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Cheapest car insurance in California, Maryland (Nov 2024)
Cheapest car insurance in California, Maryland (Nov 2024)
Compare 55+ insurance companies including Progressive, Travelers, AAA, Nationwide (and more!) to find the best and cheapest car insurance in California, Maryland.
Find Insurance Savings
No long forms
No spam or unwanted calls
Quotes from top insurance companies
R.E. Fulton
Licensed Insurance Agent —Senior Content Writer
Reviewed by Josh Damico, Vice President Insurance Operations
Edited by Lina Zhang, Licensed Insurance Agent, VP of Operations
What's on this page?
- How to find the cheapest car insurance in California
- Best Car Insurance Companies in California
- Best cheap car insurance quotes in California
- Average cost of car insurance in California
- Car insurance quotes in California by rating factors
- How do different factors impact your car insurance costs in California?
- Cheap car insurance quotes in California after driving violations
- Cheap car insurance quotes in California by age
- Cheap car insurance quotes in California based on insurance history
- Cheap car insurance quotes in California for popular cars
- How to lower car insurance costs in California
- FAQ
- Methodology
- Meet our Experts
Load full table of contents
How to find the cheapest car insurance in California
On average, auto insurance in California costs about $117 per month for minimum coverage liability insurance and about $211 per month for full coverage insurance. California drivers pay -- than the average.
With dozens of popular insurance companies to choose from, finding the best rate can be tricky. The easiest way to find affordable rates without compromising coverage is to shop around and compare
car insurance quotes
.Savvy California drivers trust Jerry Insurance Agency to help them find the best rates on car insurance without the hassle.
| Insurance company | Premium (monthly) | Customer | Car | Insurance coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Progressive | $105 | Anne, 30 Zip: 20619 | Jeep Renegade Limited | • State Minimum Liability |
Gainsco | $229 | Hunter, 30 Zip: 20619 | Subaru WRX | • State Minimum Liability • Comp / Collision |
Clearcover | $90 | Hunter, 32 Zip: 20619 | Ford Fusion Titanium | • 100,000/300,000 Liability • Comp / Collision |
Last Updated Nov 23, 2024Best Car Insurance Companies in California
If you’re looking for the best car insurance in California, Jerry conducted a survey to uncover the best providers for drivers.
The study found that there’s no “best” or “cheapest” insurance provider for all drivers. Every insurance company emphasizes different variables to calculate rates, so not every company will offer the same rate for the same driving profile.
In California, customers rated Kemper the highest for customer satisfaction, claims processing, and policy cost, but ROOT, USAA, State Farm, and Travelers also scored well.
Here’s what drivers in California have to say about these insurance providers.
| Insurance company | Overall rating | Price | Claims experience | Customer service |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Farm | 4.7 | 4.5 | N/A | 4.8 |
Liberty Mutual | 4.5 | 3.7 | N/A | 4.8 |
| Geico | 4.3 | 3.7 | 4.8 | 4.2 |
| Progressive | 4.2 | 3.4 | 3.9 | 4.3 |
| Allstate | 3.8 | 3.3 | 4.2 | 3.8 |
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.
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 California
All California drivers must meet the state’s minimum insurance requirements before getting behind the wheel.
Maryland only requires drivers to purchase liability car insurance,
uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM)
, and personal injury protection (PIP), but they may also choose to purchase full-coverage auto insurance
for greater financial protection.Cheap minimum liability insurance quotes in California
Maryland’s car insurance laws
require drivers to carry minimum liability insurance that follows a 30/60/15 pattern—so California drivers must have the following:- $60,000 bodily injury liability per accident
If you’re looking for an affordable insurance policy in California, Jerry recently helped several drivers find liability insurance coverage. Here are some examples:
Anne (30 years old)
$105
per month
Clearcover
Ellen (40 years old)
CoverageState Minimum
California, MD (Zip Code: 20619)
Lincoln MKS$177
per month
Do you need more than minimum coverage in California?
Maryland law mandates that drivers must have liability insurance that meets the minimum coverage car insurance requirements, in addition to UM/UIM and PIP.
While the coverage limits are higher than in some states, California drivers should consider purchasing insurance coverage that exceeds the 30/60/15 minimum.
