Fact CheckedThe cheapest car insurance in California, at a glance
NerdWallet analyzed rates for 23 insurers to find the cheapest auto insurance in California. We reviewed rates for drivers of different ages, driving histories and coverage levels to find which companies offered the best rates.
Cheapest by coverage type
Full coverage | GEICO, $108 a month
Liability coverage | GEICO, $24 a month
Cheapest by driver age
Young drivers | GEICO, $185 a month
Millennial drivers | GEICO, $109 a month
Gen X drivers | Mercury, $101 a month
Senior drivers | GEICO, $106 a month
Cheapest by driving record
Speeding ticket | Kemper, $131 a month
At-fault accident | CSAA, $166 a month
DUI | Mercury, $199 a month
These are median rates. For details on how our sample driver’s insurance coverage, driving record, age and credit score change throughout this analysis, check out our methodology.
Average rates refreshed October 2025.
Why trust NerdWallet
Strict editorial guidelines to ensure fairness and accuracy in our coverage.
Thorough rating guidelines for evaluating auto insurance companies.
More than 270 million rates analyzed by our team of specialists.
More than 50 insurance companies analyzed in all 50 states and Washington D.C.
You can trust the prices we show you because our data analysts take rigorous measures to eliminate outliers and inaccuracies in pricing data, which includes rates from every locale in the state 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.
Tips for getting cheaper car insurance in California
Your rates depend on personal details, like your age, driving record and ZIP code. This means that the cheapest insurer in California for you might not be the cheapest for someone else.
Because of this, it’s important to compare prices from a few insurance companies. These other tips may also help you lower your insurance rates.
Shop for car insurance at least once a year. Everybody’s rates change over time. Check that you still get your best deal before renewing your coverage.
Commit to covering more of a future claim. You can raise your auto insurance deductible, which is the part of a future claim that your insurance won’t cover. Taking more responsibility later can get you lower rates now.
Drop coverage you don’t need anymore. You might be able to carry less insurance, and pay less for your coverage, if you own a car that would cost more to insure than it’s worth.
Consider usage-based car insurance. You could pay less for car insurance that’s priced on driving habits like your speed, turning, braking and the miles you drive.
See what you could save on car insurance
Easily compare personalized rates to see how much switching car insurance could save you.
Cheapest car insurance companies by coverage type
“Minimum coverage” — which is the lowest amount of insurance you need to legally drive — is the cheapest car insurance available because you get less coverage. But minimum coverage could leave you unprotected after a serious accident.
Carrying only minimum coverage also means missing out on optional types of coverage you might want or need. For example, minimum coverage won’t help pay for your injuries if you’re at fault for an accident, but medical payments coverage would.
And if your car is damaged in an accident you caused or if you’re involved in a hit-and-run, you'd need full coverage to help pay for repairs.
Cheapest car insurance in California for full coverage: GEICO
GEICO is the cheapest auto insurer for full coverage in California, with an average rate of $108 a month and $1,291 a year.
Full coverage insurance helps pay for repairs to your vehicle after an at-fault accident, as well as the damage and injuries you cause to others. It’s possible for many drivers to find cheap rates for full coverage from more than one company.
If you have a car loan or lease, your lender will require you to carry full coverage, which includes comprehensive and collision insurance. These types of insurance cover your car if it’s stolen or damaged in an accident you cause, as well as most other scenarios.
- More cheap rates for full coverage
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate GEICO $1,291 $108 Mercury $1,352 $113 Kemper $1,374 $115 Auto Club of SoCal $1,472 $123 Grange Insurance Association $1,507 $126 Rates refreshed October 2025. These rates are based on a 35-year-old driver with a clean driving history.
Cheapest car insurance in California for liability coverage: GEICO
GEICO is the cheapest auto insurer for liability coverage in California, with an average rate of $24 a month and $286 a year.
Every driver in California is required to carry liability insurance. Your policy’s bodily liability coverage and property damage liability coverage only pay for injuries and damage you cause to others. After an accident that you cause, you’d have to pay for your car’s repairs yourself.
The minimum amount of insurance isn’t enough on its own for most Californians
Many drivers with auto loans will be required to carry more than liability insurance. That said, the minimum amount of insurance — which is just $60,000 per accident in California — isn’t enough to cover all of the medical-related and legal costs that a serious accident could cause.
