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Cheapest car insurance in Pacific Grove, California (Apr 2024)

Compare 55+ insurance companies including Progressive, Travelers, AAA, Nationwide (and more!) to find the best and cheapest car insurance in Pacific Grove, California.
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Jasmine Kanter
Expert Insurance Writer
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Reviewed by Josh Damico, Vice President Insurance Operations
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Edited by Maria Cruz, Expert Insurance Writer & Editor

How to find the cheapest car insurance quotes in Pacific Grove

“America’s Last Hometown” boasts many of the most beautiful attractions of Monterey County, including an attractive coastline, historical buildings, exciting cultural events, and the Monarch Grove Butterfly Sanctuary. Between its many seaside bed-and-breakfasts and proximity to Pebble Beach and Carmel-by-the-Sea, there’s no shortage of charm in Pacific Grove.
If you’d like to move here, expect to pay an average of $51 per month or $612 per year for state minimum coverage in Pacific Grove. A full coverage auto insurance policy will raise your costs to an average of $158 per month or $1,900 per year. 
For comparison, have a look at the table below to see the average national cost, and average
California car insurance
costs.
Coverage type
Pacific Grove, CA
California
United States
State minimum
$51
$66
$77
Full coverage
$158
$200
$165
The biggest obstacles to finding
affordable auto insurance
in Pacific Grove are the weather and the high cost of local insurance claims.
Jerry
’s remedy is comparison shopping—after a quick signup, you’ll be able to compare quotes from over 55 top insurance providers in California for free.

Best car insurance companies in Pacific Grove

Jerry surveyed over 15,000 policyholders in the country, giving California drivers the chance to crown the best car insurance companies in Pacific Grove. The overall winner was Aspire Insurance, followed by
Bristol West
for the best price. Meanwhile, Clearcover was rated the best company for customers trying to file a claim.
Larger providers, like
State Farm Insurance
and
Farmers Insurance
, received solid scores but didn’t make it into the top three. Customers complained that Farmers and State Farm agents didn’t offer affordable policies.
It’s important to note that the drivers who rated Bristol West highly based their decisions on the premiums they usually receive. The company may have offered great rates to high-risk groups like new drivers, senior drivers, and drivers with violations, but they’ll still pay more for insurance overall.
In terms of pure average cost, here are the five cheapest auto insurance companies in Pacific Grove.
Insurance company
Monthly minimum coverage cost
Monthly full coverage cost
Cost rating
Overall Jerry rating
$41
$126
4.0
4.2
$43
$154
4.7
4.8
$46
$129
3.8
4.2
Embark General
$49
$137
4.2
4.5
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How'd we get these scores?

Jerry's experts conducted one of the largest car insurance surveys in the United States. We surveyed 15,000 policyholders, in all 50 states, over the span of 18 months. These policyholders hold insurance policies with 87 different insurance companies. We surveyed policyholders to gauge their satisfaction with their insurance carriers in: policy cost, customer service, buying and renewal experience, as well as claim experience. These scores were all reported by real customers of the insurance companies.

Best cheap car insurance quotes in Pacific Grove

Cheap car insurance quotes often go hand-in-hand with minimum insurance coverage. However, they don’t always provide the best peace of mind.
To protect your current and future finances, Jerry’s insurance agents recommend carrying at least 100/300/100 liability limits and full coverage.

Cheap minimum liability insurance quotes in Pacific Grove

California’s minimum car insurance requirements
are some of the lowest in the country. They only ask drivers to carry
liability insurance
, which provides coverage for medical treatments and property damages if you cause an at-fault accident.
The minimum 15/50/5 insurance coverage provides:
Alternatively, Californians may deposit cash or a surety bond worth $35,000 with the DMV, or seek a self-insurance certificate.1
Be warned: California’s insurance commissioner says it’s received many consumer complaints about stall tactics like overly long questionnaires, employment verification, and mail-only correspondence.2
Take a look at how much Pacific Grove drivers pay on average with some of the top providers.
Insurance company
Monthly minimum coverage cost
$41
$43
$46
Embark General
$49
$55

Do you need more than minimum coverage in Pacific Grove?