Medical bills and vehicle damages can easily exceed the state-mandated minimum if you're involved in an at-fault accident.
A serious crash where your car is totaled can leave you with a bill of more than $50,000, meaning you’re on the hook for paying anything above the mandated limits.
For better financial protection, California drivers should consider purchasing a full-coverage policy—or at least increasing their liability insurance limit to 50/100/50 or even 100/200/100.
Cheap full coverage car insurance quotes in California
Buying a
full coverage car insurance policy
is one of the quickest and easiest ways to protect yourself against costs associated with vehicle repair or replacement if you’re involved in an accident. While full coverage insurance is more protective than liability insurance alone, it can be tricky to find cheap quotes. - Collision insurance: Covers the cost of repairs to your vehicle or, in the event of a total loss, will issue you the fair market value of your car before the accident. Collision coverage is subject to a deductible.
- Comprehensive insurance: Covers the cost of damages to your car resulting from causes other than an accident, including theft, vandalism, glass breakage not resulting from an accident, or hitting an animal or sign with a car. This coverage is also subject to a deductible.
If you lease your vehicle, most lenders will require you to purchase a full coverage policy that includes collision and comprehensive coverage.
Here are a few recent examples where Jerry helped California drivers find affordable full-coverage insurance policies.
| Insurance coverage | Insurance company | Premium (monthly) | Customer | Car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
• State Minimum Liability • Comp / Collision | Progressive | $230 | Justin, 36 Zip: 20619 | Nissan Altima 2.5 |
• 100,000/300,000 Liability • Comp / Collision | Clearcover | $90 | Hunter, 32 Zip: 20619 | Ford Fusion Titanium |
• State Minimum Liability • Comp / Collision | Gainsco | $229 | Hunter, 30 Zip: 20619 | Subaru WRX |
Last Updated Nov 23, 2024The easiest and fastest way to find the cheapest car insurance for your preferred coverage option is to compare car insurance rates online.
Jerry,
a top insurance agency
, offers a free app that compares car insurance quotes and provides end-to-end service to customers with the help of 100+ licensed insurance agents.
"Jerry is the new benchmark in app usefulness. Period. It is SO EASY and the results are SO GOOD, and they specifically point out that no one is going to start calling and emailing me all the time. I gave very little info, it pulled up all my existing insurance info, and showed me how to get the same insurance for less, lesser coverage for huge savings, or better coverage for about the same I currently pay. I am personally saving around $1,400/year with my new insurance, and the entire process (including follow ups to sign the docs from the insurance companies) took less than an hour. If you make over $1,400/hour, this may not be worth your time. Otherwise, get the app and use it now!"
Sean S.
Average cost of car insurance in California
In helping hundreds of California drivers find cheaper rates, we found the average cost for minimum liability coverage to be $117 per month or $1,410 per year.
The average cost for full coverage insurance in California is $211 per month or $2,537 per year.
The average cost for car insurance in California is a good way to estimate what you can expect to pay—but insurance costs are determined by a variety of factors like age, location, vehicle make and model, driving record, and claims history, so they may vary based on the individual and the provider.
Car insurance quotes in California by rating factors
Insurance providers use rating factors to determine premiums for various age groups. Some of the most common factors affecting rates in California include:
- Driving record and claims history: Insurance companies charge more if you have accidents or tickets on your driving record.
- Vehicle make and model: Luxury, high-performance, and sports cars have higher insurance premiums than non-luxury and less expensive ones.
- How you use your car: Cars driven for work generally have higher insurance premiums than cars driven for leisure.
- Your credit score: Some insurers look at credit score before quoting insurance premiums—drivers with higher credit scores usually pay less for the same insurance coverage.
How do different factors impact your car insurance costs in California?
How do different factors impact your car insurance costs in California?
Allowed (with applicable limitations): Gender, age, driving experience, credit history, education, occupation, employment status, marital status, zip code, insurance history
Prohibited (or effectively prohibited): California currently does not disallow any common insurance rating factors when calculating insurance premiums.
Learn more about the car insurance rating factors in California:
Cheap car insurance quotes in California after driving violations
Whether major or minor, a driving violation in California can have significant implications for your car insurance rates.
