Progressive is the best car insurance company in California in 2024. Of the car insurance companies we analyzed, only Progressive offers annual rates under $2,000 in the Golden State. It also has a low level of customer complaints, implying that policyholders are satisfied with Progressive’s claims process.
The best car insurance companies in California 2024
- Best car insurance in California: Progressive.
- Best car insurance for military in California: USAA.
- Best car insurance for young drivers in California: Geico.
- Best car insurance for DUI in California: Mercury.
- Best car insurance after an accident in California: CSAA.
How much is car insurance in California?
The average cost of car insurance for a California driver with a clean record is $2,615 per year, or about $218 per month for coverage that includes liability insurance, uninsured motorist coverage and collision and comprehensive insurance.
High-risk drivers can expect to pay 64% more than good drivers in California: $4,294 a year, on average. DUIs, at-fault accidents and speeding tickets all lead to significant rate increases, with DUIs leading to the biggest jump — $3,042 more a year on average.
Beyond driving habits, a few other factors can impact the cost of car insurance in California:
- Deductible amounts when applicable.
- How much coverage you buy.
- Make and model of your car.
- Your age.
- Your ZIP code.
Did you know? Unlike in other states, California car insurance companies cannot factor in your gender or credit score when determining your rates.
Cost of car insurance in California by driver profile
| DRIVER PROFILE | AVERAGE ANNUAL RATE IN CALIFORNIA | AVERAGE MONTHLY RATE IN CALIFORNIA |
|---|---|---|
| Good driver | $2,615 | $218 |
| After a speeding ticket | $3,742 | $312 |
| After an accident with property damage | $4,332 | $361 |
| After an accident with injury | $5,139 | $428 |
| After a DUI | $5,657 | $471 |
| After a gap in coverage | $2,599 | $213 |
| Adding a teen driver (16-19) | $5,731 | $478 |
| High-risk driver | $4,294 | $358 |
Cheapest car insurance companies in California
The cheapest car insurance company in California is Progressive, costing an average of $1,877 per year, or about $156 per month for a good driver with a full coverage policy. That’s about $738 yearly savings in comparison to the California statewide average.
Here’s how much you’ll save with different car insurance companies in California according to our analysis of rates.
| CALIFORNIA CAR INSURANCE COMPANY | AVERAGE ANNUAL COST FOR GOOD DRIVER | ANNUAL SAVINGS COMPARED TO STATEWIDE AVERAGE | LEARN MORE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Progressive | $1,877 | $738 | Compare QuotesCompare quotes offered by participating partners |
| Mercury | $2,153 | $462 | Compare QuotesCompare quotes offered by participating partners |
| California Capital | $2,168 | $447 | Compare QuotesCompare quotes offered by participating partners |
| Alliance United | $2,210 | $405 | Compare QuotesCompare quotes offered by participating partners |
| Grange | $2,266 | $349 | Compare QuotesCompare quotes offered by participating partners |
| USAA | $2,302 | $313 | Compare QuotesCompare quotes offered by participating partners |
| Wawanesa | $2,302 | $313 | Compare QuotesCompare quotes offered by participating partners |
| Infinity | $2,354 | $261 | Compare QuotesCompare quotes offered by participating partners |
| CSAA | $2,377 | $238 | Compare QuotesCompare quotes offered by participating partners |
| Geico | $2,384 | $231 | Compare QuotesCompare quotes offered by participating partners |
Looking to save on car insurance? Car insurance discount guide
Cheap car insurance company in California by driver profile
- After a speeding ticket.
- After an accident.
- After a DUI.
- After a gap in coverage.
- High-risk drivers.
- Teen driver added to parent policy (ages 16 – 19).
Cheap car insurance after a speeding ticket in California: USAA and Progressive
If you’re a California resident with a speeding ticket on your record, out of our top-scoring companies you’ll find the cheapest rates with USAA. If you don’t qualify for USAA, check out Progressive.
Cheap car insurance for California drivers with a speeding ticket
| CALIFORNIA CAR INSURANCE COMPANY | AVERAGE ANNUAL RATE | AVERAGE MONTHLY RATE |
|---|---|---|
| USAA | $2,457 | $205 |
| Progressive | $2,903 | $242 |
| CSAA | $3,011 | $251 |
| Mercury | $3,059 | $255 |
| Geico | $3,719 | $310 |
| California average | $3,742 | $312 |
Cheap car insurance in California after an accident in CA
Causing an accident will result in higher insurance rates, particularly if there are injuries. On average, California drivers pay $5,139 per year after causing an accident with injuries and $4,332 per year for causing accidents with property damage.
Out of our top-scoring companies, Progressive offers the cheapest rates after an accident resulting in injuries and CSAA offers the cheapest after an accident with property damage.
