How to Find the Best Full Coverage Car Insurance in California
Most California drivers need full coverage. Infinity, Metlife, and National General are the three best companies for full coverage California car insurance.
costs California drivers an average of $203 per month.
Infinity, Metlife, and National General offer the best rates for full coverage for most California drivers.
California’s high rates of auto accidents and car theft make full coverage a non-negotiable for most drivers.
You must have full coverage if you have an auto loan or lease.
If your car is worth less than $4,000, you may be able to save about $85 per month by dropping collision and comprehensive coverage.
How to get the best full coverage car insurance in California
The only way to get the best full coverage car insurance in California is to compare quotes from at least three car insurance companies. The table below shows average rates for full coverage from five of the
Methodology: How did we pick these five companies?
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To narrow down the five cheapest auto insurance companies in California, Jerry’s data analysis spent over 200 hours analyzing data from over 25 million real car insurance quotes from the past year. The companies listed above had the lowest average rates for full coverage auto insurance policies for good drivers in California.
How much coverage do you need? Most drivers need at least $50k/$100k of bodily injury liability coverage, $50k of property damage liability coverage, and enough collision and comprehensive insurance to cover the full replacement cost of their vehicle.
The secret to finding the best full coverage auto insurance company
There’s no single car insurance company that offers the lowest rates on full coverage for every driver in California. Car insurance companies look at your entire profile, from your age and ZIP code to your driving record and insurance history, when setting auto insurance rates.
And every insurance provider uses a different set of calculations to set your premium—meaning that the best car insurance company is different for every driver.
Some drivers will find the cheapest car insurance coverage with California’s biggest insurers—GEICO, Progressive, Allstate, State Farm, and USAA—but others will find the best car insurance rates with smaller providers like AAA, Wawanesa, or Mercury.
The only way to know who has the best rate for your profile is to compare free quotes from as many insurance companies as possible. Jerry partners with 55+ of the best car insurance companies in California to help you do just that—in under a minute.
won’t provide enough financial protection for the average driver in California. Here’s why additional coverage—including comprehensive and collision insurance—is a non-negotiable for most Golden State drivers:
High accident rate: In 2021, the state of California saw 4,285 traffic fatalities for a total Mileage Death Rate (MDR) of 1.38—just above the national average.
Natural disasters and severe weather: Cars in California are at risk from wildfires, flooding, and earthquakes, in addition to other threats from the weather.
Auto theft hot spots: According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau’s 2021 Hot Spots vehicle theft report, California ranks #3 in the nation for car theft—and Bakersfield, CA sees more auto thefts than any other city nationwide.
High number of uninsured drivers: The Insurance Information Institute found that 16.6% of California drivers were uninsured in 2019—and the number has likely increased since then.
Auto loan requirements: If you have a car loan or lease, you must maintain collision and comprehensive insurance in addition to minimum liability coverage until you’ve paid off the car.
, but it’s a good investment given the high number of uninsured drivers in the state. UM/UIM coverage helps to offset the cost of medical treatment if you’re injured in an accident caused by a driver without sufficient bodily injury liability coverage to cover your healthcare costs.
Do you need gap coverage in California?
Gap (or Guaranteed Asset Protection) insurance isn’t a legal requirement for California drivers, but it’s a smart choice if you recently acquired a car loan. As long as you owe more than your new car is worth, gap insurance offers coverage for the difference between your remaining loan balance and the potential collision or comprehensive payout if your vehicle is totaled.
Should you drop full coverage in California?
Only drop full coverage car insurance in California if:
Your vehicle is worth less than the cost to maintain the coverage—typically only for older cars worth less than about $4,000
You can afford to replace your vehicle out of pocket in the event of a total loss
You’ve paid off your auto loan and own the car outright
State minimum coverage costs California drivers an average of $1,394 each year—about 40% less than full coverage. But it’s not the best option for the majority of drivers in California.
Worried about affording full coverage? Don’t be. Download the
from California’s best full coverage providers. Jerry is a licensed insurance broker serving over 3 million policyholders nationwide, with a team of 100+ licensed insurance agents standing by to assist you by text or phone.
FAQs
How much is full coverage in California?
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Full coverage car insurance costs an average of $2,436 per year in California. Full coverage is more affordable for drivers with clean driving records, middle-aged and senior drivers, and drivers in rural areas. Teen drivers and high-risk drivers pay the most for full coverage.
What is the recommended car insurance coverage in CA?
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The minimum coverage required by California state law includes $15,000/$30,000 of bodily injury liability coverage and $5,000 of property damage liability insurance, but most drivers need higher liability coverage limits and additional coverage options.
A policy that includes at least $50k/$100k of bodily injury liability insurance, $50k of property damage liability insurance, and enough comprehensive and collision coverage to replace the vehicle is the best auto insurance coverage option in California. For additional protection, drivers can add roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement coverage, and other coverage types to their full coverage policy.
What is the average cost of car insurance in California?
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On average, California drivers pay between $1,394 and $2,436 for car insurance. Young drivers and drivers with DUI convictions pay the highest auto insurance premiums in California.
What is the most affordable full coverage in California?
in California includes moderate liability limits (such as $50k/$100k) and just enough collision and comprehensive insurance to cover the cost of replacing a totaled vehicle.
You can find the most affordable rates based on your profile by comparing quotes from multiple providers, qualifying for
with an auto policy, or raising the deductibles on your comprehensive and collision insurance.
Who is the #1 auto insurer in California?
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State Farm has the largest market share of any insurance provider in California, and it typically gets excellent customer satisfaction scores. However, not all drivers find the best rates with State Farm.
If you have a speeding ticket or other violation on your record, or if you have had an at-fault accident in the last few years, State Farm may quote you a higher car insurance premium than a smaller company geared towards drivers with violations.
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