A driver with violations on their driving record is considered a “high-risk driver” and is subject to higher insurance rates.
Cheapest car insurance in California after speeding ticket
The penalty for speeding in California depends on how fast you were driving over the posted limit, but all cases of speeding come with a fine and driving points on your record:
- Violation of the basic speeding law: $90 fine and one point
- Exceeding a posted speed limit by 1 to 9 miles per hour: $80 fine and one point
- Exceeding a posted speed limit by 10 to 19 miles per hour: $90 fine and two points
- Exceeding a posted speed limit by 20 to 29 miles per hour: $160 fine and two points
- Exceeding a posted speed limit of 65 or 75 miles per hour by 10 to 19 miles per hour: $160 fine and two points
- Exceeding a posted speed limit of 65 or 75 miles per hour by 20 to 29 miles per hour: $290 fine and five points
- Exceeding a posted speed limit by 30 to 39 miles per hour: $290 fine and five points
- Exceeding a posted speed limit by at least 40 miles per hour: $530 fine and five points
Speeding tickets are never ideal and can do serious damage to your driving record, but Jerry can help you save on car insurance!
Check out the table below for real-life examples of how Jerry helped California drivers with speeding tickets save on car insurance.
| Speeding Type | Insurance Company | Premium (monthly) | Customer | Car | Insurance Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Speeding 1-5 | Progressive | $62 | Rena, 37 Zip: 20619 | Jeep Gladiator | • 100,000/300,000 Liability |
Speeding 6-10 | Nationwide | $78 | Edward, 42 Zip: 20619 | KIA Forte | • State Minimum Liability |
Last Updated Nov 18, 2024Cheapest car insurance in California after DUI
A serious traffic violation like a
DUI in Maryland
can considerably increase your car insurance premium, as a DUI lumps you into the “high-risk driver” category. If an insurer is willing to insure you, you’ll typically pay a much higher premium than other drivers in California without a DUI. The best way to secure an affordable rate with a DUI on your record is to
shop around for car insurance quotes
from various providers.Jerry has helped several California drivers with a DUI find affordable insurance rates.
Cheapest car insurance in California after an at-fault accident
Your driving record has a significant impact on how much you pay for car insurance, and if you have any at-fault accidents, you’ll likely see a higher rate.
Insurers look at any at-fault accidents you’ve had to determine how much of a risk you are. The more at-fault accidents, the more high-risk you are.
When it’s time to renew your policy, you’ll likely see an increase in your premium. Rest assured, Jerry has helped many drivers in California find ways to save, despite their accident histories.
| Accident type | Insurance company | Premium (monthly) | Customer | Car | Insurance coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
At Fault With No Injury | Progressive | $230 | Bill, 35 Zip: 20619 | Nissan Altima 2.5 | • State Minimum Liability • Comp / Collision |
Not At Fault | Progressive | $230 | Mattie, 35 Zip: 20619 | Nissan Altima 2.5 | • State Minimum Liability • Comp / Collision |
At Fault With No Injury | Clearcover | $177 | Eliza, 39 Zip: 20619 | Lincoln MKS | • State Minimum Liability • Comp / Collision |
Last Updated Nov 24, 2024Cheapest car insurance in California after other driving violations
A DUI or speeding ticket can lead to a spike in car insurance rates for {city} drivers. However, it’s not just major violations that cause increases. Failing to stop at a stop sign, driving without insurance, or driving without a license are all violations that can increase premiums.
Check out some examples of how Jerry helped California drivers with violations find affordable insurance.
Last Updated Nov 21, 2024Cheap car insurance quotes in California by age
How much you pay for car insurance depends on many factors, including your age. Drivers 16 to 19 are subject to some of the highest insurance premiums of any age group in California due to a lack of driving experience.
After 25, more driving experience means your car insurance rates will start to decline. They’ll stay at their lowest until you reach your 60s, when your premiums will start to increase again.
USAA, GEICO, and Travelers generally offer affordable rates for teen drivers, but it still pays to shop around to find the best rate for you.
