Cheap Car Insurance in California – September 2023

Mercury offers the cheapest car insurance overall in California, with an average rate of $85 per month for full coverage.
Ben Moore
By Ben Moore  
Updated
Edited by Lacie Glover  

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Nerdy takeaways

  • The cheapest car insurance company in California overall is Mercury at $85 per month for full coverage.

  • The average cost of car insurance in California is $138 per month for full coverage.

  • The best way to find cheap car insurance in California is to compare quotes from at least three insurers.

Auto insurance is an important purchase, but finding the cheapest car insurance in California isn’t always easy.

If you’re looking for the cheapest car insurance in your area, NerdWallet analyzed rates for some of the largest California cities, including:

Looking for the best of the best? Check out NerdWallet's roundup of the best car insurance in California.

🤓Nerdy Tip

Did your rates go up? Car insurance rates are on the rise in California. Be sure to get quotes from three or more companies to get the lowest rate you can.

What is the cheapest car insurance in California?

The cheapest car insurance company in California is Mercury at $1,023 per year on average, or $85 per month, according to the most recent NerdWallet analysis of full coverage car insurance rates in California. Meanwhile, the average cost of full coverage car insurance in California is $1,666 per year, or about $139 per month.

Minimum coverage in California is $512 per year on average, but we found you can likely get a cheaper policy. For example, Geico offers the cheapest rates in California at $207 per year, on average, for minimum coverage car insurance for a 35-year-old driver with a clean driving record.

How we chose the cheapest companies in California

NerdWallet’s editorial team analyzed car insurance rates from 27 auto insurers in California and listed the five cheapest options for drivers in several age brackets and with different histories, all driving a 2020 Toyota Camry L. For minimum coverage, we looked at rates that reflect the minimum requirements in California. For full coverage, we used the below coverage limits:

  • $100,000 bodily injury liability per person.

  • $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident.

  • $50,000 property damage liability per accident.

  • $100,000 uninsured motorist coverage per person.

  • $300,000 uninsured motorist coverage per accident.

  • Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible.

  • Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible.

Our writers and editors follow strict editorial guidelines to ensure fairness and accuracy in our writing and data analyses. You can trust the prices we show you because our data analysts take rigorous measures to eliminate outliers and inaccuracies in pricing data, which include rates from every locale in California where coverage is offered and data is available. When comparing rates for different coverage amounts, ages and backgrounds, we change only one variable at a time, so you can easily see how each factor affects pricing.

Cheapest for 20-year-old drivers

Drivers in their 20s may have to get a lot of quotes to find the best cheap car insurance. Prices can be sky-high for younger 20-somethings, but tend to come down as drivers get more experience on the road. Still, some companies routinely have better insurance rates for young drivers, so it's best to shop around to find them.

Cheapest full coverage car insurance in California for 20-year-olds

Drivers in California with clean driving records may want to consider the following companies, which had the lowest average rates:

  1. State Farm: $1,702 per year, or about $142 per month.
  2. Geico: $1,799 per year, or about $150 per month.
  3. Mercury: $1,866 per year, or about $156 per month.
  4. Wawanesa: $1,909 per year, or about $159 per month.
  5. Auto Club of SoCal: $1,940 per year, or about $162 per month.

Cheapest minimum coverage car insurance in California for 20-year-olds

Drivers in California who want just the state minimum coverage may want to check with these companies, which had the lowest average rates:

  1. Geico: $394 per year, or about $33 per month.
  2. Auto Club of SoCal: $518 per year, or about $43 per month.
  3. State Farm: $549 per year, or about $46 per month.
  4. Travelers: $595 per year, or about $50 per month.
  5. Workmen's Auto: $616 per year, or about $51 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in California for 20-year-olds with poor credit

Drivers with poor credit in California should look at the following insurers with the lowest average rates for minimum coverage:

  1. Geico: $394 per year, or about $33 per month.
  2. Auto Club of SoCal: $518 per year, or about $43 per month.
  3. State Farm: $549 per year, or about $46 per month.
  4. Travelers: $595 per year, or about $50 per month.
  5. Workmen's Auto: $616 per year, or about $51 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in California for 20-year-old drivers with one speeding ticket

For drivers with a recent speeding ticket in California, here are the companies with the lowest average rates for minimum coverage:

  1. Geico: $443 per year, or about $37 per month.
  2. Auto Club of SoCal: $691 per year, or about $58 per month.
  3. Workmen's Auto: $795 per year, or about $66 per month.
  4. Travelers: $818 per year, or about $68 per month.
  5. Mercury: $820 per year, or about $68 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in California for 20-year-old drivers with one at-fault crash

