5+ years in auto insurance and personal finance writing
Featured in top personal finance publications
Lindsay is a widely published creator of auto insurance content. She also specializes in real estate, banking, credit cards, and other personal finance topics.
Featured in
7+ years in content creation and management
5+ years in insurance and personal finance content
Ashley is a seasoned personal finance editor who’s produced a variety of digital content, including insurance, credit cards, mortgages, and consumer lending products.
Featured in
Corporate communications director for Insurance Information Institute
20+ years in insurance and communications
As Director, Corporate Communications for Triple-I, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Updated November 21, 2024
At Insurify, our goal is to help customers compare insurance products and find the best policy for them. We strive to provide open, honest, and unbiased information about the insurance products and services we review. Our hard-working team of data analysts, insurance experts, insurance agents, editors and writers, has put in thousands of hours of research to create the content found on our site.
We do receive compensation when a sale or referral occurs from many of the insurance providers and marketing partners on our site. That may impact which products we display and where they appear on our site. But it does not influence our meticulously researched editorial content, what we write about, or any reviews or recommendations we may make. We do not guarantee favorable reviews or any coverage at all in exchange for compensation.
Table of contents
The overall average cost of car insurance in Los Angeles is $306 per month, which is higher than both the statewide average of $211 and the nationwide average of $154. With more than 3.8 million residents, Los Angeles is the most populous city in California. People in cities with a higher population typically pay more for car insurance because they’re at greater risk of getting into an accident and filing a claim.
California law requires drivers to carry car insurance, but it’s possible to find an affordable policy that meets your coverage needs. Here’s what you should know about finding cheap car insurance in Los Angeles and how to save money without sacrificing coverage.
Mile Auto, Sun Coast, and Mercury have the cheapest liability car insurance in Los Angeles.
Liability insurance in Los Angeles costs an average of $211 per month, and full coverage costs $401 per month.
Drivers with DUIs pay the most for car insurance in Los Angeles, at an average of $568 per month for full coverage.
3 of the cheapest car insurance companies in Los Angeles
The best car insurance company for you will depend on the factors affecting your premiums and coverage needs. But you can start by comparing quotes from some of the cheapest auto insurance companies in Los Angeles.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. ▲▼ | Full Coverage ▲▼ | Liability Only ▲▼ | Best For ▲▼ |
---|---|---|---|---|
Mile Auto | 7.5 | $108 | $60 | Cheapest rates |
Travelers | 9.0 | $400 | $198 | Value and discounts |
USAA | 9.4 | $248 | $123 | Military families |
Our editorial team spent more than 350 hours developing the Insurify Quality (IQ) Score and scoring insurance companies. The IQ Score objectively analyzes and calculates a score for insurers using more than 15 crucial criteria. The team weighted criteria by importance to the consumer — factors such as customer reviews and affordability influence the score more than availability and third-party ratings.
We rate each company on a 1 to 10 scale based on five categories: financial ratings, customer satisfaction, affordability, customer support and transparency, and availability. Insurify updates ratings once a year or as more recent information becomes available.
- Third-party financial ratings: Insurify uses data from AM Best, S&P, Moody’s, and more to compare insurance companies’ credit and ability to pay out future claims.
- Customer satisfaction: To calculate this score, Insurify analyzed more than 28,000 customer reviews across 155 car insurance companies. We also consider third-party ratings from J.D. Power, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and Trustpilot.
- Affordability: Our data scientists analyzed more than 90 million real-time auto insurance rates from our partners across the U.S., as well as available discounts, to calculate an affordability score.
- Customer support and transparency: This measures coverage options, ease of claims filing, and the insurer's transparency surrounding discounts, coverages, and claims process.
- Availability and reach: Insurify scores availability and reach by identifying the number of states in which insurers offer coverage and company size by market share.
