The Cheapest Auto Insurance Companies in Modesto, California, in 2026

USAA and Aspire General offer average rates as low as $84, but your personal rates could be much different.

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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.

Key Takeaways
  • 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.

The below rates in Modesto, CA, are estimated rates current as of: Monday, August 31 at 5:00 PM PDT. 
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
We sourced this data by analyzing real quotes from Compare.com's 100-plus partner insurance companies alongside rate filings collected and distributed by Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary. Data updated on Monday, August 31 at 5:00 PM PDT.

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

An aerial view of Modesto, California

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 coverageUSAA$84
Full coverageAspire General$160
TeensUSAA$151
SeniorsUSAA$70
Drivers with a speeding ticketUSAA$109
Drivers with an at-fault accidentUSAA$112
Drivers with a DUIUSAA$117
Drivers with excellent creditUSAA$78
Drivers with poor creditUSAA$102
We sourced this data by analyzing real quotes from Compare.com's 100-plus partner insurance companies alongside rate filings collected and distributed by Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary. Data updated on .

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.

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Cheapest state-minimum coverage: USAAexpand/collapse

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

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
Cheapest full coverage: Aspire Generalexpand/collapse

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

Company
Average Monthly Premium
Aspire 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
Cheapest for teens: USAAexpand/collapse

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

Company
Average Monthly Premium
USAA$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
Cheapest for seniors: USAAexpand/collapse

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

Company
Average Monthly Premium
USAA$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
Cheapest after a ticket: USAAexpand/collapse

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

Company
Average Monthly Premium
USAA$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
Cheapest after an accident: USAAexpand/collapse

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

Company
Average Monthly Premium
Aspire 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
Cheapest after a DUI: USAAexpand/collapse

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

Company
Average Monthly Premium
Aspire 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.

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California Auto Insurance Requirements

A mural in Modesto, California

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]

You can find more information about these requirements from the California Department of Insurance.

Is minimum coverage enough in Modesto?

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?

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.

Disclaimer

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

  1. Insurance Information Institute. "How much auto coverage do I need?."
  2. National Association of Insurance Commissioners. "What You Should Know About Auto Insurance Coverage."
  3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Risk Factors for Teen Drivers."
  4. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. "Older drivers."
  5. Insurance Information Institute. "Do auto insurance premiums go up after a claim?."
  6. Insurance Information Institute. "What if I can't find auto coverage?."
  7. California DMV. "Auto Insurance Requirements."
  8. Kelley Blue Book. "Average New Car Price Tumbling."
  9. Insurance Information Institute. "Facts + Statistics: Auto insurance."
  10. 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.

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