For drivers with a recent accident in California, here are the companies with the lowest average rates for minimum coverage:

  1. Geico: $543 per year, or about $45 per month.
  2. Auto Club of SoCal: $825 per year, or about $69 per month.
  3. Workmen's Auto: $829 per year, or about $69 per month.
  4. Grange Insurance Association: $834 per year, or about $70 per month.
  5. Travelers: $910 per year, or about $76 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in California for 20-year-old drivers after a DUI

The cheapest auto insurance we found after a DUI is shown here, alongside the insurers' average rates for minimum coverage.

  1. Geico: $712 per year, or about $59 per month.
  2. National General: $912 per year, or about $76 per month.
  3. Mercury: $1,026 per year, or about $85 per month.
  4. Grange Insurance Association: $1,043 per year, or about $87 per month.
  5. Workmen's Auto: $1,078 per year, or about $90 per month.

Cheapest for 30-year-old drivers

By the time they reach their 30s, most drivers will enjoy cheaper car insurance rates than in their teens and 20s. Still, factors like a person’s driving record and car make and model can increase prices. Drivers in their 30s can get lower rates by shopping around and taking advantage of any car insurance discounts.

Cheapest full coverage car insurance in California for 30-year-olds

Drivers in California who want their state's minimum coverage can check with the following companies, which had the lowest average rates:

  1. Mercury: $1,023 per year, or about $85 per month.
  2. Geico: $1,067 per year, or about $89 per month.
  3. Auto Club of SoCal: $1,138 per year, or about $95 per month.
  4. Workmen's Auto: $1,211 per year, or about $101 per month.
  5. CIG: $1,263 per year, or about $105 per month.

Cheapest minimum coverage car insurance in California for 30-year-olds

Drivers in California who want their state's minimum coverage can check with the following companies, which had the lowest average rates:

  1. Geico: $210 per year, or about $17 per month.
  2. Auto Club of SoCal: $296 per year, or about $25 per month.
  3. Workmen's Auto: $340 per year, or about $28 per month.
  4. Mercury: $353 per year, or about $29 per month.
  5. Grange Insurance Association: $365 per year, or about $30 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in California for 30-year-olds with poor credit

Drivers with poor credit in California should consider the following companies with the lowest average rates for full coverage:

  1. Mercury: $1,023 per year, or about $85 per month.
  2. Geico: $1,067 per year, or about $89 per month.
  3. Auto Club of SoCal: $1,138 per year, or about $95 per month.
  4. Workmen's Auto: $1,211 per year, or about $101 per month.
  5. CIG: $1,263 per year, or about $105 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in California for 30-year-old drivers with one speeding ticket

For drivers with a recent speeding ticket in California, here are the companies with the lowest average rates for minimum coverage:

  1. Geico: $336 per year, or about $28 per month.
  2. Auto Club of SoCal: $390 per year, or about $32 per month.
  3. Workmen's Auto: $435 per year, or about $36 per month.
  4. Mercury: $446 per year, or about $37 per month.
  5. Grange Insurance Association: $487 per year, or about $41 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in California for 30-year-old drivers with one at-fault crash

For drivers in California with a recent accident, here are the lowest average rate options for full coverage:

  1. CIG: $1,623 per year, or about $135 per month.
  2. Auto Club of SoCal: $1,681 per year, or about $140 per month.
  3. Workmen's Auto: $1,717 per year, or about $143 per month.
  4. Mercury: $1,756 per year, or about $146 per month.
  5. Grange Insurance Association: $1,885 per year, or about $157 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in California for 30-year-old drivers after a DUI

For the cheapest auto insurance after a DUI, we found the following options for full coverage.

  1. National General: $1,604 per year, or about $134 per month.
  2. Mercury: $1,676 per year, or about $140 per month.
  3. MetLife: $1,812 per year, or about $151 per month.
  4. Workmen's Auto: $2,258 per year, or about $188 per month.
  5. Grange Insurance Association: $2,355 per year, or about $196 per month.

Cheapest for 40-year-old drivers

Drivers in their 40s tend to have better insurance rates than their younger counterparts on average, but still pay more than older age groups. Shopping around for cheap car insurance quotes with multiple insurers is the best way to find lower rates. Good drivers who don’t get behind the wheel often might want to consider pay-per-mile insurance, which charges drivers by how many miles they drive.

