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

USAA offers the cheapest average rates in Oakland, but your personal costs will depend on several key factors.

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Drivers in Oakland, California, pay an average of $173 per month for car insurance, according to Compare.com data. Still, several companies offer rates well below this citywide average.

USAA, Aspire General, and GEICO stand out as the three insurers providing the most affordable average rates — as low as $102 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.

Key Takeaways
  • USAA offers the lowest average monthly rate in Oakland, at $102.

  • Oakland’s average rates are $107 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.

The below rates in Oakland, CA, are estimated rates current as of: Wednesday, September 30 at 5:00 PM PDT. 
Company
Average Monthly Premium
USAA$102
Aspire General$104
GEICO$106
Sun Coast$107
Mercury$112
Progressive$112
National General$113
Dairyland$124
Direct Auto$128
Root$132
Anchor$142
Farmers$145
Bristol West$154
Kemper Special$157
State Farm$157
Travelers$165
Kemper Rsvp$174
21st Century$179
Hugo$227
First Acceptance$237
Chubb$279
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 Wednesday, September 30 at 5:00 PM PDT.

USAA emerges as the most affordable option, with an average monthly rate of just $102. 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

An aerial view of intersecting highways in Oakland, California

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 coverageUSAA$102
Full coverageAspire General$191
TeensUSAA$183
SeniorsUSAA$85
Drivers with a speeding ticketUSAA$132
Drivers with an at-fault accidentUSAA$136
Drivers with a DUIUSAA$143
Drivers with excellent creditUSAA$94
Drivers with poor creditUSAA$124
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 .

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 $102 per month.

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Cheapest state-minimum coverage: USAAexpand/collapse

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 $107 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: Wednesday, September 30 at 5:00 PM PDT. 

Average Liability Rates by Company

Company
Average Monthly Premium
USAA$102
Aspire General$104
GEICO$106
Sun Coast$107
Mercury$112
Progressive$112
National General$113
Dairyland$124
Direct Auto$128
Root$132
Anchor$142
Farmers$145
Bristol West$154
Kemper Special$157
State Farm$157
Travelers$165
Kemper Rsvp$174
21st Century$179
Hugo$227
First Acceptance$237
Chubb$279
Cheapest full coverage: Aspire Generalexpand/collapse

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: Wednesday, September 30 at 5:00 PM PDT. 

Average Full-Coverage Rates by Company

Company
Average Monthly Premium
Aspire General$191
Root$211
GEICO$225
Mercury$229
Progressive$232
USAA$238
Kemper Special$260
Kemper Rsvp$266
Sun Coast$268
Anchor$275
National General$318
Dairyland$327
Direct Auto$332
Farmers$338
Bristol West$353
State Farm$366
Travelers$385
21st Century$419
First Acceptance$558
Chubb$652
Cheapest for teens: USAAexpand/collapse

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 $190 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: Wednesday, September 30 at 5:00 PM PDT. 

Average Rates for Teens

Company
Average Monthly Premium
USAA$183
Aspire General$184
GEICO$189
Sun Coast$190
Root$195
Progressive$199
Mercury$200
Dairyland$210
National General$220
Direct Auto$245
Bristol West$267
Anchor$268
Kemper Special$279
Farmers$284
State Farm$298
Kemper Rsvp$309
21st Century$311
Travelers$336
Hugo$403
First Acceptance$420
Chubb$558
Cheapest for seniors: USAAexpand/collapse

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 $97 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: Wednesday, September 30 at 5:00 PM PDT. 

Average Rates for Seniors

Company
Average Monthly Premium
USAA$85
GEICO$87
Mercury$90
National General$91
Aspire General$94
Sun Coast$97
Progressive$102
Direct Auto$107
Dairyland$108
Anchor$116
Farmers$118
Root$124
State Farm$127
Bristol West$132
Travelers$136
Kemper Special$142
21st Century$145
Kemper Rsvp$158
Hugo$206
First Acceptance$215
Chubb$217
Cheapest after a ticket: USAAexpand/collapse

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 $136 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: Wednesday, September 30 at 5:00 PM PDT. 

Average Rates With a Ticket

Company
Average Monthly Premium
USAA$132
Aspire General$132
Sun Coast$136
GEICO$140
National General$142
Progressive$143
Dairyland$155
Mercury$155
Root$158
Direct Auto$162
Anchor$176
Farmers$187
Bristol West$196
Kemper Special$200
State Farm$200
Travelers$215
Kemper Rsvp$221
21st Century$237
Hugo$289
First Acceptance$302
Chubb$358
Cheapest after an accident: USAAexpand/collapse

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 $138 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: Wednesday, September 30 at 5:00 PM PDT. 

Average Rates With an Accident

Company
Average Monthly Premium
Aspire General$134
USAA$136
Sun Coast$138
GEICO$139
Progressive$144
National General$148
Dairyland$161
Root$163
Mercury$165
Direct Auto$173
Anchor$182
Farmers$192
Bristol West$202
Kemper Special$202
State Farm$206
Travelers$221
Kemper Rsvp$224
21st Century$242
Hugo$292
First Acceptance$305
Chubb$369
Cheapest after a DUI: USAAexpand/collapse

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 $147 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: Wednesday, September 30 at 5:00 PM PDT. 

Average Rates With a DUI

Company
Average Monthly Premium
Aspire General$142
USAA$143
Sun Coast$147
GEICO$150
Progressive$153
National General$158
Mercury$167
Dairyland$173
Direct Auto$179
Root$185
Anchor$199
Farmers$203
Kemper Special$215
Bristol West$215
State Farm$220
Travelers$231
Kemper Rsvp$238
21st Century$243
Hugo$311
First Acceptance$325
Chubb$390

Get Cheaper Rates in Minutes

Compare personalized quotes from Oakland’s top insurers.

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California Auto Insurance Requirements

The Oakland, California skyline

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]

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

Is minimum coverage enough in Oakland?

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 $102 per month.

How much is car insurance in Oakland?

The average car insurance rate in Oakland is $173 per month, according to our data. That breaks down to $107 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?

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.

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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