Estimates only. Not insurance advice. Get a real quote before you buy.
CarInsuranceCostPerMonth.com

2025-2026 Law Change in California

SB 1107 raised minimum limits to 30/60/15 effective Jan 1 2025, replacing the longstanding 15/30/5 minimums. Full details →

Updated April 2026 | Rank #36 of 51

Car Insurance Cost Per Month in California 2026

Full coverage avg

$221/mo

Minimum coverage avg

$69/mo

State minimum reqs

15/30/5
Credit scoring banned

Credit scoring banned. High repair costs, wildfire risk (comprehensive), and litigation environment push premiums above average. New Jan 2025 minimums require policy updates. Adjust age and vehicle below to see your estimated monthly cost.

California

in California with a Sedan

$221/month

Full coverage estimate (100/300/100 + collision + comp). +$13 above national avg

State Min$126/mo15/30/5
Standard$164/mo50/100/50
Full Coverage$221/mo100/300/100

Source: NerdWallet 2026, ValuePenguin 2026, Bankrate 2026

How we calculate this
Get a real quote →Californiadetail page →

Average Monthly Cost by Age in California 2026

AgeMin CoverageFull Coverage (Sedan)Details
16$429$751Age 16page →
17$391$685Age 17page →
18$341$597Age 18page →
19$290$508Age 19page →
25$126$221Age 25page →
35$107$188Age 35page →
45$110$192Age 45page →
65$120$210Age 65page →

Average Monthly Cost by Vehicle Type in California

Sedan
$188
/month
SUV
$148
/month
Pickup Truck
$197
/month
Sports Car
$291
/month
Electric Vehicle
$244
/month

Top 3 Carriers in California by Market Share (NAIC Q1 2026)

1
State Farm
By direct written premium
2
GEICO
By direct written premium
3
Mercury
By direct written premium

Market share data is from NAIC Q1 2026 public filings. Market share does not equal cheapest rate for your profile.

Nearby States by Cost Rank

Colorado
Rank #37
$222/mo
Georgia
Rank #35
$218/mo
Kentucky
Rank #38
$225/mo

California Car Insurance FAQs

What is the average car insurance cost per month in California?⌄
The average car insurance cost in California is $221 per month for full coverage (100/300/100 plus collision and comprehensive) as of 2026, per cross-referenced data from NerdWallet, Bankrate, and ValuePenguin. Minimum-coverage-only policies average $69 per month. California ranks #36 of 51 jurisdictions by cost (1 = cheapest, 51 = most expensive).
What is the minimum car insurance required in California?⌄
California requires minimum liability coverage of 15/30/5. See the law changes section below for recent updates to minimum limits.
Who has the cheapest car insurance in California?⌄
The top three carriers by market share in California are State Farm, GEICO, Mercury, per NAIC Q1 2026 market filings. Market share does not equal cheapest price -- the best rate for your specific profile (age, vehicle, driving record, credit score in states where legal) requires comparing quotes. We recommend comparing at least 3 carriers. carinsurancecomparisontool.com offers a side-by-side carrier comparison.
Does California have no-fault insurance?⌄
No. California is an at-fault state. When an accident occurs, the at-fault driver's liability coverage pays for the other driver's injuries and property damage. This means your state-minimum liability coverage must be high enough to cover a potential claim against you.
Why is car insurance so expensive in California?⌄
Credit scoring banned. High repair costs, wildfire risk (comprehensive), and litigation environment push premiums above average. New Jan 2025 minimums require policy updates.
Is my credit score used for car insurance in California?⌄
No. California explicitly bans the use of credit-based insurance scores in car insurance underwriting. Carriers in California must price based on driving record, age, vehicle, and other non-credit factors.
Cost of Living in California→Compare Californiacarrier quotes →