Cheap car insurance in California for good drivers
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Affordable California car insurance that puts you first
Root rewards California drivers with lower rates, makes managing insurance simple, and gives you flexibility to choose auto insurance coverage that fits your needs.
Better auto insurance rates
Drivers who switch can save up to $1,300 a year on car insurance with Root. Get your personalized California auto insurance quote. It’s easy to see if you could save.
Customizable coverage options
Choose the coverage options and limits that work for you, your car, and your budget. Available coverages vary by state, and you can adjust your policy as your needs change.
Manage your policy in the app
Access your California auto insurance policy, view your insurance cards, and file a claim in as little as 3 minutes right from Root’s convenient mobile app.
Driving in the Golden State
California drivers might tackle the 405 one day and cruise Highway 1 the next. From San Diego to Sacramento, the state packs freeways, mountain passes, coastal roads, and everything in between.
Southern California: The 405, the 101, the 5, and the 10 keep Los Angeles moving, while the 5 continues south through Orange County toward San Diego.
Northern and Central California: Bay Area drivers know the Golden Gate and Bay bridges, while Sacramento, Fresno, and the Central Valley bring their own major routes and traffic patterns.
See what’s happening ahead: Caltrans QuickMap provides information on traffic, lane closures, CHP incidents, chain controls, and other highway conditions throughout California.
From LA to the Bay and beyond: Explore California car insurance from Root.
California's financial responsibility requirements for vehicles
To legally operate a vehicle in California, drivers are required to be able to pay for damages and injuries that they cause in car accidents. You’re required to show proof of insurance or financial responsibility if you’re stopped by a police officer or involved in a car accident, as well as your driver’s license and car registration.
You will also need proof of insurance or financial responsibility when you register your car for the first time or renew a registration. There are several options to show proof of financial responsibility, including buying Liability coverage.
If you choose not to carry insurance, you’re required by California law to show proof of financial responsibility. Options to fulfill this requirement (other than Liability insurance) include:
A $75,000 cash deposit with the CA DMV
A Certificate of Self-Insurance from the DMV
A surety bond of $75,000 from any company licensed to do business in California
You are required to carry Liability coverage in California if you’re unable to show any other proof of financial responsibility.
The minimum coverage amounts for liability car insurance required for drivers in California are [1]:
Bodily injury liability
$30,000 for injury/death to one person
$60,000 for injury/death to more than one person
Property damage liability
$15,000 per accident
Types of California auto insurance we offer
Explore our California car insurance coverage options available below. You can update your policy anytime in the Root app.
Liability coverage
Liability coverage pays for another person’s injuries or property damage when you’re responsible for an accident.
Collision coverage
Get your car repaired or replaced after a collision with another vehicle or object regardless of who was at fault. Add optional rental coverage.
Comprehensive coverage
Protect your car from damage beyond collisions, including theft, vandalism, severe weather, fire, and falling objects.
MedPay coverage
MedPay insurance helps cover eligible medical expenses like hospital or ambulance bills if you or your passengers are injured in an accident.
Uninsured motorist coverage
Stay protected if you’re in an accident with a driver who doesn’t have insurance or enough coverage to pay for eligible injuries or damages.
Roadside assistance coverage
Roadside assistance gets you back on the road when you're stranded, with services like towing, jump-starts, and tire changes.
What is the average cost of car insurance in California?
The average California driver pays $3,444 per year for full coverage car insurance [2].
Root customers looking to purchase California car insurance could save up to $1,300 a year.
Get a quote in under 5 minutes.
California Auto Insurance FAQs
What is the minimum car insurance required in California?
California drivers must establish financial responsibility. For most drivers, that means carrying liability insurance that meets the state’s minimum requirements for bodily injury and property damage.
Liability coverage pays for injuries or property damage to others when you’re responsible for an accident. You may also want additional coverage for:
You and your passengers (MedPay coverage)
Your vehicle (collision and comprehensive coverage)
The California DMV recognizes other ways to establish financial responsibility, including certain forms of self-insurance, surety bonds, and deposits. However, liability insurance is the standard way most California drivers meet this requirement.
