Cheapest Car Insurance For College Students in California 2025
GEICO is one of the best car insurance companies for college students in California. GEICO is also the cheapest provider, with an average annual rate of $2,604.
We’ve saved shoppers an average of $600 per year on their car insurance.
California is home to more than 750 higher education institutions, ranging from universities and community colleges to private schools and vocational programs. The University of California (UC) system includes 10 major campuses, five medical centers, and three national laboratories, making it one of the most prestigious networks in the country. The California State University (CSU) system adds another 23 campuses with extensive scholarship and financial aid opportunities, while the California Community Colleges (CCC) system represents the largest public higher education network in the nation, serving over 1.3 million students at any given time.
Most of these schools are concentrated in major metropolitan areas such as San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Sacramento—regions that also experience some of the highest accident and violation rates among young drivers. In Sacramento, rapid population growth has contributed to a 14.8% increase in teen driver crash fatalities. The San Francisco Bay Area reports that college‑aged drivers account for the highest crash rates of any age group. In Los Angeles, one of the most densely populated regions in the state, more than 50% of fatal accidents involve teen drivers. Meanwhile, in San Diego, college students are linked to over 20% of all car accidents annually.
With such high risks across California’s largest college hubs, affordable car insurance isn’t just a financial necessity—it’s a critical safeguard for students navigating busy city streets and long commutes.
Key Takeaways
Student drivers in California must have car insurance that meets the state’s minimum requirements.
GEICO offers the cheapest insurance policy for students in California, at an average annual rate of $2,604.
There are multiple ways to reduce the cost of car insurance for students in California.
Best Car Insurance Companies For College Students In California
When selecting car insurance for college students in California, you need to consider your priorities and pick a policy that matches your needs, whether that is low rates or comprehensive coverage.
Use the table below to see our picks for the best auto insurers for students in California.
| Company | Average Rate Per Year |
| GEICO | $2,604 |
| Allstate | $3,028 |
| Nationwide | $3,000 |
| State Farm | $2,936 |
| Progressive | $2,860 |
* These figures are estimates based on general market trends, and they may differ from your actual rate.
Cheapest Liability-Only Car Insurance For College Students In California
Minimum coverage policies are often an effective way to decrease overall costs, but can leave you vulnerable in an accident. These low-cost plans will only cover the state minimum insurance needed to operate a vehicle, which means paying expenses out of pocket.
Minimum coverage policies are great options for college students as they provide the insurance needed to drive legally while keeping costs low.
As you can see from the table below, GEICO is the cheapest average option at $504 per year.
| Company | Average Rate Per Year |
| Mercury | $684 |
| State Farm | $720 |
| GEICO | $504 |
| AAA | $600 |
| Progressive | $660 |
* These figures are estimates based on general market trends, and they may differ from your actual rate.
Cheapest Full Coverage Car Insurance For College Students In California
College students who commute to campus or routinely drive for work should consider a full coverage policy over minimum coverage. These plans offer additional protection, often including liability, comprehensive, and collision coverage.
While the full coverage policies offer more protection, they come at a higher cost. It’s essential to weigh the benefits of the additional insurance against the extra monthly cost.
State Farm is the cheapest full coverage car insurance policy for students in California, at an average annual rate of $3,720.
| Company | Average Rate Per Year |
| GEICO | $3,900 |
| Progressive | $5,160 |
| State Farm | $3,720 |
| Allstate | $4,320 |
| Mercury | $4,140 |
* These figures are estimates based on general market trends, and they may differ from your actual rate.
Cheapest Car Insurance For College Students With Low-Mileage In California
If you’re a college student who doesn’t plan on driving much throughout the school year, there’s no reason to pay for insurance you don’t need. While you’ll still need to maintain the state minimum auto insurance, most low-mileage policies offer discounted rates if you stay below a certain number of miles yearly.
The limit will vary between insurance companies but is usually around 7,500 to 10,000 miles annually.
