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Affordable car insurance providers in California include Root, USAA, and Mercury.
Full-coverage car insurance in California averages $211 monthly, compared to the national average of $193. Your actual costs depend on various factors, including your age, driving history, and where you live. Getting quotes from several insurance companies remains the most effective way to discover your personalized rate.
Below, we analyze the most affordable car insurance options in California by coverage type, driver profile, and insurance company.
Affordable full-coverage car insurance in California
California drivers pay an average of $211 per month for full-coverage insurance, which is higher than the national average of $193. Among California's most affordable options, Root, USAA, and Mercury stand out as the cheapest car insurance providers in the state.
| Average monthly full coverage cost | |
| California average | $211 |
| National average | $193 |
| Root | $182 |
| USAA | $189 |
| Mercury | $193 |
| GEICO | $195 |
Affordable liability-only car insurance in California
For the most affordable liability car insurance providers in California, USAA, National General, and Root lead the pack.
Liability-only coverage in California costs an average of $95 per month, while drivers nationwide pay $106.
| Average monthly liability-only cost | |
| California average | $95 |
| National average | $106 |
| USAA | $79 |
| National General | $90 |
| Root | $100 |
| Sun Coast | $100 |
Cheap car insurance in California by age
Age significantly impacts insurance costs. Car insurance for teens carries the highest premiums, averaging $407 per month in California because of their limited driving experience.
Drivers in their 20s see rates decrease to an average of $281 per month. The trend continues for those in their 30s and 40s, with monthly costs around $212 and $202, respectively.
Premiums may increase again for drivers entering their 60s and beyond. California seniors typically pay $188 per month in their 60s and $198 in their 70s.
These age-related premium changes reflect varying risk levels across different age groups, with inexperienced younger drivers considered higher risk and older drivers sometimes facing increased rates due to health-related concerns and changing driving patterns.
| Age group | Average monthly full coverage cost | Average monthly liability-only cost |
| Teens | $407 | $184 |
| 20s | $281 | $127 |
| 30s | $212 | $96 |
| 40s | $202 | $91 |
| 50s | $201 | $91 |
| 60s | $188 | $85 |
| 70s | $198 | $90 |
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Cheap car insurance in California for high-risk drivers
Drivers with moving violations or accidents on their record typically face higher car insurance premiums. Below are the average costs in California for drivers with accidents, speeding tickets, or DUI convictions, based on rates for car insurance if you have a bad driving record.
| Violation | Average monthly full coverage cost | Average monthly liability-only cost |
| Accident | $242 | $110 |
| Speeding ticket | $253 | $114 |
| DUI | $339 | $153 |
Compare low-cost car insurance after an accident
Drivers with accidents on their record can find affordable car insurance in California through Root, GEICO, and USAA. Full-coverage premiums for drivers with an accident average $242 monthly.
| Company | Average monthly full coverage cost | Average monthly liability-only cost |
| Root | $219 | $120 |
| GEICO | $221 | $144 |
| USAA | $228 | $96 |
Average rate:
Compare low-cost car insurance after a speeding ticket
For California drivers with speeding tickets, USAA, Root, and GEICO provide competitive rates. Full coverage for drivers with speeding violations costs an average of $253 per month.
| Company | Average monthly full coverage cost | Average monthly liability-only cost |
| USAA | $229 | $96 |
| Root | $233 | $128 |
| GEICO | $243 | $159 |
Compare low-cost car insurance after DUI conviction
California drivers with DUI convictions can secure affordable full coverage through Root, USAA, and GEICO. Average full coverage rates for drivers with DUI records are $339.
| Company | Average monthly full coverage cost | Average monthly liability-only cost |
| Root | $279 | $153 |
| USAA | $291 | $122 |
| GEICO | $299 | $195 |
Cheap car insurance in California by credit score
Credit scores significantly influence insurance rates in California. Drivers with excellent credit pay an average of $204 per month, while those with poor credit face much higher premiums starting at $243 per month.
These rate differences stem from how insurers use credit scores to assess risk, with poor credit typically leading to higher premiums due to statistical correlations between credit history and claim frequency.
| Credit score | Average monthly cost of full coverage | Average monthly cost of liability-only |
| Excellent | $204 | $92 |
| Good | $180 | $81 |
| Average | $201 | $91 |
| Poor | $243 | $110 |
FAQs
What are the minimum car insurance requirements in California?
Is car insurance mandatory in California?
Yes. To legally drive in California, maintaining active car insurance is required by law.
What is California's Low Cost Auto Insurance Program?
This program offers affordable coverage options to income-eligible residents with good driving records, helping them meet state insurance requirements.
How can I lower my car insurance premiums in California?
Improving your driving history, bundling policies, choosing higher deductibles, and requesting discounts can help lower your rate.
Does my credit score affect my car insurance rates in California?
No, California law bans insurers from using credit scores when calculating car insurance premiums.
Bottom line
Although these companies may offer the lowest rates in California, they might not necessarily be the most affordable option for your specific insurance needs. The most effective approach to finding the right insurer is obtaining quotes from multiple providers and comparing them based on both price and service quality.
Data throughout provided by Insurify.
Average rate:
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