Your car insurance rates can be significantly influenced by a number of variables, such as your age, location, level of coverage, driving record, and more.

For instance, in California, the average cost of full coverage ranges from $1,001 (AAA) to $1,868 (Chubb) per year. A driver over the age of 60 will pay $1,307 in rates, while a driver in their 20s may pay $1,681.

In California, the law forbids insurance companies from using your credit score to determine your premium rate, so it is not a factor.

How Much is Car Insurance in California

Average Car Insurance Costs in California

Full coverage auto insurance costs $1,343 on average per year in California, but actual costs can vary depending on factors like the amount of coverage and driving history. Vehicle violators may be required to pay:

  • Clean: $1,343 per year
  • Speeding ticket: $1,944 per year
  • Accident: $2,205 per year
  • DUI: $3,375 per year

Rates can also differ depending on the insurer and your location within the state.

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Driving Record
Annual Premium
Monthly Premium

Clean

$1,343

$112

Ticket

$1,944

$162

At-Fault Accident

$2,205

$184

DUI

$3,375

$281

Why are Car Insurance Rates Expensive in California?

California is one of the states where car insurance is the most expensive. Full coverage policies in the state typically cost more than the $1,343 per year that is the national average.

California’s high rates for auto insurance may be explained by the state’s heavy traffic, high cost of living, high cost of auto repairs, and risk of severe weather and natural disasters. You might pay even more depending on your driving history and other variables like age.

Average Car Insurance Costs in California by Company

Since prices differ between companies, the average cost of auto insurance in California does not represent the actual cost. The least expensive option for auto insurance is GEICO, with minimum coverage costing $419 and full coverage costing $1,001.

The most expensive insurer is Chubb, with minimum coverage costing $791 annually and full coverage costing $1,868.

Liability-only insurance typically costs less than full coverage. By comparing several quotes, Californian drivers can still find full coverage insurance at reasonable prices.

Company
Annual Premium
Monthly Premium

AAA California

$1,001

$83

Progressive

$1,086

$90

GEICO

$1,121

$93

National General

$1,218

$101

Mercury

$1,218

$101

CSAA

$1,241

$103

Allstate

$1,294

$108

State Farm

$1,306

$109

Compare Insurance Rates

When deciding the cost of your auto insurance, insurance companies take into account factors such as your coverage level, age, location, and driving history.

Average Car Insurance Costs in California by Coverage Level

California’s auto insurance rates range from $551 per year for the bare minimum of coverage to $1,475 per year for full coverage with higher liability limits and a lower deductible, depending on the limits.

Your annual rate will probably rise by several hundred dollars if you purchase comprehensive and collision coverage.

The price of your insurance will rise as your liability insurance does. If you want to get a full coverage policy for less money, you can choose a higher deductible.

Average annual car insurance rates by coverage tier

The least expensive policy in the nation only includes the bare minimum insurance requirements for California. These coverages lack comprehensive and collision insurance and have the lowest liability limits.

The 50/100/50 or 100/300/100 limits are options that insurers may provide for policies with higher liability limits. A 50/100/50 policy would cover the following:

  • $50,000 in bodily injury liability insurance per person
  • $100,000 in bodily injury liability insurance per accident
  • $50,000 in property damage liability insurance per accident

The majority of insurance companies offer a 300/500/300 maximum liability, which only covers other people’s property damage or medical costs.

Comprehensive collision insurance is required to make the policy fully comprehensive for those seeking protection for both themselves and their vehicle.

Average Car Insurance Costs in California by Age

The cost of auto insurance is frequently influenced by age, especially for new or young drivers. According to age group, the average cost of a full coverage policy in California is as follows:

  • 22–29: $1,681 per year
  • 30–59: $1,343 per year
  • 60+: $1,307 per year

Although insurance costs are typically higher for drivers in their 20s, rates for those between the ages of 30 and 59 tend to be relatively stable before rising again after the age of 60.

Due to their lack of experience, middle-aged drivers who are just starting out on the road may also pay a similar amount to young adults.