It’s a great idea to carry more than the minimum coverage in Pacific Grove. 
Cali’s insurance requirements are quite low, especially when it comes to property damages. A severely damaged vehicle will likely cost much more than $5,000 to repair or replace—and let’s not forget that
California car accident laws
give plaintiffs three years to file a lawsuit for property damages, and two years for bodily injuries.
The bottom line: Liability limits of 50/100/50 or 100/300/100 provide better financial protection in case of a serious car accident.
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Expert Insight

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VP Insurance Operations, 18+ Years Experience in Insurance
A general rule that I recommend is to carry enough coverage to protect your current and future assets – at least $100,000/$300,000 of liability coverage is recommended, but you may need more coverage depending on your financial situation.

Cheapest full coverage car insurance quotes in Pacific Grove

Full coverage car insurance
is the only way to protect yourself from costs associated with repairing or replacing your car. 
Full coverage includes comprehensive and collision coverage.
Collision coverage
covers the cost of fixing or replacing your car after an accident, while
comprehensive coverage
pays out if your car is stolen or damaged by something other than a collision, such as vandalism, theft, or natural disasters.
If you have a loan on the car, your lender will typically require collision and comprehensive coverage. They may also ask you to carry gap insurance.3
On top of a full-coverage policy, you can purchase
uninsured motorist coverage
to guard against uncovered injuries or damage in an accident caused by a driver without car insurance. Roadside assistance is another great addition for drivers who travel frequently on business or rural roads.
The table below shows some recent examples of cheapest Pacific Grove full coverage quotes that Jerry’s agents helped our customers obtain.
Insurance company
Monthly full coverage cost
$113
$126
$129
$134
Embark General
$137
Lower my car insurance too!

Average cost of car insurance in Pacific Grove

The average cost of car insurance in Pacific Grove is $612 per year for state minimum coverage and $1,900 per year for full coverage. That’s much less than the average cost of California car insurance, but still higher than what you’d expect in such a small town.
Here’s what’s driving up insurance prices in Pacific Grove:
  • Rising rates: Cali’s state insurance department approved 111 rate increases in 2023. The increases averaged about 13.2% each; for comparison, the average increase was 10.6% in 2019 and 6.8% the year before. 4 Insurers point to pandemic supply-chain issues and inflation as the cause.
  • High claims costs: Pacific Grove has high condo values and many residents with a household income of over $200k per year. More expensive cars on the road mean more expensive claims, so insurers raise insurance rates to compensate.5
  • Natural disasters: The historical earthquake activity in Pacific Grove is about 7300% greater than the US average. The town also experiences more floods, storms, and fires, which cause their own share of property damages.6
  • Motor vehicle theft: California’s car theft rates have skyrocketed since 2019; they’re almost double the national average.7 Any risk looks bad to providers, so they charge more for comprehensive coverage as a result.
  • Bad neighbors: Consumer Affairs gave
    Salinas
    , CA, a bad grade for having a high number of DUI and speeding-related fatalities, which drives up insurance prices for any drivers living in the town or nearby.8

Car insurance quotes in Pacific Grove by rating factors 

Insurance companies in Pacific Grove use many rating factors when
deciding your auto insurance premium
:
  • Your driving record and claims history: Insurance companies will charge more if you’ve had accidents or tickets. 
  • Your driving experience: Drivers with less experience will pay higher insurance rates as insurance companies consider inexperienced drivers a higher risk. 
  • The kind of car you have: Collision and comprehensive coverage are more costly for luxury, high-performance, and sports cars. 
  • Where you keep your car: Rates are likely higher if you regularly park your car in a neighborhood with a higher incidence of auto insurance claims. 
  • How you use your car: Insurance companies often charge more if you drive your car to and from work than use it for leisure

How do different factors impact your car insurance costs in Pacific Grove?

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Allowed (with applicable limitations): Driving experience, marital status, zip code.
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Prohibited (or effectively prohibited): Gender, age, credit history, education, occupation, employment status, insurance history.
Learn more about the car insurance rating factors in Pacific Grove:

Cheap car insurance quotes in Pacific Grove after driving violations

Your
California driving history
impacts your auto insurance quotes. If insurance companies notice a history of violations, they’ll see you as a higher risk and charge a steeper rate. Some common violations that could increase your insurance rates include:
  • Speeding
  • DUIs
  • At fault accident 
  • Reckless driving 
  • Driving on a suspended license

Cheap car insurance in Pacific Grove after a speeding ticket

In California, a speeding ticket could increase your car insurance rate by an average of 40%. Jerry is proud to help drivers with varying speeding tickets save on car insurance.
Here’s how much you can expect to pay after a speeding ticket in the city.
Violation
Monthly coverage cost
Rate increase (%)
Speeding
$144
38%