Cheapest full coverage car insurance in California for 40-year-olds

Drivers in California with clean driving records may want to think about the following companies, which had the lowest average rates:

  1. Mercury: $997 per year, or about $83 per month.
  2. Geico: $1,037 per year, or about $86 per month.
  3. Auto Club of SoCal: $1,069 per year, or about $89 per month.
  4. Grange Insurance Association: $1,171 per year, or about $98 per month.
  5. Workmen's Auto: $1,185 per year, or about $99 per month.

Cheapest minimum coverage car insurance in California for 40-year-olds

Drivers in California who want just the minimum coverage may want to check prices from these companies, which had the lowest average rates:

  1. Geico: $206 per year, or about $17 per month.
  2. Auto Club of SoCal: $292 per year, or about $24 per month.
  3. Grange Insurance Association: $302 per year, or about $25 per month.
  4. Mercury: $347 per year, or about $29 per month.
  5. Workmen's Auto: $350 per year, or about $29 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in California for 40-year-olds with poor credit

Drivers with poor credit in California can check out the following insurers with the lowest average rates for full coverage:

  1. Mercury: $997 per year, or about $83 per month.
  2. Geico: $1,037 per year, or about $86 per month.
  3. Auto Club of SoCal: $1,069 per year, or about $89 per month.
  4. Grange Insurance Association: $1,171 per year, or about $98 per month.
  5. Workmen's Auto: $1,185 per year, or about $99 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in California for 40-year-old drivers with one speeding ticket

For drivers with a recent speeding ticket in California, here are the companies with the lowest average rates for minimum coverage:

  1. Geico: $330 per year, or about $28 per month.
  2. Auto Club of SoCal: $384 per year, or about $32 per month.
  3. Grange Insurance Association: $424 per year, or about $35 per month.
  4. Mercury: $439 per year, or about $37 per month.
  5. Workmen's Auto: $449 per year, or about $37 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in California for 40-year-old drivers with one at-fault crash

For drivers with a recent accident living in California, here are the companies with the lowest average rates for full coverage:

  1. CIG: $1,566 per year, or about $131 per month.
  2. Auto Club of SoCal: $1,582 per year, or about $132 per month.
  3. Grange Insurance Association: $1,642 per year, or about $137 per month.
  4. Workmen's Auto: $1,678 per year, or about $140 per month.
  5. Mercury: $1,713 per year, or about $143 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in California for 40-year-old drivers after a DUI

The cheapest full coverage auto insurance we found for drivers with a DUI came from the following companies.

  1. National General: $1,527 per year, or about $127 per month.
  2. Mercury: $1,631 per year, or about $136 per month.
  3. MetLife: $1,734 per year, or about $145 per month.
  4. Grange Insurance Association: $2,053 per year, or about $171 per month.
  5. Workmen's Auto: $2,205 per year, or about $184 per month.

Cheapest for 50-year-old drivers

Drivers in their 50s have cheaper car insurance rates than most other age groups on average. Prices will continue to drop as they inch toward their 60s and gain more driving experience. Rates can still vary depending on other factors such as a driver’s gender and location, so it’s smart to shop around to find the best rate. Our list of cheap auto insurance companies is a good place to start.

Cheapest full coverage car insurance in California for 50-year-olds

Drivers in California with clean driving records may want to get quotes from these insurers, which had the lowest average rates:

  1. Mercury: $945 per year, or about $79 per month.
  2. Geico: $1,013 per year, or about $84 per month.
  3. Auto Club of SoCal: $1,056 per year, or about $88 per month.
  4. 21st Century: $1,082 per year, or about $90 per month.
  5. Grange Insurance Association: $1,117 per year, or about $93 per month.

Cheapest minimum coverage car insurance in California for 50-year-olds

Drivers in California who opt for the state minimum coverage may want to consider the following companies, with the lowest average rates:

  1. Geico: $203 per year, or about $17 per month.
  2. Grange Insurance Association: $288 per year, or about $24 per month.
  3. Auto Club of SoCal: $293 per year, or about $24 per month.
  4. Mercury: $342 per year, or about $28 per month.
  5. Workmen's Auto: $350 per year, or about $29 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in California for 50-year-olds with poor credit

Drivers with poor credit in California can check with the following companies, which showed the lowest average rates for full coverage:

