Best Cheap Car Insurance in California (2024)
Compare and Buy Cheapest Auto Insurance in CA
| Companies | Quotes | |
|---|---|---|
 |
Mercury | $42 /mo |
 |
Travelers | $45 /mo |
 |
Bridger | $65 /mo |
 |
SafeAuto | $105 /mo |
Get the Cheapest Car Insurance Rates in California
Finding the perfect car insurance company in California might be difficult because of the complex requirements and updates in the California auto insurance laws. Every company calculates the rates based on multiple factors. Hence; it is important to check your requirements first and then compare rates from different insurance companies.
Best Car Insurance Companies in California
If you want the best car insurance rates in California then you are in the right place. RateForce has an objective to get you the perfect policy as per your requirement. We will provide you the best car insurance quotes from the top companies in California. All you have to do is answer some quick questions and we will manage the rest.
| Companies | Quotes | |
|---|---|---|
|
Mercury | $42 /mo |
|
Travelers | $45 /mo |
|
Bridger | $65 /mo |
|
SafeAuto | $105 /mo |
Cheap Minimum Liability Car Insurance in California
Here is the list of best companies that provide the lowest average rates to drivers for state minimum insurance coverage in California:
- GEICO: $65 per month
- Progressive: $77 per month
- Mercury: $84 per month
- Nationwide: $95 per month
- Allstate: $103 per month
Cheapest Basic Full Coverage Car Insurance in California
Here is the list of top insurance companies that provide the lowest average rates to drivers for our unique basic full insurance coverage in CA. It includes collision and comprehensive auto insurance coverage apart from state minimum auto insurance coverage.
- StateFarm: $174 per month
- Travelers: $187 per month
- GEICO: $193 per month
- SafeAuto: $202 per month
- Allstate: $214 per month
Cheap Premium Full Coverage Car Insurance in California
Here is the list of top auto insurance carriers that provide the cheapest full coverage in CA. This covers all coverages as defined by state law in full coverage requirements with maximum benefits. Drivers with a clean driving record may consider this option.
- StateFarm: $210 per month
- Travelers: $225 per month
- GEICO: $240 per month
- SafeAuto: $260 per month
- Allstate: $275 per month
California Car Insurance Requirements and Laws
Minimum Car Insurance Requirements in CL
There’s no doubt that everyone has a unique car insurance need, but there is some compulsory coverage that every state government finalizes. California has its requirements when it comes to minimum car insurance coverage.
- Bodily Injury Liability Coverage:
It requires rivers to cover a minimum of $15,000 per person. The minimum coverage of $30,000 per accident is compulsory in California. - Property Damage Liability Coverage:
A driver in California needs to have a minimum of $5000 coverage for the property damage. While other states require compulsory coverage of Residual Liability or Underinsured/ Uninsured Liability; California just requires these two as minimum coverage.
Additional Auto Insurance Coverage In California
- Comprehensive Coverage:
You need comprehensive coverage to cover your repair cost in case your car got caught in a storm or vandalism. - Collision Coverage:
Collision coverage is required when your vehicle collides with a pedestrian, another vehicle, or any object like a pole or fence. - Roadside Assistance:
If you ever got stuck in a deserted place maybe because of a flat tire or no gas; then you’ll need roadside assistance coverage. - Loan/Lease payoff:
If your vehicle goes under total loss in an accident then the insurance company in California will pay you an extra sum to help you pay off the remaining debt on your vehicle. - Medical and Funeral Services Coverage:
Some insurance companies provide coverage for medical services like ambulance charges, dead body transportation, funeral services, etc. - Uninsured/ Underinsured Motorist:
If you get into an accident with another driver and that driver does not have the insurance to cover your expenses then your insurance company will come up. - Personal Injury Protection:
This type of coverage is necessary to support you in paying all medical bills for your injuries. Despite the fact that who was at fault in that accident your insurance company will cover your medical bills. This also includes lost wages and household replacement services till the time you are in bed.
