Cheapest Liability Car Insurance in California (2025)
California drivers can find the cheapest liability-only car insurance from Mile Auto, with rates starting at $61 per month.
Secure. Free. Easy-to-use
Excellent
)
Written byDanny Smith
)
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
4+ years in content creation and marketing
As Insurify’s home and pet insurance editor, Danny also specializes in auto insurance. His goal is to help consumers navigate the complex world of insurance buying.
Featured in
){kind=small}
)
Edited byAshley Cox
)
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
){kind=logo}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
Updated
Why you can trust Insurify: Comparing accurate insurance quotes should never put you at risk of spam. We earn an agent commission only if you buy a policy based on our quotes. Our editorial team follows a rigorous set of editorial standards and operates independently from our insurance partners. Learn more.
Advertiser Disclosure
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
Liability coverage is the most basic form of car insurance. It covers other people’s bodily injury and property damage expenses if you cause an accident. California — like most states — requires all drivers to carry liability insurance at certain minimum limits before they can hit the road.
Keep reading to learn exactly how much coverage you need in the Golden State.
Quick Facts
You must meet the 30/60/15 minimum liability-coverage requirement to drive legally in California.
California uses comparative negligence, meaning both drivers can share the fault of an accident.
California offers a low-cost auto insurance program to certain low-income drivers.
Cheapest liability car insurance in California
The average cost of car insurance in California is $171 per month, according to Insurify data. Drivers pay $104 per month for liability coverage and $238 for full coverage, on average.
But your exact premiums will likely differ, as each insurer determines rates differently based on a number of factors, including your driving record, age, location, gender, and even credit history.
Take a look at the table below to get an idea of the cost of liability-only insurance from some of California’s top car insurance companies.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Tuesday, April 1 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Insurance Company  | Average Monthly Quote: Liability Only |
|---|---|
| Mile Auto | $61 |
| USAA | $91 |
| Root | $102 |
| Sun Coast | $104 |
| National General | $105 |
| Mercury | $106 |
| Anchor | $108 |
| Dairyland | $113 |
| Direct Auto | $113 |
| GEICO | $121 |
| Allstate | $125 |
| Farmers | $129 |
| State Farm | $139 |
| Travelers | $146 |
| Bristol West | $151 |
| 21st Century | $159 |
| Nationwide | $196 |
| Chubb | $248 |
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
What does liability car insurance cover in California?
Liability insurance covers bodily injuries and property damage to other drivers and their passengers after an accident you cause. The bodily injury portion of liability insurance pays for injuries or deaths of the other driver and their passengers, up to your chosen limits.
The property damage portion pays up to your chosen limit for damage to the other driver’s car or someone else’s damaged property, such as a fence or mailbox.
But liability car insurance doesn’t cover any injuries or damage to you, your passengers, or your vehicle. To get protection for these damages, you’ll need to buy medical payments, collision, and comprehensive coverages. The combination of liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage is also called full-coverage car insurance.
For example, if you cause an accident and have only the state’s minimum liability coverage, none of your or your passengers’ injuries would be covered, nor would any damages to your car. But if you’re carrying full coverage and have medical payments coverage, it would cover all these expenses up to your chosen limits.
Pros and cons of having liability-only car insurance
Pros
More affordable than full coverage
Good choice for older, less valuable vehicles
Covers other driver’s expenses
Cons
Less protection than full coverage
Must pay out of pocket for vehicle damages
Your medical expenses aren’t covered
How much liability coverage does California require?
As of Jan. 1, 2025, California has newly increased minimum car insurance requirements.[1] But the types of coverage remain the same. You’ll need to carry the following coverages in at least the stated amounts before getting behind the wheel:
Bodily injury (BI) liability
This covers injuries and death for the other driver and their passengers. It doesn’t cover injuries or death to you or your own passengers. You’ll need medical payments coverage for that. California requires at least $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident of BI coverage.
Property damage (PD) liability
This covers damages caused to another driver’s car or someone else’s property, like a fence or mailbox. But it won’t cover any damages to your vehicle or property. (That comes from collision and comprehensive coverage.) California requires all drivers to have at least $15,000 per accident in PD coverage.
How to find cheap liability car insurance in California
While the cost of car insurance can seem daunting, you can still find cheap liability car insurance in California in numerous ways. Consider the following tips when trying to keep your rates down:
Keep your driving record clean. A clean driving record is the best way to keep your rates low. If insurers have no reason to consider you a risky driver, then your premiums should remain relatively affordable.
Apply for discounts. Car insurance discounts are your best friend when it comes to getting cheap car insurance. Just about every insurance company offers multiple discounts, so apply for as many as you qualify for. For example, bundling your home and auto insurance with the same company can save you quite a bit.
Raise your deductible. Increasing your car insurance deductible will automatically lower your monthly premium, as the two are inversely related. But you should only raise your deductible to an amount that you can afford to pay out of pocket in the event of a claim.
Compare car insurance quotes. Always compare car insurance rates from multiple insurance companies before settling on a policy. Every insurer determines rates differently, so you could find a cheaper rate for the same policy if you take the time to compare. You should compare quotes at least every six months. Insurance comparison sites are generally a good place to start.
