California Car Insurance

Everything You Need to Know About Auto Insurance in California

The Hollywood Sign, the Golden Gate Bridge, celebrities, movie studios, surfers, Gold Rush miners, and bright, warm sunshine are just some of the images the thought of California instantly brings to mind. Spanning roughly 163,696 square miles along the Pacific coast, the Golden State’s hills and canyons slope into valleys that lead to the ocean, and the potential for earthquakes is high, given that the San Andreas Fault cuts right through 750 miles of it.

Today, more than 39.2 million people call this state — the largest in the nation — home. From densely populated cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego to more residential communities in Santa Barbara, Monterey, and Sonoma, this vast state is as culturally and linguistically diverse as its landscape — a trait it can trace back thousands of years when this pre-Columbian slice of North America was home to 300,000 members of 70 distinct ethnic groups.

If you’re looking for an affordable auto policy to keep you and your loved ones safe on the road, InsureOne expert agents help you find the best auto insurance at a great rate in California.

How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in California?

California drivers pay annual average auto premiums of $2,291 for full coverage and $636 for minimum liability insurance.

These premiums are much higher than national averages, which stand at around $2,014 and $622 for full and minimum coverage, respectively. A full coverage policy costs $277 more in the Golden State, and a basic one costs $14 more than what drivers in other states pay.

What Does It Mean if California Is At-Fault?

California is an at-fault state, meaning drivers who cause a crash are responsible for medical costs to treat any physical injuries that others involved sustain. They must also pay for property damage they cause.

Affordable Car Insurance Rates Comparison by Cities in California

For a comparison of the average monthly premiums paid by drivers in different California cities, check out our breakdown below.

City	Full Coverage Insurance	Liability Insurance Coverage
Sacramento	$223	$63
Los Angeles	$276	$74
San Francisco	$231	$64
Monterey	$163	$47
San Diego	$185	$48

Our average monthly premiums by city are based on the following methodology: male, age 30, lowest possible legal coverage allowed in California.

What Types of Auto Discounts Are Available in California?

Driver discounts can help you save money on your premiums, especially if you’re eligible for more than one. For example, if you own a house and lease two cars, bundling homeowner’s insurance and auto coverage could bring your rate down by as much as 25%.

Other rate-reducing discounts include:

• Defensive driver
• Good driver
• Military
• Anti-theft
• Loyalty
• Good student

California Car Insurance Laws

California has a 15/30/5 minimum mandatory liability coverage requirement, and drivers must always carry proof of having auto insurance. Here’s a closer look at what this means.

What Are the Mandatory Car Insurance Requirements in California?

In California, a basic policy must provide 15/30/5 liability coverage to cover costs you cause in a crash. That means you’ll have:

• $15,000 to cover the medical treatment or funeral expenses of one person
• $30,000 to cover treatment for injuries or deaths if two or more persons are involved
• $5,000 to pay for property damage

These required coverage amounts are slightly lower than those of other states. This can make you underinsured if a crash you cause leads to injuries or damages that exceed these amounts, leaving you to pay the remaining balance out of pocket. To avoid this, you can choose to increase your amount of liability coverage.

What Is the Penalty for Driving Without Insurance in California?

By law, the Golden State requires insurers to report new, lapsed, and canceled policies to the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles. That means the state knows upfront who has valid coverage and who doesn’t.

First-time offenders caught behind the wheel without proof of auto coverage typically face fines that range between $100 and $250 along with license suspension, penalty assessments, and vehicle impoundment. The penalty assessments alone can drive fines up as high as $390.

Repeat offenders face the same penalties with higher fines — anywhere between $200 and $500. In these cases, penalty assessments will likely be much more severe.

What Factors Does California Law Allow in Determining Your Premiums?

State law allows insurers to calculate your premium based on several factors. Some of the most important ones are:

• Age
• Gender
• Location
• Marital status
• Vehicle type
• Driving record and experience

What Happens if I Damage Property?

If you cause a crash that damages another vehicle, a homeowner’s fence, or a road sign, for example, your insurer will pay for all repairs up to your property damage liability amount. In California, a basic policy only covers up to $5,000 for property damages. If the damage you caused exceeds that amount, you have to pay the outstanding amount out of pocket and you won’t get any help with repairs to your own vehicle.

If you have a full coverage policy, your collision coverage will help to pay for your vehicle damages.

At InsureOne, our professional agents help you find the best auto insurance with customizable options that meet your needs.

How Many Car Accidents Happen in California?

In 2021, 3,983 fatal crashes in California resulted in 4,285 deaths. The following chart shows the number of fatal crashes that took place in various cities across the state that year.

City	Fatal Crashes in 2021
Sacramento	66
Los Angeles	315
Palo Alto	4
San Francisco	31
Bakersfield	48
Monterey	1
Fresno	76
North Palm Springs	6
Santa Rosa	5
Chula Vista	14
San Bernardino	36
San Diego	109
San Jose	75

Source: U.S. Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

How Many Uninsured/Underinsured Motorists Are in California?

More than 16% of California drivers state don’t have auto coverage. This state ranks no. 10 in 2019 among all 50 states.