What car insurance costs in California

California's average bill, coverage by coverage

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) compiles what insurers charged per insured car in each state. In its latest state data, for 2023, California's average expenditure was $1,223, up 13% from $1,087 in 2022. That average mixes liability-only and fully covered cars; a car carrying liability, collision and comprehensive had a combined premium of $1,417.

California's lines pull in opposite directions. Collision, at $607, was about 31% above the national average, the one line well above the U.S. figure. Comprehensive, at $150, was about 37% lower, and liability about 10% lower. The result is a full-coverage price almost level with the U.S. ($1,417 against $1,438). Your own price still depends on how much and where you drive; see how annual mileage factors in.

The coverage California requires

Since January 1, 2025, California's minimum liability is $30,000 for injury or death of one person, $60,000 for injury or death of more than one person in an accident and $15,000 for property damage: 30/60/15. The California Department of Insurance (CDI) announced the change in a bulletin on Senate Bill 1107, and the DMV's driver handbook lists the same amounts.

• Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage pays for injuries to you and your passengers when an at-fault driver has no insurance or too little. The Insurance Research Council estimated 20.4% of California drivers were uninsured in 2023, well above the 15.4% U.S. figure.
• Uninsured motorist property damage pays for damage to your car caused by an at-fault uninsured driver if you don't carry collision, CDI's guide explains.
• Collision and comprehensive are your choice under state law; a lender or leasing company sets its own requirements.

With about one driver in five uninsured, uninsured motorist coverage carries more weight in California than in most states. Our page on limits and deductibles walks through how much coverage each dollar buys.

Proposition 103 and how prices are set

California's property and casualty rates fall under the prior-approval rules that grew out of Proposition 103: insurers file rate changes with CDI, which reviews them, and the department publishes notices of rate filings. CDI also runs an online sample-rate comparison for private passenger auto; it shows survey results by company, not quotes.

California does not allow credit-based insurance scores in auto pricing, so your credit history doesn't set your car insurance rate there. What does matter is your driving record: CDI's guide says a driver licensed for at least three consecutive years with no more than one point qualifies as a Good Driver, and Good Driver rates must be at least 20% lower than the same company's rates for other drivers. More on safe-driver discounts.

Low-cost and last-resort coverage

The California Low Cost Automobile Insurance Program offers state-minimum-style liability to income-eligible good drivers. Its coverage page lists up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per accident for bodily injury and $3,000 for property damage, with optional uninsured motorist bodily injury and $1,000 of medical payments. It doesn't cover theft or damage to your own car. Applicants need to have been licensed continuously for three years, and the premium depends on your county; call 866-602-8861 or apply at mylowcostauto.com.

A driver turned down by regular insurers can apply to the California Automobile Assigned Risk Plan (CAARP), administered by AIPSO, for drivers entitled to insurance who can't get it through ordinary methods. Our guides to state low-cost programs and assigned-risk plans compare both.

Where a California driver can save

1. 1 Start with CDI's sample rates. The department's online comparison shows sample rates from insurers. They aren't quotes, but they help you choose whom to ask.
2. 2 Keep your Good Driver status. More than one point on your record ends Good Driver eligibility, so check your record before renewal.
3. 3 Test a higher deductible. With collision costing more than in most states, the deductible break-even calculator is worth a look.
4. 4 Call CDI with a problem. The consumer hotline is 1-800-927-4357 (TTY 1-800-482-4833), and complaints can be filed online.

Questions drivers ask