  1. Mercury: $945 per year, or about $79 per month.
  2. Geico: $1,013 per year, or about $84 per month.
  3. Auto Club of SoCal: $1,056 per year, or about $88 per month.
  4. 21st Century: $1,082 per year, or about $90 per month.
  5. Grange Insurance Association: $1,117 per year, or about $93 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in California for 50-year-old drivers with one speeding ticket

For drivers with a recent speeding ticket in California, here are the companies with the lowest average rates for minimum coverage:

  1. Geico: $326 per year, or about $27 per month.
  2. Auto Club of SoCal: $385 per year, or about $32 per month.
  3. Grange Insurance Association: $410 per year, or about $34 per month.
  4. Mercury: $432 per year, or about $36 per month.
  5. Workmen's Auto: $449 per year, or about $37 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in California for 50-year-old drivers with one at-fault crash

For drivers living in California with a recent accident, here are the insurers with the lowest average full coverage rates:

  1. CIG: $1,504 per year, or about $125 per month.
  2. Auto Club of SoCal: $1,562 per year, or about $130 per month.
  3. Grange Insurance Association: $1,589 per year, or about $132 per month.
  4. Mercury: $1,625 per year, or about $135 per month.
  5. Workmen's Auto: $1,678 per year, or about $140 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in California for 50-year-old drivers after a DUI

The cheapest auto insurance we found for drivers with a recent DUI comes from the following companies, listed with rates for full coverage.

  1. National General: $1,533 per year, or about $128 per month.
  2. Mercury: $1,545 per year, or about $129 per month.
  3. Grange Insurance Association: $1,985 per year, or about $165 per month.
  4. Workmen's Auto: $2,205 per year, or about $184 per month.
  5. CIG: $2,317 per year, or about $193 per month.

Cheapest for 60-year-old drivers

Although 60-year-olds have cheaper car insurance rates than many other age groups on average, prices will start increasing as they get older. To find cheap car insurance for seniors, drivers in their 60s should make sure to shop around to find the best rate. Drivers in this age group should also take advantage of any available discounts for senior citizens.

Cheapest full coverage car insurance in California for 60-year-olds

Drivers in California with clean driving records may want to think about getting quotes from these companies, which had the lowest average rates:

  1. Mercury: $955 per year, or about $80 per month.
  2. Auto Club of SoCal: $984 per year, or about $82 per month.
  3. Geico: $995 per year, or about $83 per month.
  4. 21st Century: $1,020 per year, or about $85 per month.
  5. State Farm: $1,052 per year, or about $88 per month.

Cheapest minimum coverage car insurance in California for 60-year-olds

Drivers in California who want just the state minimum coverage may want to check with these insurers, which had the lowest average rates:

  1. Geico: $202 per year, or about $17 per month.
  2. Grange Insurance Association: $278 per year, or about $23 per month.
  3. Auto Club of SoCal: $305 per year, or about $25 per month.
  4. State Farm: $322 per year, or about $27 per month.
  5. Mercury: $356 per year, or about $30 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in California for 60-year-olds with poor credit

Drivers with poor credit in California can look at the following companies with the lowest average rates for full coverage:

  1. Mercury: $955 per year, or about $80 per month.
  2. Auto Club of SoCal: $984 per year, or about $82 per month.
  3. Geico: $995 per year, or about $83 per month.
  4. 21st Century: $1,020 per year, or about $85 per month.
  5. State Farm: $1,052 per year, or about $88 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in California for 60-year-old drivers with one speeding ticket

For drivers with a recent speeding ticket in California, here are the companies with the lowest average rates for minimum coverage:

  1. Geico: $325 per year, or about $27 per month.
  2. Grange Insurance Association: $400 per year, or about $33 per month.
  3. Auto Club of SoCal: $402 per year, or about $34 per month.
  4. Mercury: $450 per year, or about $38 per month.
  5. Workmen's Auto: $464 per year, or about $39 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in California for 60-year-old drivers with one at-fault crash

For drivers with a recent accident living in California, here are the companies with the lowest average rates for full coverage:

  1. Auto Club of SoCal: $1,462 per year, or about $122 per month.
  2. CIG: $1,478 per year, or about $123 per month.
  3. Grange Insurance Association: $1,548 per year, or about $129 per month.
  4. Mercury: $1,647 per year, or about $137 per month.
  5. State Farm: $1,657 per year, or about $138 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in California for 60-year-old drivers after a DUI

The cheapest auto insurance we found after a DUI came from the following companies, shown with their average rates for full coverage.

