moved, he was surprised to find rates were cheaper overall in his new location, and he saved even more by switching to a different company.
Keep reading to find the cheapest car insurance in California for different driver profiles and coverage types among:
If you’re looking for the cheapest car insurance in your city, NerdWallet also analyzed rates for some of the largest California cities, including:
Cheap auto insurance in California for young drivers
Young drivers may have to get a lot of quotes to find the best cheap car insurance. Prices can be sky-high in your twenties, but tend to come down as drivers get more experience on the road. Still, some companies routinely have better insurance rates for young drivers, so it's best to shop around to find them.
Cheapest minimum coverage car insurance in California for young drivers
For bare-bones coverage, these companies had the lowest average rates:
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Geico | $482 | $40 |
| Auto Club of SoCal | $591 | $49 |
| State Farm | $592 | $49 |
| Mercury | $682 | $57 |
| Grange Insurance Association | $685 | $57 |
See what you could save on car insurance
Easily compare personalized rates to see how much switching car insurance could save you.Cheapest full coverage car insurance in California for young drivers
If you have a clean driving record consider the following companies, which had the lowest average rates:
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| CIG | $2,209 | $184 |
| Geico | $2,218 | $185 |
| Auto Club of SoCal | $2,326 | $194 |
| The Hartford | $2,429 | $202 |
| State Farm | $2,447 | $204 |
Cheap auto insurance in California for senior drivers
Car insurance costs may start to rise for older drivers, so it’s wise to shop around for the cheapest rates. You can also check for senior discounts. For example, some insurers offer discounts to senior drivers who take a defensive driving course.
Cheapest minimum coverage car insurance in California for seniors
Drivers in California who want just the state minimum coverage may want to check with these insurers, which had the lowest average rates:
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Geico | $251 | $21 |
| Grange Insurance Association | $267 | $22 |
| State Farm | $318 | $27 |
| Auto Club of SoCal | $389 | $32 |
| Mercury | $392 | $33 |
Cheapest full coverage car insurance in California for seniors
Drivers in California with clean driving records may want to think about getting quotes from these companies, which had the lowest average rates:
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Auto Club of SoCal | $1,251 | $104 |
| Geico | $1,268 | $106 |
| Grange Insurance Association | $1,272 | $106 |
| Mercury | $1,316 | $110 |
| CIG | $1,424 | $119 |
Cheapest car insurance in California by driving record
Having a driving violation on your record is likely to increase your car insurance premium. How much more you’ll pay depends on the type of violation, your car insurance carrier and your other personal characteristics.
NerdWallet found the companies offering the lowest car insurance rates for 35-year-old California drivers with different driving records. If you have multiple violations on your record, consider looking into the best high risk car insurance companies.
Cheapest car insurance in California after a speeding ticket
If you recently got a speeding ticket in California, check out these companies we found with the lowest average rates for minimum coverage:
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Geico | $389 | $32 |
| Grange Insurance Association | $408 | $34 |
| Auto Club of SoCal | $465 | $39 |
| CSAA | $498 | $42 |
| Mercury | $503 | $42 |
Cheapest car insurance in California after an accident
And here are the companies with the lowest average rates for minimum coverage and a recent at-fault accident in California:
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Grange Insurance Association | $408 | $34 |
| Geico | $477 | $40 |
| CSAA | $498 | $42 |
| Auto Club of SoCal | $553 | $46 |
| CIG | $574 | $48 |
Cheapest car insurance in California after a DUI
For drivers with a recent DUI in California, here are the companies with the lowest average rates for minimum coverage:
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Grange Insurance Association | $510 | $43 |
| Geico | $626 | $52 |
| Mercury | $629 | $52 |
| Progressive | $720 | $60 |
| Orion Indemnity | $829 | $69 |
» MORE: Getting an SR22 in California
Cheapest car insurance for military families in California
If you're an active member of the military or a veteran — or have an immediate family member who is — chances are you'll get a relatively cheap rate with USAA, a company that isn't available to the general public.
Because of that restriction, USAA isn't ranked with the others, but it was among the cheapest three auto insurance option for 57 of the 70 driver profiles we examined.
How we chose the cheapest companies in California
NerdWallet’s editorial team analyzed car insurance rates from 24 auto insurers in California and listed the five cheapest options for drivers in several age brackets and with different histories, all driving a 2022 Toyota Camry LE. For minimum coverage, we looked at rates that reflect the minimum requirements in California. For full coverage, we used the below coverage limits:
$100,000 bodily injury liability per person.
$300,000 bodily injury liability per accident.
$50,000 property damage liability per accident.
$100,000 uninsured motorist coverage per person.
$300,000 uninsured motorist coverage per accident.
Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible.
Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible.
- Why you can trust NerdWallet
Our writers and editors follow strict editorial guidelines to ensure fairness and accuracy in our writing and data analyses. You can trust the prices we show you because our data analysts take rigorous measures to eliminate outliers and inaccuracies in pricing data, which include rates from every locale in California where coverage is offered and data is available. When comparing rates for different coverage amounts, ages and backgrounds, we change only one variable at a time, so you can easily see how each factor affects pricing.
Minimum auto insurance limits required in California
California drivers must carry liability insurance in the following amounts:
$15,000 bodily injury liability per person.
$30,000 bodily injury liability per accident.
$5,000 property damage liability per accident.
