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Buying Cheap Car Insurance in Irvine California (2023)

You can find cheap car insurance in Irvine, CA by frequently comparing quotes. Rates with Jerry start as low as $54/month.
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Kianna Walpole
Expert Insurance Writer & Editor
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Reviewed by Josh Damico, Vice President Insurance Operations
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Edited by Amy Bobinger, Licensed Insurance Agent — Expert Insurance Editor
Car insurance
in Irvine,
California
, generally costs around $1,515 annually, or $126 per month for a full coverage policy. Drivers can find cheap auto insurance by partnering with an insurance agent, or the
Jerry
app. 

How much is car insurance in Irvine, California?

Here’s what Irvine drivers pay on average for
full coverage insurance
  and
state minimum liability
  • Average for a full coverage policy: $1,515 per year or $126 per month
  • Average for state minimum liability: $533 per year or $44 per month
Drivers in Irvine, CA, typically pay around 5.67% less than the state average for car insurance. This is also less than the national average.
If you opt for the state minimum amount of insurance coverage required in Irvine, California—$15,000 per person/$30,000 per accident of bodily injury liability and $5,000 of property damage liability—you could pay up to 4.7% less than the state average.

Minimum liability is cheaper initially, but can cost you more in the long run

Although the state minimum for car insurance in California does cost less per year than full coverage, a liability-only policy can leave you financially vulnerable in the event of a serious car accident. 
California’s car insurance limits are relatively low compared to other states, and a serious accident can easily exceed what your policy will cover. If you can’t afford to pay out of pocket after your liability coverage is exhausted, your assets and future income could be on the line if a claim is filed against you. 
That’s why it’s always best to increase your liability limits beyond the state minimum. It’s also a good idea to invest in a full coverage policy, with
comprehensive coverage
, and
collision coverage
to cover damage to your own vehicle in case of a car accident, theft, fire, flood, and more. 
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Expert Insurance Agent Insight

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VP of Insurance Operations
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.

Why are car insurance rates so cheap in Irvine?

Car insurance rates in Irvine, CA are generally cheaper than most cities in California due to the city’s low accident rates and crime rates. 
In 2021, there were 8 fatal accidents in Irvine, which is a 25% decrease from 2020.1  Between the years 2018 and 2021, fatal accidents involving vehicles dropped by 158%, from 31 to 12. 
For vehicle thefts, from 2022 to 2023, there were a reported 14 motor vehicle break-ins, and 36 reports of stolen property.2  When compared to the state number of 198,538 break-ins in 2022, it’s easy to see why Irvine rates are lower than the average cost in California. 3

The best car insurance companies in Irvine, CA

Here are a few of the top insurers in Irvine, CA, who have affordable rates and valuable insurance services.
Provider
A.M. Best rating
Average full coverage cost
Average state minimum cost
Allstate
AA-
$1,021
$232
Nationwide
A+
$1,073
$244
Clearcover
A-
$1,242
$379
Travelers
AA+
$1,260
$261
Progressive
A+
$1,419
$436

Top car insurance providers for teachers and students

Irvine teachers and students can also save on car insurance coverage with some of the best providers in the state:
Provider
Benefits
California Casualty
Teachers who are policyholders at California Casualty receive perks such as a $0 deductible, extended policy protection, and a waived collision deductible if an accident is caused by an uninsured driver.
Liberty Mutual 
Teachers can get customized plans and $0 deductibles with Liberty Mutual if they get in an accident while driving on school business.
Students can earn several discounts on their insurance with Liberty Mutual, such as good student and student away at school. 
GEICO
Students can save with GEICO by applying for good student, good driver, and alumni discounts.
Teachers are also eligible to apply for alumni discounts.
Farmers
Farmers offers affinity discounts to teachers of specific organizations while students can continue to save with good student, distant student, and safe driver discounts.
Horace Mann
Teachers are automatically enrolled into the Educator Advantage program which provides added benefits such as $35 for transportation assistance, reimbursement for the cost of a replacement car, and a $0 deductible for vandalism or collisions.

How to find cheap car insurance in Irvine, California

When shopping for car insurance, it’s important to remember that your auto insurance quotes will vary based on several factors, including your age, vehicle type, and driving record. 
To find the best car insurance rate for your profile, start by comparison shopping. Some drivers may choose to shop with an insurance agent—but the quickest and most affordable way to compare prices is with
Jerry
.  
app screenshot
Once you’ve created your account, you can compare quotes from several car insurance companies in Irvine.
And when you find an auto insurance policy that meets your budget and insurance needs, you can often purchase and bind it on the same day.
If you opt to shop with Jerry, here’s how the process will go:
  1. Create your account: When you build your profile in the Jerry app, you’ll be asked a few basic questions about your vehicle, household members, driving history, and personal information. 
  2. Compare coverage amounts and premiums: Once you receive your car insurance quotes, you’ll see premium amounts for four different tiers of coverage, including basic, basic and full coverage, standard, and preferred. Compare prices across all of them and play with your limits to see where the most savings are.
  3. Review insurer ratings: In the Jerry app, you can also see real customer reviews and ratings on each provider. Make sure to read these before selecting your insurance policy to ensure you choose the right provider for you.
  4. Select your policy: When you’re ready, click “Confirm rate.” Most Jerry partners can generate same-day policies.
After you choose your policy, make sure to also turn on the auto reshop feature. That way, you’re always aware of potential savings opportunities with your insurer, or another in your area.
Jerry is a licensed insurance broker backed by a team of independent insurance agents. We work with over 55 car companies, from big names like Allstate, Nationwide, and Progressive to smaller regional insurers like MAPFRE and Anchor General. Jerry offers quick, legitimate auto coverage options through a top-rated mobile app available through the Apple App Store or Google Play store. 

