Modesto drivers pay an average of $143 per month for car insurance, based on our research. But don’t worry — several companies offer rates well below this citywide average.
USAA stands out as the most affordable option, with an average liability rate of just $84 per month. Aspire General and Sun Coast round out the top three cheapest insurers in the city, according to Compare.com data.
In the following article, we’ll explore the cheapest insurance companies for various driver types, how to pick the right insurer, and ways to save on your Modesto car insurance.
USAA offers Modesto’s lowest average rate, at $84 per month.
Modesto’s average rates are $190 per month for full coverage and $96 for basic liability.
California requires drivers to have at least 30/60/15 in liability coverage.
The Cheapest Car Insurance Companies in Modesto, California
Even with Modesto’s higher-than-average rates, you can still find affordable coverage.
Check out the table below for the cheapest insurers in Modesto, based on Compare.com data.
Company | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| USAA | $84 |
| Aspire General | $86 |
| Sun Coast | $89 |
| GEICO | $90 |
| Mercury | $93 |
| National General | $94 |
| Dairyland | $103 |
| Direct Auto | $109 |
| Root | $109 |
| Farmers | $118 |
| Anchor | $119 |
| Bristol West | $128 |
| State Farm | $128 |
| Kemper Special | $131 |
| Travelers | $135 |
| Kemper Rsvp | $144 |
| 21st Century | $147 |
| First Acceptance | $196 |
| Chubb | $229 |
USAA comes out on top, with a monthly liability rate of $84.
Still, that doesn’t mean it’ll be the cheapest option for your unique driving profile. With that in mind, let’s break down the most affordable companies for different driver profiles and coverage types.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Modesto by Driver and Coverage Type
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While the companies above are a good starting point, your rates can vary quite a bit based on personal factors like age, driving history, where you live, and more.
With that in mind, the table below shows the cheapest companies for various backgrounds and coverages, according to our data.
Driver/Coverage Type | Cheapest Insurer | Insurer’s Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|
| State-minimum coverage | USAA | $84 |
| Full coverage | Aspire General | $160 |
| Teens | USAA | $151 |
| Seniors | USAA | $70 |
| Drivers with a speeding ticket | USAA | $109 |
| Drivers with an at-fault accident | USAA | $112 |
| Drivers with a DUI | USAA | $117 |
| Drivers with excellent credit | USAA | $78 |
| Drivers with poor credit | USAA | $102 |
Now, let’s dive into each driver and coverage type in more detail.
Find the Best Company for You
Policies in Modesto start as low as $84 per month.
California requires drivers to have at least 30/60/15 in liability insurance (more on that later). In Modesto, the average rate for this type of basic coverage is $96 per month, according to Compare.com data.
But keep in mind that most experts suggest getting more coverage than the state-minimum limits to ensure you have proper protection.[1]
Still, if you need basic coverage that only meets California’s requirements, here are the five cheapest options, according to our research.
The below rates in Modesto, CA, are estimated rates current as of: Monday, August 31 at 5:00 PM PDT.Average Liability Rates by Company
CompanyAverage Monthly PremiumUSAA $84 Aspire General $86 Sun Coast $89 GEICO $90 Mercury $93 National General $94 Dairyland $103 Direct Auto $109 Root $109 Farmers $118 Anchor $119 Bristol West $128 State Farm $128 Kemper Special $131 Travelers $135 Kemper Rsvp $144 21st Century $147 First Acceptance $196 Chubb $229 Most drivers should think about full coverage for more all-around protection — especially if you can’t afford to repair or replace your car out of your own pocket. This type of policy doesn’t have a standard definition, but it usually includes collision and comprehensive coverage on top of your state’s minimum requirements.
Additionally, if you finance or lease your car, your lender will likely require you to have full coverage.[2]
Our research found that full coverage costs an average of $190 per month in Modesto.
Here are the five most affordable insurers for full coverage, according to Compare.com data:
The below rates in Modesto, CA, are estimated rates current as of: Monday, August 31 at 5:00 PM PDT.Average Full-Coverage Rates by Company
CompanyAverage Monthly PremiumAspire General $160 Root $177 GEICO $189 Mercury $189 USAA $196 Kemper Special $216 Kemper Rsvp $220 Sun Coast $224 Anchor $232 National General $264 Dairyland $266 Farmers $278 Direct Auto $285 Bristol West $293 State Farm $302 Travelers $317 21st Century $345 First Acceptance $465 Chubb $537 Teen drivers face some of the highest insurance rates because of their lack of experience and higher chance of getting into accidents. For example, research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows teens are nearly three times as likely to be in a fatal crash as drivers over 20.[3] That alone can increase rates dramatically.
