Drivers in Oakland, California, pay an average of $168 per month for car insurance, according to Compare.com data. Still, several companies offer rates well below this citywide average.
USAA, Aspire General, and Sun Coast stand out as the three insurers providing the most affordable average rates — as low as $99 per month.
In this article, we’ll explore the cheapest insurers for various driver types, how to select the right company, and tips for saving on car insurance in Oakland.
USAA offers the lowest average monthly rate in Oakland, at $99.
Oakland’s average rates are $103 per month for basic liability coverage and $233 for full coverage.
California requires all drivers to have at least 30/60/15 in liability coverage.
The Cheapest Car Insurance Companies in Oakland, California
Despite Oakland’s higher-than-average rates, several companies offer more affordable options.
The table below showcases the cheapest insurers in Oakland, according to Compare.com data.
Company | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| USAA | $99 |
| Aspire General | $101 |
| Sun Coast | $106 |
| GEICO | $108 |
| Mercury | $109 |
| National General | $110 |
| Dairyland | $120 |
| Root | $129 |
| Direct Auto | $133 |
| Allstate | $135 |
| Farmers | $140 |
| Anchor | $141 |
| Bristol West | $150 |
| State Farm | $152 |
| Kemper Special | $155 |
| Travelers | $159 |
| Kemper Rsvp | $172 |
| 21st Century | $173 |
| Chubb | $269 |
USAA emerges as the most affordable option, with an average monthly rate of just $99. That said, USAA may not be the cheapest for you. The easiest way to find the best company for you is to compare personalized quotes from multiple companies.
In the following sections, we’ll break down the cheapest companies by various rating factors and driver types.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Oakland by Driver and Coverage Type
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While the companies mentioned above provide a solid starting point, your rates will likely vary significantly based on personal factors like your age, driving record, and address.
The table below illustrates 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 | $99 |
| Full coverage | Aspire General | $189 |
| Teens | USAA | $182 |
| Seniors | USAA | $82 |
| Drivers with a speeding ticket | USAA | $128 |
| Drivers with an at-fault accident | USAA | $131 |
| Drivers with a DUI | USAA | $138 |
| Drivers with excellent credit | USAA | $93 |
| Drivers with poor credit | USAA | $118 |
Let’s dive deeper into each driver type in the sections below.
Find the Best Company for You
Policies in Oakland start as low as $99 per month.
California’s state-minimum coverage requires drivers to have at least 30/60/15 in liability insurance (more on that later). In Oakland, the average rate for this type of minimum coverage is $103 per month.
Still, most experts recommend purchasing more coverage than the state requires.[1]
But if you need only basic coverage that meets California’s minimum requirements, consider these five cheapest companies:
The below rates in Oakland, CA, are estimated rates current as of: Tuesday, June 30 at 5:00 PM PDT.Average Liability Rates by Company
CompanyAverage Monthly PremiumUSAA $99 Aspire General $101 Sun Coast $106 GEICO $108 Mercury $109 National General $110 Dairyland $120 Root $129 Direct Auto $133 Allstate $135 Farmers $140 Anchor $141 Bristol West $150 State Farm $152 Kemper Special $155 Travelers $159 Kemper Rsvp $172 21st Century $173 Chubb $269 Most drivers should consider full-coverage car insurance for more robust protection. Full coverage typically includes collision and comprehensive coverage in addition to the state’s minimum requirements. Lenders and leasing companies also require full coverage if you finance or lease your vehicle.[2]
Our research found that the average rate for full coverage in Oakland is $233 per month.
The table below shows the five cheapest insurers for full coverage in Oakland, according to our data.
The below rates in Oakland, CA, are estimated rates current as of: Tuesday, June 30 at 5:00 PM PDT.Average Full-Coverage Rates by Company
CompanyAverage Monthly PremiumAspire General $189 Root $210 Mercury $224 GEICO $227 USAA $231 Kemper Special $257 Kemper Rsvp $261 Sun Coast $264 Anchor $277 Dairyland $309 National General $311 Allstate $318 Farmers $328 Bristol West $347 Direct Auto $347 State Farm $355 Travelers $372 21st Century $406 Chubb $633 Teen drivers face some of the highest insurance rates due to their lack of driving experience and higher likelihood of accidents. In fact, teens are nearly three times as likely to be involved in a fatal crash than drivers over 20, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).[3]
We found that nationwide, the average teen pays almost double the rate of someone 20 or older. In Oakland, the average rate for teens is $186 per month. Still, it’s possible to find affordable coverage.
The chart below showcases the five cheapest insurers for teen drivers in Oakland, according to our data.
The below rates in Oakland, CA, are estimated rates current as of: Tuesday, June 30 at 5:00 PM PDT.Average Rates for Teens
CompanyAverage Monthly PremiumUSAA $182 Aspire General $182 Sun Coast $191 Root $194 GEICO $194 Mercury $198 Dairyland $208 National General $218 Direct Auto $258 Bristol West $264 Allstate $265 Anchor $268 Farmers $278 Kemper Special $280 State Farm $293 21st Century $308 Kemper Rsvp $311 Travelers $328 Chubb $550 Seniors typically enjoy the most affordable car insurance rates of any age group. This is largely due to their decades of driving experience and tendency to drive less frequently, especially at night, which reduces their chances of getting into an accident, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).[4]
In Oakland, the average car insurance rate for seniors is $94 per month, but you can find even cheaper coverage with the right insurer.
