Los Angeles, CA Car Insurance
How much does car insurance cost in Los Angeles?
On average, auto insurance in Los Angeles costs $1,344 for a six-month policy or $224 per month, surpassing the California average by $65 a month. Our data show that Angelenos could save by going with USAA, which costs $171 per month or $1,025 every six months, making it the cheapest car insurance company in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles drivers also pay 81% more than the national average. In fact, 35% of our customers in LA admit they're paying too much for their car insurance. If you agree or just need help with your car insurance, read on to learn more about what a fair rate looks like in LA based on common factors like age, coverage level and more.
| Car Insurance in LA vs. CA | Avg. 6 Mo. Premium |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles Average | $1,344 |
| California Average | $954 |
The cheapest car insurance companies in Los Angeles
The Zebra's key takeaways about car insurance in Los Angeles:
- The average cost of a car insurance policy in LA is $1,344 per six-month policy — or $224 per month.
- The cheapest company in Los Angeles is USAA ($1,025 every six months).
- LA ranks as the 28th most expensive city for car insurance in California.
- 35% of Zebra customers in Los Angeles stated they used our product because they were paying too much for car insurance with their current provider.
Are you paying too much for auto insurance?
Los Angeles car insurance rates by company
According to our data, the most affordable car insurance company for full coverage in LA is USAA. On average, this company costs $171 per month or $1,025 per six-month policy. The second cheapest is GEICO at $173 per month.
Learn more about top-rated car insurance companies based on The Zebra's Customer Satisfaction Survey.
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Cheapest car insurance companies in Los Angeles, CA
| Company | Avg. 6 Mo. Premium |
|---|---|
| USAA | $1,025 |
| GEICO | $1,036 |
| Mercury | $1,133 |
| Progressive | $1,312 |
| Nationwide | $1,505 |
| State Farm | $1,520 |
| Allstate | $1,589 |
The Zebra’s Dynamic Insurance Rating Tool data methodology
The Zebra’s Dynamic Insurance Rating Tool for home and auto insurance rates utilizes the latest ZIP code-level rate filings from across the U.S., sourced from Quadrant Information Services and S&P Global. These filings, typically updated annually or biennially by insurers, are verified through Quadrant’s QA process and then integrated into The Zebra’s estimator.
The displayed rates are based on a dynamic home and auto profile designed to reflect the content of the page. This profile is tailored to match specific factors such as age, location, and coverage level, which are adjusted based on the page content to show how these variables can impact premiums.
For a comprehensive understanding, see our detailed methodology.
Shop around for the best rates
The only way to know which company is the cheapest coverage for you is to compare. Our comparison will do the leg work for you. Enter your ZIP code to see rates from Progressive, Allstate, Liberty Mutual and Nationwide (+ other top companies) to find the best and cheapest car insurance in Los Angeles.
Average car insurance in Los Angeles by rating factor
There are a number of rating factors that car insurance companies take into consideration when setting rates for their customers in Los Angeles. These include the make and model of the car, the driver's age and driving history, the area where the car is driven and the amount of coverage purchased.
As a result, the cost of car insurance in Los Angeles can vary greatly depending on the company and the individual driver. But by shopping around and comparing rates, drivers can find the best deal on car insurance.
Q: I didn't have an accident — Why is my insurance going up?
A: End-of-year earnings (revenue of premiums versus the cost of paying insureds’ claims) is also a major rating factor for how much you will pay for car insurance. Even if you’ve had no claims with your insurance company, you could still be paying more with a particular insurance company because the price of doing business has increased in LA.
Auto insurance premiums by age in Los Angeles
The cost of car insurance varies greatly by age and it is one of the most important rating factors when it comes to determining what you pay. Young drivers — especially teens — have a higher accident rate than any other age group. Insurance companies will charge younger drivers an inflated premium to account for the increased risk. In Los Angeles, teenage drivers pay over twice as much as drivers in their 20s — the largest such difference between any two age groups.
The best way for younger drivers to save money is by being insured on a parent's policy. While this will increase the overall rate, it's typically still much cheaper than having a separate policy.
