Rachael BrennanRachael BrennanSenior Editor & Licensed Insurance ExpertRachael Brennan is a licensed auto insurance expert and a former senior editor at Policygenius. Her work has also been featured in MoneyGeek, Clearsurance, Adweek, Boston Globe, The Ladders, and AutoInsurance.com. & Andrew HurstAndrew HurstSenior Editor & Licensed Insurance ExpertAndrew Hurst is a former senior editor at Policygenius who has spent his entire career writing about life, disability, home, auto, and health insurance. His work has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, Forbes, USA Today, NPR, Mic, Insurance Business Magazine, and Property Casualty 360.
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Anna SwartzAnna SwartzSenior Managing EditorAnna Swartz is a senior managing editor who specializes in home, auto, renters, and disability insurance at Policygenius. Previously, she was a senior staff writer at Mic and a writer at The Dodo. Her work has also appeared in Salon, HuffPost, MSN, AOL, and Heeb.
Expert reviewedExpert reviewedThis article has been reviewed by a member of ourFinancial Review Council to ensure all sources, statistics, and claims meet the highest standard for accurate and unbiased advice.Learn more about oureditorial review process.
Wawanesa is the cheapest car insurance company in Palmdale, California, with an average monthly rate of $93.
Wawanesa has the cheapest car insurance rates in Palmdale, California, at $93 a month for a full-coverage policy. That's $1,119 a year, which is 46% cheaper than the citywide average.
Ready to shop car insurance?
The other cheapest car insurance companies in Palmdale are GEICO, USAA, Mercury, and NationalGeneral. You can find which company in Palmdale has the cheapest car insurance for you by comparing quotes from multiple companies.
Company
Average monthly cost
Wawanesa
$93
GEICO
$137
USAA
$140
Mercury Insurance
$141
National General Insurance
$164
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: $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident
Property damage liability: $50,000
Uninsured/underinsured motorist: $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident
Comprehensive: $500 deductible
Collision: $500 deductible
In some cases, additional coverages were added where required by state or insurer.
Rates for overall average rate, rates by ZIP code, and cheapest companies determined using averages for single drivers ages 30, 35, and 45. Our sample vehicle was a 2017 Toyota Camry LE driven 10,000 miles/year.
Rates for driving violations and “Poor” credit determined using average rates for a single male 30-year-old driver with a credit score under 578.
Some carriers may be represented by affiliates or subsidiaries. Rates provided are a sample of costs. Your actual quotes may differ.
Cheapest car insurance companies in Palmdale, CA
Wawanesa
Policygenius rating
Our proprietary rating methodology takes multiple factors into account, including customer satisfaction, cost, financial strength, and policy offerings. See the "methodology" section for more details.
3.8
AM Best rating
AM Best is a global credit rating agency that scores the financial strength of insurance companies on a scale from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor).
B
Cost
Using a mix of internal and external rate data, we grade the cost of each insurance company's premiums on a scale from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$$).
$$$$$
Bundle home & autoUsage-based discount
Why we chose it
Wawanesa’s straightforward car insurance doesn’t leave much room for customization. But Wawanesa, which only offers coverage in California and Oregon, is still a top pick (especially for budget-conscious drivers) for its cheap rates and discounts.
We found that Wawanesa has the cheapest car insurance in Palmdale.Wawanesa has the lowest average rates in each of the city’s ZIP codes, too. Annually, the cost of car insurance from Wawanesa is $959 cheaper than the citywide average cost of coverage in Palmdale.
GEICO
Policygenius rating
Our proprietary rating methodology takes multiple factors into account, including customer satisfaction, cost, financial strength, and policy offerings. See the "methodology" section for more details.
4.7
AM Best rating
AM Best is a global credit rating agency that scores the financial strength of insurance companies on a scale from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor).
A++
Cost
Using a mix of internal and external rate data, we grade the cost of each insurance company's premiums on a scale from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$$).
GEICO is available in every state and the District of Columbia. While GEICO doesn’t offer as many endorsements as other companies do, it has some of the cheapest car insurance rates around.
GEICO has the second-cheapest car insurance rates in Palmdale at $137 a month. That’s a big jump from Wawanesa, which has the cheapest rates in the city, but it’s still the cheapest national car insurance provider in Palmdale.
USAA
Policygenius rating
Our proprietary rating methodology takes multiple factors into account, including customer satisfaction, cost, financial strength, and policy offerings. See the "methodology" section for more details.
5.0
AM Best rating
AM Best is a global credit rating agency that scores the financial strength of insurance companies on a scale from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor).
A++
Cost
Using a mix of internal and external rate data, we grade the cost of each insurance company's premiums on a scale from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$$).
$$$$$
All 50 statesBundle home & autoUsage-based discountGood student discountCoverage for rideshare driversMobile appOffers classic car insuranceOffers motorcycle insurance
Why we chose it
For eligible drivers affiliated with the military, USAA auto insurance is unmatched. USAA is known for cheap rates and consistently offering some of the best customer service in the industry.
