The cheapest car insurance in California, at a glance
GEICO offers the cheapest full coverage in California, with an average monthly rate of $108, according to NerdWallet's June 2025 analysis.
GEICO offers the cheapest liability coverage in California, with an average monthly rate of $24.
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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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The average cost of full coverage car insurance in California is $2,009 per year, or $167 per month, according to our analysis. Minimum coverage in California costs an average of $608 per year, or $51 per month.
Cheapest car insurance in California for June 2025
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.
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 of the companies below to find out which insurer will actually be the cheapest for you.
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 you 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 good credit and a clean driving history.
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| GEICO | $1,291 | $108 |
| Mercury | $1,352 | $113 |
| Kemper | $1,374 | $115 |
| Progressive | $1,456 | $121 |
| Auto Club of SoCal | $1,472 | $123 |
Liability coverage pays only for damage you cause to others, so you’ll have to pay for your own repairs yourself 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.
The rates below are based on a 35-year-old driver with good credit and a clean driving history.
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| GEICO | $286 | $24 |
| Grange Insurance Association | $355 | $30 |
| Auto Club of SoCal | $410 | $34 |
| CSAA | $413 | $34 |
| Kemper | $427 | $36 |
Having a DUI or at-fault accident on your record will cause your rates to go up — or even double. But each car insurer prices these incidents a little differently, so it’s worth shopping around for the best rates.
The rates below are for 35-year-old drivers with full coverage.
| Category | Cheapest company | Median annual rate |
|---|---|---|
| Clean driving history | GEICO | $1,291 |
| After a DUI | Mercury | $2,387 |
| After an accident | Auto Club of SoCal | $1,472 |
| After a speeding ticket | Kemper | $1,574 |
Rates refreshed June 2025.
See what you could save on car insurance
Easily compare personalized rates to see how much switching car insurance could save you.
Risks of liability car insurance
Liability coverage is typically the cheapest car insurance available, and that usually means getting the barest coverage required by law in your state. But state requirements can be quite low and leave you financially vulnerable if you’re in a serious accident.
Getting the cheapest car insurance possible might also mean missing out on optional coverage types that can help cover your own injuries or property damage — for example, when you’re injured in an accident or if your car is banged up after a bad storm or a hit-and-run. To find cheap car insurance with more coverage, check out NerdWallet’s list of cheap full coverage insurance.
» MORE: Best car insurance in California
Cheapest car insurance in large California cities
NerdWallet analyzed rates for 35-year-old drivers with a range of driving histories in some of the largest cities in California.
- 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 Kemper $1,271 After a DUI Mercury $2,443 After an accident Auto Club of SoCal $1,568 After a speeding ticket Kemper $1,671 Category Cheapest Company Median annual rate Clean driving history GEICO $302 After a DUI Grange Insurance Association $616 After an accident Auto Club of SoCal $439 After a speeding ticket GEICO $485 Rates refreshed June 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 June 2025.
- Sacramento
The car insurance rates below are the cheapest in Sacramento, according to our analysis. Read more about car insurance in Sacramento.
Category Cheapest Company Median annual rate Clean driving history GEICO $1,371 After a DUI Mercury $2,813 After an accident Auto Club of SoCal $1,783 After a speeding ticket Kemper $1,793 Rates refreshed June 2025.
- San Diego
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 $1,148 After a DUI Mercury $2,252 After an accident Auto Club of SoCal $1,472 After a speeding ticket Kemper $1,555 Category Cheapest Company Median annual rate Clean driving history GEICO $279 After a DUI Grange Insurance Association $647 After an accident Auto Club of SoCal $401 After a speeding ticket GEICO $448 Rates refreshed June 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.
Category Cheapest Company Median annual rate Clean driving history GEICO $1,293 After a DUI Mercury $2,901 After an accident Auto Club of SoCal $1,685 After a speeding ticket Kemper $1,904 Category Cheapest Company Median annual rate Clean driving history GEICO $278 After a DUI GEICO $715 After an accident Auto Club of SoCal $449 After a speeding ticket GEICO $446 Rates refreshed June 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.
