CSAA reigns as the most affordable car insurance for California drivers, with an average monthly cost of just $12 and an annual rate of $139 for state minimum coverage. This is $490 lower than California's annual average. This rate data from Quadrant Information Services highlights the cheapest rates available as of December 2024. Read our research methodology to learn about how we found the cheapest California car insurance.
Cheapest Car Insurance in California
Updated: December 16, 2024
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Key Takeaways
In December 2024, the five cheapest car insurance companies for drivers in the Golden State are CSAA, AAA, Progressive, GEICO and Capital Insurance Group.
CSAA offers the lowest rates at $39 monthly for full coverage and $12 monthly for minimum coverage.
On average, drivers pay $127 for full coverage and $52 for minimum coverage each month in California.
What Is the Cheapest Car Insurance in California?
Cheapest Car Insurance Companies in California
The cheapest car insurance company for most drivers in the Golden State is CSAA, with an average monthly rate of $25 for both state minimum and full coverage policies. This is $64 less than the average in California. Other affordable options include AAA, Progressive, GEICO and Capital Insurance Group.
| CSAA | $25 | $64 |
| AAA | $59 | $31 |
| Progressive | $67 | $22 |
| GEICO | $73 | $17 |
| Capital Insurance Group | $85 | $4 |
| Kemper | $87 | $3 |
*We used combined minimum and full coverage rates for a 40-year-old driver with good credit and no driving violations to calculate these averages.
Best Car Insurance Rates in California
CSAA offers the cheapest car insurance for most California drivers. However, your rate will depend on your personal background. The table below highlights affordable car insurance rates for various driving profiles across the state.
| Minimum Coverage | CSAA | $12 |
| Full Coverage | CSAA | $39 |
| Drivers With a DUI | CSAA | $40 |
| Drivers With an Accident | CSAA | $14 |
| Drivers With a Speeding Ticket | CSAA | $14 |
Read More: Cheapest Car Insurance
Cheapest Minimum Coverage Car Insurance in California
CSAA offers the cheapest rate for drivers needing cheap minimum liability coverage, while AAA, GEICO and Progressive also provide affordable options. CSAA's rates, ranging from $12 to $40 monthly, are below California's average of $52. Use the table below to explore rates from these companies and see how they compare to the monthly state average.
| CSAA | $12 | $41 |
| AAA | $36 | $16 |
| GEICO | $40 | $13 |
| Progressive | $40 | $12 |
| Kemper | $47 | $6 |
| Capital Insurance Group | $51 | $1 |
Cheapest Full Coverage Car Insurance in California
CSAA is the cheapest provider for full coverage auto insurance in California, with rates averaging $39 per month or $462 per year. This is $88 less than the average cost of full coverage insurance in the state.
| CSAA | $39 | $88 |
| AAA | $81 | $45 |
| Progressive | $94 | $33 |
| GEICO | $106 | $20 |
| Capital Insurance Group | $119 | $7 |
| National General | $121 | $6 |
| State National | $125 | $1 |
Cheapest Car Insurance in California for Young Drivers
In California, CSAA offers the most affordable rates for young adult drivers. A CSAA state minimum policy averages just $12 per month for a 25-year-old.
| CSAA | $12 | $52 |
| GEICO | $46 | $18 |
| AAA | $46 | $18 |
| Progressive | $48 | $16 |
| Capital Insurance Group | $57 | $7 |
| State Farm | $61 | $3 |
| State National | $63 | $1 |
| Farmers | $64 | $0 |
*We used minimum coverage for a 25-year old driver with good credit and no driving violations to determine the cheapest provider.
