Compare car insurance rates in Los Angeles, California

With so many drivers, accidents and high crime rates, Los Angeles drivers pay much higher car insurance rates than in many other popular California cities. It’s worth a little research to make sure you’re getting the most bang for your buck in this high-traffic town.

Our top pick: Progressive

Discover coverage that’s broader than competitors, valuable discounts up to 30% off and perks like shrinking deductibles that reward no claims.

• Broad coverage, including for custom car parts or ridesharing
• Transparent pricing tools that help you buy within budget
• Accident forgiveness on small claims or for staying claim-free
• Stack a variety of discounts for multiple cars, autopay or homeownership

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Compare car insurance in Los Angeles

Average car insurance costs in Los Angeles

Los Angeles drivers pay an average of $2,238 annually for car insurance, or $186.50 monthly. At $540 above California’s average annual premium, LA city sees some of the highest car insurance rates in the state. The average annual cost of car insurance in the state of California is $1,698.

Cheapest car insurance in Los Angeles

You might pay more for auto insurance in Los Angeles than in other parts of California or the US, but you can make sure you’re getting the best rate with a little research. Compare the top 10 cheapest car insurance providers in Los Angeles.

Company	Average annual rate	Read review
Wawanesa	$1,251
USAA	$1,411	Read review
Alliance	$1,506
Geico	$1,586	Read review
United	$1,629	Read review
Esurance	$1,690	Get a quote Read review
California Capital	$1,776
Metropolitan	$1,824
Mercury Insurance	$1,975	Read review
Progressive	$1,979	Get a quote Read review
Metromile	$2,220

• How we got these rates

  We used data from roughly 500,000 sample drivers who live in each of the ZIP codes in Los Angeles. Our sample drivers ranged from under 18 to over 56 years old. These included both male and female drivers as well as married couples and single drivers. Our sample policies also ranged in coverage type, falling into one of four categories:

  • State minimum coverage
  • Low coverage
  • Medium coverage
  • High coverage

  Four sample vehicles were used in this sample survey:

  • 2017 Toyota Camry LE
  • 2017 Honda Pilot EX
  • 2017 Chrysler Town & Country
  • 2017 Ford F-150 XL

  We then compared the data with identical data for sample drivers throughout the state to see how Los Angeles policies compared with other California cities.

How to get cheap car insurance in Los Angeles

Even if you’re living in a big city, you can still look into several ways to save:

• Compare local companies with nationwide competitors. Take Wawanesa, for example. This local company has some of the lowest car insurance rates available in LA, even compared to big-name competitors.
• Take a defensive driving course. No matter your driving record, a safety course should help you land a discount or lower rates with car insurance companies.
• Get equipped with an antitheft device. Since LA’s high crime rate pushes premiums higher, using antitheft devices like steering wheel locks or built-in car alarms could help you save money.
• Look out for discounts. Lots of car insurance companies offer discounts when you bundle home and auto insurance or when you add more than one vehicle. Some employers may even offer deals on car insurance as a perk.

How can I get the California good driver discount?

If you live in the state of California, you could save 20% on car insurance if you qualify for its state-mandated good driver discount. To qualify, you’ll need to have:

• An active license for three years
• No more than one point on your driving record in the past three years
• Not been found at fault for a car accident that caused a death or more than $1,000 in property damage over the past three years

State minimum vs. full coverage costs in Los Angeles

If finding the lowest car insurance rates in Los Angeles is your goal, you can search for policies that meet the state’s requirements with no bells and whistles. But if you do find yourself in an accident or natural disaster, you could end up paying substantially more out of pocket if you go with a barebones policy.

Who pays more for car insurance, drivers in Los Angeles or San Francisco?

Los Angeles and San Francisco are two of the most congested cities in California, and they’re also home to some of the highest car insurance rates in the state. LA drivers will generally pay an average of $264 more per year than San Francisco drivers, but this can vary based on your ZIP code and address.

Why is car insurance so expensive in Los Angeles?

A few factors contribute to LA’s sky-high car insurance rates.

🚗High traffic congestion

📈High auto accident rate

🔪High crime rate

State minimum requirements in Los Angeles

To legally drive in California, you’ll need liability insurance that includes at least:

• Bodily injury liability. $15,000 per person, $30,000 per accident
• Property damage liability. $5,000 per accident

You may see this written as 15/30/5 when shopping around for car insurance.

