, Oceanside is a popular destination for tourists, families, and outdoor enthusiasts. A beach town studded with historic Spanish missions, Oceanside combines the best that Southern California has to offer with a comfortable suburban feel.

But life in Oceanside has one big downside: it’s an expensive place to own a car. The I-5 freeway runs directly through town, causing serious congestion headaches, especially during peak tourist season. A recent Chamber of Commerce study found that Oceanside residents have an average round-trip commute time of just over 58 minutes each day, with a total annual commute cost of $6,884.1

If you’re spending $26 a day battling traffic on the 5, you deserve a

car insurance

policy that works for you—not one that drains your bank account. In this article, we’ll go over average car insurance costs in Oceanside and introduce smart shopping strategies to help car owners save on coverage.

How much does car insurance cost in Oceanside, CA?

Here’s the good news: on average, Oceanside drivers pay less for car insurance than the

state

national average

Coverage type	Oceanside	California	United States
Full coverage	$2,124	$3,124	$3,183
Minimum coverage	$728	$1,078	$743

But average rates only show one part of the picture. Every driver is unique, and auto insurance companies base premiums on

a complicated set of actuarial calculations

that take into account your age, ZIP code, driving history, vehicle, and other factors.

To quickly find out how much you could pay for an auto insurance policy in Oceanside—or to check whether you’re overpaying right now—

compare insurance quotes

from three to five providers in San Diego County.

Jerry’s

car ownership mobile app automatically compares quotes you’re eligible for from national and local providers.

You can compare coverage levels, adjust your selections, and purchase a policy directly in the app if you find savings.

Estimate your Oceanside, CA car insurance costs

No two drivers in Oceanside have the same car insurance premium—because no two drivers have the same insurance profile.

Each insurance company looks for slightly different things in their ideal driver. For some companies, a clean driving record is paramount; for others, a safe vehicle wins you extra points. Owning your own home could get you a lower rate with some providers, while others don’t care if you rent.

Young drivers pay the highest rates

Teen drivers

and young adults in Oceanside pay significantly more for car insurance than adults in middle age or seniors. Lack of experience is a major risk factor for auto insurers—so the longer you’ve held your California driver’s license, the better your odds of finding low rates.

Age group	Average annual full coverage rate
18-21	$3,113
22-25	$1,546
26-34	$1,189
35-44	$1,265
45-54	$1,367
55-64	$1,104
65+	$1,367

Senior drivers

typically pay some of the lowest rates thanks to their decades of experience behind the wheel—though

adults who got their licenses later in life

may pay higher premiums. After age 75, however, rates begin to climb again to account for the risk of serious injury and increase in driver errors.

Your driving record could raise your rates

Insurance companies crack down hard on drivers with violations. Even a single speeding ticket can raise your rate by removing good driver discounts and adding a temporary surcharge to your auto policy.

The table below compares average annual insurance costs for drivers in Oceanside with and without violations on their driving record.

Driving record	Full coverage	Minimum coverage
Clean	$1,344	$469
Not clean	$1,632	$544

If your insurance policy is surcharged due to a violation, it’s time to take action:

Ask your insurer about a defensive driving course: In some cases, you may be able to lower your rate by completing an approved defensive driving course.

Compare new quotes: Not all insurance companies deal with violations in the same way. You might be eligible for a lower rate with a new insurer.

Focus on safe driving: Avoiding violations and accidents is the best way to keep your rates low.

Tesla or Toyota? Vehicle type affects rates

The vehicle you drive plays a major role in your insurance costs. Keep these basic principles in mind when shopping for insurance in Oceanside:

Size: There’s a sweet spot for size. Full-size SUVs and pickups cost more to insure due to higher replacement costs; pint-size compacts like the Honda Civic cost more to insure because they’re less likely to survive a major crash.

Value: Brand-new vehicles and luxury cars cost more to insure. So do electric cars, whose complex parts are pricey to replace and repair.

Speed: If your car has a reputation for high speeds or an engine geared towards performance, you’ll pay more to cover it due to the added liability.

Safety: Top marks for safety translate to lower risks for insurance companies—and lower rates for you!

The table below compares average rates for California’s five favorite vehicles.

Model	Average annual cost of full coverage
Tesla Model Y	$2,640
Tesla Model 3	$2,676
Toyota RAV4	$1,824
Toyota Camry	$2,196
Toyota Corolla	$2,112

Find the best car insurance companies in Oceanside, CA

We ran the numbers—and found the cheapest insurance providers for most drivers in Oceanside.

The top 10 cheapest car insurance companies in Oceanside, CA

Insurance company	Average annual cost of full coverage	Average annual cost of minimum coverage
Mercury Auto	$534	$297
Fiesta	$657	$395
Nationwide	$749	$280
Allstate	$819	$222
Clearcover	$996	$305
Travelers	$1,001	$298
Safeco	$1,148	$611
Progressive	$1,150	$372
Direct Auto	$1,397	$521

But no single insurance company is best for all drivers. Take a look at the insurers featured below to find a good fit for your profile.

Why is car insurance so expensive in Oceanside?