Is it legal to drive without insurance in California?
California drivers must be able to establish financial responsibility at all times. For most drivers, that means maintaining auto liability insurance that meets California’s minimum requirements.
You must also carry evidence of financial responsibility in your vehicle and provide it when requested by law enforcement, when renewing your vehicle registration, or after a traffic collision. With Root, you can access your insurance card directly in the Root app, making it easy to have proof of coverage available on your phone when you need it.
Learn more about driving without insurance or review the California DMV’s financial responsibility requirements.
Do you need insurance to register a vehicle in California?
California requires vehicle owners to establish financial responsibility and provide evidence of it when required, including when renewing vehicle registration. For most drivers, auto liability insurance is how they meet this requirement.
If your registration is suspended because you cannot provide proof of financial responsibility, you’ll need to submit proof before your registration can be reinstated. The California DMV provides additional information about insurance requirements and reinstating a suspended registration.
How do I lower my car insurance rate in California?
The easiest ways to save on your California car insurance premium are to drive safely, compare car insurance quotes, and review your coverage and deductible to find opportunities to save. With Root, you can get a personalized car insurance quote in minutes and explore coverage options that fit your needs and budget in the Golden State.
Is California a no-fault car insurance state?
No, California is not a no-fault state. It is an at-fault (or fault-based) state for car accidents. The driver who causes the crash is responsible for paying for medical bills, car repairs, and other damages through their insurance.
Is auto collision insurance required in California?
California law does not require drivers to carry collision coverage. The state only requires minimum liability insurance. Still, when comparing auto insurance quotes, consider adding collision protection to help pay for repairs to your vehicle after an accident, regardless of who caused it.
Is uninsured / underinsured motorist coverage required in California?
No, California drivers are not required to carry uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Like all auto insurance companies, Root offers optional UMPD and UM / UIM coverage in California to help pay for injuries or vehicle damage when the at-fault driver has no insurance or insufficient coverage. Insurers in California must offer this coverage, so if you don’t want it, you’ll need to reject it in writing. We make it easy to choose your coverage in our app.
Does Root offer full coverage car insurance in California?
There’s actually no such thing as “full coverage” in the auto insurance industry, but the term usually refers to combining liability (Bodily Injury and Property Damage), collision, and comprehensive. Root offers all of these coverages.
Who needs SR-22 insurance in California?
High-risk California drivers may be ordered by a court or the California DMV to provide an SR-22 after serious violations such as DUI, DWI, or driving without insurance.
An SR-22 is not insurance, but a certificate your auto insurer files to prove you carry the state-required minimum coverage. For high-risk drivers, failing to maintain it can result in license suspension.
What if I move to a different state?
You can transfer your Root policy if Root offers coverage in your new state. Check our availability map to confirm coverage and contact customer service to update your policy.
What is the California Good Driver Discount?
California's Proposition 103 requires insurers to give qualifying drivers a Good Driver Discount of at least 20%. You generally qualify if you've been licensed for at least three years and have no more than one violation point on your record. Prop 103 also requires insurers to base rates mainly on your driving record, miles driven, and years of driving experience, and they can't use your credit score to set your auto rate.
Helpful resources for California drivers
California Department of Motor Vehicles
The California DMV issues driver's licenses and ID cards, manages vehicle titles and registrations, and maintains driving records.
California Driver's Handbook
Review California traffic laws and safe driving rules in the California Driver's Handbook.
California Department of Insurance
The California Department of Insurance regulates insurance in the state and explains auto coverage options and the claims process.
Start saving on car insurance
Get a quote and get on the road in less than 5 minutes with Root. It’s practical, simple, and fast car insurance for drivers who have more important stuff to do.
References
California Department of Motor Vehicles. Auto Insurance Requirements.
Insure.com. Annual average rates were compiled in 2026.