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Average cost of car insurance in California for 2022
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Drivers in the Golden State pay an average of $2,190 per year, or about $183 per month, for full coverage car insurance, according to Bankrate’s 2021 survey of quoted annual premiums. To determine the average cost of car insurance in California, our insurance editorial team reviewed average rates provided by Quadrant Information Services for metro areas across the state.
Compared to the national average cost of full coverage car insurance, which is $1,771 per year, California auto insurance rates are quite a bit higher. Knowing the average cost of auto insurance for various cities in California, auto insurance companies, age groups and driving histories may help you understand if your policy is competitively priced. Bankrate’s research could also help you find ways to lower your premium, which could potentially save you hundreds of dollars per year.
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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.
- According to Bankrate’s analysis, Geico offers the cheapest average minimum coverage auto insurance premium on our list at $400 per year, while Capital offers the most competitive rates for full coverage at $1,493 annually.
- Drivers in Los Angeles pay the most by far for auto insurance, according to our research, with an average rate for full coverage insurance of $2,941 per year, 34% above the state average.
- California parents adding a 16-year-old driver to their full coverage auto insurance policy can expect an average annual increase of $3,208 per year.
How much is car insurance in California?
Full coverage car insurance costs an average of $2,190 per year in California. The average cost for state minimum coverage is $619 per year. While the average auto insurance rates in California could help you determine if you are overpaying for coverage, keep in mind that your premium will vary based on nearly a dozen individual rating factors like the type of car you drive, your motor vehicle record, claims history and how many miles you drive per year. Where you live in the state and the coverage types and limits you choose will also greatly affect your rate.
Compare auto insurance rates
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
| Average annual minimum coverage premium | Average annual full coverage premium |
|---|---|
| $619 | $2,190 |
California car insurance rates by city
Car insurance rates in California vary by city. Drivers in densely populated areas tend to have higher rates. 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.
| City | Average annual full coverage premium | % difference from state average annual premium |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | $2,941 | 34% |
| San Diego | $1,976 | -10% |
| San Jose | $2,087 | -5% |
| San Francisco | $2,481 | 13% |
| Fresno | $2,051 | -6% |
| Sacramento | $2,288 | 4% |
| Long Beach | $2,318 | 6% |
| Bakersfield | $2,052 | -6% |
| Oakland | $2,443 | 12% |
| Anaheim | $2,176 | -1% |
California car insurance rates by company
Car insurance companies in California use their own proprietary rating methods to determine premiums, so rates will vary between insurers. Bankrate analyzed premiums from the top 20 California auto insurance companies by market share to help you see how various carriers stack up against each other.
| Car insurance company | Average annual full coverage premium |
|---|---|
| AAA | $2,281 |
| Alliance United | $2,300 |
| Allstate | $2,317 |
| Capital | $1,493 |
| Chubb | $2,961 |
| CSE | $2,161 |
| Farmers | $2,501 |
| Geico | $1,721 |
| Grange | $2,160 |
| Infinity | $2,067 |
| Kemper | $2,582 |
| Mercury | $1,699 |
| Nationwide | $2,110 |
| Progressive | $1,960 |
| Pure | $4,247 |
| State Farm | $2,069 |
| The Hartford | $2,488 |
| Travelers | $1,982 |
| Wawanesa | $1,562 |
Cost of living in California and car insurance
When shopping for the best car insurance rates in California, you may want to view your insurance premium alongside your other expenses to help get a clear picture of your overall living costs. The graph below shows the average annual cost of living in California, including the average cost of car insurance. Use this graph as a guide to help determine your overall expenses so that you can decide what insurance rates fit in your budget.
California car insurance rates by age
A driver’s age often contributes to the cost of annual premiums, as it can indicate how statistically risky a driver is. Teen drivers are hit the hardest. 16-year-old drivers in California typically increase their parents’ premium by $3,208 per year. Fortunately, California auto insurance rates typically drop in price as drivers age (starting at age 20) — as long as they avoid accidents and citations.
| Age | Average annual full coverage premium |
|---|---|
| Age 16* | $5,398 |
| Age 18 | $6,208 |
| Age 20 | $3,782 |
| Age 25 | $2,750 |
| Age 40 | $2,190 |
| Age 60 | $2,057 |
| Age 70 | $2,228 |
*16-year-old calculated on parent’s policy disclosure; 18- and 20-year-old are renters
California car insurance rates by gender
California prohibits the use of gender as a rating factor for auto insurance policies. If all other factors are the same, your gender should not influence your car insurance premium.
California car insurance rates by credit score
In many states, your credit-based insurance score will affect how much you pay for car insurance. This is because drivers with low credit scores statistically tend to file more claims than drivers with higher credit scores, according to the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I). However, California bans the use of credit scores to rate auto insurance policies. Your credit rating should not impact your premium in the Golden State.
California car insurance rates by driving record
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 40%. 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.
| Driving incident | Average annual full coverage premium | % increase in average annual premium |
|---|---|---|
| Clean driving record | $2,190 | 0% |
| Speeding ticket | $2,966 | 35% |
| Accident | $3,626 | 66% |
| DUI | $5,230 | 139% |
If you are worried about how an accident could affect your insurance premium, you may want to choose an auto insurer that offers accident forgiveness. If you have this program on your policy before an accident, it could help you avoid surcharges for at-fault losses.
California car insurance rates by vehicle type
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. 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 | Average annual full coverage premium |
|---|---|
| Toyota Prius | $2,363 |
| Ford F-150 | $2,017 |
| Honda Odyssey | $1,874 |
| BWM 330i | $3,064 |
Frequently asked questions
Methodology
Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze 2022 rates for all ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Rates are weighted based on the population density in each geographic region. Quoted rates are based on a 40-year-old male and female driver with a clean driving record, good credit and the following full coverage limits:
- $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $50,000 property damage liability per accident
- $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
- $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
- $500 collision deductible
- $500 comprehensive deductible
To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverage that meets each state’s requirements. Our base profile drivers own a 2020 Toyota Camry, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually.
These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes.
Age: Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the ages 18-60 (base: 40 years) applied. Depending on age, drivers may be a renter or homeowner. Age is not a contributing rating factor in Hawaii and Massachusetts due to state regulations.
Gender: Seven states prohibit using gender as a determining factor in calculating auto insurance premium: California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, North Carolina and Pennsylvania.
Incidents: Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the following incidents applied: clean record (base), at-fault accident, single speeding ticket, single DUI conviction and lapse in coverage.
Model: To determine cost by vehicle type, we evaluated our base profile with the following vehicles applied: BMW 330i, Ford F-150, Honda Odyssey, Toyota Prius and Toyota Camry (base). For new vs used vehicles, we also included the following years in our calculations: 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 (base) and 2020.