Cheapest car insurance in Pacific Grove after a DUI

If you have a DUI offense on your record, car insurance rates can vary significantly from one insurance company to another. You may need to compare rates from many insurance companies to find low-cost options after a DUI.
Have a look below to see how much a DUI charge can raise your CA insurance rates.
Violation
Monthly coverage cost
Rate increase (%)
DUI
$281
70%

Cheapest car insurance in Pacific Grove after an at-fault accident

One of the most important factors affecting car insurance rates is your car accident or claim history. 
California is an at-fault state. If you were involved in an at-fault accident in the recent past, your car insurance rates could skyrocket. Jerry has helped many Pacific Grove drivers save on car insurance after accidents. 
Driving record
Monthly coverage cost
Rate increase (%)
At-fault accident
$187
80%

Cheapest car insurance in Pacific Grove after other driving violations

In addition to speeding tickets and DUIs, other violations such as
reckless driving
and driving on a suspended license can also cause your in car insurance costs to increase in Pacific Grove.
We’ve compiled a list of various other driving violations and how we helped drivers with these violations save on their car insurance.
Violation
Monthly coverage cost
Rate increase (%)
Defective equipment
$124
19%
Unsafe operation of motor vehicle
$147
41%
Driving on suspended license
$166
60%
Reckless driving
$185
78%

Cheap car insurance quotes in Pacific Grove by driving experience

Inexperienced drivers, such as teens or newly licensed motorists, pay higher than average insurance rates. As drivers gain more experience, their insurance rates can drop. Car insurance costs often start rising again at the age of 75 due to increased risk factors.

Cheap car insurance in Pacific Grove for young drivers

Teen drivers
aged 16 to 19 and new drivers of any age pay the highest insurance rates out of any age group in Pacific Grove. For teen car owners that drive a newer car, full coverage would afford better financial protection as teens are more likely to get into accidents.9
In the meantime, teens should consider sharing a policy with a household member, such as a parent or guardian. Most drivers can save money by adding a teen driver to their policy, and with Jerry, you may be able to save even more.
Have a look below to see how much the average young driver pays for insurance in CA.
Age
Monthly minimum coverage cost
Monthly full coverage cost
<18
$184
$927
18-21
$181
$531

Cheap car insurance in Pacific Grove for middle-aged drivers

As drivers gain more experience behind the wheel, their rates lower. Drivers 25-64 see some of the cheapest rates for all age demographics, with rates rising again after motorists turn 65+. 
Age
Monthly minimum coverage cost
Monthly full coverage cost
22-25
$80
$205
26-34
$58
$131
35-44
$88
$211
45-54
$89
$200
While driver premiums are often lower than average for this age group, drivers can still achieve even cheaper costs by looking into car insurance discounts and bundling policies.

Cheap car insurance in Pacific Grove for senior drivers

Older drivers
in Pacific Grove are more likely to be involved in an accident. Furthermore, they’re much more vulnerable to injuries after a car accident. All of this can be very expensive, which is why car insurance companies charge older adults in Pacific Grove more for coverage.
Age
Monthly minimum coverage cost
Monthly full coverage cost
55-64
$47
$92
65+
$53
$116

Cheap car insurance quotes in Pacific Grove based on insurance history

An important factor in your car insurance rates is your insurance history—i.e., whether you are currently insured or not.
Any lapse in your insurance coverage
usually leads to an increase in car insurance rates.10
To help our customers make insurance payments on time and to avoid a lapse in coverage, Jerry sends payment reminders to eligible customers when a payment is coming up or if they’re late on their payments.
Take a look below to see how much a coverage lapse can affect your insurance in CA.
Insurance history
Monthly coverage cost
Rate increase (%)
With coverage lapses
$173
66%

How to lower car insurance costs in Pacific Grove

1. Shop around and compare quotes

California has over 100 insurance providers, which makes
car insurance shopping
a large task. Plus, you’ve got to worry about maintaining your car and keeping all your documents in order.
Jerry provides an all-in-one solution. You can compare quotes from top providers on your smartphone for free. You can comparison-shop between vetted auto repair shops with GarageGuard™ and access your policies and insurance ID cards on the go with a virtual glovebox.

