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Best cheap car insurance in Los Angeles for 2024
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Powered by Coverage.com (NPN: 19966249)
Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.
The best car insurance companies in Los Angeles
If you live in Los Angeles, you probably rely on an automobile to get around, but the high cost of auto insurance may have you looking for a cheaper rate. Based on Bankrate’s research, Los Angeles drivers pay an average annual premium of $3,649 for full coverage, or $304 per month, and an average of $922 annually or $77 monthly for minimum coverage. For drivers looking for the best car insurance in California to work within their budget, Bankrate evaluated insurers with better-than-average AM Best financial strength ratings, high marks in J.D. Power’s 2023 U.S. Auto Insurance Study, high Bankrate Scores and the lowest car insurance rates in Los Angeles.
Bankrate Score
Avg. min coverage premium
Min. coverage
Avg. full coverage premium
Full coverage
Why Geico made our list: Geico, the third-largest U.S. auto insurer by market share, has nationwide availability and offers policies to drivers with various driving histories. This long-standing carrier has an A++ (Superior) rating from AM Best, which implies it can honor claims even when a natural disaster occurs, which may be reassuring to drivers in California.
Why Geico may be the best for digital tools: Along with its 24/7 claims service, Geico’s digital tools help policyholders make payments, adjust their policies, ask questions and file claims whenever needed. Policyholders can download digital ID cards, request and track a tow truck and even have access to a virtual assistant to help understand their policy.
| Bankrate Score | 4.4 |
| J.D. Power | 830/1,000 |
| AM Best score | A++ |
Bankrate Score
Avg. min coverage premium
Min. coverage
Avg. full coverage premium
Full coverage
Why Progressive made our list: Progressive, the second-largest U.S. auto insurer, is another insurance company offering drivers in Los Angeles lower-than-average rates along with national coverage and digital tools. With various discount opportunities and SR-22 filings available for high-risk drivers, Progressive may be a good choice for policyholders looking to save money.
Why Progressive may be the best for optional endorsements: Progressive stands out from the competition with its long list of endorsements. From usage-based insurance plans to ride-share options that cover both Uber/Lyft driving and app-based delivery services, policyholders can find flexible coverage to meet their needs. Additionally, Progressive automatically includes pet injury coverage with policies that have collision insurance— not something that is available with most carriers.
| Bankrate Score | 4.4 |
| J.D. Power | 809/1,000 |
| AM Best score | A+ |
Bankrate Score
Avg. min coverage premium
Min. coverage
Avg. full coverage premium
Full coverage
Why Travelers made our list: Travelers provides policyholders with several coverage options and discount opportunities for car insurance. The cost of car insurance with Travelers is usually much lower than the state average for both full and minimal coverage policies. Drivers in Los Angeles may also be interested in the add-on options available, such as gap insurance and new car replacement.
Why Travelers may be the best for local agents: For drivers who prefer working directly with an agent, Travelers has 93 insurance agencies located in Los Angeles. Since Travelers offers additional insurance products such as life, business and specialty coverage, having an agent to speak to at a brick-and-mortar location could benefit drivers with multiple policies.
| Bankrate Score | 4.2 |
| J.D. Power | |
| AM Best score | A++ |
Bankrate Score
Avg. min coverage premium
Min. coverage
Avg. full coverage premium
Full coverage
Why Mercury made our list: Mercury has an A (Excellent) rating with AM Best and a network of local agents throughout California. Financial stability and access to local agents could be a real plus in Los Angeles, which can experience wildfire damage. While Mercury offers standard car insurance coverage types, it also has rideshare coverage and RealDrive, its low-mileage insurance program.