Cheapest rates: Mile Auto
User Reviews | 4.2 |
---|---|
IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 7.5 /10 |
Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $87/mo |
Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $156/mo |
Cookie
October 15, 2024
Excellent
Tasha
October 10, 2024
Not pleased
Thomas
October 8, 2024
Mixed Review
Mile Auto offers pay-per-mile auto insurance, which can be great if you don’t drive much. It offers the cheapest average premiums in Los Angeles. With Mile Auto, you’ll pay a base premium and a per-mile rate.
Mile Auto policies are underwritten by Spinnaker, which has an A- (Excellent) financial strength rating with AM Best. Mile Auto offers the basic components of full-coverage auto insurance but doesn’t offer specialized add-ons or discounts.
Cheapest average quotes in Los Angeles
Only pay for the miles you drive
Doesn’t offer discounts
No additional coverages, such as gap insurance
Best insurer for value and discounts: Travelers
User Reviews | 4.7 |
---|---|
IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 9.0 /10 |
Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $198/mo |
Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $400/mo |
Drivers appreciate the lowest prices, excellent service, and responsive call centers but dislike the rising premiums and poor claims handling.
Drivers appreciate the lowest prices, excellent service, and responsive call centers but dislike the rising premiums and poor claims handling.
Nancy
November 18, 2024
Checking for Better Rate
Jim
November 12, 2024
Typical
Kenneth
November 5, 2024
Excellent
Travelers provides a variety of coverage types in addition to liability, comprehensive, and collision coverages, including new car replacement coverage and rideshare coverage. The company also offers a long list of discounts, including for having multiple Travelers policies, continuous insurance, and getting an early quote ahead of your current policy’s expiration. Travelers is one of the top-rated insurers by Insurify.
Travelers has a financial strength rating of A++ (Superior) from AM Best, but the company received a below-average claims satisfaction rating from J.D. Power. It also has more than the average number of complaints with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) for a company of its size.
A++ financial strength rating from AM Best
Offers rideshare coverage and other add-ons
Offers a telematics savings program
Poor J.D. Power ranking
High number of NAIC complaints
Mixed customer service reviews
Best insurer for military families: USAA
User Reviews | 4.9 |
---|---|
IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 9.4 /10 |
Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $176/mo |
Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $358/mo |
Drivers appreciate the ease of working with the carrier, competitive rates, and responsive service but dislike the price increases and lack of rideshare add-ons in some areas.
Drivers appreciate the ease of working with the carrier, competitive rates, and responsive service but dislike the price increases and lack of rideshare add-ons in some areas.
Gloria
November 15, 2024
Not Good for Claims
Martin
November 11, 2024
Price Shopping
Rena Sabine
November 8, 2024
Disappointing and inflexible service
USAA has affordable prices and is a full-service banking institution in addition to offering multiple insurance products. The downside is that coverage is only available to active-duty military members, veterans, and their immediate family members. It’s one of the best car insurance companies in the country, though, so if you’re an active military member, veteran, or the family member of one, you should consider USAA.
Wide range of policy options and discounts to customize coverage
Ranked above average in J.D. Power’s 2023 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study
Few complaints, according to the NAIC
Coverage isn’t available to everyone
Cheaper insurers in California
Limited customer service hours
How to get the cheapest car insurance in Los Angeles
While the cost of auto insurance varies by some factors outside of your control, your choices can also affect how much you pay. Here are some things you can do to get cheap car insurance in Los Angeles:[1]
Compare quotes
Since each company offers different premiums for the same coverage, comparing quotes can help you save money on your auto policy. You can compare quotes online, on insurance company websites, or through an insurance broker.
Raise your deductible
A higher deductible means lower premiums for full-coverage insurance. Just be aware that you’ll be responsible for the deductible amount in the event of a claim. Make sure you keep enough money in a savings account for emergency repairs.
Bundle your policies
Many insurers offer significant savings if you bundle your auto insurance policy with your homeowners or renters insurance.
Apply for car insurance discounts
You may be eligible for low-mileage discounts, safety device discounts, defensive driving course discounts, and other common discounts. Ask your insurance agent for details.
