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Last updated: March 18, 2025

Compare Cheap Auto Insurance in California

GEICO offers the cheapest car insurance for most drivers in California while USAA is an affordable option for military drivers.

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Auto insurance is relatively expensive in California at $1,899 per year on average for full coverage and $669 per year for minimum coverage. However, the full coverage rate still comes in below the national average of $2,399. Meanwhile, the statewide average for minimum coverage is just over the national average of $635.

California is an interesting state when it comes to car insurance. For example, accident forgiveness is unavailable due to a law prohibiting excessive insurance rates. This helps mitigate against even higher average rates but also means that there is no way for drivers to prevent a rate increase following an accident. The state also doesn’t allow rate determination based on credit, so drivers with poor credit will not see any impact on their insurance premiums.

Overview

  • The average cost of full coverage auto insurance in California is $1,899 per year, while minimum coverage is $669 per year.
  • GEICO and USAA offer the cheapest auto insurance in most categories, but USAA is only available to the military community.
  • California drivers may also find affordable rates from CSAA and Progressive.

Jump to:

Cheapest Car Insurance in California for Full Coverage: GEICO

GEICO has the most affordable rates for full coverage in California, averaging $1,469 annually — around 23 percent lower than the state average of $1,899. In second place is USAA, which is only available to military members and their families. For nonmilitary drivers, Progressive offers the most affordable rates after GEICO, also below the statewide average.

Provider Annual Full Coverage Monthly Full Coverage
GEICO $1,469 $122
USAA $1,545 $129
Progressive $1,715 $143
CSAA $1,985 $165
Auto Club $1,998 $167
Allstate $2,118 $177
State Farm $2,299 $192
California average $1,899 $158
National average $2,399 $200

FYI:

CSAA is also sometimes referred to as AAA NorCal while Auto Club is also called the Auto Club of Southern California, AAA SoCal and sometimes AAA.

Cheapest Car Insurance in California for Minimum Coverage: GEICO

GEICO also offers the cheapest rates for minimum coverage in California, followed by CSAA, with average annual rates of $456 and $526, respectively. Both companies’ rates are below the state and national averages for minimum coverage. USAA and Progressive have affordable rates in this category as well.

Provider Annual Minimum Coverage Monthly Minimum Coverage
GEICO $456 $38
CSAA $526 $44
USAA $530 $44
Progressive $604 $50
Auto Club $680 $57
State Farm $724 $60
Allstate $802 $67
California average $669 $58
National average $635 $53

Cheapest Car Insurance in California for Teen Drivers: USAA

In California, USAA offers the cheapest auto insurance for teen drivers at $3,430 per year. However, it’s important to note that USAA is only available to the military community. Nonmilitary households with teen drivers will find the best rates with GEICO at $3,919 per year on average. GEICO’s rates are well below the state average of $4,872 and the national average of $5,312.

Provider Annual With Teen Driver Monthly With Teen Driver
USAA $3,430 $286
GEICO $3,919 $327
State Farm $4,096 $341
Progressive $4,902 $409
Allstate $4,923 $410
Auto Club $5,066 $422
CSAA $6,604 $550
California average $4,872 $406
National average $5,327 $444

GOOD TO KNOW:

Insurers in California cannot use gender as a factor when determining rates, so male and female teens won’t be charged different rates, unlike in most other states.

Cheapest Car Insurance in California With a Speeding Ticket: USAA

Drivers with a speeding ticket in California may find the cheapest rates from USAA (if eligible for membership) and GEICO. These companies offer average annual rates of $1,771 and $2,164, respectively. CSAA and Progressive also offer affordable rates. In California, a speeding ticket may increase your auto insurance premium by around 50 percent on average.

Provider Annual With Speeding Ticket Monthly With Speeding Ticket
USAA $1,771 $148
GEICO $2,164 $180
CSAA $2,532 $211
Progressive $2,662 $222
Auto Club $2,730 $227
Allstate $2,920 $243
State Farm $3,129 $261
California average $2,854 $238
National average $2,511 $209

Cheapest Car Insurance in California With an At-Fault Accident: USAA

USAA offers the cheapest auto insurance for California drivers with an at-fault accident at $2,597 per year on average. GEICO also offers competitive rates at $2,931 per year. USAA and GEICO are the only two companies on our list with average rates below the state average.

Provider Annual With At-Fault Accident Monthly With At-Fault Accident
USAA $2,597 $216
GEICO $2,932 $244
Progressive $3,126 $261
CSAA $3,186 $265
Auto Club $3,193 $266
State Farm $3,854 $321
Allstate $4,805 $400
California average $3,047 $254
National average $2,812 $234

Cheapest Car Insurance in California With a DUI: GEICO

A DUI can significantly impact your insurance rates. Drivers in California with a DUI on their record may find the best rates with GEICO and Progressive at $3,461 and $3,742 per year, respectively. These rates are over 28 percent lower than the statewide average, but still much higher than full coverage rates for drivers with clean records.

Provider Annual With DUI Monthly With DUI
GEICO $3,461 $288
Progressive $3,742 $312
USAA $4,496 $375
Auto Club $5,883 $490
State Farm $6,904 $575
CSAA $7,203 $600
Allstate $7,307 $609
California average $5,270 $439
National average $3,305 $275

Best Claims and Customer Satisfaction in California: Auto Club

While its rates tend to be higher than average, Auto Club (also known as Auto Club of Southern California or AAA) offers some of the best customer service to drivers in California. USAA has the best mix of affordable rates and strong customer satisfaction ratings but its availability is limited to military drivers.

