Comparing car insurance in Colorado and California
If you're relocating from Colorado to California, you may be focusing on the major concerns and big expenses: locating a dependable long-haul moving service, getting an apartment or house in your new city, and arranging your interstate move.
With all these moving parts, it can be easy to forget the details. Auto insurance is often just an afterthought, but it's important. To stay street legal and find cheap rates, plan to reevaluate your policy — or purchase a new policy — when you move.
Read our guide to auto insurance in Colorado versus California and ensure your move is pain-free. We'll cover the following topics:
- Insurance rate comparison
- Insurance rates by coverage level
- Cheap companies by state
- Rates in major cities
- Additional resources
Colorado vs. California auto insurance — average prices
Expect to pay more for car insurance once you move. The typical annual auto insurance rate in California is $291 pricier than the average expense in Colorado. The exact cost will depend on your coverage level, driving and insurance history, and your auto insurance company.
CAR INSURANCE RATES IN COLORADO VS. CALIFORNIA
| State | Average Annual Price |
| Colorado | $1,416 |
| California | $1,707 |
Auto insurance rates by coverage level
How much you pay for auto insurance depends on how you use your vehicle and how much protection you want from your policy.
If you go with your state's minimum liability auto insurance coverage, you'll carry medical payment, bodily injury, and property damage liability coverages, plus uninsured and underinsured driver coverage and personal injury protection (PIP) in some states.
AUTO INSURANCE RATES FOR BASIC LIABILITY COVERAGE IN COLORADO vs. CALIFORNIA
| State | Period | Cost |
| Colorado | Annual | $521 |
| California | Annual | $573 |
| Colorado | 6-Month | $260 |
| California | 6-Month | $286 |
| Colorado | Monthly | $43 |
| California | Monthly | $48 |
Electing full-coverage car insurance will cost substantially more, but you'll get the added benefits of collision and comprehensive coverages, plus such perks as rental reimbursement and roadside assistance. The most notable benefit of full coverage auto insurance is that it protects you and your vehicle more comprehensively than does minimum liability coverage. If you're ready to spend more to protect your investment in your vehicle, full coverage could be the way to go.
AUTO INSURANCE PREMIUMS FOR FULL COVERAGE IN COLORADO vs. CALIFORNIA
| Location | Time Period | Cost |
| Colorado | Annual | $1,406 |
| California | Annual | $1,626 |
| Colorado | 6-Month | $703 |
| California | 6-Month | $813 |
| Colorado | Monthly | $117 |
| California | Monthly | $135 |
Inexpensive car insurance companies in Colorado and California
One of the top contributing factors to auto insurance costs is your choice of car insurance company. Car insurance companies assign premiums in a variety of ways, leading to substantial variations in pricing. Location also plays a role: some auto insurance companies sell policies only in certain places, while major insurers’ rates may vary by state.
When moving to a new state, it's critical to find the best cheap auto insurance company selling policies in your new location. Get your research started below with our list of the five cheapest car insurance companies in Colorado and California.
CHEAP AUTO INSURANCE COMPANIES IN COLORADO
| Insurance Company | Average Annual Rate |
| The Hartford | $842 |
| Grange | $968 |
| USAA | $1,019 |
| Nationwide | $1,132 |
| GEICO | $1,164 |
See other cheap auto insurance companies in Colorado.
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 |
View more cheap auto insurance companies in California.
Car insurance rates by city in Colorado and California
Though car insurance is regulated at the state level, insurance companies assign rates by ZIP code to adjust for unique factors like density and frequency of car crashes. The specific location to which you relocate plays a big part in deciding how much you pay for auto insurance.
The below tables show car insurance rates in major cities in California and Colorado.
AUTO INSURANCE PRICES BY CITY IN COLORADO
| City | Average Annual Rate |
| Denver | $1,411 |
| Colorado Springs | $1,303 |
| Aurora | $1,389 |
| Fort Collins | $1,078 |
| Lakewood | $1,351 |
View data on other Colorado cities.
AUTO INSURANCE PREMIUMS BY CITY IN CALIFORNIA
| City | Average Annual Premium |
| Los Angeles | $2,125 |
| San Diego | $1,354 |
| San Jose | $1,409 |
| San Francisco | $1,728 |
| Fresno | $1,487 |
Seeking data on another city? View other California cities.
Additional resources: moving from Colorado to California
When you relocate from Colorado to California, you will encounter a new set of driving laws, different SR-22 or FR-44 requirements, and more. Make sure your move is seamless with our collection of information on your new state:
- Car insurance laws in California
- California insurance FAQs
- Car insurance with a DUI/DWI in California
Compare rates now!
Related content
- New York vs. California State Comparison
- Georgia vs. California State Comparison
- Pennsylvania vs. Florida State Comparison
- New Jersey vs. Florida State Comparison
- Florida vs. California State Comparison
- Florida vs. Georgia State Comparison
- Illinois vs. Arizona State Comparison
- Texas vs. Colorado State Comparison
- Illinois vs. Indiana State Comparison
- Florida vs. Colorado State Comparison