Cheap Car Insurance Quotes in California on Ticket Profile
Every insurance company in California calculated the average cost of a car insurance policy based on certain factors. Some of these factors are credit score, last insurance type, and company, driving history, employment history, marital status, and military service. Following are the different profiles and how different factors affect your insurance rates:
Cheapest Car Insurance for Drivers with a DUI in California
In California; if you get DUI then your insurance rates are going to be higher than ever. Most of the companies follow the California Insurance Code 1861.025 and take 10 years to lower the insurance rates again. For the drivers with DUI, the only best option is to keep looking for the discounts and compare the rates of as many companies as you can. As per the comparison, Progressive Insurance company provides the lowest rates of $93 per month in California.
| Insurance Company | Quote |
|---|---|
| Progressive | $93 /mo |
| Mercury | $105 /mo |
| Travelers | $113 /mo |
| Bridger | $165 /mo |
| Insurance Company | Quote |
|---|---|
| Mercury | $62 /mo |
| Progressive | $63 /mo |
| Travelers | $68 /mo |
| Bridger | $98 /mo |
Cheap CA Car Insurance Rates for Drivers with an At-Fault Accident
Once you have an “At-fault” record on your license you also enter the “high-risk” drivers category. It doesn’t matter how small the accident was, your car insurance premium rates will increase to a great amount. You can try to pay for accident forgiveness and if you are lucky then you’ll get the clean chit. If your forgiveness is rejected then you will have to look for discounts.
Cheap Car Insurance for Speeding Drivers in California
Speeding tickets are also proved to be dangerous on your insurance rates. Every time you are caught speeding you will get points on your license the points will be based on the number of times you got caught and the mph speed at that time. The higher the speeding points on your tickets, the higher will be your premium. The best option? Compare, compare, compare all the insurance providers, and get the lowest prices.
| Insurance Company | Quote |
|---|---|
| Mercury | $59 /mo |
| Travelers | $63 /mo |
| Progressive | $70 /mo |
| Insurance Company | Quote |
|---|---|
| Mercury | $60 /mo |
| Travelers | $72 /mo |
| Bridger | $83 /mo |
| Esurance | $89 /mo |
Cheap Car Insurance for Young Drivers in California
New or young drivers are always considered as the “highest-risk” types by every insurance company. In California, most of the companies consider drivers under 20 years as young drivers. California has special driving instructions for new drivers like passenger age restriction, curfews, electronic device limitations, etc. Still, New or Young drivers always get higher premium returns. Mercury Insurance provides the lowest insurance rates to new drivers starting from $60 per month.
Best Auto Insurance for Good Drivers in CA
For drivers which have clean driving records and a good long experience on road; they get amazing discounts and lower rates. The insurance companies check the records of the driver for a minimum of ten years and if the driver does not have any traffic tickets or accidents in the records then he will be declared as a good driver. Mercury Insurance provides the cheapest insurance rates for good drivers starting from $42 per month.
| Insurance Company | Quote |
|---|---|
| Mercury | $42 /mo |
| Travelers | $45 /mo |
| GEICO | $58 /mo |
| State Farm | $63 /mo |
| Bridger | $65 /mo |
| Insurance Company | Quote |
|---|---|
| Mercury | $39 /mo |
| Travelers | $43 /mo |
| Bridger | $60 /mo |
Cheap Car Insurance Rates in California for Good Students
Good students discounts are quite popular in California. Insurance carriers give good student discounts to the students who have an average of B or higher grade. The student must be below 25 years of age. This can give the student, discount of up to 25% on the insurance term.
Cheapest Coverage for Drivers with Poor Credit in California
The government of different states has banned insurance companies from checking and considering credit scores as a factor to calculate the final cost of every policy. Still, insurance companies believe that drivers with poor credit scores are more irresponsible for payment. Hence to avoid that risk insurance companies increase the rates of car insurance for drivers with a poor credit score.
| Insurance Company | Quote |
|---|---|
| Travelers | $152 /mo |
| GEICO | $178 /mo |
| Nationwide | $194 /mo |
| Progressive | $218 /mo |
| Allstate | $243 /mo |
Which Car Insurance Discounts are available in California
In 2023, the California Insurance Commissioner approved over $1 billion in auto insurance rate increases. This has led to a significant impact on the insurance rates of many car drivers. Due to the increasing rates of auto insurance in California, everyone is looking for ways to get cheaper rates. There are several ways to save money on car insurance in California. This proves the need for more discounts, and the following are four types of discounts drivers can ask for:
California’s Low-Cost Auto Insurance Program (CLCA)
The government of California has a CLCA program to help drivers who fall below the poverty line. The eligible drivers get Government-sponsored auto insurance for two vehicles per person. It is important to note that the driver must have a clean driving record and the vehicle’s value should be less than $25,000.
