The average cost of car insurance in Modesto, California is around $151 a month—about $66 a month for state-minimum liability insurance and around $201 a month for full coverage.
That’s less than the average for the state of California, but with costs on the rise nationwide, it’s still a good idea to compare quotes with a broker like Jerry so you can get the lowest possible rate.
How much does car insurance cost in Modesto?
Since 2021, Jerry has provided free quotes to tens of thousands of California drivers. In that time, here’s what we’ve found:
- The average cost of car insurance nationwide is $202 a month or $2426 a year.
- The average cost of car insurance in the state of California is $180 a month or $2165 a year.
- The average cost of car insurance in Modesto is $151 a month or $1808 a year.
Overall, the cost of car insurance in Modesto is about 16.5% cheaper than the state average and about 25.5% cheaper than the national average.
The savings are slightly higher—around 26.6%—if you buy a liability-only policy that meets California’s minimum requirements of $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident of bodily injury liability and $5,000 of property damage liability.
Minimum insurance costs less upfront, but it leaves you financially vulnerable
Minimum coverage doesn’t offer enough protection for most drivers. That’s especially true in California, where the liability limits are extremely low.
Why isn’t minimum insurance enough? If you cause an accident, the other party’s vehicle repairs could easily exceed $5,000, and a serious injury could quickly incur medical bills of more than $15,000—especially if the person needs ongoing care.
If your liability insurance won’t cover all of the costs for an accident that you caused, you could be sued, and damages could be awarded based on your current assets and your future potential earnings.
On top of that, liability-only insurance won’t cover any damages to your own vehicle. You’ll need full coverage for that. Full coverage costs more in the short term, but it provides valuable financial protection in the event of a car accident, theft, vandalism, weather damage, and more.
Modesto full coverage insurance costs around 22% less than the state average, so it’s an investment that’s strongly worth considering.
Why is car insurance so cheap in Modesto?
Modesto’s fight against auto theft has likely led the charge in keeping car insurance rates low, but the average cost of claims filed may also be a factor.
- Improvement in auto thefts: In 2007, Modesto topped the US as the city with the most car thefts per 100,000 people.1 Today, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), Modesto is rated #54 in the country for auto theft.2 There’s still room for improvement, but the drop could be a factor in why car insurance rates in Modesto are lower than the state average.
- Per capita income: The per capita income in Modesto is $32,897.3 That’s somewhat low compared to other major California cities—nearby San Francisco’s per capita income is $86,186.4 A lower average income could lead drivers to choose more economical vehicles, which would mean a lower average cost of claims filed and lower premiums for the area.
The best car insurance companies in Modesto
Jerry conducted a groundbreaking survey of over 18,000 drivers to find out what they do and don’t like about their current insurance companies. In Modesto, two insurance companies stood out above the rest:
Years in business: 33
Jerry user score: 4.2
AM Best rating: B-
Kemper gets high marks from policyholders for their outstanding customer service, plan flexibility, and loyalty rewards program. In addition, they often provide low rates to drivers with violations on their record.
Years in business: 103
Jerry user score: 3.5
AM Best rating: A-
Customers love National General’s easy payment options, which include both online and over-the-phone options. Their wide variety of discounts makes it easy to save, and they offer especially low rates to drivers with a high-risk profile.
Get cheap car insurance quotes in Modesto, CA
The easiest way to find affordable car insurance in Modesto is to work with a car insurance broker like Jerry. Here’s how it works:
- Build your profile in the Jerry app. Download the app, then answer a few questions about yourself, your vehicle, and your driving history. Insurers will use this information to estimate your quotes, so be sure everything is accurate.
- Compare coverage levels and prices. In about two minutes, you’ll be sent a list of quotes that are organized into easy-to-browse levels of coverage.
- Review company ratings. There’s more to a great policy than just the price. Click on any insurance provider’s logo to read real customer reviews and expert ratings to make sure you’re choosing a company that’s a good fit for your insurance needs.
- Request a final price. Once you find a quote you like, click “Confirm your rate” as soon as possible—insurance rates are time-sensitive, so don’t wait, or your final price could go up.
- Make your first payment to activate your policy. Enter your payment information and upload any requested information to finalize your purchase. Once your payment is processed, your policy will be active—complete with digital proof of insurance.
