How Much Is Auto Insurance In California: SAW TRAFFIC FATALITIES ON THE RISE ABOVE THE 15-YEAR HIGH. AAA BLAMES MORE SPEEDING AGGRESSIVE AND DISTRACTED DRIVING AND MORE DRINKING AND DRIVING. ALL OF THE CRASHES LEAD TO HIGHER COSTS FOR AUTO INSURERS, AND NATIONWIDE, RATES ARE RISING. IN NOVEMBER, CAR INSURANCE WAS UP 13% OVER LAST YEAR ACCORDING TO THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATS WHICH IS MORE THAN THE SECTOR IN THE CPI.
In California, the average yearly cost for complete car insurance is $2,291, while the basic coverage costs around $636 annually. Nationally, full coverage usually costs $2,014 per year, and minimum coverage averages $622 per year. This makes insurance more expensive in California. Our insurance editorial team found these averages by looking at rates from Quadrant Information Services for various types of drivers.
- In California, the average monthly premium for minimal coverage is $53. In California, the average monthly premium for full coverage is $191.
- Geico has the lowest average minimum coverage vehicle insurance cost on our list, at $415 a year, according to Bankrate’s data. Capital, on the other hand, has the most affordable full coverage rates, at $1,548 annually.
- Our analysis shows that drivers in Los Angeles pay the highest rates for auto insurance, by far, with an average premium for full coverage insurance of $2,545, which is 11% higher than the state average.
- The average annual rate for California parents adding a 16-year-old driver to their full-coverage vehicle insurance policy is $5,360.
- Every year, drivers with a DUI on their record pay $5,506 on average.
California car insurance rates by city
Car insurance prices in California change depending on the city. In busy areas, people usually pay more. For instance, drivers in Los Angeles pay 11% above the state average for full coverage, and in San Francisco, the average cost is $197 more per year than the state average. More cars on the road can lead to more accidents. Other things like repair costs, parts, and medical expenses can also affect how much drivers pay for insurance in a city.
| California city | Avg. monthly full coverage premium | Avg. annual full coverage premium | Percentage change from California average annual full coverage premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anaheim | $187 | $2,249 | -2% |
| Bakersfield | $179 | $2,144 | -6% |
| Fresno | $182 | $2,187 | -5% |
| Long Beach | $199 | $2,382 | 4% |
| Los Angelos | $212 | $2,545 | 11% |
| Oakland | $206 | $2,471 | 8% |
| Sacramento | $194 | $2,328 | 2% |
| San Diego | $194 | $2,328 | 2% |
| San Francisco | $207 | $2,488 | 9% |
| San Jose | $187 | $2,239 | -2% |
- Online School College: Shaping the Future of Education
- Miller makes trio of hires for Solicitors PI team
- Polkadot (DOT) Staking Punishment: Offenses And Slashes
- From Coders To Critical Thinking Developers: How To Evolve?
- WTW reveals enhanced investment management insurance solution, IMI Plus
Average car insurance costs by age and gender in California
The cost of car insurance each year is often influenced by the driver’s age, which can show how risky they might be statistically. Young drivers, especially teens who just got their licenses, usually have to pay higher premiums. For instance, 16-year-old drivers in California can increase their parents’ premiums by almost $3,000 per year. Luckily, in California, car insurance rates typically go down as drivers get older, starting at age 20, as long as they don’t have accidents or get traffic citations.
Unlike many other states, California doesn’t let car insurance companies consider gender when setting rates. So, your gender shouldn’t affect how much you pay for car insurance in California.
| Age | Avg. monthly full coverage premium in California | Avg. annual full coverage premium in California |
|---|---|---|
| Age 16* | $447 | $5,360 |
| Age 18 | $542 | $6,502 |
| Age 20 | $353 | $4,236 |
| Age 25 | $240 | $2,884 |
| Age 30 | $206 | $2,468 |
| Age 40 | $191 | $2,291 |
| Age 50 | $183 | $2,197 |
| Age 60 | $180 | $2,155 |
| Age 70 | $195 | $2,338 |
Bankrate’s view: In many states, your insurance cost is influenced by your gender. This is because guys usually have more accidents than girls, leading to higher rates for male drivers. However, in California, insurers can’t consider gender, so both male and female drivers in similar situations are likely to pay the same rates. Nevertheless, age still matters in California, especially for younger drivers, who usually pay more, so it’s essential for them to find affordable coverage.
Cost considerations for young drivers in California
Young drivers usually have to pay higher car insurance prices because they don’t have much driving experience. Typically, until a person turns 18 and becomes a legal adult, they have to be included in a car insurance policy with an adult. The rates mentioned below are for a married couple who are adding one child to their car insurance policy.
When you turn 18, you can decide to buy your own car insurance, but it’s usually more expensive than staying on your parents’ policy. By the time you’re 25, most people have their own place and their own insurance. The rates listed here are for California drivers of different ages who have their own car insurance after turning 17.
| Age | Avg. annual premium for drivers on their parents’ policy in California | Avg. annual premium for drivers on their own policy in California | Percent difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age 16 | $5,360 | N/A* | N/A* |
| Age 17 | $5,001 | N/A* | N/A* |
| Age 18 | $4,768 | $6,502 | 36% |
| Age 19 | $3,758 | $4,538 | 21% |
| Age 20 | $3,539 | $4,236 | 20% |
How does a driving record impact the cost of car insurance in California?
Your driving history is a big factor in how much you pay for car insurance. In California, getting just one speeding ticket could make your insurance costs go up by 36 percent. The table below shows how much your insurance might increase if you get a speeding ticket, cause an accident, or get a DUI. Any of these things could make insurance companies see you as a risky driver. If you have more than one of these incidents on your record in the past three to five years, your rates will probably be even higher. The rates shown here are for full coverage, and if you’re considered a riskier driver, you might want to think about getting more coverage for better financial protection.
| Driving incident | Avg. annual full coverage premium in California | Percentage increase from California average annual full coverage premium |
|---|---|---|
| Clean driving record | $2,291 | 0% |
| Speeding ticket | $3,111 | 36% |
| Accident | $3,789 | 65% |
| DUI | $5,506 | 140% |
Estimate your car insurance cost in California
When you are looking for the best car insurance for your needs, it can be helpful to have a benchmark figure to start with. That’s why Bankrate created this handy calculator. By inputting a few simple data points, you will be given an average monthly payment for someone in your situation. This is only an estimate, since each insurer assesses you differently when determining your premium rate, but it gives you a good starting point to keep in mind while searching.
How to save on car insurance in California
In California, people usually pay more for car insurance compared to drivers in many other states. But California has strict rules about how insurance companies can give discounts. For instance, drivers in California can’t get discounts for using telematics or for having accident forgiveness. If you want to reduce your car insurance costs in California, here are some tips:
Know how much coverage you need. Having more coverage protects you better, but it usually costs more. While experts suggest getting more than the minimum coverage, not everyone needs an expensive policy. Understanding your needs helps you pick the right coverage.
Keep your driving record clean. Accidents, tickets, and DUIs make your insurance rates go up a lot. Driving safely can help you keep a lower premium.
Compare prices: Various car insurance companies use different criteria to determine rates, so the cost of the same coverage can differ. Obtaining quotes from multiple insurers might help you discover the cheapest rate.
Take advantage of discounts: Although certain discounts are limited in California, such as telematics programs, there are other ways to save money. Combining your car and home insurance, being a good student, and staying loyal to a company are all effective ways to reduce your California car insurance costs.