Use the table below to view the cheapest low-mileage rates for college drivers in California.
| Company | Average Rate Per Year |
| Allstate | $720 |
| Lemonade | $420 |
| State Farm | $900 |
| Progressive | $840 |
| Nationwide | $780 |
* These figures are estimates based on general market trends, and they may differ from your actual rate.
Cheapest Car Insurance For College Students With Driving Violations In California
Driving violations can significantly increase the amount a driver pays for monthly coverage, regardless of age. College students will likely experience an even more significant rate increase after an accident or ticket due to their already high-risk rating.
One way to mitigate the damage of a driving violation is to work with a company like Mercury that specializes in insuring motorists with a history of tickets or accidents.
| Company | Average Rate Per Year |
| Progressive | $3,600 |
| GEICO | $3,360 |
| National General | $3,120 |
| Mercury | $2,880 |
| State Farm | $3,000 |
* These figures are estimates based on general market trends, and they may differ from your actual rate.
Average Cost Of Car Insurance For College Students In California – By City
Where you live in California can have a significant impact on your car insurance premiums.
Use the table below to view average rates for different cities in California.
| City | Average Monthly Cost |
| Los Angeles | $230 |
| San Francisco | $186 |
| San Diego | $158 |
| Sacramento | $179 |
| Fresno | $165 |
* These figures are estimates based on general market trends, and they may differ from your actual rate.
Average Cost Of Car Insurance For 18-Year-Old College Students In California
State Farm offers the cheapest rates for 18-year-old college drivers in California, at an average monthly cost of $243.
| Car Insurance Provider | Average Monthly Cost |
| GEICO | $280 |
| State Farm | $243 |
| Travelers | $289 |
| Nationwide | $461 |
| Progressive | $327 |
* These figures are estimates based on general market trends, and they may differ from your actual rate.
Average Cost Of Car Insurance For 19-Year-Old College Students In California
State Farm provides the cheapest policy for 19-year-old college students in California, averaging $187 per month.
| Car Insurance Provider | Average Monthly Cost |
| GEICO | $194 |
| State Farm | $187 |
| Nationwide | $347 |
| Farmers | $291 |
| Allstate | $217 |
* These figures are estimates based on general market trends, and they may differ from your actual rate.
Average Cost Of Car Insurance For 20-Year-Old College Students In California
The cheapest auto insurance rates for a 20-year-old college driver can be found with State Farm, averaging $187 per month.
| Car Insurance Provider | Average Monthly Cost |
| Allstate | $191 |
| GEICO | $187 |
| Travelers | $214 |
| State Farm | $183 |
| Nationwide | $330 |
* These figures are estimates based on general market trends, and they may differ from your actual rate.
Average Cost Of Car Insurance For 21-Year-Old College Students In California
The most affordable college student car insurance policy for a 21-year-old can be found at GEICO, with an average monthly cost of $137.
| Car Insurance Provider | Average Monthly Cost |
| Nationwide | $250 |
| State Farm | $173 |
| Allstate | $169 |
| GEICO | $137 |
| Progressive | $180 |
* These figures are estimates based on general market trends, and they may differ from your actual rate.
Average Cost Of Car Insurance For 22-Year-Old College Students In California
22-year-old student car insurance can be found from $130 per month, with a GEICO auto policy.
| Car Insurance Provider | Average Monthly Cost |
| GEICO | $130 |
| State Farm | $170 |
| Progressive | $168 |
| Nationwide | $235 |
| Allstate | $161 |
* These figures are estimates based on general market trends, and they may differ from your actual rate.
Average Cost Of Car Insurance For 23-Year-Old College Students In California
23-year-old college drivers can find affordable insurance from GEICO at an average monthly cost of $131.
| Car Insurance Provider | Average Monthly Cost |
| GEICO | $131 |
| State Farm | $157 |
| Progressive | $150 |
| Farmers | $229 |
| Allstate | $158 |
* These figures are estimates based on general market trends, and they may differ from your actual rate.
