Cheapest Auto Insurance in California (2025)

California drivers pay an overall average of $151 per month for car insurance. Insurify’s analysts expect costs to rise over the next 12 to 18 months. The end of California’s freeze on rate hikes, the state’s high risk of weather-related damage, and the rising cost of auto body parts will drive the increase.

The average quote for a California liability-only car insurance policy is $95 per month, while a full-coverage policy costs $208 per month. By comparison, the national average rates are $104 for liability-only insurance and $184 for full coverage.

Here’s how to research the best car insurance companies in California to find the right one for you.

3 of the cheapest car insurance companies in California

Finding the best car insurance company for you depends on your specific needs and circumstances. Start your search with the companies in the table below.

GEICO

Safeco

State Farm

How to get the cheapest car insurance in California

Your specific needs and circumstances can influence which insurance company is the cheapest for you. Insurers consider several factors to determine your premium, including your age, driving record, type of car, and the city where you live.4

Here are a few tips to help you find the most affordable car insurance in California:

• Keep a clean driving record. At-fault accidents and traffic violations can raise your premiums, so safe driving can lead to significant savings.

• Take advantage of discounts. Discounts for safe driving, bundling policies, or even for driving a hybrid or electric car can cut down your car insurance quote.

• Increase your deductible. While you’ll pay more out of pocket if you file a claim, a higher deductible can lower your monthly premium significantly.

• Shop around. Comparing quotes from multiple insurers is essential because rates can vary quite a bit from one company to the next.

California’s low-cost auto insurance plan

California’s Low Cost Automobile Insurance program (CLCA) helps low-income drivers find affordable car insurance amid rising rates. Car insurance through the CLCA costs $232 to $932 per year. To be eligible for the program, you must:

• Have a valid California driver’s license

• Meet income eligibility requirements

• Own a vehicle valued at $25,000 or less

• Be at least 16 years old

• Have a good driving record or be a new driver

The low-cost auto insurance program helps drivers meet California’s minimum liability requirements, but you can add medical payments and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage for $37 to $107 per year. Yous can apply for the program online at MyLowCostAuto.com.

Cheapest liability-only car insurance quotes in California: USAA

“Liability-only car insurance coverage pays for the policyholder’s legal responsibility to others for bodily injury or property damage,” says Mark Friedlander, director of corporate communications at the Insurance Information Institute. It doesn’t cover repairs or medical expenses for you or your vehicle.

Because it covers so little compared to other policy types, liability insurance is usually the cheapest type of car insurance available. On average, liability insurance in California costs $95 per month.

The table below highlights some of the cheapest liability-only car insurance companies in California.

Cheapest full-coverage car insurance quotes in California: Anchor

A liability-only policy covers damages and injuries to others in an accident you cause, but full-coverage insurance also includes protection for your vehicle. Full coverage is generally the better choice if you drive a newer or more valuable car. It includes comprehensive coverage, which pays for damage from theft, vandalism, and natural disasters, and collision coverage, which pays for car damages from an accident, even if you’re at fault.

California drivers pay $208 on average for full-coverage insurance. Here’s a look at some of the cheapest auto insurance companies for full coverage in California:

Car insurance requirements in California

California is an at-fault state for car insurance. But it uses “comparative negligence,” so each driver can end up shouldering part of the blame. For instance, if you sue another driver for causing an accident, the court may find that you’re 15% at fault because you were driving a little too fast at the time. In this case, you could only collect 85% of the damages.1 2

If you plan to drive in California, you must have auto insurance that meets the state’s minimum liability requirements. State lawmakers approved an increase in coverage limits, which will take effect Jan. 1, 2025. Here’s the new minimum coverage you need in California:3

For more protection, California auto insurance companies have several optional insurance coverages you can buy:

Cheapest car insurance quotes for CA drivers with an incident

Car insurance companies see you as a high-risk driver if your history includes incidents like at-fault accidents, speeding tickets, or DUIs. Higher risk can lead to higher rates for car insurance. For instance, California drivers with a DUI pay nearly double what drivers with a clean record pay.

Cheapest car insurance quotes for drivers with a speeding ticket: USAA

Despite the higher risk, several insurers in California offer competitive rates for drivers with speeding tickets on their records. California drivers with speeding tickets pay an average of $116 per month for liability insurance compared to drivers with a clean record, who pay $95.

The table below shows a price comparison between having a clean record and having a ticket from popular insurers.

Cheapest car insurance quotes for drivers with an at-fault accident: USAA

Accidents happen. A fender bender or more serious crash can cause your premiums to rise for at least three years, but it doesn’t mean you’ll never get affordable coverage again.5

On average, California drivers with an at-fault accident on their record pay $110 per month for liability coverage.

Consider starting your search for coverage after an at-fault accident with policies from the following California auto insurers:

Cheapest car insurance quotes for drivers with a DUI: USAA

Getting cheap car insurance in California can be difficult if you have a DUI. Fortunately, several companies specialize in high-risk coverage, offering competitive rates if you have a DUI on your driving record or need to have your insurer file an SR-22 in California.

Drivers with DUIs on their record in California pay an average of $153 per month for liability insurance. To help get a lower rate, ask for car insurance discounts and consider telematics programs to demonstrate your commitment to safer driving habits.

Cheapest car insurance quotes for seniors: USAA

Car insurance costs tend to decrease around age 25 due to having more experience and a generally lower likelihood of risky behavior. Senior drivers generally pay low rates, averaging $85 per month for liability policies in California.

But seniors face rising rates at around age 70 due to higher risk. Fatal crash rates jump significantly around ages 70–74, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).6

Here are the cheapest California car insurance companies for senior drivers:

Cheapest car insurance quotes for teens: USAA

Auto insurance rates for teen drivers tend to be significantly higher than those for adults due to limited driving experience and higher accident risks. In general, graduated licensing programs cause fatal crash rates to decrease over time, but they remain nearly two times higher than for drivers ages 20 and older, according to the IIHS.7

California teens pay high rates, at an average of $183 per month for liability coverage. To make coverage costs more affordable, consider staying on your parents’ policy and driving a safe, reliable, older vehicle. If you maintain good grades, you may qualify for a good student discount that can get you even lower rates.

Car insurance rates across California cities

Where you live in California has a big impact on your car insurance rates. This is because insurance companies take into account the number of claims filed in your area when setting car insurance rates. The higher number of claims in an area translates into higher risk for the insurance company, which ultimately means higher rates for the drivers in that city.

Check out the table below to see the average car insurance rates for cities across California.