Why Mercury may be the best for full and minimal coverage car insurance: Mercury typically averages the cheapest car insurance in Los Angeles for full and minimal coverage. Drivers looking for additional ways to save on car insurance may be pleased to see some of Mercury’s more accessible discount opportunities, such as enrolling your policy into auto-pay or completing your paperwork electronically for an E-signature discount.
| Bankrate Score | 3.8 |
| J.D. Power | 794/1,000 |
| AM Best score | A |
Bankrate Score
Avg. min coverage premium
Min. coverage
Avg. full coverage premium
Full coverage
Why Wawanesa made our list: Wawanesa earned top marks for customer satisfaction on J.D. Power's 2023 Auto Insurance Study for California and averages car insurance rates well under the state’s average. The coverage offered by Wawanesa is rather basic when compared to other carriers, but it still has the usual extras like roadside assistance and rental car coverage.
Why Wawanesa may be the best for regional coverage: In the U.S., Wawanesa only offers coverage in California. Drivers can work with local independent agents to ask questions and secure auto insurance. The benefit of local agents is that they are familiar with the risks facing drivers in the Los Angeles area. While rates with Wawanesa are usually on the lower end of the spectrum, an independent agent can shop your coverage amongst multiple carriers, which can help you find the lowest rate.
| Bankrate Score | 2.8 |
| J.D. Power | 843/1,000 |
| AM Best score | A |
Bankrate's trusted insurance industry expertise
Read our full methodologySecuring car insurance isn’t always easy in California. With insurance companies leaving the state due to concerns over extreme weather losses and regulatory restrictions, the options available to drivers in Los Angeles can change fast. Bankrate's editorial team includes licensed agents with decades of real-world industry experience to help you make educated decisions on coverage that fits your needs and, hopefully, your budget. By using the latest data from Quadrant Information Services combined with our Bankrate Score and insurance expertise, we aim to help you feel confident when making important decisions regarding your personal finances.
46
years of industry experience
122
carriers reviewed
34.5K
ZIP codes examined
1.2M
quotes analyzed
The cheapest car insurance companies in Los Angeles
If you’re looking for cheap car insurance in California, Los Angeles offers several top-rated options. According to our data, the cost of full coverage car insurance in Los Angeles is 58 percent more than the national average of $2,278 and 44 percent more than the nations average cost of minimal coverage insurance. Below are the five cheapest car insurance companies for drivers in Los Angeles looking for the best deal on insurance.
| Insurance company | Average annual min coverage premium | Average annual full coverage premium |
|---|---|---|
|
$968
|
$2,581
|
|
|
$764
|
$2,895
|
|
|
$754
|
$3,094
|
|
|
$930
|
$3,095
|
|
|
$636
|
$3,140
|
How much is car insurance in Los Angeles, California?
The average cost of full coverage car insurance in Los Angeles is $3,649 per year and minimal auto insurance coverage averages $922 per year. Auto insurance rates vary amongst drivers due to many factors that can be location-based, such as traffic density and weather. The average car insurance rates for California are $2,667 per year for full coverage and $651 per year for minimal coverage. Aside from location, other rating factors such as age and driving record significantly affect how much you pay for car insurance.
Los Angeles rates for teens
Age is an insurance rating factor in most states, and teen drivers are usually rated as high-risk due to their limited driving experience. Adjusting to dangerous driving conditions and avoiding road hazards are skills drivers learn over time. Teen driving stats also reveal that young drivers tend to speed more and don’t regularly wear seatbelts, which increases the risk of car crash-related fatalities. However, teens who remain on their parents’ policy instead of getting their own auto insurance right away can usually save a significant amount of money.
| Insurance company | 16-year-old* | 18-year-old* |
|---|---|---|
|
$1,529
|
$1,416
|
|
|
$1,648
|
$1,524
|
|
|
$1,668
|
$1,361
|
|
|
$1,685
|
$1,371
|
|
|
$1,885
|
$1,850
|
| Insurance company | 16-year-old* | 18-year-old* |
|---|---|---|
|
$5,700
|
$4,936
|
|
|
$5,774
|
$5,345
|
|
|
$6,273
|
$5,573
|
|
|
$6,438
|
$6,241
|
|
|
$6,625
|
$5,650
|
Los Angeles rates for young drivers
Young drivers in Los Angeles aren’t stuck paying for high insurance rates forever. If they maintain a good driving record, their premium will decline as they gain driving experience. When adult children no longer live with their parents, they must secure their own car insurance policy. Car insurance rates for young drivers can still be affordable if they can maintain their driving training and good student discounts.
