Like most states, California requires all drivers, including those who live in Los Angeles, to carry a minimum amount of car insurance to operate a motor vehicle on state roadways. When shopping for car insurance, Los Angeles, California, drivers may end up paying more or less than other drivers depending on their driving history and other factors.
California Car Insurance Requirements
If you live in Los Angeles or any other California city, state law mandates that you carry a minimum amount of liability coverage. According to ValuePenguin, when you purchase a car insurance policy, it should include the following:
- $15,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $30,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $5000 property damage liability per accident
ValuePenguin recommends that you add the following optional forms of coverage to your policy:
- Collision Coverage: This type of coverage pays for repairs if your car is damaged in a collision with another vehicle or a stationary object, such as a fence or lamppost. It also covers one-vehicle accidents like rollovers.
- Comprehensive Coverage: This type of coverage pays for repairs if your car sustains damage in a natural disaster or from vandalism. It also covers theft.
How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Los Angeles?
According to Insurify, Los Angeles drivers pay, on average, $2632 a year for car insurance. That's higher than the state average of $1868. It's also more than the national average of $1548 a year. Los Angeles has more cars on the road than other areas of California, meaning that Los Angeles drivers are at a higher risk of getting into an accident. Insurers charge Los Angeles drivers higher rates to protect all drivers. They also factor in the city's high frequency of natural disasters.
The Zebra breaks down the annual average for Los Angeles drivers by provider:
- GEICO: $1899 a year
- Mercury: $2026 a year
- CSAA: $2229 a year
- AAA: $2464 a year
- Infinity: $2625 a year
What Factors Affect Individual Rates for Los Angeles Drivers?
In addition to a high traffic volume and extreme weather, there are personal factors that affect your insurance rate. According to The Zebra, you could pay higher rates depending on the following:
- Your Age: Los Angeles drivers in their teens pay more for car insurance than any other age group because they have less driving experience, making them a significant risk to insurers. As you age out of your teens, you'll see your insurance rates decrease.
- Your Marital Status and Gender: Like most parts of the country, single drivers in Los Angeles pay higher rates than married drivers because industry data shows that single drivers file more claims. Female drivers pay $5 more a year than male drivers.
- Your Driving Record: Maintaining a clean driving record is one of the best ways to get affordable car insurance. Expect a rate increase if you ever get a speeding citation or if you're involved in a DUI or at-fault accident.
- Your Credit Score: California law bans insurers from using your credit score to calculate your insurance rates. The state classifies factoring in credit scores as a discriminatory practice. You should contact the California Department of Insurance if you believe your provider is engaging in discriminatory practices.
- Your Location: Insurance companies look at how many auto thefts and acts of vandalism occur in each ZIP code. If you live in a ZIP code with more theft and vandalism, you can expect to pay higher rates.
Comparing Quotes for Los Angeles Drivers
To get the best deal on car insurance, you should shop around and compare quotes. NerdWallet gathered quotes for a Los Angeles driver in their 20s, an age bracket that tends to pay more for car insurance. They found the following quotes to be the most affordable for drivers in their 20s who want to purchase minimum coverage:
- Grange Insurance Association: $770 a year
- Wawanesa: $944 a year
- GEICO: $958 a year
- Travelers: $1076 a year
- State Farm: $1162 a year
If you're a driver in your 20s and you want full coverage, here's what you can expect to pay, on average:
- Wawanesa: $2290 a year
- Grange Insurance Association: $2636 a year
- Esurance: $2922 a year
- GEICO: $2965 a year
- CIG: $3026 a year
NerdWallet also gathered quotes for a driver in their 20s seeking minimum coverage with a recent accident on their record. They report the following rates:
- Grange Insurance Association: $932 a year
- GEICO: $1318 a year
- Wawanesa: $1482 a year
- CIG: $1588 a year
- Esurance: $1622 a year
If you have a recent DUI on your record and you want to purchase minimum coverage, you can expect to pay the following:
- Grange Insurance Association: $1165 a year
- National General: $1594 a year
- Wawanesa: $1654 a year
- GEICO: $1748 a year
- Mercury: $2116 a year
Discounts for Los Angeles Drivers
Even if you're in a group that insurance providers classify as high-risk, there are several discounts you can take advantage of to save money. According to Bankrate, these discounts include:
- Multi-Car Discount: If you're like many Los Angeles drivers, you probably own more than one car. Bundling them together on the same insurance policy can earn you significant savings.
- Student Discount: With several colleges in the Los Angeles area, many drivers are eligible for student discounts. While some insurance companies require you to maintain a 3.0 GPA to earn a student discount, other companies may give you a discount simply based on your enrollment status. If you're the parent of a teen driver, you may want to inquire about discounts for high school students.
- Low Mileage Discount: While heavy traffic forces Los Angeles drivers to endure long commutes, many Los Angeles drivers don't drive that many miles because Los Angeles County only spans 44 miles at its greatest distance. If you're a Los Angeles driver who drives less than 15,000 miles a year, you could score a discount.
- Bundling Discount: If you purchase a car insurance policy from the same company that provides your homeowner's or renter's insurance, you'll end up saving on both policies.
Check this out if you need additional information, resources, or guidance on car insurance.
Sources:
Best Cheap Car Insurance in Los Angeles for 2021 | nerdwallet.com
Who Has the Cheapest Car Insurance in Los Angeles? | valuepenguin.com
Los Angeles, CA Car Insurance | thezebra.com
Cheap Auto Insurance Quotes in Los Angeles, CA (2021) | insurify.com
The best Los Angeles car insurance companies 2021 | bankrate.com
What Is The Cheapest Car Insurance In Los Angeles, California | caranddriver.com
Full Coverage Car Insurance California: Everything You Need To Know | caranddriver.com
Car Insurance | caranddriver.com
Hearst Autos Research
Hearst Autos Research, produced independently of the Car and Driver Editorial staff, provides articles about cars and the automotive industry to help readers make informed purchasing choices.