Uninsured Motorist (UM) and Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage protects you if you have an accident with someone who doesn’t have insurance or doesn’t have enough insurance. California is an opt-out state, so insurance companies are required to offer you UIM insurance, and you must sign a waiver to opt out of carrying it.

What options do I have for a limited income?

If you’re having trouble affording traditional LA car insurance rates, you could look into the state’s Low-Cost Auto Insurance program. This program accepts drivers who don’t make over a specific income threshold and who own a car worth less than $25,000.

If you’re a driver with a few violations on record and don’t qualify for traditional insurance, you could look into the California Automobile Assigned Risk Plan. The state will place you with an insurance company willing to offer you a policy. Consider looking into this plan only after exhausting your resources with traditional car insurance companies since this plan may not offer the best coverage or rates.

What additional coverage should I get in Los Angeles?

Although these coverage options are optional in the state of California, you might want to add them to your policy if you have a regular commute in Los Angeles.

• Collision. LA’s accident rates more than double the rate of any other city in SoCal. Collision coverage provides protection of your vehicle’s damage in an accident.
• Comprehensive. LA is known for its crime rates over 30% higher than the rest of the state. You might want comprehensive coverage to protect your car for situations like theft, vandalism, fire, riot or earthquakes.

Local car insurance agents in Los Angeles

Want local service from a nearby insurance agent or broker? Find a local agent near you to help navigate the best car insurance coverage for you.

Which cars are popular in Los Angeles?

The majority of Los Angeles drivers go for fuel-efficient, eco-friendly, practical cars. Sure, you might see a Mercedes-Benz or flashy sports car on the road. But if you’re driving around town, you’ll see a whole lot of these practical vehicles:

• Toyota Prius
• Toyota Camry
• Honda Accord
• Honda Civic

What should I know about driving in Los Angeles?

Los Angeles driving means significantly more traffic to navigate than in rural parts of California. When driving through the city, keep these tips in mind.

• Don’t drive with your phone in hand. California has strict laws that ban drivers from holding their cellphones for any reason, including using a GPS. If you need your phone for navigation, mount it on your dashboard or in the corner of your windshield in a way that doesn’t block your view.
• Motorcycle lane-splitting is legal, with a few rules. You can drive between lanes of slow-moving or standing traffic on a motorcycle. When doing so, you should drive no more than 10 mph faster than moving traffic or 30 mph total, and never across double yellow lines.
• Keep your eyes peeled for morning delivery trucks. If you’re driving in morning traffic, look ahead a couple of blocks to see if there are any stopped trucks blocking the right lane before you move over.
• Child seats must be rear-facing. Car seats must face the rear of your car until a child is at least 2 years old, 40 inches tall or 40 pounds.
• Don’t toss cigarette butts out the window. Not only could you catch a fine for littering, but you could also cause a fire.

Bottom line

If you live in Los Angeles, you can find reasonable rates with quality coverage if you do a little digging on the cheapest car insurance rates and best discounts.

Start your search by comparing car insurance with your current policy and rate to see if you can find a better deal.

Frequently asked questions about Los Angeles car insurance

• How do I register my vehicle in Los Angeles?

  You can register your vehicle through your local DMV office. Note that most vehicles will need a smog certificate to be registered.

• Do I need to get a smog inspection every year in California?

  Most vehicles need to pass a smog inspection every two years.

• Will my car insurance rate increase if I file a claim?

  Every provider is different, but many car insurance companies increase your rates due to an accident or traffic violation. However, some policies offer accident or ticket forgiveness, which means your rate won’t increase for your first offense.

• Can my car insurance company cancel my policy without my consent?

  Yes, in some cases. In California, insurance companies are legally able to cancel your policy midterm if you fail to make a payment, fail to register your vehicle, provide false information on your application, file a fraudulent claim or if your driver’s licence is revoked or suspended.

• What's the best way to prevent car theft and vandalism?

  Using devices like steering wheel locks and clubs is a relatively inexpensive way to deter thieves. If your car doesn’t already have an alarm installed, you can purchase an aftermarket alarm as well. And when you park, look for well-lit and well-populated areas.

• What happens if you're caught driving without insurance in California?

  If you get pulled over and don’t have proof of insurance, you could be hit with a fine of a couple hundred dollars and have your vehicle impounded. If you’re involved in an accident and don’t have insurance, your driving privileges will be suspended, even if you’re not a resident of California.