Provider California Customer Satisfaction (J.D. Power)1 Claims Satisfaction (J.D. Power)2 CRASH Network Insurer Report Card Grade3
USAA 747 726 D+
Auto Club 684 706 B
State Farm 658 710 C-
CSAA 642 704 B-
Progressive 635 672 C
Allstate 634 691 D
GEICO 626 692 C-
Average 637 697 C+

How to Find the Cheapest Car Insurance Rates in California

  1. Bundle policies: If you need an insurance policy in addition to auto, such as home or renters, purchasing both policies from the same company will usually get you a significant discount and also simplifies your policy management.
  2. Modify your policy: If your goal is to get the lowest premium, you can do so by increasing your collision and comprehensive deductibles and/or lowering your coverage limits. However, this leaves you at risk of higher out-of-pocket expenses if you get into an accident or damage your vehicle, so make sure the trade-off is worth it to you.
  3. Maintain a clean driving record: One of the best ways to keep your insurance costs as low as possible is to maintain a clean record and avoid violations. Rates can increase significantly as a result of speeding tickets, accidents and DUIs and they stay on your record for several years.
  4. Consider California’s low-cost program: The California Low-Cost Automobile Insurance Program is designed to help low-income drivers afford liability insurance. You may be eligible if you need the income thresholds and your vehicle’s value is under $25,000.

Average Auto Insurance Cost in California by City

Auto insurance rates in California vary by city, with drivers in larger cities usually paying more due to increased congestion and risk of accidents. The city with the most expensive rates is Los Angeles, with an average annual premium of $2,791, which is 47 percent higher than the state average. San Diego’s average rate is lower than most other major California cities at $1,912 but it is still slightly higher than the statewide average.

City Annual Full Coverage Monthly Full Coverage
Los Angeles $2,791 $233
San Francisco $2,339 $195
Fresno $1,973 $164
San Jose $1,967 $164
San Diego $1,912 $159
California average $1,899 $158

Minimum Car Insurance Requirements in California

California law requires drivers to carry a minimum level of car insurance, including bodily injury and property damage liability. These coverages help cover injuries and damages caused to others in an accident. California increased its minimum limits as of January 1, 2025, and they are now as follows:

  • Bodily injury liability: $30,000 per person/$60,000 per accident
  • Property damage liability: $15,000 per accident

You cannot legally drive without at least these coverage limits, but it’s often wise to get higher limits for added peace of mind. Drivers with newer cars should also opt for full coverage, which includes comprehensive and collision. This may also be required by your lender if you finance or lease your vehicle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who has the cheapest car insurance in California?

GEICO and USAA offer the cheapest rates for most drivers in California, with average rates of $1,469 and $1,545, respectively, for full coverage. To be eligible for USAA, you must be an active member of the military, a veteran or the family of a military member or veteran. For minimum coverage, GEICO and CSAA have the cheapest rates at $456 and $526 annually.

Is there low-income car insurance in California?

Yes, California has a low-income car insurance program, called the California Low-Cost Automobile Insurance Program. To be eligible, you must meet the following requirements:

  • Have a valid California driver’s license
  • Have a good driving record
  • Own a vehicle with a value of $25,000 or less
  • Have a household income equal to or lower than:
    • $32,200 for one person
    • $43,550 for two people
    • $54,900 for three people
    • $66,250 for four people
    • $94,125 for five people

Is State Farm cheaper than GEICO?

In California, State Farm is not cheaper than GEICO on average. GEICO’s average rate for full coverage is $1,469 annually, while State Farm’s is $2,160. However, you should always get quotes from multiple companies as you may end with a lower rate from State Farm for your particular situation.

What are ways to lower auto insurance in California?

There are several ways to lower auto insurance in California, including asking about discounts you may be eligible for, bundling policies, signing up for a telematics program and increasing your deductibles. If you are struggling to afford car insurance, consider checking if you may be eligible for California’s Low-Cost Automobile Insurance Program.

Methodology

We analyze average auto insurance premiums in California for full and minimum coverage for good drivers with good credit as well as other driver profiles, including those with DUIs, accidents, low credit and teenagers. Full coverage averages use the following limits:

  • Bodily injury liability: $100,000 per person/$300,000 per accident
  • Property damage liability: $50,000 per accident
  • Medical payments: $5,000
  • Uninsured and underinsured motorist bodily injury: $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident
  • Comprehensive and collision: $500 deductible
Maya Afilalo Headshot MBA Photo
Written by:Maya Afilalo
Managing Editor & Industry Analyst
Maya Afilalo holds over 10 years of professional experience in writing, communications, and research, which she leverages to provide accurate and reliable information to empower consumers. In addition to overseeing content production, Maya has herself written many articles on auto insurance costs, company comparisons, state laws and requirements, and other topics. She is committed to helping consumers navigate the complex world of car insurance with clarity and confidence. Maya holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a master’s from North Carolina State University.

Citations

  1. 2024 U.S. Auto Insurance Study. J.D. Power. (2024, June 11).
    https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2024-us-auto-insurance-study

  2. 2024 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study. J.D. Power. (2024, October 29).
    https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2024-us-auto-claims-satisfaction-study

  3. Insurer Report Card. CRASH Network. (2025).
    https://www.crashnetwork.com/irc/