Best Car Insurance for New Drivers in California (2025)
Some of the best companies for new drivers in California include AAA, GEICO, and Progressive.
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Finding the right insurer matters when it comes to affordability. On top of learning how to drive, new drivers need to secure affordable car insurance, which is easier said than done. The average rate for car insurance in California for new drivers is $273 per month. Progressive, AAA, and GEICO are a few California insurers that offer new drivers affordable rates plus ways to save.
Where you live, your ZIP code, your driving record, and other factors influence car insurance rates. Here’s how to find cheap car insurance in California for new drivers.
Quick Facts
California follows a 30/60/15 minimum liability coverage requirement.
New drivers can expect to see rates drop as they age and demonstrate safe driving behavior.
Good student and defensive driving discounts are great ways for young drivers to save.
Best car insurance for new drivers in California
How much you spend on car insurance can vary depending on your age and other key factors, like car type, location, and mileage. To help you narrow down your search for an affordable car insurance policy, here are some of the top car insurance companies for new drivers in California.
Auto Club of Southern California (AAA): Best for customer experience
GEICO: Best for discounts
Progressive: Best for streamlining coverage
Who’s considered a new driver in California?
You can be a new driver at any stage of life. While teenagers are often new drivers, young adults who learned to drive after high school and first-time immigrants in the country with a U.S. driver’s license are also considered new drivers.
Teen drivers with a learner’s permit need to obtain a car insurance policy to drive legally while practicing. Anyone looking to practice driving before they have their license also needs a valid auto insurance policy.
All new drivers can experience the growing pains that come with high insurance rates while they prove they’re responsible. Budgeting for higher car insurance rates before getting a car is a good idea.
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Liability quotes for new drivers start at $152 per month
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Cheapest car insurance for new drivers in California
New drivers lack experience behind the wheel, which makes them a risk to insure. But that’s not the only reason car insurance companies charge young drivers more. For example, teen drivers are notorious for getting distracted and making risky driving decisions.
To help teens save, parents can add them to their policy, which can result in savings like a multi-policy or loyalty discount. It also helps to pursue an affordable policy. The following table outlines the cheapest car insurance rates for teen drivers in California from popular auto insurance companies.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Friday, October 31 at 5:00 PM PDT.
Insurance Company  | Average Quote: Liability Only | Average Quote: Full Coverage | IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. |
|---|---|---|---|
| USAA | $152 | $348 | $9 |
| Dairyland | $158 | $566 | $8 |
| Sun Coast | $174 | $436 | $0 |
| Root | $181 | $331 | $8 |
| National General | $183 | $534 | $7 |
| Mercury | $191 | $366 | $8 |
| Anchor | $208 | $342 | $6 |
| GEICO | $209 | $378 | $9 |
| Bristol West | $220 | $517 | $7 |
| Allstate | $224 | $514 | $9 |
| Farmers | $230 | $524 | $9 |
| Direct Auto | $232 | $618 | $8 |
| State Farm | $244 | $559 | $9 |
| 21st Century | $263 | $602 | $7 |
| Travelers | $271 | $624 | $9 |
| Nationwide | $348 | $797 | $9 |
| Chubb | $472 | $1,079 | $7 |
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.
Our editorial team spent more than 350 hours developing the Insurify Quality (IQ) Score and scoring insurance companies. The IQ Score objectively analyzes and calculates a score for insurers using more than 15 crucial criteria. The team weighted criteria by importance to the consumer — factors such as customer reviews and affordability influence the score more than availability and third-party ratings.
We rate each company on a 1 to 10 scale based on five categories: financial ratings, customer satisfaction, affordability, customer support and transparency, and availability. Insurify updates ratings once a year or as more recent information becomes available.
- Third-party financial ratings: Insurify uses data from AM Best, S&P, Moody’s, and more to compare insurance companies’ credit and ability to pay out future claims.
- Customer satisfaction: To calculate this score, Insurify analyzed more than 55,000 customer reviews across 155 car insurance companies. We also consider third-party ratings from J.D. Power, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and Trustpilot.
- Affordability: Our data scientists analyzed more than 90 million real-time auto insurance rates from our partners across the U.S., as well as available discounts, to calculate an affordability score.
- Customer support and transparency: This measures coverage options, ease of claims filing, and the insurer's transparency surrounding discounts, coverages, and claims process.
- Availability and reach: Insurify scores availability and reach by identifying the number of states in which insurers offer coverage and company size by market share.
How much car insurance should new drivers in California buy?
To drive legally in California, you must adhere to certain car insurance coverage standards — no matter how old you are.[?]
Liability insurance protects other parties but doesn’t cover your damages. To better protect themselves, new drivers should consider comprehensive and collision coverage for their vehicles and roadside assistance for emergencies.
State minimums often fall short in severe accidents, leaving drivers financially vulnerable. You may want to consider higher coverage limits or additional policies that can prevent out-of-pocket expenses for medical costs or repairs that exceed liability limits.
Car insurance discounts for new drivers in California
New drivers pay more for car insurance than more experienced drivers, but they can take steps to reduce their car insurance rates. In addition to keeping their driving record clean, new drivers can also see if they qualify for any of these popular auto insurance discounts.[?]
Good student discount: Many insurers reward students with good grades, so teen drivers have some extra motivation to study.
Defensive driving course discount: Completing a certified defensive driving course demonstrates to your insurer that you’re knowledgeable about safe driving habits.
Low-mileage discount: Most teens don’t drive long distances, and some insurers offer reduced premiums for people who don’t drive as often.
Bundling discount: Combining auto insurance with renters or home insurance can lead to multi-policy savings.
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How to get cheap car insurance as a new driver in California
If you’re a new driver looking for cheap car insurance in California, consider these helpful tips for finding a policy that meets your coverage needs and budget.[?]
Car insurance for new drivers in California FAQs
New drivers can check out the additional information below to learn more about how car insurance works in California.
How much is car insurance for a new driver in California?
Car insurance for a new driver in California costs an average of $273 per month. A handful of factors affect car insurance premiums, like age, car type, ZIP code, and driving record.
Do you need car insurance before registering a car in California?
Yes. You need to have a valid insurance policy that meets the minimum requirements to be able to register a car in California. Any time you get behind the wheel in California, you must have a valid car insurance policy.
Do you need car insurance for a teen with a learner’s permit in California?
If your teenager wants to drive legally, they must have a valid car insurance policy before they hit the road. This rule applies even if they only have a learner’s permit.
What is the best insurance for new drivers in California?
There’s no one best car insurance company for all new drivers in California. When buying car insurance, it’s best to look for a reputable company like State Farm, GEICO, or Allstate that offers the types of coverage you need. Spend some time reading reviews from policyholders to get an idea of the customer service experience from each auto insurer you’re considering.
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