- Cheapest car insurance in California for a bad driving record
- How much is high-risk car insurance in California?
- Cheapest car insurance in California with a DUI
- Cheapest car insurance in California with multiple tickets
- Cheapest car insurance in California with a reckless driving conviction
- Cheapest car insurance after an accident in California
- Cheapest car insurance in California by city
- How to reduce car insurance rates in California for a bad driving record
- California car insurance laws for high-risk drivers
Cheapest car insurance in California for a bad driving record
If you have a bad driving record in California, Mercury Insurance, Geico, Progressive offer affordable car insurance. However, Mercury Insurance has the lowest average rate of $3,182.
Traffic infractions, accidents and DUIs wind up on your driving record, meaning you’ll pay higher car insurance rates in addition to any fines assessed. While most violations only affect your insurance rates for a few years, a DUI may affect rates for a decade and never be removed from your record.
| Company | Average annual premium for clean record | Annual premium for high-risk driver |
|---|---|---|
| Mercury Insurance | $2,031 | $3,182 |
| Geico | $1,919 | $3,454 |
| Progressive | $2,179 | $3,848 |
| Travelers | $2,460 | $4,319 |
| Auto Club Enterprises (AAA) | $2,466 | $5,224 |
| CSAA Insurance (AAA) | $2,600 | $5,736 |
| State Farm | $2,701 | $6,242 |
| Nationwide | $2,799 | $6,354 |
| Allstate | $2,627 | $6,477 |
| Farmers | $3,035 | $7,345 |
| USAA | $1,827 | $3,169 |
How much is high-risk car insurance in California?
A bad driving record or low credit score can significantly increase rates. While high-risk car insurance averages $5,180 in California, you can find rates as low as $3,182 from Mercury Insurance.
Although you may be labeled high-risk for many reasons, some factors raise rates more than others. For example, multiple speeding tickets may significantly raise car insurance rates, but so can a single ticket for excessive speed in a school zone.
Keep reading as we break down high-risk car insurance factors and rates.
Select your state and risk factor below to see the insurance company and its
average annual full coverage rates.
| Company | Annual premium for clean record | Annual premium after violation |
|---|---|---|
| Mercury Insurance | $2,031 | $3,190 |
| USAA | $1,827 | $3,470 |
| Progressive | $2,179 | $3,600 |
| Auto Club Enterprises (AAA) | $2,466 | $4,221 |
| Travelers | $2,460 | $4,590 |
| Geico | $1,919 | $4,784 |
| State Farm | $2,701 | $5,242 |
| CSAA Insurance (AAA) | $2,600 | $5,287 |
| Farmers | $3,035 | $5,322 |
| Nationwide | $2,799 | $6,117 |
| Allstate | $2,627 | $7,240 |
Cheapest car insurance in California with a DUI
While many insurers offer coverage after a DUI, Mercury Insurance provides the average cheapest coverage for $3,616.
A DUI is one of the most serious traffic violations to have on your record. Not only do you have to pay fines, but you’ll also see vastly higher car insurance rates for up to 10 years. Multiple DUIs will cause your premiums to skyrocket.
The table below compares average car insurance rates with a clean driving record and rates after a DUI in California.
| Company | Average annual premium for clean record | Annual premium for a DUI |
|---|---|---|
| Mercury Insurance | $2,031 | $3,616 |
| Geico | $1,919 | $4,825 |
| Travelers | $2,460 | $5,250 |
| Progressive | $2,179 | $5,283 |
| Auto Club Enterprises (AAA) | $2,466 | $7,730 |
| Nationwide | $2,799 | $8,024 |
| CSAA Insurance (AAA) | $2,600 | $9,392 |
| State Farm | $2,701 | $9,499 |
| Allstate | $2,627 | $10,478 |
| Farmers | $3,035 | $12,025 |
| USAA | $1,827 | $5,690 |
Cheapest car insurance in California with multiple tickets
The cheapest insurer for drivers with multiple speeding tickets is Mercury Insurance, with rates averaging $2,893 or $241.
While one traffic ticket can affect car insurance rates, multiple tickets can significantly increase those rates. Failure to obey speed limits and traffic laws leads insurers to believe they will eventually have to pay claims due to risky driving.
This table shows California drivers how much multiple tickets increase premiums.
| Company | Average annual premium for clean record | Annual premium with a speeding ticket |
|---|---|---|
| Mercury Insurance | $2,031 | $2,893 |
| Geico | $1,919 | $2,994 |
| CSAA Insurance (AAA) | $2,600 | $3,299 |
| Progressive | $2,179 | $3,368 |
| Auto Club Enterprises (AAA) | $2,466 | $3,553 |
| Travelers | $2,460 | $3,700 |
| Allstate | $2,627 | $3,808 |
| State Farm | $2,701 | $4,071 |
| Farmers | $3,035 | $4,224 |
| Nationwide | $2,799 | $5,241 |
| USAA | $1,827 | $2,230 |
Cheapest car insurance in California with a reckless driving conviction
Geico offers the cheapest rates for drivers with reckless driving convictions at $3,466.
