Is Car Insurance Cheaper in California or Nevada?

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By Ross Martin

Updated October 7, 2024

Edited By Kristine Lee

Comparing auto insurance in California and Nevada

If you are plotting a move from California to Nevada, you might be paying attention to the big-picture concerns and major expenses: locating a trustworthy moving company, finding an apartment or house in your new state, and setting your move-in schedule.

Amidst the stress of a move, it’s easy to overlook the details. Car insurance is often treated as a detail, but it's important. To stay on the right side of the law, you’ll need to update your policy — or find a new policy altogether — when you move between states.

Consult our guide to auto insurance in California and Nevada to ensure your interstate move goes smoothly. We'll cover the following:

Insurance cost comparison
Rates by coverage level
Cheap companies by state
Rates in major cities
Additional resources

California vs. Nevada car insurance — average prices

You should expect to pay less for car insurance once you move. The typical annual car insurance rate in Nevada is $21 more affordable than the cost in California. The precise cost will depend on your coverage, driving history, and your auto insurance company.

CAR INSURANCE RATES IN CALIFORNIA VS. NEVADA

State	Average Annual Rate
California	$1,707
Nevada	$1,686

Auto insurance premiums by coverage level

How much you spend on an auto policy depends on how you use your vehicle and how much money you’re willing to dedicate to protecting your vehicle.

If you decide to go with state minimum liability car insurance coverage, you will get bodily injury, property damage liability, and medical payment coverages, along with uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage and personal injury protection in some states.

AUTO INSURANCE RATES — MINIMUM LIABILITY COVERAGE IN CALIFORNIA vs. NEVADA

Location	Time Period	Rate
California	Annual	$573
Nevada	Annual	$722
California	6-Month	$286
Nevada	6-Month	$361
California	Monthly	$48
Nevada	Monthly	$60

Choosing full-coverage car insurance will cost substantially more, but you'll get the added benefits of collision and comprehensive coverages, as well as rental reimbursement and roadside assistance. The primary benefit of full coverage is that it covers your vehicle and you more comprehensively than does basic coverage. If you want to do everything possible to protect your investment in your vehicle, full coverage is recommended.

CAR INSURANCE RATES — FULL COVERAGE IN CALIFORNIA vs. NEVADA

Location	Period	Premium
California	Annual	$1,626
Nevada	Annual	$1,605
California	6-Month	$813
Nevada	6-Month	$803
California	Monthly	$135
Nevada	Monthly	$134

Cheap car insurance companies in California and Nevada

A major determinant of your car insurance costs is the auto insurance company you choose. Auto insurance companies price premiums in a number of ways, leading to substantial variations in pricing. Geography also plays a role: some car insurance companies sell policies only in certain places, while major insurance companies shift rates by state.

When moving across state lines, you should look to locate the best cheap auto insurance company in your new location. Get your research started below with our list of the five cheapest auto insurance companies in California and Nevada.

AFFORDABLE 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 AUTO INSURANCE COMPANIES IN NEVADA

Insurance Company	Average Annual Rate
Travelers	$921
Allied	$930
Capital	$998
Oregon Mutual	$1,170
American Family	$1,206

View other cheap auto insurance companies in Nevada.

Car insurance rates by city in California and Nevada

While car insurance is legislated on a state-by-state level, insurance companies price rates by ZIP code to adjust for location-specific factors like density and frequency of car crashes. The exact location to which you relocate will play a major role in deciding your auto insurance rates.

View the below tables to see auto insurance rates in major cities in Nevada 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

View a more comprehensive list of insurance rates in California cities.

AUTO INSURANCE PREMIUMS BY CITY IN NEVADA

City	Average Annual Rate
Las Vegas	$1,911
Henderson	$1,732
Reno	$1,269
Paradise	$2,021
North Las Vegas	$1,863

Your new city not listed above? View more insurance rates for Nevada cities.

More information on moving from California to Nevada

When relocating from California to Nevada, you’ll encounter new rules of the road, different FR-44 or SR-22 requirements, and more. Make sure your move goes off without a hitch with our collection of information 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. Nevada

Ross Martin

Kristine Lee