Cheap Auto Insurance in Berkeley, California (2025)
USAA offers the cheapest car insurance in Berkeley, with minimum-coverage policies as low as $92 per month.
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December 18, 2024
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Berkeley residents enjoy great views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and San Francisco skylines. But they don’t enjoy lower-than-average car insurance rates. While the city’s rates are on par with the California state averages, they’re significantly higher than national average costs for car insurance.
In Berkeley, full coverage averages $247 per month, and liability-only coverage averages $106. Nationally, the average monthly cost of car insurance is just $182 for full coverage and $103 for liability only.
The city’s comparatively low accident and fatality rates probably partially account for Berkeley’s average car insurance rates. In 2023, the city of nearly 119,000 residents had just 605 traffic accidents and no fatalities.1
Berkeley drivers may be able to find better-than-average car insurance rates by comparing quotes from multiple insurers. Here’s what to know about finding affordable coverage in Berkeley.
Best car insurance companies in Berkeley
To find the best car insurance in Berkeley, consider your budget, driving record, and car insurance coverage needs. It’s helpful to compare multiple companies at once to see which one offers the most discounts, the coverage options you need, and the best customer service. Mile Auto, Sun Coast, and Clearcover are some of the best insurers offering coverage in Berkeley, and all three offer below-average car insurance rates.
Best insurer for usage-based insurance: Mile Auto
Best insurer for safe drivers: Safeco
Best insurer for rideshare drivers: Mercury
How to get the cheapest car insurance in Berkeley
Finding the best price on car insurance involves a little effort on your part when shopping with different companies. To lock in a good deal on a car insurance policy in Berkeley, keep these tips in mind:
Shop around. Get quotes from at least three different car insurance companies at the same level of coverage to find the most affordable option. Be sure to compare prices, coverage options, and company reputations.
Look for discounts. “Keep your eye out for discounts that may apply to you, such as the auto pay discount, pay in full discount, and safe driving discount,” says McKenzie.
Bundle insurance. If you pair your auto insurance with homeowners insurance, renters insurance, or even life insurance, you can usually get a discount on your monthly premiums.
Drive safely. A driving history with speeding tickets, DUIs, and other incidents can easily increase your car insurance premiums. Make every effort to avoid them.
Take a defensive driving course. Some car insurers offer discounts to drivers who complete an approved defensive driving course. You may take it online in many cases and see some savings.
Cheapest liability-only car insurance in Berkeley: USAA
Liability car insurance is required per California law. This type of coverage pays for the other driver’s property damage and injuries after you cause a car accident. Because liability-only policies meet the state-minimum requirements and have no additional coverage, drivers can typically find the lowest prices with this type of insurance.
The table below shows the cheapest quotes for liability-only auto policies, on average, in Berkeley.
Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Berkeley: Anchor
Full-coverage car insurance is optional in Berkeley and generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverages. It provides extra protection for vehicle damages, including for accidents you cause. Your lender might require a full-coverage policy if you have a loan or lease on your vehicle.
Here’s a look at the cheapest full-coverage car insurance rates in Berkeley.
Car insurance requirements in California
California is an at-fault — or tort — state. This means the at-fault driver must pay for the property damage and injury costs they cause to drivers or passengers in another vehicle.
“Liability insurance is required to operate a vehicle on the roadway in California,” says Lauren McKenzie, senior insurance agent at A Plus Insurance. Drivers who fail to show proof of insurance may face legal and financial consequences.
State lawmakers approved an increase in coverage limits, which will take effect Jan. 1, 2025. The table below reflects this change and the types and amount of coverage all drivers need to carry:2
Coverage beyond minimum liability is optional for drivers in Berkeley but might be worthwhile for additional protection. Here are some optional coverages you can add to your auto policy:
California’s low-cost auto insurance plan
California’s Low Cost Automobile Insurance program (CLCA) helps qualifying drivers purchase low-cost car insurance. The eligibility requirements for the program are:
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
Depending on the county, minimum-liability car insurance through the CLCA costs $232 to $932 a year. While you can’t purchase full-coverage insurance through the CLCA, it does offer additional coverage options, like uninsured/underinsured motorist and medical payments insurance for an extra $37 to $107 a year. You can learn more and apply for the California car insurance program at MyLowCostAuto.com.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident
A few examples of incidents that can increase your car insurance rates include at-fault accidents, speeding tickets, and driving under the influence (DUI) convictions. Berkeley drivers with clean records usually land the cheapest premiums because auto insurance companies see them as having a lower risk of loss.
