The cheapest car insurance in California, at a glance
These are the cheapest monthly average rates in California from some of the largest car insurers in the state. We separated our comparisons by:
Coverage type
Full coverage | GEICO, $76
Liability coverage | GEICO, $26
Driver age
Young drivers | GEICO, $194
Millennial drivers | GEICO, $112
Gen X drivers | GEICO, $112
Senior drivers | GEICO, $111
Driving record
Speeding ticket | Kemper, $148
At-fault accident | Grange Insurance Association, $183
DUI | Mercury, $211
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Strict editorial guidelines to ensure fairness and accuracy in our coverage to help you choose the financial products that work best for you. See our criteria for evaluating auto insurance.
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.
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NerdWallet analyzed rates for 25 insurers to find the cheapest auto insurance in California. We reviewed rates for drivers of different ages, with different driving histories and coverage types, to find the companies offering the best deals for a variety of driver profiles.
The average cost of full coverage car insurance in California is $2,298 per year, or $192 per month, according to our analysis. Minimum coverage in California costs an average of $617 per year, or $51 per month.
Be aware that your rates will probably be different because of personal characteristics like your age, driving record, car and ZIP code. We recommend getting quotes from several companies to find out which insurer will be the cheapest for you.
Cheapest car insurance in California for full coverage: GEICO
Full coverage insurance will help pay for repairs to your own vehicle after an at-fault accident, as well as damage and injuries you cause to others. If you have a car loan or lease, your lender will likely require you to carry full coverage, which includes comprehensive and collision insurance. These coverage types pay if your car is stolen or damaged in an accident you cause, among other scenarios.
These rates are based on a 35-year-old driver with a clean driving history.
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| GEICO | $1,342 | $112 |
| Mercury | $1,431 | $119 |
| Kemper | $1,557 | $130 |
| Grange Insurance Association | $1,569 | $131 |
| Progressive | $1,616 | $135 |
Rates refreshed August 2025.
Cheapest car insurance in California for liability coverage: GEICO
Liability coverage pays only for damage you cause to others, so you’ll have to pay for repairs to your own car out of pocket if you don’t have full coverage. California requires drivers to have a minimum amount of liability insurance, which covers others’ injuries and property damage if you are the at-fault driver in an accident. See California's minimum coverage requirements below.
The rates below are based on a 35-year-old driver with a clean driving history.
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| GEICO | $309 | $26 |
| Grange Insurance Association | $355 | $30 |
| CSAA | $413 | $34 |
| Auto Club of SoCal | $420 | $35 |
| Kemper | $423 | $35 |
Rates refreshed August 2025.
Risks of liability car insurance
Liability coverage is the cheapest car insurance available because it’s usually the minimum amount required to legally drive in a state. Some state requirements are lower than others, and only carrying the minimum coverage could leave you financially vulnerable if you’re in a serious accident.
Getting only liability coverage also means missing out on optional coverage types that can help cover your own injuries or property damage. For example, if you're injured in an accident you caused, you'll need either personal injury protection or medical payments coverage. But if your car is damaged in a storm or a hit-and-run, you'd want full coverage to help pay for repairs.
To find cheap car insurance with more coverage, check out NerdWallet’s list of cheap full coverage insurance.
» 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
Your location has a big impact on how much you’ll pay for car insurance in California because cities often see more vandalism, theft and accidents. Some parts of California also face more natural disasters — like earthquakes and wildfires — that can affect car insurance prices.
NerdWallet analyzed rates for 35-year-old drivers with a range of driving histories in some of the largest cities in California. This can help you see how where you live affects how affordable car insurance might be for you.
- Fresno
These are the cheapest car insurance rates in Fresno, according to our analysis. Read more about car insurance in Fresno.
Category Cheapest Company Median annual rate Clean driving history GEICO $1,349 After a DUI Mercury $2,595 After an accident Grange Insurance Association $2,182 After a speeding ticket Kemper $1,788 Category Cheapest Company Median annual rate Clean driving history GEICO $326 After a DUI Grange Insurance Association $616 After an accident Grange Insurance Association $493 After a speeding ticket Grange Insurance Association $493 Rates refreshed August 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 August 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 August 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 August 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 August 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 August 2025.
Cheapest auto insurance in California by age
Your age can have a big impact on your car insurance rates. Teens pay the most, with rates typically decreasing once you hit your 30s and going up again in your 70s.
Below you'll find full and liability coverage rates from the cheapest car insurance companies for drivers across a range of ages. All rates are for drivers with clean driving records.
Cheapest for young drivers: GEICO
Young drivers may have to get a lot of quotes to find the best cheap car insurance. Prices can be high in your 20s, but tend to come down as you 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.
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| GEICO | $2,322 | $194 |
| Mercury | $2,620 | $218 |
| CIG | $2,730 | $228 |
| Kemper | $3,022 | $252 |
| Progressive | $3,080 | $257 |
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| GEICO | $613 | $51 |
| Auto Club of SoCal | $749 | $62 |
| CSAA | $750 | $63 |
| National General | $817 | $68 |
| Grange Insurance Association | $835 | $70 |
These are median rates for 20-year-old drivers, according to our August 2025 analysis.
