Cheapest Teen Driver Auto Insurance in California for 2026 (Save With These 10 Companies)
USAA, Geico, and State Farm have the cheapest teen driver auto insurance in California. USAA has the cheapest California auto insurance rates starting at $147 per month for military members and their families. Adding a teen driver to your existing policy will mean lower premiums.
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Feature Writer
Rachel Bodine graduated from college with a BA in English. She has since worked as a Feature Writer in the insurance industry and gained a deep knowledge of state and countrywide insurance laws and rates. Her research and writing focus on helping readers understand their insurance coverage and how to find savings. Her expert advice on insurance has been featured on sites like PhotoEnforced, All...
Rachel Bodine
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
Daniel Walker graduated with a BS in Administrative Management in 2005 and has run his family’s insurance agency, FCI Agency, for over 15 years (BBB A+). He is licensed as an insurance agent to write property and casualty insurance, including home, life, auto, umbrella, and dwelling fire insurance. He’s also been featured on sites like Reviews.com and Safeco. To ensure our content is accura...
Daniel Walker
Updated August 2025
6,589 reviewsCompany Facts
Min. Coverage for CA Teens
A.M. Best
Complaint Level
Pros & Cons
6,589 reviews
19,116 reviewsCompany Facts
Min. Coverage for CA Teens
A.M. Best
Complaint Level
Pros & Cons
19,116 reviews
18,155 reviewsCompany Facts
Min. Coverage for CA Teens
A.M. Best
Complaint Level
Pros & Cons
18,155 reviewsUSAA, Geico, and State Farm have the cheapest teen driver auto insurance in California. While California auto insurance can be expensive, these companies offer the best auto insurance in California for young adults at an affordable rate.
The cheapest teen driver auto insurance companies are listed below, starting at $147 per month.
Our Top 10 Company Picks: Cheapest Teen Driver Auto Insurance in California
| Company | Rank | Monthly Rates | A.M. Best | Best For | Jump to Pros/Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | #1 | $147 | A++ | Military Members | USAA |
 | #2 | $185 | A++ | Affordable Rates | Geico |
 | #3 | $205 | B | Customer Service | State Farm |
 | #4 | $279 | A+ | Coverage Options | Nationwide |
 | #5 | $284 | A | Family Discounts | American Family |
 | #6 | $374 | A+ | Claims Support | Allstate |
 | #7 | $439 | A | Policy Bundling | Farmers |
 | #8 | $459 | A | Flexible Policies | Liberty Mutual |
 | #9 | $481 | A- | Online Tools | Progressive |
 | #10 | $529 | A++ | Comprehensive Plans | Travelers |
Teen drivers can apply for discounts at these companies to help lower the cost of their auto insurance coverage.
- USAA has the cheapest teen car insurance on the market
- Other cheap teen companies include Geico and State Farm
- Teen drivers can save on California car insurance with young driver discounts
If you are looking to get cheap car insurance for teens today, enter your ZIP into our quote tool to quickly get multiple quotes from California companies. It will help you find the best deal in your area.
#1 – USAA: Top Overall Pick
Pros
- Military Students: USAA offers the cheapest insurance in California for military students, as well as non-auto insurance discounts.
- Customer Ratings: USAA’s customer ratings are high (read more in our USAA auto insurance 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.
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#2 – Geico: Best for Affordable Rates
Pros
- Young Drivers: Geico has young driver discounts that make it easier to get some of the cheapest insurance for new drivers, which we go over in our Geico auto insurance 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 and make changes to their car insurance for teen drivers 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.
#3 – State Farm: Best for Customer Service
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 auto insurance review.
- Coverage Options: Teens can choose from a variety of State Farm teen driver coverages.
Cons
- Agent-Only Purchases: Drivers need to purchase car insurance for young drivers directly from a State Farm agent.
- UBI Availability: State Farm’s Drive Safe & Safe program isn’t available in California.
#4 – Nationwide: Best for Coverage Options
Pros
- Bundling Options: Nationwide offers a discount for a combination of home/renters insurance and auto insurance.
