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Average cost of car insurance in California for 2023

The average cost of car insurance in California is $2,291 per year for full coverage and $636 per year for minimum coverage.

Updated Sep 13, 2023
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How much is car insurance in California?

Full coverage car insurance costs an average of $2,291 per year in California. The average cost for state minimum coverage is $636 per year. Nationally, full coverage costs $2,014, and minimum coverage costs $622 on average per year, so California is an expensive place to buy insurance. To determine the average cost of car insurance in California for 2023, our insurance editorial team reviewed average rates provided by Quadrant Information Services for a range of driver profiles. 

While the average auto insurance rates in California could help you determine if you are overpaying for coverage, remember that your premium will vary based on several individual rating factors like the type of car you drive, your motor vehicle record, your claims history and how many miles you drive per year. The company you choose and your coverage types and limits will also affect your rate.

Avg. minimum coverage premium in California Avg. annual full coverage premium in California
$636 $2,291
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Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.

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Insurance Disclosure

Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.

California car insurance rates by city

Car insurance rates in California vary by city. Drivers in densely populated areas tend to have higher rates. For example, drivers in Los Angeles pay 11 percent more than the state average for full coverage, and the average cost in San Francisco is $197 per year higher than the state average. Having more vehicles on the road could mean a greater chance of an accident. Other factors, such as the costs for vehicle repairs, parts and medical expenses can also impact how much drivers in a given city pay for coverage.

California city Avg. annual full coverage premium Percentage change from California avg. annual full coverage premium
Fresno $2,187 -4.5%
Los Angeles $2,545 11.1%
San Diego $2,328 1.6%
San Francisco $2,488 8.6%
San Jose $2,239 -2.3%

Average car insurance costs by age and gender in California

A driver’s age often contributes to the cost of annual premiums, as it can indicate how statistically risky a driver is. Young drivers, with teen drivers that have just earned their drivers’ licenses, are typically hit the hardest with expensive premiums. For example, 16-year-old drivers in California typically increase their parents’ premiums by nearly $3,000 per year. Fortunately, California auto insurance rates typically drop in price as drivers get older (starting at age 20) — as long as they avoid accidents and citations. 

Unlike most states, California does not allow car insurance companies to consider gender when determining rates. As a result, your gender should not play a role in determining your California car insurance premium.

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

*16-year-old rate is total rate on parents' policy with discounts applied; 18- and 20-year-old are renters on their own policies with no discounts applied

Cost considerations for young drivers in California

Teen drivers generally pay some of the highest car insurance rates due to their lack of experience. Generally, until a child is legally an adult at 18, they must share a car insurance policy with a legal adult. The rates below are for a married couple adding one child to their car insurance policy.

At age 18, drivers can choose to purchase their own car insurance policy, but the cost will generally be higher than if they were still listed on their parents’ policy. By age 25, most drivers likely have established their own household and have their own policies. The rates below are for California drivers of various ages that have their own auto insurance policies.

Age Avg. annual premium for drivers on their parents' policy in California* Avg. annual premium for drivers on their own policy in California
Age 16 $5,360 N/A*
Age 17 $5,001 N/A*
Age 18 $4,768 $6,502
Age 19 $3,758 $4,538
Age 20 $3,539 $4,236

*Cost on parents’ policy is the total cost for three drivers insured on one full coverage policy

**16- and 17-year-old drivers must be on their parents’ policy.

How does driving record impact the cost of car insurance in California?

Your motor vehicle record is one of the biggest influences on your car insurance premiums. In California, a single speeding ticket could increase the cost of your auto insurance by 35 percent. The table below demonstrates the average premium increases for a speeding ticket, an at-fault accident and a DUI conviction. Any one of these infractions could cause you to be viewed as a high-risk driver. If you have multiple incidents on your driving record within a three- to five-year time period, your rates will likely be even higher. Only full coverage rates are presented here, as riskier drivers may want to consider more coverage for greater financial protection.

Driving incident Avg. annual full coverage premium in California Percentage increase from California avg. annual full coverage premium
Clean driving record $2,291 0%
Speeding ticket $3,111 36%
Accident $3,789 65%
DUI $5,506 140%

How does vehicle type impact the cost of car insurance in California?

The type of vehicle you drive also impacts your car insurance premium. Different vehicle makes and models have different statistical accident rates, different safety features and different prices for parts and labor, all of which can affect auto insurance costs. Below is a table showing the average California car insurance rates for some popular vehicle makes and models across a range of price points. As you can see, higher end cars like BMWs generally cost more to insure than more standard makes like Hondas. Keep in mind that rates will also vary by the year of your vehicle, since updates to models can bring changes in safety features and the price of parts and labor.

Vehicle Avg. annual full coverage premium in California
BMW 330i $2,779
Ford F-150 $2,146
Honda Odyssey $2,010
Toyota Camry $2,291
Toyota Prius $2,382

How to save on car insurance in California

California drivers pay, on average, higher rates for car insurance than drivers in many other states. However, the state of California also highly regulates how insurers can offer savings. For example, drivers in California cannot take advantage of telematics discounts or accident forgiveness programs. If you’re trying to lower your car insurance premium in California, here are some tips:

  • Understand your coverage needs: More coverage means more financial protection, but it also generally comes with a higher price tag. While most insurance professionals advise that you buy higher-than-minimum limits, not every driver needs a deluxe policy. Understanding your needs can help you choose appropriate coverage.
  • Maintain a clean driving record: Driving incidents like at-fault accidents, tickets and DUIs increase rates substantially. Practicing safe driving habits can help you maintain a lower premium.
  • Shop around: Different car insurance companies have different rating structures, which means rates vary for even the same coverage. Getting quotes from several insurers could help you find the lowest rate.
  • Utilize discounts: While California restricts some discounts like telematics programs, there are other ways to save. Bundling your auto and home insurance policies, being a good student and being loyal to a company are all solid ways to save on California car insurance.

Estimate your car insurance cost in California

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This advertisement is powered by Coverage.com, LLC, a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249) and a corporate affiliate of Bankrate. The offers and links that appear on this advertisement are from companies that compensate Coverage.com in different ways. The compensation received and other factors, such as your location, may impact what offers and links appear, and how, where and in what order they appear. While we seek to provide a wide range of offers, we do not include every product or service that may be available. Our goal is to keep information accurate and timely, but some information may not be current. Your actual offer from an advertiser may be different from the offer on this advertisement. All offers are subject to additional terms and conditions.

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Written by
Cate Deventer
Former Writer & Editor, Insurance
Cate Deventer is a writer, editor and insurance professional with over a decade of experience in the insurance industry as a licensed insurance agent.
Edited by Editor, Insurance
Reviewed by Director of corporate communications, Insurance Information Institute