Forgo optional coverages
While it’s generally not a good idea to drop full coverage, it may make sense to do so with an older vehicle.
Cheapest liability-only car insurance in Los Angeles: Mile Auto
Liability insurance helps pay for the other parties’ medical bills and property damage expenses in an accident you cause.[2] Liability-only insurance costs less than full-coverage insurance, but it leaves some gaps in coverage.
On average, Los Angeles drivers pay $211 per month for liability-only coverage. Below are additional monthly quotes from the cheapest liability insurance companies in the city.
Average Quote by Insurance Company
Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Los Angeles: Mile Auto
Full-coverage car insurance pays for damage to your vehicle if you cause an accident or damage your car in a non-collision event, such as a fire. Full coverage is liability insurance combined with collision and comprehensive coverages and typically covers most incidents.
“If your car is purchased via a loan or lease, you may also have to pay [for] full coverage because the lender will want the car protected in case of an accident,” says Justin Yoshizawa, director of product management at Mercury Insurance. “Most drivers should opt for full coverage, but a liability-only policy may be appropriate for drivers with older vehicles since paying to repair or replace an older vehicle may be less expensive.”
On average, full-coverage car insurance costs Los Angeles drivers $401 per month. Below are the cheapest full-coverage insurance companies in Los Angeles and their average monthly quotes.
Average Quote by Insurance Company
Cheapest recent rates near Los Angeles, California
Drivers using Insurify have found quotes as cheap as $49/mo for liability only and $71/mo for full coverage in Los Angeles and other California cities.
*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around Los Angeles, California within the last 10 days. Last updated on November 21, 2024
*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around Los Angeles, California within the last 10 days. Last updated on November 21, 2024
Car insurance requirements in California
Like most states, California is an at-fault state, which means drivers are liable for the other party’s losses if at fault in a car accident. That also means that if you don’t have enough liability coverage, the other party can sue you for damages above and beyond your coverage limits. You may want to choose higher limits than California law requires to offset this risk.
Below, you’ll find California’s minimum required coverages.[3]
Coverage ▲▼ | Minimum Requirements ▲▼ |
---|---|
Bodily injury liability | $15,000 per person / $30,000 per accident |
Property damage liability | $5,000 per accident |
You should also consider adding the following optional coverages:
Comprehensive coverage
Comprehensive insurance covers damages to your vehicle from non-collision events, like fire, flood, vehicle theft, or vandalism.
Collision coverage
Collision insurance helps repair your vehicle after you cause an accident with another vehicle or collide with an object like a tree or fence. Collision also covers rollover accidents.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage pays for damages and injuries resulting from an accident with a driver who doesn’t have insurance or whose insurance isn’t sufficient. It can also cover you if you’re the victim of a hit-and-run.
Medical payments coverage
Medical payments coverage helps pay for medical expenses for you and your passengers, even if you’re at fault.
Roadside assistance coverage
Roadside assistance coverage can help if you get stuck due to problems like a flat tire or a dead car battery.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident
Your driving history has a significant effect on your car insurance premium.
“All auto insurance companies check driving records and go back at least three years when an application for coverage is submitted,” explains Yoshizawa. “If you’ve had speeding tickets, a traffic violation, or a serious accident within the given time frame, your premium will be higher.”
Getting caught driving under the influence can cause a particularly steep increase in your car insurance premium for several years. Average premiums double after a DUI in California, according to Insurify’s analysis. Some companies may be more lenient than others, though, so it pays to compare quotes.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket: Mile Auto
A speeding ticket signals to auto insurance companies that you don’t practice safe driving habits, which makes you a higher risk to insure. Insurers will charge you a surcharge to account for that increased risk for three to five years.
The overall average monthly cost of car insurance for L.A. drivers with a speeding ticket is $395, according to Insurify data. Below are additional average quotes for liability coverage that insurers offer drivers with speeding tickets in Los Angeles. How much your premium increases will vary depending on the severity and number of speeding tickets.
