Sacramento drivers spend around $2,017 per year for full coverage car insurance. These rates are slightly higher than the California state average of $1,857 per year.
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To help lower the cost of your car insurance, we recommend getting quotes from top companies and choosing the one that best fits your needs and your budget. Policygenius makes it easy to compare quotes and shop for car insurance.
Key Takeaways
Wawanesa Insurance has the cheapest average car insurance rates in Sacramento at $1,127 per year for full coverage
Sacramento drivers insured with GEICO who run a red light could see their insurance rates increase by $1,000
The California minimum car insurance requirements are $15,000 per person/$30,000 per incident in bodily injury liability and $5,000 in property damage liability per incident
Cheapest car insurance companies in Sacramento, CA
Insurance companies all use the same information when establishing car insurance rates, but how they use your data to establish your rates will vary by company.
The easiest way to not overpay is by comparing quotes from top companies and seeing which one offers you the best coverage at the best price. Below are the cheapest car insurance rates by company in Sacramento.
Company
Average cost
JD Power Rating
Wawanesa
$1,127
--
GEICO
$1,484
871
USAA
$1,599
890
National General
$1,695
815
United Financial Casualty Company
$1,708
--
Cheapest car insurance rates by ZIP code in Sacramento, CA
If your neighborhood has a higher crime rate and car thefts are common, odds are your insurance rates will be higher. Insurance companies use ZIP codes to establish rates and how many accidents or tickets are issued in a given time frame.
The table below shows the average car insurance rates for ZIP codes in Sacramento.
ZIP code
Average cost
95811
$2,129
95814
$2,169
95815
$2,170
95816
$1,986
95817
$2,024
95818
$1,898
95819
$1,804
95820
$2,066
Choosing the right car insurance company in Sacramento, CA
Choosing the right car insurance for your family is an important decision. You need to be sure the provider you select will be there when it matters the most. Customer service is important, so ask yourself these questions:
How does the claims system work? Is there a mobile app or a dedicated claims phone number?
What about the company’s reputation? Will it raise your rates after an accident?
Policygenius can help you get quotes from top companies and understand your options before you settle on a policy.
Car insurance rates for drivers with driving violations in Sacramento, CA
Your driving history says a lot about you, and insurance companies use this information to set car insurance rates. So the more tickets and other moving violations on your record, the more you’ll have to pay for car insurance.
Below are the average rates for drivers in Sacramento with moving violations on their driving record.
Violation
Wawanesa
GEICO
USAA
National General
United Financial Casualty Company
At-fault accident
$1,755
$2,726
$2,297
$2,570
$3,661
DUI
$2,090
$3,813
$4,720
$2,379
$4,261
Suspended license
$1,662
$2,726
$3,335
$2,441
$3,893
Open container
$2,090
$3,813
$3,547
$1,823
$3,406
Expired registration
$1,662
$2,461
$1,801
$1,823
$3,661
Driving without lights
$1,662
$2,461
$1,644
$1,823
$3,661
Not showing documents
$1,662
$2,461
$1,801
$1,823
$3,661
Running a red light
$1,662
$2,461
$1,801
$1,823
$3,661
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with bad credit in Sacramento, CA
California is one of the seven states that doesn’t allow your credit score to determine car insurance rates. In other states, if you have poor credit, insurance companies will consider you to be in a high-risk category and will probably charge you more for your insurance.
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Buying car insurance in Sacramento, CA
California state law says to be legally insured in California, drivers must have the following minimum liability insurance requirements:
Bodily injury liability coverage per person: $15,000
Bodily injury liability coverage per accident: $30,000
Property damage liability coverage: $5,000
If drivers do not want to have liability insurance, there are additional options:
A cash deposit of $35,000 with the Department of Motor Vehicles
Department of Motor Vehicles issued self-insurance certificate
Surety bond for $35,000 from a company licensed to business in California
California drivers who need to drive but can’t afford to pay for car insurance may qualify for the state’s low-income car insurance program. As of 2020, a single resident must earn less than $32,200 yearly to qualify.
How to get cheap car insurance in Sacramento, CA
Finding affordable car insurance in Sacramento can be challenging, but there are ways to save. Many companies offer discounts to customers as a way to save on rates. Here are some of the most common:
Safe driver discount: For drivers who maintain a good driving record or take a defensive driving course.
Good student discount: Many companies offer young drivers a discount for maintaining a B average or better.
Multi-line discount: The combination (bundling) of home, renters, and car insurance with the same company.
Low mileage discount: For drivers who drive less than 7,500 miles a year.
Military discount: A discount for active-duty military and their family members.
Not everyone can qualify for these discounts. Ask your insurance company about other ways to lower the cost of your car insurance.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest car insurance in Sacramento?
Wawanesa is the cheapest car insurance company in Sacramento. Drivers could also get afforable coverage from GEICO and USAA (as long as they're affiliated with the military).
What is the monthly cost of car insurance in Sacramento?
On average, the cost of car insurance in Sacramento is $168 per year for full coverage.
Is car insurance expensive in Sacramento?
Compared to the cost of car insurance in California, rates are more expensive in Sacramento. It's not the most expensive city for car insurance in California. Auto insurance costs more in Los Angeles, San Fransisco, and Oakland.
Is insurance required in Sacramento?
Yes, drivers must carry car insurance in Sacramento. California requires that licensed drivers get at least $15,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per person, $30,000 per accident, and $5,000 of property damage liability coverage.
Methodology
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.
