Cheapest Car Insurance in California

Why Car Insurance Is a Must in California

California is one of the most populous states in the US, making it a hub of traffic and transportation. It's no surprise, then, that every car owner in California must obtain a minimum amount of car insurance to legally operate their vehicle. Not only that, but several cities within the state, like Los Angeles and San Francisco, are notorious for their congested roads and traffic. All of this adds up to make car insurance in California a necessity.

What Is the Minimum Car Insurance Coverage in California?

California requires motorists to carry liability insurance that includes at least:

$15,000 for injury or death of one person in an accident
$30,000 for total injury or death of all people in an accident
$5,000 for damage to property

It is important to note that the minimum liability coverage may not be enough to cover all the damage costs in a serious accident. That's why many drivers opt for higher coverage limits, such as bodily injury coverage of $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident.

What Factors Affect Car Insurance Rates in California?

Car insurance rates in California vary depending on several factors, such as the type of car you drive, the area you live in, your age and driving record, and the type of coverage and limits you choose. Generally, drivers who live in congested cities with more traffic tend to pay higher premiums, as do drivers with a less-than-perfect record or those driving luxury or high-performance cars.

Cheapest Car Insurance Companies in California

NerdWallet recently conducted a study that looked at the cheapest car insurance companies in California. The study found that USAA was the cheapest across all age groups, with an average annual premium of $1,109. Following USAA, the three most affordable companies for California drivers were Wawanesa, GEICO and Progressive, with average annual premiums of $1,223, $1,291 and $1,377, respectively.

How Can You Get the Cheapest Car Insurance in California?

The best way to get the cheapest car insurance in California is to shop around and compare rates from different companies. You should also consider raising your deductible and reducing coverage on older cars. Additionally, you can take advantage of discounts offered by car insurance companies, such as multi-policy discounts, good driver discounts, and discounts for members of certain organizations. Finally, you may want to consider joining a pay-as-you-drive program, which offers discounts based on how much you drive.