Cheapest Car Insurance In California For 2025

GEICO offers the cheapest car insurance in California, with average annual rates of $501 for minimum coverage.

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Updated: 13 September 2025
Written by Bob Phillips
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If you’re searching for the cheapest car insurance in California, GEICO stands out as the most affordable option for minimum coverage, at an average of $501 per year, which is lower than the national average of $637.

Drivers in California looking for full coverage car insurance can find the lowest rates with CSAA, averaging $1,296 per year. This is significantly lower than the national average of $2,401.

Key Takeaways

  • GEICO & State Farm provide the cheapest car insurance policies in California, on average.

  • The average cost of car insurance in California ranges between $150-$300 per month.

  • Discounts are a good way to reduce your car insurance premium.

Cheapest Car Insurance In California For Minimum Coverage

Minimum coverage in car insurance represents the most fundamental level of protection, aligning with the legal mandates set by the state of Florida.

GEICO offers the cheapest minimum coverage car insurance in California, with average monthly premiums of $42.

Provider Average Monthly Cost Average Annual Cost

Progressive

$45

$538

Geico

$42

$501

Farmers

$60

$718

Mercury

$45

$538

State Farm

$43

$514

Cheapest Car Insurance In California For Full Coverage

Full coverage car insurance encompasses a more extensive range of protection compared to minimum coverage, making it a comprehensive choice for many drivers. This type of policy typically integrates both comprehensive and collision insurance, creating a robust safety net.

CSAA has the cheapest full coverage car insurance in California. You can get coverage for around $108 a month.

Provider Average Monthly Cost Average Annual Cost
CSAA $108 $1,296
GEICO $112 $1,344
Progressive $117 $1,404
Wawanesa $121 $1,452
Mercury Insurance $126 $1,512

Cheapest Car Insurance In California For Drivers With Poor Credit

Credit score plays a pivotal role in the calculation of car insurance rates, serving as a key indicator for insurers in assessing the risk profile of a driver. The underlying premise is that individuals with lower credit scores are statistically more likely to file insurance claims.

If you have poor credit, you can find the cheapest car insurance with GEICO. Premiums are around $142 per month.

Provider Average Monthly Cost Average Annual Cost
GEICO $142 $1,704
CSAA $148 $1,776
Mercury $153 $1,836
Progressive $159 $1,908
Infinity $164 $1,968

Cheapest Car Insurance In California For Seniors

Car insurance for seniors in California can be found at an affordable rate of $114 per month with CSAA.

Provider Average Monthly Cost Average Annual Cost
CSAA $114 $1,368
GEICO $118 $1,416
Mercury $123 $1,476
Progressive $129 $1,548
State Farm $134 $1,608

Seniors in California have the potential to secure competitive rates for their car insurance, thanks to the various factors that work in their favor. Age can indeed be a significant factor in determining insurance premiums, with the assumption being that as drivers age, their reflexes and driving abilities might decline. However, this is not a hard and fast rule, and many seniors maintain excellent driving records well into their later years.

Cheapest Car Insurance In California For Teenagers

Teenage car insurance rates in California are typically the highest out of any age group, this is because teenagers have a high rate of accidents, which translates into high premiums

Wawanesa has the cheapest rates for teens, with an average monthly premium of $236.

Provider Average Monthly Cost Average Annual Cost
Wawanesa $236 $2,832
USAA $248 $2,976
State Farm $262 $3,144
Mercury $269 $3,228
Root Insurance $276 $3,312

Cheapest Car Insurance In California For Good Drivers

Good drivers, characterized by their clean driving records, are typically rewarded with lower car insurance rates. Insurance companies assess risk based on a driver’s history, and those without any violations or accidents naturally fall into the low-risk category.

CSAA provides the cheapest auto insurance policy in California for drivers with a clean record, at an average annual rate of $108.

Provider Average Monthly Cost Average Annual Cost
CSAA $108 $1,296
Progressive $112 $1,344
GEICO $117 $1,404
Wawanesa $121 $1,452
Mercury $126 $1,512

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Cheapest Car Insurance In California For Drivers With A Speeding Ticket

Mercury has average premiums of $243, making it the cheapest option for drivers with a speeding ticket.

Provider Average Monthly Cost Average Annual Cost
Mercury $243 $2,916
GEICO $251 $3,012
CSAA $258 $3,096
Progressive $264 $3,168
Infinity Insurance $271 $3,252

Cheapest Car Insurance In California For Drivers With An At-Fault Accident

CSAA has average premiums of $166, making it the cheapest option for drivers with an at-fault accident.

Provider Average Monthly Cost Average Annual Cost
CSAA $166 $1,992
GEICO $172 $2,064
Mercury $179 $2,148
Progressive $185 $2,220
Infinity Insurance $191 $2,292

Cheapest Car Insurance In California For Drivers After A DUI

CSAA has average premiums of $122, making it the cheapest option for drivers with a DUI on their record.

Provider Average Monthly Cost Average Annual Cost
CSAA $122 $1,464
Mercury Insurance $128 $1,536
GEICO $134 $1,608
Safeco $139 $1,668
Progressive $144 $1,728

Average Cost Of Car Insurance In California- By Age

An 18-year-old driver in California can expect to pay around $3,408 per year for their insurance, while a 35-year-old driver will only pay around $1,896.

Your age plays a significant role in determining your car insurance rate. Young drivers typically pay the highest premiums, with rates dropping as you get older.