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Quote: Liability Only ▲▼ | Average Quote: Full Coverage ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Mile Auto | $109 | $196 |
Sun Coast | $176 | $427 |
Anchor | $191 | $509 |
Mercury | $199 | $366 |
USAA | $219 | $445 |
National General | $239 | $594 |
GEICO | $292 | $595 |
Allstate | $303 | $614 |
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident: Mile Auto
In Los Angeles, drivers with at-fault accidents on their record pay significantly more for car insurance than people with clean driving records — some companies raise prices more than others, though. Generally, insurers will charge a premium surcharge for three to five years for drivers with an at-fault accident.
The overall average cost of car insurance in L.A. with an at-fault accident is $372 per month. Here are average monthly quotes from the cheapest companies.
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Quote: Liability Only ▲▼ | Average Quote: Full Coverage ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Mile Auto | $111 | $200 |
Sun Coast | $166 | $403 |
Mercury | $200 | $367 |
Anchor | $208 | $555 |
USAA | $219 | $446 |
National General | $237 | $591 |
GEICO | $293 | $596 |
Allstate | $304 | $615 |
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI: Mile Auto
Driving under the influence is a particularly serious offense that can stay on your record for up to 10 years in California. To reinstate your license after a DUI, you need to provide an SR-22 certificate from your insurer that proves you have the state minimum insurance coverage.[4] And since insurers will view you as a high-risk driver, you’ll pay significantly more for auto insurance.
Drivers in Los Angeles with a DUI pay almost twice as much for car insurance as drivers with a clean record do. The average cost of full coverage with a DUI is $568 per month in L.A. Some insurers may choose not to renew your coverage, so quote comparison is crucial. Below are average monthly quotes from the cheapest insurers for Los Angeles drivers with a DUI.
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Quote: Liability Only ▲▼ | Average Quote: Full Coverage ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Mile Auto | $133 | $239 |
Sun Coast | $193 | $469 |
Mercury | $210 | $386 |
Anchor | $239 | $638 |
USAA | $270 | $549 |
National General | $293 | $728 |
GEICO | $360 | $733 |
Allstate | $374 | $757 |
Cheapest car insurance for seniors: Mile Auto
Your age plays a role in your auto insurance costs because it often indicates how much driving experience you have.
“Drivers with more years of accident-free and violation-free experience typically pay less for auto coverage,” says Yoshizawa. “However, even if you have a good driving record, your car insurance premium may increase during your senior years.” This is because insurers rate senior drivers as higher risks due to an increase in accident frequency for older drivers.
Senior drivers in Los Angeles pay a monthly average of $185 for liability-only coverage and $351 for full coverage, Insurify data shows. Below are the average quotes for senior drivers for liability-only car insurance in Los Angeles.
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Quote: Liability Only ▲▼ | Average Quote: Full Coverage ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Mile Auto | $55 | $98 |
Mercury | $104 | $191 |
Sun Coast | $104 | $253 |
Anchor | $107 | $284 |
USAA | $120 | $245 |
National General | $123 | $307 |
GEICO | $156 | $318 |
Allstate | $164 | $332 |
Cheapest car insurance for teens: Mile Auto
“Younger drivers tend to pay higher premiums because they have less experience behind the wheel,” says Yoshizawa. Teens are also more likely to be in an accident than any other age group, so insurers typically charge them significantly higher premiums.[5]
One way that teens can save money on car insurance is by staying on their parents’ policies. Some insurers also offer good student discounts to teens who get good grades or take an approved driver’s education course, and student away at school discounts for teens who go to school a certain number of miles away from home. Quote comparison is also a great way for teen drivers to save money.
Teen drivers in Los Angeles pay an overall monthly average of $487 for auto insurance. Here’s what teens pay on average for liability and full coverage from the cheapest companies. Keep in mind that minors can’t buy their own car insurance policy without the written consent of a parent or guardian.
