Drivers in Oakland, California, pay an average of $171 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 $100 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 $100.
Oakland’s average rates are $105 per month for basic liability coverage and $238 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 | $100 |
| Aspire General | $103 |
| Sun Coast | $106 |
| GEICO | $107 |
| Mercury | $111 |
| National General | $112 |
| Dairyland | $123 |
| Direct Auto | $131 |
| Root | $131 |
| Farmers | $142 |
| Anchor | $143 |
| Bristol West | $153 |
| State Farm | $153 |
| Kemper Special | $157 |
| Travelers | $162 |
| Kemper Rsvp | $172 |
| 21st Century | $176 |
| First Acceptance | $235 |
| Chubb | $274 |
USAA emerges as the most affordable option, with an average monthly rate of just $100. 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 | $100 |
| Full coverage | Aspire General | $191 |
| Teens | USAA | $181 |
| Seniors | USAA | $83 |
| Drivers with a speeding ticket | USAA | $130 |
| Drivers with an at-fault accident | USAA | $133 |
| Drivers with a DUI | USAA | $139 |
| Drivers with excellent credit | USAA | $93 |
| Drivers with poor credit | USAA | $121 |
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 $100 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 $105 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: Monday, August 10 at 5:00 PM PDT.Average Liability Rates by Company
CompanyAverage Monthly PremiumUSAA $100 Aspire General $103 Sun Coast $106 GEICO $107 Mercury $111 National General $112 Dairyland $123 Direct Auto $131 Root $131 Farmers $142 Anchor $143 Bristol West $153 State Farm $153 Kemper Special $157 Travelers $162 Kemper Rsvp $172 21st Century $176 First Acceptance $235 Chubb $274 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 $238 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: Monday, August 10 at 5:00 PM PDT.Average Full-Coverage Rates by Company
CompanyAverage Monthly PremiumAspire General $191 Root $211 GEICO $226 Mercury $226 USAA $235 Kemper Special $258 Kemper Rsvp $263 Sun Coast $268 Anchor $277 National General $316 Dairyland $318 Farmers $333 Direct Auto $341 Bristol West $350 State Farm $361 Travelers $379 21st Century $413 First Acceptance $555 Chubb $643 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 $187 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: Monday, August 10 at 5:00 PM PDT.Average Rates for Teens
CompanyAverage Monthly PremiumUSAA $181 Aspire General $184 Sun Coast $189 GEICO $191 Root $195 Mercury $200 Dairyland $210 National General $219 Direct Auto $252 Bristol West $267 Anchor $271 Farmers $279 Kemper Special $280 State Farm $292 Kemper Rsvp $307 21st Century $309 Travelers $331 First Acceptance $419 Chubb $553 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 $95 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: Monday, August 10 at 5:00 PM PDT.Average Rates for Seniors
CompanyAverage Monthly PremiumUSAA $83 GEICO $87 Mercury $90 National General $91 Aspire General $94 Sun Coast $96 Dairyland $107 Direct Auto $110 Farmers $116 Anchor $118 Root $124 State Farm $124 Bristol West $131 Travelers $133 Kemper Special $143 21st Century $143 Kemper Rsvp $156 Chubb $213 First Acceptance $213 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 $133 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: Monday, August 10 at 5:00 PM PDT.Average Rates With a Ticket
CompanyAverage Monthly PremiumUSAA $130 Aspire General $131 Sun Coast $135 National General $141 GEICO $141 Dairyland $153 Mercury $154 Root $157 Direct Auto $166 Anchor $178 Farmers $183 Bristol West $195 State Farm $195 Kemper Special $200 Travelers $211 Kemper Rsvp $219 21st Century $233 First Acceptance $299 Chubb $352 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 $134 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: Monday, August 10 at 5:00 PM PDT.Average Rates With an Accident
CompanyAverage Monthly PremiumAspire General $132 USAA $133 Sun Coast $136 GEICO $140 National General $147 Dairyland $160 Root $162 Mercury $163 Direct Auto $176 Anchor $183 Farmers $188 Bristol West $200 State Farm $201 Kemper Special $201 Travelers $216 Kemper Rsvp $220 21st Century $238 First Acceptance $301 Chubb $362 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 $143 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: Monday, August 10 at 5:00 PM PDT.Average Rates With a DUI
CompanyAverage Monthly PremiumUSAA $139 Aspire General $140 Sun Coast $144 GEICO $150 National General $156 Mercury $165 Dairyland $171 Direct Auto $183 Root $183 Farmers $198 Anchor $199 Bristol West $213 State Farm $213 Kemper Special $214 Travelers $226 Kemper Rsvp $234 21st Century $238 First Acceptance $320 Chubb $382
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 $100 per month.
How much is car insurance in Oakland?
The average car insurance rate in Oakland is $171 per month, according to our data. That breaks down to $105 per month for liability insurance and $238 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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