Best car insurance in Los Angeles, CA (2024)

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Rachael BrennanSenior Editor & Licensed Auto Insurance ExpertRachael Brennan is a senior editor and a licensed auto insurance expert at Policygenius. Her work has also been featured in MoneyGeek, Clearsurance, Adweek, Boston Globe, The Ladders, and AutoInsurance.com.

Edited by

Anna SwartzAnna SwartzSenior Managing Editor & Auto Insurance ExpertAnna Swartz is a senior managing editor and auto insurance expert at Policygenius, where she oversees our car insurance coverage. Previously, she was a senior staff writer at Mic.com, as well as an associate writer at The Dodo.
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Ian Bloom, CFP®, RLP®Ian Bloom, CFP®, RLP®Certified Financial PlannerIan Bloom, CFP®, RLP®, is a certified financial planner and a member of the Financial Review Council at Policygenius. Previously, he was a financial advisor at MetLife and MassMutual.

Updated|4 min read

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The average cost of a full coverage car insurance in Los Angeles is $2,613 per year, which is $776 more than than the state average in California of $1,837. Auto insurance rates in Los Angeles are significantly higher than the national average, but there are still ways to save money on your car insurance.

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Comparing insurance rates between multiple companies is the most effective way to save money on car insurance. Our experts at Policygenius can help you compare quotes to find the right coverage for you.

Key Takeaways

  • Wawanesa has the lowest average rate for full coverage in Los Angeles at $1,376 per year.

  • The average cost for full coverage car insurance in California is $1,837, $776 more than the average rate in Los Angeles.

  • California minimum liability requirements are $15,000 per person/$30,000 per person in bodily injury liability and $5,000 in property damage liability.

Methodology & why you can trust our rates

Policygenius has analyzed car insurance rates provided by Quadrant Information Services for every ZIP code in all 50 states plus Washington, D.C. For full coverage policies, the following coverage limits were used:

  • Bodily injury liability: 50/100

  • Property damage liability: $50,000

  • Uninsured/underinsured motorist: 50/100

  • Comprehensive: $500 deductible

  • Collision: $500 deductible

In some cases, additional coverages were added where required by state or insurer.

Rates for overall average rate, rates by ZIP code, and cheapest companies determined using averages for single drivers ages 30, 35, and 45. Our sample vehicle was a 2017 Toyota Camry LE driven 10,000 miles/year.

Rates for driving violations and “Poor” credit determined using average rates for a single male 30-year-old driver with a credit score under 578.

Some carriers may be represented by affiliates or subsidiaries. Rates provided are a sample of costs. Your actual quotes may differ.

Cheapest car insurance companies in Los Angeles, CA

Which insurance company you choose can have a big impact on your rates, but it isn’t the only thing that determines how much you will be charged. Your driving history, ZIP code, and your age are just some of the factors your insurance company will use when setting your rates.

Each insurance company has their own system for setting rates, which means two companies can offer different rates for the same coverage.

Company

Average cost

JD Power Rating

Wawanesa

$1,376

--

USAA

$1,939

890

GEICO

$2,151

874

Mercury Insurance

$2,156

830

CSAA

$2,208

871

Cheapest car insurance rates by ZIP code in Los Angeles, CA

One of the biggest factors when determining insurance rates is your ZIP code. Rates in a specific ZIP code are impacted by a variety of factors, including the number of traffic tickets, accidents, secure parking options, and car thefts reported each year. Population density is also a factor when determining rates by ZIP code, which means L.A. residents will be charged much more than drivers in smaller, more rural areas.

Below are the average rates based on ZIP code in Los Angeles.

ZIP code

Average cost

90732

$1,936

90248

$2,004

90045

$2,081

90731

$2,097

90041

$2,154

90066

$2,208

90042

$2,245

90032

$2,257

90065

$2,277

90023

$2,284

91345

$2,309

91342

$2,336

90031

$2,354

90033

$2,373

90039

$2,404

90292

$2,404

90134

$2,416

91311

$2,428

90059

$2,454

91307

$2,488

91304

$2,511

90025

$2,520

90064

$2,535

90061

$2,553

90073

$2,563

90002

$2,574

90034

$2,589

90026

$2,605

90058

$2,610

90011

$2,611

90071

$2,618

90044

$2,644

90003

$2,652

90043

$2,652

91330

$2,656

90047

$2,683

90049

$2,686

90079

$2,700

90089

$2,725

90008

$2,729

90016

$2,749

90068

$2,756

90018

$2,769

90013

$2,770

90062

$2,778

90007

$2,806

90037

$2,807

90006

$2,852

90057

$2,853

90024

$2,855

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Choosing the right car insurance company in Los Angeles, CA

The best car insurance in Los Angeles is specific to you. Each individual driver needs the right coverage at the right price. Our insurance experts at Policygenius can help you find a policy that meets your needs.

Compare rates and shop affordable car insurance today

We don't sell your information to third parties.

Car insurance rates for drivers with driving violations in Los Angeles, CA

If you have a car accident or moving violation on your driving record, you should expect your insurance rates to increase, sometimes significantly, because of it. The best and most effective way to avoid paying too much for your car insurance is to keep your driving record clean.

