Cheapest Auto Insurance in California (2025)
USAA has some of the lowest car insurance quotes in California, at $80 per month for liability-only insurance.
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California drivers pay an overall average of $150 per month for car insurance. Insurify’s analysts expect costs to rise 4% by the end of 2025. 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 $94 per month, while a full-coverage policy costs $206 per month. By comparison, the national average rates are $103 for liability-only insurance and $182 for full coverage.
Here’s how to research the best car insurance companies in California to find the right one for you.
Quick Facts
California drivers with a DUI on their record pay over 50% more for car insurance than drivers with clean records.
USAA and National General are the cheapest liability insurance companies in California, according to Insurify data.
California’s “comparative negligence” law can limit your reimbursement amount after an accident.
6 of the cheapest car insurance companies in California
The insurers below are some of the cheapest car insurance companies in California.
Data in this table has been sourced from Insurify’s users who have indicated they are insured with the listed providers
Finding the best car insurance in California is about balancing cost with coverage and looking for discounts to help you save. GEICO, Safeco, and State Farm are some of Insurify’s top picks for California drivers.
GEICO
Safeco
State Farm
Calculate how much your California car insurance might cost
See how much you might pay for a California car insurance policy using the calculator below.
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. Car insurance discounts for safe driving, for 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 $94 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 $206 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 took 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 $114 per month for liability insurance compared to drivers with a clean record, who pay $94.
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 $109 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 $151 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 $84 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 $180 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.
- Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 500+ partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
California car insurance FAQs
Check out Insurify’s guide on car insurance declaration pages to better understand what your policy includes. You can also read the following answers to commonly asked questions about car insurance in California.
How much is car insurance in California?
Car insurance in California costs an average of $150 per month. Full-coverage car insurance costs an average of $206 per month, and liability-only insurance is $94 per month.
Which company has the cheapest car insurance in California?
The cheapest car insurance companies for liability-only coverage in California are Mile Auto, Sun Coast, and Mercury. Their respective monthly liability rates are $80, $90, and $96.
What is the best car insurance in California?
GEICO, Safeco, and State Farm are a few of the best car insurance companies in California. But no single “best” car insurance company exists for all drivers. It’s important to compare quotes to determine which company best meets your budget and coverage needs.
Is California a no-fault state?
No. California follows a fault-based system, which means drivers who cause damages or injuries in an accident are responsible for reimbursing the other parties, typically through their liability policies.
Do you need uninsured motorist coverage in California?
California doesn’t require drivers to purchase uninsured motorist coverage, but it’s a beneficial addition to insurance policies. If a driver without insurance — or with insufficient coverage — damages your car or injures you in an accident, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage can help pay for your losses. It also covers losses from hit-and-runs.
Can car insurance companies in California use your credit score to determine rates?
California law prohibits insurance companies from using consumer credit information, gender, or ZIP code when making rating decisions. But most states allow the use of credit as a rating factor, while a handful of others restrict how insurers can use credit information for rating decisions.
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