With that in mind, here are the five cheapest insurers for senior drivers in Oakland, according to Compare.com data:
The below rates in Oakland, CA, are estimated rates current as of: Tuesday, June 30 at 5:00 PM PDT.Average Rates for Seniors
CompanyAverage Monthly PremiumUSAA $82 GEICO $88 Mercury $89 National General $89 Aspire General $92 Sun Coast $96 Dairyland $104 Direct Auto $112 Allstate $113 Farmers $114 Anchor $117 Root $121 State Farm $123 Bristol West $129 Travelers $131 21st Century $140 Kemper Special $141 Kemper Rsvp $156 Chubb $209 Getting a ticket can cause your rates to increase the next time your policy renews. That’s because tickets and other moving violations indicate a higher likelihood of future claims.[5]
Our research shows that even a single speeding ticket causes average rates to increase by 28% nationwide. In Oakland, the average rate for people with a recent ticket is $130 per month, according to Compare.com data.
Still, several insurers offer lower rates, including the ones in the chart below.
The below rates in Oakland, CA, are estimated rates current as of: Tuesday, June 30 at 5:00 PM PDT.Average Rates With a Ticket
CompanyAverage Monthly PremiumAspire General $128 USAA $128 Sun Coast $134 National General $138 GEICO $142 Dairyland $150 Mercury $151 Root $155 Direct Auto $168 Anchor $175 Allstate $176 Farmers $180 Bristol West $190 State Farm $194 Kemper Special $196 Travelers $207 Kemper Rsvp $218 21st Century $229 Chubb $345 Causing an accident can lead to a substantial rate increase because it suggests to insurers that you’re more likely to file a claim in the future. Our research indicates that a single at-fault accident causes average rates to increase by 33% nationwide.
In Oakland, the average rate for people with a recent accident is $131 per month, according to our data. But you can often find better deals with one of these five insurers:
The below rates in Oakland, CA, are estimated rates current as of: Tuesday, June 30 at 5:00 PM PDT.Average Rates With an Accident
CompanyAverage Monthly PremiumAspire General $129 USAA $131 Sun Coast $135 GEICO $140 National General $144 Dairyland $156 Root $159 Mercury $161 Direct Auto $178 Allstate $179 Anchor $180 Farmers $184 Bristol West $195 Kemper Special $198 State Farm $199 Travelers $211 Kemper Rsvp $219 21st Century $232 Chubb $353 A DUI conviction results in the sharpest increase in car insurance rates of any incident. Our research shows that average rates increase by a staggering 59% nationwide after a DUI conviction. Not only that, but a DUI can also make it challenging to find coverage at all.[6]
But if you have a DUI, all is not lost. Some insurers specialize in high-risk drivers, including people with DUIs.
In Oakland, the average rate for people with a DUI conviction is $139 per month, but several insurers offer much more affordable coverage.
The chart below shows the five cheapest insurers for Oakland drivers with a DUI, according to Compare.com data.
The below rates in Oakland, CA, are estimated rates current as of: Tuesday, June 30 at 5:00 PM PDT.Average Rates With a DUI
CompanyAverage Monthly PremiumAspire General $137 USAA $138 Sun Coast $143 GEICO $150 National General $153 Mercury $162 Dairyland $167 Root $180 Direct Auto $185 Allstate $188 Farmers $195 Anchor $198 Bristol West $209 Kemper Special $210 State Farm $212 Travelers $222 Kemper Rsvp $233 21st Century $233 Chubb $375
Get Cheaper Rates in Minutes
Compare personalized quotes from Oakland’s top insurers.
California Auto Insurance Requirements
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California, like most states, requires all drivers to have car insurance. You’ll need at least the following liability limits to legally drive in the state:[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 on the California Department of Insurance website.
Most experts recommend purchasing coverage above the state’s minimum limits. For example, imagine you cause an accident resulting in $50,000 in property damage (the average new car costs just over $47,000, according to Kelley Blue Book[8]). With only $15,000 in coverage, you’d be personally responsible for the remaining $35,000 in damages.
And as we mentioned before, lenders also require comprehensive and collision coverage if you finance or lease your car.
Oakland Auto Insurance FAQs
Here are answers to some commonly asked questions about car insurance in Oakland:
What’s the cheapest auto insurance company in Oakland?
USAA offers the lowest average rate in Oakland, according to our research — just $99 per month.
How much is car insurance in Oakland?
The average car insurance rate in Oakland is $168 per month, according to our data. That breaks down to $103 per month for liability insurance and $233 if you want full coverage.
Are auto insurance rates in Oakland high?
Yes, Oakland’s rates are higher than the national average, according to our research. This is largely due to local factors, such as population density, traffic congestion, and crime rates.[9]
What’s the best insurer in Oakland?
The top-rated auto insurers in California include AAA, CONNECT by American Family, and State Farm, according to J.D. Power’s 2024 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 injuries and $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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