Is Car Insurance Cheaper in California or Idaho?

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By Kristine Lee

Updated September 4, 2024

Edited By Renata Balasco

Comparing auto insurance in California and Idaho

If you're relocating from California to Idaho, you are probably fixated on the major concerns and big expenses: finding a reliable long-haul moving service, finding an abode in your new state, and physically moving across state lines.

Amidst the stress of a big move, it can be easy to forget the details. Car insurance is often treated as a detail, but it's a big one. To remain on the right side of the law, you should plan to update your policy — or find a new insurer altogether — when you move between states.

Check out our guide to car insurance in California versus Idaho to take some of the complexity out of the moving process. We'll cover:

Insurance rate comparison
Insurance rates by coverage level
Affordable companies by state
Rates in major cities
Additional resources

California vs. Idaho car insurance — average rates

You should expect to pay less for auto insurance once you relocate. The average annual auto insurance rate in Idaho is $644 less expensive than the average cost in California. Keep in mind this cost depends on your coverage level, driving and insurance history, and your auto insurance company.

AUTO INSURANCE RATES IN CALIFORNIA VS. IDAHO

Location	Average Annual Premium
California	$1,707
Idaho	$1,062

Average car insurance costs by coverage level

How much you shell out for auto insurance depends on how you use your vehicle and what level of coverage you desire.

If you select state minimum liability coverage, you'll have bodily injury, property damage liability, and medical payment coverages, along with uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage and personal injury protection in some states.

CAR INSURANCE RATES FOR BASIC LIABILITY COVERAGE IN CALIFORNIA vs. IDAHO

State	Time Period	Premium
California	Annual	$573
Idaho	Annual	$325
California	6-Month	$286
Idaho	6-Month	$163
California	Monthly	$48
Idaho	Monthly	$27

Upgrading to full-coverage auto insurance will cost more, but you’ll get the peace of mind that comes with collision and comprehensive coverages, as well as rental reimbursement and roadside assistance. The most notable benefit of full coverage is that it insures your vehicle and you more comprehensively than does minimum liability coverage. If you are willing to spend more up front to protect your investment, consider bumping up your policy to full coverage.

CAR INSURANCE RATES — FULL COVERAGE IN CALIFORNIA vs. IDAHO

Location	Time Period	Premium
California	Annual	$1,626
Idaho	Annual	$937
California	6-Month	$813
Idaho	6-Month	$469
California	Monthly	$135
Idaho	Monthly	$78

Cheap car insurance companies in California and Idaho

A primary determinant of your auto insurance costs is the auto insurance company you choose. Insurance companies set rates in a number of ways, leading to substantial variations in pricing. Geography also matters: some insurers only sell policies in certain states, while bigger insurance companies' rates differ by state.

When moving across state lines, it's critical to find the best cheap car insurance company offering policies in your new location. Get your research started below by viewing the five cheapest auto insurance companies in California and Idaho.

CHEAP CAR INSURANCE COMPANIES IN CALIFORNIA

Car 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.

AFFORDABLE CAR INSURANCE COMPANIES IN IDAHO

Insurance Company	Average Annual Rate
Travelers	$608
Cincinnati	$671
USAA	$674
Erie	$719
Western Reserve	$855

View more inexpensive auto insurance companies in Idaho.

Car insurance rates by city in California and Idaho

Although car insurance is legislated on a state-by-state level, insurance companies price rates by ZIP code to account for unique factors such as density and the likelihood of a crash. The location to which you move will play a big part in deciding your rates.

View the below tables to see auto insurance rates in major cities in Idaho and California.

AUTO INSURANCE COSTS 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

Check out a longer list of insurance rates in California cities.

AUTO INSURANCE RATES BY CITY IN IDAHO

City	Average Annual Rate
Boise	$965
Nampa	$1,025
Meridian	$966
Idaho Falls	$1,065
Pocatello	$1,046

Is your new home not listed above? View rates in smaller Idaho cities.

More information on moving from California to Idaho

When moving from California to Idaho, you’ll encounter new rules of the road, different SR-22 or FR-44 requirements, and more. Make sure your move is as easy as possible with The Zebra's data on your new state:

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 editorial 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.

Car Insurance Comparison: California vs. Idaho

Kristine Lee

Renata Balasco