How much car insurance do I need in California?
Asked by: Clifford Ledner | Last update: November 23, 2025Score: 4.8/5 (43 votes)
How much auto insurance should I carry in California?
Here are the minimum liability insurance requirements (per California Insurance Code §11580.1b): $30,000 for injury/death to one person. $60,000 for injury/death to more than one person. $15,000 for damage to property.
How much should car insurance cost per month in California?
Auto insurance rates vary based on several factors, like whether you live in a metropolitan area, the type of vehicle you drive, the policy you choose, and your driving record. On average, car insurance in California costs around $148 per month or about $1,780 per year.
What is the minimum car insurance requirement in California?
Understanding California's New Auto Insurance Requirements
These numbers represent: $30,000 for bodily injury liability per person. $60,000 for bodily injury liability per accident. $15,000 for property damage liability per accident.
What is full coverage car insurance in California worth it?
Having Full Coverage means you have a higher scope of protection. This additional coverage on your car insurance policy will come in handy in situations liability does not cover. Collision Coverage is a type of coverage that pays for your car to be repaired after an accident, regardless of who caused it.
How Much Car Insurance Do I Actually Need?
What is the number 1 car insurance in California?
Here are the best car insurance companies in California:
Travelers: Best insurance company overall. Geico: Best for affordability. Mapfre: Best for having few customer complaints. State Farm: Best for ease of use.
At what point is full coverage not worth it?
Paying for comprehensive and collision — the coverages that many people mean when they say "full coverage" — may not be worth it if your car's value is minimal and your policy includes a high deductible. Usually, you have to have comprehensive and collision on a financed car because most lenders require it.
What is the cheapest car insurance in California?
At a glance: The cheapest car insurance in California
Geico offers the cheapest minimum coverage in California, with an average rate of $243 per year according to NerdWallet's January 2025 analysis.
What is the 15/30/5 rule?
A car insurance policy with 15/30/5 means it covers up to $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident for bodily injury liability and up to $5,000 per accident for property damage liability.
How much auto insurance is recommended?
Salvatore's recommendation for most people is to get a minimum “100/300” liability policy, unless one's assets are unusually high. This means coverage of $100,000 of liability insurance per person and a total of $300,000 liability insurance per accident.
Why is my car insurance so high in California?
There are plenty of reasons why this happens – more claims, inflation, higher repair costs – but in 2025, Californians saw an even larger increase than normal. That's because the state legislature raised the required minimum liability limits, and these new limits took effect Jan. 1.
Is $100 a month too much for car insurance?
Paying $100 a month for car insurance is not particularly expensive. The average car insurance policy costs anywhere from $56 per month for state-minimum coverage to $176 per month for full coverage, and individual car insurance rates vary depending on factors such as your driving record, age and location.
How much does the average person pay for car insurance in California?
Full coverage car insurance costs an average of $2,973 per year in California. The average cost for state minimum coverage is $715 per year. Nationally, full coverage costs $2,638, and minimum coverage costs $767 on average per year, so California is an expensive place to buy insurance.
What is the new insurance law 2025?
This law was enacted to increase the minimum liability requirement to ensure that drivers in financial hardships are protected and properly cared for in the event of a car accident. The new minimum liability requirements will be adjusted to the following: $30,000 for bodily injury or death per person.
Can I self-insure my car in California?
Section 16053 - Certificate of self-insurance (a) The department may in its discretion, upon application, issue a certificate of self-insurance when it is satisfied that the applicant in whose name more than 25 motor vehicles are registered is possessed and will continue to be possessed of ability to pay judgments ...
What is California minimum car insurance?
Under California law, you must carry two types of liability coverage (bodily injury and property damage) with minimum coverage limits. Through December 31st, 2024, California drivers must carry insurance with minimum limits of 15/30/5, or: $15,000 for bodily injury or death per person.
What is the new law for auto insurance in California?
Starting next year, the minimum liability insurance requirements increase to the following: $30,000 for bodily injury or death of one person. $60,000 for bodily injury or death of all persons. $15,000 for damage to property.
How much will car insurance go up in 2025?
Auto insurers will raise premiums by an average of 7.5% in 2025 - with the biggest rate hikes expected from American Family, All State and Liberty Mutual. Drivers in New Jersey, Washington and California will see their auto insurance premiums rise by over 15% in 2025 - the biggest jump in the country.
Who is cheaper, GEICO or Progressive?
GEICO is cheaper and has better ratings than Progressive. Your experience with GEICO and Progressive will vary based on individual rating factors.
How do I get lower car insurance?
- Shop around. ...
- Before you buy a car, compare insurance costs. ...
- Ask for higher deductibles. ...
- Reduce coverage on older cars. ...
- Buy your homeowners and auto coverage from the same insurer. ...
- Maintain a good credit record. ...
- Take advantage of low mileage discounts. ...
- Ask about group insurance.
Is Allstate cheaper than GEICO?
GEICO is much cheaper and has better ratings than Allstate. Your experience with GEICO and Allstate will vary based on individual rating factors.
When should you stop getting full coverage on your car?
- You drive a high-mileage car. ...
- You struggle to fit the cost of auto insurance in your budget. ...
- Your car is worth less than the cost of your full-coverage policy. ...
- You have relatively high risk tolerance. ...
- You rarely drive.
Does the age of a car affect insurance?
Aside from general market shifts and changes in coverage, the age of your care is one of the major factors that plays into your car insurance premium for a number of reasons. For one, if you're in an accident, repair costs for an older car tend to be higher because the parts are more scarce.
Do older cars have cheaper insurance?
In general, auto insurance for older cars may be cheaper than insuring newer vehicles of the same make and model if the used car is cheaper to repair or replace. A car depreciates in value over time, which lowers the maximum amount an insurance company would have to pay in the event of an accident.