Fact CheckedThe cheapest car insurance in California, at a glance
Cheapest by coverage type
Full coverage | GEICO, $113 a month
Liability coverage | GEICO, $24 a month
Cheapest by driver age
Young drivers | GEICO, $194 a month
Millennial drivers | Mercury, $115 a month
Gen X drivers | Mercury, $103 a month
Senior drivers | GEICO, $111 a month
Cheapest by driving record
Speeding ticket | Kemper, $158 a month
At-fault accident | CSAA, $170 a month
DUI | Mercury, $203 a month
These are median rates from NerdWallet's March 2026 analysis, but your rate will vary based on your personal information, location and insurance provider. Not all companies offer policies in every state.
NerdWallet analyzed rates from 20 car insurance companies across every ZIP code in California to find the cheapest auto insurance for drivers with different coverage levels, ages and driving records.
For more detailed information about how we found the cheapest car insurance companies in California, please check out our full methodology at the bottom of this page.
Strict editorial guidelines to ensure fairness and accuracy in our coverage.
Thorough rating guidelines for evaluating auto insurance companies.
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 everywhere in the state where coverage is offered and data is available. We only change one variable at a time when comparing rates, so you can easily see how each factor affects pricing.
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 California for full coverage: GEICO
GEICO is the cheapest auto insurer for full coverage in California, with an average rate of $113 a month and $1,358 a year.
Full coverage car insurance helps pay for injuries and property damage you cause others in an accident. It also helps to pay for thefts and most types of damage to your car. Many drivers need full coverage because auto loans often require it. Once your car’s value is less than the cost of insuring it, you could drop full coverage and lower your rates.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate GEICO $1,358 $113 Mercury $1,378 $115 Kemper $1,520 $127 Auto Club of SoCal $1,528 $127 Grange Insurance Association $1,602 $134 Rates refreshed March 2026. These rates are based on a 35-year-old driver with a clean driving history.
Tips for getting cheaper full coverage in California
Even though car insurance rates in California have gotten more expensive for nearly everybody, a few actions can still help you avoid paying more than you need to for full coverage.
Try shopping around for car insurance before you buy or renew a policy. Increasing your deductibles — the part of a future claim that you agree to pay for — and decreasing coverage for an older car you’re no longer paying off are other reliable ways to lower car insurance rates.
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.
California requires all drivers to have two types of liability insurance. After an accident that you cause, your liability insurance helps cover other drivers’ injuries and property damage. You’re responsible for the damage to your own car — unless you have full coverage.
Most drivers in California need more than minimum coverage
Minimum coverage probably won’t offer enough protection after a serious accident. California requires just $15,000 of liability insurance for property you damage, far less than the average cost to replace a totaled new car. If you can afford to get more liability insurance, or even upgrade to full coverage, you lower the chances of having to cover the cost of an accident by yourself.
Andrew Hurst, Licensed Insurance Professional
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate GEICO $286 $24 Auto Club of SoCal $413 $34 CSAA $413 $34 Mercury $444 $37 National General $453 $38 Rates refreshed March 2026. These rates are based on a 35-year-old driver with a clean driving history.
Drivers in California must carry car insurance that has at least:
$30,000 bodily injury liability per person.
$60,000 bodily injury liability per accident.
$15,000 property damage liability per accident.
Your liability insurance will cover the cost of the property damage, injuries and deaths that you cause in a car accident, up to your policy’s “limits” — shown as amounts in dollars above.
Check out NerdWallet’s guide to the minimum amount of car insurance required in each state to see how California’s requirements compare to other states.
Cheap car insurance in California from top companies
Plenty of car insurance companies in California offer relatively cheap car insurance, robust coverage and reliable claims service after an accident.
NerdWallet’s editors awarded each of these companies in California a rating of at least 4.5 stars out of 5 for customer service, financial stability, online experience and discount offerings.
GEICO (5.0 NerdWallet rating out of 5): $1,358 per year, $113 per month.
Travelers (4.9 NerdWallet rating): $2,261 per year, $188 per month.
State Farm (4.8 NerdWallet rating): $2,068 per year, $172 per month.
Progressive (4.8 NerdWallet rating): $1,630 per year, $136 per month.
Farmers (4.6 NerdWallet rating): $2,778 per year, $231 per month.
Auto Club of SoCal (4.5 NerdWallet rating): $1,528 per year, $127 per month.
Mercury (4.5 NerdWallet rating): $1,378 per year, $115 per month.
The Hartford (4.5 NerdWallet rating): $2,230 per year, $186 per month.
USAA* (4.7 NerdWallet rating): $1,327 per year, $111 per month.
*USAA is available only to military families, veterans and some federal employees.
» 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.