Average Cost Of Car Insurance For 24-Year-Old College Students In California
The cheapest car insurance policy for a 24-year-old college student is $129 per month, which can be found with GEICO.
| Car Insurance Provider | Average Monthly Cost |
| State Farm | $153 |
| Travelers | $176 |
| GEICO | $129 |
| Progressive | $132 |
| Allstate | $153 |
* These figures are estimates based on general market trends, and they may differ from your actual rate.
Average Cost Of Car Insurance For 25-Year-Old College Students In California
GEICO offers the cheapest auto policies for 25-year-old college students in California at $123 per month.
| Car Insurance Provider | Average Monthly Cost |
| State Farm | $150 |
| Nationwide | $184 |
| GEICO | $123 |
| Progressive | $129 |
| Allstate | $140 |
* These figures are estimates based on general market trends, and they may differ from your actual rate.
Average Cost Of Car Insurance On Family Policy Vs. Individual Policy
| Insurance Company | Family Policy | Individual Student Policy |
| Progressive | $135 | $180 |
| Allstate | $165 | $169 |
| State Farm | $140 | $203 |
| GEICO | $120 | $217 |
| Nationwide | $184 | $250 |
* These figures are estimates based on general market trends, and they may differ from your actual rate.
Discounts can help college students save money, but every policy is different. With PolicyOwl, you can upload your current policy and instantly see whether your student driver is fully protected
How Can College Students Save Money On Car Insurance In California
Car insurance rates in California are especially high for college students, particularly those under 20 who aren’t listed on a parent or guardian’s policy. Still, there are several strategies that can help reduce premiums and make coverage more affordable.
Student-Specific Discounts
Unlike other states, California insurers such as Progressive don’t typically offer good student discounts based on GPA or distance from home. Instead, most student savings focus on safe driving habits. College drivers can qualify for discounts by:
- Completing defensive driving or driver-monitoring programs
- Installing driving behavior software
- Maintaining a clean record free of accidents and claims for at least three years
Vehicle Safety And Security Upgrades
Adding safety and security features to your car can lower premiums. Anti-theft devices, vehicle recovery systems, anti-lock brakes, and airbags all reduce risk and may qualify you for discounts.
Choosing Between Used And New Cars
While new cars may offer better mileage and advanced safety features, they are more expensive to insure due to higher repair and replacement costs. For college students, opting for a reliable used car is often the more budget-friendly choice.
Affiliation Discounts
Campus involvement can pay off financially. Membership in fraternities, sororities, honor societies, or alumni associations may unlock discounts. For example, Geico offers California students in these groups savings that average between 3% and 5% annually.
How To Buy Car Insurance As A College Student In California
For California college students, purchasing car insurance for the first time can feel overwhelming. Thankfully, comparison platforms like Insuranceopedia make the process easier by letting you review multiple quotes side by side. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the process with confidence.
Step 1: Compare Multiple Quotes
Start by gathering at least three quotes from different insurers. Using online platforms ensures you’re comparing the same coverage levels across providers, making it easier to spot the best deal and see how discounts stack up.
Step 2: Decide On Coverage Levels
California law requires minimum liability coverage, but you may want to add collision, comprehensive, or gap insurance depending on your car’s age and value. Optional add-ons like roadside assistance can provide peace of mind, but remember they also increase your premium.
Step 3: Gather Essential Information
Before requesting quotes, have your details ready. You’ll need your driver’s license number, vehicle information, driving history, and personal details for anyone else on the policy. Having this information upfront ensures accurate quotes and avoids delays.
Step 4: Balance Deductibles And Premiums
Choosing higher deductibles can lower your monthly premium, but make sure you have savings set aside to cover unexpected claims. This balance between affordability and protection is key for college students managing tight budgets.
Step 5: Purchase And Transition Smoothly
Once you’ve chosen the best policy, complete the purchase online or in person. After paying your first premium, you’ll receive your insurance documents in the mail. If you’re switching providers, notify your old insurer to avoid billing overlaps and ensure a seamless transition.