- Vanishing Deductibles: Nationwide lowers teen driver insurance 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 auto insurance).
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#5 – American Family: Best for Family Discounts
Pros
- Safe Driving Discounts: American Family’s KnowYourDrive can help customers save on teen driver insurance in California (learn more: American Family KnowYourDrive review).
- Customer Satisfaction: Customers gave American Family positive reviews, which you can learn more about in our American Family auto insurance 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 prices on car insurance for a teen driver may not always be the most competitive.
#6 – Allstate: Best for Claims Support
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 on teen drivers insurance 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 auto insurance.
#7 – Farmers: Best for Policy Bundling
Pros
- Discount Variety: Farmers offers several discounts that teens can take advantage of for cheap car insurance for young learner drivers (read more in our Farmers auto insurance 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.
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#8 – Liberty Mutual: Best for Flexible Policies
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 auto insurance.
Cons
- Customer Ratings: Liberty Mutual has just average customer satisfaction ratings.
- UBI Availability: Liberty Mutual’s UBI program is not available in California.
#9 – Progressive: Best for Online Tools
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 auto insurance review).
#10 – Travelers: Best for Comprehensive Options
Pros
- Discount Options: Learn about Traveler’s discount options in our Travelers auto insurance 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 on auto insurance for teen drivers after their first accident.
Cons
- Availability: Travelers policies aren’t sold in all 50 states.
- UBI Availability: Travelers’ IntelliDrive program is not available in California.
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California Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements for Teen Drivers
Those seeking car insurance for minors in California are required 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. How much is car insurance for teens? The table below shows the average cost of liability insurance in California for teen drivers.
Teen Auto Insurance Monthly Rates in California by Age, Gender & Driving Record
| Age & Gender | Minimum Coverage | Full Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| 16-Year-Old Female | $346 | $1,196 |
| 16-Year-Old Male | $395 | $764 |
| 17-Year-Old Female | $458 | $762 |
| 17-Year-Old Male | $381 | $915 |
| 18-Year-Old Female | $301 | $915 |
| 18-Year-Old Male | $338 | $762 |
| 19-Year-Old Female | $255 | $510 |
| 19-Year-Old Male | $285 | $570 |
| 20-Year-Old Female | $205 | $410 |
| 20-Year-Old Male | $225 | $450 |
| 21-Year-Old Female | $83 | $257 |
| 21-Year-Old Male | $90 | $283 |
Minimum coverage is the cheapest car insurance in California, but bear in mind that it only covers other parties’ injuries and damages.
Because teen drivers are more likely to be in an accident due to inexperience, full coverage is the best car insurance for teen drivers.Daniel Walker Licensed Insurance Agent
While the best full coverage auto insurance in California is more expensive, it often pays for itself 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 USAA.
However, teens with poor driving records have higher rates, making it hard to find cheap car insurance as young drivers. Accidents, tickets, and DUIs are some of the many reasons auto insurance costs more for young drivers. How much is car insurance in California for new drivers with poor records? Take a look at the rates below.
Teen Auto Insurance Monthly Rates in California by Age, Gender & Driving Record
| Age & Gender | Speeding Ticket | At-Fault Accident | DUI/DWI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16-Year-Old Female | $1,518 | $1,223 | $2,002 |
| 16-Year-Old Male | $1,827 | $1,437 | $2,655 |
| 17-Year-Old Female | $1,674 | $1,319 | $2,215 |
| 17-Year-Old Male | $2,096 | $1,828 | $3,547 |
| 18-Year-Old Female | $1,859 | $1,213 | $2,403 |
| 18-Year-Old Male | $2,147 | $1,765 | $4,082 |
| 19-Year-Old Female | $1,652 | $1,091 | $2,798 |
| 19-Year-Old Male | $2,158 | $1,593 | $3,689 |
The teenage car insurance average cost per month will also be affected by location, especially when searching for the cheapest auto insurance for teenagers in high-risk areas. How much is teenage car insurance per month by location? Take a look at the rates below.