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 $1,364 After a DUI Mercury $2,495 After an accident CSAA $1,997 After a speeding ticket Kemper $1,890 Category Cheapest company Median annual rate Clean driving history GEICO $302 After a DUI National General $732 After an accident CSAA $511 After a speeding ticket GEICO $485 Rates refreshed March 2026.
The rates below are the cheapest in L.A., according to our analysis. Read more about car insurance in Los Angeles.
Rates refreshed March 2026.
The car insurance rates below are the cheapest in Sacramento, according to our analysis. Read more about car insurance in Sacramento.
Rates refreshed March 2026.
The rates below are the cheapest in San Diego, according to our analysis. Read more about car insurance in San Diego.
Category Cheapest company Median annual rate Clean driving history GEICO $1,203 After a DUI Mercury $2,288 After an accident CSAA $2,041 After a speeding ticket Mercury $1,830 Category Cheapest company Median annual rate Clean driving history GEICO $279 After a DUI National General $665 After an accident CSAA $512 After a speeding ticket GEICO $448 Rates refreshed March 2026.
Below are the cheapest car insurance rates in San Francisco, according to our analysis. Read more about car insurance in San Francisco.
Rates refreshed March 2026.
These are the cheapest car insurance rates in San Jose, according to our analysis. Read more about car insurance in San Jose.
Rates refreshed March 2026.
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 $194 a month and $2,323 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.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate GEICO $2,323 $194 Mercury $2,522 $210 Auto Club of SoCal $2,541 $212 CIG $2,704 $225 State Farm $2,820 $235 These are median rates for 20-year-old drivers who buy their own standalone policy, according to our March 2026 analysis.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate GEICO $569 $47 National General $714 $60 Auto Club of SoCal $736 $61 CSAA $750 $63 Mercury $840 $70 These are median rates for 20-year-old drivers, according to our March 2026 analysis.
Cheapest for millennial drivers: Mercury
Mercury is the cheapest auto insurer for millennial drivers in California, with an average rate of $115 a month and $1,378 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.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Mercury $1,378 $115 GEICO $1,381 $115 Auto Club of SoCal $1,576 $131 Progressive $1,584 $132 CSAA $1,614 $135 These are median rates for 30-year-old drivers, according to our March 2026 analysis.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate GEICO $290 $24 CSAA $413 $34 Auto Club of SoCal $419 $35 Mercury $444 $37 National General $464 $39 These are median rates for 40-year-old drivers, according to our March 2026 analysis.
Cheapest for Gen X drivers: Mercury
Mercury is the cheapest auto insurer for Gen X drivers in California, with an average rate of $103 a month and $1,230 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.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Mercury $1,230 $103 GEICO $1,307 $109 Auto Club of SoCal $1,451 $121 Grange Insurance Association $1,529 $127 Toggle $1,538 $128 These are median rates for 50-year-old drivers, according to our March 2026 analysis.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate GEICO $279 $23 CSAA $406 $34 Auto Club of SoCal $411 $34 Mercury $424 $35 National General $455 $38 These are median rates for 50-year-old drivers, according to our March 2026 analysis.
Cheapest for senior drivers: GEICO
GEICO is the cheapest auto insurer for senior drivers in California, with an average rate of $111 a month and $1,333 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.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate GEICO $1,333 $111 Mercury $1,338 $112 Auto Club of SoCal $1,373 $114 Grange Insurance Association $1,474 $123 Toggle $1,616 $135 These are median rates for 70-year-old drivers, according to our March 2026 analysis.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate GEICO $296 $25 Grange Insurance Association $439 $37 State Farm $457 $38 Mercury $476 $40 Auto Club of SoCal $480 $40 These are median rates for 70-year-old drivers, according to our March 2026 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.
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.
Lisa Greenmanaging editor on Insurance
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 $158 a month and $1,901 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.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Kemper $1,901 $158 Mercury $1,944 $162 CSAA $2,041 $170 Auto Club of SoCal $2,097 $175 GEICO $2,117 $176 These are median rates for 35-year-old drivers with a recent speeding ticket, according to our March 2026 analysis.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate GEICO $460 $38 National General $479 $40 CSAA $512 $43 Auto Club of SoCal $578 $48 Mercury $616 $51 These are median rates for 35-year-old drivers with a recent speeding ticket, according to our March 2026 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 $170 a month and $2,041 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.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate CSAA $2,041 $170 CIG $2,188 $182 Grange Insurance Association $2,247 $187 Auto Club of SoCal $2,388 $199 GEICO $2,399 $200 These are median rates for 35-year-old drivers with a recent accident, according to our March 2026 analysis.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate CSAA $512 $43 GEICO $562 $47 Grange Insurance Association $669 $56 National General $686 $57 Auto Club of SoCal $689 $57 These are median rates for 35-year-old drivers with a recent accident, according to our March 2026 analysis.