Cheapest Car Insurance Rates for Young Drivers in California
CSAA offers some of the cheapest auto insurance rates for young drivers in the Golden State, including for minimum coverage policies and for drivers with a DUI. Remember, your exact premium might vary based on your driving record and other factors, but the table below is a good starting point for finding affordable rates.
| CSAA | Minimum Coverage | $12 |
| CSAA | Full Coverage | $43 |
| CSAA | Drivers With a DUI | $41 |
| CSAA | Drivers With an Accident | $15 |
| CSAA | Drivers With a Speeding Ticket | $15 |
Read More: Cheapest Car Insurance for Young Drivers
Cheapest Car Insurance in California for Seniors
California's senior drivers can find affordable rates with CSAA. The average monthly cost for 65-year-olds is $13 for minimum coverage.
| CSAA | $13 | $39 |
| AAA | $38 | $14 |
| GEICO | $39 | $13 |
| State Farm | $41 | $11 |
| Progressive | $41 | $11 |
| Capital Insurance Group | $49 | $2 |
| Hartford | $52 | $0 |
*We used minimum coverage for a 65-year old driver with good credit and no driving violations to determine the cheapest provider.
Cheapest Car Insurance Rates for Seniors in California
CSAA offers the most affordable rates for senior drivers in the Golden State, with options for different needs. Your quote might differ from the rates listed here, but you can use the table below as a guide for your car insurance shopping.
| CSAA | Minimum Coverage | $13 |
| CSAA | Full Coverage | $38 |
| CSAA | Drivers With a DUI | $44 |
| CSAA | Drivers With an Accident | $16 |
| CSAA | Drivers With a Speeding Ticket | $16 |
Read More: Cheapest Car Insurance for Seniors
Cheap Auto Insurance for High-Risk Drivers in California
California drivers with a DUI, at-fault accident or speeding ticket are considered high-risk and pay more for car insurance on average than those with a clean record. Average premiums vary for high-risk drivers depending on the offense. Below are the best rates for drivers with a DUI, at-fault accident or speeding ticket.
Cheapest Car Insurance in California With a DUI
CSAA offers the best rates for California drivers with DUIs, averaging $40 per month ($481 per year) for minimum coverage. Check the table below for a list of insurance providers and their average monthly premiums for drivers with DUIs in the Golden State.
| CSAA | $40 | $85 |
| National General | $66 | $59 |
| Mercury | $85 | $40 |
| Progressive | $88 | $37 |
| Capital Insurance Group | $89 | $36 |
| Farmers | $94 | $31 |
| GEICO | $95 | $29 |
| Kemper | $106 | $19 |
*We used a 40-year-old driver with good credit and a DUI on record to calculate these averages.
Cheapest Car Insurance in California With an Accident
CSAA, with rates averaging $14 per month ($173 per year), is the cheapest company for drivers after an at-fault accident. The table below lists other insurers offering affordable coverage for drivers with accidents on their records. Rates are for state minimum coverage.
| CSAA | $14 | $70 |
| AAA | $58 | $26 |
| Capital Insurance Group | $59 | $25 |
| GEICO | $70 | $14 |
| Farmers | $75 | $9 |
| State National | $76 | $8 |
| Progressive | $80 | $4 |
*We used a 40-year-old driver with good credit and an at-fault accident on record to calculate these averages.
Cheapest Car Insurance in California With a Speeding Ticket
CSAA offers the cheapest insurance for drivers in the Golden State with a speeding ticket at just $14 per month. To find the best state minimum coverage, see the table below for a comparison of other providers.
| CSAA | $14 | $59 |
| AAA | $49 | $25 |
| Capital Insurance Group | $57 | $17 |
| GEICO | $60 | $14 |
| Kemper | $62 | $11 |
| National General | $66 | $8 |
| Mercury | $68 | $6 |
| Progressive | $73 | $1 |
We used a 40-year-old driver with good credit and a speeding ticket on record to calculate these averages.
Cheapest Car Insurance in California by City
Your car insurance rates are heavily influenced by your location. Even within the same state, rates can vary greatly between cities due to population density, risk of flooding and crime rates.