| Insurance company | 20-year-old | 25-year-old |
|---|---|---|
|
$1,271
|
$975
|
|
|
$1,275
|
$751
|
|
|
$1,380
|
$1,057
|
|
|
$1,405
|
$1,056
|
|
|
$1,463
|
$960
|
| Insurance company | 20-year-old | 25-year-old |
|---|---|---|
|
$4,322
|
$3,676
|
|
|
$4,980
|
$3,157
|
|
|
$5,469
|
$4,652
|
|
|
$5,480
|
$4,683
|
|
|
$5,516
|
$3,592
|
Los Angeles rates for adults
With a good driving history, drivers over the age of 25 are typically moved into a standard or preferred risk pool where age doesn’t impact premiums as significantly. According to data from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS), crash fatality rates among adults usually remain fairly consistent. While California doesn’t allow for the use of gender or credit score for insurance rating purposes, other factors such as loss history, coverage limits and location can cause rates to vary significantly between carriers and policyholders.
| Insurance company | 30-year-old | 40-year-old | 50-year-old |
|---|---|---|---|
|
$653
|
$636
|
$625
|
|
|
$789
|
$764
|
$749
|
|
|
$802
|
$754
|
$735
|
|
|
$884
|
$853
|
$808
|
|
|
$950
|
$919
|
$877
|
| Insurance company | 30-year-old | 40-year-old | 50-year-old |
|---|---|---|---|
|
$2,649
|
$2,581
|
$2,613
|
|
|
$3,032
|
$2,895
|
$2,719
|
|
|
$3,243
|
$3,140
|
$3,083
|
|
|
$3,292
|
$3,094
|
$3,006
|
|
|
$3,365
|
$3,196
|
$3,110
|
Los Angeles rates for senior drivers
Rates start to increase for drivers again around the age of 70. Senior drivers tend to pay slightly more for their car insurance due to an enhanced risk of accidents. Since so many seniors live on a fixed income, they may want to shop for insurance with carriers that offer more affordable rates to older drivers or offer a senior defensive driving discount.
| Insurance company | 60-year-old | 70-year-old |
|---|---|---|
|
$633
|
$672
|
|
|
$741
|
$924
|
|
|
$747
|
$686
|
|
|
$781
|
$851
|
|
|
$800
|
$862
|
| Insurance company | 60-year-old | 70-year-old |
|---|---|---|
|
$980
|
$2,542
|
|
|
$921
|
$2,968
|
|
|
$781
|
$2,951
|
|
|
$885
|
$3,012
|
|
|
$741
|
$3,588
|
The cheapest car insurance in Los Angeles by driving record
The best way to find affordable car insurance in Los Angeles is by maintaining a clean driving record, but as much as we all try, accidents happen. Insurance companies can increase your car insurance rate by adding a multi-year surcharge to your policy for at-fault accidents and moving violations. Bankrate’s editorial team understands that every penny counts and is here to help you find the cheapest Los Angeles car insurance for various driving records.
Car insurance with a speeding ticket in Los Angeles
Speeding tickets in California can impact your car insurance rates and cause you to pay some hefty fines. Speeding ticket fines can range between $35 to $1,000, depending on the situation. Drivers from Los Angeles pay an average of $5,025 per year for full coverage car insurance after receiving a speeding ticket — 80 percent more than the state average.
| Insurance company | Average min coverage rate | Average full coverage rate |
|---|---|---|
|
$923
|
$4,364
|
|
|
$989
|
$2,688
|
|
|
$1,015
|
$4,215
|
|
|
$1,081
|
$4,120
|
|
|
$1,210
|
$4,152
|
Car insurance after an accident in Los Angeles
While speeding and distracted driving are the leading causes of car crashes, the bumper-to-bumper traffic that Los Angeles is known for makes driving even more challenging. Drivers in Los Angeles pay $6,071 per year for full coverage car insurance after having an at-fault accident. This is 25 percent less than state’s post-accident average.
