Updated: December 20, 2024
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Rates updated:
Dec 20, 2024
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Although MoneyGeek partners with some of the companies we recommend, our content is written and reviewed by an independent team of writers, editors and licensed agents. Learn more about our editorial policies and expert editorial team.
MoneyGeek’s car insurance calculator can help calculate how much car insurance you need in California. You can use it to get a quick estimate.
There are various factors affecting auto insurance costs. MoneyGeek analyzed how insurance companies calculate insurance premiums in California and determined which factors have the biggest impact on your car insurance rates.
Individuals need to provide a variety of personal information to get an accurate car insurance quote. This process usually takes 10 to 15 minutes.
Moneygeek’s California car insurance calculator gives an estimate of how much your car insurance may cost per year or per month based on your age, driving record, vehicle type and coverage levels.
Certain factors have more impact on car insurance costs, but the biggest factors in California are whether you add a teen driver to your policy, your own driving record and the amount of coverage you buy.
The cheapest car insurance company in California for you will depend on several factors, but you can get a close estimate using MoneyGeek’s calculator. For our default driver, the cheapest widely available company is Progressive. It has an average annual rate of $596.
While price is an important consideration, consider customer service and availability of the coverages you need as well.
Use MoneyGeek’s calculator to get an estimate of your insurance costs or browse our collection of sample drivers in the cheapest car insurance in California.
Check out the average cost of car insurance in California to get a better idea of how insurance costs in your state compare to others.
If you want to find an insurance provider that balances affordability and service quality, MoneyGeek ranked the best car insurance companies in California.
Car insurance companies calculate insurance premiums in California using a variety of factors. These include age, gender, driving record, coverage levels, driver profile and car make and model.
Based on MoneyGeek’s analysis, the most important factors to consider when calculating how much car insurance you need in California are adding a teen driver, your driving record and how much coverage you buy.
Adding a teen driver to your policy can multiply the cost of your car insurance in California by as much as 3.3x.
Insurance providers tend to charge more to customers who add a teen driver to their policies. This is because companies consider it riskier to insure teens because they are young and inexperienced. Thus, they are more likely to get into an accident.
In California, adding a teen driver to your policy can increase your rates by as much as 3.3x.
Your age is also one of the most important considerations when calculating how much car insurance costs in California. Typically, insurers charge more for young drivers. Seniors also pay more than the average adult. Depending on how old you are, your insurance rates can multiply up to 2.1x.
In California, the cheapest car insurance is for a 40-year-old driver. Meanwhile, a 19 to 20-year-old driver has the most expensive car insurance in the state.
How much coverage you buy will also affect the cost of your car insurance. Getting more coverage gives you additional protection but means higher premiums.
For example, in California, the cheapest variable is state minimum liability-only and the most expensive is full coverage with a $500 deductible and 100/300/100 liability. A full coverage policy costs 2.7x more than the state minimum.
The vehicle you are driving will also have an impact on the cost of your car insurance in California. Some models are deemed riskier to insure. Drivers who have high-value vehicles with expensive parts and repair costs could pay higher insurance premiums.
A luxury sports car is the most expensive car to insure. On the other hand, compact SUVs tend to have the cheapest auto insurance costs. Those with car types that are expensive to insure can pay as much as 2x more for insurance.
The amount of insurance you buy is one of the factors that have the biggest impact on auto insurance rates. Calculating how much car insurance you need in California will help you find a policy that best balances cost and protection.
California requires certain levels of bodily injury liability insurance and property damage liability insurance, but you should consider getting additional liability insurance and comprehensive and collision insurance depending on your situation.
Understanding California’s minimum car insurance requirements will help you figure out how much car insurance you need. However, the state minimum coverage limits will only protect you for $15,000 bodily injury liability per person and a total of $30,000 bodily injury liability per accident plus $5,000 for property damage. If you want more protection, it is best to increase liability limits. California also does not require comprehensive and collision insurance, which covers damages to your car.
The state minimums provide basic protection against possible expenses due to an accident. However, you may need higher liability insurance to protect yourself against the costs of a major accident. The average cost of minimum liability insurance in California is $570. Increasing your bodily injury liability coverage to $300,000 will raise the average premium to $937.
You should decide whether you need a full coverage policy, which includes comprehensive and collision insurance. While these are not required by California law, lenders may require them for individuals leasing or financing the purchase of their cars.
Adding comprehensive and collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible costs an average of $476 per year in California. So, it may be best to drop them if you are paying hundreds of dollars per year to insure a car only worth a few thousand dollars.
California drivers who want to have additional protection can buy optional coverages. For instance, around 16.6% of drivers in California are uninsured. Getting uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage can help you in the event of an accident caused by a driver who does not have insurance. You can also get medical payments coverage to protect yourself against the cost of medical expenses in a crash.
MoneyGeek answers some of the frequently asked questions to help you better understand how to calculate insurance premiums in California.
If you want an estimate of your car insurance rates, you can use MoneyGeek’s California car insurance calculator. Enter your personal details to get your finalized estimate.
In California, the biggest contributing factors are adding a teen driver to your policy, your driving record and your chosen coverage levels. These may differ depending on your combination of characteristics.
How much car insurance you need is based on state law, but how much you should get could be different. You need to know the state minimum coverage requirements to ensure you have enough to abide by state law. Then, evaluate your needs to determine whether you need more coverage, such as comprehensive and collision insurance.
MoneyGeek partnered with Quadrant Data Services to get car insurance quotes from across California. Our data science team analyzed how personal factors impacted cost and incorporated our findings into our calculator to provide users with an accurate estimate of their expected yearly auto insurance costs. Read more about our methodology here.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick is a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer and MoneyGeek's Head of Insurance. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research and creating personalized content for every kind of buyer. He has been quoted in several insurance-related publications, including CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick earned a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He is passionate about using his knowledge of economics and insurance to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.
