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Average cost of car insurance in California for 2024

Updated Nov 13, 2024
The average cost of car insurance in California is $2,835 per year for full coverage and $670 per year for minimum coverage.
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How much is car insurance in California?

Full coverage car insurance costs an average of $2,835 per year in California. The average cost for state minimum coverage is $670 per year. Nationally, full coverage costs $2,458, and minimum coverage costs $678 on average per year, so California is an expensive place to buy insurance. To determine the average cost of car insurance in California, our insurance editorial team reviewed average rates provided by Quadrant Information Services for a range of driver profiles.

Keep in mind that you are unlikely to pay a rate that matches the averages. Your insurer uses a handful of rating factors to determine what you will pay for your policy. Some of these, like your age or location, may be beyond your control. But others, such as your driving record and the type of car you drive, could be factors you can influence to help keep your rate low. Maintaining a clean driving record, with no moving violations or accidents, is one of the best ways to keep your premium reasonable.

Key takeaways

  • The average monthly premium for minimum coverage in California is $56. The average monthly premium for full coverage is $236 in California.
  • Drivers in Los Angeles, according to our research, pay an average rate for full coverage insurance of $3,885, 37 percent more than the state average.
  • California parents adding a 16-year-old driver to their full coverage auto insurance policy can expect an average premium of $6,605 per year.
  • Drivers with a DUI on their license pay an average of $6,990 annually, which is 147 percent more than the state average

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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 37 percent more than the state average for full coverage, and the average cost in San Francisco is 13 percent more than the state average. There are several reasons why urban customers may pay more than rural customers, namely that driving in dense traffic increases the likelihood 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 Avg. monthly full coverage premium Avg. annual full coverage premium Avg. savings vs. state average