Pros and cons
Pros
Low rates
Available nationwide
High customer service ratings
Cons
Only available to military members and their families
With an average cost of $140 per month, USAA is the third-cheapest car insurance company in Palmdale. USAA usually has one of the best reputations for customer service of any carrier, but you can only get coverage if you’re in the military, a vet, or a part of a military family.
Mercury
Policygenius rating
Our proprietary rating methodology takes multiple factors into account, including customer satisfaction, cost, financial strength, and policy offerings. See the "methodology" section for more details.
3.2
AM Best rating
AM Best is a global credit rating agency that scores the financial strength of insurance companies on a scale from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor).
A
Cost
Using a mix of internal and external rate data, we grade the cost of each insurance company's premiums on a scale from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$$).
$$$$$
Bundle home & autoMobile appCoverage for rideshare driversGood student discountUsage-based discount
Why we chose it
Mercury offers drivers fewer add-ons and endorsements than some competitors, but drivers will find affordable rates (especially after a driving violation or accident) and a handful of discounts that could lower costs even more.
Pros and cons
Pros
Low-mileage discount saves you money for driving less
Mercury is the fourth-cheapest car insurance company in Palmdale. On average, the cost of car insurance from Mercury is $141 a month. That’s $392 cheaper than the citywide average — and just one dollar a month more expensive than USAA.
National General
Policygenius rating
Our proprietary rating methodology takes multiple factors into account, including customer satisfaction, cost, financial strength, and policy offerings. See the "methodology" section for more details.
3.5
AM Best rating
AM Best is a global credit rating agency that scores the financial strength of insurance companies on a scale from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor).
A+
Cost
Using a mix of internal and external rate data, we grade the cost of each insurance company's premiums on a scale from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$$).
$$$$$
Bundle home & autoAll 50 statesUsage-based discountMobile app
Why we chose it
National General is best known for being a top provider of insurance for drivers who don’t have clean driving records, but the company also offers coverage to those who haven’t been in an accident or received a violation before.
National General is also one of the cheapest car insurance companies in Palmdale. The company has an average monthly rate of $164, which is $113 cheaper than average. National General is also one of the best companies if you’re a high-risk driver looking for coverage.
Best car insurance in Palmdale, California
The best car insurance company in Palmdale is USAA. USAA scored the highest on J.D. Power’s 2023 Auto Insurance Survey, which measures how policyholders feel about their company’s customer service, billing, claims, and price. [1]
However, USAA is only available to people affiliated with the military, which makes Wawanesa the best car insurance company for you if you can’t get coverage from USAA.
Rank
Company
Score
1
USAA
871
2
Wawanesa
843
3
CONNECT by AmFam
839
4
Auto Club of Southern California
832
5
GEICO
830
Cheapest car insurance companies by age in Palmdale, CA
Teens and young adults have less experience behind the wheel than older drivers, which makes them more likely to get into accidents and submit claims. Because of this, it can be harder for young adult drivers to find cheap car insurance.
We found that Wawanesa has the cheapest average car insurance rates in Palmdale for drivers of different ages.
Age
Cheapest company
Average yearly rate
16
Wawanesa
$2,333
18
Wawanesa
$2,008
21
Wawanesa
$1,499
25
Wawanesa
$1,258
30
Wawanesa
$1,153
35
Wawanesa
$1,116
45
Wawanesa
$1,089
55
Wawanesa
$1,057
60
Wawanesa
$1,029
65
Wawanesa
$1,026
70
Wawanesa
$1,054
Expand table
Cheapest car insurance rates by ZIP code in Palmdale, CA
We found that the cheapest car insurance company in each of Palmdale’s three ZIP codes is Wawanesa. On average, Wawanesa’s car insurance rates range from $89 to $100 a month.
The different costs of car insurance across Palmdale’s ZIP codes is because of the different numbers of accidents, traffic tickets, vehicle thefts, and other drivers in each part of town.
ZIP code
Cheapest company
Average monthly rate
Average yearly rate
93550
Wawanesa
$100
$1,194
93551
Wawanesa
$89
$1,063
93552
Wawanesa
$92
$1,100
Choosing the right car insurance company in Palmdale, CA
The cheapest available car insurance policy isn’t necessarily the right one for you. The best car insurance policy is the one that meets your needs at an affordable price, which is why our experts at Policygenius help you compare quotes and coverage options from multiple companies.
Car insurance rates for drivers with driving violations in Palmdale, CA
Much like your driver’s license, your driving record contains quite a bit of your personal information, including your height, hair color, license number, etc. It also contains information about any driving violations you may have on your record, including:
Points
DUIs
Fines
Accidents
Tickets
Suspensions
Revocations
The most effective way to avoid paying too much for car insurance is to keep your driving record clean. Having a moving violation or a car accident on your record can raise your rates, while a serious issue like a DUI or reckless driving could potentially cost you an extra $1,000 or more per year on your insurance premiums.