Cheapest for millennial drivers: GEICO
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 car insurance discounts.
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| GEICO | $1,365 | $114 |
| Mercury | $1,431 | $119 |
| Progressive | $1,574 | $131 |
| Kemper | $1,610 | $134 |
| CIG | $1,708 | $142 |
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| GEICO | $313 | $26 |
| CSAA | $413 | $34 |
| Auto Club of SoCal | $425 | $35 |
| Grange Insurance Association | $428 | $36 |
| Mercury | $444 | $37 |
These are median rates for 30-year-old drivers, according to our August 2025 analysis.
Cheapest for Gen X drivers: Mercury
While insurance rates vary by age and gender, drivers in their 50s can often expect to get cheap insurance rates from most companies. You may find even cheaper rates from smaller or regional insurers.
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Mercury | $1,276 | $106 |
| GEICO | $1,294 | $108 |
| Grange Insurance Association | $1,497 | $125 |
| Kemper | $1,566 | $131 |
| CIG | $1,569 | $131 |
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| GEICO | $302 | $25 |
| Grange Insurance Association | $338 | $28 |
| CSAA | $406 | $34 |
| Auto Club of SoCal | $418 | $35 |
| Mercury | $424 | $35 |
These are median rates for 50-year-old drivers, according to our August 2025 analysis.
Cheapest for senior drivers: GEICO
Our analysis shows that older drivers and a clean driving history enjoy some of the cheapest auto insurance rates, but car insurance rates for senior drivers start to creep up once you reach your 70s.
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| GEICO | $1,326 | $111 |
| Mercury | $1,386 | $116 |
| Grange Insurance Association | $1,442 | $120 |
| Kemper | $1,559 | $130 |
| Auto Club of SoCal | $1,655 | $138 |
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| GEICO | $320 | $27 |
| Grange Insurance Association | $326 | $27 |
| Mercury | $476 | $40 |
| State Farm | $481 | $40 |
| Auto Club of SoCal | $487 | $41 |
These are median rates for 70-year-old drivers, according to our August 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
Having a driving violation on your record is likely to increase your car insurance premium. How much more you’ll pay depends on the type of violation, your car insurance carrier and your other personal characteristics. NerdWallet found the companies offering the lowest car insurance rates for 35-year-old California drivers with different driving records.
If you have multiple violations on your record, you may want to try the best high-risk car insurance companies.
Cheapest after a speeding ticket: Kemper
In most cases, a speeding ticket affects the cost of car insurance, but insurers use different equations to calculate prices. So, if your rates rose after a recent ticket, you may still be able to get cheaper coverage by shopping around.
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Kemper | $1,773 | $148 |
| Mercury | $2,022 | $169 |
| GEICO | $2,094 | $174 |
| CIG | $2,198 | $183 |
| Grange Insurance Association | $2,200 | $183 |
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| GEICO | $496 | $41 |
| Grange Insurance Association | $497 | $41 |
| CSAA | $512 | $43 |
| Kemper | $532 | $44 |
| National General | $546 | $46 |
Rates refreshed August 2025.
Cheapest after an at-fault accident: Grange Insurance Association
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, you might find cheaper options by shopping around.
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Grange Insurance Association | $2,200 | $183 |
| CIG | $2,212 | $184 |
| CSAA | $2,322 | $194 |
| GEICO | $2,397 | $200 |
| Progressive | $2,565 | $214 |
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Grange Insurance Association | $497 | $41 |
| CSAA | $512 | $43 |
| GEICO | $608 | $51 |
| Orion Indemnity | $638 | $53 |
| Auto Club of SoCal | $702 | $59 |
Rates refreshed August 2025.
Cheapest after a DUI: Mercury
A DUI on your driving record can significantly increase the cost of car insurance. Our analysis showed that a 35-year-old in California with a clean driving history could get full coverage insurance for $112 a month, on average, while that same driver could pay $211 for the same coverage after a DUI. This makes it especially valuable to shop for cheap car insurance after a DUI.
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Mercury | $2,529 | $211 |
| Grange Insurance Association | $2,750 | $229 |
| Kemper | $2,851 | $238 |
| Progressive | $3,313 | $276 |
| GEICO | $3,373 | $281 |
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Grange Insurance Association | $621 | $52 |
| National General | $739 | $62 |
| Mercury | $771 | $64 |
| GEICO | $800 | $67 |
| Orion Indemnity | $829 | $69 |
Rates refreshed August 2025.
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. You can learn more about the program and apply here.
» MORE: Getting an SR22 in California
Cheapest car insurance in California for military families
USAA
- High customer satisfaction ratings.
- One-stop shop for insurance as well as banking and investing products.
- Policies available in all states and Washington, D.C.
- Available to active military, veterans and their families only.
If you're an active member of the military or a veteran — or have an immediate family member who is — chances are you may get an affordable 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 57 of the 70 driver profiles we examined. Read our USAA auto insurance review.
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.
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.
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. 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.
2025 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.