Do College Students Need Their Own Car Insurance?
For California college students, whether you need your own car insurance or can remain on a parent’s policy depends on your living arrangements, vehicle ownership, and primary residence.
When Students Need Their Own Policy
If you own a vehicle that is titled solely in your name and keep it at your own permanent residence, you’ll need to purchase a separate insurance policy. This ensures coverage reflects where the car is primarily parked and driven.
Staying On A Family Policy
Students who don’t bring a car to college and continue to list their parents’ home as their permanent address can remain on the family policy. This applies even if you temporarily live in student housing, an apartment, or a dorm room. In fact, some insurers offer discounts if the vehicle is rarely used and only driven during holidays or breaks.
Out-of-State Students In California
If you’re attending college in California but your permanent residence remains with your parents in another state, you generally don’t need to purchase a separate California policy. As long as your parents’ home is listed as your primary residence, you can remain covered under their plan.
California Car Insurance Laws To Know
In California, drivers must maintain a minimum of $15,000 in coverage for injury or death to a single person (bodily injury category), $30,000 for injury or death to more than one person, and $5,000 for property damage.*
Drivers must have what is called personal injury protection coverage and which pays for medical expenses or lost wages for people who are injured in the accident, no matter who was at fault.
California requires that drivers also have collision and comprehensive coverage and carry proof of all coverages mentioned above while driving.
If involved in any accident, drivers have to file a Report of Traffic Accident Occurring in California (SR1) with the DMV, whether or not they were at fault.
Note: Starting January 1, 2025, the minimum liability insurance requirements will increase from $15,000, $30,000, and $5,000 to $30,000, $60,000, and $15,000, respectively.
Compare College Student Rates To Other U.S. States
| State | Average Annual Premium |
| Alabama | $3,460 |
| Alaska | $3,276 |
| Arizona | $3,412 |
| Arkansas | $3,557 |
| California | $4,016 |
| Colorado | $3,937 |
| Connecticut | $3,325 |
| Delaware | $3,663 |
| Florida | $4,294 |
| Georgia | $3,570 |
| Hawaii | $3,117 |
| Idaho | $3,028 |
| Illinois | $3,132 |
| Indiana | $3,115 |
| Iowa | $3,230 |
| Kansas | $3,500 |
| Kentucky | $3,828 |
| Louisiana | $4,483 |
| Maine | $2,775 |
| Maryland | $3,346 |
| Massachusetts | $3,326 |
| Michigan | $3,952 |
| Minnesota | $3,511 |
| Mississippi | $3,608 |
| Missouri | $3,582 |
| Montana | $3,793 |
| Nebraska | $3,502 |
| Nevada | $3,660 |
| New Hampshire | $2,865 |
| New Jersey | $3,502 |
| New Mexico | $3,649 |
| New York | $3,470 |
| North Carolina | $3,341 |
| North Dakota | $3,265 |
| Ohio | $3,017 |
| Oklahoma | $3,738 |
| Oregon | $3,278 |
| Pennsylvania | $3,472 |
| Rhode Island | $3,661 |
| South Carolina | $3,422 |
| South Dakota | $3,880 |
| Tennessee | $3,277 |
| Texas | $3,643 |
| Utah | $3,425 |
| Vermont | $2,919 |
| Virginia | $3,069 |
| Washington | $3,208 |
| West Virginia | $3,605 |
| Wisconsin | $3,264 |
| Wyoming | $3,358 |
* These figures are estimates based on general market trends, and they may differ from your actual rate.
Our Methodology
To find the cheapest car insurance rates for college students in California, we analyzed findings from numerous insurance rating sites, some of which analyzed rates from public filings obtained by Quadrant Information Services. We also utilize the combined 25 years of experience from our team of insurance experts to evaluate each carrier.
It’s important to note that even though the rates listed in this guide are accurate, premiums shift daily and can fluctuate based on each driver.
About Doug Schaffer