Nationwide, the average teen pays almost twice as much as someone 20 or older. In Modesto, teens pay an average of $254 per month, but you can still find decent rates with the right insurer.
With that in mind, here are the five cheapest insurers for Modesto teens:
The below rates in Modesto, CA, are estimated rates current as of: Monday, August 31 at 5:00 PM PDT.Average Rates for Teens
CompanyAverage Monthly PremiumUSAA $151 Aspire General $153 Sun Coast $158 GEICO $161 Root $162 Mercury $167 Dairyland $175 National General $183 Direct Auto $209 Bristol West $223 Anchor $226 Farmers $232 Kemper Special $233 State Farm $244 Kemper Rsvp $256 21st Century $257 Travelers $275 First Acceptance $349 Chubb $460 On the opposite end of the spectrum, senior drivers often enjoy the lowest rates of any age group. This is largely thanks to their years of driving experience and tendency to drive less, especially at night.[4]
In Modesto, seniors pay an average of $130 per month, but savvy seniors can get an even better deal if they know where to look.
The chart below shows the five most affordable insurers for senior drivers in Modesto, according to our data.
The below rates in Modesto, CA, are estimated rates current as of: Monday, August 31 at 5:00 PM PDT.Average Rates for Seniors
CompanyAverage Monthly PremiumUSAA $70 GEICO $74 Mercury $75 National General $76 Aspire General $78 Sun Coast $81 Dairyland $89 Direct Auto $92 Farmers $96 Anchor $98 Root $103 State Farm $103 Bristol West $109 Travelers $111 Kemper Special $119 21st Century $119 Kemper Rsvp $131 First Acceptance $178 Chubb $178 Getting a ticket can bump up your rates when you renew your policy. That’s because tickets and other moving violations suggest you’re more likely to file claims in the future.[5]
Our research shows that even one speeding ticket causes average rates to go up by 28% nationwide. In Modesto, people with a recent ticket pay an average of $182 per month, while drivers with a clean record pay just $143. But again, some insurers offer lower rates — including those in the table below.
The below rates in Modesto, CA, are estimated rates current as of: Monday, August 31 at 5:00 PM PDT.Average Rates With a Ticket
CompanyAverage Monthly PremiumUSAA $109 Aspire General $109 Sun Coast $113 National General $118 GEICO $119 Dairyland $128 Mercury $129 Root $131 Direct Auto $138 Anchor $148 Farmers $152 Bristol West $163 State Farm $163 Kemper Special $167 Travelers $176 Kemper Rsvp $183 21st Century $195 First Acceptance $249 Chubb $294 Causing an accident can lead to an even bigger rate increase because it tells insurers you’re more likely to file claims down the road. In fact, our research shows that one at-fault accident causes average rates to jump by 33% nationwide.
In Modesto, people with a recent at-fault accident pay an average of $184 per month, according to our research. But you can often find better deals with one of these five insurers:
The below rates in Modesto, CA, are estimated rates current as of: Monday, August 31 at 5:00 PM PDT.Average Rates With an Accident
CompanyAverage Monthly PremiumAspire General $110 USAA $112 Sun Coast $114 GEICO $118 National General $123 Dairyland $134 Root $135 Mercury $137 Direct Auto $147 Anchor $152 Farmers $156 Bristol West $168 Kemper Special $168 State Farm $168 Travelers $181 Kemper Rsvp $185 21st Century $199 First Acceptance $252 Chubb $303 A DUI conviction leads to the biggest increase in car insurance rates of any incident — our research shows that average rates go up by 59% nationwide after a single DUI. On top of those already high rates, getting a DUI can make it tough to find coverage at all.[6]
Some insurers focus on high-risk drivers, including people with DUIs. In Modesto, drivers with DUIs pay an average of $195 per month. But that doesn’t mean you’re necessarily stuck with sky-high rates.
For example, the five insurers highlighted in the chart below tend to offer policies for much less.