Multi-Policy Discount:
This type of car insurance discount is also known as Bundling Discount. Bundling means buying more than one policy from the same insurance provider. A bundling discount is applicable if you are a driver and a homeowner. When you decide to buy homeowners insurance from the same insurance company you get good discounts on both policies.
Mature Driver Improvement Course Discount:
All the drivers older than 55 years of age are eligible for this car insurance discount. California auto insurance laws promote safe driving by providing discounts to the senior citizens who have cleared this course. The course is to inform the senior drivers about traffic law updates, defensive drivers, and the effects of some medications.
Advance Billing and Payment:
If the driver opts for the advance payment of the premium the insurance company will provide good discounts. Along with that, the insurance carrier will give discounts on online payments, paperless transactions, and the selection of automatic payments. These things save a lot of time for the insurance provider and hence to reward this the driver gets good discounts.
SR-22 Car Insurance in California State
If you have got a California DMV suspension or revocation then you need SR-22 insurance to reinstate your license. There are companies which deny SR-22 for their customers. But you can contact big companies like Dairyland, Affirmative, 21st-century insurance, and Farmers insurance. These companies might cost you higher but you still have the option to compare and buy. Compare all the rates on the RateForce website to check which insurance company provides the cheapest SR-22 in California.
| Company | Average Annual Rate | Annual Average Premium with SR-22 and DUI |
|---|---|---|
| GEICO | $754 | $898 |
| Progressive | $809 | $927 |
| Travelers | $821 | $956 |
| Nationwide | $857 | $983 |
| Allstate | $884 | $1,014 |
Best Cities for Cheap Car Insurance in California
Wondering what the cost will be to get car insurance in your city? Every state and city has its laws and every company has its method to calculate the premium rates. The average rate will help you to get an idea of the approximate amount you will have to pay for insurance. Hence; below is the list of top California cities.
| City Name | Average Premium |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles | $155 /mo |
| San Diego | $141 /mo |
| San Francisco | $133 /mo |
| San Jose | $85 /mo |
| Oakland | $120 /mo |
| Sacramento | $114 /mo |
| Long Beach | $151 /mo |
| Anaheim | $152 /mo |
| Fresno | $146 /mo |
FAQs – About Car Insurance In California
In California, the insurance follows the car or the driver?
In most cases, car insurance follows the car and not the driver. PIP and MedPay follow the driver while bodily injury, collision, comprehensive and property damage follow the car. If a person borrows your car and gets into an accident then you don’t have to pay for their medical expenses. But you might have to pay for the damage and injuries of the other driver.
What is the Grace Period For California’s Car Insurance?
In California, If you need new car insurance then you will get a 30 days grace period. If you already have one of your existing or previous vehicles and you want to transfer it then you will get 45 days of the grace period.
How much is the weightage of credit score on Insurance rates in California?
Insurance companies use a low credit score as a factor to increase or reject your insurance premium. But, California’s government has prohibited the insurance providers to hold your credit score as a demerit against you.
How to get the cheapest car insurance quote in California?
California has multiple insurance companies. Each carrier has its way to calculate the average cost of your insurance premium. The best way to know which company provides the cheapest quote is to compare them. Instead of manually searching for each company, RateForce will provide you the quotes from all the top car insurance companies in California.
How Much Does Car Insurance Cost In Top California Cities?
California state has lower insurance rates as compared to other states in the USA. And every city calculates the cost based on different factors. As a result; We have analyzed calculated the average car insurance cost in the top California Cities:
- Los Angeles: $155 per Month
- San Diego: $141 per Month
- San Francisco: $133 per Month
- San Jose: $85 per Month
- Oakland: $120 per Month
- Sacramento: $114 per Month
- Long Beach: $151 per Month
Editorial Guidelines: The above content is meant as general information to help you understand the different aspects of auto insurance. This information does not refer to any specific auto insurance policy. Coverages and other features vary between insurers, vary by state, and are not available in all states. References to costs of coverages/repair, average or typical premiums, amounts of losses, deductibles, etc., are indicative and may not apply to your situation. We encourage you to speak to our insurance representative and to read your policy contract to fully understand your coverages.