Located outside of Los Angeles and surrounded by mountains within driving distance, Riverside, California, has a vibrant arts and recreation community. Residents enjoy car insurance rates that are on par with state averages but lower than costs in other California cities. The city’s smaller population and lower accident rates, compared to nearby cities, could partly explain its competitive car insurance rates.1

The average cost of car insurance in Riverside is $208 per month for full coverage and $97 for liability-only coverage, according to Insurify data. California’s state averages, by comparison, are $208 for full coverage and $95 for liability coverage.

Riverside drivers can find cheap car insurance that fits their needs by comparing quotes from multiple insurance companies. Here’s what to know about car insurance in Riverside, California.

3 of the cheapest car insurance companies in Riverside

Finding the best car insurance company for you depends on your particular budget, coverage preferences, and driving record. Insurify analyzed and identified the best auto insurers in Riverside based on customer satisfaction, AM Best ratings, average quotes, and more.

Best insurer for liability coverage: Mile Auto

Best insurer for teen drivers: Clearcover

Best insurer for senior drivers: Sun Coast

How to get the cheapest car insurance in Riverside

Finding the cheapest car insurance requires a little work on your part during the insurance-shopping process. To score a great deal on an auto policy in Riverside, follow these tips:

• Shop around. It may be tempting to choose a policy from the first car insurance company you find. But if you’d like to save as much money as possible, it’s a good idea to get quotes from several companies and compare your insurance options.

• Take advantage of discounts. It’s quite common for car insurance companies to offer discounts. A few examples include a good driver discount and a multi-vehicle discount.

• Bundle policies. Chances are you need more than one type of insurance policy. If this is the case, you may lock in a discount for bundling an auto policy with homeowners insurance, renters insurance, or life insurance.

• Consider usage-based insurance. Usage-based, or pay-per-mile, insurance might make sense if you only drive occasionally. You’ll only pay for the number of miles you drive, plus a base rate.

Cheapest liability-only car insurance in Riverside: USAA

The state of California requires liability-only car insurance minimum limits of 15/30/5. This type of policy pays for the other driver’s property damage and injuries after an accident you cause.

Due to the bare-bones nature of this auto policy type, it’s generally cheaper than full-coverage insurance, and drivers can get low premiums with this policy. But you need to carefully consider your ability to cover potentially large out-of-pocket expenses in case of an accident.

Liability-only coverage in Riverside costs an average of $97 per month.

If you only want to meet California’s minimum requirements, these are the cheapest liability-only insurance companies in Riverside.

Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Riverside: Anchor

For extra protection, you might want full-coverage car insurance, which typically includes liability, collision, and comprehensive insurance. If you drive a newer or expensive vehicle, full-coverage car insurance may provide the extra protection you’re looking for. Plus, drivers who lease or finance their vehicles may have to buy full-coverage insurance while paying off their auto loans. Full coverage is typically more expensive than minimum-coverage car insurance.

Riverside drivers pay an average of $208 per month for full-coverage policies.

The table below shows the most affordable full-coverage car insurance companies in Riverside.

Car insurance requirements in California

Like many states, California is an at-fault state, also called a tort state. This means that the driver responsible for the accident must pay for the other driver’s damage or injury costs. Drivers must carry bodily injury and property damage liability coverage but may purchase additional coverage for more financial protection.

State lawmakers approved an increase in coverage limits, which takes effect Jan. 1, 2025. The table below reflects this change and the types and amount of coverage all Riverside drivers need to carry:3

While you can purchase liability-only insurance to maintain legal requirements, more coverages may help you feel more protected on the road. You can consider adding these different types of auto insurance coverage options to your policy:

California’s Low Cost Auto Insurance Program

The state government manages California’s Low Cost Automobile (CLCA) Insurance Program to help low-income drivers afford car insurance. To be eligible for the program, you must meet the following requirements:

• 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

Car insurance through the CLCA costs $232 to $932 per year, depending on the county. But drivers can add coverage like uninsured/underinsured motorist and medical payments insurance for an extra $37 to $107 per year. You can learn more and apply for the car insurance program at MyLowCostAuto.com.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident

At-fault accidents, speeding tickets, and DUIs are examples of incidents that can raise your car insurance premiums in Riverside, California. Drivers in the city with clean records usually lock in the lowest prices. But even with incidents on your driving record, it’s still possible to find affordable car insurance.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket: USAA

Speeding reduces the amount of time drivers have to react to dangerous situations and often results in accidents. This higher risk for accidents is why you can expect higher premiums after a speeding ticket in Riverside.

On average, Riverside drivers with speeding tickets pay $118 per month for liability coverage and $253 for full coverage. The table below shows the cheapest car insurance companies for Riverside drivers with a speeding ticket on their records.

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

In 2022, Riverside had 40 fatal car accidents out of the 1,803 total crashes in the city.4 If you cause an accident, your insurance premiums will usually increase because of your higher risk of another accident. How much your car insurance will increase depends on the severity of the crash and the total claim amount.

Riverside drivers with accidents on their records pay average car insurance rates of $241 per month for full coverage and $112 for liability only. If you’re searching for cheap car insurance after an accident in Riverside, start by getting quotes from the insurers below.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI: USAA

Not only can a DUI result in hefty fines and jail time, but it may also lead to higher car insurance premiums — especially if California requires you to file an SR-22. A DUI can also cause your insurance company to not renew your policy at the end of its term.

A DUI pushes the average monthly cost of car insurance in Riverside to $335 for full coverage and $156 for liability-only policies. The table below shows average car insurance quotes for Riverside drivers with a DUI on their records.

Cheapest car insurance for seniors: USAA

Seniors may cause car accidents due to physical and mental limitations, like poor vision and slow reflexes.5 Average premiums go down around age 35 and go up a bit around age 70.

Senior drivers in Riverside pay average car insurance costs of $185 per month for full coverage and $86 for minimum coverage. In Riverside, seniors may find the lowest auto insurance quotes from the insurance companies below.

Cheapest car insurance for teens: USAA

Teenagers have less driving experience and are more likely to be involved in accidents than older drivers, and face higher car insurance costs as a result. To save money on a policy, teens can stay on their parents’ insurance, enroll in a defensive driving course, and secure a discount.

“Most carriers offer a good student discount for teens with a GPA of at least 3.0,” says Earl Jones, insurance agent and owner at Earl L. Jones Insurance Agency in California. “In addition, most providers offer a ‘student away’ discount for those students who [attend college] hours away from home.” 

Teens who purchase their own policies in Riverside face average car insurance rates of $400 per month for full coverage and $187 for liability-only coverage. For teens and young adults looking for cheap car insurance in Riverside, start with the insurers in the table below.

Is car insurance more expensive in Riverside?

The average cost of a liability-only auto policy in Riverside is $97 per month. For full coverage, the average monthly cost is $208.

These rates are higher than the national averages of $104 per month for liability coverage and $184 per month for full coverage.

Car insurance premiums vary by city and ZIP code within California due to factors like population, crime rates, and the number of uninsured drivers.6

More cities in California

More populated cities typically have higher rates than Riverside due to their higher rates of car accidents and crime.

Here’s an overview of average car insurance quotes for other cities in California.