Category Cheapest Company Median annual rate Clean driving history GEICO $1,202 After a DUI Mercury $2,577 After an accident Auto Club of SoCal $1,528 After a speeding ticket Kemper $1,600 Category Cheapest Company Median annual rate Clean driving history GEICO $278 After a DUI Grange Insurance Association $686 After an accident Auto Club of SoCal $423 After a speeding ticket GEICO $446 Rates refreshed June 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.
All rates are for drivers with clean driving records and good credit.
- For 20-year-old drivers
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 $2,218 $185 Auto Club of SoCal $2,440 $203 Mercury $2,475 $206 Kemper $2,682 $224 CIG $2,690 $224 Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate GEICO $569 $47 National General $714 $60 Auto Club of SoCal $730 $61 CSAA $750 $63 Grange Insurance Association $835 $70 Rates refreshed June 2025.
- 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.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate GEICO $1,313 $109 Mercury $1,352 $113 Kemper $1,415 $118 Progressive $1,443 $120 Auto Club of SoCal $1,517 $126 Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate GEICO $290 $24 CSAA $413 $34 Auto Club of SoCal $415 $35 Grange Insurance Association $428 $36 Mercury $444 $37 Rates refreshed June 2025.
- For 40-year-old drivers
While insurance rates vary by age and gender, drivers in their 40s 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 GEICO $1,274 $106 Mercury $1,288 $107 Kemper $1,375 $115 Auto Club of SoCal $1,417 $118 Progressive $1,478 $123 Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate GEICO $284 $24 Grange Insurance Association $355 $30 Auto Club of SoCal $408 $34 Kemper $425 $35 CSAA $427 $36 Rates refreshed June 2025.
- For 60-year-old drivers
Car insurance costs may start to rise for older drivers, so it’s wise to shop around for the cheapest rates. You can also check for senior discounts. For example, some insurers offer discounts to senior drivers who take a defensive driving course.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Mercury $1,190 $99 GEICO $1,220 $102 Auto Club of SoCal $1,239 $103 Kemper $1,351 $113 Grange Insurance Association $1,386 $116 Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate GEICO $279 $23 Grange Insurance Association $326 $27 Auto Club of SoCal $413 $34 CSAA $413 $34 Kemper $431 $36 Rates refreshed June 2025.
- For 70-year-old drivers
Our analysis shows that older drivers with good credit 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 $1,268 $106 Mercury $1,316 $110 Auto Club of SoCal $1,324 $110 Kemper $1,380 $115 Grange Insurance Association $1,386 $116 Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate GEICO $296 $25 Grange Insurance Association $326 $27 State Farm $457 $38 Auto Club of SoCal $475 $40 Mercury $476 $40 Rates refreshed June 2025.
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 by driving record
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, consider looking into the best high-risk car insurance companies.
- After a speeding ticket
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 $1,574 $131 Mercury $1,908 $159 CSAA $1,994 $166 GEICO $2,013 $168 Auto Club of SoCal $2,026 $169 Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate GEICO $460 $38 National General $479 $40 Grange Insurance Association $497 $41 CSAA $512 $43 Kemper $530 $44 Rates refreshed June 2025.
- After one at-fault accident
An accident can affect your car insurance costs for up to three 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 Auto Club of SoCal $1,472 $123 CSAA $1,994 $166 Grange Insurance Association $2,114 $176 CIG $2,176 $181 GEICO $2,290 $191 Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Auto Club of SoCal $410 $34 Grange Insurance Association $497 $41 CSAA $512 $43 GEICO $562 $47 Orion Indemnity $638 $53 Rates refreshed June 2025.
- After a DUI
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 $108 a month, on average, while that same driver could pay $199 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 $2,387 $199 Kemper $2,641 $220 Grange Insurance Association $2,642 $220 GEICO $3,241 $270 CIG $3,356 $280 Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Grange Insurance Association $622 $52 National General $647 $54 GEICO $743 $62 Mercury $771 $64 Orion Indemnity $829 $69 Rates refreshed June 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.
» MORE: Getting an SR22 in California
Cheapest car insurance in California for military families
USAA
USAA offers insurance to active military, veterans and their families only.- 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'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. 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 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 |
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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.
