Cheap Auto Insurance in Berkeley, California (2024)

Berkeley residents enjoy great views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and San Francisco skylines. But they don’t enjoy lower-than-average car insurance rates. While the city's rates are on par with the California state averages, they're significantly higher than national average costs for car insurance.

In Berkeley, full coverage averages $236 per month and liability-only coverage averages $126. Nationally, the average monthly cost of car insurance is just $214 for full coverage and $104 for liability only.

The city's comparatively low accident and fatality rates probably partially account for Berkeley's average car insurance rates. In 2023, the city of nearly 119,000 residents had just 605 traffic accidents and no fatalities.^[1]

Berkeley drivers may be able to find better-than-average car insurance rates by comparing quotes from multiple insurers. Here's what to know about finding affordable coverage in Berkeley.

Best car insurance companies in Berkeley

To find the best car insurance in Berkeley, consider your budget, driving record, and car insurance coverage needs. It’s helpful to compare multiple companies at once to see which one offers the most discounts, the coverage options you need, and the best customer service. Mile Auto, Sun Coast, and Clearcover are some of the best insurers offering coverage in Berkeley, and all three offer below-average car insurance rates.

Best insurer for usage-based insurance: Mile Auto

Best insurer for safe drivers: Safeco

Best insurer for rideshare drivers: Mercury

How to get the cheapest car insurance in Berkeley

Finding the best price on car insurance involves a little effort on your part when shopping with different companies. To lock in a good deal on a car insurance policy in Berkeley, keep these tips in mind:

• Shop around. Get quotes from at least three different car insurance companies at the same level of coverage to find the most affordable option. Be sure to compare prices, coverage options, and company reputations.

• Look for discounts. “Keep your eye out for discounts that may apply to you, such as the auto pay discount, pay in full discount, and safe driving discount,” says McKenzie.

• Bundle insurance. If you pair your auto insurance with homeowners insurance, renters insurance, or even life insurance, you can usually get a discount on your monthly premiums.

• Drive safely. A driving history with speeding tickets, DUIs, and other incidents can easily increase your car insurance premiums. Make every effort to avoid them.

• Take a defensive driving course. Some car insurers offer discounts to drivers who complete an approved defensive driving course. You may take it online in many cases and see some savings.

Cheapest liability-only car insurance in Berkeley: Mile Auto

Liability car insurance is required per California law. This type of coverage pays for the other driver’s property damage and injuries after you cause a car accident. Because liability-only policies meet the state-minimum requirements and have no additional coverage, drivers can typically find the lowest prices with this type of insurance.

The table below shows the cheapest quotes for liability-only auto policies, on average, in Berkeley.

Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Berkeley: Mile Auto

Full-coverage car insurance is optional in Berkeley and generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverages. It provides extra protection for vehicle damages, including for accidents you cause. Your lender might require a full-coverage policy if you have a loan or lease on your vehicle.

Here’s a look at the cheapest full-coverage car insurance rates in Berkeley.

Car insurance requirements in California

California is an at-fault — or tort — state. This means the at-fault driver must pay for the property damage and injury costs they cause to drivers or passengers in another vehicle.

“Liability insurance is required to operate a vehicle on the roadway in California,” says Lauren McKenzie, senior insurance agent at A Plus Insurance. Drivers who fail to show proof of insurance may face legal and financial consequences.

Here are California’s minimum car insurance requirements that all drivers must purchase:^[2]

• 

  Bodily injury liability

  $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident

• 

  Property damage liability

  $5,000 per accident

Coverage beyond minimum liability is optional for drivers in Berkeley but might be worthwhile for additional protection. Here are some optional coverages you can add to your auto policy:

• 

  Comprehensive

  This protects you from non-accident events that damage your vehicle, like severe weather, falling objects, theft, and vandalism.

• 

  Collision

  If your car requires repairs or a replacement after an accident with another vehicle or object, collision coverage will apply, no matter who’s responsible.

• 

  Uninsured motorist

  Uninsured motorist coverage kicks in when a driver without insurance causes an accident.

• 

  Medical payments

  Medical payments insurance is similar to personal injury protection (PIP) coverage and can pay for post-accident medical expenses, regardless of fault.