Violation

Wawanesa

USAA

GEICO

Mercury Insurance

CSAA

At-fault accident

$2,145

$2,799

$3,981

$3,787

$2,804

DUI

$2,509

$5,752

$5,563

$3,589

$7,971

Suspended license

$2,008

$4,061

$3,971

$3,589

$7,971

Open container

$2,509

$4,316

$5,563

$3,589

$2,804

Expired registration

$2,008

$2,185

$3,582

$2,870

$2,804

Driving without lights

$2,008

$1,993

$3,582

$2,870

$2,804

Running a red light

$2,008

$2,185

$3,582

$2,870

$2,804

Following too closely

$2,008

$2,185

$3,582

$2,870

$2,804

Hit and run

$2,509

$4,601

$3,971

$3,589

$7,971

Not-at-fault accident

$1,417

$1,993

$2,192

$2,173

$2,216

Passing a school bus

$2,008

$2,945

$3,582

$2,870

$2,804

Reckless driving

$2,509

$3,453

$3,971

$3,589

$7,971

Speeding

$2,008

$2,185

$3,429

$2,870

$2,804

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Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI in Los Angeles, CA

Drivers in Los Angeles who get a DUI or DWI will see a significant increase in their car insurance rates. The average annual cost for car insurance in Los Angeles is $2,613, but drivers with a DUI will pay much higher rates. The average rate in California for a driver with a DUI is $5,223 per year (100% increase over the average rate) but drivers in LA could potentially pay upwards of $7,971 or more if they have a DUI.

But rates can vary significantly by company for drivers with a DUI, so it is important to compare quotes from multiple companies. Our research shows that the companies in Los Angeles with the lowest rates for drivers with a DUI are Wawanesa, Mercury Insurance, and GEICO.

Company

Rates for drivers with DUIs

Wawanesa

$2,509

Mercury Insurance

$3,589

GEICO

$5,563

USAA

$5,752

CSAA

$7,971

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket in Los Angeles, CA

You may also see an increase in your rates if you get a speeding ticket or other moving violation. The average cost of insurance for a driver with a speeding ticket in California is $2,788 per year, but drivers in Los Angeles could pay $3,429 or more for car insurance with a speeding ticket on their record.

Our research shows that Wawanesa, USAA, and CSAA offer the lowest rates for drivers with a speeding ticket in Los Angeles.

Company

Rates for drivers with speeding tickets

Wawanesa

$2,008

USAA

$2,185

CSAA

$2,804

Mercury Insurance

$2,870

GEICO

$3,429

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with bad credit in Los Angeles, CA

Some states allow insurance companies to base your insurance rates, in part, on your credit score. California has laws in place that prevent insurance companies from using your credit score when setting your rates, which means drivers in L.A. won’t see their insurance rates change, even if their credit score changes over time.

Compare rates and shop affordable car insurance today

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Buying car insurance in Los Angeles, CA

California laws require drivers to carry some type of liability insurance, including:

  • Cash deposit of $35,000 with DMV

  • DMV-issued self-insurance certificate

  • Surety bond for $35,000 from a company licensed to do business in California

  • Motor vehicle liability insurance policy

Most drivers choose to carry the state minimum levels of liability insurance, which are:

  • $15,000 per person/$30,000 per accident for bodily injury liability

  • $5,000 for property damage liability

The minimum insurance requirements in California are low, which means it is possible to be in an accident that exceeds the limits of your coverage if you choose to carry the required minimum insurance. Carrying the highest levels of liability insurance that you can afford is the best way to make sure you are protected in the event of an at-fault accident. You should also carry comprehensive and collision coverage if you can’t afford to repair or replace your vehicle out-of-pocket.

How to get cheap car insurance in Los Angeles, CA

There are multiple discounts available to drivers in Los Angeles, including:

  • Good student discount

  • Bundling discount

  • Group/employer/professional discount

  • Safe driver discount

  • Accident free discount

  • Low mileage discount

  • Military discount

If a discounted rate isn’t enough to make your insurance affordable, you might consider taking advantage of California’s Low Cost Auto Insurance program.

Compare rates and shop affordable car insurance today

We don't sell your information to third parties.

Frequently asked questions

Is insurance more expensive in L.A.?

Insurance can be more expensive in L.A. than in other cities in California. Insurance companies charge higher rates in areas with more people, with higher rates of accidents, and other things that are more common in a major metropolitan area, which means that rates in L.A. are likely to be higher than in smaller cities.

Does my gender impact my insurance rates in CA?

California made it illegal to base insurance rates on gender. Several other states have similar laws, including Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Carolina and Pennsylvania.

What is the best car insurance for new drivers in California?

Wawanesa offers the lowest average rates in California, but just because they have the cheapest coverage doesn’t necessarily mean the coverage is right for you. It is important to compare quotes from multiple companies to find coverage that meets your needs.

How much is car insurance per month in California?

Drivers in California pay an average of $1,837 per year for car insurance, which breaks down to $153 per month.

Author

Rachael Brennan is a senior editor and a licensed auto insurance expert at Policygenius. Her work has also been featured in MoneyGeek, Clearsurance, Adweek, Boston Globe, The Ladders, and AutoInsurance.com.

Editor

Anna Swartz is a senior managing editor and auto insurance expert at Policygenius, where she oversees our car insurance coverage. Previously, she was a senior staff writer at Mic.com, as well as an associate writer at The Dodo.

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