Teen Auto Insurance Monthly Rates in California by Age, Gender & City
| Age & Gender | Fresno | Los Angeles | Sacramento | San Diego | San Francisco | San Jose |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16-Year-Old Female | 1,045 | 1,315 | $1,160 | 1,225 | 1,350 | $1,295 |
| 16-Year-Old Male | 702 | 835 | $765 | 782 | 850 | $810 |
| 17-Year-Old Female | 720 | 800 | $740 | 765 | 825 | $785 |
| 17-Year-Old Male | 860 | 975 | $910 | 925 | 990 | $970 |
| 18-Year-Old Female | 715 | 810 | $755 | 770 | 835 | $805 |
| 18-Year-Old Male | 870 | 950 | $905 | 935 | 1,000 | $980 |
| 19-Year-Old Female | 475 | 525 | $500 | 515 | 560 | $535 |
| 19-Year-Old Male | 545 | 590 | $565 | 580 | 625 | $605 |
| 20-Year-Old Female | 390 | 435 | $405 | 415 | 460 | $440 |
| 20-Year-Old Male | 425 | 480 | $445 | 455 | 505 | $485 |
| 21-Year-Old Female | 245 | 270 | $255 | 265 | 295 | $280 |
| 21-Year-Old Male | 265 | 305 | $275 | 290 | 315 | $300 |
Adding a driver to car insurance will be more expensive in some cities, particularly for parents looking for cheap car insurance for young drivers in urban areas like Los Angeles or San Francisco.
Get Discounts on Teen Auto Insurance in California
Buying insurance from the best auto insurance for teens is one of the top ways to keep rates affordable, especially when searching for the cheapest insurance for teens in California.
Teen Auto Insurance Monthly Rates by Provider & Coverage Level in California
| Insurance Company | Minimum Coverage | Full Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| $374 | $1,012 |
| $284 | $768 |
| $439 | $1,185 |
| $185 | $498 |
| $459 | $1,242 |
| $279 | $754 |
| $481 | $1,303 |
| $205 | $557 |
| $529 | $1,434 |
| $147 | $400 |
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, helping to lower the overall student driver insurance cost.
Auto Insurance Discounts for Teens in California
| Insurance Company | Available Discounts |
|---|---|
| Safe Driving Bonus, Good Student Discount, Multi-policy Discount, Teen Driver Monitoring Discount, Defensive Driving Course Discount |
| Driver Training Discount, Good Student Discount, Multi-car Discount, Anti-theft Device Discount, Accident Forgiveness Discount |
| Good Student Discount, Driver Training Discount, Multi-policy Discount, Vehicle Safety Features Discount, Paid-in-full Discount |
 | Defensive Driving Course Discount, Good Student Discount, Multi-vehicle Discount, Federal Employee Discount, Electronic Stability Control Discount |
| Good Student Discount, Driver Training Discount, Multi-policy Discount, New Vehicle Discount, Claims-Free Discount |
| Defensive Driving Course Discount, Good Student Discount, Multi-car Discount, Accident Forgiveness Discount, SmartRide Program Discount |
 | Safe Driving Bonus, Good Student Discount, Multi-policy Discount, Snapshot Discount, Name Your Price Tool Discount |
| Driver Training Discount, Good Student Discount, Multi-vehicle Discount, Steer Clear Discount, Drive Safe & Save Discount |
| Good Student Discount, Driver Training Discount, Multi-policy Discount, Hybrid Vehicle Discount, Continuous Insurance Discount |
 | Defensive Driving Course Discount, Good Student Discount, Multi-vehicle Discount, Safe Driver Discount, Family Discount |
Ensure you qualify for as many discounts as possible at your company to reduce student driver insurance costs significantly. It will help you get cheap car insurance for new drivers under 21 in California.
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Adding 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. This method is very useful to families that want to know how much is insurance for a new driver under 18 or who seek the cheapest insurance for teen drivers.