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Quote: Liability Only ▲▼ | Average Quote: Full Coverage ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Mile Auto | $164 | $294 |
Sun Coast | $216 | $526 |
Mercury | $255 | $470 |
Anchor | $257 | $684 |
USAA | $285 | $581 |
GEICO | $363 | $737 |
National General | $366 | $910 |
Allstate | $422 | $854 |
Is car insurance more expensive in Los Angeles?
Car insurance in Los Angeles is more expensive than both the California and nationwide averages.
“Typically, drivers living in more densely populated areas tend to have higher rates than those in less populated areas,” says Yoshizawa. “Cities like Los Angeles have a higher frequency of accidents and therefore have rates that are on the higher end of the state.”
Rates of vandalism and theft can also influence car insurance prices in a particular city.[6] Premiums may even vary by ZIP code. Still, it’s possible to get affordable car insurance in Los Angeles. In fact, some companies charge as little as $100 per month for liability insurance on average.
More cities in California
Other populous cities in California have cheaper average full-coverage car insurance quotes than Los Angeles. Here’s how other cities in California compare.
City ▲▼ | Average Quote: Liability Only ▲▼ | Average Quote: Full Coverage ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Bakersfield | $119 | $262 |
Fresno | $130 | $258 |
Long Beach | $152 | $317 |
Oakland | $153 | $351 |
Sacramento | $145 | $307 |
San Diego | $122 | $252 |
San Francisco | $149 | $329 |
San Jose | $131 | $270 |
Stockton | $131 | $288 |
Los Angeles car insurance FAQs
Finding cheap car insurance in Los Angeles can be difficult. Check out these answers to some commonly asked questions about car insurance in the City of Angels below.
How much is car insurance in Los Angeles?
The average cost of car insurance in Los Angeles is $401 per month for full-coverage auto insurance. Drivers pay $211 per month for liability coverage. Your average premiums ultimately depend on your driving record, marital status, age, type of vehicle, and more.
What are the cheapest car insurance companies in Los Angeles?
Mile Auto has the cheapest liability-only car insurance rates in Los Angeles, at $87 per month. Los Angeles drivers can also find cheap rates with Sun Coast and Mercury, which have respective monthly premiums of $136 and $149 for a liability-only policy.
What are the best car insurance companies in Los Angeles?
Travelers is the best car insurance company in Los Angeles, with an IQ Score of 9.0 and an AM Best financial strength rating of A++ (Superior). It’s followed closely by USAA, with an IQ Score of 9.4 and an AM Best rating of A++. But USAA is only available to military members and their families.
Does credit score affect your car insurance in Los Angeles?
No. California law doesn’t allow insurance companies to consider your credit score or any credit factors when setting car insurance premiums.
Is California a no-fault state?
No. California is an at-fault state, meaning the driver responsible for an accident must pay for other drivers’ injuries and property damage.
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 50+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).
Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:
- Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
- Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
- No additional coverage
- Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
- Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
Related articles
More cities in California
Sources
- Insurance Information Institute. "How to save money on car insurance."
- Insurance Information Institute. "Auto insurance basics—understanding your coverage."
- California Department of Motor Vehicles. "Insurance Requirements."
- California Department of Motor Vehicles. "DUI First Offenders."
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Teen Drivers: Get the Facts."
- Insurance Information Institute. "What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?."
Lindsay Frankel is a content writer specializing in personal finance and auto insurance topics. Her work has been featured in publications such as LendingTree, The Balance, Coverage.com, Bankrate, NextAdvisor, and FinanceBuzz.
7+ years in content creation and management
5+ years in insurance and personal finance content
Ashley is a seasoned personal finance editor who’s produced a variety of digital content, including insurance, credit cards, mortgages, and consumer lending products.
Featured in
Corporate communications director for Insurance Information Institute
20+ years in insurance and communications
As Director, Corporate Communications for Triple-I, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.