For example, Progressive offers state minimum coverage in Anaheim for $39 monthly, but its average rate is $44 in Fullerton. To find the most affordable option in your area, browse the table below for your city, the cheapest insurance company and its lowest average monthly premium.
| Anaheim | Progressive | $39 |
| Antioch | GEICO | $35 |
| Arden | GEICO | $43 |
| Bakersfield | GEICO | $32 |
| Berkeley | GEICO | $30 |
| Burbank | GEICO | $57 |
| Carlsbad | GEICO | $36 |
| Chula Vista | GEICO | $28 |
| Clovis | GEICO | $35 |
| Concord | GEICO | $34 |
| Corona | Progressive | $35 |
| Costa Mesa | GEICO | $40 |
| Daly City | GEICO | $35 |
| Downey | Progressive | $42 |
| East Los Angeles | Progressive | $38 |
| El Cajon | GEICO | $40 |
| El Monte | GEICO | $46 |
| Elk Grove | GEICO | $35 |
| Escondido | GEICO | $36 |
| Fairfield | GEICO | $28 |
| Fontana | GEICO | $38 |
| Fremont | GEICO | $35 |
| Fresno | GEICO | $35 |
| Fullerton | Progressive | $44 |
| Garden Grove | GEICO | $41 |
| Glendale | GEICO | $62 |
| Hayward | GEICO | $37 |
| Huntington Beach | GEICO | $43 |
| Inglewood | Progressive | $42 |
| Irvine | GEICO | $42 |
| Jurupa Valley | Progressive | $38 |
| Lancaster | GEICO | $44 |
| Long Beach | Progressive | $40 |
| Los Angeles | GEICO | $56 |
| Modesto | GEICO | $40 |
| Moreno Valley | GEICO | $37 |
| Murrieta | GEICO | $37 |
| Norwalk | Progressive | $38 |
| Oakland | GEICO | $33 |
| Oceanside | GEICO | $34 |
| Ontario | Progressive | $37 |
| Orange | Progressive | $38 |
| Oxnard | Progressive | $38 |
| Palmdale | GEICO | $44 |
| Pasadena | GEICO | $45 |
| Pomona | Progressive | $40 |
| Rancho Cucamonga | GEICO | $37 |
| Rialto | Progressive | $40 |
| Richmond | GEICO | $34 |
| Riverside | GEICO | $37 |
| Roseville | GEICO | $40 |
| Sacramento | GEICO | $34 |
| Salinas | GEICO | $31 |
| San Bernardino | GEICO | $37 |
| San Diego | GEICO | $34 |
| San Francisco | GEICO | $34 |
| San Jose | GEICO | $32 |
| San Mateo | GEICO | $35 |
| Santa Ana | GEICO | $37 |
| Santa Clara | GEICO | $34 |
| Santa Clarita | GEICO | $46 |
| Santa Maria | GEICO | $30 |
| Santa Rosa | GEICO | $33 |
| Simi Valley | GEICO | $46 |
| Stockton | CSAA | $38 |
| Sunnyvale | GEICO | $33 |
| Temecula | GEICO | $37 |
| Thousand Oaks | GEICO | $42 |
| Torrance | GEICO | $40 |
| Vallejo | GEICO | $34 |
| Ventura | GEICO | $37 |
| Victorville | Progressive | $39 |
| Visalia | GEICO | $31 |
| Vista | GEICO | $34 |
| West Covina | GEICO | $41 |
*The lowest rate reference is for a minimum coverage policy for 40-year-olds with good credit and no driving violations.
Cheapest Home and Auto Insurance in California
If you're looking to bundle home and auto insurance in California, Allstate is the most affordable choice at $1,883. Check the table below for more budget-friendly companies.
| Allstate | $1,883 |
| State Farm | $2,376 |
| Travelers | $2,438 |
| MetLife | $2,624 |
| Metropolitan | $2,624 |
| Farmers | $2,779 |
| Allied | $3,005 |
*Rates are for a 40 year old driver with good credit and no driving violations
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How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in California?