Tips to keep saving on car insurance in Irvine, CA

Even after you secure an affordable car insurance policy, the savings don’t stop there. There are numerous ways you can keep saving on your insurance premiums after purchase.
  • Know which discounts you qualify for: Different companies offer different
    discounts to help drivers
    lower their Irvine car insurance—however, most provide savings opportunities for good drivers, multi-policy holders, and members who pay in full.
  • Raise your deductible limits: If you can, consider raising your deductible beyond the standard $500. Just keep in mind that you should only increase your limits to an amount you can realistically afford if you have to file a claim.
  • Maintain a clean driving record: Drivers with a DUI in California often pay 170% more for premiums than drivers with a
    clean record
    . To keep costs low, practice defensive driving strategies.
  • Bundle your services: If you have both homeowners insurance or renters insurance and car insurance with the same provider, you can
    bundle your policies
    to save.
  • Continuously shop for car insurance: Don’t stop shopping after you get a policy—continuously shopping for insurance can ensure that you’re always up-to-date on possible savings opportunities. 

Discounts for teachers and students in Irvine, California

Similar to specific car insurance providers and insurance services for teachers and students in Irvine, California, there are also special discounts, including:
  • Good student discounts: Full-time students who maintain at least a B average or higher can save on car insurance with companies like Progressive and GEICO.
  • Affiliate discounts: Teachers and full-time students who are members of specific partner organizations with GEICO, Travelers, and Allstate can lower their monthly premium costs.
  • Reduced premium discounts: With Mercury and Liberty Mutual, teachers can save on car insurance. Some policyholders with Mercury can earn up to 17% in discounts.
  • Distant student discounts: Students who live at least 100 miles from home qualify for this discount from Travelers.

FAQs

How much is car insurance in Irvine?

Car insurance in Irvine, California, generally costs around $1,515 per year, or $126 per month for a full coverage option. Drivers seeking the state minimum average will typically pay around $533 per year, or $44 per month.

Who is known for the cheapest car insurance?

Drivers in Irvine, California, typically find the best rates with insurance providers such as Allstate, Nationwide, and Clearcover. Progressive is also a top contender due to their extensive insurance products and programs.

What are the cheapest car insurance rates for Irvine? 

The cheapest car insurance rate for Irvine, California, is around $1,021 per year for a full coverage policy from Allstate. The same provider also has the lowest insurance costs for the state minimum, which is generally around $232 per year.

How much is car insurance in Irvine for a driver with a good driving record?

If you have a clean driving record in Irvine, you will typically pay $1,515 annually for full coverage, and $533 for the state minimum. 

What is the average cost of car insurance for young drivers in Irvine?

Young drivers in Irvine between the ages of 18 and 21 typically pay $5,159 annually for a full coverage policy, and $1,421 per year for the state minimum. This is often due to teen drivers’ perceived lack of experience behind the wheel and higher risk rate.

How can I lower my car insurance rates in Irvine?

Some of the most common ways to lower car insurance rates in Irvine include shopping for discounts, bundling home insurance and car insurance policies, or raising your deductible. However, most drivers will see the best savings by comparison shopping with the Jerry app. 

Sources

Meet our experts

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R.E. Fulton
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Licensed Insurance Agent —Senior Content Writer
R.E. Fulton is an expert insurance writer specializing in car ownership topics from car shopping and loan advice to insurance and repair guides. R.E.’s mission is to create unique and accessible content that helps readers to become more successful and independent car owners. R.E. has written and edited over 900 high-performing articles for Jerry, with an average of 1 million+ views.
As a senior writer on Jerry’s editorial team, R.E. draws on over 10 years of experience as a professional writer and digital publishing specialist. Prior to joining Jerry’s editorial team in 2021, R.E. worked as a writing coach at Columbia University, the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), and the University of Rochester. They serve as a managing editor for peer-reviewed history publication Nursing Clio, where their work has appeared regularly since 2015.
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Lina Zhang
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Licensed Insurance Agent
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Licensed in 50 states and Washington DC
Lina Zhang is Vice President of Operations at Jerry. She helped to found Jerry in order to take the confusion and mystery expenses out of car ownership and help drivers achieve financial success. Leading a global team responsible for operations, talent acquisition, legal, and content, Lina has been a key contributor to the AllCar™ app’s 10x growth in its first year of operation. Prior to Jerry, Lina and her Jerry co-founders, Art Agrawal and Musawir Shah, created YourMechanic, the largest on-demand car repair services provider. In one year, Lina built and scaled YourMechanic operations from just five markets to more than 50. The trio left YourMechanic to incubate Jerry at Y Combinator in 2017. Lina’s previous roles include intellectual property attorney at Morrison & Foerster LLP and a biomedical researcher at Stanford University.
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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.