Take advantage of California’s Low Cost Auto (CLCA) insurance program. California offers reduced rates for low-income drivers who meet certain vehicle and income requirements.[2]
Find Cheap Car Insurance in California
Get liability insurance for as little as $61 per month
Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
Based on 3,806+ reviews
4.8/5
Additional car insurance coverages to consider in California
While liability insurance is enough to satisfy California’s legal requirements, most insurance professionals recommend buying additional coverage. And if you lease or finance your car, your lender will likely require you to have full coverage anyway.
These are some additional coverages to consider in California:
Collision coverage
Collision insurance pays for the cost of repairs or replacement after a collision with another car or object.
Comprehensive coverage
Comprehensive insurance pays for any damage from non-collision events, such as theft, hail, or vandalism.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage protects you if you’re in an accident with a driver who has no insurance or insufficient coverage.
Medical payments coverage
Medical payments coverage helps pay for medical bills after an accident, no matter who was at fault.
Roadside assistance coverage
Roadside assistance coverage pays for the cost of towing, emergency tire changes, and fuel delivery.
Gap coverage
Gap insurance pays the difference between your car’s remaining balance and its actual cash value if you total it.
Liability car insurance in California FAQs
If you’re still not sure what kind of policy is right for you, check out this additional information about liability car insurance in California.
How much does liability insurance cost in California?
Liability insurance costs an average of $104 per month in California, according to Insurify data. Mile Auto offers the cheapest rates, starting at $61 per month.
Do you need liability insurance in California?
Yes, you need liability insurance in California. Drivers must carry at least $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident in bodily injury liability coverage, along with $15,000 per accident in property damage liability insurance.
Is California a no-fault state?
No. California is an at-fault state for car insurance.[3] The state uses “comparative negligence,” meaning the fault can be shared by both drivers in an accident. Typically, the driver deemed more at fault will bear a higher percentage of the costs.
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
)
Cheap Car Insurance Quotes in California Starting at $61
April 16, 2025
)
Why Is Car Insurance So Expensive in California?
April 15, 2025
)
Uninsured Motorist Coverage in California
January 28, 2025
)
Non-Owner Car Insurance in California
April 16, 2025
)
Best Car Insurance for New Drivers in California
April 16, 2025
)
Cheapest Full-Coverage Car Insurance in California
April 1, 2025
)
How Much Is Car Insurance for a 17-Year-Old in California?
April 1, 2025
)
How Much Is Car Insurance for a 16-Year-Old in California?
April 1, 2025
)
Best Car Insurance in California
April 16, 2025
)
Car Insurance Discounts for California Drivers
April 1, 2025
Temporary Car Insurance in California
April 16, 2025
)
Cheap SR-22 Insurance in California
April 15, 2025
)
Rideshare Insurance in California
April 15, 2025
)
Car Insurance Requirements in California
April 15, 2025
)
Car Insurance for High-Risk Drivers in California
April 16, 2025
)
Gap Insurance in California
April 16, 2025
)
)
)
)
Cheap Car Insurance in Anaheim, CA, Starting at $104
April 16, 2025
)
Best Cheap Car Insurance in Victorville, CA, From $97
April 16, 2025
)
Cheap Car Insurance in Temecula, CA, Starting at $93
April 16, 2025
)
Best Cheap Car Insurance in Stockton, CA, From $99
April 16, 2025
)
Cheapest Car Insurance Quotes in Santa Maria, CA
April 16, 2025
)
Best Cheap Car Insurance in Santa Ana, CA, From $97
April 16, 2025
)
Cheap Car Insurance in Santa Barbara, CA, Starting at $77
April 16, 2025
)
Best Cheap Car Insurance in San Jose, CA, From $96
April 16, 2025
Cheap Car Insurance in San Francisco, CA, From $122
April 16, 2025
)
Cheap Car Insurance in San Diego, CA, Starting at $87
April 16, 2025
Best Cheap Car Insurance in San Bernardino, CA, From $102
April 16, 2025
)
Cheap Car Insurance in Sacramento, CA, Starting at $106
April 16, 2025
)
Best Cheap Car Insurance in Riverside, CA, From $96
April 16, 2025
)
Best Cheap Car Insurance in Oxnard, CA, From $85
April 16, 2025
)
Best Cheap Car Insurance in Oakland, CA, From $120
April 16, 2025
)
Cheap Car Insurance in Moreno Valley, CA, Starting at $101
April 16, 2025
)
Cheap Car Insurance in Modesto, CA, Starting at $94
April 16, 2025
)
Cheap Car Insurance in Los Angeles, CA, Starting at $153
April 16, 2025
)
Best Cheap Car Insurance in Long Beach, CA, From $113
April 16, 2025
)
Best Cheap Car Insurance in Glendale, CA, From $182
April 16, 2025
)
Best Cheap Car Insurance in Fremont, CA, From $102
April 16, 2025
)
Best Cheap Car Insurance in Fresno, CA, From $85
April 16, 2025
)
Best Cheap Car Insurance in Elk Grove, CA, From $100
April 16, 2025
)
Cheap Car Insurance in Chula Vista, CA, Starting at $83
April 16, 2025
)
)
Sources
- California DMV. "Auto Insurance Requirements."
- Ca.gov. "California's Low Cost Auto Insurance Program."
- California Department of Insurance. "Automobile Insurance."
)
Danny Smith
Danny is a Brooklyn-based writer with a producer’s license for property and casualty insurance. A former editor at Insurify, he specializes in auto, home, and pet insurance. He works to translate his insurance expertise into digestible, easy-to-understand content for drivers, homeowners, and pet owners alike.
Danny has been a contributor at Insurify since March 2022.
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