Comparing auto insurance in California and Arizona
If you are relocating from California to Arizona, you are probably paying attention to the big-picture concerns and major expenses: tracking down a reliable moving service, finding a house or apartment in your new locale, and arranging your move across state lines.
Amid all the stress, it's easy to overlook some details. Auto insurance is one of these details, but it's an important one. To remain on the right side of the law, plan to update your policy — or purchase a new policy — when you make the move.
Check out our guide to car insurance in California versus Arizona and plan your next steps accordingly. We'll cover the following:
- Insurance rate comparison
- Insurance rates by coverage level
- Affordable companies by state
- Rates in major cities
- Additional resources
California vs. Arizona car insurance — average premiums
You should expect to pay less for auto insurance once you move. The typical annual car insurance rate in Arizona is $349 less expensive than the average expense in California. The exact cost may vary, depending on your coverage level, driving and insurance history, and your auto insurance company.
AUTO INSURANCE RATES IN CALIFORNIA AND ARIZONA
| State | Average Annual Rate |
| California | $1,707 |
| Arizona | $1,357 |
Car insurance prices by coverage level
How much you pay for auto insurance depends on your chosen coverage level and how much money you’re willing to dedicate to protecting your vehicle.
If you go with your state's minimum coverage, you will carry bodily injury, property damage liability, and medical payment coverages, along with uninsured and underinsured driver coverage and personal injury protection in certain states.
AUTO INSURANCE PREMIUMS FOR BASIC LIABILITY COVERAGE IN CALIFORNIA vs. ARIZONA
| State | Period | Premium |
| California | Annual | $573 |
| Arizona | Annual | $513 |
| California | 6-Month | $286 |
| Arizona | 6-Month | $257 |
| California | Monthly | $48 |
| Arizona | Monthly | $43 |
Electing full-coverage auto insurance will cost substantially more, but you will receive collision and comprehensive coverage levels, plus perks like rental reimbursement and roadside assistance. The primary benefit of full coverage auto insurance is that it insures your vehicle and you better than does basic coverage. If you want to go the extra mile to protect your investment in your vehicle, full coverage could be the way to go.
CAR INSURANCE RATES FOR FULL COVERAGE IN CALIFORNIA vs. ARIZONA
| Location | Duration | Premium |
| California | Annual | $1,626 |
| Arizona | Annual | $1,263 |
| California | 6-Month | $813 |
| Arizona | 6-Month | $632 |
| California | Monthly | $135 |
| Arizona | Monthly | $105 |
Affordable auto insurance companies in California and Arizona
A major contributor to your auto insurance costs is your choice of car insurance company. Car insurance companies assign rates in a variety of ways, leading to major price variations. Location also plays a role: some insurers only sell policies in certain states, while major insurers’ rates may vary by state.
When moving to a new state, you should try to find the best cheap car insurance company in your new state. Start researching below by viewing the five cheapest car insurance companies in California and Arizona.
AFFORDABLE CAR INSURANCE COMPANIES IN CALIFORNIA
| Insurance Company | Average Annual Rate |
| USAA | $1,132 |
| Wawanesa | $1,169 |
| Century National | $1,202 |
| CSAA | $1,210 |
| Nationwide | $1,238 |
See other cheap auto insurance companies in California.
CHEAP CAR INSURANCE COMPANIES IN ARIZONA
| Insurance Company | Average Annual Rate |
| The Hartford | $536 |
| SAFECO | $561 |
| Auto-Owners | $906 |
| Travelers | $1,097 |
| USAA | $1,102 |
View more cheap auto insurance companies in Arizona.
Car insurance rates by city in California and Arizona
Although car insurance is regulated on a state-by-state level, underwriters assign rates by ZIP code to adjust for unique factors such as density and the likelihood of a crash. The location to which you relocate will play a big part in deciding your premiums.
View the below tables to see car insurance rates in major cities in Arizona and California.
CAR INSURANCE RATES BY CITY IN CALIFORNIA
| City | Average Annual Rate |
| Los Angeles | $2,125 |
| San Diego | $1,354 |
| San Jose | $1,409 |
| San Francisco | $1,728 |
| Fresno | $1,487 |
See a longer list of California cities.
CAR INSURANCE PREMIUMS BY CITY IN ARIZONA
| City | Average Annual Rate |
| Phoenix | $1,243 |
| Tucson | $1,083 |
| Mesa | $1,136 |
| Chandler | $1,104 |
| Glendale | $1,202 |
Looking for another city's data? View more insurance rates for Arizona cities.
More resources: moving from California to Arizona
When moving from California to Arizona, you will encounter new driving laws, different SR-22 or FR-44 requirements, and more. Make sure your move goes smoothly with our collection of information on your new home:
Related content
- Florida vs. Georgia State Comparison
- New York vs. Texas State Comparison
- New Jersey vs. California State Comparison
- Virginia vs. Florida State Comparison
- Massachusetts vs. California State Comparison
- New York vs. Colorado State Comparison
- New Jersey vs. North Carolina State Comparison
- Texas vs. Alaska State Comparison
- Oregon vs. Washington State Comparison
- Texas vs. New Jersey State Comparison
About The Zebra
The Zebra is not an insurance company. We publish data-backed, expert-reviewed resources to help consumers make more informed insurance decisions.
- The Zebra’s insurance content is written and reviewed for accuracy by licensed insurance agents.
- The Zebra’s insurance content is not subject to review or alteration by insurance companies or partners.
- The Zebra’s editorial team operates independently of the company’s partnerships and commercialization interests, publishing unbiased information for consumer benefit.
- The auto insurance rates published on The Zebra’s pages are based on a comprehensive analysis of car insurance pricing data, evaluating more than 83 million insurance rates from across the United States.