Is Car Insurance Cheaper in Connecticut or California?

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By Kristine Lee

Updated October 9, 2024

Edited By Ross Martin

Comparing auto insurance in Connecticut and California

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:

Insurance cost comparison
Insurance rates by coverage level
Cheap companies by state
Rates by city
Additional resources

Connecticut vs. California car insurance — average rates

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.

CAR INSURANCE PREMIUMS IN CONNECTICUT VS. CALIFORNIA

State	Average Annual Premium
Connecticut	$1,809
California	$1,707

Average car insurance premiums by coverage level

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.

AUTO INSURANCE PREMIUMS — STATE MINIMUM COVERAGE IN CONNECTICUT vs. CALIFORNIA

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.

CAR INSURANCE RATES — FULL COVERAGE IN CONNECTICUT vs. CALIFORNIA

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

Cheap auto insurance companies in Connecticut and California

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.

AFFORDABLE CAR INSURANCE COMPANIES IN CONNECTICUT

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.

AFFORDABLE AUTO 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

View other cheap auto insurance companies in California.

Car insurance rates by city in Connecticut and 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.

CAR INSURANCE RATES BY CITY IN 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.

CAR INSURANCE PREMIUMS 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

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

More resources: moving from Connecticut to California

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:

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: Connecticut vs. California

Kristine Lee

Ross Martin