Cheap Auto Insurance Quotes in Sacramento, CA (2023)

Drivers in California’s capital city can’t avoid adding car insurance costs to their budget. But when compared to the rest of the state, Sacramento drivers can find relatively cheap car insurance. 

A minimum-coverage car insurance policy in Sacramento costs an average of $135 per month, which is 54% less per month than the California average of $294. 

How much does car insurance cost in Sacramento?

Although the city you call home affects your premium amount, your exact car insurance costs will vary based on your situation. Insurance companies look at several factors when determining premiums, including your driving history, age, vehicle features, policy type, and more.^[1] 

Even with all these factors at play, it’s helpful to understand the average car insurance costs for drivers in your area. Insurify data scientists conducted an analysis to understand the average costs for Sacramento drivers. 

Here’s a look at some of the cheapest car insurance options In Sacramento:

• Cheapest liability-only insurance: On average, Mile Auto offers Sacramento drivers the cheapest liability-only insurance policies, at $69 per month. 

• Cheapest full-coverage policy: On average, SafeAuto offers Sacramento drivers the cheapest full-coverage insurance policies, at $144 per month. 

• Cheapest insurance for young drivers: With an average cost of $104 per month, Mile Auto offers the cheapest car insurance options for young drivers in Sacramento. 

See More: Cheap Auto Insurance in California

Average cost of auto insurance in Sacramento

Based on careful analysis, the average monthly cost of car insurance in Sacramento is $186. Shopping around for an auto insurance policy can help you find the cheapest option for your situation. But on average, Mile Auto offers the cheapest rates. 

Here’s a breakdown of the average costs for Sacramento drivers by insurance company. 

Read More: Cheap Car Insurance

Average car insurance premiums in Sacramento by marital status

Your marital status can also affect your car insurance premiums because married policyholders tend to file fewer claims than unmarried policyholders. Since unmarried drivers have a higher likelihood of filing a claim, they often pay higher car insurance costs. 

In Sacramento, married drivers pay an average of $249 per month. Drivers who haven’t heard wedding bells ring pay an average of $270 per month. 

Cheapest car insurance in Sacramento: Mile Auto

Drivers looking for the cheapest minimum-liability car insurance option are likely to find what they’re looking for with Mile Auto. On average, drivers pay $69 per month for a liability-only policy through Mile Auto. If you’d prefer a full-coverage policy, SafeAuto offers the lowest average monthly price at $144. 

Every insurance company has a slightly different method of determining premiums. Your exact quote will vary based on factors like your driving record, age, ZIP code, vehicle type, and more. Since everyone has a unique situation, shopping around can help you find the cheapest rates. 

Here’s a closer look at the average costs of liability-only and full-coverage policies in Sacramento by insurance company:

How much car insurance do you need in Sacramento?

California drivers must carry a minimum level of car insurance. The only way to get around this requirement is if you’re willing to prove your financial responsibility in the form of a deposit or bond to the DMV totaling $35,000. 

Most drivers opt to carry insurance instead of making this deposit of financial responsibility. Drivers must carry at least 15/20/5 insurance. Here’s a breakdown of those requirements:^[2]

• $15,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per person

• $30,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per accident

• $5,000 in property damage liability coverage

After purchasing your policy, you’ll need to carry proof of insurance with you at all times. You must present this proof when requested by law enforcement, renewing your vehicle registration, and after a traffic collision.   

The requirements above are the bare-bones amount you need to drive legally in California. However, this coverage doesn’t include any help repairing your own vehicle after an at-fault accident. If you want more financial protection, look into collision and comprehensive coverage. 

California DMV information

The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) allows drivers in California to tackle many essential tasks online. For example, you can request a replacement driver’s license or pay reinstatement fees through the website. But some services require an in-person visit, which you can make an appointment for in advance.^[3]  

Tips for getting cheap car insurance in Sacramento

Car insurance is often a big line item in any monthly budget, which makes finding a cheap option important for many. 

Here are some strategies to help you lower your car insurance costs:

• Find a discount opportunity. Many car insurance companies offer discount options to their policyholders. Some relatively common discount options are available for military members, students, and good drivers. Ask your insurer which discounts you might be eligible for. 

• Increase your deductible. An insurance policy with a higher deductible often comes with lower insurance premiums. But make sure you can afford the deductible before raising it, because your deductible is the amount you’ll have to pay out of pocket before your insurance will kick in if you need to file a claim. 

• Shop around. Every insurer looks at your unique situation a bit differently. As a driver, the best way to find the cheapest option is to get quotes from multiple insurance companies. You can tackle this task in minutes with an online quote-comparison tool. 