Safe driver discounts are a great way to save money on car insurance. We’ll show you how they work and how drivers can qualify with a safe driving app. Learn more: https://t.co/czFW3rcGl8 pic.twitter.com/ZNu1sY02dR
— USAA (@USAA) November 18, 2022
Parents can benefit from multi-car and multi-driver discounts by adding a teenager’s car insurance to family insurance. This will reduce the amount compared to getting an individual policy and make it easier to get cheap car insurance for new drivers under 21. Take a look at the rates below for an estimate of how much it is to add a teenage driver to insurance.
Teen Auto Insurance Monthly Rates in California by Age, Gender & Policy Type
| Age & Gender | Individual Policy | Family Policy |
|---|---|---|
| 16-Year-Old Female | $221 | $165 |
| 16-Year-Old Male | $252 | $185 |
| 17-Year-Old Female | $208 | $160 |
| 17-Year-Old Male | $235 | $175 |
| 18-Year-Old Female | $192 | $155 |
| 18-Year-Old Male | $216 | $170 |
| 19-Year-Old Female | $185 | $145 |
| 19-Year-Old Male | $205 | $160 |
| 20-Year-Old Female | $175 | $135 |
| 20-Year-Old Male | $195 | $150 |
| 21-Year-Old Female | $165 | $130 |
| 21-Year-Old Male | $185 | $145 |
When teens join a family policy, rates are significantly lower, making it one of the most affordable options. Also, choosing the cheapest car to insure for teenagers, such as a safe and reliable vehicle, can further lower premiums and make it easier to find the cheapest insurance for young drivers.
Getting The Cheapest Teen Driver Auto Insurance in California
USAA, Geico, and State Farm 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.
How much is car insurance for a 16-year-old in California? Rates start as low as $147 monthly with USAA, but prices vary based on location, driving history, and the type of car.
Ready to find cheap California auto insurance? Enter your ZIP into our free quote tool to find the cheapest car insurance for young drivers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is car insurance in California for a 16-year-old?
Minimum auto insurance for a 16-year-old in California averages $147 per month. Auto insurance for a 16-year-old boy will be more expensive than for a female driver.
What is the best auto insurance to add a learner driver?
The cheapest teen driver auto insurance rates are for minimum coverage, but the best full coverage car insurance in California will best protect learner drivers.
Shopping around for car insurance quotes for teenage drivers will help you get the best deal. Get free quotes using our comparison tool to save on California teen insurance.
Can a 17-year-old get their own auto insurance in California?
17-year-old drivers can get cheap California car insurance for 17-year-olds if they have a full license and own their own car (learn more: Helping Teen Drivers Get Their First Licenses).
How much is monthly auto insurance for a 17-year-old in California?
The minimum auto insurance for a 17-year-old in California is an average of $222 monthly. To learn more about insurance for a 17-year-old male driver or female driver, check out our article on cheap auto insurance for 17-year-olds.
Do you need insurance with a learner’s permit in California?
The parent’s policy often provides car insurance for teenage learner drivers if the teen is driving a parent’s car. Most insurance companies will only add a driver and increase rates after they get their license.
What is the cheapest car insurance for an 18-year-old in California?
Minimum coverage will be the top option for cheap auto insurance for 18-year-olds, but it doesn’t provide the most protection. How much is car insurance for an 18-year-old in California? Rates start at $301 per month for minimum coverage. Car insurance for an 18-year-old male in California will be more expensive than insurance for a female driver.
How much is auto insurance for a 19-year-old in California?
For 19-year-old drivers, the teenage auto insurance average cost per month is $195 monthly for minimum coverage. It will be easier to get cheap car insurance for 19-year-olds if they join a parent’s policy.
Which teen driver auto insurance company is cheaper in California, Geico or Progressive?
Geico is cheaper on average than Progressive insurance in California, with rates starting at $185 a month.
At what age does insurance go down in California?
When it comes to auto insurance for drivers under 25, rates won’t start to significantly decrease until drivers are in their 20s.
Is Allstate or Geico more expensive for California teen auto insurance?
When you compare the two companies, Geico provides the cheapest car insurance for teens in California.
Why is it so hard to get teen driver auto insurance in California?
What car has the cheapest insurance rates for new drivers?
Have auto insurance rates gone up in California?
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