Average Cost of Car Insurance in California for 2024 | Bankrate (2024)

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The average cost of car insurance in California is $2,692 per year for full coverage and $653 per year for minimum coverage.

Average Cost of Car Insurance in California for 2024 | Bankrate (1)Written by

Mary Van Keuren

Mary Van Keuren

Average Cost of Car Insurance in California for 2024 | Bankrate (2)Edited by

Mariah Posey

Mariah Posey

Average Cost of Car Insurance in California for 2024 | Bankrate (3)Reviewed by

Mark Friedlander

Mark Friedlander

Average Cost of Car Insurance in California for 2024 | Bankrate (4)Edited by

Mariah Posey

Mariah Posey

Average Cost of Car Insurance in California for 2024 | Bankrate (5)Reviewed by

Mark Friedlander

Mark Friedlander

Updated Mar 14, 2024

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On This Page

On This Page

  • Cost of car insurance in California
  • Car insurance rates by city
  • Costs by age and gender
  • Costs by driving record
  • Car insurance rates by vehicle type
  • Estimate your car insurance cost
  • How to save on car insurance
  • Frequently asked questions
  • Methodology

How much is car insurance in California?

Full coverage car insurance costs an average of $2,692 per year in California. The average cost for state minimum coverage is $653 per year. Nationally, full coverage costs $2,545, and minimum coverage costs $741 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.

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.

Key takeaways

  • The average monthly premium for minimum coverage in California is $54. The average monthly premium for full coverage is $224 in California.
  • Drivers in Los Angeles, according to our research, pay an average rate for full coverage insurance of $2,992, 11 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 $6,183 per year.
  • Drivers with a DUI on their license pay an average of $6,128 annually, which is 128 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 11 percent more than the state average for full coverage, and the average cost in San Francisco is 9 percent more 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.

CityAvg. monthly full coverage premiumAvg. annual full coverage premiumAvg. savings vs. state average

Auto insurance rates are known to fluctuate frequently, but you can rely on Bankrate to offer you the latest options available.

Rates refreshed as of Feb 2024

Read our full methodology

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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, including teen drivers who 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 $6,183 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.

AgeAvg. monthly full coverage premium in CAAvg. annual full coverage premium in CA

Age 16*

Avg. monthly full coverage premium in CA

$515

Avg. annual full coverage premium in CA

$6,183

Age 18

Avg. monthly full coverage premium in CA

$625

Avg. annual full coverage premium in CA

$7,500

Age 20

Avg. monthly full coverage premium in CA

$419

Avg. annual full coverage premium in CA

$5,032

Age 25

Avg. monthly full coverage premium in CA

$284

Avg. annual full coverage premium in CA

$3,413

Age 30

Avg. monthly full coverage premium in CA

$243

Avg. annual full coverage premium in CA

$2,915

Age 40

Avg. monthly full coverage premium in CA

$224

Avg. annual full coverage premium in CA

$2,693

Age 50

Avg. monthly full coverage premium in CA

$215

Avg. annual full coverage premium in CA

$2,586

Age 60

Avg. monthly full coverage premium in CA

$211

Avg. annual full coverage premium in CA

$2,532

Age 70

Avg. monthly full coverage premium in CA

$228

Avg. annual full coverage premium in CA

$2,735

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

Caret DownCaret Up

Auto insurance rates are known to fluctuate frequently, but you can rely on Bankrate to offer you the latest options available.

Rates refreshed as of Feb 2024

Read our full methodology

AgeAvg. monthly full coverage premium in CAAvg. annual full coverage premium in CA

Age 16*

Avg. monthly full coverage premium in CA

$515

Avg. annual full coverage premium in CA

$6,183

Age 18

Avg. monthly full coverage premium in CA

$625

Avg. annual full coverage premium in CA

$7,500

Age 20

Avg. monthly full coverage premium in CA

$419

Avg. annual full coverage premium in CA

$5,032

Age 25

Avg. monthly full coverage premium in CA

$284

Avg. annual full coverage premium in CA

$3,413

Age 30

Avg. monthly full coverage premium in CA

$243

Avg. annual full coverage premium in CA

$2,915

Age 40

Avg. monthly full coverage premium in CA

$224

Avg. annual full coverage premium in CA

$2,692

Age 50

Avg. monthly full coverage premium in CA

$215

Avg. annual full coverage premium in CA

$2,586

Age 60

Avg. monthly full coverage premium in CA

$211

Avg. annual full coverage premium in CA

$2,532

Age 70

Avg. monthly full coverage premium in CA

$228

Avg. annual full coverage premium in CA

$2,734

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

Caret DownCaret Up

Auto insurance rates are known to fluctuate frequently, but you can rely on Bankrate to offer you the latest options available.

Rates refreshed as of Feb 2024

Read our full methodology

Bankrate’s take:In most states, gender plays a role in determining your premium rate. This is because male drivers tend to have more accidents than female drivers, and therefore pay a higher rate for coverage. California is one of the few states that does not allow insurers to consider gender, so male and female drivers are likely to pay the same rates if they have the same circ*mstances. Age, however, does play a part in determining rates in the Golden State, so finding affordable coverage is still important for younger drivers who generally pay more.

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 after the age of 17.

