{"id":10594,"date":"2025-01-03T09:04:00","date_gmt":"2025-01-03T09:04:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/?p=10594"},"modified":"2025-01-28T14:08:54","modified_gmt":"2025-01-28T14:08:54","slug":"california-car-insurance-rate-hikes-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/auto\/california-car-insurance-rate-hikes-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Keeping Coverage Affordable: California Drivers Will See Auto Insurance Rate Increases in 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

New Legislation Means Many California Drivers Will Need More Coverage in 2025<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Now that 2025 is here, many California drivers will face another significant auto insurance rate increase. After two years of inflation-related increases, Californians already encounter challenges in securing affordable coverage, resulting in over 4.7 million uninsured drivers in the state.  Senate Bill 1107<\/a>, which increases minimum insurance requirements, is expected to further drive up premiums statewide. This latest change could disproportionately affect communities where insurance costs already strain household budgets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Freeway Insurance<\/a>, which focuses on providing affordable coverage, reports that 98% of California drivers with non-standard auto insurance are likely to be affected by the new wave of upcoming rate increases. To address these challenges, Freeway has access to multiple carriers, enabling customers to compare options and secure the best rates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBy offering personalized solutions and a variety of carrier choices, we are committed to helping California\u2019s communities maintain their insurance coverage, even as rates rise,\u201d said Cesar Soriano, Freeway CEO. \u201cOur mission is to ensure that drivers have access to essential coverage that meets new legal requirements without overwhelming their finances, helping them stay insured and compliant.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How can California drivers deal with this rate increase? Here is a breakdown behind the causes for the rate hikes and some practical tips to help mitigate rising costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Average Rates Rising Throughout the Country<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

California’s insurance rate increases reflect trends observed in many parts of the country in the past two years. In 2024, the average cost to insure a car in the U.S. is $2,388*. That\u2019s a jump of 22% (or roughly $525) over 2023 rates and a 15% (or about $358) increase over 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consumers may see rate increases each year due to individual factors like driving records, as well as broader issues such as rising repair costs from advanced vehicle technology and the growing frequency of weather-related disasters<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All of this and California\u2019s already high cost of living will contribute to the sticker shock many residents will experience now that new minimum levels of coverage went into effect on Jan. 1, 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Understanding the Current Landscape of Auto Insurance in California<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

California\u2019s auto coverage market is unique due to its large population, road congestion, and the presence of non-standard drivers\u2014those with driving infractions, gaps in coverage, or things like a DUI<\/a> on their record. These drivers are often seen as higher risk by insurers, which can lead to higher premiums even before the 2025 hike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The state also has strict regulatory practices around auto insurance, with companies required to seek approval from the California Department of Insurance before making changes to their rates. This has kept premiums somewhat controlled over the years, but with several factors aligning\u2014ranging from inflation to legislative updates\u2014drivers are now bracing for a California car insurance increase in 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Much is California Car Insurance Going Up?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In 2025, California implemented significant changes to auto insurance minimum liability limits due to Senate Bill 1107. For the average driver in California – who is already paying more than people in most states – this means auto coverage could rise by as much as 54%. The current average cost of an annual car insurance quote in California for minimum required liability is $670 for minimum required liability*. This is expected to rise to more than $1,000 starting in January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The updates to California insurance coverage minimum limits are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Category<\/strong><\/td>Past Liability Limits<\/strong><\/td>2025 Liability Limits<\/strong><\/td>2035 Liability Limits<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Bodily Injury<\/td>$15,000<\/td>$30,000 per person<\/td>$50,000 per person<\/td><\/tr>
Bodily Injury (per accident)<\/td>$30,000<\/td>$60,000 per accident<\/td>$100,000 per accident<\/td><\/tr>
Property Damage<\/td>$5,000<\/td>$15,000 per accident<\/td>$25,000 per accident<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Understanding the Impact of Uninsured and Underinsured Motorists: Key Statistics and Insights<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Insurance experts predict at least 1.66 million California drivers will be impacted by higher rates, a number that could increase depending on how many drivers currently hold coverage at or near the minimum required. According to the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV),<\/a> California has around 27.65 million licensed drivers, meaning approximately 4.7 million of them are uninsured motorists<\/a> (UM)\u2014a number that could grow as rates rise and affordability declines for some drivers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other impacts on California drivers include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n