On the other hand, insurance companies tend to charge the highest rates to high-risk drivers to offset the potential loss in claims. To save as much money as possible on a policy, do your best to drive safely at all times and prevent these incidents. Here are the average car insurance quotes in Berkeley based on driving history.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket: USAA
In 2023, Berkeley police cited 175 drivers for unsafe speed.1 Speeding increases your risk of being involved in an accident. As a result, Berkeley drivers with speeding tickets tend to pay more for auto insurance coverage.
The average monthly cost of car insurance for Berkeley drivers with speeding tickets is $300 for full coverage and $129 for minimum coverage. The following table illustrates how top insurers for Berkeley charge drivers with speeding infractions more for liability-only insurance policies.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident: USAA
In 2020, Berkeley reported 357 injuries and fatalities from car accidents, which is a bit lower than other California cities with similar populations.5 However, if you cause a car accident, insurers will view you as a greater risk on the road. As a result, your car insurance premiums will likely go up.6
Berkeley drivers with at-fault accidents face average car insurance rates of $285 per month for full-coverage policies and $122 for liability only. The table below shows the most affordable minimum-coverage quotes for Berkeley drivers with at-fault accidents on their records.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI: USAA
A DUI conviction in California usually leads to fines, jail time, and a license suspension. To reinstate your license after a DUI, you may need to file an SR-22 insurance form with the state and keep it on file for three to five years. During this time, your premiums will likely increase or you may struggle to find auto insurance coverage.
DUIs push Berkeley car insurance averages to $398 per month for full coverage and $171 for liability-only policies. The following table shows how a DUI charge increases liability quotes from top insurers in Berkeley.
Cheapest car insurance for seniors: USAA
Senior drivers can experience age-related physical and cognitive changes that make it more difficult for them to drive safely.7 That’s why average premiums tend to go down around age 35 and increase again around age 70. Despite these trends, senior drivers in Berkeley typically have the cheapest premiums out of any other age group.
The average cost of car insurance for senior drivers in Berkeley is $95 per month for minimum coverage and $220 for full coverage. Here are the cheapest car insurance companies for senior drivers in Berkeley.
Cheapest car insurance for teens: USAA
“Teens who are newly licensed have far less driving experience than older, seasoned drivers, which increases their chances of getting into a car accident,” says McKenzie. “Therefore, insurance premiums will be higher for them and eventually decrease once the driver is age 25.” To save on auto policies, teens can stay on their parents’ insurance or take advantage of a good student discount.
Berkeley teens face average monthly car insurance rates of $472 for full coverage and $203 for liability only. The table below shows the average monthly car insurance quotes for teen drivers in Berkeley.
Is car insurance more expensive in Berkeley?
Car insurance rates for Berkeley drivers are higher than the national average but in line with California’s averages. Premiums can even vary by ZIP code and city within California as a result of differences in population, crime rates, weather conditions, and other factors.8 For example, average monthly quotes are higher in Berkeley than in almost every California city except for San Francisco and Los Angeles.
More cities in California
Here’s a look at the average quotes for car insurance in other cities in California.
Berkeley car insurance FAQs
Learn about what factors might cause high car insurance rates, and read the answers to common questions about Berkeley car insurance below.
How much is car insurance in Berkeley?
The average cost of car insurance in Berkeley is $106 per month for liability only and $247 per month for full coverage.
Which is the cheapest insurance company in Berkeley?
USAA has the lowest rates for Berkeley drivers, with minimum-coverage quotes starting at $92 per month. National General and Sun Coast are the second- and third-cheapest insurers, with liability-only rates as low as $103 and $112, respectively.
What are the best car insurance companies in Berkeley?
Some of the best car insurance companies in Berkeley are Mile Auto, Safeco, and Mercury. These companies have lower-than-average monthly quotes for drivers and strong Insurify Quality Scores. However, the best insurer for you depends on your specific needs, budget, and driving history. It’s best to compare quotes from multiple car insurance companies at the same coverage levels to find the lowest price for you.
Does California have high car insurance?
California doesn’t necessarily have higher car insurance rates. California car insurance average costs are similar to national average rates. States like Florida have much higher premiums on average, but others, like Maine, have much lower costs. California sits right in the middle in terms of car insurance affordability.
Can insurers in California use your credit score to set premiums?
No. California prohibits insurers from using credit history to determine car insurance premiums.9 This means that, all other factors being equal, you won’t pay more for car insurance if you have poor credit compared to someone with good or excellent credit.
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