Cheapest car insurance companies for teen drivers in Los Angeles, CA
| Company | Avg. 6 Mo. Premium |
|---|---|
| USAA | $2,299 |
| GEICO | $2,455 |
| State Farm | $2,683 |
| Mercury | $2,777 |
| Progressive | $3,299 |
| Allstate | $3,543 |
| Nationwide | $4,864 |
Zebra Tip:Â The cheapest company for LA drivers across all age groups is GEICO
Our data show drivers in between the ages of 20-29 make up 32% of drivers in Los Angeles. On average, this group pays $1,720 every six months but could potentially save 29% by going with GEICO.
Auto insurance premiums for minimum coverage in Los Angeles
The amount of coverage you have also determines how much you pay in premiums; someone who has full coverage at high limits will pay more than a driver with the state minimum. Our data show that 43% of LA drivers have basic coverage. While this is better than having the minimum required by the state to drive legally, it can still leave you at risk of being underinsured.
Adding collision coverage or comprehensive coverage (commonly known as full coverage when purchased together) can increase your rates but provide peace of mind that you and your vehicle are protected. These coverages typically require a deductible — and the higher your deductible, the cheaper your rates will be.
Bolstering your policy with add-ons like roadside assistance or uninsured motorist coverage can also protect you against drivers who do not carry auto insurance coverage. While they can add to your overall car insurance premiums, experts at The Zebra still recommend carrying such coverage options, as they can go a long way in protecting both you and your vehicle.
Q: Can I lower my car insurance coverage?
A: Possibly — if your vehicle is paid off.
According to The Zebra's data, 47% of drivers in LA have owned vehicles. If you are not leasing or financing your vehicle, you should consider if dropping comprehensive or collision coverage is right for you. We recommend getting the actual cash value of your vehicle via Kelley Blue Book or another reputable source. The general rule of thumb is if your vehicle is worth less than $4,000, you probably don't need collision coverage. Bear in mind, however, that dropping these coverages means that you will have to pay for any repairs out of your own pocket.
Cheapest car insurance companies for minimum coverage in Los Angeles, CA
| Company | Avg. 6 Mo. Premium |
|---|---|
| GEICO | $294 |
| USAA | $320 |
| Progressive | $369 |
| Mercury | $397 |
| Nationwide | $492 |
| State Farm | $507 |
| Allstate | $527 |
Most of our customers in LA opt for the basic level of coverage, but this may not be the best option for everyone. While we understand this is a budget-friendly solution, it does leave you at risk for damages that exceed your liability limits. California's 15/30/5 liability limits provide coverage for damage you cause up to $15,000 per person in bodily injury, $30,000 per accident in bodily injury and $5,000 for property damage. While this may be sufficient for most standard car accidents, it might not be for bodily injury claims or multi-vehicle accidents.
Learn more about insurance laws in California.
Los Angeles car insurance rates by credit score
Using a driver's credit score to influence premiums is considered discriminatory in California and is therefore not used as a rating factor when determining how much you'll pay for auto insurance each year. 69% of The Zebra's LA customers have a good (680-719) credit score.
Auto insurance rates with an at-fault accident
At-fault and collision-type accidents are the most common type of insurance claims and will raise your rate. In 2022, an at-fault accident raised the average car insurance rates in LA from $224 to $391 per month. The cheapest insurance company in Los Angeles after an at-fault accident is USAA.
How much your rates increase will depend on various factors, like the severity of the accident. A serious accident can trigger a rate increase by as much as hundreds or thousands per year. Typically, at-fault accidents and speeding tickets will be on your record for three to five years whereas DUIs or DWIs can follow you for longer.
Cheapest car insurance companies after an at-fault accident in Los Angeles, CA
| Company | Avg. 6 Mo. Premium |
|---|---|
| USAA | $1,464 |
| GEICO | $1,883 |
| Mercury | $1,970 |
| Nationwide | $2,204 |
| State Farm | $2,405 |
| Progressive | $2,616 |
| Allstate | $3,493 |
Los Angeles car insurance rates by violation
Below you can see how much different violations and claims will increase your rate in LA.
Car insurance rate increases after violations and citations in Los Angeles, CA
Why is car insurance in Los Angeles so expensive?