Age Average Monthly Cost Average Annual Cost
16 $312 $3,744
17 $298 $3,576
18 $284 $3,408
19 $268 $3,216
21 $224 $2,688
25 $189 $2,268
35 $158 $1,896
45 $151 $1,812
55 $144 $1,728
65 $153 $1,836
75 $169 $2,028

Average Cost Of Car Insurance In California- By City

Drivers in Lancaster typically pay around $1,788 per year, while drivers in Anderson may find rates around $1,464.

The city that your home is in greatly affects your car insurance premiums. Cities usually have higher risks of theft and accidents.

City Average Monthly Cost Average Annual Cost
Redlands $143 $1,714
San Diego $126 $1,510
Danville $125 $1,498
Santa Ana $147 $1,762
Fresno $132 $1,582
San Francisco $168 $2,016
San Jose $154 $1,848
Orange County $139 $1,668
Berkeley $151 $1,812
Pasadena $158 $1,896
Modesto $137 $1,644
Riverside $141 $1,692
Stockton $146 $1,752
Lancaster $149 $1,788
Culver City $162 $1,944
Jurupa Valley $138 $1,656
Cerritos $144 $1,728
Gilroy $135 $1,620
Hawthorne $159 $1,908
Lynwood $161 $1,932
Norwalk $148 $1,776
Palo Alto $152 $1,824
Pleasanton $134 $1,608
Bakersfield $129 $1,548
Anderson $122 $1,464
Los Angeles $175 $2,100
Sacramento $145 $1,740
Redding $127 $1,524
Ontario $140 $1,680
Palmdale $150 $1,800

Minimum Car Insurance Requirements In California

California drivers must have minimum car insurance with liability coverage set at 30/60/15. The minimum amount of coverage required by law is as follows:

  • $30,000 for bodily injury per person
  • $60,000 in bodily injury per accident
  • $15,000 for property damage per accident.

Car Insurance Discounts In California

While searching for car insurance, it’s wise to explore providers that present the most beneficial discounts tailored to your circumstances. Additionally, consulting with your insurance agent can reveal potential discounts that you might not be currently utilizing.

Below is further insight into the common types of discounts provided by top car insurance companies:

  • Multi-policy: Bundle two or more insurance policies with the same company.
  • Multi-vehicle: Insuring multiple cars under the same policy or combining auto insurance policies earns you this discount.
  • Military: This generally applies to both veterans and active-duty military members.
  • Senior: This often applies to policyholders who are 55 or older.
  • Homeowners: If you own a home, you may qualify for this discount.
  • Good student: This discount is usually for college and high school students under 25 who maintain a B average in their courses.
  • Good driver: You can save money by maintaining a clean driving record (with no at-fault accidents, DUI, or traffic tickets in the last three years).
  • Defensive driving: Those who take a qualifying defensive driving course get a discount.
  • Driver training: Get a discount by taking a driver education training course.
  • New car: Drivers who purchase new cars, typically no more than three model years old, get a discount.
  • Safe car: This applies if your vehicle has safety features like anti-theft technology.
  • Paperless: Receive a discount by opting to receive your documents through email.
  • Pay-in-full: Save on your car insurance premium by paying in full up front.

Our Methodology

Drawing upon a comprehensive analysis that encompasses multiple facets such as customer service ratings, product options, pricing, and a thorough evaluation of various online review sites and user experience, I've crafted an in-depth view of the landscape of car insurance providers in California.

This is an informed perspective, honed by over 15 years of personal involvement in the industry as a licensed casualty insurance agent in California, countless interactions with representatives from various companies, and insights gleaned from firsthand experience buying car insurance in California.

159

Quotes Analyzed

15+

Years Of Industry Experience

37

Brands Reviewed

35+

Research Hours

Compare Rates To Other U.S. States

State Average Annual Premium
Alabama $1,777
Alaska $1,576
Arizona $1,873
Arkansas $1,923
California $2,462
Colorado $2,139
Connecticut $1,834
Delaware $2,076
Florida $2,576
Georgia $1,974
Hawaii $1,546
Idaho $1,362
Illinois $1,672
Indiana $1,502
Iowa $1,488
Kansas $1,704
Kentucky $2,095
Louisiana $3,019
Maine $1,413
Maryland $1,991
Massachusetts $1,664
Michigan $2,199
Minnesota $1,702
Mississippi $1,892
Missouri $1,944
Montana $1,873
Nebraska $1,653
Nevada $2,211
New Hampshire $1,314
New Jersey $1,984
New Mexico $1,799
New York $2,281
North Carolina $1,432
North Dakota $1,623
Ohio $1,487
Oklahoma $2,062
Oregon $1,659
Pennsylvania $1,879
Rhode Island $2,174
South Carolina $1,944
South Dakota $2,376
Tennessee $1,615
Texas $1,983
Utah $1,784
Vermont $1,253
Virginia $1,531
Washington $1,703
West Virginia $1,726
Wisconsin $1,536
Wyoming $1,646

FAQs

How much is car insurance a month in California?

The monthly cost of car insurance in California varies widely but typically ranges from $150 to $300. Factors influencing the price include your driving record, type of coverage, and the make and model of your vehicle.

Which insurance is better in California?

The “best” insurance in California depends on individual needs. GEICO and State Farm are both popular for their affordability and customer service,

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