Is Car Insurance Cheaper in Kentucky or California?

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By Kristine Lee

Updated December 9, 2024

Edited By Ross Martin

Comparing auto insurance in Kentucky and California

If you're in the process of relocating from Kentucky to California, you might be focused on the primary concerns and expenses: finding a dependable long-distance moving company, securing a home in your new state, and arranging your interstate move.

With so many moving parts, it’s easy to overlook the details. Car insurance is often just an afterthought, but it's important. To stay street legal and find a good deal, plan to reevaluate your policy — or find a new insurer altogether — when you move from one state to another.

Consult our guide to auto insurance in Kentucky versus California and learn what your next steps should be. We'll cover the following:

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

Kentucky vs. California car insurance — average premiums

Expect to pay less for car insurance in your new state. The typical annual car insurance rate in California is $689 less than the cost in Kentucky. The exact cost will vary, depending on your coverage, driving and insurance history, and your auto insurance company.

CAR INSURANCE PREMIUMS IN KENTUCKY AND CALIFORNIA

State	Average Annual Rate
Kentucky	$2,396
California	$1,707

Average car insurance rates by coverage level

The cost of car insurance coverage depends on how you use your vehicle and what level of coverage you desire.

If you go with state minimum liability auto insurance coverage, you will most likely carry bodily injury, medical payment, and property damage liability coverages, along with underinsured and uninsured motorist coverage and personal injury protection in some states.

AUTO INSURANCE PREMIUMS FOR BASIC LIABILITY COVERAGE IN KENTUCKY vs. CALIFORNIA

Location	Time Period	Premium
Kentucky	Annual	$975
California	Annual	$573
Kentucky	6-Month	$488
California	6-Month	$286
Kentucky	Monthly	$81
California	Monthly	$48

Electing full-coverage car insurance incurs further costs, but you’ll get the peace of mind that comes with collision and comprehensive coverages, along with extras like rental car reimbursement and roadside assistance. The chief pro of full coverage is that it insures your vehicle and you more comprehensively than does a lower level of coverage. If you want to go the extra mile to protect your investment, full coverage could be the way to go.

AUTO INSURANCE RATES — FULL COVERAGE IN KENTUCKY vs. CALIFORNIA

Location	Duration	Cost
Kentucky	Annual	$2,143
California	Annual	$1,626
Kentucky	6-Month	$1,072
California	6-Month	$813
Kentucky	Monthly	$179
California	Monthly	$135

Inexpensive car insurance companies in Kentucky and California

One of the top contributing factors to car insurance costs is the insurer you choose. Auto insurance companies assign premiums in a variety of ways, leading to substantial variations in pricing. Geography plays a role, too: some car insurance companies only sell policies in a few states, while major insurers' rates change by state.

When moving, it's crucial to find the best cheap auto insurance company selling policies in your new location. Get started below by viewing the five most affordable auto insurance companies in Kentucky and California.

AFFORDABLE CAR INSURANCE COMPANIES IN KENTUCKY

Insurance Company	Average Annual Rate
Cincinnati	$1,104
Kentucky Farm Bureau	$1,151
USAA	$1,199
Auto-Owners	$1,385
Motorists Mutual	$1,585

See other cheap auto insurance companies in Kentucky.

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

See more cheap auto insurance companies in California.

Car insurance rates by city in Kentucky and California

Though car insurance is regulated by states, insurance companies price rates by ZIP code to adjust for local factors like density and frequency of car crashes. The exact location to which you relocate will play a big part in deciding your auto insurance rates.

Reference the below tables to see car insurance rates in major cities in California and Kentucky.

CAR INSURANCE PRICES BY CITY IN KENTUCKY

City	Average Annual Rate
Louisville	$2,133
Lexington	$1,484
Bowling Green	$1,447
Owensboro	$1,404
Covington	$1,502

Check out a more comprehensive list of car insurance rates in Kentucky cities.

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

Looking for another city's data? View more insurance rates for California cities.

More information on moving from Kentucky to California

When you relocate from Kentucky to California, you'll face new rules of the road, different FR-44 or SR-22 requirements, and more. Ensure your interstate move is seamless 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: Kentucky vs. California

Kristine Lee

Ross Martin