Average Cost of Car Insurance in California for 2025
Quick Answer
Car insurance in California costs an average of $2,163 annually or $180 per month. However, your driving record, annual mileage and the car you drive can all affect how much you pay for car insurance.
The average cost of car insurance in California is $2,163 annually or $180 per month, according to Experian data from January 2025 and based on policies sold through our automotive insurance marketplace.
Here are the average premium costs for full and minimum coverage car insurance in California:
| Type of Coverage | Annual Cost | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full coverage | $3,215 | $268 |
| Minimum coverage | $1,255 | $105 |
Source: Experian data as of January 2025
California drivers are required to carry minimum liability coverage of $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident for bodily injuries and $15,000 for property damage. However, if your car is financed or leased, you typically need full coverage car insurance. Full coverage adds collision and comprehensive coverage, which covers needed repairs if the vehicle is damaged in a crash or by another event.
The cost of car insurance in California can vary widely depending on factors such as:
- Your age (younger drivers typically pay more)
- Your driving record (incidents and violations tend to drive your rates up)
- How many miles you drive each year (lower mileage could save you money)
- The type and amount of coverage you buy (more coverage can drive up costs)
While our averages are good general guidelines, the actual price you pay for car insurance in California could differ. Before buying an auto insurance policy, take some time to compare insurance quotes from several insurers.
Two things that won't affect your car insurance premiums in California: your gender and your credit history. California law prohibits insurance companies from considering your gender, your credit-based insurance scores or your credit history when you apply for car insurance.
If your car isn't financed or leased, you could opt for minimum coverage insurance as a way to save on your monthly premium. However, this may not be enough to protect you financially. Insurance experts generally advise purchasing coverage of at least $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident for bodily injuries and $100,000 for property damage.
How Are Car Insurance Costs Trending?
As of January 2025, California doubled its minimum liability insurance requirements from their previous amounts ($15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident for bodily injuries and $15,000 for property damage). This has increased the cost of car insurance in California. The state also has a high proportion of electric vehicles (EVs), which are typically more expensive to repair and replace—and therefore to insure—than gas-powered cars.
However, California isn't the only state where auto insurance premiums are on the rise. The national average cost of car insurance has risen dramatically in recent years due to higher costs for vehicles, parts and repairs. Insurance companies are also raising rates to compensate for higher claims costs from increasingly serious accidents and severe weather events.
Average Annual Auto Insurance Premiums, 2023-2025
If you're not satisfied with how much you're paying for car insurance in California, comparing car insurance quotes from other providers might help you find the same coverage for less. Experian's free car insurance comparison tool is a convenient way to gather quotes from multiple top insurance carriers at once.
Average California Car Insurance Rates by City
Even within California, your location affects how much you'll pay for car insurance. Different areas of California have different risks. For example, congested urban areas may have more crime, longer average commutes or heavier traffic, potentially increasing the likelihood of claims. Medical care and car repairs cost more in some cities than others, which can mean higher car insurance costs.
As the chart below shows, the average cost of car insurance in some of California's most populous cities can vary widely depending on the location.
| City | Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| San Diego | $1,820 |
| Bakersfield | $1,829 |
| Sacramento | $2,204 |
| San Jose | $2,257 |
| Los Angeles | $3,066 |
Source: Experian data as of January 2025
Note: Top cities are ranked by those with the highest policy count
Average California Car Insurance Rates by Age and Gender
Although California law prohibits insurance carriers from considering gender when setting auto insurance premiums, on average, women pay slightly more than men for auto insurance in the state. The average cost of car insurance for men in California is $2,135 annually or $178 per month. By comparison, women in California pay an average of $2,176 annually or $181 per month for car insurance.
| Gender | Annual Cost | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Male | $2,135 | $178 |
| Female | $2,176 | $181 |
Source: Experian data as of January 2025
Note: Costs above are a blended average of full and minimum coverage policies
The difference in car insurance costs for men and women is more pronounced when considering nationwide data and adding age into the mix. The national average cost of car insurance for male drivers under 20 is $3,717 annually for car insurance, compared to $3,307 for female drivers in that age group. Average car insurance premiums for men and women begin to even out as drivers age, as the chart below shows.
| Age | Female | Male |
|---|---|---|
| Under 20 | $3,307 | $3,717 |
| 20-29 | $2,642 | $2,683 |
| 30-39 | $2,436 | $2,252 |
| 40-49 | $2,327 | $2,141 |
| 50-59 | $1,983 | $1,942 |
| 60-69 | $1,660 | $1,669 |
| 70-79 | $1,628 | $1,758 |
| 80 or above | $1,701 | $1,894 |
Source: Experian data as of January 2025
Note: Costs above are a blended average of full and minimum coverage policies
How Your Driving Record Impacts Your Insurance Costs in California
Safe drivers are generally less likely to be involved in accidents or receive traffic citations, which typically translates into lower insurance premiums. California drivers with a "clean" driving record that shows no incidents or violations pay an average of $1,999 annually for auto insurance. However, one moving violation can boost the cost of California car insurance to an average of $2,471. Multiple car accidents or serious infractions like DUIs will have a bigger impact on your auto insurance premiums and could even cause your insurer to cancel your coverage.