  1. National General: $1,478 per year, or about $123 per month.
  2. Mercury: $1,562 per year, or about $130 per month.
  3. Grange Insurance Association: $1,935 per year, or about $161 per month.
  4. CIG: $2,278 per year, or about $190 per month.
  5. Workmen's Auto: $2,319 per year, or about $193 per month.

Cheapest for 70-year-old drivers

Car insurance costs may start to rise for 70-year-old drivers. To find the cheapest possible coverage, shop around and compare quotes from multiple companies. Also, look for insurers that offer discounts for seniors. For example, some insurers offer discounts to senior drivers who take a defensive driving course.

Cheapest full coverage car insurance in California for 70-year-olds

Drivers in California with clean driving records may want to think about getting quotes from these companies, which had the lowest average rates:

  1. State Farm: $969 per year, or about $81 per month.
  2. Geico: $1,032 per year, or about $86 per month.
  3. Mercury: $1,065 per year, or about $89 per month.
  4. Grange Insurance Association: $1,077 per year, or about $90 per month.
  5. Auto Club of SoCal: $1,083 per year, or about $90 per month.

Cheapest minimum coverage car insurance in California for 70-year-olds

Drivers in California who want just the state minimum coverage may want to check with these insurers, which had the lowest average rates:

  1. Geico: $212 per year, or about $18 per month.
  2. Grange Insurance Association: $278 per year, or about $23 per month.
  3. State Farm: $296 per year, or about $25 per month.
  4. Auto Club of SoCal: $347 per year, or about $29 per month.
  5. Mercury: $389 per year, or about $32 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in California for 70-year-olds with poor credit

Drivers with poor credit in California can look at the following companies with the lowest average rates for full coverage:

  1. State Farm: $969 per year, or about $81 per month.
  2. Geico: $1,032 per year, or about $86 per month.
  3. Mercury: $1,065 per year, or about $89 per month.
  4. Grange Insurance Association: $1,077 per year, or about $90 per month.
  5. Auto Club of SoCal: $1,083 per year, or about $90 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in California for 70-year-old drivers with one speeding ticket

For drivers with a recent speeding ticket in California, here are the companies with the lowest average rates for minimum coverage:

  1. Geico: $340 per year, or about $28 per month.
  2. Grange Insurance Association: $400 per year, or about $33 per month.
  3. Auto Club of SoCal: $458 per year, or about $38 per month.
  4. State Farm: $470 per year, or about $39 per month.
  5. Mercury: $495 per year, or about $41 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in California for 70-year-old drivers with one at-fault crash

For drivers with a recent accident living in California, here are the companies with the lowest average rates for full coverage:

  1. State Farm: $1,530 per year, or about $128 per month.
  2. Grange Insurance Association: $1,548 per year, or about $129 per month.
  3. Auto Club of SoCal: $1,619 per year, or about $135 per month.
  4. CIG: $1,678 per year, or about $140 per month.
  5. Mercury: $1,834 per year, or about $153 per month.

Cheapest auto insurance in California for 70-year-old drivers after a DUI

The cheapest auto insurance we found after a DUI came from the following companies, shown with their average rates for full coverage.

  1. National General: $1,625 per year, or about $135 per month.
  2. Mercury: $1,740 per year, or about $145 per month.
  3. Grange Insurance Association: $1,935 per year, or about $161 per month.
  4. Workmen's Auto: $2,530 per year, or about $211 per month.
  5. CIG: $2,587 per year, or about $216 per month.

Cheapest car insurance for military families

If you're an active member of the military or a veteran — or have an immediate family member who is — chances are you'll get a relatively cheap rate with USAA, a company that isn't available to the general public.

Because of that restriction, USAA isn't ranked with the others, but it was among the cheapest three auto insurance options for 56 of the 70 driver profiles we examined.

» MORE: Best car insurance for veterans and military

Minimum auto insurance requirements in California

California drivers must carry liability insurance in the following amounts:

  • $15,000 bodily injury liability per person.

  • $30,000 bodily injury liability per accident.

  • $5,000 property damage liability per accident.

Liability car insurance covers the cost of any damage, injuries or deaths you cause in a car accident, up to your policy’s predefined limits. Experts recommend getting more than the bare minimum if you want to avoid dipping into your own savings to cover expenses.

For instance, California has a relatively low property damage minimum, only $5,000. If you cause an accident and total another driver’s car, the damage could easily exceed that amount, and you would have to pay the difference out of pocket.

Check out NerdWallet’s guide to state car insurance requirements for more details on how the required and optional parts of your California policy work.

