Berkeley, CA Car Insurance

On average, drivers in Berkeley pay around $54 per month for their car insurance. To learn more about policy rates and coverage in the Berkeley area, continue reading our guide below.
Map of cities where drivers can find cheaper car insurance
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How does Berkeley compare to the surrounding area and the rest of California? What rates should residents of Berkeley expect to pay for their car insurance? You can find average cost breakdowns based on a wide array of factors in the charts and writeups below:

How much is car insurance in Berkeley?

Area Average Monthly Car Insurance Premium
Berkeley$54
CA$56
United States$81

According to the chart above, the rates you'll pay for coverage in Berkeley are about the same as what you would pay anywhere else in California.

Drivers relocating from out of state may enjoy some cost savings in Berkeley. Car insurance rates for the U.S. as a whole are, on average, $27 more expensive than the rates you'd pay in Berkeley.

While these are the average car insurance rates for Berkeley, keep in mind that you could end up paying a different amount. There are a variety of factors that insurance companies consider when determining how much to charge you for insurance. Things like age, gender, vehicle make and model, driving record and, in some areas, credit score can all play a part in your policy's monthly price.

We've done the heavy lifting for you and broken down the average rate for Berkeley so that you can get a more accurate idea of what your monthly bill might be. And if you think you might be overpaying for insurance, simply enter your ZIP below to learn more about rates in your area!


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Average Car Insurance Rates by Age

Age Range Average Premium
Under 18Not Enough Data
18-24$77
25-34$47
35-44$49
45-54$43
55-64$44
65+$47

Generally, the older you are the more experienced you are behind the wheel, right? When it comes to car insurance rates, that experience can really pay off. In this case, 18-24-year-olds pay $30 more than someone who is at retirement age.

For every 10 years, you can expect to see a decrease in your monthly premium. As you get closer to retirement, however, you may see your rates rise again in Berkeley.

Average Car Insurance Rates by Gender

Gender Average
Male$57
Female$51

Car insurance rates for female drivers are usually cheaper than those for male drivers. This rings true in Berkeley, where women pay around $6 less per month than men. Based on the chart above, you can see that male drivers pay $57 on average, while female drivers typically pay $51 each month.

Average Auto Insurance Rates by Driving Record

Infractions Average Monthly Premium
1 Accident$58
Multiple Accidents$85
1 Ticket$63
Multiple Tickets$96

Rates can vary wildly depending on your driving record. Drivers with clean records will pay lower rates than those with accidents or violations. In Berkeley, drivers with one accident on their record will experience rates around $58 a month. On a similar note, drivers with one ticket on their record will be looking at a monthly rate of about $63 on average.

When it comes to your monthly bill, accidents, tickets, and other driving infractions can really take a toll. So, if cheaper car insurance is important to you, keep your record clean and drive safe.

Average Insurance Rates by Vehicle

Vehicle Age Average Monthly Premium
Less Than 1 Year$60
2-3 Years$49
4-5 Years$53
6-7 Years$54
8-10 Years$54
11-14 Years$58
15 Years or Older$51

In Berkeley, the cheapest vehicles to insure are usually trucks and vans, with drivers paying around $51 per month for insurance.

Car owners can expect to pay an average of around $55 a month for their policy, while SUVs usually cost around $52 a month to insure.

In addition to vehicle type, you can also expect to see slightly different rates based on the age of your vehicle. Newer vehicles are generally going to be the most expensive to insure. However, once your car is around 5 years old, you may start to see your monthly premium drop back down. In Berkeley, the most expensive vehicles to insure are vehicles less than one year old.

Average Car Insurance Rates by Relationship Status

Relationship Average Monthly Premium
Single (never married)$55
Married$51
Divorced$46
Widowed$41

More often than not, those who have settled down into marriage will pay slightly less to insure their car. This usually boils down to owners having multiple vehicles on the same policy, something some companies will reward with discounts.

In Berkeley, the difference in rates based on relationship status can be as much as $4 a month.

Average Car Insurance Rates by Housing Situation

Housing Status Average Monthly Premium
Own$47
Rent$58
Live with parents$54

Your living accommodations is another factor that affects your monthly rate. In Berkeley, homeowners can expect to pay around $11 a month less than those who rent. Those who live with their parents, however, can expect to pay a lot more.

That being said, many companies will offer you a discount if you bundle your homeowners or rental insurance policy with your auto insurance.

Car Insurance Companies in Berkeley, CA

Given that average rates are often changing, it's a smart move to know the direction your area is trending when selecting an auto insurance policy.

Rates in Berkeley decreased steadily from 2017-2021. They finished up in 2022, at $55 a month

How does Berkeley compare to neighboring areas?

Why are car insurance rates in Berkeley different from other areas?

There are a number of factors car insurance companies take into consideration when deciding how much to charge for a monthly rate. Many factors affecting your policy are based around where you live. These factors include things like:

  • Community regulations
  • Road Safety (how many accidents each locality has)
  • Total number of drivers
  • Crime levels
  • Off-street parking accessibility

You'll be hard pressed to change any of these factors yourself, but they're worth considering when thinking about the purchase of a new policy or a move. Each area will have different rates. Guides like these are a wonderful place to get started.

How can I find the cheapest car insurance in Berkeley?

In the end, the only way to know exactly what your rate will be is by requesting a quote from car insurance companies. Understanding what the average costs are for drivers prior to seeking out a quote can help you understand how closely the quote reflects local trends.

Don't worry, Compare.com has you covered. Enter your ZIP Code below, answer a few questions, and you'll be comparing the cheapest quotes from several of the car insurance companies offering plans in Berkeley in no time.


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Berkeley Insurance FAQs

What factors affect car insurance quotes in Berkeley?

Quotes are calculated by car insurance companies who take multiple factors into consideration, including things you can't control like your age and gender, but also factors like your address, credit score, driving record, and marital status.

Why is the cost of car insurance in Berkeley different from other neighboring cities?

Car insurance companies take local factors into consideration when determining how much to charge for coverage. Things like parking situations, crime rates, and local laws -- which can vary from city to city -- can significantly affect your rate.

Which car insurance company will offer me the cheapest rate in Berkeley?

Since the factors that go into calculating your monthly payment vary from person to person, there isn't one company that will always offer the cheapest rate to everybody. You can be confident that you're receiving the best price possible by using sites like Compare.com to compare multiple quotes at once.

Do I need to change my insurance if I move to Berkeley?

Whenever you relocate or experience another major life event, such as getting married or finding a new job, you should consider re-evaluating your current insurance policy. By using services like Compare.com to compare quotes from multiple companies at once, you can be sure to capture any new savings brought about by your new situation.

Do I need to wait for my policy to expire to switch to a different car insurance company?

No. Regardless of how much time is left on your current policy, you can switch companies at any time. So, whether you're considering moving to Berkeley or just curious if you're getting the best rates, why not take 10 minutes and see if Compare.com can save you some extra cash?

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