The below rates in Modesto, CA, are estimated rates current as of: Monday, August 31 at 5:00 PM PDT.Average Rates With a DUI
CompanyAverage Monthly PremiumAspire General $117 USAA $117 Sun Coast $121 GEICO $126 National General $131 Mercury $138 Dairyland $144 Direct Auto $152 Root $152 Farmers $165 Anchor $165 Kemper Special $178 Bristol West $179 State Farm $179 Travelers $189 Kemper Rsvp $196 21st Century $199 First Acceptance $267 Chubb $320
Get Cheaper Rates in Minutes
Compare personalized quotes from Modesto’s top insurers.
California Auto Insurance Requirements
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California, like most states, requires all drivers to have car insurance if they want to legally drive in the state. These minimum limits include:[7]
Bodily injury liability: $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident
Property damage liability: $15,000 per accident
You can find more information about these requirements from the California Department of Insurance.
Most experts suggest getting more coverage than the state’s minimum limits. And lenders require comprehensive and collision coverage if you finance or lease your car.
Imagine this hypothetical scenario: You cause an accident that results in $50,000 in property damage — totally plausible with the average new car approaching that figure.[8] With only $15,000 in coverage, you’d be on the hook for the remaining $35,000. That could put your assets at risk, even leading to potential financial ruin.
Modesto Auto Insurance FAQs
Here are answers to some common questions about car insurance in Modesto:
What’s the cheapest auto insurance company in Modesto?
USAA offers the lowest average rate in Modesto, at $84 per month, according to our research.
How much is car insurance in Modesto?
The average car insurance rate in Modesto is $143 per month, with liability coverage running about $96 and full coverage costing an average of $190.
Are auto insurance rates in Modesto high?
Yes, Modesto’s rates are higher than the national average due to local factors such as population density, traffic patterns, and crime rates.[9]
What’s the best insurer in Modesto?
A few of the best auto insurers in California include AAA, CONNECT by American Family, and State Farm, according to J.D. Power’s latest auto insurance study.[10]
How much car insurance coverage does California require?
California requires drivers to have at least 30/60/15 in liability coverage. That means $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident for bodily injury, as well as $15,000 for property damage.
Our editorial team used highly trained generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist with the first draft of this article before multiple insurance experts — including at least one licensed agent — rigorously reviewed, fact-checked, and edited every word and data point you see here.
We research, write, edit, and review all content on Compare.com in accordance with our strict editorial standards to ensure accuracy, clarity, and helpfulness. Learn more about our editorial process here.
Sources
- Insurance Information Institute. "How much auto coverage do I need?."
- National Association of Insurance Commissioners. "What You Should Know About Auto Insurance Coverage."
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Risk Factors for Teen Drivers."
- Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. "Older drivers."
- Insurance Information Institute. "Do auto insurance premiums go up after a claim?."
- Insurance Information Institute. "What if I can't find auto coverage?."
- California DMV. "Auto Insurance Requirements."
- Kelley Blue Book. "Average New Car Price Tumbling."
- Insurance Information Institute. "Facts + Statistics: Auto insurance."
- J.D. Power. "2024 U.S. Auto Insurance Study."
Methodology
Data scientists at Compare.com analyzed more than 50 million real-time auto insurance quotes from more than 75 partner insurers in order to compile the rates and statistics seen in this article. Compare.com’s auto insurance data includes coverage analysis and details on drivers’ vehicles, driving records, insurance histories, and demographic information.
All the rates listed in this article have been collected from a combination of real Compare.com quotes and external insurance rate data gathered in collaboration with Quadrant Information Services. Compare.com uses these observations to provide readers with insights into how auto insurance companies determine their premiums.
Compare.com's #1 goal is to save you money. We publish resources that are based on hard-hitting data and years of industry experience to help you make more informed decisions with your wallet.
- All of Compare.com's content is written and reviewed for accuracy by a team of experienced writers and editors who are experts on the topics they cover.
- None of Compare.com's content is ever influenced by the companies and brands we partner with.
- Compare.com's editorial team operates independently of any of the company's partnership or business development interests. We publish unbiased information strictly for the benefit of our readers.
- All of the content you see on Compare.com is based on comprehensive analysis and all data is gathered and vetted from trustworthy sources.
Learn more about us, our team, and what makes us tick.
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