Car insurance is a must-have for anyone with an automobile. Not only is it a legal requirement in the state of California, but it also protects you from financial loss in the event of an accident or theft. Various factors affect how expensive your car insurance may be. For example, age is a significant variable when providers are determining insurance rates. Read on to explore the best car insurance in California, so you can choose the right option for your situation and needs.
Best Car Insurance in California for Minimum Coverage
Here are the lowest-priced average annual rates for minimum coverage in California. This information is based on ValuePenguin’s analysis of Quadrant Information Services data. The average rates came from insurer filings. Keep in mind that AAA of Northern California (AAA NorCal) offers insurance to residents of Northern California while The Auto Club of Southern California (AAA SoCal) is available for residents of Southern California:
- Geico: $390 per year
- AAA NorCal: $454 per year
- Progressive: $476 per year
- Mercury: $549 per year
- State Farm: $627 per year
- AAA SoCal: $629 per year
- Allstate: $750 per year
- Farmers: $958 per year
Minimum coverage insurance fulfills the state’s minimum legal requirements. While it’s the cheapest option and covers you if you damage another vehicle, it doesn’t include comprehensive or collision insurance. This means your vehicle isn’t protected from damage due to accidents, vandalism, or natural disasters, no matter who is at fault. You’re also not covered if your vehicle is stolen. If you want to be protected in these situations, consider opting for full coverage.
Best Car Insurance in California for Full Coverage
Opting for the more expensive full-coverage insurance instead of minimum-coverage plans can protect your finances in various unexpected situations. In the event of an accident, theft, natural disaster, or act of vandalism, comprehensive insurance provides reimbursement or funds for repair. If you have a valuable or new car, it’s a good idea to protect it by investing in full coverage. Full coverage may also be a requirement if you’re leasing a vehicle.
According to the aforementioned study, here are the cheapest insurance providers offering full coverage car insurance and the average annual rates for each:
- Mercury: $1,731 per year
- Geico: $1,755 per year
- Progressive: $1,850 per year
- AAA NorCal: $2,149 per year
- State Farm: $2,298 per year
- Farmers: $2,414 per year
- Allstate: $2,432 per year
- AAA SoCal: $2,553 per year
Cheapest Car Insurance in California for Drivers With a Speeding Ticket
Drivers who have received a speeding ticket may have more expensive insurance rates. This is because insurance providers often view these drivers as more at risk for driving dangerously and getting into accidents. Here are the cheapest car insurance annual rates for California drivers with a speeding ticket:
- Mercury: $2,293 per year
- AAA NorCal: $2,719 per year
- Geico: $2,741 per year
- Farmers: $3,408 per year
- State Farm: $3,495 per year
- Progressive: $3,567 per year
- Allstate: $3,570 per year
- AAA SoCal: $3,802 per year
Cheapest Car Insurance in California for Drivers After an Accident
If you’ve been in a car crash, that may increase your insurance rates. Here are the cheapest average rates for drivers after an accident:
- Mercury: $2,604 per year
- Progressive: $3,822 per year
- AAA SoCal: $4,010 per year
- Farmers: $4,259 per year
- AAA NorCal: $4,361 per year
- Geico: $4,408 per year
- State Farm: $4,505 per year
- Allstate: $6,672 per year
Cheapest Car Insurance in California for Drivers With a DUI
Drivers in California with a DUI or other traffic violation usually have more expensive insurance rates than drivers with clean records. Explore the following cheapest insurance providers and annual rates for drivers with a DUI:
- Mercury: $2,867 per year
- Farmers: $4,259 per year
- Geico: $4,419 per year
- Progressive: $4,467 per year
- AAA SoCal: $7,415 per year
- AAA NorCal: $7,727 per year
- Allstate: $9,720 per year
Cheapest Car Insurance in California for Married Drivers
Married drivers may be eligible for cheaper insurance rates than single drivers. This is because insurance companies tend to view married people as more financially stable. Review the following average annual rates for married drivers in California:
- Progressive: $1,448 per year
- Geico: $1,494 per year
- Mercury: $1,542 per year
- AAA NorCal: $2,149 per year
- Allstate: $2,170 per year
- Farmers: $2,209 per year
- State Farm: $2,298 per year
- AAA SoCal: $2,384 per year
Cheapest Car Insurance in California for Young Drivers
Young drivers are less experienced and can be more at risk for accidents. Here are the cheapest insurance rates for young drivers in California:
- Geico: $1,167 per year
- State Farm: $1,205 per year
- Mercury: $1,355 per year
- Progressive: $1,387 per year
- AAA NorCal: $1,443 per year
- AAA SoCal: $1,850 per year
- Allstate: $1,996 per year
- Farmers: $2,211 per year
Cheapest Car Insurance in California for Young Drivers With a Speeding Ticket
Insurance providers consider multiple aspects when determining rates for customers. If a driver is young and has a history of speeding, they may have more expensive insurance options than those with a record of safe driving. Here are the average rates for young drivers with a speeding ticket in California:
- Geico: $1,312 per year
- Mercury: $1,764 per year
- Progressive: $1,793 per year
- State Farm: $1,912 per year
- AAA NorCal: $2,182 per year
- Allstate: $2,367 per year
- AAA SoCal: $2,731 per year
- Farmers: $2,794 per year
Cheapest Car Insurance in California for Young Drivers After an Accident
Check out the following average auto insurance rates for young drivers who’ve been in an accident in California:
- Geico: $1,606 per year
- Mercury: $1,659 per year
- Progressive: $1,993 per year
- State Farm: $2,008 per year
- AAA SoCal: $2,557 per year
- AAA NorCal: $2,678 per year
- Farmers: $2,794 per year
- Allstate: $3,145 per year
As you can see, there are a variety of cheap insurance options in California that could meet your financial needs. These average rates may differ from your actual rate based on the specific aspects of your history and circumstances. Consider talking to an insurance agent to discuss your unique situation and find a plan that works best for you. Staying covered protects your legal and financial interests, making it safe for you to drive wherever life takes you.
At FIXD, our mission is to make car ownership as simple, easy, and affordable as possible. Our research team utilizes the latest automotive data and insights to create tools and resources that help drivers get peace of mind and save money over the life of their car.