However, these limits will change soon. At the start of 2025, California drivers will be required to carry liability insurance in the following amounts:
$30,000 bodily injury liability per person.
$60,000 bodily injury liability per accident.
$15,000 property damage liability per accident.
Liability car insurance covers the cost of any damage, injuries or deaths you cause in a car accident, up to your policy’s predefined limits. Experts recommend getting more than the bare minimum if you want to avoid dipping into your own savings to cover expenses.
For instance, California has a relatively low property damage minimum, only $5,000. If you cause an accident and total another driver’s car, the damage could easily exceed that amount, and you would have to pay the difference out of pocket.
Check out NerdWallet’s guide to state car insurance requirements for more details on how the required and optional parts of your California policy work.
Risks of getting cheap auto insurance
Getting cheap car insurance usually means getting the barest coverage required by law in your state. But state requirements can be quite low and leave you financially vulnerable if you’re in a serious accident.
Getting the cheapest car insurance possible might also mean missing out on optional coverage types that can help cover your own injuries or property damage — for example, when you’re injured in an accident or if your car is banged up after a bad storm or a hit and run. To find cheap car insurance with more coverage, check out NerdWallet’s list of cheap full coverage insurance.
Alternative car insurance in California
If you have a high number of accidents, DUIs or other factors making it hard to find auto coverage, you might qualify for insurance through the California Automobile Assigned Risk Plan. This organization connects high-risk drivers to insurance companies that will cover them.
For more help finding the most competitive prices in California, try NerdWallet’s car insurance comparison tool.
Low-income car insurance in California
If you can’t afford car insurance premiums, you might qualify for California’s Low Cost Auto Insurance program, which has several payment plans and no broker fees. To be eligible, you'll need:
A current California driver’s license.
An automobile worth $25,000 or less.
A household income that meets the program requirements.
The federal poverty level depends on the year and the number of people in your household. For one person in 2023, the income limit for the program was $36,450.
The program’s website has a calculator to determine income cutoffs for larger households, a rate calculator and a tool to find participating insurance plans. You’ll have to provide documentation of income, as well as other requirements, to qualify.
How AAA car insurance works in California
AAA, the automobile club best known for its roadside assistance memberships, also sells insurance in many states. But just like the clubs themselves, AAA insurance companies are separate companies that operate independently. If you use a AAA webpage, it will ask for your ZIP code in order to ensure you're looking at information for your local AAA club.
» MORE: Is AAA worth it?
The Automobile Club of Southern California serves the following counties: Imperial, Inyo, Kern, Los Angeles, Mono, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Tulare and Ventura. CSAA serves all other counties in California, plus several other states.
So if you’re a AAA member and move from Northern California to SoCal, or vice versa, you would transfer membership from one club to the other. If you have auto insurance through your regional club and move, your policy, premium and agent would also change.
If you’re a AAA member and need roadside assistance outside of your home club’s region, the AAA club in that area will take care of you.
Learn more about California car insurance |
|---|
For more information about California car insurance, check out these articles: |
For our “good driver” profile, NerdWallet averaged insurance estimates for single male and female drivers with good credit and no tickets or violations. The analysis included 5-10 of the largest insurance companies in each state; smaller insurers were also included when rates were available. Liberty Mutual and its subsidiaries were excluded from our analysis as rates were not available.
For full coverage policies, we used the following coverage limits:
$100,000 bodily injury liability per person.
$300,000 bodily injury liability per accident.
$50,000 property damage liability per accident.
$100,000 uninsured motorist coverage per person.
$300,000 uninsured motorist coverage per accident.
Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible.
Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible.
In states where required, minimum additional coverages were added. Some policies include additional coverages at the insurer’s discretion.
We used a 2021 Toyota Camry LE for all drivers and assumed 12,000 annual miles driven.
We analyzed rates for drivers 20 to 70 years old in ten-year increments. For the average cost of full and minimum coverage in each state, we looked at 35-year-old drivers.
We used the same assumptions for all other driver profiles, with the following exceptions:
For drivers with minimum coverage, we adjusted the numbers above to reflect the minimum required coverage by law in the state.
We changed the credit tier from “good” to “poor” as reported to the insurer to see rates for drivers with poor credit.
For drivers with one at-fault crash, we added a single at-fault crash that happened six months ago, resulting in $10,000 in property damage and no bodily injury claim.
For drivers with a DUI, we added a single drunken driving violation that happened six months ago.
We looked at 35-year-old drivers to find the cheapest company overall, the cheapest company for minimum coverage and the cheapest company for drivers with poor credit in states where credit history is used to price rates. We looked at 20-year-old drivers to find the cheapest company for young drivers.
These are rates generated through Quadrant Information Services. Your own rates will be different. Some insurance companies included in this article may have made changes in their underwriting practices and no longer issue new policies in your state.
Compare Car Insurance Quotes
by Drew Gula, Sarah SchlichterShopping for car insurance? Comparing car insurance rates can help you find the best price.
Read More
Cheap Car Insurance
by Ben Moore, Ryan BradyThe cheapest car insurance starts at $30 a month, according to NerdWallet's rate analysis.
Read More
Cheap Full Coverage Car Insurance for 2024
by Kayda Norman, Drew GulaNerdWallet analyzed rates from the nation’s largest insurers to find the cheapest full coverage car insurance.
Read More