You can be charged with reckless driving for many reasons, such as excessive speed, multiple accidents in a short time or street racing. Regardless of the cause, a reckless driving conviction raises car insurance rates.
The table below compares car insurance rates for drivers with a clean driving record and a reckless driving conviction.
| Company | Average annual premium for clean record | Annual premium for reckless driving |
|---|---|---|
| Geico | $1,919 | $3,466 |
| Mercury Insurance | $2,031 | $3,616 |
| Progressive | $2,179 | $3,850 |
| Travelers | $2,460 | $5,250 |
| Auto Club Enterprises (AAA) | $2,466 | $7,730 |
| Nationwide | $2,799 | $8,024 |
| CSAA Insurance (AAA) | $2,600 | $9,392 |
| State Farm | $2,701 | $9,499 |
| Allstate | $2,627 | $10,478 |
| Farmers | $3,035 | $12,025 |
| USAA | $1,827 | $3,465 |
Cheapest car insurance after an accident in California
Mercury Insurance has the lowest average rates after an accident at $3,563. Progressive also offers affordable rates, averaging $3,600.
Drivers with accidents on their driving records see higher rates than drivers who avoid crashes. While car insurance increases after one accident, multiple accidents significantly increase rates.
This table compares rates for drivers with a clean driving record, one at-fault accident, and multiple accidents.
| Company | Average annual premium for clean record | Annual premium for one at-fault accident | Annual premium for multiple accident |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercury Insurance | $2,031 | $3,563 | $4,223 |
| Progressive | $2,179 | $3,600 | $5,845 |
| Geico | $1,919 | $3,876 | $6,612 |
| CSAA Insurance (AAA) | $2,600 | $3,961 | $6,037 |
| Auto Club Enterprises (AAA) | $2,466 | $4,006 | $5,357 |
| Travelers | $2,460 | $4,263 | $5,079 |
| State Farm | $2,701 | $4,543 | $7,444 |
| Farmers | $3,035 | $4,892 | $8,453 |
| Nationwide | $2,799 | $5,301 | $8,067 |
| Allstate | $2,627 | $6,275 | $9,667 |
| USAA | $1,827 | $3,007 | $4,370 |
Cheapest car insurance in California by city
Portola has the cheapest car insurance rates in California, averaging $4,400. However, the most expensive city is Los Angeles, with average insurance rates of $6,754.
Where you live in California also affects car insurance rates. For example, if you live in a high-traffic or high-theft area, rates will increase because your vehicle is more likely to be damaged or stolen.
| City | Average annual premium for clean record | Annual premium for high-risk driver |
|---|---|---|
| Portola | $2,058 | $4,400 |
| San Diego | $2,324 | $4,978 |
| Temecula | $2,356 | $5,049 |
| Fresno | $2,385 | $5,112 |
| Sausalito | $2,407 | $5,134 |
| San Jose | $2,406 | $5,147 |
| Irvine | $2,502 | $5,354 |
| Hayward | $2,546 | $5,466 |
| Anaheim | $2,572 | $5,529 |
| Vallejo | $2,608 | $5,602 |
| Long Beach | $2,681 | $5,750 |
| Sacramento | $2,665 | $5,772 |
| San Francisco | $2,777 | $5,967 |
| Oakland | $2,802 | $5,995 |
| Los Angeles | $3,149 | $6,754 |
How to reduce car insurance rates in California for a bad driving record
Finding affordable car insurance in California is possible, even with a bad driving record. Ways to lower car insurance rates include:
- Carefully consider filing claims. Paying for minor damage out of pocket may be cheaper than filing an insurance claim and increasing rates for years.
- Avoid costly infractions. Drive carefully to avoid adding traffic infractions to your record. Tickets only affect insurance rates for a few years, which will decrease if more tickets aren’t added.
- Take a defensive driving course. Many insurance companies offer a discount for doing so, and some states remove driver's license points for successfully completing the class.
- Shop around for coverage. Every car insurance company weighs factors differently and offers different rates. Compare quotes to find the cheapest rates.
California car insurance laws for high-risk drivers
If you’re considered a high-risk driver in California, you may be required to file an SR-22. This form is filled out by your car insurance company, stating that you have at least the minimum required coverage. The court will let you know how long you must file an SR-22.
Although an SR-22 is typically called insurance, it is only the form. You don’t need special insurance coverage, but rates are much higher for high-risk drivers and not all carriers insure such drivers.
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