Best Car Insurance in Los Angeles, CA

Driving in Los Angeles involves more than suffering through congested freeways and never-ending rush hours. California drivers also have to contend with accidents, car thefts and less-than-ideal road conditions. In California, auto insurance isn’t just a requirement; it’s a shield against these unpredictable hazards.

• Crashes in Los Angeles: Car accident rates in Los Angeles have been climbing higher almost every year. In 2011, there were around 18,500 fatal and injury-causing traffic accidents, but in 2018 there were more than 25,000. If you’re in an accident, you have to consider the cost of fixing your car, medical bills and your legal liability. Car insurance protects you from these out-of-pocket expenses.
• Road conditions in Los Angeles: Although Los Angeles spent $17.5 million to fix roads in 2018 and 2019, all of California is behind on its road repairs. Poorly maintained roadways can damage your car and increase the chances of accidents, especially combined with the traffic in Los Angeles. Roughly 69% of LA’s almost 4 million residents drive their own cars, which leads to massive highway congestion. Having this many drivers in a concentrated area increases accident rates, which makes car insurance in Los Angeles even more essential.
• Vehicle theft in Los Angeles: The LA metro had more than 44,000 car thefts in 2018, but it’s worth noting that car theft rates vary from city to city. In 2018, Ventura only had 1,889 thefts, but San Bernardino and Riverside each had more than 11,500. Take your neighborhood into consideration when looking at car insurance policies and make sure you have enough coverage to replace your vehicle if it drives away without you.

Expect to pay between $1,800 and $3,100 a year for car insurance in Los Angeles, depending on your:

• Driving record
• ZIP code
• Type of coverage

Be aware that insurance companies in Los Angeles cannot legally change pricing based on your gender.

The chart below contains yearly car insurance premium estimates for a 30-year-old LA resident who owns a 2019 Honda Accord, is looking for a single driver policy and has a clean driving record.

The California Department of Insurance requires drivers to have a car insurance policy with minimum bodily injury coverage of $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident. You must have at least $5,000 in property damage coverage, as well.

If you don’t have auto insurance and get into an accident, you'll face legal consequences and have to pay out of pocket for both your expenses and any damage or injuries you caused.

About 15% of drivers in California were uninsured, according to the latest statistics. If you get into an accident with an uninsured driver, you may be left on the hook if you have cheap auto insurance. Make sure your car insurance policy includes uninsured motorist coverage so you’re not left in debt after a costly accident that wasn’t your fault.

Los Angeles car insurance alternatives

If you are a high-risk driver that can’t get approved for car insurance in California, consider the California Automobile Assigned Risk Plan. CAARP assigns you to an insurance company that is obligated to work with you. While CAARP won’t save you money on premiums, it allows you to drive legally.

If you can’t afford car insurance in Los Angeles, check out California’s Low Cost Auto Insurance program. This program gives you access to the cheapest car insurance in Los Angeles that still meets minimum coverage requirements. Premiums vary depending on what county you live in, but they range from around $250 to $1,000 a year. CLCA applicants must meet many requirements, but you may qualify if your annual income is less than 250% of the federal poverty level and your car is worth $25,000 or less. Once approved, you can pay your premium all at once or put 20% down and pay off the rest in seven installments.