โš ๏ธ
California minimum coverage is now 30/60/15. The requirement increased January 1, 2025 from 15/30/5. All policies must meet this standard โ€” verify yours is up to date.
California Auto Insurance

Cheap Car Insurance in California โ€” Compare Quotes Free

Get cheap car insurance quotes in California from GEICO, Mercury, CSAA, Progressive and more. Compare estimated monthly rates based on your real profile โ€” no phone number, no email, no sales calls. Updated for 2026 with new CA minimums.

โœ“ Includes Mercury & CSAA (CA regional)
โœ“ No credit score used (CA law)
โœ“ SR22 insurance California covered
โœ“ LA, San Diego, SF rates included
$260
Avg/mo Full Coverage
$76
Avg/mo State Min
30/60/15
CA Minimum Required
At-Fault
State Type
Cheapest Carriers
CSAA / GEICO / Mercury
Credit Scoring
BANNED in California
Gender Rating
BANNED in California
Uninsured Drivers
~16-17% of CA drivers
SR22 Period
3-5 years in CA
DUI on Record
10 years in California
Compare Cheap Car Insurance Quotes in California
California does not allow credit scores or gender as rating factors. This calculator reflects California's actual rating rules.
1
Coverage Level
Standard: $100k bodily injury/person, $300k/accident, $100k property damage. Recommended for most California drivers especially in wildfire-risk zones and urban areas.
2
Drivers on Policy

Every licensed driver in your household must be listed. California does not use gender as a rating factor.

3
Vehicle(s)

Comprehensive coverage is especially important in California for wildfire damage, vehicle theft, and earthquake. California allows mileage-based rating โ€” low-mileage drivers save significantly.

4
Your Profile
California advantage: Credit scores and gender are banned as rating factors. Everyone gets rated the same way โ€” only your driving record, mileage, and location matter.
โœ“
Good Student
โœ“
Military / Veteran
โœ“
Safe Driver App
โœ“
Paperless / Auto-Pay
โœ“
AAA Member
โœ“
Anti-Theft Device
Your Estimated California Monthly Range
โ€”
per month ยท California ยท based on your profile
Estimated Annual Cost
โ€”
Cheap Car Insurance Quotes โ€” California Carriers
Sorted cheapest to most expensive. Click Get Quote for your real rate.
CarrierEst. MonthlyEst. 6-MonthBest ForGet Real Quote
Important: These are estimates based on California state averages โ€” not actual quotes. California law prohibits use of credit scores or gender in rating. Your real rate varies by ZIP code, driving history, mileage, and each insurer's underwriting formula. Always compare at least 3-4 real quotes. Links may earn a small commission at no cost to you.
Car Insurance Rates by California City
California has the widest rate variation of any state. Los Angeles drivers can pay double what rural Central Valley drivers pay for identical coverage.
Los Angeles
$354
avg/mo full coverage
San Francisco
$294
avg/mo full coverage
Oakland
$312
avg/mo full coverage
San Diego
$261
avg/mo full coverage
Sacramento
$254
avg/mo full coverage
San Jose
$240
avg/mo full coverage
Fresno
$232
avg/mo full coverage
Long Beach
$340
avg/mo full coverage
Anaheim
$278
avg/mo full coverage
Riverside
$267
avg/mo full coverage
Bakersfield
$222
avg/mo full coverage
Rural CA
$175
avg/mo full coverage
SR22 Insurance in California
What California drivers need to know about SR22 requirements, costs, and the best carriers.
What is SR22 Insurance in California?

SR22 is a certificate your insurance company files with the California DMV proving you carry at least the state minimum liability coverage. If your coverage lapses your insurer files an SR-26 notifying the DMV and your license is re-suspended. Mercury Insurance and Dairyland are typically the most competitive for California SR22 drivers.