 2. Hunt for car insurance discounts

Every insurance company offers
a set of discounts
, but the exact discount offered varies by company. Some common discounts include: 
  • Good driver discounts: Get insurance discounts for drivers with one or fewer points on their license who have continuously held a license for three years with no at-fault accidents responsible for injury or death.
  • Good student discounts: Are you a full-time student in either high school or college? Do you have a B average or better? You probably qualify for a discount from your insurance company.
  • Telematics discounts: Many companies offer easy-to-win discounts to drivers who use telematics to track their driving habits. You might even get a discount just for signing up!
  • Bundle discounts. If you combine an auto policy with home insurance or renters insurance, some providers offer discounts for bundling.

3. Increase your deductible for comprehensive and collision coverage

If you’ve got full coverage car insurance, increasing your deductible is an easy way to keep your monthly expenses low without sacrificing coverage. Just make sure to consider all your other options first and not to set your deductible so high that you can’t afford it.

FAQ

How much is car insurance in Pacific Grove?

Car insurance in Pacific Grove costs an average of $51 per month or $612 per year for state minimum coverage and $158 per month or $1,900 per year for full coverage.

What is the cheapest car insurance in Pacific Grove?

The cheapest car insurance in Pacific Grove is state minimum coverage, which costs about $51 per month. But as for the cheapest insurance provider, there’s no easy answer. Insurance rates are so individual that the best way to find a deal is to collect and compare multiple car insurance quotes.

What is the minimum car insurance in Pacific Grove, California?

The minimum car insurance required in Pacific Grove, California follows the 15/50/5 rule. That means at least:
  • $15,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per person
  • $50,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per accident
  • $5,000 of property damage liability coverage per accident

What is the best car insurance in Pacific Grove?

The best car insurance company in Pacific Grove depends on your priorities. According to Jerry’s national survey, Aspire Insurance is the best overall,
Bristol West
is the most affordable, and Clearcover is the best at handling claims.

Methodology

The Insurance Research Team analyzes insurance products and services to drive insights and help consumers make informed purchase decisions. We analyzed over 25 million car insurance quotes and conducted the largest insurance shopping survey (over 15,000 customers surveyed and 85 carriers reviewed in the past 18 months). All average quote data is based on rates for single drivers with a clean record and a single car between the ages of 35 and 65.  
We surveyed insurance policyholders for their experience with their insurers in the following areas: (1) insurance cost (2) customer service (3) insurance buying experience (4) insurance renewal experience (5) claim experience. In addition, we asked people what they like about their insurers and what areas in which their insurers could improve. 
For the quotes and sold policies included in this article, please note that personal information has been hidden. Not all customers find savings. 
Team: The team consists of licensed insurance agents, insurance industry veterans, and data scientists.

Meet our experts

avatar
Jasmine Kanter
Jasmine Kanter is an insurance writer specializing in subjects relating to home ownership, car insurance requirements, and driving tips. Jasmine combines her background in communication and languages with a passion for writing to create straightforward, yet comprehensive content that’s accessible to car enthusiasts, beginners, and everyone in between. Since joining the Jerry team, Jasmine has penned nearly 300 articles covering subjects from how to save money on homeownership costs to roadside assistance service reviews.
Prior to joining Jerry, Jasmine worked as a storyboard analyst for Depanneur Films and a training assistant for Assistance Services Group.
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Maria Cruz
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Expert Insurance Writer & Editor
Maria is an insurance writer with over 10 years of experience as a professional writer. Prior to joining Jerry’s editorial team in 2023, she worked at various online publications like Nimble Media, Factinate.com, and served as editor-in-chief at The Medium. She holds a double major in English and Professional Writing and Communications.
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Josh Damico
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Head Of Insurance Operations
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18+ Years Experience in Insurance
Josh Damico is Jerry’s vice president of insurance operations and a licensed insurance professional with nearly two decades of experience in the industry. Previously, Josh held executive roles at Geico, where he had vast regional oversight and leadership opportunities.  He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management from Medaille College, and has appeared on news channels including FOX and CBS to offer insurance expertise and tips to drivers across the country. His work has appeared in Business Insider, Kelley Blue Book, and Digital Insurance and been quoted in The Balance, GOBankingRates, and Inspiring Workplaces.
*Illustration only. For all the pricing information presented in this article (including various tables), please note that not all customers find savings and the information is for illustrative purposes only. Savings depend on type of car, location, policy features, driving history and other factors. Drivers who switch through Jerry save over $70/month on average.