Serious accidents are on the rise

Data from the California Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) shows a 51.9% increase in serious and fatal accidents from 2018 to 2022. As those rates climb, insurance companies are paying out more for claims and raise prices to account for their losses.

The I-5 freeway cuts through town

I-5 is the most deadly freeway in California—and one of the most dangerous in the country. Traffic running between Los Angeles and San Diego on the 5 cuts directly through Oceanside, leading to a higher risk of accidents.

Rising rates across the state

Pandemic-related losses, inflation, and rising accidents have caused insurers to lose money in California in the past few years. In response, many big-name companies have raised their rates across the board—or even stopped doing new business in the Golden State.

Average insurance rate increase 2018-2023, California

Year	Average change in insurance rates
2018	+ 3.5%
2019	- 2.2%
2020	- 0.7%
2021	+ 0%
2022	+ 1.3%
YTD Summer 2022- Summer 2023	+ 11.1%
YTD 2018-Summer 2023	+ 16.6%

A report by the S&P Global in summer 2023 found that California car insurance companies had hiked up rates by an average of 16.6% since 2018, and some drivers are paying even more for insurance that used to be cheap.

With rates projected to keep climbing through the end of 2024, it’s more important than ever to shop around to find the best rates.

Find your lowest quote with Jerry

Oceanside car insurance requirements: How much coverage do you need?

California state laws

only require drivers in Oceanside to carry a certain amount of liability coverage on their auto insurance policy:

$15,000 of

bodily injury liability insurance

per person

$30,000 of bodily injury liability insurance per accident

$5,000 of

property damage liability insurance

Carrying only the minimum coverage isn’t a good idea for most drivers. California’s liability limits are dangerously low and don’t provide any protection for your own vehicle. To avoid costly lawsuits and out-of-pocket costs, add comprehensive and collision insurance to your policy and raise your liability limits to at least $50k/$100k/$50k

Drivers in Oceanside should consider adding the following types of coverage to their policy:

Collision coverage:

Covers damage to your vehicle caused by a collision, regardless of fault.

Comprehensive coverage:

Covers losses to your vehicle caused by non-collision incidents like theft, vandalism, severe weather, and animals.

Uninsured motorist coverage:

Covers your medical costs and vehicle repairs, up to policy limits, if you’re hit by a driver without liability insurance.*

Underinsured motorist coverage: Covers your medical costs and vehicle repairs, up to policy limits, if you’re hit by a driver whose liability insurance isn’t sufficient to cover your costs.

Medical payments coverage:

Covers medical bills for you and your family and passengers, regardless of fault.

Gap insurance

: Covers the difference between your totaled car payout and the remaining balance on your car loan.

Rental reimbursement:

Offsets the cost of a rental vehicle while your car is in the shop following a covered claim.

Roadside assistance:

Can be added to a full coverage car insurance policy as “towing and labor coverage” to provide services like towing, fuel delivery, and on-site service.

* Your insurance company must offer this coverage automatically, but you can reject it in writing.

FAQs

Mercury, Allstate, and Travelers are three of the top-rated car insurance companies in Oceanside, California. Each company offers competitive rates, generous discounts, and other perks for drivers in the Oceanside area.

What companies offer the best rates for car insurance in Oceanside, California?

Mercury, Fiesta, and Nationwide are the three cheapest car insurance companies in Oceanside, California.

What is the cheapest car insurance in California?

The cheapest car insurance in California is state minimum coverage—but this option leaves drivers open to serious legal and financial risks, including costly lawsuits from other drivers. A more affordable compromise is a full coverage policy with moderate liability limits.

How much is car insurance per month in San Diego?

Car insurance costs drivers in San Diego approximately $114 per month for full coverage and $39 per month for minimum coverage, on average. That’s roughly on par with rates in Oceanside, although Oceanside drivers pay slightly less for full coverage.

How does the Jerry app work?

Jerry is a licensed insurance broker that provides free quotes for auto insurance, home insurance, and renters insurance through a secure mobile app. Shopping with Jerry allows drivers to quickly compare car insurance rates in their area. All of Jerry’s insurance products are serviced by a team of licensed insurance agents.

Meet our experts

Kianna Walpole

Expert Insurance Writer & Editor

Kianna Walpole is an insurance writer and editor with a comprehensive background in consumer behavior and online publishing. With experience in car insurance, maintenance, and repair, she is dedicated to building informative content that helps customers reduce costs while achieving the best service. Prior to joining the Jerry editorial team, Kianna worked as a junior editor in the content marketing industry, using consumer data and key insights to create and edit content for an array of large-scale clients in the real estate, cybersecurity, and healthcare industries.

Sarah Gray

Licensed Insurance Agent — Expert Insurance Writer and Editor

Sarah Gray is an insurance writer with nearly a decade of experience in publishing and writing. Sarah specializes in writing articles that educate car owners and buyers on the full scope of car ownership—from shopping for and buying a new car to scrapping one that’s breathed its last and everything in between. Sarah has authored over 1,500 articles for Jerry on topics ranging from first-time buyer programs to how to get a salvage title for a totaled car.

Prior to joining Jerry, Sarah was a full-time professor of English literature and composition with multiple academic writing publications.

Josh Damico

Head Of Insurance Operations

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.