Car insurance after a DUI in Los Angeles
Drivers with DUIs can face difficulties securing auto insurance since not all carriers will underwrite for this type of risky driving behavior. It is common for drivers with DUI infractions to receive license suspensions and to require an SR-22 filing for their license to be reinstated. In Los Angeles, the average cost of full coverage car insurance with a DUI infraction is $8,793, which is 34 percent more than the state average cost of car insurance post-DUI.
| Insurance company | Average min coverage rate | Average full coverage rate |
|---|---|---|
|
$1,352
|
$5,151
|
|
|
$1,356
|
$3,686
|
|
|
$1,479
|
$6,851
|
|
|
$1,645
|
$6,753
|
|
|
$1,827
|
$7,636
|
Minimum coverage requirements in Los Angeles
California law requires all automobile owners to carry at least minimal car insurance limits of:
- $15,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per person
- $30,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per accident
- $5,000 in property damage liability coverage per accident
While many drivers need a car for work and personal activities, some cannot afford to pay the high cost of auto insurance. For low-income drivers, the state established the California Low-Cost Automobile Insurance Program. To qualify for the program, automobile owners must meet income guidelines, own a car worth $25,000 or less and be a new driver or an experienced driver with a good driving record.
Most insurance experts agree that carrying liability limits higher than the state minimum can offer more protection for your personal finances. Since Los Angeles is prone to wildfires and vehicle thefts, drivers may want to consider adding comprehensive coverage to their policies. This coverage pays to replace or repair your vehicle up to its actual cash value if it is damaged by events other than collisions, such as fire, wind, hail, vandalism and theft.
Frequently asked questions
Methodology
Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze the latest rates in July 2024 for all ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Rates are weighted based on the population density in each geographic region. Quoted rates are based on a single, 40-year-old male and female driver with a clean driving record, good credit and the following full coverage limits:
- $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $50,000 property damage liability per accident
- $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
- $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
- $500 collision deductible
- $500 comprehensive deductible
To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverage that meets each state’s requirements. Our base profile drivers own a 2022 Toyota Camry, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually.
These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes.
Incidents: Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the following incidents applied: clean record (base), at-fault accident, single speeding ticket and single DUI conviction.
Age: Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the ages 20-70 (base: 40 years) applied. Depending on age, drivers may be a renter or homeowner. Age is not a contributing rating factor in Hawaii and Massachusetts due to state regulations.
Teens: Rates were determined by adding a 16- or 18-year-old teen to their 40-year-old married parents' policy. The rates displayed reflect the total cost of a driver this age added to their parents’ policy.
Bankrate Score
Our 2024 Bankrate Score considers variables our insurance editorial team determined impacts policyholders’ experiences with an insurance company. These rating factors include a robust assessment of each company’s product availability, financial strength ratings, online capabilities and customer and claims support accessibility. Each factor was added to a category, and these categories were weighted in a tiered approach to analyze how companies perform in key customer-impacting categories.
Each category was assigned a metric to determine performance, and the weighted sum adds up to a company’s total Bankrate Score — out of 5 points. Our scoring model provides a comprehensive view, indicating when companies excel across several key areas and highlighting where they fall short.
-
Cost & ratings 50%
-
Coverage & savings 30%
-
Support 20%
- Tier 1 (Cost & ratings): To determine how well auto and home insurance companies satisfy these priorities, average quoted premiums from Quadrant Information Services (if available), as well as any of the latest third-party agency ratings from J.D. Power, AM Best, Demotech and the NAIC, were analyzed.
- Tier 2 (Coverage & savings): We assessed companies’ coverage options and availability to help policyholders find a provider that balances cost with coverage. Additionally, we evaluated each company’s discount options listed on its website.
- Tier 3 (Support): To encompass the many ways an auto insurance company can support policyholders, we analyzed avenues of customer accessibility along with community support. This analysis incorporated additional financial strength ratings from S&P and Moody’s and factored a company’s corporate sustainability efforts.