- More cheap rates for liability coverage
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate GEICO $286 $24 Orion Indemnity $385 $32 Grange Insurance Association $401 $33 Auto Club of SoCal $410 $34 CSAA $413 $34 Rates refreshed October 2025. These rates are based on a 35-year-old driver with a clean driving history.
- Minimum auto insurance limits in California
California drivers must carry liability insurance in the following amounts:
$30,000 bodily injury liability per person.
$60,000 bodily injury liability per accident.
$15,000 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, if you have only minimum coverage but cause an accident that totals another driver's $20,000 car, you would have to pay $5,000 out of pocket because the total exceeds your policy's $15,000 limit for property damage.
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.
Cheap car insurance in California from top companies
There are other factors besides price that you might consider when you shop for car insurance. You’ll want your insurance company to have cheap rates for the amount of coverage you need, and fast, fair service in case you ever have to repair your damaged car.
These are full coverage rates for some of the insurance companies in California that NerdWallet has rated at least four stars:
Allstate: $204 per month
Farmers: $228 per month
GEICO: $108 per month
Progressive: $136 per month
State Farm: $177 per month
Travelers: $192 per month
USAA: $105 per month
» MORE: Best car insurance in California
See what you could save on car insurance
Easily compare personalized rates to see how much switching car insurance could save you.
Cheapest car insurance in large California cities
Car insurance often costs more in cities than in other parts of California. That’s partly because cities can see more vandalism, car theft and accidents than smaller, less crowded areas. Some parts of California also face natural disasters — like earthquakes and wildfires — that can affect car insurance prices.
NerdWallet analyzed rates for 35-year-old drivers and a variety of driving histories in some of the largest cities in California to give you an idea of the average cost in your area.
- Fresno
These are the cheapest car insurance rates in Fresno, according to our analysis. Read more about car insurance in Fresno.
Rates refreshed October 2025.
- Los Angeles
The rates below are the cheapest in L.A., according to our analysis. Read more about car insurance in Los Angeles.
Rates refreshed October 2025.
- Sacramento
The car insurance rates below are the cheapest in Sacramento, according to our analysis. Read more about car insurance in Sacramento.
Rates refreshed October 2025.
- San Diego
The rates below are the cheapest in San Diego, according to our analysis. Read more about car insurance in San Diego.
Rates refreshed October 2025.
- San Francisco
Below are the cheapest car insurance rates in San Francisco, according to our analysis. Read more about car insurance in San Francisco.
Rates refreshed October 2025.
- San Jose
These are the cheapest car insurance rates in San Jose, according to our analysis. Read more about car insurance in San Jose.
Rates refreshed October 2025.
Cheapest auto insurance in California by age
Your age will affect your car insurance rates, whether you’ve been driving for five years or five decades. Finding cheap car insurance is hardest for teens and young adults, but it gets easier once you hit your 30s, though rates start going up again in your 70s.
Below you'll find full and liability coverage rates from the cheapest car insurance companies across a range of ages. All rates are for clean driving records.
Cheapest for young drivers: GEICO
GEICO is the cheapest auto insurer for young drivers in California, with an average rate of $185 a month and $2,218 a year for full coverage.
Car insurance is most expensive for teens and other young drivers, even those with spotless driving records. As long as you keep a good driving record, prices tend to come down as you gain more experience on the road. If you’re the parent or guardian of a young driver, it’s much cheaper to add them to an existing policy than for them to buy their own coverage.
- More cheap rates for young drivers
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate GEICO $2,218 $185 Auto Club of SoCal $2,440 $203 Mercury $2,475 $206 Kemper $2,682 $224 CIG $2,690 $224 These are median rates for 20-year-old drivers who buy their own standalone policy, according to our October 2025 analysis.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate GEICO $569 $47 Orion Indemnity $700 $58 National General $714 $60 Auto Club of SoCal $730 $61 CSAA $750 $63 These are median rates for 20-year-old drivers, according to our October 2025 analysis.
Cheapest for millennial drivers: GEICO
GEICO is the cheapest auto insurer for millennial drivers in California, with an average rate of $109 a month and $1,313 a year for full coverage.