Another way to save on car insurance is by earning an excellent driving reputation. 

“The fact is, better drivers often get lower rates on their car insurance,” says Anthony Martin, founder and CEO of Choice Mutual Insurance. “Avoiding speeding tickets is an easy way to start. Your insurance company will sometimes reduce your payment for every three years you go without an accident.”

Read More: Compare Home and Auto Insurance Bundles

How age affects car insurance rates in Sacramento 

Your age is one factor that insurance companies consider when setting your car insurance rates. On average, mature drivers with years of experience on the road get into fewer accidents than younger drivers. A higher likelihood of a car accident means that insurance companies often charge more for younger drivers. In Sacramento, teen drivers pay an average of $387 per month for car insurance, while drivers in their 60s enjoy the most affordable rates at $138 per month. The table below shows what Sacramento drivers can expect to pay each month on average based on their age group.

See Also: Compare Car Insurance by Age and Gender

Cheapest car insurance for young drivers in Sacramento

Young drivers typically pay higher car insurance premiums because of their lack of driving experience. On average, young drivers in Sacramento find the cheapest premiums with Mile Auto, at $120 per month. But SafeAuto, Travelers, Anchor, Progressive, and Farmers each offer average premiums of less than $200 per month for full-coverage policies.

Cheapest car insurance for middle-aged drivers in Sacramento

Middle-aged drivers can find significantly lower monthly premiums than young drivers. But on average, the cheapest option for full-coverage insurance in Sacramento is still Mile Auto, at $90 per month.

Cheapest car insurance for senior drivers in Sacramento

Older drivers in Sacramento will find options on-par with middle-aged drivers. At $91 per month, Mile Auto offers the cheapest average monthly premiums for full-coverage car insurance.

Check Out: The Best Car Insurance Companies for Seniors

How credit scores affect cheap car insurance in Sacramento

Your credit score is one of many factors that insurers consider when determining car insurance premiums. In many states, insurance companies factor your credit score into a broader insurance score, which indicates how much of a risk you might be to insure and how much they’ll charge you for a policy.^[4] In general, drivers with poor credit tend to pay more for car insurance than those with excellent credit scores. 

FICO scores fall on a scale between 300 and 850. A FICO score below 579 is considered poor, while a score of 580-699 is considered fair. A FICO credit score between 670 and 739 is considered good.

Although California doesn’t allow insurance companies to use credit-based scores or credit history for setting insurance rates, other factors can cause monthly averages to vary for people in different credit tiers. Explore the average full-coverage premiums for your credit score range below:

Read More: Car Insurance Rates by Credit Tier

The effect of driving habits on car insurance in Sacramento

The type of insurance coverage you purchase, as well as your driving habits, affect how much you’ll pay for car insurance. Drivers with red flags on their driving record tend to see higher insurance costs than drivers with a clean record. For example, having a history of accidents, getting a DUI, or speeding tickets on your driving record often leads to higher insurance costs. 

The tables below outline how different driving infractions could increase your rates for car insurance.

It’s important to note that when you see a negative difference in a table, it doesn’t mean that particular insurance company lowers rates for drivers with that infraction on their records. Rather, it may mean that our sample size was small — insurers may choose to not offer policies to drivers with that infraction. Your actual rate can vary, based on a number of factors other than driving record. Cheapest car insurance with an accident in Sacramento: Mile Auto

Car insurance costs tend to rise after an at-fault accident. But you’ll still find competitive rates available. On average, drivers with an accident in their past pay an average of $112 per month through Mile Auto. 

Cheapest car insurance with a DUI in Sacramento: SafeAuto

A DUI is often perceived as a major risk factor for insurance companies, which leads to higher car insurance costs. After a DUI, drivers pay an average of $146 per month for insurance through SafeAuto.

Cheapest car insurance with a speeding ticket in Sacramento: Mile Auto

Speeding through the streets of Sacramento might land you with a ticket. Drivers typically pay more for car insurance after getting a speeding ticket. On average, the cheapest car insurance option is through Mile Auto, at $131 per month. 

Car insurance in other California cities

Car insurance rates can vary greatly from city to city — even within the same state. Here’s a look at car insurance in some other California cities:

• Cheap Auto Insurance Quotes in Los Angeles, CA

• Cheap Auto Insurance Quotes in San Francisco, CA

• Cheap Auto Insurance Quotes in San Diego, CA

• Cheap Auto Insurance Quotes in Anaheim, CA

• Cheap Auto Insurance Quotes in Fresno, CA

Find local Sacramento agents

Sacramento car insurance FAQs

Here are answers to some commonly asked questions about car insurance in Sacramento.