In California, full coverage car insurance averages $127 monthly, while state minimum coverage is about $52 per month. Understanding the average cost of car insurance in California can help you get a good deal on your policy.
California Car Insurance Cost by City
Insurance costs vary across California. See the table below for your city's average minimum and full coverage rates.
| Anaheim | $60 | $140 |
| Antioch | $51 | $135 |
| Arden | $59 | $137 |
| Bakersfield | $49 | $120 |
| Berkeley | $50 | $128 |
| Burbank | $74 | $170 |
| Carlsbad | $50 | $117 |
| Chula Vista | $46 | $114 |
| Clovis | $50 | $120 |
| Concord | $50 | $126 |
| Corona | $55 | $131 |
| Costa Mesa | $57 | $129 |
| Daly City | $56 | $147 |
| Downey | $62 | $150 |
| East Los Angeles | $64 | $154 |
| El Cajon | $52 | $124 |
| Elk Grove | $55 | $132 |
| El Monte | $65 | $153 |
| Escondido | $49 | $119 |
| Fairfield | $47 | $119 |
| Fontana | $55 | $134 |
| Fremont | $49 | $124 |
| Fresno | $50 | $124 |
| Fullerton | $61 | $143 |
| Garden Grove | $64 | $145 |
| Glendale | $88 | $210 |
| Hayward | $51 | $133 |
| Huntington Beach | $58 | $131 |
| Inglewood | $72 | $169 |
| Irvine | $59 | $136 |
| Jurupa Valley | $53 | $129 |
| Lancaster | $62 | $144 |
| Long Beach | $60 | $144 |
| Los Angeles | $77 | $184 |
| Modesto | $55 | $135 |
| Moreno Valley | $54 | $133 |
| Murrieta | $52 | $121 |
| Norwalk | $59 | $143 |
| Oakland | $54 | $142 |
| Oceanside | $51 | $120 |
| Ontario | $56 | $134 |
| Orange | $54 | $126 |
| Oxnard | $52 | $123 |
| Palmdale | $63 | $148 |
| Pasadena | $66 | $155 |
| Pomona | $58 | $140 |
| Rancho Cucamonga | $53 | $129 |
| Rialto | $54 | $135 |
| Richmond | $52 | $134 |
| Riverside | $54 | $132 |
| Roseville | $53 | $125 |
| Sacramento | $53 | $129 |
| Salinas | $45 | $116 |
| San Bernardino | $55 | $134 |
| San Diego | $48 | $116 |
| San Francisco | $55 | $143 |
| San Jose | $49 | $123 |
| San Mateo | $48 | $119 |
| Santa Ana | $58 | $136 |
| Santa Clara | $50 | $122 |
| Santa Clarita | $61 | $141 |
| Santa Maria | $42 | $107 |
| Santa Rosa | $49 | $127 |
| Simi Valley | $58 | $131 |
| Stockton | $54 | $137 |
| Sunnyvale | $49 | $121 |
| Temecula | $51 | $123 |
| Thousand Oaks | $60 | $137 |
| Torrance | $57 | $130 |
| Vallejo | $50 | $133 |
| Ventura | $50 | $115 |
| Victorville | $55 | $137 |
| Visalia | $46 | $114 |
| Vista | $50 | $116 |
| West Covina | $61 | $143 |
Is Car Insurance in California Expensive?
Car insurance is expensive in California, ranking 17th nationwide. High population density, frequent natural disasters and a higher vehicle theft rate contribute to the higher costs.
California Car Insurance Minimum Requirements
California law requires all drivers to carry car insurance policies that adhere to the state's minimum coverage limits. These limits include $15,000 for bodily injury liability per person, $30,000 per accident, and $5,000 for property damage liability per accident.
If you finance or lease your car, you will likely have to buy comprehensive and collision insurance in addition to these minimum liability coverages. While a minimum liability auto insurance policy is the most affordable option, it offers the lowest amount of financial protection. Experts recommend driving with full coverage insurance with the highest deductible and liability limits you can afford.