Cheapest after a DUI: Mercury
Mercury is the cheapest auto insurer for California drivers with a DUI, with an average rate of $203 a month and $2,433 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 $113 a month, on average, while that same driver could pay $203 for the same coverage after a DUI.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Mercury $2,433 $203 Grange Insurance Association $2,809 $234 Kemper $3,042 $253 CIG $3,374 $281 GEICO $3,407 $284 These are median rates for 35-year-old drivers with a recent DUI, according to our March 2026 analysis.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate National General $647 $54 GEICO $743 $62 Mercury $772 $64 Grange Insurance Association $837 $70 Progressive $980 $82 These are median rates for 35-year-old drivers with a recent DUI, according to our March 2026 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 to be at least 16 years of age with:
A current California driver’s license.
An automobile worth $25,000 or less.
A household income that meets the program’s income requirements.
A clean or new driving record.
The program has income limits that depend on the size of your household. The income limit for a single driver is $39,900. These limits increase with every person in your household.
California’s Low Cost Auto Insurance program allows drivers to get car insurance that’s much cheaper than the open market. Policies through California’s Low Cost Auto Insurance program can cost up to $920 per year depending on where you live.
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.
NerdWallet writers are subject matter authorities who use primary, trustworthy sources to inform their work, including peer-reviewed studies, government websites, academic research and interviews with industry experts. All content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness and relevance. You can learn more about NerdWallet's high standards for journalism by reading our editorial guidelines.
- 1.State of California Department of Motor Vehicles. Insurance Requirements. Accessed Mar 20, 2026.
- 2.California's Low Cost Auto Insurance. Homepage for California's Low Cost Auto Insurance. Accessed Mar 20, 2026.
Auto insurance ratings methodology
NerdWallet’s auto insurance ratings reward companies for customer-first features and practices. Ratings are based on weighted averages of scores in several categories, including financial strength, consumer complaints and discounts. Our “ease of use” category looks at factors such as website transparency and how easy it is to file a claim. Using our editorial discretion, we also consider customer satisfaction surveys. These ratings are a guide, but we encourage you to shop around and compare several insurance quotes to find the best rate for you. NerdWallet does not receive compensation for any reviews. Read our editorial guidelines and full ratings methodology for auto insurance.
Here’s how we evaluated each car insurance company and the weights we placed on each category:
Financial strength (30%).
Consumer complaints (30%).
Ease of use (20%).
Affordability (20%).
The best auto insurers excel at all of these categories. They provide the information people need to make a purchase without any surprises along the way. They offer insurance at a fair price and provide more than one way to buy and manage a policy. They're financially strong and able to keep their customers happy throughout the relationship.
Insurer complaints methodology
NerdWallet examined complaints received by state insurance regulators and reported to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in 2022-2024. To assess how insurers compare to one another, the NAIC calculates a complaint index each year for each subsidiary, measuring its share of total complaints relative to its size, or share of total premiums in the industry. To evaluate a company’s complaint history, NerdWallet calculated a similar index for each insurer, weighted by market shares of each subsidiary, over the three-year period. NerdWallet conducts its data analysis and reaches conclusions independently and without the endorsement of the NAIC. Ratios are determined separately for auto, home (including renters and condo) and life insurance.
Average rates methodology
NerdWallet averaged rates based on public filings obtained by pricing analytics company Quadrant Information Services. We examined rates for men and women for all ZIP codes in any of the 50 states and Washington, D.C. 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.
In our analysis, “good drivers” had no moving violations on record; a “good driving” discount was included for this profile. Our “good” credit rates are based on credit score approximations and do not account for proprietary scoring criteria used by insurance providers.
These are median rates, and your rate will vary based on your personal details, state and insurance provider.
Sample drivers had the following coverage limits:
$100,000 bodily injury liability coverage per person.
$300,000 bodily injury liability coverage per crash.
$50,000 property damage liability coverage per crash.
$100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage per person.
$300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage per crash.
Collision coverage with $1,000 deductible.
Comprehensive coverage with $1,000 deductible.
In states where required, minimum additional coverages were added. 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 only the minimum coverage required by law in the state.
For drivers with one at-fault crash, we added a single at-fault crash costing $10,000 in property damage.
For drivers with a DUI, we added a single drunken-driving violation.
For drivers with a ticket, we added a single speeding violation for driving 16 mph over the speed limit.
We used a 2023 Toyota Camry LE in all cases and assumed 12,000 annual miles driven. We analyzed rates for 35-year-old drivers.
These are rates generated through Quadrant Information Services. Your own rates will be different.