Standard SR22 Period
3 years in California
Serious Violations
Up to 5 years
DUI on Record
10 years in CA
Filing Fee
$25-$50 one-time
Rate Increase
50-80% higher
Cheapest SR22 Carrier
Mercury / Dairyland
What triggers an SR22 requirement in California:
DUI or DWI conviction โ€” DUI stays on your California record for 10 years
Driving without insurance โ€” penalties include fine, license suspension up to 4 years, and vehicle impoundment for 30 days
Reckless driving conviction
At-fault accident without insurance
License suspension for excessive points or other serious violations
Important California note: Most standard insurance carriers will not cover drivers who need SR22 in California. You will likely need to shop specialized high-risk carriers. Mercury Insurance, Dairyland, The General, and National General are among the most accessible for California SR22 drivers. Do not let your policy lapse โ€” your insurer is legally required to notify the DMV immediately if your coverage cancels.
What Affects Cheap Car Insurance Rates in California
California has unique rating rules unlike almost any other state.
๐Ÿ“Š
No Credit Score Rating
California law prohibits insurers from using credit scores or credit history. Unlike 47 other states, your credit score has zero impact on your California car insurance rate. Drivers with poor credit benefit significantly from this rule.
CA Unique Benefit
๐Ÿ”ฅ
Wildfire Risk Zones
California wildfires affect insurance availability and pricing. Some carriers have paused new policies in high-risk ZIP codes. Comprehensive coverage covers wildfire damage to your vehicle. Always verify a carrier is writing new policies in your ZIP before applying.
California-Specific
๐Ÿ“
ZIP Code โ€” Dramatic Variation
California has the widest ZIP code rate variation of any state. Los Angeles drivers can pay double what Central Valley drivers pay for identical coverage. Even within LA, Beverly Hills averages 40% higher than the San Fernando Valley.
Highest Impact
๐Ÿ›ฃ๏ธ
Annual Mileage
California uses annual mileage as a key rating factor. Low-mileage drivers under 7,500 miles per year save 15-30%. If you work from home or have a short commute, make sure your insurer has your accurate annual mileage.
Highest Impact
๐Ÿ“‹
Driving Record
California's driving record look-back period is 3-5 years. A DUI stays on record for 10 years โ€” the longest of any common violation. At-fault accidents raise rates significantly. California is an at-fault state.
Highest Impact
๐Ÿš—
Vehicle Type
Electric vehicles are very common in California and often cost more to insure due to higher repair costs. Vehicle theft is significant in Oakland and Los Angeles. Kia and Hyundai models saw theft spikes starting in 2022.
Medium Impact
๐Ÿš•
Rideshare Use
California has more Uber and Lyft drivers than almost any state. Period 1 coverage โ€” waiting for a ride request โ€” is a gap most drivers overlook. Several CA carriers offer rideshare endorsements that close this gap.
Medium Impact
๐ŸŒŠ
Earthquake and Natural Disaster
Earthquake damage to your vehicle is covered under comprehensive insurance. California also faces flooding and mudslides in some regions. If you carry only state minimum liability, none of these risks are covered for your own vehicle.
California-Specific
How to Get Cheap Car Insurance in California
1
Always get a quote from CSAA and Mercury Insurance. CSAA (California State Automobile Association โ€” the AAA insurer for Northern California) and Mercury Insurance are California-based carriers that consistently offer cheaper rates than national carriers. Mercury is often the cheapest option for drivers with DUI or SR22 requirements. If you have not gotten quotes from both, you are likely overpaying.
2
Tell your insurer your accurate annual mileage. California uses mileage as a primary rating factor. Low-mileage drivers under 7,500 miles per year can save 15-30%. If you work from home, drive rarely, or use public transit for most commuting, make sure your policy reflects your actual mileage. Many drivers have their mileage set too high and are overpaying as a result.
3
Your credit score does not matter in California. Unlike almost every other state, California law prohibits insurers from using credit scores. If you have been avoiding shopping for insurance because of poor credit โ€” do not. California rates are entirely based on your driving record, mileage, and ZIP code. Everyone is on an equal footing here.
4
Add comprehensive if you live in a wildfire-risk area. California wildfires can spread rapidly and vehicle damage from fire is only covered by comprehensive insurance. If you live in or near fire-prone areas in Northern California, the hills around LA, or other high-risk zones, comprehensive coverage could easily save you thousands in the event of a disaster.
5
Check if your carrier is still writing new policies in your ZIP code. State Farm, Allstate, and several other major carriers have paused or limited new policy issuance in certain California ZIP codes due to wildfire risk. If you are shopping in a high-risk area, verify a carrier is actively accepting new customers in your ZIP before spending time on a quote that may be declined.
6
If you drive for Uber or Lyft, you need rideshare coverage. California has more rideshare drivers than any other state. Period 1 โ€” when you are online waiting for a ride request โ€” is not covered by either your personal policy or the rideshare company's commercial policy. State Farm, Farmers, and Mercury offer rideshare endorsements that close this gap for a modest additional premium.
California Car Insurance FAQ
California raised its minimum liability coverage on January 1, 2025 from 15/30/5 to 30/60/15. The new minimum is $30,000 bodily injury per person, $60,000 per accident, and $15,000 for property damage. If your policy was written before 2025, verify with your insurer that it has been updated to meet the new legal requirements.
The fastest way to find cheap car insurance in California is to compare quotes from at least four carriers specifically including CSAA and Mercury Insurance alongside GEICO and Progressive. California rates vary dramatically by ZIP code so location is a major factor. Low-mileage drivers should make sure their accurate mileage is reflected in every quote. California bans credit score use so poor credit does not affect your rate here.
Car insurance in Los Angeles averages around $240 per month for full coverage โ€” among the highest in the state. LA's high traffic density, vehicle theft rates, and accident frequency all push rates up. CSAA and Progressive are typically cheapest in the LA area. Even within LA, rates vary significantly by ZIP code โ€” Beverly Hills runs significantly higher than the San Fernando Valley for identical coverage.
Yes โ€” wildfire damage to your vehicle is covered under comprehensive insurance. Liability and collision coverage do not cover wildfire damage. If you live in a wildfire-prone area, comprehensive coverage is essential. Some major carriers including State Farm and Allstate have paused new policies in certain high-risk California ZIP codes โ€” verify a carrier is actively writing new policies in your area before applying.
Yes, but it is significantly more expensive and your options are limited. A DUI stays on your California record for 10 years โ€” one of the longest of any violation. Most standard carriers will not cover you with a recent DUI. Mercury Insurance, Dairyland, National General, and The General are among the most accessible for California DUI drivers. You will need SR22 for at least 3 years. Rates gradually decrease as the DUI ages.
Yes โ€” that is exactly what this calculator is designed for. Most California car insurance comparison sites require your name, phone number, email, and address before showing you anything โ€” then they sell your contact info to multiple agents. This free California car insurance calculator gives you estimated monthly rates from every major carrier including Mercury and CSAA based on your profile โ€” no phone number, no email, no agent calls. Use these estimates to understand your expected range before requesting real quotes.
Compare Car Insurance in Another State
Go โ†’