California’s low-cost auto insurance plan

California’s Low Cost Automobile Insurance program (CLCA) helps qualifying drivers purchase low-cost car insurance. The eligibility requirements for the program are:

• Have a valid California driver’s license

• Meet income eligibility requirements

• Own a vehicle valued at $25,000 or less

• Be at least 16 years old

• Have a good driving record or be a new driver

Depending on the county, minimum-liability car insurance through the CLCA costs $232 to $932 a year. While you can’t purchase full-coverage insurance through the CLCA, it does offer additional coverage options, like uninsured/underinsured motorist and medical payments insurance for an extra $37 to $107 a year. You can learn more and apply for the California car insurance program at MyLowCostAuto.com.

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Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident

A few examples of incidents that can increase your car insurance rates include at-fault accidents, speeding tickets, and driving under the influence (DUI) convictions. Berkeley drivers with clean records usually land the cheapest premiums because auto insurance companies see them as having a lower risk of loss.

On the other hand, insurance companies tend to charge the highest rates to high-risk drivers to offset the potential loss in claims. To save as much money as possible on a policy, do your best to drive safely at all times and prevent these incidents. Here are the average car insurance quotes in Berkeley based on driving history.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket: Mile Auto

In 2023, Berkeley police cited 175 drivers for unsafe speed.^[1] Speeding increases your risk of being involved in an accident. As a result, Berkeley drivers with speeding tickets tend to pay more for auto insurance coverage.

The average monthly cost of car insurance for Berkeley drivers with speeding tickets is $325 for full coverage and $174 for minimum coverage. The following table illustrates how top insurers for Berkeley charge drivers with speeding infractions more for liability-only insurance policies.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident: Mile Auto

In 2020, Berkeley reported 357 injuries and fatalities from car accidents, which is a bit lower than other California cities with similar populations.^[4] However, if you cause a car accident, insurers will view you as a greater risk on the road. As a result, your car insurance premiums will likely go up.^[5]

Berkeley drivers with at-fault accidents face average car insurance rates of $306 per month for full-coverage policies and $163 for liability only. The table below shows the most affordable minimum-coverage quotes for Berkeley drivers with at-fault accidents on their records.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI: Mile Auto

A DUI conviction in California usually leads to fines, jail time, and a license suspension. To reinstate your license after a DUI, you may need to file an SR-22 insurance form with the state and keep it on file for three to five years. During this time, your premiums will likely increase or you may struggle to find auto insurance coverage.

DUIs push Berkeley car insurance averages to $313 per month for full coverage and $167 for liability-only policies. The following table shows how a DUI charge increases liability quotes from top insurers in Berkeley.

Cheapest car insurance for seniors: Mile Auto

Senior drivers can experience age-related physical and cognitive changes that make it more difficult for them to drive safely.^[6] That’s why average premiums tend to go down around age 35 and increase again around age 70. Despite these trends, senior drivers in Berkeley typically have the cheapest premiums out of any other age group.

The average cost of car insurance for senior drivers in Berkeley is $105 per month for minimum coverage and $197 for full coverage. Here are the cheapest car insurance companies for senior drivers in Berkeley.

Cheapest car insurance for teens: Mile Auto

“Teens who are newly licensed have far less driving experience than older, seasoned drivers, which increases their chances of getting into a car accident,” says McKenzie. “Therefore, insurance premiums will be higher for them and eventually decrease once the driver is age 25.” To save on auto policies, teens can stay on their parents’ insurance or take advantage of a good student discount.

Berkeley teens face average monthly car insurance rates of $360 for full coverage and $192 for liability only. The table below shows the average monthly car insurance quotes for teen drivers in Berkeley.

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Is car insurance more expensive in Berkeley?

Car insurance rates for Berkeley drivers are higher than the national average but in line with California's averages. Premiums can even vary by ZIP code and city within California as a result of differences in population, crime rates, weather conditions, and other factors.^[7] For example, average monthly quotes are higher in Berkeley than in almost every California city, except for San Francisco and Los Angeles.

More cities in California

Here’s a look at the average quotes for car insurance in other cities in California.

Berkeley car insurance FAQs