State profile · CA · CMS + NAIC
California drivers average $1223/yr for auto insurance, ranked #18 of 51 states by expenditure; federal marketplace denial filings are not reported for this state-based exchange.
The verdict
California runs its own health-insurance marketplace, so federal claim-denial data isn't reported here, but drivers pay an average $1223 a year for auto cover, near the $1191 national average (the 18th-most-expensive of 51 states), up 16% since 2019.
2019: $1052 average expenditure
$1,052 avg expenditure
2020: $1047 average expenditure
$1,047 avg expenditure
2021: $1047 average expenditure
$1,047 avg expenditure
2022: $1087 average expenditure
$1,087 avg expenditure
2023: $1223 average expenditure
$1,223 avg expenditure
What this shows California drivers' average auto cost rose 16% between 2019 and 2023.
Year over year, California's average auto expenditure rose 12.6% from 2022 to 2023, part of a 16% increase (+$171) since 2019. See the full 5-year state-by-state comparison.
California auto rates in detail →California: $1223/yr average auto expenditure (this state)
$1,223 avg expenditure
Arizona: $1344/yr average auto expenditure
$1,344 avg expenditure
Massachusetts: $1326/yr average auto expenditure
$1,326 avg expenditure
Mississippi: $1200/yr average auto expenditure
$1,200 avg expenditure
Oregon: $1170/yr average auto expenditure
$1,170 avg expenditure
No issuer-level claim-denial data is reported for California in the current CMS dataset.
Evidence map
The order below follows the evidence with the greatest bearing on this state record, while keeping the CMS claims filing, NAIC cost series, and state-rule context distinct.
Auto-cost position
California's 2023 average auto expenditure was $1223, 18th of 51 jurisdictions by cost and 2.7% above the national average. The figure reflects the coverage mix recorded by NAIC, not an individual driver's quote.
State insurance rules
California uses an at-fault (tort) auto-insurance system: the driver responsible for an accident, or their insurer, is liable for the other party's damages -- unlike the 12 no-fault states. California's insurance commissioner is a directly elected statewide office, one of 11 states where voters choose this role rather than a governor.
Nearest expenditure peers. By average auto expenditure, California's closest peers in PlainInsurer's dataset are Mississippi ($1200/yr) and Oregon ($1170/yr) -- both within a few dollars of California's own $1223/yr.
Border comparison. California borders Arizona, Nevada, and Oregon. California's auto costs run higher than 2 of them and lower than 1, by average auto expenditure -- geography is one of several factors (alongside regulation and risk pool) that shapes these differences, not a direct cause.
California operates a state-based health-insurance marketplace, so its issuers are not in the federal CMS Transparency-in-Coverage file. For health-plan denial data, consult the California Department of Insurance and the state exchange directly.
Rate regulation and guaranty-fund coverage are state-specific, so a state record can differ from an insurer's national average. Sources: CMS Transparency in Coverage PUF PY2026; NAIC 2023 Auto Insurance Database; Insurance Information Institute; Ballotpedia.
State insurance-department directory links come from NAIC. PlainInsurer is not affiliated with NAIC or CMS.
Every figure on PlainInsurer comes directly from NAIC MCAS and CMS Transparency in Coverage data; no editor types in numbers. See our editorial standards or methodology, or report an error. Data current as of 2026-08-11. Grades measure only the published complaint/denial data; we don't recommend any insurer or policy.