Cheapest Teen Driver Auto Insurance in California in 2024 (Save With These 10 Companies)

The cheapest teen driver auto insurance in California can be found at State Farm, USAA, and Travelers. While California auto insurance can be expensive, these companies offer the best auto insurance in California for young adults at an affordable rate.

The other cheapest teen driver auto insurance companies are listed below.

[table “5609” not found /]

To get cheap car insurance for teens today, enter your ZIP into our quote tool to quickly get multiple quotes from California companies.

Free Auto Insurance Comparison

Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.

 Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

#1 – State Farm: Top Pick Overall

Pros

• Student savings: State Farm’s good student discount offers up to 25% savings if students have at least a B+ or 3.0 average.
• Local agents: Teens can easily get assistance from a State Farm local agent. Learn more about State Farm’s customer service in our State Farm review.
• Coverage options: Teens can choose from a variety of State Farm coverages.

Cons

• Agent-only purchases: Drivers need to purchase insurance directly from a State Farm agent.
• UBI availability: State Farm’s Drive Safe & Safe program isn’t available in California.

#2 – USAA: Best for Military Students

Pros

• Military students: USAA offers cheap rates for military students, as well as non-auto insurance discounts.
• Customer ratings: USAA’s customer ratings are high (read more in our USAA review).
• Coverage: Teens have a selection of basic and add-on coverages to choose from.

Cons

• Military/veteran only: Teens who aren’t in the military won’t be able to qualify unless their parents are military or veterans.
• UBI availability: USAA’s SafePilot program is not available in California.

#3 – Travelers: Best for Discount Options

Pros

• Discount options: Learn about Traveler’s discount options in our Travelers review.
• Coverage: Travelers offers add-on coverages like roadside assistance and gap insurance.
• Accident forgiveness: Teen drivers with clean driving records can avoid a rate increase after their first accident.

Cons

• Availability: Travelers isn’t sold in all 50 states.
• UBI availability: Travelers’ IntelliDrive program is not available in California.

Free Auto Insurance Comparison

Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.

 Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

#4 – Progressive: Best for Competitive Rates

Pros

• Competitive rates: The majority of drivers will see lower rates at Progressive.
• Budgeting: Progressive’s Name Your Price tool lets teens calculate how much coverage they can afford.
• Coverage: Teens can get roadside assistance and more at Progressive.

Cons

• UBI availability: Progressive’s UBI program is not available in California.
• Customer ratings: J.D. Power rated Progressive average for customer satisfaction (read about ratings in our Progressive review).

#5 – American Family: Best for Safe-Driving Discounts

Pros

• Safe driving discounts: American Family’s KnowYourDrive can help teens save (learn more: American Family KnowYourDrive review).
• Customer satisfaction: Customers gave American Family positive reviews, which you can learn more about in our American Family review.
• Rideshare insurance: Teens looking to work for Uber or Lyft can get rideshare insurance from American Family.

Cons

• Availability: American Family isn’t sold in many states, so teens who move from California may have to find a new company.
• Rates: Because American Family is a smaller company, its rates may not always be the most competitive.

#6 – Nationwide: Best for Bundling Discounts

Pros

• Bundling options: Nationwide offers a discount for a combination of home/renters insurance and auto insurance.
• Vanishing deductibles: Nationwide lowers deductibles for safe driving.
• UBI program: Nationwide’s SmartRide program can help teens save on auto insurance (learn more: Nationwide SmartRide review).

Cons

• Rideshare insurance: Nationwide doesn’t sell rideshare insurance.
• Customer ratings: J.D. Power gave Nationwide average ratings (learn more in our review of Nationwide).

Free Auto Insurance Comparison

Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.

 Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

#7 – Geico: Best for Young Drivers

Pros

• Young drivers: Geico has young driver discounts, which we go over in our Geico review.
• Availability: No matter what state teens move to, Geico auto insurance will be sold in that state.
• Online convenience: Teens can easily access their policy on Geico’s website or app.

Cons

• Customer claims ratings: J.D. Power ratings for Geico are average.
• UBI availability: Geico’s safe driving program isn’t available in California.

#8 – Farmers: Best for Discount Variety

Pros

• Discount variety: Farmers offers several discounts that teens can take advantage of (read more in our Farmers review).
• Coverage: Farmers has several add-on coverages that teens can purchase to customize policies.
• Local agents: Teens should be able to find a local agent nearby for in-person assistance.

Cons

• UBI availability: Farmers’ UBI discount is not available in California.
• Customer ratings: Farmers has a few negative reviews from customers.

#9 – Allstate: Best for Local Agents

Pros

• Local agents: Allstate has local agents, so teens should be able to find someone for personalized assistance.
• Accident forgiveness: Teens can avoid rate increases after their first accident if they have a clean driving record.
• Coverage: Allstate’s coverage options allow teens to easily add on necessary coverages.

Cons

• UBI availability: Allstate’s UBI program is not available in California.
• Customer ratings: Allstate’s J.D. Power ratings aren’t always high. You can read more about Allstate’s ratings in our review of Allstate.

Free Auto Insurance Comparison

Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.

 Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

#10 – Liberty Mutual: Best for Policy Customization

Pros

• Policy customization: Add-on coverages like roadside assistance, gap insurance, etc., make it easy to customize policies.
• Availability: Liberty Mutual is widely available, so teens who move out of state can keep Liberty Mutual as a provider.
• Young driver discounts: Good student discounts and more can help young drivers save. Learn more in our review of Liberty Mutual.

Cons

• Customer ratings: Liberty Mutual has just average customer satisfaction ratings.
• UBI availability: Liberty Mutual’s UBI program is not available in California.

California Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements for Teen Drivers

California requires all drivers to carry the following coverages:

• Bodily injury liability insurance: $15,000 per person and $30,000 total per accident
• Property damage liability insurance: $5,000 per accident

Not carrying liability insurance can result in fines, suspended licenses, and more. The table below shows the average cost of liability insurance in California for teen drivers.

[table “5459” not found /]

Minimum coverage is the cheapest car insurance in California, but bear in mind that it only covers other parties’ injuries and damages.

While the best full coverage auto insurance in California is more expensive, it often pays itself off after a covered claim and is the best auto insurance for new drivers.

Teen Driver Auto Insurance Rates in California

Teens with clean driving records usually have no problem finding the cheapest auto insurance in California when they shop at cheap companies like State Farm.

However, teens with poor driving records have higher rates. Accidents, tickets, and DUIs are some of the many reasons auto insurance costs more for young drivers.

[table “5460” not found /]

The teenage car insurance average cost per month will also be affected by location.

[table “5461” not found /]

Adding a driver to car insurance will be more expensive in some cities.

Free Auto Insurance Comparison

Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.

 Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

How to Save Money on Teen Auto Insurance in California

Buying insurance from the companies with the cheapest teen auto insurance is one of the top ways to keep rates affordable.

[table “5610” not found /]

Discounts are another great way to get cheap California auto insurance for 16-year-olds and up, with good student discounts, multi-car discounts, and more.

Ensure you qualify for as many discounts as possible at your company.

How to Add a Teen Driver to California Auto Insurance

The best way to get cheap California auto insurance for 17-year-olds and other teens is adding teen drivers to car insurance that the parents already own.

[table “5462” not found /]

When teens join a family policy, rates are significantly lower, making it one of the most affordable options.

Where to Get The Cheapest Teen Driver Auto Insurance in California

State Farm, USAA, Travelers, and others offer the best car insurance in California for young adults. You can also find cheap California car insurance for 16-year-olds and up by comparing quotes and keeping a clean driving record.

Ready to find cheap California auto insurance?  Enter your ZIP into our free quote tool.

Free Auto Insurance Comparison

Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.

 Secured with SHA-256 Encryption