Most drivers will enjoy cheaper car insurance rates in their 30s and 40s than in their teens and 20s. Still, factors like a person’s driving record and car model can increase prices. Millennial drivers can get lower rates by shopping around and taking advantage of car insurance discounts, like discounts for insuring more than one vehicle with the same company.
- More cheap rates for millennial drivers
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate GEICO $1,313 $109 Mercury $1,352 $113 Kemper $1,415 $118 Auto Club of SoCal $1,517 $126 CSAA $1,578 $132 These are median rates for 30-year-old drivers, according to our October 2025 analysis.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate GEICO $290 $24 Orion Indemnity $385 $32 CSAA $413 $34 Auto Club of SoCal $415 $35 Mercury $444 $37 These are median rates for 40-year-old drivers, according to our October 2025 analysis.
Cheapest for Gen X drivers: Mercury
Mercury is the cheapest auto insurer for Gen X drivers in California, with an average rate of $101 a month and $1,208 a year for full coverage.
While insurance rates vary by age and gender, drivers in their 50s often see cheap rates from most companies, including smaller or regional insurers. It may get even easier to find cheap insurance as you get older, as long as your record stays accident- and violation-free.
- More cheap rates for Gen X drivers
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Mercury $1,208 $101 GEICO $1,243 $104 Auto Club of SoCal $1,399 $117 Kemper $1,418 $118 Grange Insurance Association $1,438 $120 These are median rates for 50-year-old drivers, according to our October 2025 analysis.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate GEICO $279 $23 Grange Insurance Association $382 $32 Orion Indemnity $396 $33 CSAA $406 $34 Auto Club of SoCal $408 $34 These are median rates for 50-year-old drivers, according to our October 2025 analysis.
Cheapest for senior drivers: GEICO
GEICO is the cheapest auto insurer for senior drivers in California, with an average rate of $106 a month and $1,268 a year for full coverage.
Our analysis shows that the cost of car insurance for senior-age drivers in California is cheapest compared to other age groups. While rates get slightly more expensive once you’re in your 70s, you could still pay less on average than most other ages.
- More cheap rates for senior drivers
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate GEICO $1,268 $106 Mercury $1,316 $110 Auto Club of SoCal $1,324 $110 Kemper $1,380 $115 Grange Insurance Association $1,386 $116 These are median rates for 70-year-old drivers, according to our October 2025 analysis.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate GEICO $296 $25 Grange Insurance Association $368 $31 State Farm $457 $38 Orion Indemnity $463 $39 Auto Club of SoCal $475 $40 These are median rates for 70-year-old drivers, according to our October 2025 analysis.
Some insurers offer a senior discount if you complete a defensive driving course from an approved provider. Courses are easy to find online through groups like AAA, AARP and The National Safety Council. Some classes can be completed 100% online.
More Nerdy Perspective
If you recently moved to California, don't just stay with your current insurer from your previous state. Be sure to get new quotes for car insurance. When my dad moved, he was surprised to find rates were cheaper overall in his new location, and he saved even more by switching to a different company.
Cheapest car insurance in California after a driving violation
A driving violation or accident usually causes car insurance to get more expensive. The amount your rates go up depends on details about the accident or violation, and your insurance company. It’s even possible to find cheap car insurance as a high-risk driver, since each company treats driving violations differently.
Cheapest after a speeding ticket: Kemper
Kemper is the cheapest auto insurer for California drivers with a speeding ticket, with an average rate of $131 a month and $1,574 a year for full coverage.
The cost of a speeding ticket in California can vary, but even the cheapest ticket will usually increase the cost of your car insurance. If your rates rose after a recent ticket, you may still be able to get cheaper coverage by shopping around.
- More cheap rates for drivers with a speeding ticket
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Kemper $1,574 $131 Mercury $1,908 $159 CSAA $1,994 $166 GEICO $2,013 $168 Auto Club of SoCal $2,026 $169 These are median rates for 35-year-old drivers with a recent speeding ticket, according to our October 2025 analysis.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate GEICO $460 $38 National General $479 $40 Orion Indemnity $494 $41 CSAA $512 $43 Grange Insurance Association $562 $47 These are median rates for 35-year-old drivers with a recent speeding ticket, according to our October 2025 analysis.
Cheapest after an at-fault accident: CSAA
CSAA is the cheapest auto insurer for California drivers with an at-fault accident, with an average rate of $166 a month and $1,994 a year for full coverage.
An accident can affect your car insurance costs for three to five years, depending on your location and your insurer. But not all insurance companies use the same pricing model, so it can be hard to predict how much insurance will increase after an accident. If your insurance went up after a recent crash, shop around to find your cheapest option.
- More cheap rates for drivers with an at-fault accident
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate CSAA $1,994 $166 Grange Insurance Association $2,113 $176 CIG $2,176 $181 GEICO $2,290 $191 Auto Club of SoCal $2,306 $192 These are median rates for 35-year-old drivers with a recent speeding ticket, according to our October 2025 analysis.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate CSAA $512 $43 Orion Indemnity $514 $43 GEICO $562 $47 Grange Insurance Association $562 $47 Auto Club of SoCal $684 $57 These are median rates for 35-year-old drivers with a recent accident, according to our October 2025 analysis.
Cheapest after a DUI: Mercury
Mercury is the cheapest auto insurer for California drivers with a DUI, with an average rate of $199 a month and $2,387 a year for full coverage.
It can be much harder to find cheap car insurance after a DUI. We found that a 35-year-old in California with a clean driving history could get full coverage insurance for $108 a month, on average, while that same driver could pay $199 for the same coverage after a DUI.
- More cheap rates for drivers with a DUI
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Mercury $2,387 $199 Kemper $2,641 $220 Grange Insurance Association $2,641 $220 GEICO $3,241 $270 CIG $3,356 $280 These are median rates for 35-year-old drivers with a recent DUI, according to our October 2025 analysis.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate National General $647 $54 Orion Indemnity $668 $56 Grange Insurance Association $702 $59 GEICO $743 $62 Mercury $771 $64 These are median rates for 35-year-old drivers with a recent DUI, according to our October 2025 analysis.
If you have a high number of accidents, DUIs or other factors that make it hard to find cheap auto insurance in California, 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.
» MORE: Getting an SR22 in California
See what you could save on car insurance
Easily compare personalized rates to see how much switching car insurance could save you.
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.
A clean or new driving record.
The California Department of Insurance sets household income limits based on the federal poverty level, which is used to determine eligibility for certain government programs. The federal poverty level (and program income requirement) depends on the year and the number of people in your household. For example, the program income limit was $39,125 for one person in 2025.
The program’s website has a calculator to determine income cutoffs for larger households, a rate calculator and a tool to find participating insurance agents. 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, including California. 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 Auto 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 other counties in California, plus several other states.
If you’re a AAA member and move within California, or to a different state entirely, you may need to transfer membership to another club. However, AAA’s roadside assistance will take care of you even if you need help while traveling outside of your home club’s region.
Methodology
NerdWallet averaged rates based on public filings obtained by pricing analytics company Quadrant Information Services. We examined rates for 35-year-old men and women for all ZIP codes in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
Unless otherwise stated, our analysis was based on our base driver profile, which has the following characteristics and coverage levels:
35 years old
Single. Male or female.
2022 Toyota Camry LE
12,000 annual miles driven.
Good driving record and credit
No moving violations.
"Good driving" discount applied.
Good credit-based insurance score.
Bodily injury liability coverage
$100,000 per person. $300,000 per crash.
Property damage liability coverage
$50,000 per crash.
Uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage
$100,000 per person. $300,000 per crash.
Collision coverage
With a $1,000 deductible.
Comprehensive coverage
With a $1,000 deductible.
- See characteristics for other driver profiles
For all other driver profiles, we used the same assumptions, with the following exceptions:
We changed the credit tier from “good” to “poor,” as reported to the insurer, to see rates for drivers with poor credit. These rates are based on credit score approximations and do not account for proprietary scoring criteria used by insurance providers.
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.
For drivers with a ticket, we added a single speeding violation for driving 16 mph over the speed limit.
For young drivers, we considered 20-year-olds with good credit and no driving violations.
For millennial drivers, we considered 40-year-olds with good credit and no driving violations.
For senior drivers, we considered 70-year-olds with good credit and no driving violations.
These are median rates, and your rate will vary based on your personal details, state and insurance provider. Sample drivers had the minimum required coverage by law in each state. Some policies include additional coverage at the insurer’s discretion.
Although it’s one of the largest insurers in the country, Liberty Mutual is not included in our rates analysis due to a lack of publicly available information.