AgeAvg. annual premium for drivers in CA

Age 16*

Avg. annual premium for drivers in CA

$6,183

Age 17

Avg. annual premium for drivers in CA

$5,803

Age 18

Avg. annual premium for drivers in CA

$5,573

Age 19

Avg. annual premium for drivers in CA

$4,370

Age 20

Avg. annual premium for drivers in CA

$4,126

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

Rates refreshed as of Feb 2024

Read our full methodology

AgeAvg. annual premium for drivers in CA

Age 18

Avg. annual premium for drivers in CA

$7,500

Age 19

Avg. annual premium for drivers in CA

$5,370

Age 20

Avg. annual premium for drivers in CA

$5,032

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

Rates refreshed as of Feb 2024

Read our full methodology

AgeAvg. annual premium difference for drivers on their own policy
Age 1835 percent more
Age 1923 percent more
Age 2022 percent more

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

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, your auto insurance could cost 36 percent more after a single speeding ticket. 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 incidentAvg. annual premium* in CAPercentage increase from CA avg. annual premium*

Clean driving record

Avg. annual premium* in CA

$2,692

Percentage increase from CA avg. annual premium*

0%

Speeding ticket conviction

Avg. annual premium* in CA

$3,655

Percentage increase from CA avg. annual premium*

36%

At-fault accident

Avg. annual premium* in CA

$4,206

Percentage increase from CA avg. annual premium*

56%

DUI conviction

Avg. annual premium* in CA

$6,128

Percentage increase from CA avg. annual premium*

128%

*The rates reflected are for full coverage policies.

Rates from Feb 2024

Read our full methodology

California car insurance rates by vehicle type

The type of vehicle you own plays a large role in determining your insurance premium. Luxury cars and those that are imported can sometimes cost more to insure because parts are higher-end or need to be imported, and repairs are more expensive. Different models also have statistically different rates for accidents, which can impact the cost of your policy. The table below shows the average rates for a range of vehicles in California. Note that a luxury car such as a BMW costs more to insure than the more standard Ford and Honda. The age of your vehicle also matters, as newer models may have safety updates or more complex parts and features that impact repair rates.

VehicleAvg. annual premium* in CA

Toyota Camry

Avg. annual premium* in CA

$2,692

Ford F-150

Avg. annual premium* in CA

$2,522

Honda Odyssey

Avg. annual premium* in CA

$2,289

BMW 330i

Avg. annual premium* in CA

$3,267

Toyota Prius

Avg. annual premium* in CA

$2,665

*Rates reflect full coverage policies.

Rates from Feb 2024

Read our full methodology

Estimate your car insurance cost in California

When you are looking for the best car insurance for your needs, it can be helpful to have a benchmark figure to start out. That's why Bankrate created this handy calculator. By inputting a few simple data points, you will be given an average monthly payment for someone in your situation. This is only an estimate, since each insurer assesses you differently when determining your premium rate, but it gives you a good starting point to keep in mind while searching.

Advertising Disclosure

This advertisem*nt 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 advertisem*nt 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 advertisem*nt. All offers are subject to additional terms and conditions.

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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.

46

years of industry expertise

122

carriers reviewed

20.7K

ZIP codes examined

1.2M

quotes analyzed

Frequently asked questions

46

years of industry expertise

122

carriers reviewed

20.7K

ZIP codes examined

1.2M

quotes analyzed

Methodology

Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze the latest rates in February 2024 for ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Rates include the most recent approved rate changes filed by insurance companies that affect our profile. These revised rates are then weighted based on the population density in each geographic region so that policyholders can see the impact rates have in their areas. 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 2022 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.

Credit-based insurance scores: Rates were calculated based on the following insurance credit tiers assigned to our drivers: “poor, average, good (base) and excellent.” Insurance credit tiers factor in your official credit scores but are not dependent on that variable alone. Four states prohibit or limit the use of credit as a rating factor in determining auto insurance rates: California, Hawaii, Massachusetts and Michigan.

Incidents: Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the following incidents applied: clean record (base), at-fault accident, single speeding ticket and single DUI conviction.

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).

Age: Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the ages 16-70 (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: The following states do not use gender as a determining factor in calculating premiums: California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania.

Teens: Rates were determined by adding a 16- or 17-year-old teen to their 40-year-old married parents' policy. The rates displayed reflect the total cost of a driver this age added to their parents’ policy unless otherwise noted.

Average Cost of Car Insurance in California for 2024 | Bankrate (11)

Written by

Mary Van Keuren

Contributor, Insurance

  • Email

Read more from Mary

Mary Van Keuren has written for insurance domains such as Bankrate, Coverage.com, and The Simple Dollar for the past five years, specializing in home and auto insurance. She has also written extensively for consumer websites including Reviews.com and Slumber Yard. Prior to that, she worked as a writer in academia for several decades.

Average Cost of Car Insurance in California for 2024 | Bankrate (12)

Edited by

Mariah Posey

Mariah Posey

Editor, Insurance

  • Email

Average Cost of Car Insurance in California for 2024 | Bankrate (13)

Reviewed by

Mark Friedlander

Mark Friedlander

Director of corporate communications, Insurance Information Institute

Average Cost of Car Insurance in California for 2024 | Bankrate (2024)
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