Los Angeles is an expensive place for auto insurance, but it's a necessary expense for any car owner. LA has over 3.9 million residents, a car-centric culture and infamous levels of traffic, which means there's a higher probability of car accidents. As a result, car insurance companies charge more for Angelenos to protect themselves from losses that could occur.
Below you'll find a rundown of why car insurance is so expensive in Los Angeles — regardless of your driving profile.
The LA metro area is the second-largest in the nation, according to the Census Bureau.[1]Â Where you live is one of the biggest contributing factors in what you pay for auto insurance, and companies price their customers down to their ZIP code. This is because the risks of crime, theft and uninsured motorists vary from neighborhood to neighborhood. If you live in an area that's vulnerable to events that could lead to you filing a claim, companies will charge higher rates.
Expensive LA ZIP codes:Â 90010, 90210, 90028, 90038, 90017
Cheap LA ZIP codes:Â 90501, 90732, 90248, 90022, 90045
While California is famous for its mild, pleasant weather, the state is still susceptible to natural disasters, especially wildfires. With over 9,200 fires and two million acres burned in 2021, California tops the list nationally for wildfire events.[2]
In the past, catastrophic damage caused by weather and other natural disasters has bankrupted insurance companies. While this is less likely to occur in California — and Los Angeles, in particular — insurance companies will raise their rates to anticipate further weather-related losses. In fact, many companies have pulled out of the California homeowners insurance market due to wildfire risks.
The typical Angeleno driver spends a good amount of time navigating the city's traffic jams. Insurance companies are aware of this and the risks that come with it. More time on the road equals more risk.
The costs of accident-related claims are typically passed along to other drivers in the area through higher premiums — even for safe or occasional drivers.
Zebra Tip: Comprehensive coverage and uninsured property damage coverage are good to have in LA
Damage caused by weather, animals and vandalism is covered under comprehensive coverage. If you have a new or nice vehicle, we definitely recommend considering comprehensive coverage as part of your LA car insurance policy.
Additionally, in cities or ZIP codes with high rates of uninsured drivers, we recommend carrying uninsured motorist coverage (also called UMPD). This coverage will provide assistance to you if you or your vehicle are damaged by an underinsured or uninsured driver. This coverage typically has a lower deductible and is cheaper than collision. Plus, the rate increase after a UMPD claim can be hundreds of dollars cheaper than a collision claim.
Bundling insurance policies in Los Angeles
With rates going up nationally, finding ways to save is becoming more and more important. If you need another line of insurance, like homeowners or renters, bundling it with your auto insurance is one of the most impactful discounts — you may be able to save as much as 10% or more on your combined premiums. Learn more about bundling home and car insurance.
Cheapest car insurance companies for bundling home and auto insurance in Los Angeles, CA
| Company | Avg. 6 Mo. Premium |
|---|---|
| USAA | $925 |
| Mercury | $973 |
| GEICO | $1,036 |
| Progressive | $1,122 |
| Nationwide | $1,130 |
| State Farm | $1,201 |
| Allstate | $1,559 |
While some things may be out of your control, drivers can work to make their profiles more appealing to insurers. The best advice we offer is to shop around and compare auto insurance quotes with as many companies as possible to ensure you're getting the most affordable rate that doesn't compromise coverage and service — especially if any personal factors have changed (like moving, celebrating a birthday and improving your credit). Try as you might, some companies are just more expensive than others; don't be afraid to switch.
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Frequently asked questions
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Recently answered questions about car insurance in Los Angeles from real Zebra customers
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About The Zebra
The Zebra is not an insurance company. We publish data-backed, expert-reviewed resources to help consumers make more informed insurance decisions.
- The Zebra’s insurance content is written and reviewed for accuracy by licensed insurance agents.
- The Zebra’s insurance editorial content is not subject to review or alteration by insurance companies or partners.
- The Zebra’s editorial team operates independently of the company’s partnerships and commercialization interests, publishing unbiased information for consumer benefit.
- The auto insurance rates published on The Zebra’s pages are based on a comprehensive analysis of car insurance pricing data, evaluating more than 83 million insurance rates from across the United States.