Violation
Wawanesa
GEICO
USAA
Mercury Insurance
National General Insurance
At-fault accident
$1,738
$3,044
$2,416
$2,945
$2,986
Suspended license
$1,632
$3,056
$3,513
$2,799
$2,834
Open container
$2,039
$4,272
$3,735
$2,799
$2,114
Expired registration
$1,632
$2,754
$1,894
$2,240
$2,114
Driving without lights
$1,632
$2,754
$1,728
$2,240
$2,114
Running a red light
$1,632
$2,754
$1,894
$2,240
$2,114
Following too closely
$1,632
$2,754
$1,894
$2,240
$2,114
Hit and run
$2,039
$3,056
$3,979
$2,799
$2,834
Not-at-fault accident
$1,153
$1,680
$1,728
$1,700
$2,017
Passing a school bus
$1,632
$2,754
$2,549
$2,240
$2,114
Reckless driving
$2,039
$3,056
$2,988
$2,799
$2,834
Expand table
Cheapest car insurance after an accident in Palmdale, CA
The cheapest car insurance company in Palmdale for drivers with an at-fault accident on their records is also Wawanesa. On average, coverage from Wawanesa costs $1,738 a year after an accident.
Insurance company
Rates for drivers with an accident
Wawanesa
$1,738
USAA
$2,416
Mercury
$2,945
National General
$2,986
GEICO
$3,044
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI in Palmdale, CA
Palmdale drivers pay higher-than-average car insurance rates, and drivers with a DUI or DWI are no exception. The average annual cost for car insurance in Palmdale is $2,078 per year, but a DUI can raise your rate to $5,223 per year or more, which is massive 151% higher than the rates for drivers with a clean driving history.
But drivers with a DUI can still save money on their car insurance by comparing rates between multiple companies. Our research shows that the companies in Palmdale with the lowest rates for drivers with a DUI are Wawanesa, National General, and Mercury Insurance.
Company
Rates for drivers with DUIs
Wawanesa
$2,039
National General Insurance
$2,759
Mercury Insurance
$2,799
GEICO
$4,272
USAA
$4,974
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket in Palmdale, CA
Getting a speeding ticket in Palmdale will also raise your rates, where the average cost of insurance for a driver with a speeding ticket is $2,788 per year.
Our research shows that Wawanesa, USAA, and National General offer the lowest rates for drivers with a speeding ticket in Palmdale.
Company
Rates for drivers with speeding tickets
Wawanesa
$1,632
USAA
$1,894
National General Insurance
$2,114
Mercury Insurance
$2,240
GEICO
$2,632
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with bad credit in Palmdale, CA
California is one of only a small handful of states that don’t use your credit score when setting your insurance rates, including Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan and Washington. This means that California residents with a low credit score won’t see an increase in their rates, but it also means that people with a high score won’t receive a discount on their insurance.
Ready to shop car insurance?
Buying car insurance in Palmdale, CA
California law requires all drivers to carry some form 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
The vast majority of drivers in California choose to carry at least 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 state minimum levels of liability insurance are enough to fulfill your legal obligations, but those limits often aren’t enough to cover the amount of damage caused in an at-fault accident. To make sure you are financially protected in an accident, it is important to carry the highest levels of liability coverage that you can afford.
In addition to high levels of liability, drivers who can’t afford to repair or replace their car after an accident should also purchase comprehensive and collision coverage. These coverages protect you financially if you are at fault in an accident, but they can also step in to pay for damage to your vehicle if you are hit by an uninsured motorist or your car is damaged or stolen.
How to get cheap car insurance in Palmdale, CA
Most insurance companies offer a wide variety of discounts, including:
Who has the cheapest car insurance in Palmdale, California?
Our research shows that Wawanesa has the lowest rates in Palmdale, but insurance rates are based on a number of factors that are unique to you. The best way to find out who has the lowest insurance rates in the state is to compare quotes between multiple companies.
How much is car insurance each month in Palmdale?
The average cost of car insurance in Palmdale is $173 per month, or $2,078 per year. Compared to the average cost in California, insurance in Palmdale is slightly more expensive.
Why is car insurance so expensive in Palmdale?
Rates in Palmdale are higher than some of the other cities in California. Rates in any given area are based on a number of factors, including the number of accidents and moving violations, car theft, and population density.
What happens if you drive without insurance in Palmdale?
If you're caught driving without car insurance in Palmdale, you can be fined, have your license suspended, and your car might be impounded. You'd also have to pay a fee to reinstate your license and retrieve your car. Finally, your insurance would get more expensive in the future.
References
Policygenius uses external sources, including government data, industry studies, and reputable news organizations to supplement proprietary marketplace data and internal expertise. Learn more about how we use and vet external sources as part of oureditorial standards.
Rachael Brennan is a licensed auto insurance expert and a former senior editor at Policygenius. Her work has also been featured in MoneyGeek, Clearsurance, Adweek, Boston Globe, The Ladders, and AutoInsurance.com.
Andrew Hurst is a former senior editor at Policygenius who has spent his entire career writing about life, disability, home, auto, and health insurance. His work has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, Forbes, USA Today, NPR, Mic, Insurance Business Magazine, and Property Casualty 360.
Anna Swartz is a senior managing editor who specializes in home, auto, renters, and disability insurance at Policygenius. Previously, she was a senior staff writer at Mic and a writer at The Dodo. Her work has also appeared in Salon, HuffPost, MSN, AOL, and Heeb.