Age
Annual Premium
Monthly Premium

22-29

$1,681

$140

30-59

$1,343

$112

60 +

$1,307

$109

Average Car Insurance Costs in California for Teens

Teen drivers in California typically have to pay more for auto insurance than drivers of other ages.

Individual policies cost about $4,458 annually, while a family policy with full coverage averages $3,772 for a 16-year-old.

Remember that drivers under the age of 18 might not be able to independently purchase auto insurance.

As young drivers get older, premiums decrease. Family insurance costs an average of $2,707 per year for 19-year-olds and $2,095 per year for 22-year-olds.

It’s crucial to contrast various providers to find the best rates for teen drivers in California.

In most states, there can be a significant difference between the rates for male and female drivers, but in California, this practice is outlawed and rates are equal for both genders.

Age
Annual Family Premium
Monthly Family Premium
Annual Individual Premium
Monthly Individual Premium

16

$3,772

$314

$4,458

$371

17

$3,758

$313

$4,167

$347

18

$3,543

$295

$3,921

$327

19

$2,707

$226

$2,925

$244

20

$2,776

$231

$2,768

$231

21

$2,414

$201

$2,404

$200

22

$2,095

$175

$2,211

$184

23

$2,153

$179

$2,109

$176

Average Car Insurance Costs in California for New Cars vs. Older Cars

In California, the average cost of full coverage for a new car is $1,818 per year and $1,432 for an older vehicle. This difference represents a 27% premium difference.

This is brought on by the increased actual cash value, repair costs, and theft risk. Since an older car is less expensive to insure, an insurer bases claim payments on the actual cash value (ACV) of the vehicle, which decreases significantly over time.

In California, owners of more recent vehicles should think about purchasing full coverage insurance, which covers both liability for third-party injuries and damages to the vehicle itself in the event of an accident.

Model Year
Annual Premium
Monthly Premium

2012 Vehicle

$1,432

$119

2022 Vehicle

$1,818

$151

Average Car Insurance Costs in California by Driving Record

Californians with moving violations pay more for auto insurance than those with spotless records. To demonstrate the price difference, we compared the typical full-coverage auto insurance rates.

  • Clean record: $1,343 per year
  • Speeding ticket: $1,944 per year
  • Accident: $2,205 per year
  • DUI: $3,375 per year

The costs are higher for more serious driving infractions. Your car insurance will cost more if you get a DUI than if you get a speeding ticket.

Shop around and compare prices from different providers to find affordable auto insurance for drivers with a poor driving history.

Driving Record
Annual Premium
Monthly Premium

Clean

$1,343

$112

Ticket

$1,944

$162

At-Fault Accident

$2,205

$184

DUI

$3,375

$281

Average Car Insurance Costs in California by City

Your car insurance premiums in California may significantly vary depending on where you live.

Drivers in Glendale pay the most ($2,115) for a full coverage policy each year, while those in Santa Maria pay the least ($1,106).

Cities like Glendale, which have a high traffic volume and population density, typically have higher car insurance rates.

City
Full Coverage Annual Premium
Minimum Coverage Annual Premium

Anaheim

$1,448

$648

Antioch

$1,403

$570

Arden-Arcade

$1,430

$647

Bakersfield

$1,234

$527

Berkeley

$1,342

$551

Burbank

$1,733

$782

Carlsbad

$1,225

$542

Chula Vista

$1,189

$501

FAQ about Car Insurance Costs in California

In California, navigating the car insurance purchasing process can be challenging. We addressed the most frequently asked inquiries regarding the price of auto insurance to make it simpler.

What is the average cost of car insurance in California? The cheapest company?

In California, a full coverage policy typically costs $1,343 annually, while minimal coverage only costs $575. The full coverage policy from AAA is the most reasonably priced at $1,000 annually.

This includes 100/300/100 liability limits as well as comprehensive collision coverage. The annual cost of a minimum coverage policy from this insurer is $430.

How can I find the best car insurance in California?

Take the time to compare prices from various providers to find the best auto insurance. However, other insurers might be a better fit for you depending on your needs, so be sure to carefully consider each one.

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