Bodily Injury Liability
Covers medical expenses for injuries you cause to others in an accident. Minimum limits are $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident. This helps cover costs like hospital bills and rehabilitation for injured parties.
Property Damage Liability
Covers repair costs for damage you cause to another person’s property. The minimum limit is $5,000 per accident. This helps pay for repairs to vehicles, fences or buildings you may damage.
Drivers with serious traffic violations, like speeding or drunk driving, may need to file for SR-22 insurance, which can increase your premium. In California, either you or your insurance provider can file the SR-22 form. It's valid for 3 years from your most recent offense.
Alternative Ways to Satisfy California Car Insurance Requirements
The most common alternative to traditional car insurance in California is obtaining a self-insurance certificate. This allows drivers to prove they have enough money to cover potential accident costs, meeting the state's minimum coverage requirements.
Alternatives like a surety bond or cash deposit are available for business owners. These options also require proving financial responsibility to cover damages, ensuring compliance with state regulations.
How Much Car Insurance Should I Get in California?
MoneyGeek recommends that drivers secure full coverage car insurance for robust financial protection. This should include liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage. Here are the liability limits we advise:
- $100,000 in bodily injury liability per person
- $300,000 in bodily injury liability per accident
- $100,000 in property damage per accident
Comprehensive coverage pays for non-collision damage to your car, like theft, vandalism, or weather damage. Collision coverage steps in when your car is damaged in an on-road collision.
If your car has high value, it's wise to have both comprehensive and collision insurance, even if it's not a legal must. Choose deductibles for these coverages based on what you can comfortably pay out of pocket. This ensures your insurance can cover the rest without causing financial strain.
Cheap Car Insurance in California: Bottom Line
CSAA offers the most affordable full coverage at $39 and minimum coverage at $12 for Golden State drivers. While saving money is great, remember the cheapest plan might not be the best. Experts suggest getting as much coverage as you can afford for solid financial protection on the road.
Cheap Car Insurance in California: FAQ
MoneyGeek helps you find affordable car insurance in California by answering common questions. We aim to ensure you get the right coverage for your needs. Our guidance makes navigating insurance options easier and more understandable.
What are the cheapest car insurance companies in California?
CSAA offers some of the most affordable car insurance rates in California. Basic coverage is priced at approximately $12 per month. This makes CSAA a practical choice for those prioritizing budget-friendly insurance with reliable service.
Who has the cheapest car insurance rates for young drivers in California?
Young drivers in California can benefit from CSAA's competitive rates, with minimum coverage averaging $27 monthly. This represents a savings of $84 compared to the state average, making it an attractive option for cost-conscious young drivers.
Who offers the cheapest car insurance rates for seniors in California?
Seniors in California can find the lowest rates with CSAA, where the average monthly premium is $25. This is a 62% reduction compared to standard rates for older drivers.
Should you buy the cheapest car insurance available in California?
While low-cost car insurance can be appealing, it's crucial to ensure it provides adequate financial protection. CSAA balances affordability with quality service, potentially making it the best car insurance in California. Starting at $12 per month for basic coverage, CSAA offers a sensible mix of cost and coverage.
How much does car insurance in California cost, on average?
In California, full coverage car insurance averages about $127 per month, while minimum coverage is around $52 monthly. It's important to select a policy that offers enough protection to avoid major financial losses, as the cheapest option may not be sufficient in the event of an accident.
What are car insurance requirements in California?
California mandates minimum auto insurance coverage, including $15,000 for bodily injury per person, $30,000 per accident, and $5,000 for property damage. While minimum coverage is less costly initially, it may not provide enough financial protection. Consider starting with the legal minimum and evaluating your personal needs and asset value to determine the appropriate coverage level.
Affordable Car Insurance in California: How We Found the Best Cheap Rates
*Rates are for a 40 year old driver with good credit and no driving violations
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.