The chart below shows how the number and severity of infractions may impact your California car insurance costs. Incidents include things like traffic accidents or insurance claims; violations include moving violations, such as speeding tickets.
| Driving Record | Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| Clean | $1,999 |
| 1 Incident | $2,442 |
| 1 Violation | $2,471 |
| 2 Incidents | $2,825 |
| 2 Violations | $2,638 |
| 3+ Incidents | $3,057 |
| 3+ Violations | $2,618 |
Source: Experian data as of January 2025
Note: Costs above are a blended average of full and minimum coverage policies
Cheapest Car Insurance in California
Elements such as your driving record, age and vehicle play a big role in the cost of car insurance, but they aren't the only factors that affect your premiums. Each insurance company uses its own criteria when setting rates, which means the price you're quoted can differ widely from one insurance provider to another.
Shopping around and comparing quotes from a variety of insurance companies can help you find the most affordable car insurance for your needs. The table below shows the cheapest full coverage auto insurance among the insurance carriers that sell the most policies in California.
| Carrier | Annual Cost | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Mercury | $2,536 | $211 |
| GEICO | $2,877 | $240 |
| Root | $2,984 | $249 |
| National General | $5,053 | $421 |
| Bristol West | $6,122 | $510 |
Source: Experian data as of January 2025
Note: Costs above represent insurance quotes, not policy premiums
We can't know the exact method each insurance company uses to set rates. However, factors such as the company's estimated claims payouts, projected operating costs, profitability goals and risk tolerance typically figure into the calculation. For instance, a company that has higher overhead expenses may charge less than one with low overhead.
How to Save on Car Insurance in California
Whether you're paying more or less than the average price for car insurance in California, there are several things you can do to save money on car insurance—without moving out of state.
Raise Your Deductible
Your deductible is the amount you're responsible for paying when you file a car insurance claim. Typically, insurance companies let you choose a deductible between $250 and $2,000. Increasing your deductible usually reduces your premiums. However, it's important to make sure you can afford to cover the higher deductible in case of a claim. Evaluate the state of your emergency fund and other financial resources, and check with your insurance carrier to see how various deductibles would affect your premiums.
Seek Discounts
Ask your current car insurance company if they offer any discounts you aren't using; then check other providers' websites to see what discounts are available. You might be surprised what savings are available. For instance, you might save money by bundling home and auto insurance, paying your premium upfront, going paperless or setting up automatic payments.
If your high school or college student is on your car insurance, getting good grades or being away at school without a car could earn them a discount. See if your workplace or any membership organizations you belong to offer discounts on car insurance. You may even get discounts for getting insurance quotes online or signing documents online.
Eliminate Extra Coverage
Add-on insurance such as rental car reimbursement, windshield replacement or roadside assistance coverage can be nice to have, but isn't always necessary. When you're looking to save money, dropping these extras could lower your car insurance premiums. For instance, if your family has several cars, you may not need coverage for a rental car while your car is in the shop due to a claim.
You may also want to consider dropping collision and comprehensive coverage if your car is paid off and isn't worth very much. Collision and comprehensive coverage won't pay out more than the vehicle's value; if that's only a few thousand dollars, the coverage may not be worth the cost. Just make sure you could afford to replace or repair your vehicle out of pocket if it's totaled.
Drive Less
The more miles you drive, the greater your risk of being involved in an accident. California allows insurance companies to consider your annual mileage as one of the three main factors determining your car insurance premiums, so reducing your mileage could also reduce your insurance bill.
Look for ways to cut your mileage, such as carpooling, biking or switching to remote work if your employer allows. Driving fewer than 12,000 miles annually could qualify you for low-mileage car insurance discounts, which track your mileage through self-reported or third-party odometer readings or devices installed in your car. You can also explore pay-per-mile car insurance, which charges a monthly base rate plus a per-mile charge for each additional mile.
Drive Safely
Insurance companies that sell policies in California can evaluate your driving record as one of the top three factors in setting your premiums. However, California law prohibits insurers from using telematics to track your driving habits and monitor how safely you drive. Instead, you'll want to focus on maintaining a clean driving record. Going without citations or accidents can help lower your insurance costs. Taking a defensive driving or safe driving course could earn you a discount on car insurance too.
Shop Around
Comparing quotes from a variety of insurance carriers could uncover lower rates on auto insurance. Make it a habit to shop around at least once a year. You can get car insurance quotes by visiting insurance company websites or by contacting insurance companies directly. If you'd like an easier way to explore your options, you can use Experian's free car insurance comparison tool. It collects car insurance quotes from multiple top insurance companies in California so you can see which carrier offers the lowest rates.
Methodology
This analysis is based on a review of auto insurance policies and quotes provided through Experian's insurance marketplace. Policy premium and quote averages are based on driver data across all genders and ages unless otherwise noted.
Experian's insurance marketplace matches users with auto insurance coverage from more than 30 carriers across 50 states and Washington, D.C.
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About the author
Karen Axelton
Karen Axelton specializes in writing about business and entrepreneurship. She has created content for companies including American Express, Bank of America, MetLife, Amazon, Cox Media, Intel, Intuit, Microsoft and Xerox.
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