Cheapest car insurance in California for young drivers
Teen drivers aged 16-19
tend to have the highest insurance rates of any age bracket in California. Less road experience leads to a higher risk of accidents and, therefore, a higher risk of claims. You may notice that your rates are a little cheaper while you have a
Maryland provisional license
—that’s because you can only drive while under supervision during this provisional period. If you’re under 19 with a full license, you’ll notice that your rates are higher.Still, because of the added risk that comes with being a new driver, we recommend California drivers under 19 purchase a full-coverage policy offering more financial protection.
Cheapest car insurance in California for senior drivers
Although senior drivers may have an abundance of driving experience, car insurance rates are at their highest for drivers 60+.
That’s because seniors are at a higher risk of mortality, hospitalization, and medical expenses from car accidents—and they also have slower reflexes that increase the risk of accidents. Riskier driving factors can lead to higher costs for insurers—and subsequently higher premiums for older drivers.
Cheap car insurance quotes in California based on insurance history
Your insurance history—or how long you’ve had insurance—is also used to determine your auto insurance rate. The longer you’ve been continuously insured, the lower your car insurance premium will be.
Insurers want to know that you haven’t had a
lapse in insurance coverage
, which can label you as a “high-risk driver” and cause a drastic increase in your insurance premium.Never miss a payment with Jerry! Jerry notifies you when a payment is coming up to help you avoid missing a payment or having a lapse in insurance coverage.
Regardless of your insurance history, Jerry helps California drivers find significant savings on a new insurance policy. Check out how we helped these customers.
Don (35 years old)
$230
per month
Clearcover
Ellen (31 years old)
Currently Insured
Coverage100,000 per person
300,000 per accident bodily injury
Comp / Collision
California, MD (Zip Code: 20619)
$90
per month
Rebecca (31 years old)
Currently Insured
Coverage100,000 per person
300,000 per accident bodily injury
Comp / Collision
California, MD (Zip Code: 20619)
$299
per month
Laura (31 years old)
Currently Insured
Coverage100,000 per person
300,000 per accident bodily injury
Comp / Collision
California, MD (Zip Code: 20619)
$299
per month
Over 4,000,000 customers and counting
We love saving our customers money. Turns out, they love it too! Here's what they have to say about their switch with Jerry:
Switching to National General was SO easy and it saved me over $100/month!
Courtney
I love this. I'm not paying and arm and a leg to keep my vehicle on the road
E.
Very pleased with your service and customer service
Don
Awesome bundle deals and great customer service 24/7!
Noah
Cheap car insurance quotes in California for drivers with poor credit
Not every state uses credit score to determine car insurance premiums, but they can be used to determine the likelihood of a driver filing a claim.
In California, insurance companies can consider credit scores when setting premiums—but they can’t deny you coverage, cancel your policy, or increase rates upon renewal.
On average, drivers with poor credit scores have a rate up to 70% higher than drivers with good credit scores. If you have a poor credit score and want cheap car insurance, shopping around with a comparison app or website can help you find the best rate in California.
| Credit Range | Insurance Company | Premium (monthly) | Customer | Car | Insurance Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
660 - 750 | Progressive | $105 | Todd, 30 Zip: 20619 | Jeep Renegade Limited | • State Minimum Liability |
660 - 750 | Progressive | $105 | Lucy, 30 Zip: 20619 | Jeep Renegade Limited | • State Minimum Liability |
550 - 659 | Progressive | $230 | William, 35 Zip: 20619 | Nissan Altima 2.5 | • State Minimum Liability • Comp / Collision |
< 550 | Progressive | $123 | Ernest, 26 Zip: 20619 | Toyota Corolla L | • 50,000/100,000 Liability |
Last Updated Nov 22, 2024Cheap car insurance quotes in California for popular cars
Your vehicle’s make and model can heavily influence the cost of car insurance. Generally, the more expensive your car is, the more expensive your insurance will be.
Other factors associated with your car that can increase insurance rates include:
- Repair or replacement costs
- Likelihood of theft
- Safety rating
Some of the most popular cars among California drivers are:
- Toyota Camry
- Honda Accord
- Nissan Altima
- Honda CR-V
- Honda Civic
- Toyota Corolla
- Ford F-Series
| Popular Car | Insurance Company | Premium (monthly) | Customer | Insurance Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan Altima 2.5 | Progressive | $230 | Travis, 35 Zip: 20619 | • State Minimum Liability • Comp / Collision |
| Toyota Corolla L | Progressive | $123 | Timothy, 26 Zip: 20619 | • 50,000/100,000 Liability |
Last Updated Nov 24, 2024How to lower car insurance costs in California
1. Shop around and compare quotes
Experts advise regularly comparing quotes from a minimum of three insurance companies when seeking affordable car insurance. Further, each insurance company uses its own set of rules and factors to determine rates, meaning coverage costs routinely fluctuate.
