Car Insurance Comparison: Virginia vs. California

Planning a move from Virginia to California? Remember to update your car insurance.

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By Kristine Lee

Updated July 8, 2025

Edited By Ross Martin

Comparing auto insurance in Virginia and California

If you’re moving from Virginia to California, chances are you're fixated on the major concerns and big expenses: finding a dependable moving service, finding a new apartment or house in your new state, and setting your move-in schedule.

Amid all the stress, it can be easy to overlook the details. Car insurance coverage is just a detail, but it's crucial. To find a cheap rate and stay street legal, plan to update your policy — or find a new one — when you move from one state to another.

Check out our guide to auto insurance in Virginia versus California and plan accordingly. We'll cover the following topics:

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

Virginia vs. California car insurance — average rates

Expect to pay more for auto insurance once you move. The average annual auto insurance rate in California is $579 pricier than the average cost in the state of Virginia. Keep in mind this cost depends on your coverage level, driving and insurance history, and your auto insurance company.

AUTO INSURANCE PREMIUMS IN VIRGINIA VS. CALIFORNIA

State	Average Annual Rate
Virginia	$1,127
California	$1,707

Average car insurance costs by coverage level

How much you pay for car insurance depends on your vehicle, your personal driving profile, and how much protection you want out of your policy.

If you elect your state's minimum liability auto insurance coverage, you will most likely carry bodily injury, medical payment, and property damage liability coverages, plus uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage and personal injury protection (PIP) in certain states.

CAR INSURANCE RATES FOR STATE MINIMUM COVERAGE IN VIRGINIA vs. CALIFORNIA

Location	Time Period	Cost
Virginia	Annual	$376
California	Annual	$573
Virginia	6-Month	$188
California	6-Month	$286
Virginia	Monthly	$31
California	Monthly	$48

Choosing to carry full-coverage car insurance will cost more each month, but you’ll get the peace of mind that comes with collision and comprehensive coverages, plus rental reimbursement and roadside assistance protection. The main benefit of full coverage auto insurance is that it insures you and your vehicle more comprehensively than does basic coverage. If you want to go the extra mile to protect your investment, full coverage could be the way to go.

CAR INSURANCE RATES FOR FULL COVERAGE IN VIRGINIA vs. CALIFORNIA

State	Duration	Rate
Virginia	Annual	$982
California	Annual	$1,626
Virginia	6-Month	$491
California	6-Month	$813
Virginia	Monthly	$82
California	Monthly	$135

Inexpensive auto insurance companies in Virginia and California

A major contributor to your auto insurance costs is your choice of auto insurance company. Underwriters assign premiums in a number of ways, resulting in substantial variations in pricing. Your location also comes into play: some insurers only sell policies in a few states, while major insurers' rates change by state.

When moving, it's crucial to find the best cheap car insurance company in your new state. Get your research started below with our list of the five cheapest car insurance companies in Virginia and California.

CHEAP CAR INSURANCE COMPANIES IN VIRGINIA

Insurance Company	Average Annual Rate
Travelers	$666
USAA	$702
Penn National	$733
Cincinnati	$748
Utica National	$773

See additional cheap auto insurance companies in Virginia.

CHEAP CAR INSURANCE COMPANIES IN CALIFORNIA

Company	Average Annual Rate
USAA	$1,132
Wawanesa	$1,169
Century National	$1,202
CSAA	$1,210
Nationwide	$1,238

View more inexpensive auto insurance companies in California.

Car insurance rates by city in Virginia and California

Although car insurance is regulated at the state level, insurance companies price rates by ZIP code to account for local factors such as density and the likelihood of a crash. The location to which you relocate plays a major role in deciding your rates.

View the below tables to see car insurance rates in major cities in California and Virginia.

AUTO INSURANCE RATES BY CITY IN VIRGINIA

City	Average Annual Rate
Virginia Beach	$929
Norfolk	$980
Chesapeake	$917
Arlington	$993
Richmond	$995

View a more comprehensive list of car insurance rates in Virginia 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

Looking for another city's data? View auto insurance rates in other California cities.

More information on moving from Virginia to California

When you relocate from Virginia to California, you’ll encounter a new set of driving laws, potentially different SR-22 rules, 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.