Auto insurance laws in California

California’s insurance laws are uniquely consumer-friendly, according to many experts. A lot of that is thanks to Proposition 103, which was approved by voters in 1988 and immediately required insurers to roll back prices 20%. Proposition 103 also mandated that auto insurance rates be preapproved by the state’s department of insurance, among other regulations. Many of the laws detailed below are from Proposition 103, but not all.

Auto insurance pricing: Unlike in most other states, auto insurers in California can’t set prices based on credit history.

The state also recently banned gender-based pricing, which tends to translate to higher premiums for young men and middle-age women.

Auto body repair claims: California’s insurance code includes a consumer bill of rights for repairs after a claim. They include:

  • The right to choose your own auto body repair shop and obtain independent damage estimates while the claim is ongoing.

  • The right to an itemized invoice of repairs. The invoice must identify parts as new, used or rebuilt, and must indicate whether they are aftermarket or original equipment manufactured parts.

  • When aftermarket parts are used, the insurer (and not necessarily the shop) must guarantee that they are equal to OEM parts in quality, safety, fit and performance.

  • The right to accurate information about towing and storage services and your policy’s coverage, if any, for a rental car while yours is in the shop.

» MORE: The best home insurance in California

Alternative car insurance in California

If you have a high number of accidents, DUIs or other factors making it hard to find auto coverage, you might qualify for insurance through the California Automobile Assigned Risk Plan. This organization connects high-risk drivers to insurance companies that will cover them.

For more help finding the most competitive prices in California, try NerdWallet’s car insurance comparison tool.

Low-income car insurance in California

If you can’t afford car insurance premiums, you might qualify for California’s Low Cost Auto Insurance program, which has several payment plans and no broker fees. To be eligible, you'll need:

  • A current California driver’s license.

  • An automobile worth $25,000 or less.

  • A household income that meets the program requirements.

The federal poverty level depends on the year and the number of people in your household. For one person in 2023, the income limit for the program was $36,450.

The program’s website has a calculator to determine income cutoffs for larger households, a rate calculator and a tool to find participating insurance plans. You’ll have to provide documentation of income, as well as other requirements, to qualify.

How AAA car insurance works in California

AAA, the automobile club best known for its roadside assistance memberships, also sells insurance in many states. But just like the clubs themselves, AAA insurance companies are separate companies that operate independently. If you use a AAA webpage, it will ask for your ZIP code in order to ensure you're looking at information for your local AAA club.

» MORE: Is AAA worth it?

The Automobile Club of Southern California serves the following counties: Imperial, Inyo, Kern, Los Angeles, Mono, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Tulare and Ventura. CSAA serves all other counties in California, plus several other states.

So if you’re a AAA member and move from Northern California to SoCal, or vice versa, you would transfer membership from one club to the other. If you have auto insurance through your regional club and move, your policy, premium and agent would also change.

If you’re a AAA member and need roadside assistance outside of your home club’s region, the AAA club in that area will take care of you.

Learn more about California car insurance

For more information about California car insurance, check out these articles:

Methodology

For our “good driver” profile, NerdWallet averaged insurance estimates for single male and female drivers with no tickets or violations. The analysis included 5-10 of the largest insurance companies in each state; smaller insurers were also included when rates were available. Liberty Mutual and its subsidiaries were excluded from our analysis as rates were not available.

For full coverage policies, we used the following coverage limits:

  • $100,000 bodily injury liability per person.

  • $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident.

  • $50,000 property damage liability per accident.

  • $100,000 uninsured motorist coverage per person.

  • $300,000 uninsured motorist coverage per accident.

  • Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible.

  • Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible.

In states where required, minimum additional coverages were added. Some policies include additional coverages at the insurer’s discretion.

We used a 2020 Toyota Camry L for all drivers and assumed 12,000 annual miles driven.

We analyzed rates for drivers 20 to 70 years old in ten-year increments. For the average cost of full and minimum coverage in each state, we looked at 35-year-old drivers.

We used the same assumptions for all other driver profiles, with the following exceptions:

  • For drivers with minimum coverage, we adjusted the numbers above to reflect the minimum required coverage by law in the state.

  • For drivers with one at-fault crash, we added a single at-fault crash that happened six months ago, resulting in $10,000 in property damage and no bodily injury claim.

  • For drivers with a DUI, we added a single drunken driving violation that happened six months ago.

These are rates generated through Quadrant Information Services. Your own rates will be different. Some insurance companies included in this article may have made changes in their underwriting practices and no longer issue new policies in your state.

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