Remember: Car insurance rates are based on your driving profile. If you drive an expensive car, have a DUI or multiple speeding tickets on your driving record, or live in a high-risk ZIP code, your premiums may be higher than average.
WHO’S JERRY?Jerry is a licensed insurance broker backed by a team of independent insurance agents. We work with over 55 car companies, from big names like Allstate, Nationwide, and Progressive to smaller regional insurers like MAPFRE and Anchor General. Jerry offers quick, legitimate auto coverage options through a top-rated mobile app available through the Apple App Store or Google Play store.
How to save on car insurance in Modesto
The rising cost of car insurance nationwide means it’s more important than ever to take advantage of every way to save. Use these tips to keep your Modesto car insurance costs low:
- Bundle multiple insurance products: Combining your car insurance with your homeowners insurance, renters insurance, or life insurance can help you save on each policy.
- Look into discounts: Research the savings opportunities offered by your auto insurance provider to make sure you’re enrolled in all of the car insurance discounts you qualify for.
- Raise your deductible: Choosing a higher deductible will lower your car insurance premiums. Just be sure to choose a deductible you can pay on short notice in case you need to file a claim.
- Improve your driving: Try using the Jerry app to track your driving—you’ll get a free driving score and personalized tips to become a safer driver.
- Reshop before your policy renews: Turn on the reshopping feature in the Jerry app, and we’ll automatically notify you before your policy renews if another insurance company can offer you a lower rate.
FAQ
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How much does car insurance cost in Modesto?
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Who has the cheapest car insurance in Modesto, California?
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What is the average cost of car insurance in California?
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Why is car insurance so expensive in Modesto?
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Why is it hard to get car insurance in California?
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What factors affect car insurance rates in Modesto, California?
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What are the best-rated car insurance companies in Modesto, California?
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What is the best type of car insurance coverage to have in Modesto?
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How can I save on my car insurance in Modesto?
Sources
- https://money.cnn.com/2008/04/22/autos/Auto_theft/index.htm ↩︎
- https://www.nicb.org/news/news-releases/hot-spots-report-shows-vehicle-theft-rates-spiking-different-regions-us ↩︎
- https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/modestocitycalifornia/INC910222 ↩︎
- https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/sanfranciscocitycalifornia/INC910222#INC910222 ↩︎
Expert insurance writer and editor Amy Bobinger specializes in car repair, car maintenance, and car insurance. Amy is passionate about creating content that helps consumers navigate challenges related to car ownership and achieve financial success in areas relating to cars. Amy has over 10 years of writing and editing experience. After several years as a freelance writer, Amy spent four years as an editing fellow at WikiHow, where she co-authored over 600 articles on topics including car maintenance and home ownership. Since joining Jerry’s editorial team in 2022, Amy has edited over 2,500 articles on car insurance, state driving laws, and car repair and maintenance.
Kathleen Flear is an expert insurance writer and editor who previously lead up Jerry’s editorial team as director of content. Kathleen empowers drivers to make smart car ownership decisions through best-in-class articles on insurance, loans, and maintenance. Prior to joining Jerry in 2021, Kathleen served as managing editor for a team of SEO content marketing professionals at Article-Writing.co and worked as a freelance writer and editor for a range of digital publications, including Chicago Literati magazine and Golden Words. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English language and literature from Queen’s University, and a master’s degree in creative writing and fiction from Sierra Nevada University.
As Vice President of Insurance Operations at Jerry, Josh Damico leads teams across product development, operations and carrier relations, integrating Jerry’s smart and fast car insurance customer experience with that of traditional carriers to help customers find savings and coverage. Josh’s nearly 20 years of insurance-industry experience and knowledge generate partnerships with more than 55 name-brand and specialty insurance partners that enable Jerry to serve customers with all types of vehicle and policy needs.
Previously, Josh held executive roles at Geico, where he had vast regional oversight and leadership opportunities. In his most recent role as director of sales, servicing, and underwriting, Josh developed and executed profit and growth strategy for the New England states and New Jersey.
Josh holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management from Medaille College.
*Illustration only. For all the pricing information presented in this article (including various tables), please note that not all customers find savings and the information is for illustrative purposes only. Savings depend on type of car, location, policy features, driving history and other factors. Drivers who switch through Jerry save over $70/month on average.
