The overall average cost of car insurance in Los Angeles is $248 per month, which is higher than both the statewide average of $151 and the nationwide average of $144. With more than 3.8 million residents, Los Angeles is the most populous city in California. People in cities with a higher population typically pay more for car insurance because they’re at greater risk of getting into an accident and filing a claim.
California law requires drivers to carry car insurance, but it’s possible to find an affordable policy that meets your coverage needs. Here’s what you should know about finding car insurance in Los Angeles and how to save money without sacrificing coverage.
How much is car insurance in Los Angeles, CA?
Car insurance in Los Angeles is more expensive than in California overall, and it’s also more expensive than the national average. See how Los Angeles car insurance rates compare in the table below.
Cheapest car insurance companies in Los Angeles
Comparing quotes from at least three different insurers is the best way to find affordable coverage. You can see average full-coverage and liability rates from some of the cheapest insurance companies in Los Angeles in the table below.
Best car insurance companies in Los Angeles
The best car insurance company for you will depend on the factors affecting your premiums and coverage needs. But you can start by comparing quotes from some of the cheapest auto insurance companies in Los Angeles.
Cheapest rates: Mile Auto
Best insurer for value and discounts: Travelers
Best insurer for military families: USAA
How to get the cheapest car insurance in Los Angeles
While the cost of auto insurance varies by some factors outside of your control, your choices can also affect how much you pay. Here are some things you can do to get cheap car insurance in Los Angeles:1
Car insurance requirements in California
Like most states, California is an at-fault state, which means drivers are liable for the other party’s losses if at fault in a car accident. That also means that if you don’t have enough liability coverage, the other party can sue you for damages above and beyond your coverage limits. You may want to choose higher limits than California law requires to offset this risk.
State lawmakers approved an increase in coverage limits, which took effect Jan. 1, 2025. The table below reflects this change and the types and amount of coverage all Los Angeles drivers need to carry:2
You should also consider adding the following optional coverages:
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident
Your driving history has a significant effect on your car insurance premium.
For example, getting caught driving under the influence can cause a particularly steep increase in your car insurance premium for several years. Average premiums double after a DUI in California, according to Insurify’s analysis.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket: USAA
A speeding ticket signals to auto insurance companies that you don’t practice safe driving habits, which makes you a higher risk to insure. Insurers will charge you a surcharge to account for that increased risk for three to five years.
The overall average monthly cost of car insurance for L.A. drivers with a speeding ticket is $302, according to Insurify data. Below are additional average quotes for liability coverage that insurers offer drivers with speeding tickets in Los Angeles. How much your premium increases will vary depending on the severity and number of speeding tickets.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident: USAA
In Los Angeles, drivers with at-fault accidents on their record pay significantly more for car insurance than people with clean driving records — some companies raise prices more than others, though. Generally, insurers will charge a premium surcharge for three to five years for drivers with an at-fault accident.
The overall average cost of car insurance in L.A. with an at-fault accident is $287 per month. Here are average monthly quotes from the cheapest companies.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI: USAA
Driving under the influence is a particularly serious offense that can stay on your record for up to 10 years in California. To reinstate your license after a DUI, you need to provide an SR-22 certificate from your insurer that proves you have the state minimum insurance coverage.3 And since insurers will view you as a high-risk driver, you’ll pay significantly more for auto insurance.
Drivers in Los Angeles with a DUI pay almost twice as much for car insurance than drivers with a clean record. The average cost of full coverage with a DUI is $539 per month in L.A. Some insurers may choose not to renew your coverage, so quote comparison is crucial. Below are average monthly quotes from the cheapest insurers for Los Angeles drivers with a DUI.
Cheapest car insurance for seniors: USAA
Your age plays a role in your auto insurance costs because it often indicates how much driving experience you have. Older drivers generally pay lower rates than young drivers because they have more experience behind the wheel.
Senior drivers in Los Angeles pay a monthly average of $143 for liability-only coverage and $298 for full coverage, Insurify data shows. Below are the average car insurance quotes for senior drivers in Los Angeles.
Cheapest car insurance for teens: USAA
Teen drivers have the least experience and are also more likely to be in an accident than any other age group, so insurers typically charge them significantly higher premiums.4
One way that teens can save money on car insurance is by staying on their parents’ policies. Some insurers also offer good student discounts to teens who get good grades or take an approved driver’s education course, and student away at school discounts for teens who go to school a certain number of miles away from home. Quote comparison is also a great way for teen drivers to save money.
Teen drivers in Los Angeles pay an overall monthly average of $477 for auto insurance. Here’s what teens pay on average for liability and full coverage from the cheapest companies. Keep in mind that minors can’t buy their own car insurance policy without the written consent of a parent or guardian.
Cost of car insurance in other California cities
Other populous cities in California have cheaper average full-coverage car insurance quotes than Los Angeles. Here’s how other cities in California compare.