By consistently shopping around and comparing quotes, you significantly increase your chances of finding the best possible rate that suits your needs.
Discover the easiest way to find the best auto insurance coverage at the best price with Jerry! In just 45 seconds, Jerry gathers quotes from over 55 leading insurance providers, connecting you with the coverage you need.
2. Hunt for car insurance discounts
Every insurance provider typically offers a
selection of discounts
, although the specific discounts available may vary. Here are some common discounts to look out for in California:- Safe driver discounts. If you have a clean driving record without any accidents or traffic violations in {city}, insurers may offer a policy discount.
- Telematics discounts. Some insurance companies provide discounts to policyholders who use telematics, which monitor driving behaviors. By practicing safe driving, you may qualify for discounts.
- Good student discounts. Students who maintain good grades may be eligible for discounts from certain insurance providers. This discount serves as an incentive for academic achievement while also providing savings.
- Bundling discounts. Insurance companies often provide discounts to customers who bundle policies.Bundling home and auto insurance, for instance, can help you save on each policy.
3. Increase your deductible for comprehensive and collision coverage
Opting to increase the deductible on your full coverage policy is a simple yet effective method to maintain affordable monthly insurance expenses.
Why is car insurance in California so expensive?
Car insurance rates aren’t all that expensive in Marylabd, but there are a few factors that can result in higher-than-normal premiums, including:
- Increasing healthcare costs
- Population density in urban centers
- Increasing vehicle theft rate
FAQ
How much is car insurance in California?
People living in California pay on average $117 per month – or $1,410 per year – on state-minimum liability coverage. Full coverage in California costs on average $211 per month of $2,537 per year.
With car insurance though, there’s no such thing as average. It is important to know that car insurance varies greatly based on a driver’s individual situation. Shopping around for car insurance quotes is the best way to get an accurate idea of how much you can expect to pay on insurance. Luckily, Jerry is here to take the hassle out of insurance shopping! At the click of a button, Jerry will help you compare personalized quotes from top insurance providers. Best of all, it’s 100% free.
What is the cheapest car insurance in California?
Based on thousands of California drivers Jerry has worked with, car insurance in California costs an average of $117 per month for state-minimum coverage and $211 per month for full coverage.
No single insurance company has the cheapest insurance for everyone, but by shopping for insurance quotes, you can find the cheapest insurance company for you. Jerry takes the hard work and the waiting out of insurance shopping – generating you quotes with the best coverage and best prices in seconds, 100% free. Try Jerry Today!
What is the best car insurance in California?
Shopping for the best coverage at the best price is important, but customer service may play a role in what insurance company you pick, too. Bristol West, Kemper, and USAA receive good ratings from California drivers, based on the largest car insurance survey in the nation conducted by Jerry.
Learn more about how fellow car owners rate various insurance companies and get free quotes in seconds with Jerry.
What is the minimum car insurance in California, Maryland?
The state-minimum car insurance in California, Maryland is as follows:
- $30,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $60,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $15,000 property damage liability per accident
These coverages are commonly referred to as 30/60/15 coverage.
Drivers must also have uninsured motorist coverage of at minimum, $30,000 per person per accident and $60,000 total per accident for bodily injury, and $15,000 per accident for property damage. Drivers are also required to purchase minimum PIP coverage of $2,500.
Methodology
The Insurance Research Team analyzes insurance products and services to drive insights and help consumers make informed purchase decisions.
Insurance research: We analyzed over 25 million car insurance quotes; conducted the largest insurance shopping survey (over 15,000 customers surveyed and 85 carriers reviewed in the past 18 months).
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. The driver characteristics used in calculating average rates for auto insurance include: single driver, single car, currently insured, clean driving record.
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
R.E. Fulton
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.
Lina Zhang
Licensed Insurance Agent
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.
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.