Planning a move from Connecticut to California? Remember to update your car insurance.
If you are relocating from Connecticut to California, you are probably focusing on the major concerns and expenses: finding a reliable moving service, securing a new apartment or house in your new city, and setting your move-in schedule.
With so many moving parts, it’s easy to overlook the details. Car insurance is often treated as a detail, but it's an important one. To stay street legal and find cheap rates, plan to reevaluate your policy — or find a new insurance company — when you move between states.
Consult our guide to auto insurance in Connecticut and California and make your move painless. We'll cover:
You should expect to pay less for auto insurance in your new home. The usual annual car insurance rate in California is $103 less expensive than the cost in Connecticut. The exact cost will vary, depending on your coverage, driving and insurance history, and your auto insurance company.
| State | Average Annual Premium |
| Connecticut | $1,809 |
| California | $1,707 |
How much you spend on car insurance depends on your vehicle, your personal driving profile, and what level of coverage you want.
If you elect your state's minimum liability car insurance coverage, you'll get bodily injury, property damage liability, and medical payment coverages, plus underinsured and uninsured motorist coverage and personal injury protection (PIP) in some states.
| Location | Period | Premium |
| Connecticut | Annual | $643 |
| California | Annual | $573 |
| Connecticut | 6-Month | $321 |
| California | 6-Month | $286 |
| Connecticut | Monthly | $54 |
| California | Monthly | $48 |
Choosing to carry full-coverage auto insurance will cost more each month, but you'll get the added protection of comprehensive and collision coverage levels, along with extras like rental car reimbursement and roadside assistance. The primary benefit of full coverage car insurance is that it protects your vehicle and you more comprehensively than does minimum liability coverage. If you're motivated to protect your investment, consider bumping up your policy to full coverage.
| Location | Time Period | Cost |
| Connecticut | Annual | $1,453 |
| California | Annual | $1,626 |
| Connecticut | 6-Month | $726 |
| California | 6-Month | $813 |
| Connecticut | Monthly | $121 |
| California | Monthly | $135 |
A major contributor to your auto insurance costs is your choice of insurer. Underwriters set premiums in a number of ways, resulting in major price variations. Location also plays a role: some regional companies sell policies only in certain places, while major insurers' rates change by state.
When moving across state lines, you should look to find the best cheap auto insurance company in your new state. Get started below by viewing the five cheapest auto insurance companies in Connecticut and California.
| Car Insurance Company | Average Annual Rate |
| Utica National | $784 |
| Travelers | $1,148 |
| Amica | $1,232 |
| USAA | $1,246 |
| Nationwide | $1,411 |
See other affordable auto insurance companies in Connecticut.
| Car Insurance Company | Average Annual Rate |
| USAA | $1,132 |
| Wawanesa | $1,169 |
| Century National | $1,202 |
| CSAA | $1,210 |
| Nationwide | $1,238 |
View other cheap auto insurance companies in California.
While car insurance is regulated at the state level, insurers assign rates by ZIP code to account for unique factors like density and frequency of car crashes. The location to which you move plays a major role in deciding your auto insurance rates.
View the below tables to see car insurance rates in major cities in California and Connecticut.
| City | Average Annual Rate |
| Bridgeport | $2,007 |
| New Haven | $2,018 |
| Hartford | $2,044 |
| Stamford | $1,649 |
| Waterbury | $1,927 |
See a more comprehensive list of car insurance rates in Connecticut cities here.
| City | Average Annual Rate |
| Los Angeles | $2,125 |
| San Diego | $1,354 |
| San Jose | $1,409 |
| San Francisco | $1,728 |
| Fresno | $1,487 |
Is your new home not listed above? View rates in smaller California cities here.
When you move from Connecticut to California, you'll face new driving laws, different FR-44 or SR-22 requirements, and more. Make sure your move is as easy as possible with our data on your new home: