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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 full coverage auto insurance in California: GEICO ($1,469 annually) and USAA ($1,545 annually).
- Cheapest minimum coverage: GEICO ($456 annually) and CSAA ($526 annually).
- Cheapest with a speeding ticket: USAA ($1,771 annually) and GEICO ($2,164 annually).
- Cheapest with a teen driver: USAA ($3,430 annually) and GEICO ($3,919 annually)
- Cheapest with a DUI: GEICO ($3,461 annually) and Progressive ($3,742 annually)
- Cheapest with an at-fault accident: USAA ($2,597 annually) and GEICO ($2,932 annually)
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
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
2024 U.S. Auto Insurance Study. J.D. Power. (2024, June 11).
https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2024-us-auto-insurance-study2024 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study. J.D. Power. (2024, October 29).
https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2024-us-auto-claims-satisfaction-studyInsurer Report Card. CRASH Network. (2025).
https://www.crashnetwork.com/irc/
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