Cheap car insurance after an accident with injuries: Progressive
| CALIFORNIA CAR INSURANCE COMPANY | AVERAGE ANNUAL RATE | AVERAGE MONTHLY RATE |
|---|---|---|
| Progressive | $3,124 | $260 |
| Mercury | $3,413 | $284 |
| USAA | $3,838 | $320 |
| CSAA | $4,821 | $402 |
| California average | $5,139 | $428 |
Cheap car insurance after an accident with property damage: CSAA
| CALIFORNIA CAR INSURANCE COMPANY | AVERAGE ANNUAL RATE | AVERAGE MONTHLY RATE |
|---|---|---|
| CSAA | $3,011 | $251 |
| USAA | $3,070 | $256 |
| Progressive | $3,125 | $260 |
| Mercury | $3,998 | $333 |
| Geico | $4,270 | $356 |
| California average | $4,332 | $361 |
Cheap car insurance after a DUI in CA: Mercury
Finding cheap car insurance after a DUI is challenging, especially in California, which has some of the highest rate increases after a DUI. On average, Californians with a DUI on their record pay $5,657 annually for coverage.
Out of our top-scoring companies, Mercury and Progressive are the only car insurance companies that offer car insurance under $4,000 per year after a DUI.
Cheap car insurance in California after a DUI
| CALIFORNIA CAR INSURANCE COMPANY | AVERAGE ANNUAL RATE | AVERAGE MONTHLY RATE |
|---|---|---|
| Mercury | $3,521 | $293 |
| Progressive | $3,749 | $312 |
| USAA | $4,842 | $404 |
| Geico | $5,177 | $431 |
| California average | $5,657 | $471 |
Cheap car insurance for high-risk drivers in CA: Progressive
High-risk drivers in California pay 53% more for car insurance than good drivers, on average. A bad driving record — speeding and reckless driving tickets, at-fault accidents and DUIs, namely — can make you a high-risk driver for insurance companies. However, so can factors like age (teens and seniors typically pay more for coverage).
Out of our top-scoring companies, Progressive offers the cheapest rates for high-risk drivers.
Cheap car insurance in California for high-risk drivers
| CALIFORNIA CAR INSURANCE COMPANY | AVERAGE ANNUAL RATE | AVERAGE MONTHLY RATE |
|---|---|---|
| Progressive | $2,956 | $246 |
| Mercury | $3,229 | $269 |
| USAA | $3,244 | $270 |
| CSAA | $3,924 | $327 |
| California average | $4,294 | $358 |
Cheap car insurance for adding a teen driver in CA: USAA and Geico
Teen drivers have notoriously high rates, a reflection of limited driving experience and risk. If you have a teen driver in the house, adding them to your policy is usually more affordable than buying a new policy.
USAA offers the cheapest rate for adding a teen (ages 16 to 19) to your auto insurance policy. USAA is the only top-scoring company that charges under $4,000 a year. If you don’t qualify for USAA, check out Geico.
Cheap car insurance in California after adding a teen
| CALIFORNIA CAR INSURANCE COMPANY | AVERAGE ANNUAL RATE | AVERAGE MONTHLY RATE |
|---|---|---|
| USAA | $3,987 | $332 |
| Geico | $4,465 | $372 |
| Mercury | $4,520 | $377 |
| Progressive | $5,346 | $446 |
| California average | $5,731 | $478 |
Car insurance requirements in California
By law, California drivers must carry minimum liability insurance for any vehicle driven or parked on a California road.
Liability car insurance covers the cost of bodily injuries and property damage sustained by others if you’re at fault for an accident. In California, you must carry a 15/30/5 liability insurance policy, which includes:
- $15,000 in bodily injury coverage for one person per accident.
- $30,000 in bodily injury coverage for more than one person per accident.
- $5,000 in property damage coverage per accident.
Alternatively, you can make a $35,000 cash deposit at the DMV, obtain a DMV-issued self-insurance certificate or carry a surety bond for $35,000 from a company that is licensed to do business in the state.
How to find the best car insurance in California
Living in California is expensive, making it important to cut costs where you can. If you’re looking for the best car insurance in California and rates are driving your search, consider these tips to help you lower your car insurance costs.
- Shop around. It’s a good idea to compare car insurance quotes annually from multiple different companies to make sure you’re getting the best price for your car insurance needs in California.
- Check discounts. Many of the best car insurance companies in California offer discounts, like good driver, loyalty, anti-theft and bundling discounts.
- Raise your deductible. The higher your deductible is set the lower your car insurance premiums will be, but the lower your claim reimbursement will be in the event of a claim.
- Drop unnecessary coverages. Additional coverages like roadside assistance and rental car reimbursement are nice, but if your goal is to lower your car insurance rates, ask your insurer how removing them will affect your rates.
- Examine your limits. Decreasing your car insurance limits, or how much your insurer will cover after a claim, can lead to lower rates. But keep in mind that you’ll be responsible for any accident-related expenses that exceed your policy limits — a low-limit policy can leave you on the hook for substantial out-of-pocket costs.
- Drive safely. Many insurers reward good driving by reducing their rates if you go multiple policy periods without any claims. Some also offer usage-based car insurance to monitor your driving habits and, if you drive safely, lower your premium. Insurers also frequently offer a discount if you complete a driving course.
